I have a friend whose 2 small sons really want a dog or cat. My friend however, does not want any type of animal that sheds hair, needs to be taken out, or smells.
I know this rules out a lot! He has his sons a few days a week but is out working almost the entire rest of the time and can't commit to something like say a traditional cat / dog pet. He does really want to make the kids happy and give them some type of pet.
Any ideas?
PS- NO FISH!
2006-09-01 08:06:25 · 17 answers · asked by Greta Leigh 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Feed the wild critters outside your door, and enjoy their antics, etc...They're cheap, and very entertaining...And you can go places without worry...
2006-09-01 08:14:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nothing is really low maintenance hamster,gerbil,mice,rat they all have a tendency to escape especially with to boys as keepers that's bad cause them mom has to catch there pets due to the fact that there chewing up walls an wires been there done that
Cats shed no matter long hair short hair brushed everyday or every hour and cleaning that litter box yuck
Dogs there are non shedding breads like poodles but there allot of work haircuts, brushing,Taking them potty,Bathes
You said fish were out
How about Lizards great conversation peace in your house really kool to watch eat and if you get these kind green anole i believe it is they blow up there chest with a bright red bubble to attract females its kool and the kids can help in the summer they can catch the crickets to feed them you just clean the cage about once a month depending on cage size and how many lizards can be more or less feed everyday or by the week dependin g on how many crickets you put in nothing easier Kc
2006-09-01 15:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by kc 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pet rock.
Hermit crabs are high maitenance.
Rodents such as hamsters, mice, gerbils and rats get stinky without cleaning atleast once a week and they need fresh food and water daily. They also need daily handlings and attention so they remain friendly.
Reptiles need heat sources that i dont know if your friend will trust leaving the heat lamps on while hes not home, and some are really high maitenance and can be dangerous.
Amphibians cant be handled and they are high maitenance needing clean environments and specific humidities and the constant buying of crickets.
Rose hair tarantulas are pretty low maitenance but not good pets for kids, they dont like to be handled and kids might injure them since they are fragile or the kids might get bitten.
Only thing left i can think of is a pet rock.
2006-09-01 15:17:19 · answer #3 · answered by lady_crotalus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That does rule out a lot, but I've found that gerbils are pretty low maintenance. I have 2 females and when I'm busy with school, I can get away with changing their cage every week and a half. They poop less than mice and don't do that on your hand while you're holding them. My cage has a little hatch on the top that you can open and they pop their little heads out of the bed. They also love to chew up empty TP rolls and anything else cardboard and they basically make their own bedding by doing that. They don't really have much of an odor, and if you get them when they're little, you can get them pretty tame to hold in your hands.
2006-09-01 17:44:40 · answer #4 · answered by gym_rat_laura 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kids want a dog or a cat so they can play with it or interect with it physically. No bird or hermit crab is going to substitute for that. Hamsters guinea pigs and rabbitts smell, so your live in nazi probably wouldn;t tolerate that either. He isnt going to make your children happy without a dog or a cat, he is going to disappoint them and you'll be stuck taking care of some sort of third rate pet that nobody pays attention to or cares about. Your best bet is to distract them with some sort of video game.
2006-09-01 15:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by thehotdogbun 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gerbils were one of my first pets and if kept clean will make good pets but they only live for about 2-3 yrs make sure they have fresh beding twice a week fresh food and water and somethin to chew to keep there teeth down e.x a used toiletroll
2006-09-01 16:12:30 · answer #6 · answered by snnfsnnf 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a cat would be the best because if you brush them daily they wont shed and they dont smell if its going to be an inside cat you should get it a litter box or keep it outside and wont have to clean up a smelly mess.you can leave them alone all day as long as they have a toy or something some food and a place to go to the bathroom and theyll be fine.
2006-09-01 15:15:15 · answer #7 · answered by cougarkilledman 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Tortoise, stick insects, ant colony in case, worm farm,bird,frogs,small snake. A hard boiled egg.Convince the kids it's gonna hatch any day.That should buy him some time to have a look around
2006-09-01 15:49:58 · answer #8 · answered by Taylor29 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A hamster. I have 2 and they make great pets, Just have to be really careful when pick one out, and always get one that isnt a baby, get one that is a little older that way when you pick it up you know if it is going to bite. My kids love our hamsters, and they dont bite.
2006-09-01 15:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Vickie L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Snapping turtle. You just need a fish tank with some water for it to swim. They're very entertaining. You feed them goldfish, the kid will be watching for hours.
2006-09-01 15:16:18 · answer #10 · answered by dazed&confused 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