which pet would you prefer?

Question

Hampster or Gerbil?

sorry hamster!!

Answer 1

Let me start by saying: GERBIL!

Hamsters are NOT social creatures. They fight with each other and they are quite aggressive toward owners. This doesn't mean that you won't get your occasional exception hamster who is extremely friendly. If you want more than one pet, DO NOT GET A HAMSTER. Hamsters will most likely fight with another hamster. Dwarf Hamsters seem to be better with another Dwarf than Serian Hamsters are, but there are still the occasional fights.

Hamsters are NOCTURNAL. They sleep all day and play all night. If you want a pet you can keep in your room a hamster is OUT OF THE QUESTION. They run endlessly on their wheel for the majority of the night and when they're not running on that, they suck on their water bottle.

Hamsters require a cage cleaning weekly. They do start to smell badly if the cage is left longer.

Hamsters BITE. End of story.

Gerbils are EXTREMELY social creatures. If you only want one small animal, DO NOT get a gerbil. To have a happy, healthy gerbil, you MUST have a tank-mate (same sex, unless you want LOTS of babies). Be warned: females are very territorial. It is possible to house females together (very common, actually), but they have a greater tendancy to fight. If you wish to get two gerbils GET THEM FROM THE SAME LITTER/TANK. Gerbils who have not lived/been raised together WILL fight. If you have to get two separate clan gerbils, use the split cage method:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1799&articleid=1622

Gerbils are known to be both diurnal and nocturnal. They have patterns of play/sleep where they play for a little bit than sleep for 2-4 hours. (based on my own experience, my gerbils are mostly nocturnal, but if I have them play during the day-- with new toys, or in their "playpen"--they will sleep all night). There is a chance your gerbils will be noisy night creatures, but there is also a chance they will be peaceful little night sleepers.

Gerbils only need to be cleaned bi weekly. Gerbils do not smell as much as other rodents--mainly due to the fact that they do not go to the bathroom as much. Their tanks do not require the same ammount of cleaning as a hamster. Your gerbils should be fine with a cleaning every two weeks (new bedding, scrub tank, etc).

I have NEVER had a gerbil bite to draw blood. The only time your gerbil will bite is if it is:
a)VERY scared
b)trying to get used to you and nibbles at your hand to see if you are food


I have had both hamsters and gerbils. Gerbils are friendlier, have more personality, and are more active when you're active (so you can actually watch your pet play instead of sleep--like a hamster). But be warned: you cannot have a happy, healthy, SINGLE gerbil. YOU NEED TWO!!!

Answer 2

I've had both. They are both cute but i just don't enjoy pets that bite. My gerbil didn't bite nearly as hard as my hamster tho. So i guess i'd say a gerbil :-)

Answer 3

it depends if u want a social 1 gerbil if u wanna have 1 that is happie wen its alone hamster

Answer 4

A hamster. A gerbil is okay too, but it is not my style.

Answer 5

Depends what you like better.
A gerbil is very hyper and jumpy whereas a hamster is quite laid back and sleeps most of the time.

Answer 6

Gerbil- they are friendlier, calmer, and less likely to nip- they are also more flexible about being woken up to play with them, are cleaner (smell less), and like to live in pairs or more, whereas hamsters are solitary.

Answer 7

i likr hamster better because gerbils can get big and hamsters are cute!

Answer 8

Hamster! I loved my baby boy! I took him for walks on a leash...he slept in my arms, pocket or my neck all the time...I would let him lose or he would get lose and come running up to me as if to say...Here I am mommy...hold me please!...He was a special boy!

Answer 9

Hamster probably. Never owned either though!

Answer 10

a gerbil, cuz hampsters smell and they go toilet alot!