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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider a pet

44 replies

user365241987 · 19/03/2018 22:31

As above. Largely being petitioned for a dog or bunny by our kids. Mainly their cute campaign of persuasion is what is pushing me into considering. I accept a dog is a lot of work. Is a rabbit a similarly high responsibility? Can you keep it as a house rabbit easily? Not open to cats or gerbil/hamsters.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/03/2018 22:35

Get a pet if YOU want one. Never take on any animal based on pester power.
Rabbits can be hard for kids to handle. They can chew. We had one whose teeth didn't meet and needed regular clipping.

HarrietKettle · 19/03/2018 22:37

Rabbits are NOT a suitable pet for childen. Please don't.

HarrietKettle · 19/03/2018 22:38

I mean, yes of course with the right treatment they make amazing pets, I've had house rabbits for years. BUT they aren't an easy option. Yes they look cute but they're not easy, I just don't think they're great for kids to be honest.

mistermagpie · 19/03/2018 22:40

Don't get a rabbit, they are not an appropriate pet for a child. Only get a dog if you want one because they are a huge responsibility and you will be the one doing the work.

What about a cat? I have two and they are less work than dogs but more fun than hamsters (who are also not a great pet for children) although my kids aren't that interested in them. We had cats first though so they are my pets not the children's.

UpstartCrow · 19/03/2018 22:40

How do you feel about rats? They only live for a couple of years so if the novelty wears off you wont still be cleaning out the cage when your kids leave home.

Original poster
user365241987 · 19/03/2018 22:41

Very glad to have this advice over that of a four year old! I was close to breaking on the rabbit (mainly due to the catchy song...). Are guinea pigs preferable to rabbits?

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/03/2018 22:41

Cats can live for over 20 years.
I used to have rats. Lovely pets.

Wolfiefan · 19/03/2018 22:42

Seriously? You need to do some research. And if you have no desire for a particular pet then FFS don't get one. You will be doing the cleaning out and claw clipping and feeding and vet visits and handling etc.

Original poster
user365241987 · 19/03/2018 22:42

Afraid that the thought of a rat makes me squirm a bit. Sorry - am sure they are lovely. I also am not a cat lady...

OP posts:
HarrietKettle · 19/03/2018 22:44

At four they won't be doing much of the care, will they? Probably get bored very quickly. So it's your pet, not theirs.

UpstartCrow · 19/03/2018 22:46

Animals like guinea pigs and rabbits aren't happy being single, in the wild they live in large groups. So you need a pair or trio, and they all need to be the same sex.
Guinea pigs need careful feeding as they cant make vitamin C, you have to supply it in their diet.

PerfectlyDone · 19/03/2018 22:46

Only ever get a pet if YOU want one and YOU can make the commitment to look after them for their whole life time.

Do not get a dog - they are like another child in many respects (I have one, and I love him, I wanted him, but yesterday I would have cheerfully strangled him after tripping me up one too many times by Standing. Right. There. every time I turned around).

Rabbits are lovely pets but not as cuddly as they look. They are prey animals and really do not particularly like to be handled, and they kick! Hard.

Guinea pigs are great personalities and can become quite tame with regular gentle handling, but they are poop machines and need very regular cleaning out, They are highly allergenic. They can be smelly, their urine mainly, boars ejaculate (boar glue - lovely) and they need more care than many people think. We've had ours for 4 years and I am the only person who bothers with them.

Only get a pet if YOU want one.
If you want one, then think about it again. When you then do get one, enjoy! Smile

Frogthefrog · 19/03/2018 22:48

Guinea pigs are probably the easiest small pet but they need to be kept in pairs and you need to be committed to having them (and taking good care of them!) for their whole lives. Please don't get a pet unless you are willing to take on the responsibility single-handedly as children often lose interest quickly.

