which pet would be better?

Question

I am wanting a small pet but I don't know which one would be better. I am trying to decide between a mouse, hampster, gerbil, or rat.

Answer 1

I have recently been thinking about getting a rat.
I work at petco so I am able to handle all of the small animals on a daily basis.
Hamsters, and mice are for the most part calm once they get used to you, and they love exercising so that's always fun
But rats are VERY calm and don't actually roam in their cages alot of the time, the ones at my store just huddle together in the corner and play every once in a while. Gerbils are just absolutely HYPER, and I can't see myself ever getting one.
Overall, hamsters and rats are very good, low maintenence pets and you should definitely look into getting one!

Answer 2

A rat!

Rats, compared to hamsters or mice, are friendlier, much less likely to bite even when startled, are more intelligent, are more cuddly, and smell better. I have heard good things about gerbils but never owned one myself.

Rats really should be kept in pairs, since they are very social. Either 2 males or 2 females, unlike other rodents male rats don't fight when raised together. They will play: chase each other around their cage and wrestle. Females tend to have less odor; males tend to have a musky scent and stronger-smelling urine. In my experience males are cuddlier but females are more willing to learn tricks.

I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful rats are. I used to breed them for pets and it was a blast. Unfortunately I developed severe allergies over the years and can no longer own them. Rats also don't try to escape like hamsters do, and they will adapt to your schedule if you spend time with them when you are home. (Unlike hamsters who stubbornly insist on running in their wheel and chewing on the bars all night long.) Rats don't need a noisy exercise wheel if they have a large enough cage to run around in, and if you take them out each day or as often as you can. Once they get to know you, they will learn to trust you and know you are 'safe' and won't wander far. Mice and hamsters tend to vanish when out of their cage.
Rats love to play, they are very curious. Any toys for ferrets will work for rats--balls, tunnels, etc. Bird toys work well too, rats love to climb and gnaw on things. They will also happily hang out with you all day on your shoulder.

Get a pair of rats! I promise you won't regret it. If you can, get them from a breeder. Look on the 'net to find some in your area. Pet store rats can be good too, it just depends. Most pet store rats are sold for snake food, so they don't always make the best pets. It depends a lot on where the store gets them--some get their rats from breeders, some just let them breed in the store, so ask before you buy.

Good luck!

added: No, rats do not carry disease. Maybe a rat you pick up in an alley, but not a pet store or breeder rat!

Answer 3

I have had many hampsters, both the Teddy bear type and the Russian dwarves, and all but one had a history of biting so hard they drew blood. (I don't know why I kept getting them, LOL). Even though they get a bad rap and I wouldn't want a wild one in my house, rats are very good pets and they are very intelligent.

Answer 4

I've heard rats make great pets.

I'm not to big on gerbils and hamsters, as they tend to bite a lot from my experience. Mice make good pets to.

Answer 5

a hamster because if you get a mouse or a rat they will stink up the whole house so will gerbils I'm not saying hamsters don't stink but still get a hamster cause there more fun and there more still and soft

Answer 6

I don't know if you have considered a guinea pig but I bought my kids one several months ago and it has been the best decision I could have made. The pig that we have is very gentle and large enough as he will not be lost or dropped as easy. You have to get what is going to be best in your case so I would go to the pet store and handle the animals that you may someday own to see which you connect with best.

Answer 7

None. Trust me. they are cute when you get them. Then they stink, reproduce like crazy...and if they get loose, they are impossible to find. Then they'll chew all your cords up and you'll have to spend 100's of dollars to fix it all. If you want a small pet try getting a turtle. They are super cute and VERY fun to observe. They have more personality than you think. Seltrut.com sells them. If you don't like reptiles, what about a rabbit or a small dog? Even a cat? No rodents. Bad news!!!

Answer 8

hamster or gerbil they r so cute! nd they run around in those tiny wheels! i think a rat or mouse would b an odd pet, especially if u have kids, they could carry diseases.

Answer 9

Mice wouldn't be very good... too many diseases and rats are even worse. Gerbils are very sweet but their tails fall off easily. (past experience) I love hamsters! Very easy to take care of and still small like your other choices but furry and much more loveable!

Answer 10

i had mice and they are kind of tricky... they are so small that you could loose them really easily but a rat is bigger. a hampster is cute and small, but not too small. i say hampster.