My DD wants a pet. Advice please.. - Page 2

[mattemma04]

The dog will be yours in no time.I just got in from taking the 2 out in the cold rain to potty.Takes them forever!
Besides vaxes,worming,flea/tick you will need to deal with....
fur all over
puking
anal gland issues
stinky dogs needing a bath
peeing and pooping in the house
general ill health issues at times
nail clipping
trainning

May not seem like much,but it gets old after a while when you are the one that has to deal with it.We have never had rats,but they sound interesting.We have had mice,hamster,and guinea pigs.Cage cleaning is a must(and often) so your house won't reek.If your child will do that chore then any of those pets are a good option.More of a boy pet but frogs are fun.My favorite pet at this time is our 3 hens.We got them as chicks last May.

We have cats too but they are out in a garage side room after one of them started peeing on the carpet in the house.I went through the cat pee issue with a cat years ago, and I ruined a whole house trying to remedy the situation.Never could.Love the cats,but pee in the house is nasty.

Just remember that in the end you will care for the pet.My kids love the pets and care for them once in a blue moon,but at times it is just too much.I finally got rid of a few.Helping at a cat/dog shelter may help decrease the urge to get a pet.If my kids ask for another I say,"Get a virtual pet!" or "When you are all grown up and living on your own you can get whatever you want."

Best wishes whatever you decide.

[WorldsBestMom]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hmm Fishes are kind of nice to look at though I know they require a good amount of attention and not to mention cleaning the tank.

[heartmama]

I'm confused though...you said you don't have much time, so why would you consider the one pet that takes the most time? A puppy is almost like a baby. And everyone here who has had puppies and kids is saying "Do not get a puppy to teach a child responsibility--it will wind up being your responsibility for the next 15 years".

I agree with this because a child should not be saddled with a 15 year responsibility just to learn the lesson of 'responsibility'. A child of 6 years old can't understand what a 15 year commitment means, because they haven't lived half that long. A child will go through adolescence, high school and college etc. There are better ways to teach responsibility. It should adapt to their development. A dog can't do that. It is almost like giving a child a baby to teach them responsibility. Babysitting--sure. But not a baby, kwim?

If you have 15 years to commit to a dog, sure, go for it. Let her walk and feed the dog to learn responsibility. But just be clear--it is your dog, your expense, your responsibility.

[SugarGlider]

Puppies and dogs in general cost so much money and time to care for properly. We've had a new puppy for 6 weeks and I have not had a proper nights sleep since we got him, lol, and that's with three of us caring for him!

My suggestion is a rabbit! When we lived in an apartment and couldn't get a dog we got a rabbit. You can get rabbits that are tiny or rabbits that are 15-20 pounds. Rabbits are quiet and can be very affectionate and playful. They do not need shots and have a much longer life span than rodents (5-6 years) and perhaps by the time the bunny was elderly you and your daughter would be ready for a dog

The only thing I'd suggest as far as vet cares go it to plan on a spay or neuter because bunnies, like most animals, are better pets altered.

We have a mini-rex rabbit now and he's about 4 pounds I think. Very sweet bunny.

[Happiestever]

When I was growing up (10-11?) I had neighbors that let me play and walk the dog on my way home from school. It was great. The people were awesome and the dog was so much fun. Maybe you have friends or family with a pet that doesn't get very much attention anymore.

I wouldn't get a pet myself simply because it is a long commitment - could be 15 years or more. Maybe when you have more time and money to throw around. And yes, rats can be fun. Just takes some getting used to.