Struggling with getting a pet

[HomeBirthMommy]

My 7 (almost 8) year old wants a pet more than anything in the world. When we're at the park, she doesn't play-she seeks out dogs and interacts with them. She goes around to neighbors and asks if she can walk and/or feed their dogs. She adores my mom's cat and cried that last time the cat left. I feel really, really bad for her and I know a pet would be wonderful for her.

We do not have a fenced yard, so IMO, a dog is out of the question. My husband can't stand cats, so they're out of the question as well.

Dh and I have been thinking about it for over a year and finally decided that we would like to get a pet for dd. We do realize that we will still be doing most of the work, but we do expect her to take on a certain amount of responsibility. Right now, we're strongly leaning toward getting two guinea pigs.

She wants an animal that she can hold and interact with and from what I've read, this sounds like a good fit. I would appreciate any feedback you might be able to give me. Is there a better pet for her?

Dh and I are not really pet people. We don't like smelling animals or having their hair on everything. Are we kidding ourselves that this will work? Are Guinea pigs going to smell and shed?

Please don't flame me-I really am struggling with this a lot. I do think my dd deserves to have a pet and am willing to make some sacrifices for her.

[Kirsten]

I don't know much about guinea pigs so can't help there.

What exactly doesn't your dp like about cats? They are really wonderful and low-maintenance pets IMO. And honestly, I HATED cats for over half my life. Was scared of them - not sure where it stemmed from. I was overly worried about getting scratched for some reason. But when my sister moved in with me and dp shortly after we were married, she brought her cat. I told her it had to live outside, and she begged to let her cat live in the house. Cat was in the garage for two hours then in the house for the next two years.

I'd vote a pair of cats from the same litter. A year old is much easier than young kittens. My girls ADORE our cats. There is a great no-kill shelter 20 minutes from us, but you can look on petfinder.com to see pets up for adoption in your area.

[mariekitt24]

I love guinea pigs! check out guineapigcages.com (also called cavycages.com) for the best info out there on guinea pigs. theres a great forum there too.

[HomeBirthMommy]

He can't stand having cat hair on his clothes or on the furniture. He also hates it when cats rub up against him or jump in his lap. He would never even consider getting one.

[Thalia the Muse]

Guinea pigs are awesome pets! We have a pair of girls, and the whole family loves them. They're VERY interactive -- they get quite tame and "talk" all the time, begging for treats or just chatting with us and each other. One of ours likes to be held and cuddled, and the other tolerates it. They have great personalities, are gentle, and are highly entertaining.

• Some things to think about:
  
• They shed a little, but they're small animals so the volume of hair is not really very high.
  
• They are very clean animals and the piggies themselves have almost no odor -- they smell nice, actually. BUT the cage will need to be changed very frequently, because they pee a lot and that DOES smell. They are more hassle to clean up after than a cat, because you have to change out the whole cage, instead of one little litterbox. you can stick a litterbox in a second bathroom or other discreet area, but the guinea pigs will be out in your living space, so any cage odor is pretty noticeable.
  
• They need a really large living space -- a pet-store cage is too small. They get fairly large and they're active animals, they need room to scamper.
  
• They need hay and fresh vegetables as well as their dry food.
  
• If you have a pair, they don't need that much attention, although depending on their personalities they usually enjoy it. If you have only one, you need to interact with it a lot, because they're very social and keeping them in isolation is cruel. It sounds like you're planning on a pair, though.
  
• Make SURE you have two of the same sex, and if you get females, that they haven't been accidentally housed in with males. Enough said.

[mistymama]

We had guinea pigs growing up and had both good and bad experiences. We had one that no matter what we did, just didn't warm up to us and was never a very fun pet to interact with. But before him, we had one that was such a sweetie - he lived in my sister's room and ADORED her - he'd coo and make special sounds for her to come pet him.

The cage was not fun, IMO. They need a pretty large living area (much larger than the cages sold in pet stores) and cleaning it could be quite a big task. Maybe they have improved on the design since then - it was a LONG time ago!! If it wasn't cleaned frequently, it started to smell, and quick.

I know what you and your dh are saying about pets, and pet hair. I could never have a cat because I can't stand a litter box in my house. I'm kinda anal about things being clean and I totally understand what you are saying about pet hair.

We personally choose to get a dog - a small one (under 12pds) that while he does shed a little bit, it's not much at all and totally easy to clean. Does not smell, is easy to bathe, walk and take care of without a yard. (We are in an apartment). Plus I liked the fact you can crate train dogs - so when we are not home, he's crated. Very little mess, no cage to clean because he goes potty outside.

Good luck with your decision - it does sound like your dd is ready for a pet. I know ds and our dog are very best friends. It warms my heart when I watch them play together.

