Which would be better for me,rats or hamsters?

Question

I was thinking about getting a pet rodent so which one do you think would suit me better,rats or hamsters? I've had hamsters before but never a rat.Is it true that rats are better off if they have another rat buddy? How much attention do they need? Stuff like that would be helpful.

Answer 1

rats are way different than hamsters and require more work than a hamster. if you are a person that doesn't mind the work then i would say a rat but if u like to stay laid back and don't like the work then i would say a hamster. a rat needs a lot of attention and yes it is true they are better off with a mate. they normally get lonely otherwise.

well.. if u say what kind of person you are it might be easier to tell you what's better for you.

=D

Answer 2

Rats are AWESOME. They are vastly more inteligent, sleep less, can even be affectionate, and are great fun. But:

You need a much bigger cage; get a good book, and double the HEIGHT of the cage dimensions it suggests.

General opinion seems to be that they prefer to live in pairs (same s*x unless you want babies). I have had both. Upside of having two is that they keep each other company, so if you are busy and don't have much time to let them out of the cage to run around, play with etc then they will excercise and entertain each other. However, the cage will smell more because they are likely to pee more for territorial reasons, and they will play fight. This is ok, but it can sounds worrying as they maek each other squeek. It took me a while to get used to all the banging as they chased each other at night. If you get two they must be siblings who have been together from birth.

You must buy a Good, detailed book about rats specifically if you decide to get rats. Make sure it suggests what to look out for when buying rats - healthwise, quality of the supplier etc - and take this seriously. rats are prone to respiratory infections, and if they start of healthy it's more likely to last. Buy from a large, trusted store with trained workers so you can ask for help. If the workers aren't comfortable handling the animals and letting you do so before you choose, then don't buy there.

I would recommend "dumbo" rats. These are a breed - not colouring, normal and dumbos come in the same range of colours - with slightly flatter heads and larger, lower ears. I tend to find they are more placid and friendly. However, this is personal preference. I also like it that dumbos look very soppy and slightly thick. They're very cute lol.

You've had hamsters before so no need to say much about that. Rats will be more space consuming, and take longer to tame. Because they are more inteligent you have to gain their trust. This is what I try to do anyway, another approach is just to enforce contact until they get used to it, but I prefer the slower but more rewarding way.

White rats will turn yellowish as they get old. Pink eyes have slightly reduced vision but this isn't a problem.

Sorry for rambling on for so long, but hope it helps!

x

Answer 3

hamsters are easier but rats are more loving

Answer 4

if you want an easy one to care for, hamster.

if u want a food-eating freak, rat

Answer 5

I don't like rats, I've had two and neither of them were all that nice. Actually they bit me a few times. I would stick with a hamster. Rats kinda eat a lot too.  

Answer 6

I have three rats and they are the best animals!!!!!  I love them.  Rats are very intelligent cretures.  Even though many people are afrade of their tales they are great pet and once you get used to the tales they dont scare you.  Now one of the big reasons I would recomend getting a rat is thet they are not mean( if you give them attention they wont bit, so its up to you) and they are very loving.  They are affectionit and love just to hang out on your shoulder.

When choosing a rat you have many choices from a boy too a girl all the way to their markings and colorings!!! Right now I have three males( Bruno, Cornelious, and Rufus).  Rats are just adorable!!!!!!!!!!    

Boys are more relaxed and calm and girls have more energy, but boys will stink more since they have oily skin and so on.  I would recomend getting boys( thats all I have ever had had).  When it comes to markinh and colroings thats up to you( but most rats with red eyes will not have as great of eye sight then rats with black eyes)  

Now rats also will need bigger cages since they will get bigger.  And if you do end up getting rats  NEVER USE CEDER OR PINE AS A BEDDING.  IT CAN KILL A RAT!!!!!!!

Here are a few websites on colorings and markings of  rats:

http://www.dreameyce.com/eagleseye/ratte...

http://www.dreameyce.com/eagleseye/ratte...

Hope this helped.  

Answer 7

Well I would go with a hamster because they ccan be cute and cuddely and sometimes a rats tail can really scare you. I dont have anything against rats I just think a hamster would be better.

Answer 8

I have had both.  Rats unlike hamsters are much more social with people.  I had two girls and they kept each other company.  They need to be stimulated with toys in their cage.  You should plan on have them out with you when you are home for a least a few hours.

Answer 9

I would say hamsters because you've had experience with them before.

Answer 10

after having hamsters, guinea pigs and cats, i have to say rats are the BEST pets so far.

their all like small puppies, and they come to your voice, especially if they associate you with chocolate!  

Answer 11

rats are friendly and active, they love company from fellow rats and if handled from a young age they will get used to human contact and enjoy being around you. if you don't plan on handling them much my advice would be to get at least 2 so they have company, in my experience both male male and female female pairings get on quite well if raised together, but males tend to have sweeter tempers. also just a warning but rats are quite prone to respiratory problems, tumours, pneumonia etc and when they get these it is often fatal. the last pair of rats I had were two females who both died of lung tumours within a year of each other, it wasn't pretty.