My DD wants a pet. Advice please..

[WorldsBestMom]

Hi ladies! I need some advice. My daughter just turned six and is asking me for a pet. I’m a single-mother and don’t really have the time (or money) for a pet. She really wants a dog though. I thought about getting a dog from the pound, but I’ve been looking at upkeep for a pet’s medicines. My brother suggested Vet Depot and I was looking at prices for Frontline Plus and other necessary medicines. Does anyone know anything about this Website? I was looking at this http://www.vetdepot.com/Frontline-Plus.html for prices. Is this average? I know I can afford to get a dog from the pound, but I just don’t know if the upkeep is too much. Sorry so many questions! Any advice?

[greenmagick]

I will say, if you dont have time for a dog, dont get one. They need lots of interaction and training, especially one from a pound. Dont get me wrong, they make awesome pets, but usually they are in the pound because someone else didnt take the time to exercise or train them.

Is a dog the only thing she is interested in? Rats make wonderful pets and dont require as much of a time commitment. If properly socialized they are very sweet and friendly and can be trained

[Magelet]

I hate to say it, but if YOU do not have time for a pet, you should not get your daughter a pet. I've heard all the "it will make the kids responsible" "I'll take care of it, I promise" etc. I've given all of those excuses myself. It's not true.

I am a firm believer that all pets MUST be family pets. Which basically means you will be doing 98% or more of the care for the pet. Ok, rats are small and don't take a huge time commitment, but food still needs to be bought, the cage cleaned, the rat fed, and played with (even play isn't going to happen entirely with a six year old.)

That said, I loved having pets growing up, and think they are wonderful for the whole family, if the adults realize that they are "adult pets" in terms of responsibility. But don't delude yourself. any pet you buy for your 6 year old daughter will be entirely your job to care for, after about the second week. (because she'll forget/procrastinate/whatever, and the pet will need to be cared for regardless. It can't go without food just because she forgot, kwim?)

(btw, I feel the same way even with teenagers for the most part. Teenagers that I know/knew are often WORSE than their pre-teen siblings about caring for and playing with a pet, because they are spending all their time with friends, and not with pets.)

[WaitingForKiddos]

To me a dog is the highest needs pet there is....maybe a primate would be higher though!

I'd say a rat (not a hamster, most of them bite) would be good. They are cheap to keep, are low key, can be snuggled (esp. males!), and are pretty forgiving when it comes to daily upkeep. You'll need a cage which can be anywhere from free to about 50 bucks, food which is about 5 dollars a bag and they love human snacks, and a water bottle. Rats themselves are free to 45 dollars for the fancy show-type. If you go for a rat check out breeders rather than a pet store. With a breeder you'll likely get a rat that is of better health and temperament. I used to breed rats, if you couldn't tell my bias!

[ramama]

I've always wanted a pet rat, but DH has absolutely vetoed that LOL. I hear they are really great pets, intelligent and affectionate. We have guinea pigs, and the girls love them. They are pretty low-key lap-snugglers. They are easy to care for although I do make sure that DDs are always sitting down when they hold them, as a fall for a guinea pig can be deadly (those short legs and such).

[Learning_Mum]

I definitely wouldn't get a dog! They take alot of time and commitment. It's basically like having another child around.

I personally think cats are a great pet (as you can see in my sig I have four, so I might be a little biased!). I think I spend about $10 a week on food for the cats. Plus flea treatment during the summer (I slack off in winter because they don't seem to be a problem for us). One of the reasons I love cats so much is that they are so independant. I think at about a year old they are great. Love to play still, but don't run around going nuts like kittens do! They love to come for cuddles (well, depending on the temperament of the cat) but they're happy doing their own thing too.

I had a mouse when I was little, I loved it. They don't take up much space but the child obviously needs to be able to handle them gently and they are stinky creatures! Daily cleaning of the cage can be fairly time consuming if you don't have much time to devote to a pet.

I think any animal that requires a cage usually needs alot of time and money because the cage needs to be cleaned frequently and new bedding yet needs to be bought regularly.

But yeah, definitely don't get a dog unless you have the time and energy to work on training, walking, playing etc.

[WorldsBestMom]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

I will say, if you dont have time for a dog, dont get one. They need lots of interaction and training, especially one from a pound. Dont get me wrong, they make awesome pets, but usually they are in the pound because someone else didnt take the time to exercise or train them.

Is a dog the only thing she is interested in? Rats make wonderful pets and dont require as much of a time commitment. If properly socialized they are very sweet and friendly and can be trained

Yeah a dog is definitely the only thing she is interested in right now. No she doesn't like rats, neither do I. Maybe I could consider a bird the little colorful ones. I was wondering about the dogs in the pounds as in what is their background about.

