Hamster or Rats?

Question

I have done research on both, and both seem wonderful, but I am wondering which would be best for me.

I only have about $20 to spend per month(can make more. This is just allowance), and I would prefer something that is very hardy and doesn't need to go to the vet very often(given the correct living conditions, like dustless bedding for rats)

I love how playful and curious rats are, and have no problem with their tails, but I also like the cuteness and simplicity of a hamster.
I have a lot of space for either, so that is not an issue.

Help? I'd like to make my decision before x-mas, so I can ask for supplies for x-mas!

I live in california, so I cannot get a gerbil or a ferret. they are illegal here!

Answer 1

i have both and it really does depend on what you want from a pet.

hamsters are, as you say, very cute and fun to watch - especially if you provide them with lots of toys, a big cage and, if possible, a large exercise run too, however, they are not necessarily THAT fond of being handled and stroked. all of mine have accepted handling and sat quite still for a little stroke every day but they will not seek you out for this - they will just put up with it.

rats on the other hand generally love human company and will seek you out for playtime and cuddles.

i would seriously evaluate what is most important to you in a pet and also how much time you have to spend on caring for / playing with your pet. a rat will need at least an hour or two of your time a day - also, bear in mind that rats should be kept in pairs or groups and syrian hamsters should be kept alone.

Answer 2

Well, $20 is more than enough for either monthly, probably a bit more for rats.

They are both hardy, except hamsters are nocternal and should not be handled often during the day, and they are also solitary which means they don't "enjoy" playing or getting cuddles unless food is involved. Rats are also nocternal, but if you keep to a general schedule, can very easily follow the times you sleep and are awake. They are also extremely social, which is why you should never keep one by itself. They will bond with you, not only based on food :P, and are highly interactive, much like dogs. Some people even have them 'free-ranging' around the house, just to give you an idea of how tame and responsive they can be.

ALL animals NEED a just-in-case vet. You MUST find a vet before you bring your pet home. It's a good safety precaution. As the owner, you must realize that if it weren't for you, they could not survive. Vet care is part of what they need to survive, even if you never have an emergancy or reason to go, have someone you can call. I would even save a few weeks of allowance to have vet money for a rainy day.

Rats are suseptable to so many problems, it will make you wonder how they aren't extinct. Most of these are inherited, which is why it's important to locate a good breeder. NEVER buy any pet from a pet store. Either look for reputable breeders, people with accident litters, or homeless animals in shelters. In pet stores the aren't bred with care, and have poor genetics, from medical to tempermant. This applys to all animals, not only rats. Rats are especcially prone to tumors regardless of good breeding, which you can leave alone (as long as it's not too large), operate on (risky and costly), or euthanize the rat (the best thing if it's in pain). Hamsters don't have any major problems that aren't caused by the way they're cared for.

Some other things to consider, hamsters need wheels which they use at night, and if they are loud cause a disturbance. Both can be litter trained, but rats can be kept on towels rather than shavings which might make cleaning easier depending on your preference. Both live to around 3 years. If handled regularly, niether will have any reason to bite you ever, although my rats nibble on my fingers gently when they smell food. Niether have a particularily strong odor as long as you are using proper bedding and are cleaning regularily. Rats require you to spend time with them daily (at least an hour), while hamsters can be left alone with out problem.
I don't reccommand you take either outdoors, anything unexpected can terrify them and they will eaither jolt and run or possibly die!

Answer 3

I have has both and rats are the way to go i have never had a rat bite me but every hamster i have had gave me a nasty bite these were rarely provoked. Rats are even tempered and friendly easy to train. The big plus for me was loseing that wheel no matter what they say every wheel makes noise and it gets old fast !! A hamster runs 2-4 miles every night and thats a alot of revolutions on that wheel .Female rats dont smell as bad as the males do. They can eat just about anything and love treats like veggies and fruit (dont give them cheese its bad for them). Good luck in whatever you decide

Answer 4

How about GERBILS?

Rats are wonderful, WONDERFUL pets, but they are not CHEAP. They require a lot of vet care, unfortunately. They only live 2-3 years.

Hamsters tend to bite more than rats and they are no where NEAR as smart. Also, they are nocturnal, so they will not want to play with you during the day.

Gerbils aren't as smart as rats but they are a LOT sweeter than hamsters. They don't need much vet care (but ANY animal might need to see a vet sometime, you have to be prepared to pay for that) and they are awake during the day. They live longer than rats and they are SO cute!

Whatever animal you get, PLEASE get two. I think there is one breed of hamster that likes to be alone, but all others NEED the company of others like themselves. Just make sure the two you get are both the same GENDER. (Two girls or two boys, NOT one of each!)

Have fun!

Answer 5

Rats. Hamster a nocturnal and can bite during the day. Although rats can be, they adjust to your schedule and don't bite. Rats are social they need to have company, so buy two. You also have to play with them and handle them a lot, they love it.
Food can be any whole grained cereal. Bedding can be just some paper towels thrown down - they love fleece. Rats can get a sinus infection very easily - don't use chips for bedding.
Anything else just ask.

Answer 6

I prefer rats.. (plural on purpose) .. I've only had one really great hamster.. the others have been .. annoying. I did everything right.. never abused or neglected.. but only the first one I ever had really LIKED being with people.. The few rats I know have always been very social.. I had one rat alone, but he was wonderful.. He was trained fairly well.. (had a hint of cage aggression, but handled really well) I brought him with me when I went out as often as I could.. He was amazing.. (and for the record, the males have a slight musky scent.. but it's not BAD. .. you only notice it if they are right next to your nose.. With either pet the bedding will smell bad if you don't keep it clean.

Answer 7

Had both,... of 3 rats, 2 bit terribly (they were sisters),... my hamster was a doll!
However, my 1st lone rat was the sweetest, smartest and cleanest caged pet!

NONE of the rodents' cages ever smelt, I cleaned often and they always went soiling in 1 spot/area or cage.

I think either/or RATs or HAMMY would make excellent pets.
Bear in mind, both have about the same short lifespan of 2-3 yrs. average and both are nocturnal rodent animals.
My rats and hamster all came when called their names,.. so are intelligent. All are relatively inexpensive to feed properly, but do like varied diets. {Rats are picky and their tastes differ from 1 rat to the other,... example 1 rat liked bananas, the other wouldn't touch it,... fussy!}

The decision is yours.

Answer 8

I should say hamster if u get a rat it is hard to take care of it
and the species of the hamster should be a golden hamster
bcos it would not bite u unless u play rough wit it

Answer 9

you definiataly want to go with the hamster, rats smell SOOO BAD, ive had both and although it may seem "cooler" to have the mice or rats, they multiply like crazy their pee is potent and they are not soft and lovey as a hamster, plus ive never been bitten by a hamster and ive had many throughout the years, when i had the mice i only had them for a few months before i had to get rid of them and i got bit several times. Id never get another mouse but would LOVE to have a hamster again!
however my favorite rodent type pet is the guinea pig! they are the very best of all, well other than a dog.

Answer 10

In general (there can be exceptions) rats are more easy-going and tolerant. They are not grumpy when you wake them up. Hamsters are. Also rats are not fragile. I you put a hamster on a table, it will walk off the edge and be stunned. A rat wouldn't do that, but if it did, it wouldn't get hurt. A rat can sit on your shoulder, a hamster would probably fall.
Well, you can see my bias; but it's up to you.