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Original poster

PETS.........What shall we get ???

49 replies

nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:13

Dd's keep nagging me for a pet. Which particular one changes from week to week.

Dd1 would like a hamster but i'm really not keen on that. Dd2 would like a cat, but i think she thinks it will sit on her lap all day and she can play with it like a doll. Also she is asthnatic and she hasn't really been around cats enough for me to know if it would be a prob.

I would like a dog. Dp thinks it's a bad idea as it will mess up the garden. It seems to have completly escaped his attention that the garden is already a mess .
He also thinks it would leave us tied to the house to often.
I am a sahm so would be in for the dog all day. One day a week i'd be at college but could try and arrange someone to come and walk the dog whilst i was out.

The easiest thing seems to be to get fish

What pets do you have and do you regret it ???

OP posts:
earlygirl · 05/09/2004 20:15

guinea pig
mini rabbit

Twiglett · 05/09/2004 20:16

message withdrawn

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:17

Didn't know there was such a thing as a mini rabbitt.

Thing is both of those would need cleaning out and I know the job would be left to me, and i don't want to do it.

OP posts:
earlygirl · 05/09/2004 20:17

sorry didnt read post properly
what about an amphibian like a tree frog or a geeko?

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:18

LOL Twig

OP posts:
earlygirl · 05/09/2004 20:19

stick insects
yuk!

roisin · 05/09/2004 20:19

We have no pets and don't regret it

I've told the boys they can choose a pet when they are 14 and can be responsible for its care.

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:19

Ooooh no earlygirl, i hate things like that.

God it'll end up being fish i just know it.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:20

Really roisin, did they mind at all, or have they just accepted it ???

OP posts:
pixiefish · 05/09/2004 20:20

Get a shit zu (dog) very loyal, don't moult, lovely to play with but equally happy to be left alone.
mum's got two and while they love walking they don't have to be walked too often

Aero · 05/09/2004 20:24

Rabbit - fairly low maintenence and cheap. Pretty nervous and not that friendly though. (Guinea pigs are better for handling).
Also sea monkeys - virtually no maintenance and have lasted nearly three years so far.

kkgirl · 05/09/2004 20:24

Pets are a pain. I let mine have a hamster, and then we got two more, so that they had one each. But guess who ends up feeding them, giving them water, cleaning them out,and because they are nocturnal, no one is around to play with them, and the last thing I want to do after 10 at night, is get to bed!!!!!

I wouldn't bother

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:26

Hmmm think i was hoping someone would say get a dog

OP posts:
Bibiboo · 05/09/2004 20:53

I'd say get a dog if you've got the time and space for one, but they can get separation anxiety if left alone as they are pack animals, which I why I can't have one but they are the most wonderful, loving, loyal pets ever!

Before you buy ANY kind of pet, can I suggest you get your children to prove to you they can and will handle the responsibility? Give them each a chore to do, every day, that isn't all that great (to represent something like the daily dog walks) and another chore that they have to do weekly or twice weekly (to represent the cleaning of the animal's home). See how they get on. Hope they are wonderfully devoted and you get a dog!

Original poster
nutcracker · 05/09/2004 20:56

What a great idea Bibiboo, thanks

OP posts:
roisin · 05/09/2004 21:07

Well, they probably do mind a bit nutcracker, but then they do mind a bit about lots of things I put my foot down about. (That's what mums are for!)

They've learned that whingeing and whining doesn't get them anywhere, so they certainly don't go on about it. If someone asks them if they have a pet, they just say "No, my mum says I can have one when I'm 14" and the questionner falls about laughing

stupidgirl · 05/09/2004 21:32

I'd hate my kids to grow up without animals around them. I think they gain a huge amount from it.

We have 2 cats and 2 guinea pigs.

I always say a house is not a home without a cat. They're good company, but not too much trouble as they're pretty independent. But then if dd is likely to be allergic then it;s no good.

Our guinea pigs are very cute, although they involve certain effort... Ours were a year ols when we got them, so aren;t awfully friendly.

