Gift idea for a child who wants a pet but isn't going to get one!

[reddaisy]

She had a FurReal once but didn't play with it much, is there something else out there that would stop her asking for a pet?

Could you adopt an animal at a local zoo or rescue centre? That way she could visit, have boating rights but not actually have to care for it.

Not sure of your budget but maybe riding lessons? It would give her animal interaction.

LikeSilver, I should have said in my OP that there is a menagerie of animals at the childminder's where she goes every day so she has daily interaction with animals.

She really wants a cat to go to sleep with her every night because one of her friends does this. I have just looked at some of the FurReals again and some of them seem to do more than the one she has got but she didn't play with it much.

MrsCakes, good idea but not sure whether that will do!

When in a similar position, we bought DD a goldfish!

Did she like it Leeds2? I am not sure I can even be bothered with looking after a goldfish! Our house is tiny and the tank would have to go somewhere and it will need cleaning out. I am genuinely allergic to cats though otherwise I probably could be swayed on that.

How old?

When I was a child, I wanted a pet - I got a nature book instead (about being a wildlife detective etc) and spent the next couple of years turning the garden into a nature reserve, and breeding woodlice under my bed!

She is 5. Sea monkeys could work, or a wormery. Not sure I fancy woodlice in the bedroom but I wouldn't mind in the garden!

Antfarm?

DD has a goldfish as it's the only pet that fits in with our small flat and my allergies. Goldfish are not really easy pets though, not if you want to look after them properly and make sure they have a happy fishy life.

We finally gave in and bought our DS a hamster. Desperate for a dog but we're are out all day so just wouldn't be fair on the poor thing. Anyway hamster was a huge success. Initial outlay of around £50 but then not even a fiver a month after that. Yes it does have to be cleaned out weekly but that is one of DS's chores. Success all round! (And they don't live forever)

Why won't a photograph of one do?! I might let her have a hamster or some such thing when she is bigger and can clean it out herself but I am really not keen. I like dogs but we are out all day too and I wouldn't want the commitment of a dog and I like cats but I am allergic to them and sneeze constantly and get sore eyes.

Children never clean out there animals on there own you have to be prepared to do it.

Gerbils/hamsters don't live that long (1-2 years?)
Yes, you would have to accept that YOU are going to be cleaning it out (just like our guinea pigs are 'mine', but I knew that before we got them )

Goldfish - we watched one for our neighbours a while back and I surprised myself how much I looked forward to saying 'good morning' to it in our kitchen when I came down!
Not much use for cuddling in bed though.

Sponser an animal with the WWF? - you get sent a rather nice cuddly toy. DS2(10) still sleeps with his snow leopard.

IMVHO FurReal toys are worse than useless. Because of all the 'actions' they do they are no use for imaginary play otoh, and otoh they are not-real. Lose - lose, IMO.
I really don't like them - give me the creeps. Sorry.

A Syrian hamster!

WWF adoption packs

A Syrian hamster!

Tell her you've bought her a pet magpie.when she asks where it is, just point to the sky and say, "that's yours up there "

Or you could..y'know..just say no?! I don't mean it nastily but it's sometimes what kids have to face up to.Animals are not a gift in any way and if you don't want to accommodate one for whatever reason then it's not fair to bring an animal into a home where it could become a burden.She will get over it...I know..I was that child!!!

A keeper for a day experience will give her something to look forward to.

I think they have cats at build a bear, you could take her for a Christmassy outing and she can do a birth certificate and everything, tell her that Santa gave you a voucher or something?

Agree with the WWF Adoptions.

I also have a DS who sleeps with his Snow Leopard!

reddaisy - have you ever had a cat? I'm quite allergic to them but when I have my own it clears up after a while as long as I don't rub my eyes (a bit of a hassle, but not a major drawback) and I only get inflamed skin if I get scratched.

'Small animals' really aren't good for small children as they're too easily hurt or killed :(

Pestering is irritating, but hey, it's just part of having kids isn't it. I'd make sure that she knows you have heard her, be very clear and tell her that you understand how much she would really like a cat, but that you are allergic to them and it wont be happening, no matter how many times she asks. Tell her how sore it makes your eyes etc and ask her if she would really want you to hurt like that every day?!

If she's the sort that can be 'jollied' out of things when she says 'Mummy I really want a cat, can we please get a cat' just say 'Oh I really want a camel, can we please get a camel' - just joke about with her - but not if it will make her angry/upset!

It took me until I was 14, but I finally got my dog, only about 10 years of pestering!!