Family pet, which creature is best?

[DaisyBrain]

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.

NOT a rabbit please

Cornsnake (will wrap itself very affectionately round you)

Ot if you prefer furry, tarantula. But they might be a bit too aloof

Rescue sea monkeys??

@WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat

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

A panda?

My guinea pigs are very cuddly and friendly.

@Pelleas

Sea monkeys are living breathing things and a commitment for life

I'm guessing sloths aren't actually legal in the UK? DS would adore a sloth!

Rescue house cat, one that's old or has some kind of disability.

Or chickens. I hatched some chickens from eggs in an incubator and they made fabulous pets. Many of the breeds are cuddly. We had a buff orpington and she loved to sit on your knee. She'd bury her head into my hair and snuggle up to my neck and fall asleep. Silky chickens are described as the kittens of the chicken world.

House rabbit

An outside one.

Rescue house cat too. (Sorry Guinea lovers but I found they were caged, timid, eating/excreting machines that generated an awful lot of work v the reward from interacting with them)

Guinea pigs!

Don't get birds of any description, I feel so sorry for them that they were meant to fly outside stretching their wings but are stuck inside usually in a cage.

Obviously doesn't include chickens.

Goldfish! Ok not cuddly enough??

Guinea pigs. Sociable, good company. You need 2.

Cat

Guinea pigs- we've had them before and they are great. I wouldn't have them personally again, as I am allergic but they were good pets.

I know you said no rats.
We now have rats. DD18 is our animal nut, when she first mentioned rats, I said definitely no as I really didn't think I would deal with the tails. But they are honestly the best pets ever. Very clever, clean (they don't smell at all), very sociable etc. I wouldn't be without them now. They sit and watch tv with us in the evening.
I recommend them to everyone as the best pets for families. Everyone loves them. Even my mum, who said she would never set foot in our house again if we got a rat, is grudingly fond of her grandrats and shreds newspaper in her shredder for their bedding as she is shocked at how much Pets at Home charge for bedding.

If it is the tails that bother you, that's what bothered me, and I can honestly say that our rat cleaing his tail is the cutest thing I have EVER seen. (And I watch a lot of YouTube!)

I was going to suggest cornsnake too. They're very sweet, and love to wrap themselves around you in a non-threatening manner. Also their tiny heads are adorable.

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

That probably cancels out all pets, other than a goldfish.

Surprised at the no bunny comments! My friend's one is very affectionate and according to her not that difficult to care for, he's a funny little thing

Barring that, seconding an indoor rescue cat

This thread discusses the pros and cons of keeping rabbits.