I'm buying a small pet, what should I get a dwarf hamster or gerbil?

Question

Also what are sum essential needs for these small animals besides a cage and food?

Answer 1

Well I think both hansters & gerbils are lovely pets - in my experience hamsters are more cuddly & maybe a little easier to keep entertained.

I think it is essential to have the space to firstly keep a good sized tank/cage for your pet. Also the space/ facility to let your hamster out & run about in a safe environment with your supervision. They need regular stimulation etc & to be handled from a young age is best so that they get used to being stroked & running along your hands, arms - and wherever else they might venture. My hamster used to climb up my leg when I let her have the run of the lounge. They need to be cleaned out at least every week really & will need their home to have some entertaining features such as a wheel, something to gnaw on etc. They like to fill their pouches in their cheeks which looks well cute! but you have to be careful if you are picking them up when they have full cheeks so as not to press against them & cause discomfort. THey make really sweet pets but often people tend to neglect them after a short while (not letting them out, cleaning them out etc) But if you put the time & attention in, you will have a really playful loving little furry creature that will get up to lots of mischief & give you lots of fun along the way.

Personally if I chose a hamster I would get an ordinary Syrian type rather than the Chinese/Russian dwarf hamsters. The dwarf ones are so sweet & cute etc but I think the other sort are easier to handle & train a little, they also tend to live slightly longer than the dwarf variety. The dwarf ones are much faster & harder to catch! Mostly all hamsters prefer to live solitary after about 6 weeks old 7 will fight if kept together.

Gerbils love burrowing and are very lively bouncy pets, they are a bit more jumpy than hamsters & so again it is important to put the time in early on to get them hand trained a little.

Also it is worth investigating the place where you get your pet a little - eg reputation, quality of care in store etc. Although I'd be tempted to buy a pet that looked like it was in a shop that didn't care just to rescue it, but in the end you are then financing a company to invest in more little animals which it will not look after properly. So pick wisely!

Answer 2

Dwarf hamsters can have a problem called an imbiblical hernia which leads to a nasty tumor, also they are fragile and dont really care to be held. Gerbils on the other hand are more likely to bite you then a hamster. And they jump..and are hyper. Both of them need a wheel and a water bottle and something wooden to chew on, do NOT use pine or cedar on small animals!! It gives of an oil that causes respritory infections and can kill you pet. Choose aspen or a recycled paper bedding. I would also house them in a ten gallon aquarium with a great fitting lid. Hamsters are excape artists...however you will need to clean it every two days to avoid ammonia build up. But they keep your pet free from drafts which can also cause respritory infections. Do a little more research on each pet then descide. Shaz

Answer 3

I bought a dwarf hamster and....it wasn't very nice. I have never had a gerbil but I guess they would be a good choice. My best hamster would have to be my Golden, Female, Fancy Hamster. They are perfect. An essential for these rodents would be a wheel for excersise, bedding, water, and a wire cage for lots of air and so the cage doesn't stink. Do not get a plastic cage because those stink.

Answer 4

Well if you're going to go for a gerbil, you should get two. Gerbils are social animals and should be kept in pairs. In pairs they are happier and healthier. They are more active, more friendly and live longer lives. It's unhealthy for a gerbil to be kept alone as they can get lonely, some have even died of loneliness. So please bare this in mind. Just because your friend only has one gerbil, doesn't mean its right - they should really be in pairs. Keeping a gerbil alone can be cruel. If you can only afford one pet, go with the hamster. They are less social and happier living alone. Personally I prefer gerbils, however they cost more money. They need to be in a much bigger cage with a deep base, because they burrow. However they do smell less than hamsters!

Answer 5

I'd recomend you a dwarf Rabbit. But if you want...I suggest you get a Hamster. I need a water bottle, toys..aside the cage and food. Also a plate for them to eat. The best thing to get is a book on how to take care of a small animal like that....they should sell the books at petco or any animal store. The books are a great help cuz they also tell you what they can eat aside from the food in a bag...and tells you about there habbits! Hope my info helps!

Answer 6

I recommend a Hamster although I don't recommend a dwarf instead a Syrian. I have a male long haired Syrian and he is the cutest thing Ive ever seen.He loves to play with me and is soo curious every time I come to his cage he stops what he's doing to come and see me. You will need bedding, do not get pine or ceder though ,the smell is too strong for the little guy.You will definitely need a wheel, hamsters need exercise my hammy runs all the time.Also a ball for him to run in outside the cage is not essential but your hammy will love it.You will also need a water bottle and some where for your hammy to sleep(igloo sold at pet store, small box ect.)Also your hammy will need lots of your love and attention.Don't go of my info olny do some reseach of your own aswell.

Answer 7

I have both dwarf hamsters and gerbils. In either case get two that are from the same litter (living together). Make sure they are both boys or both girls. And make sure they are tame, friendly, like people. Get them from a breeder if you can. If you get them from a pet store, make sure they are babies and they certainly shouldn't nip or bite when you pick them up.

Dwarf hamsters are fun because you can set up a bunch small animal of plastic furniture: bed, TV, couch, etc and they will use it all. Also get them a silent spinner wheel.

Gerbils are very fun because they are so athletic and love to climb and tunnel. They will gnaw everthing to bits so no plastic for them. Plenty of cardboard and wooden houses, etc. They with build tunnels in the litter and love every gift you give.

These two both do not produce much smell at all as they are desert animals that drink and pee very little.

Answer 8

OMG, get a bunny rabbit or a guinea pig! They live a little longer than two years, lol! Besides that you can teach them to use a litter box and they can stay in large pens! Here try these links! Oooo I almost forgot! A rat! Thats what I plan on getting soon they are so darn cute and smart!


And umm yeah if you like hamsters and gerbils than thats fine too!

Answer 9

You can most likley go to a local pet store and they have kits that come with everything you need. Cage, food dish, water bottle, something to line the cage with, food. . .thats the basics. Speak with the person there about the temperment of the animals. One may be better for picking up while the other is more active for watching. Good luck.

Answer 10

i have a gerbil and hes so adorable, essentials...hmm make sure the cage comes with a wheel, and i have a ball that lets hime run around when hes not in his cage, a couple peicies of wood, like to chew on the sell them at pets mart, and cedar chips are best for lining