the rat that i want looks really nice but i dont know if it would be good or not and the hamster is just so cutie
2006-12-16 11:45:01 · 16 answers · asked by clattecat5 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Between a hamster and a rat I would definetly choose the rat. I have had experience with both and rats make much better pets. Hamsters are fluffy and are much cuter than rats, but they are crabby and don't like to be handled. You have completely wash your hands before you pick one up because they will smell food on your hands and try to "eat" you. They also pee a lot and cleaning their cage is a pain. Rats, on the other hand will not try to "eat" you because they smell food on you. The only time they will bite you is if they get used to being fed through cage wires and then you stick your finger through (they think you are feeding them your finger). Rats will NOT make you sick and they will NOT poop on you. They are very affectionate, unlike hamsters. They are also intelligent and will learn their name. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they are up all night, and they are very noisy and will kepp you up. However, rats sleep at night like we do. As for a hamster being more cuddly than a rat...well, you can't really cuddle a hamster. They are always trying to get away from you and climbing over your hands. But rats will sit on your lap and will let you stroke them and pet them. Hampters are not very fun. All they do is run on their squeaky wheel. You can teach rats tricks and actually play with them almost like a dog or cat.They make very good pets. Get a rat!
I would like to say something to all those people who talk about rats but have never actually had one as a pet.
-Rats are NOT vicious.
-Rat do NOT have rabies.
-Rats do NOT carry disease.
-Rats do NOT crap on your shoulders...or crap on you at all (unlike hamsters)
I've had three rats for a year (adopted them from the animal shelter) and they are the friendliest things. They make great pets!
2006-12-16 12:08:57 · answer #1 · answered by livo 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I can tell you that at the store where I work we sell both. Hamsters are cute but they can bite. All hamsters have different personalities. You could get lucky and find one that actually likes to be handled. You cannot put two hamsters together. Even if they are the same sex. They get Territorial and will end up fighting each other. They are nocturnal and sleep alot during the day and are up alot at night.
Rats on the other hand are great animals. I have yet to be bitten by a rat. They are smart and can learn their name and they can be handled much more than a hamster. People are turned off by rats because of their tails. But don't let it fool you. I had a pet rat and she was one of the best pets I ever had.
Whichever you decide, where ever you go to buy one ask to see one and handle the animal at the store before you buy one. Ask about the stores guarantees for the pet. If you bring it home and you don't like it, you will be able to return it if the pet does not work for you.
Good luck!!!
2006-12-16 11:57:45 · answer #2 · answered by LSD 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had experince of both and rats are so much better for all the reasons already listed. I wanted to add that rats must be kept in same sex pairs or groups as they are very social animals and need company of their own kind. We cant be with them 24/7 or do what other rats can. Its a myth that male rats kept together will fight. I have a cage that has had up to 9 rats in and at times none of them have been related and they've got on fine. I also have a cage with 4 brothers and one neutered girl and they also get on fine. I find girls are more territorial in the cage and they dont want to sit still when they're out. Boys are lazy and love sitting on my shoulder or lap and being stroked.
Rats also need to be kept in a cage, not a tank as they wee more than other rodents and the ammonia builds up too quickly in tanks and will cause breathing problems. Thats the only downside to rats, they are prone to breathing problems and tumours and may cost a fair bit at the vets. The average lifespan of a rat is 2-3 years(usually less) if you get them from a petshop, but can live up to 5 if you get them from a breeder.
2006-12-17 05:58:22 · answer #3 · answered by kiffie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Evan P. I have also raised many hamster and Rats and I can tell you exactly what he told you. Rats are much better pets because they are so very smart and extraordinarily friendly. Rats are NEVER aggressive, something you can't say about hamsters, who tend to bite quite frequently. Rats are also very clean animals, despite popular beliefs. They are sociable and love attention, unlike hamsters who like to be left alone. And they are just so sweet and make the most lovely pet for any age. Go with the Rat. Rats RULE!!!