[Copper]

How about a guinea pig? We have had one for the past few years (even though we have 2 dogs)...our little dog loves to be around the "piggy" the other dog wants nothing to do with it. My dd is almost 9 however, we still do the thorough cleaning of the cage and make sure she "stays on top of" fresh water, food, and fresh food. It is not exactly low maintenance though. Piggy likes out of her cage to run and llikes to be held, she loves outside....to be brushed...

We have two birds...mine is a lovebird...she will go to any adult...but her and dd have a mutual "distrust" of each other....and she can bite so dd is not allowed/would not take her out. Dd has a white parakeet...we were able to find a very young one and handled her a lot and that is dd's bird. Of course we still have to supervise food, water and cleaning. I love animals but that is it. We had hermit crabs at one time for a couple of years they were fun.

[Rabbit8]

Any pet that you get go into it expecting yourself to do almost all of the work involved. You mentioned that you're worried about being able to afford it, which I totally get, trust me, but please don't get a dog. They cost a lot of money in the long haul, and what if an emergency came up and the dog needs to go to the vet? That can quickly lead to the hundreds if not thousands...plus the cost of food, leashes, toys, food dishes, poop bags, etc.

We have a lot of pets: a cat, large breed dog and rabbits. It's a TON of work, but my DH and I are both animal lovers, we can afford it, and I'm a SAHM so have time for the upkeep. We just wanted our child(ren) raised with animals like we were. My DH is also very good at helping me with the clean up (cat box, dog 'presents' in the yard and the rabbit hutch that needs cleaning as they're indoor buns).

I wouldn't advise a bird, they're so much more work than people think, and very messy with seeds everywhere so expect to vacuum once or twice a day around the cage. Right now I want a bird, but am not that stupid with all the other pets, especially the rabbits. Not to sound bad, but I'm waiting until the rabbits have passed on before I bring in another caged anything.

If anything, I'd say a cat. They're low maintenance, you can get one free in the paper probably, or the pound of course, and they don't need the care that a dog does to be happy and healthy. Sure, cat boxes aren't much fun, but then neither is picking up dog poop. But my pets are more than just pets, they're family members so it's just part of our daily life.

[WorldsBestMom]

I think maybe when things are more stable for us I will get her a puppy, that she can raise. At least, it will teach her a certain level of responsibility. Hopefully having a puppy in its young stage will be easier for us to train him or her.

[mamabutterfly]

My daughter has been surprisingly happy to have goldfish, decorate their tank, name them, feed them each morning. She really has affection for them.

We did decide to get a dog when dd1 was 5, but because dh & I definately love dogs and wanted one. Even at 8 dd1 does nearly nothing consistently to take care of him, and now I am a WOHM and it is hard to take care of him well. And yes, there's definitely expense with the vet, food, meds, etc, and also care if you ever go away.

Also dd has recently gotten hermit crabs and that has been a lot of fun actually. But it was more work than I anticipated to set up a working terrarium with temp/humidity, the right kind of water, etc. However, she really loves playing with them and setting up their habitat. It has been a good learning tool, and much better for learning responsibility.

I would think maybe a 10 or 12 year old could really help to train a puppy.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by WorldsBestMom

I think maybe when things are more stable for us I will get her a puppy, that she can raise. At least, it will teach her a certain level of responsibility. Hopefully having a puppy in its young stage will be easier for us to train him or her.

LOL Yeah, not really. Puppies are a HUGE amount of work. I cannot emphasize that enough.

[greenmagick]

puppies are like newborns....they are demanding and take a lot of time. An older rescue (through a reputable rescue) would actually be easier as far as training etc.

Again, a dog at any age is a huge responsibility.

[SoulCakes]

Hee! Sorry, but I totally agree with the previous poster. Puppies are a TON of work! If you really want a puppy, wait until you have a few weeks off to devote to housetraining. Then strike while the iron's hot! Puppies need to go outside a dozen times a day, and throughout the night. I stay at home right now, and our puppy still exhausts me (and I've raised several pups - I should be used to it!).

If you really want a dog, I recommend researching the breed of dog you want. Do you want a small dog? Mellow dog? Make a list of the qualities you want. Then do your research - what breeds best match your list? WARNING: do not start compromising on your list because you think one breed is "cuter" than all the others - if you do not have time to exercise a border collie, say, then DO NOT GET a border collie! Everyone (dog included) will be miserable if you go for cute and don't consider the dog's actual needs.

Ok. So you've done your research and picked out a breed. Now. What you want to do is find rescue organizations for that particular breed. They're everywhere, so unless you've picked a really obscure breed, this won't be much of a problem. Call the reps closest to you and explain your situation and what you're looking for in a dog. They will immediately tell you if you're not a suitable match (don't take this personally), or if you might be able to offer a good home. If so, fill out some applications, and then wait.

It may take a while, but a reputable rescue organization is going to care about not only the dog but the family the dog gets matched with, and they'll evaluate each dog's personality and will contact you when they think they've found the right dog for you. While you're waiting, read lots of books about dog training and responsible dog ownership, and double check the expenses that you'll incur.

