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Pets

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Original poster

What is the easiest pet to look after?

66 replies

juicychops · 05/03/2007 14:12

I really want a pet for me and ds (2.2) but nothing that smells and is too much hard work

I would really love a hamster as i had loads when i was young but they arn't very toddler friendly!

So i was thinkin a fish as ds loves watching them.

Is that easy enough?

OP posts:
gobshite · 05/03/2007 14:22

fish are easy as long as you're prepared either to explain death to your wee son, or buy one that's pretty generic, teach your child that goldfish enjoy a little sunbathing on the surface of the bowl now and then, and live near a petshop for fast replacements.

mellowma · 05/03/2007 14:23

Message withdrawn

Kbear · 05/03/2007 14:23

goldfish deffo.

DeviousDaffodil · 05/03/2007 14:25

Oh god I found goldfish a right pain, the tank need clening all the time and can reaaly smell.
I am not a big fan, but cats don't need a lot doing for them.

Polgara2 · 05/03/2007 14:41

Oh god goldfish as soooo NOT easy to keep. What a faff, tank cleaning, smelly, tank cleaning, smelly ad infinitum. AND the children get bored very quickly because well they don't DO anything!!!

Y0rkshirelass · 05/03/2007 14:43

Seamonkeys

Original poster
juicychops · 05/03/2007 14:53

I was thinking a cat, but you have to buy lots for them and also vet bills etc can be expensive. otherwise i would love one

OP posts:
Nellycake · 05/03/2007 15:33

We have 2 cats - dead easy to look after as they pretty much do what they like when they like. The only thing you need to do is feed and (if needed) comb/brush them occasionally. They're also really good with our lo. You don't need to buy anything for them other than food and as long as they're healthy, vet bills are very manageable.

nailpolish · 05/03/2007 15:34

yes i think cat too

they are so clean

oxocube · 05/03/2007 15:37

dd has 3 fish. We also have a dog and a cat. The cat is easy, fish are easier

wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe · 05/03/2007 15:48

bear in mind that cats kill things and if you give it access to the outside it's highly likely to bring in some dead and some not so dead birds and mice. And if it doesn't bring them in it'll deposit them in the garden for you.

Also cats can be very independent so there's no guarantee that it'll be a loving cat that always wants to be stroked etc.

I agree that they're fairly easy to look after but if you get a kitten be prepared for it to scratch the furniture/climb the curtains/get up on to your work surfaces.

themaskedposter · 05/03/2007 15:54

lol at YOrkshirelass

I had some when I was about 11 and thought they were going to be just like the (highly improvised american) advert that I saw on the back of a mag ...

needless to say they weren't!

Original poster
juicychops · 05/03/2007 15:56

The main concern i have with a cat is the litter tray. I live in a rented house so wont be able to fit a cat flap so il have to have a tray in the kitchen which isn't very hygenic with ds who touches everything

Probably wouldn't get a kitten, would probably get one from an animal shelter or something

OP posts:
mellowma · 05/03/2007 16:07

Message withdrawn

Original poster
juicychops · 05/03/2007 16:13

oh yeah, just had a look at them on ebay

OP posts:
MiaWallace · 05/03/2007 16:23

Tarantulas are really easy to look after.

Only need to feed them once a week.
Cage needs cleaning once every six months
Can live up to 30 years, so no need to run out and get a replacement.
No walks
No grooming
And if you go on holiday, they can survive up to 4 weeks without and food, as long as you have left them with water.

Doesn't get much easier than that

Kbear · 05/03/2007 17:56

We have a filter and a pump on our goldfish tank, I clean them once a month and they don't smell

mytwopenceworth · 05/03/2007 17:58

rats are good for children because they are very friendly and love interaction. you need to keep them in sme sex pairs though, in a BIG cage.

they are very very nice pets.

dont get a hamster, they HATE being faffed about with!

danceswithnewboots · 05/03/2007 17:59

fish have to be the most boring pet ever.

Saturn74 · 05/03/2007 18:00

a clothes horse.

mousiemousie · 05/03/2007 18:01

Virtual pets are great

twelveyeargap · 05/03/2007 18:02

I hear you can get clever inexpensive "vaccum cleaners" for the gravel in the fish tank so you don't have to clean the poo. I keep meaning to buy one. You then just change some of the water and change the filter cartridge - also pretty cheap.

Original poster
juicychops · 05/03/2007 18:07

i would love a rat. i used to have one when i was younger but it got a tumour and died. apparently they are prone to getting these lumps which has put me off ever getting another as its too sad

OP posts:
mousiemousie · 05/03/2007 18:45

but aren't rats incontinent? Don't they wee on you and your house constantly?

PestoMonster · 05/03/2007 18:47

worm