I Want A Pet But Have 3 In Mind! Which Is The Best, Easiest To Own And Cheaper Out Of: Rat/Chinchilla/Ferret?

Question

I Just Want A Pet That Will Be Happily Sleep All Day When I'm At School But Able To Play With When I Get Home, And That Is Relatively Cheap To Buy Food And Bedding For.

Rats:
Would Probably Be My First Choice As They Are The Smallest And Would Probably Cost The Least. They Can Sit On Your Shoulder If Your Going To The Shops Or Out With Your Mates.

Chinchillas:
Are Soooo Cute But Need More Space Than A Rat And I Think They Are More Expensive And Need More Care. They Can't Be Taken Out Of The House Either.

Ferret:
They Are Bigger Than Rats And You Can Take Them For Walks On A Lead. But Then They Need A Bigger Cage And People Say They Smell Quite A Bit.....

So Please Help Me People! Im 16 And Want One Of Those 3 For A Pet. Please Can You Tell Me What You Think Would Be Better For Me, The Easiest To Care For And The Cheapest

Thanks xXx

Answer 1

It seems like you really have given this good thought. Since your in school I think the rat would be the best choice for you. It is relatively easy to take care of and bedding isn't too expensive. You might be looking at least $25.00 a month for all of its basic needs such as food, treats and bedding. Just remember whatever you choose as a pet make sure it is something that you definately want, because it's a huge commitment. You have to remember that its cage needs to be changed regularly, it always needs fresh water and food. So please make sure that you have the time and energy to do these things and still manage school and anything else that you might be doing. Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

A rat is definitely the best choice as far as price. A rat here in the states costs about $5. It can be kept in a 10 gallon fish tank which is $10. You'd need a screen top made for aquariums, food and bedding...which a large bag here costs $3 and it lasts a few months.

A chinchilla is a good choice. We've considered having one but it wouldn't fit our lifestyle. They cost $200. The cage is about $100. Then you need food, bedding and a chinchilla bath house which holds special dust for them to roll around in keeping their fur from getting oily and matted. They can be a good pet and can be let loose in the house to play. They are known to be a bit destructive at times. Do a search to get more details.

Ferrets are great, too. We're planning on getting a pair when our kids are big enough to not be rough with them. A ferret in the US costs about $150/piece. The cage is at least $100. Then you need food, bedding, toys, a hammock-like bed and lead. They can get a surgery to remove the "stink glands". I've heard that it works pretty well but doesn't totally get rid of their smell.

Hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

Sounds like you did your homework on your three choices.
Chin.s definetly win for the cute factor. I've never had one, and the main reason for that is that they don't make good pets. They're cute to watch for the hour or two they seem to be awake during the day, but most of them don't like to be handled at all. They are the most expensive to buy, and need the most upkeep, what with dust and specialized diets and all.
I've had two ferrets, and they are SO much fun. They do stink very badly, though. I got used to the smell and didn't notice it any more, but girls (or boys, whatever your preference) don't typically like the smell too much if they come over to your place. They are pretty expensive, and require a big cage. If you have one ferret you'll want to get another because they are very cute when they play together. I wouldn't really reccomend the ferrets, though, because your probably still live at home, they cost alot (cage and the ferrets themselves), and they are a lot of work.
I had a fancy rat when I was your age, and that's what I'd reccomend to you. He was a big gray monster that I named Socrates, because he acted like a philosopher. He was slow and steady, seemed to think about things before he did them. He definetly knew who I was, and liked my company. Rats are very smart and sweet pets, if not very active. Get one while they're young, and spend a lot of time with it by putting it in your pocket or in your shirt, or try training it to hang out on your shoulder (that was very hard to do with my rat, but he liked hanging out in my pocket). That way by the time they grow up they already enjoy being in your company and you won't have to try and force a big rat to do something it doesn't want to do.
They are cheap to buy, and don't need a big cage. I would reccomend something with a wire bottom and a pull out tray for easy clean up. Stay away from aquariums, they smell after awhile. Use carefresh bedding, it's good stuff, if a bit more expensive than the other brands. Don't use any kind of wood chips, it's bad for any small animal.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Please do not listen to anyone suggesting rabbits, rats, or (lord) raccoons. These are anything BUT cheap, easy or quiet pets! Honestly, there are seldom any pets that are just plain cheap and easy. All animals will require annual food and supplies, and because all animals deserve vet care if needed, you should ideally have some spare money in case of a vet emergency. Fish are an excellent idea. If you aren't familiar, try some easier freshwater verities, and if you like them, move onto having more difficult saltwater fish, or more challenging species of fish, or even live plants. Aquariums are pretty low maintenance, but can be really fun to keep. If you are looking for something really exotic, consider things like tarantulas, scorpions, millipedes, hermit crabs, salamanders, and certain snakes or lizards. Many of these are really easy, cheap, totally silent, and definitely exotic. My personal favorite lizard has to be the leopard gecko. And some great snakes are corns, kings, and ribbons. Look them up :)

Answer 5

hay im like an animal export because I study alot on them a so im glad to help
even though im a girl i love rats and there probebly the best choice i have a silk hamster and she was only $7. you will have to do reaserch rats because since some animals like hamsters have to have a pasific typ of bedding since they naw on wood and if you were to get the wrong kind and they put there mouth on it they could die well any way you can get giant bags of bedding that will last a long time ive had my hamster for almost a year and the bedding still hasn't run out yet! you will still have to buy a wheel a food dish a water bottle
and of course food all together it'll coast about $50

chinchillas are good animals but I've have done research on them beacuse i wanted one to but
you'd have to have a pritty big cage and ive seen pictureson what they can do and it's not pritty! but im not saying there all like that but all together there about $300!

ferrets cost all together about $300!

Answer 6

You might want to consider a rabbit. They are cheaper. I have 3! They are French Lops. They get large and friendly. You can purchase food at a feed store $8 for 50lbs and $4 for 25 lbs. However if you are not open to suggestions I would go with the ferret even though there not cheap.

Answer 7

I used to own 3 ferrets which I loved alot, but they are alot of work. They require a bath often and they can smell. If loose they like to poop in the corners. My daughter has a rat which is very sweet and less upkeep. Her 3 year old daughter can hold it. I would recommend a rat.

Answer 8

I can tell you ferrets are expensive to buy, do not do good on their own, they do good in pairs. They can require vet care, as they can get sick easily. They don't do good in a cage all day, they need to run. Yes, the do smell. They have scent sacks like a skunk (they don't smell like a skunk), so they have their own odor.

I don't know about chinchillas, but I have heard good things about them. But they are also expensive.

Rats on the other hard I have heard are cheap, and they can be trained to do simple tricks. They don't mind being in a house as long as they have toys like you would a hamster.

Answer 9

Ferrets are the most interesting, but they require a lot of maintenance because they are pretty messy and have scent glands which cause them to release an odor when they get excited. Dont really know much about chinchillas.Rats are the cheapest and easiest to care for, but they dont do much.

Answer 10

Your first choice would be best fit. If you want to take out with you and have little maintenance rats make an excellent choice.they are also much smarter than the others and will adapt more quickly.They do need some stimulation as they are very smart and can get bored easily.