I was wondering about getting a hamster or gerbil? I have had a male hamster before, he passed away a few years ago. He bit my mom, and got out of his cage and went and got in my closet, but we found him.
What's the difference between a hamster and a gerbil? I want something that I can hold, that won't bite or smell a lot. Thanks.
By Des from Somewhere
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For about 7 years I had both. They both have the potential of biting you. The only rodent I had that didn't bite was a guinee pig.
I wil say this though; the hamsters tended to escape more than the gerbils. And gerbils like the exercise ball more.
If you're looking for one you can hold and interact with, I'd suggest a guinea pig. They are bigger, and much more sociable with humans. Also they have a natural tendency NOT to bite. I had hamsters for years, but once I got my first guinea pig, I wished I had thought of them long ago! They really are a lot of fun, and even played with my dachshunds!!
Guinea pigs are also very clean animals, but if they ever do need a bath (most don't, but I mean if they happen to get into something) they aren't hard to bathe at all.
Actually rats are the best rodent pets. We have had all of the above, and a pet store owner suggested rats. At first I was against it, but I have to tell you I was wrong. Rats are very social, so to be fair you need at least two. We love the 3 sisters we have now. Good luck!
All of these are adorable but should not be in the house with a person who has allergies, especially an asthmatic child.
I know guinea pigs are larger and more cuddly but as for a choice of any rodent as a pet I personally say a rat :-)
I had a rat, named Yodi, in my early twenties and he was the sweetest! I would put a sheet on my sofa when I was at home (in case he had a boo boo) and he would sit there and play and cuddle with me for hours! He never once bit and he never smelled bad because I cleaned his cage a couple times a week and the cleaning was really easy to do :-)
I say hamster because even though they sleep in the day you can wake them up and play with them if you tame them if you wake up an un tame hamster there is a 50 % chance it will be grumpy
I say hamster because you can tame it to not be grumpy when you wake it up and not all hamsters bite For example the syrain hamster only bites when you hurt it or scared it or such
Hamster because they're cute and loving. My hamster FLUFFY is my best friend.
I prefer hamster s because gerbils have a rat tail but if you don't want to get bitten then you might prefer a guinea pig or a rabbit/bunny since there bites are only nibles
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If you are debating on whether to get a hamster, or a gerbil as a rodent pet, I would suggest you get a gerbil. Unlike Hamsters, who are nocturnal, and the run in that darn wheel that squeaks all night, gerbils are active during the day. These little guys are so interesting to watch. They run around, chew on things, bury food, and other things. Also, hamsters urinate constantly, but Gerbils only urinate every so often, so your gerbil cage almost never smells.
Also, if you decide to get a gerbil, I suggest you get two, and if you want a family of gerbils, get a male and female. It's amazing how careful the female gerbil will handle those pink, tiny babies. The babies will grow fur, and run around like crazy while their eyes are still closed. So, I highly recommend a gerbil, because they are a lot of fun for only around six dollars per gerbil.
Steven
I would say gerbils. They have great personalities. I believe they are the best pet. I love hamsters, don't get me wrong, but gerbils love attention. I would recommend that you not breed them. Because, unless you are lucky enough to be there when the pups come (usually early in the morning like 4 am.), you'd better remove the male from the tank.
As soon as mother's had the pups, he will mate her again. So I would get two females over males. Males may fight for territory. And I would suggest getting them from the same litter of pups. My two girls, Dixie and Daisy are sisters, and they are inseparable. (08/18/2006)
By Horse_gerbil
I think gerbils are way cuter. I am a breeder. I have 7 gerbils right now and I have more arriving in about a 4 days. Hamsters bite too much, and the pee a lot more than gerbils. Also, hamsters are also boring to watch, and they sleep a lot. Gerbils just sleep during the night and you can watch them for hours. So if you get a pet make sure its a gerbil. (06/12/2007)
By Amber
Gerbils, they do not stink and the do not bite. Hamsters tend to be biters, but not gerbils. The one down side is they do not have cheek pouches to stuff like hamsters. (12/10/2007)
By K
Hamster are way cuter. I have one myself and they smell way better than gerbils. They hardly ever poop or wee, and they are so cute. They actually sleep at night and do not wake you up. My hamster Pickles sleeps in my brother's room and my brother is a light sleeper and it didn't wake him up once. So if you want to sleep at night, get a hamster. (03/08/2008)
By Lou Lou x
Rats are the best pets. They are clean, friendly, and just plain sweet. They are the perfect first pets for kids. (07/01/2008)
By Nick
Get two gerbils. Why?
If you like a pet with personality, get two gerbils of the same gender. If you would like to get bitten hard often, get a hamster.
This is my opinion, but the facts say gerbils are great pets, and they are not close to "trouble". (09/18/2008)
By Vixenfur
I had my hamster called Charlie for 4 months, but he sadly died after my cat attacked him. Charlie never bite me and was lovable and loved to explore the house in his ball. After he died I bought two male gerbils and I have regretted it hugely. They don't like to be stroked like a hamster and they are not lovable. You can pick them up, but not for long as they jump and scratch.
They are fun to watch and are sweet as they cuddle and play together, but a hamster will get more attached to you and have more love to give. Even though they are nocturnal and can get up quite late they are there for you when you have finished a busy day and they love a cuddle. (11/15/2008)
By Lisa
I have 2 gerbils. I will not put any animal, gerbil or hamster on the down side. I have had both
Gerbil:
Hamsters:
(12/15/2008)
By My name
I've never had a gerbil, but I have had 3 wonderful hamsters. I have never been bitten by them, and they only ever peed outside of their cage a few times when they were very young. Once they get older they potty train themselves to only go in the cage. Also, all my hamsters, when you take them out during the day allow you to hold them while they go to sleep on you, and it's the sweetest thing in the world. (01/17/2009)
