ferret or guniea pigs?

Question

i want to get a pet and my mum is letting me i already have two dogs (rotweilers) and a two male rabbits (still intact) but now i want something diffrent my nan has guniea pigs so i know alot about them and my neighbour has a ferret but which is better i know ferrets are more pricey but they are cute or are there any other small pets like this that i should consider i want to house it indoors be legal and easy to get hold of and it has to have a brain bigger than a pea

my rotties love the rabbits not as lunch but as friends they groom each other

the yongest person in my house is 6yrs

i heard that hamsters can be quite bitchy

Answer 1

First and foremost, you should make sure the youngest member of your household won't be allergic to your new addition... Just because he/she isn't allergic to cats/dogs/rabbits doesn't mean he/she won't be allergic to say, Guinea Pigs.

I own a Guinea Pig, and I think it's a really great experience; with a lot of love, care, and handling, it can easily become someone's next 'lap-dog', like mine. I'll sit for hours just snuggling, and cuddling with mine, and we even nap together on occasions. I've trained my Guinea Pig to stand on his hind legs and beg for treats; He also welcomes my company with "wheeks" and "chirps".

If I was given the opportunity to have a Ferret I would. Just a few weeks ago I had a conversation with the Manager of PetCo here locally, and he told me, "Within the last 10 yrs, they've perfected the removal of the Ferrets' scent sacks." That's a guaranteed plus is it not?? With Ferrets you can teach them tricks, walk them on leashes, dress them up, wear collars on them, and even litter train them. They are more pricey because they're "exotic", just like long-haired Guinea Pigs are more expensive because they're more "fancy" then the standard Guinea Pig. Ferrets a lot of fun with all their pent up energy and love nothing more than wrestling with other animals equal or bigger than they are!

Have you ever considered a Chinchilla?? They're really adorable, more money than a Guinea Pig, but they've been known to be very entertaining... If you want something that has a brain bigger than a pea, than stray away from anything that's smaller than Rat.

My advice to you is to visit a PetShop and spend a good bit of time handling a few of each, getting the feel of each one, picturing it in your home; either way it's going to need your constant attention and devotion, so it makes it easier if what you're giving care too is something you enjoy handling.

Good Luck with your decision!!

Answer 2

Regardless of whatever animal you decide to get, make sure you do your research. Ferrets require A LOT of attention, and guinea pigs have very specific needs. Because you have two rabbits already, make sure you realize that guinea pigs and rabbits should NEVER be housed together, and it would probably not be a good idea for you to even introduce them to each other. (http://www.guineapigcages.com/rabbits.htm)

Guinea pigs and ferrets both require considerably sized cages. (http://www.cavycages.com)

Also, be sure you're going to have enough time to care for and play with each animal daily. A pet requires time, attention and expenses. Do you have the money to take more than one pet to the vet if a something happens? Can you afford to pay for food for SIX animals?

Be careful with this. Getting another pet may seem easy to do, but to be fair to your animals (the ones you already own, and the ones you plan on getting) you need to know how much is too much.

If you do decide you can get another animal, make sure you adopt, rather than buy at a pet store. There are many animals in the world without homes. Go to www.petfinder.com and www.craigslist.com for animal adoption listings. You can also check your local humane society.

Answer 3

I have had both. I have 5 year old son. We live in an apartment, where we can only have caged animals. We had the guinea pig first. It did nothing for us. It sat around, even when we took it out of the cage, and pooped everywhere. When it died, I got a ferret. I love the ferret. I clean his cage every 2-3 days, and she gets a bath Once a month. I just use baby shampoo, which works just as well, they do have a smell to them, like any animal, but I do not think they stink. Her hardest bites to us have never broke the skin, or even hurt, more of a tickle.She gets out of her cage when we are home to run around. She loves to play, she goes after our feet. You can take them to a vet to get them a distempered shot, which calms them down some. My nephews have 2 ferrets, they get in the bed and sleep with them. You can also house train a ferret. They prefer to go in corners, you can get litter boxes for that. But also just keep them caged for about an hour after they eat. They usually will use the bathroom in that time frame. Best of Luck Choosing, I love our Ferret.

Answer 4

Ferrets are definitely more fun to play with than most of the smaller animals. My ferrets always come running up to me wanting to play or get treats. When I was growing up I only had a gerbil, and he always had to stay inside the cage, and if he got out he would just run around like a mouse would and go hide. He never seemed to have a personality, but every ferret I have ever had has had its own personality. I have taught them tricks, and they like to come sit on my lap and give me little kisses. I can't imagine life without them anymore.

Answer 5

I'd totally say ferrets, guinea pigs are not very affectionate or playful, from what your saying I'd say ure after an interactive pet for indoors, ferrets are a bit smelly, but lots of fun.
Have you considered a syrian hamster? They are lovely creatures and very funny. Also quite easy to look after.

Answer 6

Ferrets are probably a little more fun, but they are a whole lot more mischiveous. I do love guinea pigs though. Ferrets are smarter, but they smell more. But if you want you can let your ferret run around your house like a dog, but guinea pigs just like to sit their cages. I guess there are ups and downs to both of them, but if you want something you can train and play with a little more I'd go with a ferret.

Answer 7

Ferrets are more trouble and more fun. You have a lot of pets, so I guess you don't mind the work. Ferrets have real personalities and a sense of humor. Some like to nip. The nipping is part of how they play. You can't leave them unattended around babies. They really need to get out and play every day.

Answer 8

Its a tough call... both can be very cute, and at the same time others can be as mean as hell...

My sister has an evil guinee pig, yet my friend has one who's affectionate...

Ferrets are generally quite well tempered, however a ferret bite can be nasty (I've heard of people losing the tips of their fingers through a ferret bite) and of course they stink to high heaven if you dont have them fixed.

Guinee pigs are cute, but I think a ferret is definately cooler.

Answer 9

Definately Guinea Pig. Ferrets smell!!!!!

Answer 10

Guinea pigs are MUCH better. They aren't as aggressive and they don't stink nearly as bad as ferrets! Plus, they are a lot less expensive and easier to find. And YES, you can definitely hold guinea pigs! They make a really cute squealing noise like a pig if you are extra nice!
Hamsters are always nice, too.