[JL83]

I found that a shop vac made cleaning rodent cages VERY easy compared with the dump/scoop method...

If their cage isn't cleaned regularly it will smell.

Personally, I'd lean towards a small dog. Many of the smaller ones can get plenty of exercise inside so then they just need to be walked outside. So not having a fenced yard won't be a big deal.

[Thalia the Muse]

I found that a shop vac made cleaning rodent cages VERY easy compared with the dump/scoop method...

You might just have changed my life!

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by JL83

I found that a shop vac made cleaning rodent cages VERY easy compared with the dump/scoop method...

If their cage isn't cleaned regularly it will smell.

Personally, I'd lean towards a small dog. Many of the smaller ones can get plenty of exercise inside so then they just need to be walked outside. So not having a fenced yard won't be a big deal.

Yep, that's why we choose a small dog. I've grown up with everything from rabbits, guinea pigs, cats & dogs - and IMO, a small dog is the easiest to care for and cleanest/least smelly.

A few outings a day to potty and one walk are all it takes for our dog - and he's still a puppy! I've tried to take him with me when I walk for exercise, but he gets tired and I have to put him in the car everytime.

OP - I hope you can find the animal that works for you! Lots of good info here. That shop vac idea is WONDERFUL! Oh how I wish we had thought of that when we were cleaning cages years ago!!!!

[HomeBirthMommy]

Hmmm-lots of good info here. Thanks! I love the shop vac idea. Does anyone have a suggestion of where to start research for a small dog?

[Ola_]

I hate to be the nay-sayer but it doesn't sound to me like you are dog people from your description. Dogs are great in that they are much more interactive, but they are also much more needy than most other pets. Don't get me wrong, I love my two dogs, but they sure need a lot of my time and attention to be happy.

[lindberg99]

Ugh, we had a guinea pig over the summer once. No matter how often I cleaned the cage, I could still smell it. My DD did not have much interest in it after the first few weeks either. I was very relieved to be able to take it back to the preschool after school started up again! I just am not a rodent person I guess.

And sorry, but I have to agree with Ola about the dog. My 9 yo really wants a dog. But you know, I am just not willing to deal with all that a dog entails and neither I nor DH really like dogs. Your DD will have some responsibility but she will not be paying for vet bills, kennel bills, any damage to your house, etc. Your DD probably will walk to dog but it seems like the fun wears off pretty fast for kids. Our neighbors got a new puppy (who is very cute, some kind of cocker spaniel cross) and I saw the kids out there walking it all the time for a few weeks. Guess who's walking it all the time now? Yes, the mom. She is fine with this, she bought the dog for herself. You really need to think hard about the dog issue and don't buy one if YOU don't want one. I am happy to buy my DS some things that he wants that I don't care for (like a certain game or whatever) but if it is a living creature, I have to be FULLY on-board. We have two cats, but they are definitely MY cats (even though the kids think they are theirs. )

[willowsmom]

Originally Posted by Ola_

I hate to be the nay-sayer but it doesn't sound to me like you are dog people from your description. Dogs are great in that they are much more interactive, but they are also much more needy than most other pets. Don't get me wrong, I love my two dogs, but they sure need a lot of my time and attention to be happy.

I'm with Ola on this one. I'd go with a guinea pig or two...

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by HomeBirthMommy

Dh and I are not really pet people. We don't like smelling animals or having their hair on everything. Are we kidding ourselves that this will work? Are Guinea pigs going to smell and shed?

Please don't flame me-I really am struggling with this a lot. I do think my dd deserves to have a pet and am willing to make some sacrifices for her.

From what you wrote I would have first suggested a small aquarium, like a Beta or something. But, it's nice that you're able to go a little out of your comfort zone and get something your DD will love.

[HomeBirthMommy]

Thanks for the dog input. You're right-we're just not willing to invest the time and money for a dog right now. Maybe I should just let dd be the neighborhood pet sitter...

[greenmagick]

What about rats? They are very friendly, inquisitive, and cuddly. They dont smell too bad, especially if you have a big enough cage. They are very easily trained which your daughter could do and have fun with. Mine remind me of dogs at times, but are much more convinient

[HomeBirthMommy]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

What about rats? They are very friendly, inquisitive, and cuddly.

That's a thought. Do you have a good website for info about rats as pets?

[greenmagick]

I learned a ton from this forum

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/...,118/forum,rat

There are some basics like you should have more than one, should get the biggest cage you can afford, dont use pine or cedar shavings as bedding etc.

I have 4 (had 5) in a critter nation cage....and I use fleece to line it and make hammocks etc for them. You daughter could make fleece hammock and toys for them without sewing by tying the fleece together. There area ton of sites out there and all kinds of things you can do with rats