I'd love a dog, but the house and garden is too small, and as I'm working nights it isn't practical. I also want a kitten...

purplemum · 05/09/2004 21:54

GET A DOG. I would love a dog. One of my dreams to have a labrador
My advice is GET A DOG

Tiggiwinkle · 05/09/2004 22:38

Definitely a dog.We have 2-one obtained from Battersea as a puppy for my DS1s 13th Birthday (10 years ago!). The other is a gorgeous German Shepherd we got, also as a puppy, 2 years ago.We also currently have hamsters, and over the years have kept rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and fish.
The dogs however are incomparable pets-my DS has always looked after his, and still takes him out for a walk twice a day.They are great company-for you as well as the kids-and give a great sense of security. Ours have frightened off several intruders in the time we have had them!

hatter · 05/09/2004 22:43

Hi there,

most dogs don't mess up gardens, if they are well-cared for. I would love a dog (grew up with them)but know that I cannot give one the commitment they need. If you feel like going for a dog (especially if you've never had one)please be honest with yourself about how much time you can give it. If a book says that a particular breed needs x amount of walking a day, then believe it - they do. If they don't get it they can become badly behaved, destructive, bark incessently, possibly aggressive too. It's not like us when we don't get our 20 minutes of exercise 3 times a week, or whatever it is we're meant to have! But if you are prepared to give a dog what it needs in terms of exercise and company, then they are the best pet ever. You put a lot in but get an enormous amount out

stupidgirl · 05/09/2004 22:45

I second Hatter's comments about being realistic a to whether you can give a dog the amount of time, attention and commitment s/he will need.

Mum2girls · 06/09/2004 09:12

There are certain 'child-friendly' dogs i.e. dogs that are better than others with kids. One of which is a Springer Spaniel - do NOT get one, they are the lager lout of the dog world. We have one, he is literally like a coiled up spring until he's walked (what do I mean 'walked' - he runs at top speed everywhere) - he constantly races round the garden and I mean constantly - he doesn't bark much, but he chases birds, planes, helicopters, flies, wasps, his shadow etc. etc. for hours - drives DP insane. (I love him btw and he is soooo good with our two DDs.)

fio2 · 06/09/2004 09:22

I have got 2 dogs and a rabbit.

If you have a dog you can:

forget carpets, dogs and carpets dont agree

forget about being houseproud

buy a good clothes brush as you will be constantly covered in fur

have good neighbours who dont complain about them barking twice

get fit, walking them twice a day

spend loads of money, they are expensive little creatures

But they are lovely but remember some dogs live til they are 18. You should never rush into having a dog

sayiong that my rabbit is 6!!!

vkone · 06/09/2004 09:24

Gerbils definitely, they stay up during the day (unlike hamsters - also don't have disgusting cheek pouches!) and the don't die as frequently as hamsters (a friend was forever performing CPR on hers). They are "dry" animals so don't need alot of cleaning out and great fun to watch. They'd make a v good transitional pet - if your daughters can cope with that then move onto something bigger when they eventually die off! BTW don't get a rabbit unless you're committed - they need daily handling to remain human friendly - the number of mothers I know who's kids have given up on their bunny and mum is reduced to throwing food at them, cos they've turned vicious (I raised rabbits, so I know of what I speak). Hope this helps.

biketastic · 06/09/2004 09:40

I reckon guinea pigs are best for little kids
They are usually weel behaved- hamsters often bite! Hamsters liek to sleep during the day too and invariably live for 2 years, and no more.
Guinea pigs are also big, so less likely to get squished by little feet/bums. droppage incidents are better survived by guinea pigs as they are just bigger and more robust. They seem to be more laid back than rabbits, who often get a bit fiesty.
Dogs are great, but consider it like you are having another child, I reckon. You need to get the dog into a rouitne of walking etc. If you go for a dog, ask people you know about breeds. Somebody said about springer spaniels, lovely but loopy. Golden retrievers can be very dominent (there's a line of them that are quite nasty), some of the terriers are a bit snappy, but most are very clever and are great with kids.
Sorry, what a long post, it's just that i have worked with animals all my life and feel it is important for kids to be around animals, but you have to pick the right type of pet so that it is not stresful for them!