Suggestions for a pet that won't set off allergies..?!

[FusionChefGeoff]

What makes a good pet for kids (9 and 7) that is indoors but doesn't have hair / won't set off an asthma attack in DH??

I'm thinking maybe some kind of reptile but personally they don't have that much appeal so need someone to convince me! Not keen on fish either - not hands on enough.

Apart from a reptile or a fish you're going to struggle.

A tortoise is an option though ideally they need grass.

Bald cat

Snail

Antiloxis bald lizard type thing

Turtle

Terrapin

Tamagotchi

Snake? They're fun to handle.

Asthma isn’t just set off by fur though. I’m allergic to dogs. But not mine. I am to my cats though. 🤦‍♀️

Stick insects

We have Fleece Coated Australian Labradoodles - I am allergic to everything but I haven’t even had the slightest reaction

Thanks for these suggestions - I'm going to do some research on lizard / reptiles. Not sure I've got space in my life to look after dogs properly even if non allergy types plus of always be wary of getting them home and the allergy building / kicking off a few days post homecoming!!

Sphinx Cat?

Crested geckos or skinks are quite easy to look after, although you have to get their environment right and keep it that way
They aren’t keen on being handled too much though

Bearded dragon - they are one of the few reptiles who seem to enjoy handling and human interaction.

There's a good basic care sheet here from the exotics vets at the Royal Veterinary College - www.rvc.ac.uk/Contents/Item/Display/937

Make sure you have an exotics vets in travelling distance too, just in case you ever need them.

Bearded dragons do get quite big though and can be a bit grumpy

@AwkwardPaws27 oooh that sounds promising - and yes we have a reptile centre 10 mins drive from us.

@Hoppinggreen what does a grumpy bearded dragon look like - would it bite / be dangerous or just hide??

Bit like Alan Sugar
My nephews was a bit Bitey but they didn’t really handle it enough

What about a skinny pig?

@Florin

What about a skinny pig?

Skinny pigs could be an option (you'd need at least two) but if OPs DH is asthmatic I suspect the hay would be an issue. They cannot be kept outside so he'd be around it all the time, as they need a constant supply of hay.

My DP has asthma and is allergic to cats but gets on splendidly with our two house rabbits- they go up and lick by his face and neck and he’s never had a reactions. As PP said he has to be mindful with the dregs of hay at the bottom of a bag, but so far so good!

Poodles have non moulting coats - toy poodles are very cute too

Reptiles, as adults, tend to be very inactive.

Bearded dragons entertain children whilst they are little, when they are bigger they sit in the hot spot, eat and Poop.

Royal pythons, sold as starter snakes, are temperamental. Any changes to heat, humidity, enclosure design, excessive handling and they go off food... For months at a time.

Reptiles, if kept correctly live years, one of my snakes is 30ish years old. Beardies lived for 8 years, torts/terrapins are very long lived.

Also you have to consider the cost of electric, some reptiles require a heat lamp and UV. UV needs replacing every 4-6 months. You'd be looking at running these 12 hours plus a day. Plus daily supplements for some reptiles and daily food.

Reptile vets are few, and some charge a fortune.

A wooden viv, which will need replacing every 3-5 years, depending on humidity levels, costs £150 plus depending on size.
UV tubes cost £20 plus depending on size, heat lamps from £10 plus.
Insects cost £2 plus a tub and some will eat 1 tub a day, plus veggies.

What ever reptile you chose you will need a thermostat, otherwise the animal will cook itself.

Hope that helps, pm me if you want any other info.