2006-12-16 16:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad you asked :)
I have cared for many hamsters, and many rats.
Rats are far better pets for the following reasons.
-They are much more sociable (friendly)
-They do not bite
-They are very smart
-They appreciate you!. They are happy when you come home, and when you sit with them they'l show you that they've missed you all day by chittering and cleaning your hands.
-They are potty train themselves! Yes thats right, rats learn slowly to only go to the washroom in their cage - without training!
Do yourself a favor and get a rat.
Hamsters are very simple and unintelligent creatures that do little but bite you, make constant noise, and try to get out of their cage.
Rats are curious, intelligent and friendly animals and will love you to bits.
P.S: Get female rats, they are smaller and friendlier.
Also... "rats carry disease" is a Myth carried by ignorant people..The plague was spread by HUMAN hygiene issues. During the middle ages.. not rats.
Also... "rats are vicious" is also, a myth for ignorant simple people.
Trust me - Rats (hooded) are lovely little things and you will love them!. I've got two with me now and there sleeping away on my lap.. adorable.. get some ! :D
2006-12-16 11:51:44 · answer #5 · answered by Evan P 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rats, how do I love thee? So much so that I am building a website containing my utmost devotion and ever-growing knowledge on these awesome little animals.
Compared to the other rodents (hamsters, gerbils, and mice) that I have had the pleasure of owning over the years, I have found rats to be the most personable. That is, they love humans and very much want to interact with us. Hamsters seem to have a "leave me alone" attitude. They would rather do their own thing then to be with us.
Rats compare in behavior and antics to dogs, cats, rodents, a three year old child, and monkeys. They are incredibly entertaining. I could never see hamsters as any more then a rodent.
Rats love the company of their own kind. You can have more then one. The more the merrier, and the more entertaining they are as they interact with each other. Hamsters are loners.
A pair of rats, same sex of course, are very easy to care for. So is single hamster.
Rats are very adaptable to your life-style. They are ready to play when you are ready to play. They entertain themselves when you want to sleep. They sleep when you are not around. I find they are not grumpy like a hamster when you wake one up. Both rats and hamsters need the proper care for their species but as far as rats go, you can't possibly ignore them. I found that my hamsters slept so much, and could not adapt to my wake/sleep cycle, that they were easy to ignore.
Most rats like to be handled, they like to be with you, and they are a good size for handling. Most hamsters would prefer not be handled. They seem to just tolerate it when you do handle them.
Rats rarely bite. They would prefer to licky kiss you and give you love nibbles. Hamsters seem to be notorious for biting. They seem to shoot (bite) first and ask questions later.
Check out my website http://spazrats.tripod.com for the health and care of Pet Rats.
spazrats
2006-12-17 09:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by spazrats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely a rat. I've had one for several years now and you grow to think they are just the most adorable things ever. My rattie is very friendly and licks my finger and cuddles up to me. They are most certainly more social and I've never been bitten by a rattie. Hamsters tend to nip since they are a little bit of less mentally capable than ratties. You can train rats though. Rats are more playful and you can play one on one with your rat.
2006-12-16 15:25:27 · answer #7 · answered by Leta 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had rats, hamsters and gerbils. Rats make the best pets hands down. They are much more intelligent and friendly than the others.
2006-12-16 11:59:11 · answer #8 · answered by magicmunchkins 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have both, but I trust my Rat so much more! They come when called if you teach them their name! they can be litter box trained(but so can a Syrian hamster),they can be taught tricks,etc! Rats are alot more fun, Oh Yeah, they won't just walk off your shoulder like a hamster would!
2006-12-16 19:19:07 · answer #9 · answered by Weiner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats may not look adorable, but hampsters bite,scratch and you can't hold them without worrying that you will break thier back. Rats are friendly and Often tameable that gets along with others, while a hampster is solitary and always wants to be left alone. Don't judge something by how it looks.
2006-12-16 12:36:34 · answer #10 · answered by Kristina 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