My boy is 6, and has been gassing for a pet for a long time. We want to get him something, but our parameters are pretty narrow:
- Can’t be a cat or dog (allergies)
- No rodents/mustelids (wife: ew)
- No snakes (wife: ew)
- No birds (wife: ew)
- No Arthropods (Wife: ew)
Reptiles/frogs/amphibians are ok in our books.
Ideally, I would like something he could physically handle on occasion but that’s not a deal breaker.
Fish are cool, but kind of boring to a 6 year old maybe.
Crabs are cool, but seem kind of cryptic.
Would be amazing if it didn’t break the bank and was somewhat easy to care for
Thoughts appreciated if you have any.
Sphinx cat. No dander to upset the allergies and they’re kind of high maintenence which would be excellent for teaching hygiene to the kiddo. Like you actually have to bathe them. Too many boys grow up avoiding showers and baths.
Other than that though they’re generally very chill animals. As much as cats can be chill. Not recommended for an indoor/outdoor animal as excess sun can cause this breed problems.
- Can’t be a cat or dog (allergies)
- No rodents/mustelids (wife: ew)
- No snakes (wife: ew)
- No birds (wife: ew)
- No Arthropods (Wife: ew)
Just have another kid.
Maybe a half terrarium & aquarium? Stock with turtles, frogs and some of the alge eating fish (placos?)
put in a shrubbery or two
Do guinea pigs or rabbits qualify as “rodent”? Most of the people from the ew-faction have a specific dislike for long, naked tails, which neither of those two have. Worth a look, at the very least.
If you do decide on either of those, please get minimum 2, they will die if kept in solitude.
If you do decide on either of those, please get minimum 2, they will die if kept in solitude.
I had guinea pigs for a while, got two males. One wasn’t a male. We ended up with many guinea pigs.
Fun pets, but don’t keep them in a bedroom, they are way too loud for that.
Rabbits and guinea pigs can be fun, I’d toss out chinchillas as another interesting option though those might be harder to find.
How do the wife and kiddo feel about live feeding? Plenty of reptiles need things like mealworms and crickets in addition to their flakes or pellets. Turtles, at least types you’ll find in pet stores, will typically get live feeder fish in addition to their pellets as well.
i was going to suggest guinea pigs, too! they might be too “rodent” for wife, but honestly they’re a lot more like smaller, low-maintenance rabbits. they have personalities for sure, and as long as you handle them from a young age, they can be picked up and hang out on your lap while you watch tv or whatever.
