Which would be best for me rats or guinea pigs?

Question

i would love to get guinea pigs but im not sure how much free range time they need, how messy they are and how much daily attention they need. rats i like also. which would need less out of cage time, and make the least mess?

i can devote a couple hours a day to handling and caring for them but thats it.

Answer 1

i'll say a rat unless you will have time to spare with a guinea pig they need alot of attention, vitimin c,and lotsssss....more!!!

so i'll say a rat. but if you want a guin pig go to this website to learn more about them.

www.guineapigsclub.com

Answer 2

Guinea pigs squeal a lot.  If you can handle the noise, fine.  But you do need to spend some time with them.  I've never cared to have any.  I don't like the noise.  Rats on the other hand are quiet.  You can pull them out and play with them when you want.  You can even train them to walk on a leash and harness like you would a ferret or iguana.  I've had mice before, and very much enjoyed them.  Either way you go, be sure you have a large enough cage for them to feel comfortable and happy.

Answer 3

i have 2 guinea pigs

i have to clean out there cage every 3 days... cleaning out there cage incudes theese things to do for me.....

1. throughing out all bedding

2.scrubing down there flooring

3. putting in fresh bedding

4.putting in fresh hay and veggies

5. replacing there water (i do this 1nce a day actually)6. putting in one bowl of pellets

i groom them once a month

which includes.....

1. giving them a bath one at a time

2. drying them of (normally with a hairdryer)

3. cutting extra hair on my long haired guinea pig's bum

4. brushing my long furred guinea pig's hair

4. cutting claws to acceptable leangth

5. checking teeth for leangth and evenness

6. loving them for about an hour because they were such good girls, being so pateint during my grooming sesion

i let my guinea pigs outside to play about 2 hours a day.

this includes.....

1. making sure they have an ouitside playpen safe from cats, dogs, carnivorise birds such as turkey vultures and hawks and such

2. providing at least a partly shady area in there play pen

3. giing them food and water in the cage

4. i NEVER leave theme unatended just incase they get stuck or find a way out or such

i pick up, play, and love my guinea pigs for aqbout 1 hour a day  to make sure they know i havent forgotten them

i have 2 guinea pigs

so luckily i dont need to spend to much time with them because they socialise between themselfs

i would definatly suggest getting 2 guinea pigs rather then 1 because ot isnt that much work or money then 2

yet they are never lonly, you dont need to spend as much time with them

and they are just happier in genral

so i would suggest getting a guinea pig if you have at least 4 hours a day to give them

most days

so if you have that much time then get one because they are THE BEST

but if you dont the get a stupid boring nocturnal rat :(

BTW guinea pigs are NOT nocturnal

Answer 4

Rats would be alot better for you because guinea pigs require alot of attention and love more then a few hours a day.

Answer 5

Guinea pigs are in need of daily love, hugs and if possible a run in the garden (a cat free garden). However, i did have a house guinea pig for  a long time and he was healthy with 'carpet time'.

Rats are about the same really, except you cant put them in the garden, obviously.

Check out the RSPCA website, they have info on what to expect like costs, time, space needed and how many to get.

Answer 6

A couple means like two (right?) so you could get either.  Or you could even get some type of lizard.  If you want a low maintenence, not messy, loving pet get a bearded dragon or a leopard gecko.  But rats and cavys are good too.

Answer 7

rats are great pets. they like to be with u and they dont bite. u can also potty train them.

Answer 8

rats they are smart,fun to watch when they are playing and do well on their own.they dont squek like guinea pigs do and rats dont bite guinea pigs do sometimes

Answer 9

sewer rat

Answer 10

I'd do some research into both so you can choose:

http://www.petinfopackets.com/rats/ratin... (My website)

http://www.rmca.org/

ftp://members.aol.com/juliesrats/e4ninde...

http://ratguide.com/

http://www.goosemoose.com/rfc/index.php

http://www.petinfopackets.com/guineapigs...

http://www.guinealynx.com/

http://www.cavyspirit.com/

http://www.guineapigcages.com/

http://cavymadness.com/

http://guineapigs.info/

Answer 11

rats then,because guinea pigs require alot of attention,so that they can bond with you.But a few hours may be enough,and they dont make a very big mess

Answer 12

get what you want