If you're lucky, it won't be long before the right dog is joining your home. An adult, older dog will not need as much exercise as a younger dog, will possibly be already housebroken and trained. This is the dog you want. If you've done your research well and are willing to invest SOME time into additional training, you and your dog face a good shot at a long and happy life together.

But I repeat: do NOT get a puppy unless you have LOTS and LOTS of time and energy! Otherwise you will end up with a peeing, pooping, chewing machine who won't listen, is miserable, and makes you all crazy. Been there. Done that.

[NaturalMamma]

Originally Posted by WorldsBestMom

I think maybe when things are more stable for us I will get her a puppy, that she can raise. At least, it will teach her a certain level of responsibility. Hopefully having a puppy in its young stage will be easier for us to train him or her.

I don't want to sound hurtful, but I don't think you're hearing what the other mamas are saying.

Bringing a pet into your home is a big responsibility and commitment. The consequences of making the wrong decision will not only affect your family, but the pet. For example, if you end up getting a puppy and don't have many hours for training, caring, attention, etc. it will be like an out-of-control toddler (worse, actually). It would be a terrible start for his life and increase the odds that you will get rid of him.

Have you given thought to who will care for the puppy during the day? (I assume you work full-time since you're single.) Taking the puppy for walks will require both of you to go together. That's just one element of many to think about.

I highly recommend checking out some pet care books from the library. Or spending time with another family who has a puppy/dog. Believe me, you can't know what you don't know.

[maplesugar]

how demanding a dog is really depends on the dog. First of all, if you don't have much time, I wouldn't get a puppy!

I was a single mom when I got our dog from the pound. I went there looking for an adult (already potty trained) dog, and I found her! I observed all the dogs and chose our sweetheart for her mellowness. She has been super easy to keep. She of course requires food and a few walks per day, but other than that, not much. She has never needed meds, only had to see the vet once for a run-in with a porcupine.

I say as long as you are not going to tie a dog to a chain, they can be low maintanance. Or high, just depends on the dog.

[greenmagick]

A low maintenance dog is still much higher than many other pets. Definitely too much for a child to be in charge of. Several walks a day, feeding, watering, potty breaks, etc all add up. And, sickness is total luck of the draw. I went years and years with only having basic upkeep...and then wham, every animal got sick at once (all different things but close together)...I have spent probably over 2,000 at the vet this last year.

you also need to learn about dog behavior, work on training, socialization etc. Dont get me wrong...I adore dogs...will never be without them...but they are a lot of work. I have a lazy dane and an older lab mix...both pretty low maintenance compared to other breeds and ages...but it is still a lot of work.

Here, for those thinking about adding a dog...these are great!

Before You Get Your Puppy

After You Get Your Puppy

[nd_deadhead]

I was going to suggest a rat too - they are smart, affectionate, and fairly easy to keep. My first one had the run of my apartment when I was home, and she was like a tiny dog - she came when she was called, she did tricks, she loved to snuggle with me. She was so devoted to me that when I was swimming in the lake, she would jump off the dock and swim to me! I would also put her in the hood of a sweatshirt and take her for bikerides - she loved to have her whiskers blow in the wind.

Birds take a lot of time, and live a LONG time. I thought about getting a parakeet, but didn't want to make a 25-year committment.

We had an adult dog, and got a puppy when our twins were 7 years old. As others have said, even though dogs grow up faster than humans, a puppy is still a baby - they need to be fed often and on time; they wake up in crying in the middle of the night; they require time and attention on THEIR schedule, not yours. DH and I waited until we had several hours a day (spread out over 24) to wholly devote to the puppy, for exercise, potty breaks, cleaning up messes, and training. Now that he's an adult, he only requires about an hour a day for feeding, cleaning up the yard, brushing, and exercise.

[WorldsBestMom]

Originally Posted by Ola_

LOL Yeah, not really. Puppies are a HUGE amount of work. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Yeah dogs in general are huge amount of work. Difference with puppies is that they are adorable and you really don't mind taking care of them. I have experienced raising puppies too when I was younger and there was more than one siblings so it wasn't any big challenge.

[Bea]

DO NOT GET A FISH!

Sorry to yell But just on the off chance you were thinking about it, pets like goldfish are some of the most abused animals on the planet and I object!

How many times have you heard someone say, "I had a goldfish but it only lived for a few weeks/months"? In reality these are animals that can live for 30 or more years. I have a 12 year old GF that started off as a 2 inch, 50 cent tiddler from a pet shop who is now 9 inches of handsome fish. They require hours more care per week than air breathing pets to keep them in a healthy and pleasant (for them!) environment.

I grew up with hamsters (they bite) and a male mouse (he stank...he lived in the garage due to the stink) but I loved his smelly little self and it must have suited him, he lived to be 4.5.

I'd get a cat or a rat if you must get her a pet but really, it has to be you getting it. No 6 year old will be interested in the proper care of an animal from more then a day or two.