Electronic Pet?

Jeanne C.

Does anyone have experience with an electronic dog or cat for their LO? My husband is a huge animal lover. He absolutely adored our cat (we had her for 21 years). He keeps asking for a dog but I think it's a terrible idea to get a pet (of course I deflect and say we'll talk about it later). I've seen a few online and think they're a little creepy but the pwds in the videos seem to love them.

Anyone have one of these? Is it worth the $100+ or would my husband enjoy a regular stuffed animal just as much? He spent a half hour talking to a butterfly suncatcher in our kitchen window yesterday so I'm not sure realism is needed.

Jgirl57

Maybe try one that is not electronic? We have a large stuffed dog for when my grandson was young and my HWD sometimes just picks it up and puts it in the recliner with him and pats it. I don’t say anything and just let him enjoy the moment. We also have put bird feeders outside our window and he enjoys the bird antics.

harshedbuzz

My friend's mom had one of the robotic cat. It was a huge success as it interacted with her. Mom lived with her daughter and as the disease progressed the real cats became wary of mom who started disciplining them. A niece brought a borrowed Joy for All Cat from the library and mom enjoyed it enough that they bought her one of her own. The cat brought hours of interaction for mom-- they are compelling to play with.

In the middle stages before dad was diagnosed, he started buying stuffies at yard sales and thrift shops, but he never really interacted with them.

HB

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SusanB-dil

Hi Jeanne C - it can vary so much how a person takes to them. Sometimes depends on what stage they are in. You could start with non-robotic. I didn't know that some libraries have some you can 'try out'. That's a great idea.

A discussion to this effect was brought up a while back - and it was everything from total acceptance, to taking one look and indicated they weren't 'there' yet...

And as Victoria2020 has noted - maybe a better version is up and coming...

Jeanne C.

Thanks all. I think I'll try out a stuffed dog first and see how it goes.

MN Chickadee

My mom loved her robo cat. She had it a year and a half and I never had to change the batteries and it still worked great. It was Joy for All brand. Very cool product and was worth every penny for us. After she passed I donated it to the are facility and another resident took it over.

GrannieB

My DH was in the control group for a university study about the affects of having a dog would have on a person with dementia. The study showed the people with dogs were more active. So, we got a puppy... a real one. Both of us are more active as a result... especially me! Why not consider adopting an older, calm, well trained shelter dog? Whenever I have to pick up after our pups "mistakes" I sometimes think a robo-dog would be better, but it wouldn't be the same.

Iris L.

Will the caregiver accept ALL responsibility for pet care? Most PWDs are not reliable pet guardians. And animals can be trip hazards to people with poor vision and poor balance and thin bones.

Iris

Jeanne C.

Thanks all. As much as I think my husband would love a dog, I know it wouldn't be a good idea for us. I'm already spread thin and couldn't manage the care of a pet.

Jeanne C.

Quick follow-up: I decided to buy the Joy For All dog for my husband. He loves the goofy thing. He pets it, talks to it, gave it a name (that he actually remembers). He even sings to it. If you're interested, let me know and I can share a video by direct message. I'm glad he enjoys it so much.

harshedbuzz

@Jeanne C.

I am so glad it worked out for you. They can be very entertaining. Dad's MCF had several they would hand out to certain folks when upset, so there were typically a couple in the DON's office. My mom was obsessed with them and would be completely distracted interacting with them. The DON always gave me a look like "when are you dropping her off with us?"

HB

GothicGremlin

Hey @Jeanne C. - I'm glad the Joy for All dog worked out. I've been contemplating a Joy for All cat for quite some time for my sister. Their faces are a little creepy, in that uncanny valley kind of way, but I know that's just me, and probably not Peggy.

terei

My mom had the Joy for all cat. It would meow when someone would walk past it + my mother would tell it “Quiet!”. She liked it for a long time.