To give in and let DD 12 get a pet?

[violetfox]

I'm feeling very conflicted about this - DD is desperate to have a pet and although I'd usually say no (not enough room or time to look after it), I'm starting to consider allowing it.

She's set on a hamster at the moment, but personally I'm not too fond of rodents - they're alright, and I'd be willing to take care of the essentials, but I can't say I'm particularly excited about it.

She is generally responsible and promises to clean the cage, feed it, etc. Yesterday she made a (15 page long!) PowerPoint about dwarf hamsters and I said I'd think about it.

Honestly I don't even know if you can buy pets at the moment - as much as DD wants a pet, I'm worried this is an impulse decision. Would you say a 12 yo is capable of looking after a hamster (by themselves for the most part)?

Yeah let her have one. Rats are better though.

12 year old can definitely look after a hamster by themselves. I’d recommend a Syrian one though as they are easier to tame and hold.
They are cheap to house and feed. You can get a nice big cage for about £30 from zooplus.

Yes, at her age it could be a good lesson in responsibility. As long as she cleans it out herself etc. Rats are lovely pets but they do smell if not cleaned regularly and they need a lot of stimulation, so it depends how involved you think she’ll be. I had a dwarf hamster at her age and they’re a bit nippy! I would go with a hamster or if you have a garden some guinea pigs would be lovely.

Id also recommend rats, I’ve had rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets and rats are by far the easiest to tame

Tbh I think a cat is the best pet for a child. Their day to day care consists of ensuring they're fed and watered, especially if you have access to a garden for them to go.

I'd got for a gerbil rather than a hamster. Hamsters are nocturnal and make a racket running in their wheel at night!

I'd got for a gerbil rather than a hamster. Hamsters are nocturnal and make a racket running in their wheel at night!

@violetfox I would say she could look after it bit be prepared to do all the work, if you’re not prepared then don’t get it.

Too many people use hamsters as test pets but they are living creatures with needs and requirements.

Sweet that she cares enough to do her research though she obviously cares!

Not kind to keep a rat by itself, they are quite social.snimals and bright so it's not great just sticking them in a cage 23 hours a day.

Hamsters are solitary by nature and a bit thick so it's slightly less unkind, although most cages sold are really too small.

Aw yeah, I was 12 when I got my first hamster. They're pretty low effort and cheap.

Agree with Spidey66 after years of all manner of small animals - you name it rabbits, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters. We finally got a cat and it’s by far the lowest maintenance. Despite every good intentions, you will end up looking after any pet and the cat has been our easiest by far.

We went to get a hamster for my ds yday and the pet shop wasnt selling them due to covid 19.

I agree cats are far more low maintenance than small rodents etc, but if you want something in a cage I'd definitely agree with pp's that rats or guinea pigs make better pets and live longer than hamsters too.