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Original poster

Family pet, which creature is best?

90 replies

DaisyBrain · 08/07/2020 19:04

We've had a cat previously but a bit wary now as we live next to a huge road. Not at all keen on dogs. Definitely not a rat. Can anyone recommend a good pet for our family? Ideally cuddly.

OP posts:
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fantasmasgoria1 · 08/07/2020 20:41

A cat definitely. As people have said you can build a catio but not all cats want to go outside. One of my previous cats hated the outdoors and chose to be a housecat whereas the cat I have now loves to go out. Rabbits are often not cuddly. They can be antisocial!

jarviscockatiel · 08/07/2020 20:41

Not hedgehogs! We had an African pygmy and she was grumpy and totally antisocial. Obviously a cockatiel makes the best pet 😁

KoalasandRabbit · 08/07/2020 20:42

I would get a rescue cat - some of them are indoor only and older ones personality is known.

nicky2512 · 08/07/2020 20:42

Hairydilemma Thanks. She’s great but definitely has attitude! I have kept guinea pigs many times but she is my favourite ever. I think people don’t realise how much personality they can have!

squanderedcore · 08/07/2020 20:44

Hands down Guinea pigs but please get a bonded pair, not just one.

ragged · 08/07/2020 20:45

how old are your DC, OP?
Dogs are the perfect family pet if you can give them time.

nicky2512 · 08/07/2020 20:49

squanderedcore I agree totally. We have always kept two. We sadly lost one earlier this year in surgery to have a tumour removed. Remaining pig now needs loads of extra attention!

Hairydilemma · 08/07/2020 20:51

Guinea pigs are definitely little characters. We have three and they’re all quite different personalities.

Original poster
DaisyBrain · 08/07/2020 20:58

DC are 8 and 14year old twins. They want something to engage with, I don't want any thing smelly or that bites!

OP posts:
Jenjenn · 08/07/2020 21:00

Indoor rescue cat. Ours was 2 when we got him and had never been outdoors. He could go out the back here but rarely does.

Isabelle71 · 08/07/2020 21:40

Guinea pigs

jackdaw141 · 08/07/2020 21:53

Avoid armadillos. They are very cute and friendly, but my god do they hum...! Eurgh. Yuk.

Twizbe · 08/07/2020 21:56

@DaisyBrain

DC are 8 and 14year old twins. They want something to engage with, I don't want any thing smelly or that bites!
Seriously then, a budgie. No smell, easy to clean up, no mess. If you get them from fledged they often will learn to talk and learn tricks.
OddBoots · 08/07/2020 22:02

I agree with guinea pigs, totally our beds pets.

OddBoots · 08/07/2020 22:02

Best

TheMandalorian · 08/07/2020 22:08

Sloths are pretty cuddly.
Anyway guinea pigs are very easy to keep and don't mind being carted about. They don't bite or scratch. The females don't smell if their cage is cleaned regularly.

Elzbells · 08/07/2020 22:13

Get a cockatiel. You can teach them to say things (mine used to do the phone). They can have a fly around inside and sit on your shoulder but are low maintanance and don't rip up your house if you go out for the day!

Elzbells · 08/07/2020 22:13

Get a cockatiel. You can teach them to say things (mine used to do the phone). They can have a fly around inside and sit on your shoulder but are low maintanance and don't rip up your house if you go out for the day!

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 08/07/2020 22:23

Well if you are by a huge road I would suggest Tufty the Squirrel. He is cuddly and well versed in road sense. Grin

magicmarker11 · 08/07/2020 22:43

We have gerbils. They're so much fun! Not cuddly exactly as they don't really like being held but they run all over us. They bring us a lot of happiness

SisyphusDad · 08/07/2020 22:52

"I'm taking my Oyster for walkies..."

Sorry. Too much wine, so couldn't resist Blush.

ShouldWeChangeTheBulb · 08/07/2020 22:58

A truly engaging small pet that will snuggle? I’m afraid really rats are your only option. You could strike it lucky and get an affectionate non bitey house rabbit or a cuddly degu/chinchilla/parrot but you also run the very real risk of getting one that is mainly not bothered. Rats are normally good natured and almost never bite. They smell a bit but not as bad as some dogs.

Pleasebeaflesbite · 08/07/2020 22:59

Bearded dragon. Get one from a baby and handle it a lot and it will be very tame. Will sit and watch TV with you, perch on your shoulder and go for walks and has a high cool factor with other teenagers. Easy to keep as reptiles go and definitely have personalities

whathaveijustseen · 08/07/2020 23:10

Budgies are great if you get the right character-one of ours we described as neurotic, agoraphobic carnivorous budgie with a pathological hatred of mankind! If we opened her cage door she would screech til we closed it, if you went to talk to her in the cage she would wait til you got to close then bite your lip or nose. Our other budgies were fine so don't know what went wrong with her, currently budgie less as we now have a bugger of cat(accidental acquisition)

ellendegeneres · 08/07/2020 23:13

I vote house cat too! We have cats and their personalities are brilliant (despite one being a highly strung bitch) they love us so much and us them. They’re just amazing, I’ve had ones that couldn’t go out in the past too, that would be my preference if I lived in a busy area

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