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'Fickle' child - pet choice - gecko- hamster - cat - budgie -rabbit

8 replies

Italiangreyhound · 13/05/2013 00:35

Hi all, DD had a hamster which died a few months back. We purposely did not get a new pet because we wanted to see what she felt she wanted next. I think a pet can be good for a child and DD loves animals a lot.

So far we have talked about:
*Rabbit (she is mad about rabbits but friends have said not a good pet for a child!)
*Budgies (my idea as always fancied one)
*Cat (kitten) my idea as we had cats as a child and they make lovely pets I think
Gecko (her idea) came out of nowhere last week!
*Hamster (I had one as a child and we had one recently and it was the most lovely hamster in the world!

Just not sure what to do.

Whatever we get will be loved and well cared for. Our hamster lived like a prince and DD and I cried buckets when he shuffled off this mortal coil.

Just not sure when DD started talking about them and I heard geckos can live for 15 years! I will be in 60s! DD will be leaving uni or qualifying as a plumber! It just seems a long time!

We have not considered a fish (had them as a kid) hate the smell, seeing them float in the tank and not knowing what is wrong, plus not so cuddly!

Not considered a guinea pig (had them as a child) they scare me a bit now!

Mice/rats/tortoise/snake/spider ? all no go.

Any thoughts, please?

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NatashaBee · 13/05/2013 00:38

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Italiangreyhound · 13/05/2013 01:41

Ha ha, good idea. I know it sounds heartless talking about how long they live but to be honest I was not keen on a geko in a tank! At least with a cat it can run about and meet other cats etc. It will be DDs pet but I will end up looking after it!

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Italiangreyhound · 13/05/2013 01:42

I kind of want the cat but I want it to be her choice. She has found a snail in the garden and is quite happy with that! But I feel a pet will be nice for us as a family too! her choice.

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Maryz · 13/05/2013 02:01

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NatashaBee · 13/05/2013 11:27

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tabulahrasa · 13/05/2013 11:41

Rabbits are great to watch, but need loads of room, trash your garden and aren't massively cuddly...nice to stroke though. Guinea pigs are easier because you can keep them in the house and are much better to handle. But they're less active than rabbits, they still do lots, but they don't get into as much mischief as rabbits.

All my hamsters have been bitey - either I'm rubbish at picking and taming them or I taste good to hamsters, either way, I've given up, lol.

Cats are more work than guinea pigs, but less than rabbits (can you tell I find being outside more hassle? Lol)

I've never had birds.

Just pick what you want to have/are happy to look after and tell your DD that's what you're getting her...if she's not got her heart set on anything, she'll be delighted whatever it is.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 13/05/2013 19:14

As a vet and then choosing family pets I have considered all these options.
Rabbits are great for adults live lovely long lives when owned by adults. When owned by children are often difficult for children to handle get forgotten live much shorter lives.
Hamsters nasty bitty things if you a rodent get a rat they are awake during the day are social creatures who love to be with humans.
Geckos couldn't deal with whole feeding live food and if you feed to much the food can cannibalise the gecko.
Cats as long as remember that cats don't have owners they have staff they make great tiny dictators of your household. Seriously an adult cat is better as you can test it's personality with your DD.

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Italiangreyhound · 13/05/2013 19:15

Thanks so much, she still wants a kitten! I am happy too as I wanted a cat but I wanted it to be her choice!

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