Should I get a pet/ what's best?!!

[dragonflygirl]

I've been under sustained pressure from my 8 yr old daughter for a while - she wants a pet. Trouble is, I never had any contact with pets or animals when growing up and never wanted to - DH the same. The idea of looking after one scares me rigid. Other problem is, I can't bear the idea of anything small like guinea pig or hamster - idea makes my skin crawl and I can't see how they can develop a real relationship with you! Think I would prefer a bigger animal. Not home enough in the day to be fair on a dog but what about a cat? Pro's and con's anyone? Anybody else had a pet as an adult when a bit animal-phobic?

To be honest I wouldn;t get one, cos it will be you ends to looking after that. I bombared my parents with requests to get pets, loved them for a few weeks and then got bored with them and never bothered with them.

If you do get one, get a fish or something.

Degus are great very friendly not as small as hamsters and will play all day.

saying that, I do not know your daughter, she may be more into animals than I was.

true what Tink says, yor daughter will lavish it for what a week then you will be the one to clean and feed etc so would not. unless you are firm and tell her that the minute she neglects it it is gone then do not get her one yet.

Cats can live up to 20 years... do you REALLY want all that long term commitment?

Rabbits and guinea pigs are shorter-living, friendly etc and they do get a "relationship" with you if you treat them properly and actually spend time with them, not just leave them in their run all day.

Any pet is a commitment and shouldn't be thought of as "oh, when we get bored, we'll just sell it" - that's totally irresponsible and unfair on the animal.

Even fish are complicated to look after properly with the water testing, amonia, nirate and nitrite stuff to check - so that's not a cop-out pet either

I meant NITRATE

We have loads of pets and both of my dd's love them dearly. They walk the dogs, clean the rats and play with the rabbit. I think a rabbit would be a good pet if you bought a pen that your dd could get in with the rabbit and play with her. My rabbit plays fetch with the ball with the kids.

I think 'you' have to want a pet for this to work out well. Even short lived pets still last a few years that is a long time of cage cleaning, having to buy all the stuff they need, possible vets expenses.

I do think cats make good pets for those with small amounts of time. They don't have a cgae that require cleaning, or to put put in and out of a run for exercise.

But if you get a kitten you will have to take the time to house train it, although all have cats have got the idea very quickly (days). They only stay cute lively little bundles for a short time. They need regular worming and flea treatments, also neutering / spaying.

Cats also only form a relationship if they want to, we have had a few some were very cuddly and liked a stroke, our current one really just wants a warm place to sleep, food and to be let in and out all the time.

There isn't really any pets that she will be able to look after 100% on her own without help from you so you will have to be prepared for it to be your pet as well.

Also if you do get a cat it will probably live a lot longer than you daughter still lives at home for so you will still have the cat even after she has gone.

We have always had animals, and probably always will have something or other here, my children do enjoy them and I think get a lot out of having pets at home, but ultimately it will be you that looks after it after the initial excitement from your daughter has worn off.