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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask for help in picking a pet. Lots of criteria.

86 replies

theonewiththecats · 15/04/2019 07:30

DD2 (almost 9, and very sensible responsible) wants her own 'cuddly and interactive' pet.

DD1 is into fishes and has a fish tank which she looks after but DD2 is not interested.

We already have s lovely cat who prefers me.

Cause we have a cat, I ruled out rats/gerbils/birds as I am really worried about a tiny moment of complacency - happened to friends. Ideally, she wants a dog but I am working all day and have neither the money nor the time and space for a dog (we live in a flat).

Oh, and I don't like smell and mess - so no rabbit or ginnuea pigs either (thankfully we live ground floor and the tiger has a cat flap so no litter tray).

I really cannot think of a pet that ticks all the boxes. Anybody with another idea? Am I missing something?

OP posts:
user1474894224 · 15/04/2019 07:32

What about another cat?

Catoninetails · 15/04/2019 07:32

Another cat! Maximum interactivity for minimum effort.

Original poster
theonewiththecats · 15/04/2019 07:33

we thought about it but our tiger is a solo cat. he really doesn't tolerate other cats. I don't think this would work.

OP posts:
Jingzhou · 15/04/2019 07:39

So no
Cats
Rats
Birds
Guinea pigs
Rabbits
Dogs

So
Lizard?

DonaldTramp · 15/04/2019 07:39

You haven't left much to pick from!

mookinsx · 15/04/2019 07:42

I would suggest a Guniea pig, however they are best as indoor pets and with a cat that's not going to happen.

Another cat would have been ideal but you say yours is a solo cat.

A large house rabbit? Then the cats not going to chase it for being a small furrie. Can be trained like a cat but no idea how you train a rabbit. But then it's in the same space as the cat so really no different to a cat other than the species.

Or if you're not realistically able for a fluffy interactive pet, how about a reptile? Frogs, snakes, bearded dragons are very interactive. You can hold them and snakes.

We have a dog and used to be out all day and she was never 100% settled. Now one of us works nights she is never alone.
However a smaller breed (not a spaniel) do not always need longer walks. (Saying that I know an ex racing greyhound who doesn't care for a walk)
And if done right you shouldn't have issues with leaving them just some dogs don't like it, and it's likely to upset the cat if as you say the cat is a solo creature.

Sorry OP not a straightforward answer. Unless they can have the small furry In their room and the cat isn't allowed in? But then you're really looking at a hamster and even they need a good size cage and appropriately stimulated or they go stir crazy

Let DC suggest what they want and then you can answer yes or no with appropriate research together and work out what fits.

Jingzhou · 15/04/2019 07:43

I think another cat is your only option. Tiger will have to get used to it.

Sizeofalentil · 15/04/2019 07:50

Do you have a garden? How about two chickens?

Our cats are terrified of ours!

Micro pig?

Ellabella989 · 15/04/2019 07:51

Chinchilla

Heyha · 15/04/2019 07:52

Most of the smallest furred pets aren't very cuddly & interactive anyway so likely to be disappointing.

Guineas and rabbits much more responsive, guineas easier to handle and to give good living conditions, they don't smell if their wee corner is spot cleaned every day (literally just scooped out- 2 minute job) to support your weekly full clean.

But sounds like they are ruled out too which just leaves lizards, the antithesis of cuddly but bearded dragons especially will tolerate being handled to the extent they appear to enjoy it and they are funny to watch but do need plenty of interaction to keep them sweet.

I agree with the others though that another cat is the best fit seeing as you know the existing one fits in well with your lifestyle.

MaidenMotherCrone · 15/04/2019 07:52

Earthworm.... perfect pet.

Original poster
theonewiththecats · 15/04/2019 07:52

You haven't left much to pick from!

I think that explains my post.

might look into a lizard (no nothing about them so have to educate myself first).

I don't want a pet for s pet's sake but want to make sure it's properly looked after too. Might try to talk DD2 out of it!

OP posts:
Original poster
theonewiththecats · 15/04/2019 07:53

Earthworm.... perfect pet

thanks - it does tick most of my boxes Grin

OP posts:
Heyha · 15/04/2019 07:54

@ellabella989 makes a good shout there- chins (must be a pair) can get very tame and are very clean but you'd need to guard against cat interactions.

CaptSkippy · 15/04/2019 07:57

A robot dog?

IsolaPribby · 15/04/2019 07:58

Can you get her more involved in the care of your current cat, feeding and giving treats? So you can share ownership, and perhaps improve the relationship between the cat and her?

FauxFox · 15/04/2019 07:58

Hedgehog?

BasilTheGreat · 15/04/2019 08:01

What Isola said. Involve her in the cat care. Make her feed the cat then the cat will be more attentive to her

Original poster
theonewiththecats · 15/04/2019 08:05

I think the cat care involvement is actually a good idea. Thanks.

OP posts:
DonaldTramp · 15/04/2019 09:08

Isola has it: Can you get her more involved in the care of your current cat, feeding and giving treats? So you can share ownership, and perhaps improve the relationship between the cat and her?

My cat was never interested in my kids until they got older (both cat and kid!). Now they're the best of friends.

HBStowe · 15/04/2019 09:15

I think another cat is your only option. Tiger will have to get used to it.

This isn’t an option. OP’s primary responsibility is to the pets she has already (as she clearly realises) and adding another cat to the mix would be incredibly stressful to the existing cat. Cats are territorial and don’t need other cats for company. Some might bond with each other but there is no guarantee of that.

I also think the cat care solution is a good one OP. A decent sized house rabbit might also be fine but would need a litter tray so maybe not ideal on the mess front.

Ithinkmycatisevil · 15/04/2019 09:20

I would say a rat. I know youve kind of ruled them out due to the cat, but they're probably the toughest of the little pets (one of ours bit our dog and sent it running when she decided to mess with it). They're definitely the most interactive small pets we've ever had. The only ones that would come running to us, or sit with us to watch telly etc. They get a bad rep, but are actually very sweet and enjoy being with their humans, much more so than a lizard.

Coronapop · 15/04/2019 09:23

Stick insects require minimal care as long as you have a local supply of bramble or privet. Entertaining when they breed and the babies escape.

NW2SW · 15/04/2019 09:24

If DD2 is already disinterested in the cat and fish you have are you sure she has the responsibility/attention span for one of her own?

A larger house rabbit could be an option if introduced to the cat properly.

Frangipane · 15/04/2019 09:30

I agree 're rats. They are amazingly intelligent and the most interactive animal I can think of after dogs and cats. In fact, they put most cats to shame in that regard and I say that as a lifelong cat owner and lover. Rats don't smell, are easy to keep clean, and it would only take a decent amount of vigilance to keep one separate from the cat.

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