Kids and pets

coasterqueen wrote: DH and I were chatting last night and he mentioned that we should get Kylie a puppy for Christmas. I think he feels guilty for not being home right now so he thinks this will make her happy, who knows. I said NO, NO, NO because I'm not ready for the responsibility yet of one so I know she isn't. Besides if he's not coming home til end of January early February that leaves me with 2 kids and a puppy to train.

So then he mentioned what about a hamster. Hmmm. Do you think a three year old would really like a hamster? DH and I used to have hamsters when we were first together so we know the kind of care they require. I worry about her being to rough with them or if she got bit then she'd freak out and not want them anymore.

What is your opinion on this? Ok, so if you don't like hamsters give an opinion to the best of your ability. TIA.

Kaitlin'smom replied: Well I dont have a hamster but my sister does, Kait likes it check it out when she rembers its there I dunno how she would do if she had it all the time.



I totaly agree with the puppy thing NO way right now for you, you have enough on your plate, plus speaking form experiecne DONT get a puppy in the winter, bad idea when trying to potty train them and its FREEZING out, better for sring or summer.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: I'm not real familiar with hamsters but we have a bunny (used to be 2 but whaen that turned into 10 we went down to 1) and both the kids are pretty good with her. Matt will shake the cage a little but it's more because it's too high for him to see into so he's *playing* with her. Katy will hold and pet her being gentile, she also understands that she is bigger than the bunny and can hurt her if she's too rough.

ammommy replied: I think that she might be a little young, plus you have Megan to consider, too. Remember, hamsters can be squeezed to death (literally) pretty easily. If she's holding the little furball and it scampers away, you then have to worry about Megan stepping on or accidently squashing the poor thing. I had a hamster once and my baby brother did just that. It was not a pretty sight.
We are getting the kids a fish tank for Christmas, I think.

coasterqueen replied:
Yeah, that was my main worry, but it's a worry with Kylie. She's a bit "rough" and I'm afraid she'd squeeze it too hard. Never even thought about Megan you are right.

We did the whole fish thing for Kylie's 2nd birthday but after several attempts with them we kept killing them off..didn't work out.

MommyToAshley replied: DH wanted to get Ashley a puppy but I didn't want one. Partly because I got bit by a dog when I was little and am not sure I want her to have a pet this young. And, secondly I don't have the time to take care of one. But, I think it is a personal choice. It does sound like you have a lot on your plate right now and gettting a pet would just add to your responsibilities.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: What about a kitty? They are a lot easier than puppies. I've never had a hampster so I don't know what they're like - but a kitten might be easier since you wouldn't have to deal with a cage and they're easy to house train.

You could get a slightly older kitten that wouldn't be so vulnerable to the kids being rough -- plus they grow bigger and hampsters don't.

C&K*s Mommie replied: what about small turtles (red-eared sliders)? it is not much more maintenance than the usual housepet: change the filter in a tank every week or two, feed them and play with them & let them sun-bathe daily, too! our girls loved to watch them swim!

gr33n3y3z replied: How about a turtle or 2 check and make sure your state allows them first

coasterqueen replied: Ok, I take it you think we should not get a hampster right? Turtles freak me out. She can have one of those when she's old enough to take care of it all by herself.

Sara - we have two cats already - no more kitties!

I think we'll just stay clear of pets it sounds, probably the wisest decision right now.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
Lol ~ what's one more? Just kidding I forgot you already have cats.

MyLuvBugs replied: well, IMO I personally had goldfish, a cat, and 2 hamsters at her age. However, I was only responsible for feeding the hamster and goldfish. Mom got all the cleaning duties and the cat. lol But I think it would be a WONDERFUL thing for her to have a pet. And maybe, if you're worried about biting, you should try goldfish first. They're pretty easy, and very easily replacable just in case.

six_kids_at_28 replied: I think a 3 yr old could help with a hamster. She could certanily play with it, help feed it. You would certainly need to clean the cage, change the water and help her feed it. But whatever you choose...just make sure she has some responsibilities (with help)

My3LilMonkeys replied: I think it all depends on the kid. We have hermit crabs for Brooke and she loves them. She got pinched once (she poked her finger in the claw so it was 90% her fault) and wanted nothing to do with them for 2 days and then she was fine. She is too rough of a kid for a hampster though.

