What is the most trouble free pet you can get?

Question

I mean one you don't have to do too much to look after. Its for my daughter (who once killed her goldfish by poking them with a paint brush and feeding them rice crispies - before you scream at me, she was 2yrs old at the time and being naughty with the terrible two's). I can't even keep a plant, because they manage to die on me, and don't get me started on tamagotchis. No, I'm being serious. What are your suggestions?

Thankyou.

Well said Star Babe. Wish I could get that in writing for my girl. She'd be better off walking a stick on a leash, cause honestly we're just not cut out for pets, and she should stop pestering.

Answer 1

Have you thought about getting an antworks? They are cheap, quite fun to watch and you don't have to worry about them dying because there is enough ants out there. If you are interested try looking on www.iwantoneofthose.com
My uni friend has one with the illuminator and its strangely intriguing to watch.

Answer 2

My daughter was actually pleased with Seamonkeys. She'd just lost a hamster (he expired), couldn't have a cat or puppy and has always been a pet lover. That worked out well until I left the seamonkeys in the window and they got washed away when a wind and thunderstorm knocked over their little tank in the window.
For this reason, I say, teach her to feed the birds in your yard with daily breadcrumbs. A squirrel will also come and stay although, be not fooled, those animals are WILD! Also, consider homing pigeons. Best wishes. (by the way, is she like, dying to have a pet or something?)

Answer 3

I think as your little one is so young and has already killed the fish, a bit of training needs to be done first (One of mine was like that, he had murderous tendencies until about 6) Try this it worked 100% for me:- take her on a regular basis over the next three months to your local animal park, whereby they have small animal petting area's, she will be supervised petting guinea pigs, rabbits and kid goats, if they have donkey's and ponies she can advance to them a bit later, because there are sooo many of the animals around her all the time and they show them about feeding & grooming. When she see's other children behaving properly and feeding the animals she will mimic them and get an understanding of how to care for animals. Then when you are satisfied she will be okay then go for something that you can padlock the cage door so as she cannot get the animal out without supervision i.e. guinea pig and take it from there...YOU will know when she can be trusted...hope this helps

Answer 4

Hermit crabs are really easy. Seriously. All you need is a small aquarium, a larger shell for them to migrate to, and make sure they stay fed and watered. The great thing about them is, if your daughter bugs it too much, she'll get a nice painful pinch to remind her not to be so mean.

If a hermit crab isn't quite your speed, I'd suggest simply waiting a few years until your daughter grows out of her naughtiness. Then you can get a nice family pet like a cat or dog that you can both enjoy without traumatizing it.

Best of luck to you and your new pet!

Answer 5

It's tough when they're at the age where they don't understand that they are hurting a living creature...better wait a few years until she can share some of the responsibility of caring for a pet. A nice alternative is to visit a petting zoo or an animal park on weekends or holidays...that way she'll get used to being around animals and learn how to handle them--then when she's ready, she'll be better prepared for her own pet.

Answer 6

If your daughter came out of her T2 A Cat would be the least trouble clean cat litter and feed.
Otherwise A dog would be better ,dog are not as sensitive as cats to poking etc.
But there are more work going for walks etc.

If you don`t wanna have any work at your home did you ever consider if your daughter might be interested in horseback riding?

Answer 7

I have a giant African Land Snail, it lives in a tank with a layer of ordinary earth, I make sure the earth is quite damp and change it about once a week/ fortnight- but it hibernates if its too cold, feed it on cucumber, but if you forget it'll again just hibernate- so easy to leave when you go on holiday. They live for around 5 years. You can handle them, they enjoy it, providing you're not rough, as they like the warmth, but you may not want to! Have fun!

Answer 8

Why don't you try robotic pets?
They have a controlled interaction with the child and all you need to do, is change batteries...
When you are sure that your daughter knows how to take care of an animal, you can buy her a real pet.

Answer 9

sea monkeys!!!! - they rule, even if they die you can re-start the colony by adding more of the feed stuff. You can buy them in most toy shops and they have their own website where you can order them or their supplies online (google for it i cant remember it)

They are briney shrimp and tiny but maybe it can help train your daughter to keep a pet.

Other than that a guinea pig/hamster etc are good, they are relatively easy to look after (espec guinea pigs)

Answer 10

well..i dont think fish [for obvious reasons]
umm...cats are very low matinence and only need feeding twice a day.
a bird isnt hard either, although dont have both- i recommend a finch as apparently they are the eisiest of birds to look after. ^_^ (a tweety-pie incident might come about!)
some dogs, such as cavalier king charles spaniels are very very very good with kids and only need company, and no rain [they really hate rain].
hope ive been of some help...