Keeping a pet in a top floor flat with a 2 year old?

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Is this just a terrible idea? The question is more aimed at cat/dog, but if you think that is a terrible idea, is there any you'd recommend?
I grew up with pets and it's been too long without them since I moved out!

I wouldn’t with a dog or cat, personally. Indoor guinea pigs, house rabbit? Guinea pigs who live in doors are usually very friendly and lovely to chat with. Use fleece as a cover for the cage floor to avoid so much hay/ shavings mess.

I have an indoor cat. Google Jackson Galaxy for tips on making your place cat friendly. Dog? I'm not so sure. Maybe an older one but you would have to, in any event, commit to daily walks etc. My disabled and very old uncle has a dog in his flat but pays a dog walking service. The dog has a lovely run around a couple of times a day and gets to hang out with his old pal.

Yes, a terrible idea.
A cat needs outdoor access, or plenty of stimulation and space for itself away from toddlers. Kittens need homes in pairs, so consider that too.
Taking a dog downstairs to do its business all the time with a 2yo is a nightmare. Plus if using shared space it's not too fair on other residents.
It depends what you want a pet for really.

@QueenofLouisiana guinea pig was an option but my mum put me off - she said they need to run round but would poo everywhere and with their poo being so little and pellet-like, there's a chance DS could touch them/put them in his mouth (he's only just turning 2)

Plenty of cats live indoors so it is doable. You might need to get gatesa to wherever the litter tray and food is. Alternatively greyhounds require very little walking (contrary to popular opinion), but you would still need to be able to take them out at least 4 times a day to pee. And as dogs age they become less able to do the stairs (although if you have a lift that's less of an issue).

Rats make wonderful pets, although have quite a short life expectancy. Rabbits are really unsuitable pets if you have young children. Rabbits can literally be scared to death.

Don't get a tortoise (just in case anyone suggests it). I'd go w guinea pig personally (or rather 2 because they need company).

I think guinea pigs would work providing they had a safe space that your toddler isn't allowed to access. However, a cat or dog wouldn't really be suitable.

As for a rabbit, absolutely not, they're not really an animal who should ever be a pet. They need loads of space, hate being handled and get scared very easily.

Agree with no to a rabbit. They need to be kept in pairs, need loads of space and chew everything, also cost a fortune as need to be neutered and have yearly injections, prone to get sick. I spend more on my rabbits then I do on my dog.

Both are doable. Sphynxes for example are strictly indoors only. Most flats won't allow pets though, you may want to check that.
Also if you have hardwood floors the sounds of a dog walking/excitedly running around could possibly be annoying to the people below.
Don't get a rabbit though, they'll chew everything.

I have a cat in a top floor flat and a 2 year old. We got him long before the 2 year old (We have had him 7 years now) but it works ok.
How much are you home? If you work long hours I wouldn't get a kitten.
It depends a lot on the breed of cat I Think. We rehomed a gorgeous 4 year old Persian. Persians are great indoor cats and great with kids. Ours is so docile and cuddly and happy to be inside.
Don't underestimate the potential issues involved though, vets bills/litter problems potentially.

Bad idea. I also think guinea pigs and hamsters etc can be a bit smelly even if they're cleaned out regularly. Guinea pigs pee everywhere too.

Guinea pigs can be trained to use a litter tray, ours aren't but they still only defecate in their cage - they go back to it. I wouldn't keep them in a flat though as they benefit from time outside and love it and they need a lot of space - pet shop guinea pig cages are far, far too small for one guinea pig let alone a pair.

You can get indoor guinea pig cages, google “c and c cages for guinea pigs” or standard indoor cages- we have a 140cm long cage which holds 2 boys. They do poo a lot, but a healthy guinea poo is pellet like and dry so easy to sweep up and clean away. It’s not at all like carnivore pet poo.

A dog in a flat would be a nightmare with a toddler as you'd have to take DS downstairs with you each time you wanted to let the dog out for the toilet.
Cats - I personally don't agree with indoor cats, unless there's perhaps a specific breed that's very well suited to being shut indoors all the time? Even my super-lazy boy cat would go stir-crazy if he couldn't have a charge around the garden now and then. If you did go down this route you would need lots of space for large cat trees (scratching and climbing apparatus) and toys to ensure they're well stimulated. You would need to cat-proof the windows to stop the cats getting out and falling (especially kittens), and would presumably need to trek to the outside bins each time they pooed in the tray (unless you want your home smelling of cat do-do - scented bags really don't cut it).
Rabbits aren't good pets for small children (very strong and scratchy hind legs!), nor are hamsters / gerbils (nocturnal so only active when small child is in bed!). Guinea pigs are ok but yes, they can poo unexpectedly. What about some fish ?

How big is the flat? That’s important.

Very bad idea OP, I would wait if I were you.

@PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin not massive, quite cosy. Two double bedrooms, large living room with a small kitchen (open plan).

I don't think it's the best idea unless it's a rat or something like that. I find it hard with the cleaning litter trays etc with cats and dogs

We had guinea pigs and they were a nightmare

We alll hated them.

They poop for England - we got a pair of boys(recommended by the pet shop) and they basically spent their time biting us / biting each other / attempting to rape each other

They also live a longgggg time

Don't get a hamster they are so noisy and totally crap pet for kids as they don't come out when children are awake generally

I wouldn't have a pet In your circumstances totally unfair on them

Herbivore poo like guinea pig poo is really low risk for any disease. I'd be much more concerned about your toddler touching the cat litter tray. You could always use a cuddle cup / cuddle pouch when holding them to catch poo.
Guinea pigs are brilliant, sociable, reasonable life span (6-7 years usually). I wouldn't have them free-range all the time as if your toddler trod or fell on them it could severely injury or kill them. Better to have a cage, sit on the floor with toddler and play with them at set times.

I've had guinea pigs for almost 30 years and never been bitten. I'd either get two females, or a neutered male and a female. Rescue would be better as then you could get wellhandled young adults rather than babies that will need lots of handling to socialise them.

A cat would be absolutely fine, as long as you picked the right individual or breed to suit the indoor lifestyle- rather than trying to force it on one who’d rather be tearing up and down the neighbours’ garden.

We adopted our house cat from a shelter, and they were took good care to match us up with the right cat.

Go and chat with your local cat rescue.

There are many cats which need to live indoors- FIV + cats, blind or other health issues. There are also elderly cats, if you can cope with them being a short term thing giving an old cat some comfort in it’s last years is an amazing thing.

Or you could foster? Many cats don’t do well in rescue and foster homes are always needed. Kitten season soon to and my local rescue is already looking for pregnant cat foster...

I have an indoor cat on a 3rd floor. He quite likes to go out to the balconies, and I don't let him go (most of the time) on window sills.
But it's a fairly spacious three bed large living room and decent kitchen.

Get a laid back indoor cat, particularly if you have a 2 year old. Rescues won't let you adopt a kitten with such a young child for good reasons.