Maybe hermit crabs would be your answer? They are inexpensive, easy to care for and need very little attention. And as long as you get active ones they are fun to watch in the cage.

mckayleesmom replied: Ok....Im going to reccomend a different pet. Since you have cats...how about a Ferrett? My cousin had a Ferrett for her little kids when they were 4, 2 and newborn and the kids loved "skittles' , they also had cats. I had a Ferrett a couple years ago and she was awsome...and her and my cat became really good friends and they are great with kids.

mckayleesmom replied: also....be careful with turtles..they carry salamanila (sp?)

ilovemybaby replied: I think kittens or cats are the best pets with young kids. We have three cats and a guinea pig. Abby is too young to play with the guinea pig but I think once she is old enough to understand about being gentle then she should be fine.

I don't trust dogs with kids but it really just depends on the dog. And the trainer. Example... a small dog (not a Chihuahua though) or a labrador or golden retriever might be ok but you have to be really careful. Some dogs will turn. Some dogs don't ever. Some dogs are really patient and tolerant and some aren't. You just have to choose the puppy carefully. It helps if the puppy and baby grow up together. If you get a puppy/dog that has never had interaction with kids then it might not like a baby pulling on it's tail or climbing all over it. But I'm sure you know all that anyway.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: ITA with you Karen, she's probably too young for a pet right now. I've always thought having a dog in the house with kids as they grow up is a good idea, but since we have one and he is a royal PITA, I advise you not to go there. It is like having a second child in the house for me and he's GROWN UP! Training takes a lot of time and effort and you know who will end up doing it all?! I would wait until she's about seven or so before getting a puppy.

As for hamsters, we had several growing up and I'm trying to picture how old my sister and I were. They were my sister's hampsters and I think she was maybe seven and I was around four.

I would say a bird, but they bite too. I had one when I was ten and it would bite me...I hated taking it out!

I guess just wait!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Oh god...my SIL had ferrets and they would pee everywhere!! I have no idea if you can train them or not, I imagine you can, but my DH used to hate visiting her because they were so stinky. It's like another form of a rat IMO. Sorry, just being honest.

gr33n3y3z replied:
yep they stink even after you wash them
But they are very fun to watch

kimberley replied: get fish!! and put em somewhere the cats can't reach.

they are too little for hamsters imo and dogs, bunnies and ferrets stink and are high maintenance. turtles carry salmonella and can bite.

mckayleesmom replied:
Ours never peed on the floor...actually she liked using the litter box...and there are things you can do about the smell....I have had hampsters before and I think they smelt far worse them my ferrett. I think all animals smell to a degree anyways. But they are really fun with kids....

ian'smommy replied: A beta fish would be a wonderful idea for a 3 year old. I have had a few over the years. They only have a 3 year life span so how long they live depends on how young they are when you get them and if they get sick or not, but they are very resilient in a small fish bowl. The temperature of the water doesn't matter either. Kylie can feed him 3 pellets a day and help you clean the bowl. I had 3 betas (not at the same time.) One of them lived almost 3 years and one lived for 2.. My third one died early. I assume he was either sick or old. (One beta per bowl, just in case you didn't know) The food is a lifetime supply and beyond. I fed all 3 fish with the same food over those years and still had plenty leftover. The fish itself is about $5 but when all you need is a bowl and one little container of food, I think it is completely worth it.

Now if that doesn't sound good, I'd say instead of a hamster, I'd get a guinea pig. I want to get one for Ian in fact. Right now he is content to feed our 2 cats. I lean toward guinea pigs over hamsters because I have owned a couple and have never been bitten. But I HAVE been bitten by a hamster. And rabbits. I have had 4 of them. They do bite when scared. Guinea pigs even when a little scared never seem to bite. I pick them up (if I can catch one) at the pet store all the time. They have NEVER tried to bite even when scared. I would go with one of those over a hamster. But that's just my opinion.