Want to get a gerbil or hamster for 9 year old sister..?

Question

I want to get a pet for my 9 year old sister for xmas...i know its a LONG time away, but i want to start planning it out now.i've spoken to my parents,they've said its okay. so, i wanted something she could keep in her room, or something not too big (or expensive), like a dog or cat. i was thinking hamster, but they are nocturnal? gerbils on the other hand r awake during the day, right? i need your opinions...what other pets are available for me to get for her? and what would you choose and why?

Answer 1

rat.intelligent.when it drags  its tail along you it feels soft.can arrange their schedules to whenever your with them so they can slreep when your not.cute.

Answer 2

No rodents are good in bedroom if you what to sleep are awake every 2 to 4 hour, but they make great pet

Have a read of this and the next one is a site that show you how to look after them

http://www.petermaas.nl/gerbils/english....

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/plain...

Answer 3

Gerbils should be kept in pairs. Keep that in mind.

Hamsters are solitary animals and do best alone.

Hamsters are nocturnal, but they can adjust to being awake when their owner is wanting to give attention to them.

Personally, I prefer a pair of rats. Way more personality than hamsters/gerbils.

Try to ask her what she prefers, though. Don't have to ruin the surprise, especially since it's a while between now and Xmas, but if you're going to get a pet for her, make sure it's what she really wants.

Answer 4

If you're willing to assist her with this new pet, then I personaly would get a rat. Cleaner then a hamster, friendlier then a gerbil, more fun then a guinea pig or rabbit, and less expensive then a farret.

Rat  Pros & Cons

PROS :

- they're cute

- they're extremly cuddly

- they like being tickled and played with

- they're completly clean

- the only way they smell is if you don't clean the cage

- they don't cost too much more then a hamster and they're much more affectionate.

Things that could be seen as a pro or con

- they do %90 better with a partner ( of the same s*x unless you're looking for babies of course, so you'll have to get two

- They require atleast an hour EACH every day.

You should make sure your sister is responsible enough.

And make sure she likes what she's getting. Ask her what rodent she likes best and if she asks why then say there was a random poll on the internet.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I had both a hamster and a gerbil and they aren't fun to play with or hold alls they do is roll up in a ball and sleep well at least mine did. Right now I own two guinea pigs and they are interested to watch and easily held although they dont run on a wheel or in a ball there still pretty fun.

Usually your local humane society will have them for cheap and will give you a free cage.

P.S. let me know how it goes.

Email me :)

Answer 6

Hi!

I own rats, and gerbils, and have had hampsters in the past.

Rats:

They are SOOOO cute and cuddly, but they need a staple diet, a large cage, and a lot of attention, if your sister is not willing to give them that, please do not buy them for her.  But they are truly the best pets I have ever had.  They are nice and smart, and I keep mine in my room.  They LOVE attention, and they will play games with you, but you have to hold them for an hour every day.  They do not try and chew through wire bars.. unlike gerbils.  Please research them thoroughly before buying.  

Hampsters:

They are cute, but they are pretty boring.  They don't really do much at all.  But there are some that are really nice.

Gerbils:

They are cute, but they don't like to be handled, and they need to be held every day or else they will start to bite you.  I love my gerbils, but pretty much all they do is hide.  If you hold them they will squirm and try to get away, and they aren't much fun.  They also are escape artists, if they get out of your hand, it will take you a long time to get it back... and they get out of cages easily, only tanks can keep them.

I hope you find the pet thats right for your sister!

Answer 7

hamstars are not nocturnal but u could also get her a guinea pig they are a little more big and fun

Answer 8

If u want to go with a rodent get a rat.... I know it sounds groos but they are much mor intelligent and not as likely to bite. Gerbils are very fast and get away easily hamsters can be finicky and neurotic. You can teach rats to do tricks and they even become loyal. But if it was my sister I would get her a small aquarium. Fish arent cuddly but they will provide hours of entertainment and can help her learn about the natural order of things.. oh and they dont smell as bad!

Answer 9

Guinea pigs are bigger than hamsters and gerbils as I'm sure you are aware. The question is: Are they too big? If not, then I would look into getting one instead of a hamster or gerbil. Why? Several reasons:

1. Gerbils are best kept in pairs and are fast little stinkers. They will also need a large enclosure (30 gallon aquarium size) and plenty of places to hide and play inside the enclosure.

2. Hamsters are small and fast. They are nocturnal, although mine will come out during the day. Regular size hamsters require at least a 10 gallon size enclosure (aquariums are best because they can chew through most wire cages) but often times will be happier in a larger size. Does your sister have room for this?

3. Regular size hamsters get smelly fast! Males especially. Cleaning the enclosure once a week is NOT optional unless you want your house to smell like a rodent toilet. The bedding choices are also limited. No bedding with dust or aromatic oils. Aspen seems to work the best.

4. Dwarf hamsters! Are they the answer to your prayers? Probably not entirely. They're small, fast, not nearly as smelly as regular size hammies, and cute as heck. They bite though. And yes, their bites hurt like heck. The best way to avoid being bitten? Get them when they're babies and handle them every day, several times a day. I mean every day too, because if you don't they will go wild on you and chomp you when you reach for them.

5. Sorry guys, but male hamsters/gerbils are gross! No one wants to see that large bulge at the rear of these little guys.

6. Some have suggested rats as pets. Ignoring the almost ingrained human aversion to these rodents, I would avoid rats until at least the teen years. They like to chew their way out of enclosures and if they're tall enough they will chew the wire cover of an aquarium enclosure open and run wild around the house. Yes, they have lots of personality, but that may be better suited to a little bit older owner.

Guinea pigs are more mellow, larger (no crawling around on the kitchen floor with flashlights looking under the stove for your rodent), and generally easier to spend time with. They're easier to carry (won't accidentally get excited and smush it into a bloody fur wad) and pet and they have a mild temperament (mostly).

Best Wishes with your decision!

Answer 10

Get her a G-pig or a rat she can handle them easyer then she could a hamster or gerdil.

   Rats have great personalitiys, really loving and like to cuddle.

   Guinea Pigs are sweet, love to talk and cuddle.

(Both are REALLY easy to handle and you can do more stuff with)

   **Hamster's are Nocturnal and sleep most of the time**