What type of animal would be a good playmate for a dog?

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I also have a young, playful dog and was looking for a playmate for him. I also considered a rabbit, a rat, even a bird, but even if he enjoyed their company I wasn't sure that they would ever reciprocate. I also feared that they might be injured accidentally, as they're all more fragile than a playful dog.

I also did not want a cat. I've always prided myself as a dog person and disliked the persnickety and antisocial attitude of cats. However, as I did more and more research into a playmate I started to think more and more about a cat. Aside from another dog, they are simply the most cut out for playing with a dog and are a lot more self sufficient.

My first plan was to adopt a very young kitten from a shelter and raise it with my dog. I have known several cats that have grown up loving their canine siblings this way, but I was still worried that the kitten would turn into an antisocial older cat.

Then I discovered savannahs. Quite simply, savannahs are not really anything like average cats. They're like large playful dogs trapped in small cat bodies. After doing a lot of research we brought home a gorgeous F6 female (this means she's several generations away from a serval, which I recommend for cost, size and temperament). She's absurdly playful, loves fetching, loves water, walks on a leash, was toilet trained in less than a month (yes a human toilet, which I cannot recommend enough), and does tricks like a dog.

Our savannah and our dog are completely inseparable. They are the best friends you could possible imagine. They wrestle each other and run around the house all day. Guests are sometimes alarmed when they see her whole head in his mouth, until we point out her muffled purring and his wagging tail. He's very gentle and she always ends up intact, though covered in drool (which doesn't seem to bother her). When our dog isn't paying attention she'll often sneak up and pounce on him, mauling his ears or his ankle with gusto until he decides to retaliate. When they're finally tired they give each other baths and curl up on the same bed.

Overall I couldn't be happier with our choice. Our dog and our savannah are endlessly entertained by each other and their antics are equally entertaining for us to watch. I don't even walk my dog anymore because by the end of the day they've completely exhausted each other. I would highly recommend savannahs. If you get something around an F6 (or lower) they are much smaller and much less expensive. If you don't want a cat for allergy reasons you might consider visiting a home with a savannah. For some people they appear to be fairly hypoallergenic. If a savannah still doesn't seem like the right choice for your home consider adopting a kitten or adopting another dog. While I did end up buying my savannah I strongly support and recommend shelters.

I hope you and your dog find your perfect playmate soon! Best of luck :)

http://www.sanuraexotics.com/images/pic/F2%20Savannah_and_dogs.jpg
(Not my dog and savannah but you get the idea)...Show more

Humans are great playmates for a different animal to play with a dog....Show more

My dog is a pitbull and she LOVES cats.... kittens in particular.... cats do not have much love for her though... lol... but if you introduce a kitten while it is still small (8weeks or so) then they will grow up as friends.

I cant think of anything else though... my dog likes my parrot... but the love is not returned unfortunately.

My friends rat and his rotty get on really well....Show more

Boxers are a great choice. They always will act like a puppy even in old age. They also have great temperament and are good with kids....Show more

miniture pintchers are really playful. we wanted my dog to have a playmate too and we got him and it worked out great!...Show more