Sciurus83 · 19/03/2018 22:49

Guinea pigs are wonderful pets, and yes IMO (I have four) they are easier than rabbits. They don't need as big an enclosure, rabbits really need a whole shed and large run at least instead of a hutch so they are able to jump to their full range. Guinea is need more space than most pet shop hutches would suggest, 2x4 ft at a minimum for two pigs. Would highly recommend a c+c modular cage, then you can get a big cage for a good price, it's open and they really like to be kept inside. Once you have them around they get really used to you and very social if you handle them enough and have them around you hearing the noise of life (especially the fridge and bags of salad!). Mine will wheek greetings when we get he and lie on our laps in front of the TV. They really can make lovely pets. But as other posters they have to be your pet in case the kids get bored, so many small animals end up in rescue for this reason.

RLOU88 · 19/03/2018 22:49

Don’t get a dog without some serious, serious consideration. The commitment is insaine. Mine is 2 this month and I love him dearly, but the walk, poop 💩 eat, walk, play, eat, walk and poop 💩 and play some more is a lot. I’m pregnant atm and wondering how people with children and dogs manage. Your kid(s) will love it I’m sure but ultimately it will be the adults doing the leg work!
Disclaimer: I love my dog more than anything and wouldn’t change him for the world!

Sciurus83 · 19/03/2018 22:50

I second that they are poo monsters! They need regular cleaning, I keep mine on fleece so it's a lot of cleaning and extra laundry too

Original poster
user365241987 · 19/03/2018 22:52

Thank you everyone. The rabbit insight is very helpful. Of course we wouldn't be led by them without knowing that we could all support a pet. The thing for now is that we might just try and walk other friend's dogs.

OP posts:
SweetMoon · 19/03/2018 22:53

Guinea pigs are great but social so you need more than one.

Don't know why people are saying rabbits are not good. They make great pets. Easily trainable, mine pooed in a litter tray and came running when you called her name. Really cuddly. Cheap to feed! Maybe I was just lucky?

PerfectlyDone · 19/03/2018 22:54

There are websites that will allow you to link up with dog owners looking for dog walking in their neighbourhood quite informally.

Consider fostering a dog for a rescue - that's how we started out Smile

HarrietKettle · 19/03/2018 22:56

No, rabbits DO make great pets- but they're not the easy child friendly cuddly pet they're made out to be! That's why there are tonnes in rescues, or worse dumped in a hutch on their own at the bottom of the garden Sad

Wolfiefan · 19/03/2018 22:56

How about volunteering for the Cinnamon Trust? Walking a dog. Allowing an elderly or unwell person to keep their beloved pet.
You're deluding yourself if you think you would "all" support a pet. We have pets. The kids don't feed or walk or pick up the poo or do the vet visits. They don't hold the pet when they are PTS or arrange the holiday cover.

BlueEyedBengal · 19/03/2018 23:02

Get a cat I have a 9 yrs old Bengal blue eyed snow marble and 6 kids dogs can't be totally trusted but a cat will play like nothing else and when they have had enough they just go out of the way when dogs can't get away so cats are more trustworthy.. just teach your child to respect their space and also easy to look after.

VetOnCall · 19/03/2018 23:12

Please don't get any animal unless YOU really want it and are prepared to do all the looking after. Especially a dog, they're a massive responsibility and workload. It's a shame you say you don't like cats or rats as both can make wonderful family pets and are lower maintenance/'easier' than dogs and rabbits. Fancy rats really are very sweet, intelligent and interactive animals.

spicerack · 19/03/2018 23:15

I've had my house rabbit for about 4 months, she has complete free access to the whole house and she's adorable, really intelligent and she's litter trained, can understand " down " when I want her off the sofa etc and comes when called HOWEVER bloody hard work, gets scared really easily from loud noises etc so kids grabbing them all the time and being noisy probably isn't best for them. I know they're cute but they are hard work! here's mine :)

spicerack · 19/03/2018 23:20

ah it didn't post!

To consider a pet