Please answer my questions.
1. Which doesn't bite alot.
2. Which is more cuddly and tolerant to alot of handling.
3. Anymore information? Email me.
2006-08-07 15:24:17 · 11 answers · asked by Hockaloogie 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Guinea Pigs are not very friendly by nature. As with some mice, they can need a lot of handling continuously to stay tame, and seldom really bond with their owners.
Rats on the other hand are clever, very receptive to handling and training, more tolerant of longer periods of play, and if they have been well-raised, they will never bite.
The best idea, if you do want to get a rat, is to ensure it has been hand reared. A fully tame rat will let anyone pick it up out of its cage, and will be curious and inqusitive with any new person. For this reason it might be best to get one from a breeder directly, but if you get one from the pet shop, be sure to handle it first. A good idea would be to find a pet shop which specialises in rats/rodents as they would be more likely to have tame rats.
I would suggest getting a male rat rather than a female as, although they aren't as cute (their ever-visitble genitals are a bit off-putting) they do seem to bond more easily, and also there is NO CHANCE that they will be pregnant when you get them.
Finally, although guinea pigs look cuter, there is honestly a lot more you can do with a rat, and they generally require a little less care.
Rats are one of the more intelligent species of rodent. I have known rats to be litter trained, to learn to heel, and most can learn simple begging tricks. They are also cleaner than most rodents, as they tend to use one corner of their cage as a toilet, rather than just go anywhere. This would obviously mean you can clean them out less often (but still clean the "toilet" area each day).
Rats also have a slightly longer life span on average than a Guinea Pig (which may or may not be a good thing to you). Guinea Pigs can be quite sensitive, so if you have a noisy home, or younger children, a rat can be more resilient as well.
2006-08-07 16:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by Emmerage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get a guinea pig i dont know much about rats...but if u want something that is cuddly i would try a hamster. I used to have a black bear hamster and she was very cuddly and tolerant to alot of handling.
2006-08-07 22:53:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
both make great pets,
Rats are easier to come by and tend to cost less. most people are turned off by their tails , but congratz on wanting one. They get very use to being handled, and are very social animals. and tend to want to be with riding on your shoulder.
Guinea pigs are a little more expensive and bigger, but they don't cuddle well and make lots of squeky noises.
I,ve never had either be very nippy, rats definatly win the cuddly toleratant of handling, but mostparents/people would go for the guinea pig. personally I'd go for the rat a medium rat will be easy to handle, but don't tends to get a lot fo handling at a pet store, so you may want to statrt with a very young rat just be careful for the first few weeks cuzyour new to them and if they feel threatened they may bite, gloves are helpful Have fun.
2006-08-08 00:01:21 · answer #3 · answered by maximus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it depends on how old guinea pigs are!cuz i know that they bite quite a bit when they are young and rats are not that cuddly i would say get a guinea pig!
2006-08-07 22:36:54 · answer #4 · answered by blondee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pigs take a lot of special care to keep them healthy. They like to hang out but don't like a lot of handling.
2006-08-07 22:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by Who am I? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guinee pigs are nervous...and they squeel alot....they are cool....rats are more cudddley and very smart ( like a tiny dog) I would get a young rat....they only live like 3-41/2-5 years.
2006-08-11 13:14:53 · answer #6 · answered by Love not hate 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are very smart and will eat a wide variety of foods. my son died last aug and he had several pet rats we had to take to the pet shop and most pet shops kill rats.they use the babies for snake food and when you take young babies in they throw them in the freezer for snake food. they may keep just a few to sell. they come in many varieties and colors. can be trained and worth having just dont rush it and be very gentle in your moves. they live to about 2 years. they require clean cages and fresh water daily. they like out of the cage for periods each day for you to work with them and get them to trust you and eat from your hand. once they trust you keep that trust and be gentle.. I think they are smarter than the little smelly G-pigs. any animal will probably bite but they have to earn your trust and they do sense your fears. kindness is very important. they are smarter than you think
2006-08-07 22:39:34 · answer #7 · answered by petloverlady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what's this got to do with cats? but between the two I'd say a guinea pig. I'm scared of rats. ewwwww!! HIH!!
2006-08-07 22:29:31 · answer #8 · answered by *miss lily* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well sry about his but rats bite alot when u train them to be carried but when they are trained they are thesweetest animal in the world they may be yucky but they are sweet
2006-08-07 22:50:11 · answer #9 · answered by Shakira s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know about guinea pigs but my relative's pet rat bit her a lot. it was a nasty little thing with a nasty attitude.
2006-08-07 22:29:38 · answer #10 · answered by anonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