Ideas please

[Lovelyness]

Bearded dragons or leopard geckos could be OK. Beardies need quite a big cage and heater and lamp, but are friendly, sociable reptiles. They do eat alot though, and the live insects, reptile formula (for calcium) and veggies they eat need to be in constant supply from a dealer. Leopard geckoes are crepuscular, so don't need as much heat and light, but still need a lamp and vivarium with sand, moist area, hides etc. They shed their skin, so need extra care around that. They are usually sociable and can become very tame. Leopard geckoes eat a few crickets every day or so once adult.

You might be able to get special shampoos for dogs, a close cut poodle, for instance, but I'm not sure how effective they are. The hairless breeds might also be less allergic, but not sure if your step son would take to a hairless cat or dog.

It's not just the fur unfortunately. There's something in their saliva which can cause allergies.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Very sad dogs are out Yes, the RSPCA often have leopard geckoes. They aren't huge, but not tiny either. Very pretty geckoes!

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's not just the fur unfortunately. There's something in their saliva which can cause allergies.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

 

[Maz]

Very sad dogs are out Yes, the RSPCA often have leopard geckoes. They aren't huge, but not tiny either. Very pretty geckoes!

Tell me about it! I try not to think about it any more. Probably my biggest and most severe allergy.

 

[Daisy]

What about a betta fish? I haven't had one but supposedly they can be relatively interactive for a fish.

Reptiles do carry salmonella but it's killed by alcohol gel if that's easier than hand washing (you can keep a dispenser by the enclosure).

Of course I'm biased but gerbils are quite interactive and don't need hay. There are also duprasi gerbils which you can keep singly and are slower/more hamster-like.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Bettas are lovely, as my Fishy Foo attests, but you can't touch them or train them. Fish keeping can be a very interesting hobby though and developing skills and knowledge and joining forums can be fascinating. Aquascaping is a very popular hobby. Gerbils do sound nice. Hamsters are very lucky to have Maz though, she is extremely good with them and the forum is helping hamsters literally world wide.

 

[Maz]

Agree I think gerbils or duprasi or maybe even degus might be good but I don't think that's what he has in mind.

I'm leaning towards the idea of volunteering plus a stick insect. We're not going to get a perfect solution.

 

[Lovelyness]

Agree I think gerbils or duprasi or maybe even degus might be good but I don't think that's what he has in mind.

I'm leaning towards the idea of volunteering plus a stick insect. We're not going to get a perfect solution.

He most likely wants a dog by the sounds of it…a pet he can bond with and cuddle. But with your allergies that isn’t an option so it’s a case of finding a best fit solution. He can probably do a taster day of volunteering with the donkey sanctuary for example, and see if he likes it first without committing himself.

 

[Maz]

Yes he does but we already tried that and he knows it's not an option. He just can't think of anything else.

 

[Lovelyness]

Yes he does but we already tried that and he knows it's not an option. He just can't think of anything else.

Maybe look at dog rescues with him where he might be able to volunteer as a dog walker etc. If you look with him, it might spur him on.

 

[Daisy]

Degus need hay unfortunately, like chinchillas.

 

[Maz]

Thanks - I didn't know that. Allergies are very unfair!

 

[Maz]

Maybe look at dog rescues with him where he might be able to volunteer as a dog walker etc. If you look with him, it might spur him on.

My concern there is he will just want a dog even more!

 

[Maz]

I still think rats would be best but no one in the family will entertain the idea. Rats can have dog like behaviour. A hamster is of course the best solution!

 

[Daisy]

Would he consider a bird?

 

[Maz]

We ruled out birds as well actually!

 

[Maz]

I think it has to be a stick insect or a leopard gecko. More thought on that later!

 

[Lovelyness]

My concern there is he will just want a dog even more!

Perhaps...but it might also satisfy his need

 

[Maz]

Yes I see that point. I did used to do dog walking for the RSCPA before I moved to this area - seeing as I couldn't have a dog at home full time. It did make me want to take them all home though.

 

[Lovelyness]

Yes I see that point. I did used to do dog walking for the RSCPA before I moved to this area - seeing as I couldn't have a dog at home full time. It did make me want to take them all home though.

Yes, I can imagine!