Should I get rabbits or hamsters?

Question

Well I really want to get a small pet and my 2 options would be rabbits and hamsters. Now I want something that doesnt take too much work but I dont mind taking out their poop every day as long as its no changing the whole thing. Also I only get home at about 5 since I have school and practice and all since im 15 and still in High School so I will only have an hour or so to play with the animal exept for on the weekends when I could spend 2-4 hours. Also if I get them should I get 2 of them( brother sister, brother brother, sister sister) or just one of them. I am leaning towards 2 because I dont want them to get lonely but then again I dont want them fighting. Also if anyone thinks another pet would be better then just tell me but I am leaning towards hamsters or rabbits

Answer 1

Never get small pets of the opposite sex! Bad idea. If you want a great small pet, get a guinea pig, they live up to 8 years, have personalities, love to cuddle and if you want getting two is better, like two girls so they have company. Read about them on the internet, they are a lot of fun and have a much better life span.

Answer 2

Get a hamster. Rabbits need the same amount of time, care, and financial care as cats or dogs do.

Hamsters hate to live with other hamsters, so you can get one and not have to worry about it getting lonely. It only needs about an hour a day outside the cage to be happy. It sleeps all day while you are in school anyway. It's cheap, easy to care for, and will be dead around the same time you go to college so you don't have to worry about what to do with it at that time.

Rabbits should be out of their cage when you are home. They do not do well caged. They need hay 24 hours a day, fresh veggies, and pellets daily. They need to be trained to use a litter box, they will chew on your carpet, furnature, and cords. They need huge cages and yearly vet checks. They need to be spayed or neutered, and will live about 10 years. What will you do with your rabbit when you go to college? Your rabbit will probably still be around when you are 25. What will you do when you move out and your landlord or significant other won't let you keep it?

I would wait on a rabbit until you are older and more stable in your life and living situation.

A hamster however, may be just right for you.

Answer 3

If you get rabbits, you should get a male and a female, and have them spayed/neutered (which costs around $170). Two females or two males will fight with each other. Aside from the cost of the rabbits, the starting cost is around $250, including food, bowls, water bottle, litter box, cage, bedding, treats, toys, timothy hay, etc. They also cost around $10 a month to take care of for food, bedding, fresh fruits and veggeis, and timothy hay. Rabbits need to play outside the cage for at least an hour a day. Usually what I do, since I am also in high school, is let my rabbit hop around my room while I do my homework. Dont count on letting a rabbit live in your bedroom either. They will keep you up at night, and they kinda stink. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Unless your parents are in on the decision, and agree to take care of a rabbit or two when you go to college, I'd go for the hamsters. My last rabbit lived 17 years. You change the cage every day, they make a huge, huge mess with the shavings and it's sad to keep them caged up. A couple hours on the weekend to run around is not enough for a bunny. They can be sweet to have around, but when they get older, they can cost a bundle in vet bills.
Hamsters have a shorter life span, don't seem to mind being in a nice habitat ( the plastic ones with tunnels are nice ), and you clean the cage once a week. Teddy bear ones are cute.
My .02 since you asked :)

Answer 5

I have rabbits. They're amazing animals. In my opinion, go with rabbits. Do Not get two male rabbits, they will hurt each other if they ever get close to each other. I wouldn't get two female rabbits either. I suggest [if u do decide to get a rabbit] that you start off with one and get more after you are used to the first one. Male rabbits are usually more energetic and fun. And female rabbits are usually the more relaxed of the two.

I suggest you start with a bunny. If you get an older rabbit it'll take longer for it to trust you and be comfortable around you.

You will need: A rabbit hutch. If you get two rabbits/bunnies get a hutch with a divider in the middle so the two don't come in contact with each other. If you do want to breed the rabbits eventually be prepared, some rabbits can have up to 20 bunnies at a time.
[basically] You will also need: Rabbit food, food and water dishes, an enclosed place for the rabbit[s] to run around, salt licks, bedding [straw], and grass or hay for it to snack on.

The rabbit/bunny will need [like any other pet] fresh food and water every day, some snacks, and plenty of time excercizing [inside or outside] and time with YOU.

