Which is the best pet rodent to get out of this list

Question

I want a degu, chipmunk, chinchilla, squirrel, flying squirrel, or mink. No other suggestions on pets besides pros and cons on these. If you have any experience, please give details and all are legal where I live so don't bring that up. Neither space nor money is a problem. I don't mind if it is nocturnal, but i want one that is at least semi-active and doesn't make too much noise at night.

Answer 1

I have had a pet squirrel(unreleasable) and they are really smart.... almost as smart as rats :) and they are very cute. My squirrel learned to drink from a cup and he became litterbox trained. His name was nipper because of a nip out of his ear. They are noisy but then that depends on what you let them have at night. If you give them lots of nuts and bells and a squeeky wheel... then you will hear lots at night. But if you give them only quiet things, or limit when they have their noisy toys, it will be peaceful. Oh and I think they should probably be in pairs. My squirrel was awfully lonely. If you do choose squirrel see if you can't adopt an abandoned baby or some other unreleasable squirrel. Call your local animal control and ask who handles the squirrels, then you can call them and ask if there are any squirrels that need a home. Oh, and check out this site: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/critters...

  

Answer 2

I, personally, would go with a chinchilla because they are very domesticated, friendly, quiet, and not to mention ADORABLE!

Answer 3

personaly i would get a degu!! i have 3 of them and im  planning on breeding!! where go ya live?? if u live close to me i would be happy to let you adopt 2 of them because degus need to live in groups. and i could give you all kinds of information!!! just email me if u have nay questions. ill be happy to help out..

Answer 4

Well, I guess it really depends on how much handling you want to do with them. Friends of mine had degus, and they are quick little things, and they mostly kept them in the cage. They are pretty active and run around a lot. These guys are becoming popular as well, so easy to buy for.

Chinchillas are pretty quiet. I've had 2. They're supposed to be nocturnal, but mine comes out everytime they hear the treat bags/containers opening. I didn't get them a wheel for inside the cage, but a big ball for them to wander the house. They are easily tamed and can be handled often. When carried, both of mine were quite calm to be picked up and held for a longer period of time, I've even put them on my shoulder to walk around the house. And because they are bigger, they are not as agile as the smaller critters you are listing. Because they are bit more popular, their food is easy to buy, they've got prepared pellet foods, get them some hay/hay cubes, chew blocks, dust baths, and you're well on your way.

Everything else, I have no experience with, although I would assume that the chipmunk, squirrel and flying squirrel will be VERY quick to run around. You'd have to make sure their cage is locked tight when you're away. Ok, so my family has had some experience with them when I was in toddler age, so I don't remember much. But I do remember that they somehow opened their cage and drowned in the toilet. So to tame these ones, it might take a bit of time, just because they ARE agile and can climb up and down your body. I'm not quite sure about food situations with these ones, but I'm sure whoever you buy them from will give you full details on that.

Just about all of these critters would probably prefer multi-level cages. Where they can climb, chew on things, and just run around and play. One thing you should make sure is that you have a large area surrounding the cage that you leave clear of objects. Just because their f***s can get whisked out of the cage by their tails, or general running around, scattering f***s on the floor around the cage. I had that happen a lot with my chinchillas.

Have fun with your critters! No matter which ones you chose ^_^

Answer 5

I don't know if any of those are the best choice    but i've had alot of rodents and i'd have to say the best was a rat ,their clean, semi-active,cheap, great companions,never bite and their noiseless(unless their in pain).RRRRAAAATTTT'SSSS.

Answer 6

Mink, Mink, Mink!!!

Answer 7

chinchillas definitely

Answer 8

ok, they sell them but is it legal??? i know its illegal to sell degu in Pennsylvania. Chinchilla sounds like the only one that should be legal. i would say the pros for degu are that they love to play with you,are fun to watch and can be trained. cons would be that they require a lot of space to keep, they are really messy and you can't have a cat or dog in the same room as they are in.  

Answer 9

I think you should get a Dwarf Hamster. They're cute and easy to take care of. Not to mention it, Theyr'e FUN!!!

Answer 10

Chinchillas - Take a lot of time, money, and effort. They will make quite a bit of noise at night. I can sleep through it though. They live 10-20 years. Very social and it's best to get a same s*x pair. You can keep two males or two females together. They also require dust baths.

Degus - They are diurnal. They also should be kept in pairs, female pairs are the best choice, since keeping multiple degus as males can be extremely aggressive towards each other. Though, do be sure your females are not pregnant. They live 5-8 years. They also require dust baths.

Minks - These can't even be considered a pet or a rodent. Minks do not make good pets. Consider getting a ferret instead.

Squirrels - They do not make good pets either because they are wild animals.

Flying Squirrels - They do not make good pets either because they are wild animals. Consider looking into a sugar glider instead.

Chipmunks - Same with minks and squirrels, they are wild animals and do not make good pets.

Do remember that before getting any pet to look into adopting one first. There are so many unwanted chinchillas, ferrets, and degus out there that need homes.

http://www.petfinder.com//index.html

Answer 11

My opinion, get a chinchilla.

flying squirrel, I'm assuming this is like a Sugar Glider? They are loud, and well, they are loud. They chatter at night.

A chinchilla is probably a more common pet then the others on your list, so you'll prolly find them easier, plus, pet stores will have more items to take care your chinchilla then the others.

Good luck!