Something your toilet can handle.

A fun, happy dog beats out even the best cat for bonding with a teen (also don't underestimate how much cat allergies will keep your friends from visiting). Dogs are great companions. Our spaniel doubles as both our pet and our family therapist.
But others are right that a dog can be a big time commitment too. My bit of advice is to adopt a dog that is a couple of years old, so it's mellowed out a bit and doesn't need constant exercise. But make sure that it is a sweet, outgoing dog. The hunting/hound breeds are usually great with older kids and sweet to be around. There are a couple of rescue groups in DC that bring to DC hounds that they pick up from shelters in the South. Some truly fun, sweet dogs, and sometimes old enough that they will be happy to hang out being petted and read to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a pair of kittens since it sounds like you and your spouse are not pet people. They will bond with your DC and vice versa, and they will keep each other company once she's gone.

but possibly make shreds of your furniture.

+1 I'm not anti-kitten at all, but they can be really crazy and destructive -- and sometimes they don't grow out of it.

BUT, I'd still vote for a bonded pair of younger cats -- just slightly older and out of the insane kitten stage, with defined personalities.

if your child does not have a lot of time, make sure there's enough time to care for a pet. depending on age, breed, and temperment, a pet can need 1-2 hours a day for feeding, brushing, walking, playing, and training.

An older dog might be just fine with a 10-15 minute walk in the morning, after school, and evening, but it has to be EVERY day (with a petsitter if you're out of town). A younger or more active breed is going to need a lot more than that...think at least an hour of jogging/fetch/brisk walking every day if you don't want the animal to misbehave.

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a pair of kittens since it sounds like you and your spouse are not pet people. They will bond with your DC and vice versa, and they will keep each other company once she's gone.

but possibly make shreds of your furniture.

I recommend a pair of kittens since it sounds like you and your spouse are not pet people. They will bond with your DC and vice versa, and they will keep each other company once she's gone.

having pets is wonderful, for you and your child. we had pets growing up so it was natural to feel they should become part of the family as our only child was growing up. we got a dog when he was almost 3. they have grown up together. when he fell in love with cats in kindergarten, we adopted a kitten. then we added another kitten a year later. the tribe is a happy one. our son loves animals. he may have already been a natural nurturer, but this has given him a chance to really develop that side of himself. he also has responsibility for feeding the dog daily. we started a saltwater fish tank with the new year, and that has been neat for all of us. our pets have really enhanced our lives.

my recs>get your child a pet. if you have limited time and you aren't used to having an animal, I would recommend adopting a kitten. cats are much less "work" than dogs.

I would get the dog. I'm not really a lonely person, but I can't put a price on how much companionship my dog gives me. He has literally devoted his entire life to me and follows me around constantly. It's sweet thinking the best parts of his day are when he's near me when I'm home.

I have an only child also. No family nearby, younger neighborhood kids, basically same scenario you're in. She's also shy and busy with soccer. We had a cat she basically grew up with. She was 2 when we got the cat and it sadly passed away last year. The cat was great but we now have 2 dogs one 4 and one 2yrs old. They are her best friends! It will definitely help with the lonliness. I say go for the dog and you want regret it.

Anonymous wrote:Just remember, you'll be stuck with whatever pet you get them after they go off to college.

Ehh I took my dog off to college. As did other friends I had. Dog was a great reason to not spend the night away from home. I knew she was waiting on me. lol

Just remember, you'll be stuck with whatever pet you get them after they go off to college.

Firstly than you for your responses.
DC is really busy and hardly has time.
But we want kid to develop some sense of belonging with someone other than parents as well.
We do not have any extended family.
DC has friends at school. All kids are busy with school work and after school activities.
So DC gets a chance to meet friends at school or an occasional birthday party.
Kids in the neighborhood are either too small or too busy to play.

But I thought a pet can help a little bit. we were thinking of a small dog or a bird.
DC is a very gentle child and can take care of pet but time is a constraint.

I would rather address the issue. Put her in an activity that she may enjoy to help her socialize. A pet is doing nothing for her

Yes a pet is lovely as a companion. Is your teen a cat or dog person? If your goal is something that will interact with the teen then this really is the limit of your choices as other pets are not social with the owner. A dog of course is probably best if you hope it will get the teen out of the house but then that bad weather issue is irrelevant. Also what schedule does your teen have? Is he gone from 7am until 8pm? Not good for a dog nor a tired teen faced with responsibility the minute he walks through the door. Also, shouldn't there be a more direct attempt by you to address the teens issues? A pet is a burden and a bandage not a cure for loneliness.

DC is an only child in early teens and a little shy person.
Sometimes it gets very lonely specially when weather is bad and DC can't go out to bike or play.
Thinking of getting a pet so that DC can bond with the pet.
want to get any low maintenance pet.
Any advice?