Some bunnies cannot live outdoors, but most can. So research the type of rabbit you are purchasing.

Pets are tons of Fun. It might seem like some work but its very rewarding.

Rabbits don't require as much work as most other pets, so they are a good choice for a person like you.

I hope this information is helpful.

also, it is okay to buy a rabbit from a breeder or a rabbit-owner who is selling bunnies instead of from a pet store. so don't overlook that idea.

I hope you look into buying a rabbit.

-Rosa

Answer 6

Rabbits require veterinary care. They require their teeth to be clipped every 2 to 6 months and they need to be spayed or neutered. Especially female rabbits, as they are so prone to cancer. Male rabbits will frequently fight, even when raised together and neutered at 4 months of age. I, however, have two male rabbits, neutered, who were raised together - not siblings, who love each other after 2 years. Female rabbits will also fight, but are less likely to do so than males.
Female hamsters will fight, unless raised together, and sometimes still will. Male hamsters will also fight once they reach maturity.

You should not get opposite sex pairs, as you will be run over with hamsters or rabbits. Hamsters will deliver in 16 days and rebreed the same day. Rabbits cannot be kept in opposite sex pairs without separating them when the babies are born. There are ALOT of unwanted rabbits, especially, and hamsters. You can adopt them from most local shelters.

Rabbits usually do not like to be picked up, so if you're looking for a cuddly pet - they might not be for you. Mine like to jump on the sofa and cuddle on their terms. They also come when called.

If you can afford a rabbit, try adopting them already neutered/spayed from the House Rabbit Society rescue in your area. They will have rabbits already paired that they will only adopt out as a pair. They usually are litter trained by that time, too. They do need out every day, and some can be trusted to live in the house like a cat or dog - if you rabbit proof your home and your other pets can be trusted. Be sure to learn what you can and cannot feed your rabbit and what kind of bedding you can and cannot use prior to taking your rabbits home.

Hamsters can also require veterinary care. They are prone to cancers, and may need their teeth clipped as well, but are usually better about wearing down their teeth than rabbits. Female hamsters go into heat every 3 days, so they tend to be quite nippy. Male hamsters, like male mice and male gerbils and male rabbits that are not neutered - have a stronger odor than do the females.

Female gerbils seem to be much friendlier than hamsters, they also have less odor than either male mice or male hamsters.

If you decide on a male mouse, hamster or gerbil, it should be kept alone.

Be sure to have an exotic animal vet picked out in your area. Call ahead of time to make sure they have experience with hamsters/rabbits, etc. Ask how many they have treated and if they have ever lost one under anesthesia. Also, only use Aspen or Carefresh bedding. Do not use pine or cedar. They have phenols that cause cancer and damage the respiratory tract of small animals.

Answer 7

Well if you get a hampster, don't put 2 in the same cage - they are solitary and wont get along. You'd either have to get 2 seperate cages or only go with one. However, they are a lot less maintenance and time consuming then a rabbit. I've had both animals - Rabbit's are are usually a lot more fun and entertaining, but if you're looking at saving time and less mess go with the hampster. Hope I helped some.

Answer 8

I don't know a thing about rabbits, but my sister has a hamster. Hamsters are fine in one foot cages,though it depends on the species, they're fine living alone, and don't need too much socializing, and you only have to clean their bedding once a week, their bedding is usually wood shavings, and live up to an elderly 4 years and our hamster usually is nocturnal.

Answer 9

Hamster. Rabbits are just as much work as a dog or cat. Plus they aren't the best pets for kids because they live 7-10 years and because kids want to pick them up. Rabbits hate being picked up. Plus if you get two rabbits that twice the cost of care. That's two spays or nueteres. http://www.rabbit.org

Answer 10

well its up to you,but you do have to change the whole cage almost every week or so,because they will eat and poop a lot so i dont think you will have enough time picking them all out.also i have guinea pigs so they are almost the same as rabbits or hamsters.plus you picked the right pets because they are a good stay at home pets. or just seach on the internet on them.