How can I convince my parents to let me get a Bearded Dragon?

[TheNotSoFriendlyCanadian]

Hi I'm in a little bit of a situation here, I'm interested in purchasing a bearded dragon(I have become very fond of them in the past few months) but my parents refuse to let me buy one even though I will be using my own money to buy everything from food, tanks, supplies, etc. I understand why they don't and it is because we already have a dog and two guinea pigs, but I think that if I have three pets already then another one shouldn't hurt If you have any ways to convince them please let me know, oh and keep in mind that I have already used the classic "I will learn to be more responsible" trick

 

[PatsyB]

Sorry buddy....can't help you on this one. Owning and caring for a bearded dragon is a lot different than a dog and guinea pigs. Not to mention you need to store bugs in your house to feed them. It's very good of you to learn as much as you can and save your money up to buy the necessities for it but it is as much your parents responsibility as it is yours and they might not want to take that on. If it gets sick, they are the ones that have to take it to a vet, a qualified exotic bet. Plus keep in mind that you are 14 and beardies can live for 15 years what are you going to do if you go to college? A dorm is not going to allow you to have a reptile.

I wonder how you've gotten interested in them? Maybe you can volunteer at a pet store or place that has beardies so you can enjoy them that way.

 

[TheNotSoFriendlyCanadian]

Sorry buddy....can't help you on this one. Owning and caring for a bearded dragon is a lot different than a dog and guinea pigs. Not to mention you need to store bugs in your house to feed them. It's very good of you to learn as much as you can and save your money up to buy the necessities for it but it is as much your parents responsibility as it is yours and they might not want to take that on. If it gets sick, they are the ones that have to take it to a vet, a qualified exotic bet. Plus keep in mind that you are 14 and beardies can live for 15 years what are you going to do if you go to college? A dorm is not going to allow you to have a reptile.

I wonder how you've gotten interested in them? Maybe you can volunteer at a pet store or place that has beardies so you can enjoy them that way.

I have over $500 saved towards this pet, and I already have an exotic vet(because I own guinea pigs), also I will be taking full responsibility of it, you do have a point about going to college, but if I were to get it I would just deal with stuff as I go. But thanks for the advice, and the reminder about college and all

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Simple. Start trying to become a herp specialist vet. Find what classes you need before college and start down the path. Beardies are excellent animals and it would be good motivation during the times that things seem rough.

 

[PatsyB]

Simple. Start trying to become a herp specialist vet. Find what classes you need before college and start down the path. Beardies are excellent animals and it would be good motivation during the times that things seem rough.

That's a great idea! We need more qualified exotic vets.

 

[vikki.price.712]

Guinea pigs = exotic pets?

 

[PatsyB]

Goofy as it sounds yes. In some places anything other than a dog or cat is "exotic".

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

We would all encourage you through it also.

 

[vikki.price.712]

Lol. Must be a North America thing. In the UK, guinea pigs are a staple children's pet so it's vetenary 101 here. Ha ha.

My mum despises anything reptilian and thinks they're bug carriers. This comes from her complete lack of knowledge about them. Are your parents very reptile savvy?
Sometimes going somewhere where they can talk to an expert about keeping them as pets may help in your quest to get them to agree.

 

[andyroof1979]

Do a detailed report and make a presentation to the family