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Original poster

Help - what pet should I get?

46 replies

whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:24

Hi, any thoughts gratefully received....

Now I am at home most of the time I am desperate for a pet. We always had loads of animals when I was growing up so I know all about the work involved etc (getting up at 5am to milk goats before school will stay with me forever).

I have a 16 month old DS, the pet isn't for him as he is too young but I'd like something he'd enjoy and he can start to learn things from.

I really want a dog but think that it would probably be best to wait until DS and any other sibling have started school so I have the time to spend with a pup.

So I'm thinking something in the style of a guinea pig... or a tortoise...? Oh I don't know, anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
avenanap · 04/03/2008 11:26

Rabbit. Or a Giraffe !

Joolyjoolyjoo · 04/03/2008 11:29

Guinea pigs make quite good pets, but are pretty nervy sometimes. Tortoises actually need a lot of care- they can't be imported any more, so you'd need to get a baby. they are quite expensive (about £80) and then you need a vivarium, heat lamps etc.

You could get a rescue dog that is already toilet trained?

Good luck whatever you decide!

Beauregard · 04/03/2008 11:29

Guinea pig
We have 2 they are great
Tortoises are ok (have one but it lives at my moms)

Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:31

Garden a bit small for Giraffe... maybe pygmy hippo (plenty of mud )

I saw a lovely giant rabbit the other day - it was like a dog.

OP posts:
Threadworm · 04/03/2008 11:31

Guinea Pigs would be great. Nervy at first but get very tame -- and aren't too leapy-abouty for a toddler to hold under supervision.

We have two, which I adore, and everyone who posts about their GPs on MN seems to love them.

bellabelly · 04/03/2008 11:32

I like cats!

wannaBe · 04/03/2008 11:33

I've heard that rabbits are almost as much hard work as dogs. If you got a dog your ds and the dog would grow up together .

avenanap · 04/03/2008 11:33

I love giraffe's. Rabbits are nice if you have the space though, your child can feed it and get involved with it's care. They are quite cute aswell. Just don't let your child watch watership down.

Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:35

Thanks

I've kept reptiles before so think I could cope with tortoise (also unlikely to run off)

I thought about a rescue dog but with DS so young I'm nervous.

Anyone know current thinking on keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together or is that a can of worms?

OP posts:
Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:38

WannaBe - that was my thinking and I was starting to look for breeders but I've just got cold feet!

GPs might be the way forward, see how we cope and go on from there!

OP posts:
VintageGardenia · 04/03/2008 11:40

Get one of those gorgeous rabbits whose ears flop down the sides of their faces.

I'd say do wait a bit for a dog. A puppy will be so boisterous (and will need a lot of attention) and at your DS's age (if I remember that age correctly) he needs to be able to move about freely and confidently. A rescue dog would, I think, be a worry till you had completely got to grips with its behaviour.

Threadworm · 04/03/2008 11:41

A dog would be wonderful, and if you are at home all the time it might work out well. But it is ever such hard work having a very young dog with very young children. You sound like a very aimally kind of person, though so perhaps it would work out.

If you want a pet you can relate to more than a GP, perhaps a rat or a parakeet type bird might be fun -- something of the intelligence, trainability and personality you'd get from a dog. Not brilliant for a toddler, but the pet is as much for you?

Rhubarb · 04/03/2008 11:44

A hissing cockroach.

Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:47

I've never had a rat before, it would be mainly for me but it would be good to have something that DS could get up close to though.

A dog would be great and in many ways I think it would be great for DS too but I am worried about biting off more than I can chew!

OP posts:
boudoiricca · 04/03/2008 11:50

I like the rescue dog idea, especially an older one as they can be so hard to rehome, though I understand your concerns regarding an unknown dog and DS...

avenanap · 04/03/2008 11:51

What about some birds?

avenanap · 04/03/2008 11:52

A goat then you don't have to mow the grass.
chickens would be so cool.

WiiMii · 04/03/2008 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 11:55

Not enough space for a goat (also bad childhood memories, shiver..)

I could have a couple of chickens

OP posts:
avenanap · 04/03/2008 11:59

Chickens are great, fresh eggs. You could go the whole hog and plant some vegetables.

Threadworm · 04/03/2008 12:01

You could go the whole hog ... and get a hog.

I also liked the can of worms option.

avenanap · 04/03/2008 12:05

Wormery, ant farm, the ideas just keep flowing...

Threadworm · 04/03/2008 12:06

Don't get an ant farm. They are buggers to milk.

Original poster
whatironing · 04/03/2008 12:09

..visions of good life style self sufficiency together with creepy crawly collection... could charge admission....

Now stick insects were always amusing for 5 minutes.

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 04/03/2008 12:13

Guinea pigs are lovely. I had loads as a child and never found them nervy at all. And they make such lovely noises

DS#1 has 2 female rats and even DH (v reluctant) has to admit that they are perfect pets. Friendly and good-natured and tolerant of cuddles and being put in things and under things and made to run through things . Maybe they think they are actually lab rats.