My almost 7-year old daughter wants a tiny mouse for her birthday. I had hamsters when I was young and the only thing that I remember is that they stunk a lot. Any advice on the best pet for someone this age? I like the idea of something larger than a mouse - easier to find if it escapes from its cage!
2007-05-21 07:21:18 · 24 answers · asked by noworries562 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Advantages galore for both the rat and the guineapig.
The rat is intelligent, easily cared for, and doesn't smell half as bad as people think they do. A female would be best as they live for longer. They also love to hang out with you and are quite happy to sit in your pocket.
A guineapig is a great pet for a child as they usually end up being lovely social creatures, especially when spoilt to bits by a little girl. If the guineapig is not paid alot of attention though, it tends to get a little bit antisocial. They are also great for feeding the vegie scraps to.
2007-05-21 13:51:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you really want something larger then a mouse then you've answered your own question. A guinea pig. My personal opinion though is the same thing. Guinea pigs are social creatures and will adore the attention and care your daughter will give it. It's big size will make it "hugable" so you and your daughter don't get the impression that if you let it out, it will escape so you never take it out of its cage. Think about it for a second if you had a small rat or hamster. Would you treat it like a small pet, or more like a reptile or look-at pet where u just leave it in it's little cage and just feed it and clean the cage every week. A guiena pig will be a more ideal pet for a 7 year old, and will probably suit your family better. Good luck on choosing the right pet.
2007-05-21 10:40:04 · answer #2 · answered by Munkey 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have owned a hamster a gerbil in the past. They both would bite and the hamsters always seem to escape. We currently have 3 female rats. They live in a 4 foot tall ferret cage in my 9 year old sons room. Rats are very social so I recommend getting two of the same sex, they will occupy each other when your daughter is not around. I also recommend a wire cage, rats love to climb and the big bonus is they don't hold in the smell like aquariums do. You can litter box train them so it is easier to keep the smell away (they don't smell as bad as everyone thinks if you keep the cage clean). We change the litter box twice a week and the whole cage once a week. She can also train them to ride around on her shoulder with time and patients.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
2007-05-22 04:44:34 · answer #3 · answered by mom of 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mouse-rat: Though closely related, mice are smaller and a bit dumber than rats. Gerbil-Hamster: These two are closely related, but not completely. The Hamsters are usually a bit smarter, but hamsters will sometimes eat their children. Mice-Guineapig: Guinea pigs are far larger, and more lazy. My favorite is a rat.
2016-05-18 23:59:51 · answer #4 · answered by jeanetta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rats would be a great choice if you want to train it, guinea pigs are fun to watch but dont like being held, mice are too easy to lose and hamsters are mean most of the time (I prefer gerbils). Guinea pigs if not cleaned daily will stink as will rats. My best choice would be a rat simply because of how smart they are and how sociable they are. If I werent allergic, I would get one myself for my kids. stick with the rat or guinea pig.
2007-05-21 11:10:26 · answer #5 · answered by oh_whatthe_hell 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For her age, especially for a beginner-pet-owner I'd say the Guinea Pig. They are bigger, for one. So they are, well I want to say 'durable' not not necessarily that. But I think one would be easier to handle than a Hamster. Even though they are great pets! If you don't want your cage to stink, get some non-toxic bedding at a Meier's or Wall-Mart. They have cool colors to decorate with,too! WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT GET CEDAR SHAVINGS OR WOOD SHAVINGS OF ANY KIND. This will kill your new little critter in a month, it shuts down their liver and causes them to go blind, and die violently. Guinea Pigs are super cuddly, and very loving. Play full too!
2007-05-21 13:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say get the rat. They are gentle, calm, and they seldom bite. It is important to get a young rat, and handle it often. I cant say that they stink less but are much more fun, just be sure to not get wheels or anything that can break the tail.
P.S. I just got my 6year old a hamster and it was a huge mistake, the thing is vicious and we cant hold it or anything.
2007-05-21 07:34:10 · answer #7 · answered by Suavesita 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rats, they are smart, you can teach them tricks and if you raise them right and socialize with them they will lounge in your lap just like a puppy or kitten would, and of course they are larger to hold on to and your daughter can get a rat harness from a pet shop and wlk them around, they also like to roll around in a excercise ball. Look it up on the internet there are also rats sites to go to to ask questions and learn new things about how to train them feed them and everything else you can think of.
2007-05-21 15:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by kathyestep49 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i say a guinea pig i have one and i think there the best i had a hamster they just dont last as long. if u got her a hamster than it only lasts 3 yrs or less and guinea pigs 5 or 6 =]
hope i helped
2007-05-21 11:10:22 · answer #9 · answered by Kristina V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two pet rats for about 3 years - they were the best! Very intelligent and cute, and they would sit on my shoulder. They were friendly and never bit me. Mine were ex-lab rats that were being adopted out, so I "rescued" them. They were used to being handled.
You will have to clean the cage frequently, because it WILL stink. Rat urine is pretty strong! However, if you take good care of them, they make great pets.
2007-05-21 07:33:40 · answer #10 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