Which animal is the smartest: a rat, a gerbil, or a hamster?

Question

I am trying to decide on a VERY inexpensive and low maintenance pet. I really want to choose the smartest one of the three, since I would like to train it as much as possible. Which do you think makes the best pet?

Answer 1

A rat is SO the smartest!!  

Answer 2

I have 3 hamsters and I love them but I have been told that rats are better. If you dont mind the tail(which I do) get a rat.

Answer 3

Rats are the smartest and are very clean (well mine is)..  You can teach them to learn their own name. If i was you i would get a rat and get a pretty good size cage and then set the cage up. then all you have to do is get the rat which cousts about $6-$10

Answer 4

rats are the smartest

Answer 5

Rats are very trainable and can be trained to preform simple tasks such as coming when called, climbing up your leg to sit on your shoulder, and even litter trained!   I've owned all three.  Gerbils and hamsters don't do much---rats are more attentive to you.  I don't consider gerbils and hamsters to be as smart as rats at all.

If you want to train a pet then get a rat.  

Here is the name of a book you can read:

Training Your Pet Rat by Gerry Bucsis and Barbara Somerville

http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&id=gB...

Answer 6

a gerbil i haved owned every one and a gerbil is the best  

Answer 7

Rats are very smart and make excellent pets. They are relatively disease resistant and clean, and are not prone to biting. They will actually form a bond with their owners unlike hamsters or gerbils.

I prefer the females since the males have large genitalia dragging behind them. It's best to have two since they are social animals but be very careful they are both female or you will soon be overrun with babies. You can take them out to play and whatnot but be careful to keep their cage secure or they escape and soon become as troublesome as their pesky brethren.

We always had a rat or two when my children were growing up, it was an easy and inexpensive way to teach them pet responsibility.

Edit:

Only a fool would spend 1200 dollars taking a rat to the vet.

Answer 8

Hands down ... RATS are the smartest!  But I will warn you that they are not low maintenance.    They need attention daily and need time out of their cage.  They deserve to live in a large, clean cage and that also takes work.  Please do your research about your pet of choice BEFORE obtaining it.  And most of all ... Have Fun!  =)

Answer 9

Rats make amazing pets.  They can become very attached to their owners and can be taught many different things.  You can teach a rat to:  use a litter box in its enclosure, come to its name, fetch small objects, negotiate a maze, jump from one level to another, lay on its back and stand on its hind legs.  If you want a proven intelligent animal then a rat is for you.  

Answer 10

i've had rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters and all have been wonderful pets. but i found i liked the rat the best. they are extremely intelligent and and cheap. the only drawback was that you have to clean out their cage twice weekly instead of once. the rats have such personalities and they're quick learners and i taught mine to come when they're called. any rodent in my opinion is a fantastic pet. i love my rats to death and their personalities are so addictive!

Answer 11

a rat. they can learn their names, how to do things such as opening a door and more!!

Answer 12

a rat is NOT inexpensive. none are. all need money set to the side for vet visits. a rat is best out of the choices but i recently spent 1300 on a vet for my rattie. so don't get one thinking they're cheap and low maintenance. there is no such animal. all need attention, care, and cash.

Answer 13

I would have to say a rat. They are amazing pets.

Answer 14

The smartest definitely has to be a rat, because gerbils and hamsters are frankly quite dumb... Sorry to all hamster and gerbil lovers...

But you can even train a rat to do tricks by something that they call clicker training but it is only used for racing, I believe that you can train a rat to do simple tasks as well.

Answer 15

all three are the smartest not one is smarter than the others. They are very trainable. It just depends on how you train them and they feel like being trained. Some it takes longer because they are stubborn more than the others.

It all comes down to their personality.

Go to the store and hold each pet for a few minutes and see what one you like the most. spend time with each one and see what one likes you

Answer 16

Can't believe you're asking! Rats are actually a lot more intelligent than gerbils and hamsters. Rats are famous for their intelligence!

Join here: http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk

Answer 17

Rat,

Gerbil close behind,

And hamster are a thick as sh*t (and they do about as much as it too)