Hamster/Gerbil/Rat/Degu

[annie0000]

my son will be 10 soon and is desperate for a pet of his own to care for. He is pretty responsible but I know that it'll end up being down to me to look after and I don't have a problem with that. We currently have a 3 year old cat who is not very cuddly or entertaining and is more attached to me than him (he loves cats though!)

We have had a Hamster in the past, before we got the cat.

To be honest I'd rather have another cat than a caged rodent as they are far easier to take care of. Lucy the present cat is not very accommodating where other cats are concerned, so that is not an option.

Any view on any of the others? - which would be most child friendly for him and least hassle for me!?

[sherrardk]

I realise they're not on your list but rabbits are pretty low-maintenance. We got two baby ones at Easter and bought a second-hand run and cage off a Facebook page. They don't smell and I don't mind cleaning them out (and I have a very weak stomach).

[Bummle]

If you've got a garden get him a chicken

[annie0000]

sher - didn't think of that, next door have a free range rabbit that just runs about the garden - he is a big boy though so doesn't get any hassle from the cats around (including mine).

Bummle - a chicken? I guess it would save me feeding the cat one night ;O). Apart from that, don't chickens stink?

[B00]

Would highly recommend a rat. Way more sociable than your other options, highly inquisitive and extremely clever. Also more inclined to potter around during daytime than the others too.

[archeraddict]

I'd agree with the idea of a chicken - or a bantam which are even more friendly but don't lay as many eggs. They are sociable though so get at least 2.

Their poo does smell but it's really good to use as a fertiliser (let it rot down well first though) and it's not that bad - any animal poo is a bit yuck really and at least you get some thing to eat with a chook!

[archeraddict]

By something to eat, I meant the eggs by the way!

[sherrardk]

If you ask around you're bound to find a friend of a friend who has some baby bunnies available - we got ours for a fiver each (they are a lot more than that in the shops). Ours don't come out as much as they should as the youngest can't be trusted not to poke them in the eyes (not on purpose). They are quite sweet though.

[Bummle]

Sorry, I got distracted. Yes, what archeraddict says. My cat knows better than to go near any of my chickens - she knows who would come off worst but I wouldn't get a quail!
A fancy breed can be something that you can primp and preen and take to shows or you can just let it lay eggs.
Actually I probably wouldn't get 1 as they are fascinating to watch interacting and everything likes company so maybe 2 bantams would be nice - some of them are gorgeous.

[annie0000]

I have to say, you are not really selling me on chickens for a suburban housing estate garden. :o) I moaned enough when a neighbour decided to have wild flowers in his front lawn and put up CB arials. Think I would be the talk of the estate! Rabbits a bit more chance, but rat is looking more likely lol. Though he did go on about how cute the dwarf hamsters were....

[B00]

Hamsters are lovely, got one myself (Tickle- named by Mini Boo) however as he's nocturnal, the charm of him quickly wore off for her as he spends the daytime snoring, then the early hours of the morning on his squeaky wheel for hours....lol

[B00]

Go with the rat, they're ace!

[annie0000]

I think his favourite were the Degus but i reckon you'd need a big cage - it would take up half the play room and his bedroom doesn't have room for much more than a bed and chest of drawers.

[Ratty2E]

It has to be rat or should I say rats. They are by far the best pet for children. They are awake during the day, they love human company and are very intelligent. Try to see if you can find a breeder rather than a pet shop and you must have 2, they are very sociable and it is rather cruel to keep one in solitary confinement.

[annie0000]

I look into that, thanks. x

[rowanwitch]

rats are wonderful things so long as there is a food reward you can do all sorts with them build mazes etc so they are educational too

[lcg]

gerbils are also lovely and low maintenance. we had a pair of females who were ery tame and loved being handled. you have to remember, though, if you get small rodents they do die within a few years and this could cause tears and upset in your son! don't get mice or hamsters as they stink and are more difficult to handle - just plain old normal gerbils x

[crisgal]

i have a dog, rabbits, chickens and a hamster!
My 10 year old got the hamster for christmas after a year of begging.
We got her from the local family run petshop and she was very very young.
She is so tame and when my daughter opens the door, she just walks onto her hand. If we give her her ball, she just jumps into it and then follows us around the house.
I think she's so friendly because my daughter was told never to disturb her when she's asleep, or to pick her up when she's in her bed.
The whole family love Sparkle - even my hubby who puts her in his top pocket!
She does come out at night but also in the evening before my daughter goes to bed. If we put some fresh food in the cage, she soon wakes up, whatever time of day it is!

[Ratty2E]

Whichever (RAT) you decide on, please make sure you read up as much about them as possible. It will insure you have a healthy, happy and more confident (RAT) pet. You can go to the http://www.nfrs.org/index.html for lots of info about rats if thats what you choose.....I would :o)

[crisgal]

i have also had rats and they are very clever - if you handle them lots when young, you can even train them to learn their name!
But, sorry if this offends rattyratgirl! - they are quite stinky, particularly the males. Their urine is very potent and need daily cleaning.

[Ratty2E]

Males can have an odour but to be honest any caged animal will whiff if you don't keep them clean. Often they tend to go in one corner so it's easy enough to change that bit of litter more often and then thoroughly clean the whole thing once a week. I have had rats, mice, guinea pigs, dogs, a rabbit and a cat and the worst stink was made when the cat made a little deposit.