What makes a better pet? Hamsters or gerbils?

Question

What makes a better pet? Hamsters or gerbils?

Answer 1

It depends. Whichever is the best pet for me may not be the best pet for you. I, myself, have two gerbils and love them to pieces. They fit in well with my lifestyle. A big reason why I chose gerbils over a hamster is because gerbils aren't nocturnal. They're awake throughout the day and night. I wanted a pet I could play with during the day. So, it's really up to you to choose which one is the best pet for you.

Answer 2

well thats up to you, i have had both

hamsters take longer to adjust to you, but once they do, they do love you, and they both make the same amount of noise. hamsters are slower than gerbils, which makes it easier to catch them and play with them. gerbils are always friendly but they do like to chew away the plastic on their cages.

i personally prefer hamsters, but thats up to you to decide!

hope i helped!

Answer 3

hamsters =)

They're SOOO much cuter and way more fun =D

Answer 4

HaMsTeRz!! bc they're so much more fun.. and they stink as much ;)

Answer 5

When I first got gerbils a few years ago I did so much research on this same question!  I decided on gerbils b/c:  they are more social (with people and each other - get 2 if you get them), they are cleaner so less work for me, they are more active at all times not just at night and they are smarter, so you can set up more games and stuff for them.  But if you want something quieter that keeps to itself then a hammie may be the way to go to you.  I had a hard time b/c I always thought hammies were "cuter" than gerbies... but after keeping gerbies for years now they have grown on me and I think they are MUCH cuter than hammies :)

Answer 6

I've had both. To me there both pretty cool. Gerbils are cool because of there legs they jump around little mini kangaroos or something (well mine did). Hamsters are cool because they can stuff a whole bunch of food in it's mouth, and they'll walk around with it for a while. But remember there nocturnal, so they'll both be awake at night.

Answer 7

Hamsters! they are soooo CUTE!

Answer 8

gerbils bcoz you can watch em for hours its so funny

Answer 9

HMM idk I've had both and the gerbil lives longer so i guess i prefer the gerbil and they are so much easier to take care of.

Answer 10

i think they bite hamster gerbils they are very agresve animals u should get a guinea pig guinea pig are very kind and guinea pigs that bite are very rare yea guinea pigs are like 40 bucks but they live for 8 to 4 year

Answer 11

i would say gerbils make good pets but syrian hamsters do as well.  gerbils are very active and very friendly.  they can be very social with you once they get used to you.  they can be very playful.  however, i find they can be very skittish at times and are easily startled by noise at times.

syrian hamsters sleep a lot more but they are so gentle and adorable.  with my syrian, once he got used to me, when he hears my voice he will wake up and run around the aquarium and raise himself up on his back feet to greet me.  he has never bitten me or even nipped at me.  i always say he is the most polite hamster i've ever had.

for years i mainly had dwarf hamsters.  from my experience i found that many from the pet store were a bit nasty and would bite a lot more than syrian hamsters or gerbils.  however, the hamster babies they had were gentle and social because they grew up used to people.  so i would say if a dwarf becomes used to you and comfortable with you they are okay as pets.  dwarf hamsters too will sleep a lot more.

overall, i would recommend a gerbil or syrian hamster.  gerbils do best living with another gerbil of the same s*x but syrian hamsters need to live on their own.

Answer 12

Gerbils; cleaner, less smelly, nicer, more alert, don't bite

Answer 13

haMSTERS

Answer 14

A pet rat

Seriously though, if you actually want to hold and pet and play with the animal you're getting, I would say don't go for a hampster

Answer 15

Gerbils seem to be a bit more active and playful - and they are friendlier so you can just walk around with them on your shoulder. I have had both and gerbils also seemed to live a bit longer - but you do HAVE to get at least two as they are very sociable.

Answer 16

my friend had gerbils and i didn't like them and i am on my 6th hamster bcause i love them so much lol but i would say hamsters

and people say hamsters are all nocturnal but their not my hamsters got used to me taking them out during the day so they were up all day and sleeping all night. and they never bit my unless i had the smell of food on my hands. they are very friendly too Nibbles watched tv with me. Patches died of a disease called Wet Tail but while he was alive he was very active and fast. Dori always fell asleep in my hands and Roxxi also died of that disease, but she was the sweetest and the cleanest. Nemo was the clown (of course nemo the clown fish) he lived the longest. Now Seymour is the laziest

Answer 17

i only have a hamster and that was what my other pets were too. from what i have heard & read, gerbils are alot friendlier. though you are supposed to get atleast two gerbils so they have constant company. i have also heard that if you only get one, it will be very lonely, unhappy, less active and even FAT. plus it will live for less time.

Answer 18

Gerbils becuse they are sweeter, cleaner, and more fun to play with!

Answer 19

well gerbils dont wee, so they wont smell as much. i had gerbils when i was little, but i cant remember much about them. hamsters can be good as well, but they can bite