hamster or gerbil - which to get?

[justintime]

My kids have asked if they could get a hamster. Someone suggested that I should get a gerbil instead because they are nicer (don't bite as much). I remembering have hamsters when I was a kid - some were nice, and some bit a lot. I have no experience at all with gerbils. So are gerbils really nicer than hamsters? Any opinions on which I should get? Is one cleaner than the other? Easier to take care of? Live longer? etc. Any other differences I should know about?

 

[hereyago]

How old are your kids? Will they be the ones cleaning the cage, feeding,etc?

My DD13 now has 2 dumbo rats-yes rats. I know, it freaked me out first, but it was actually my big idea.

She has had a guniea pig, he was a sweet little guy.
She had gerbils, 1 pair weren't used to humans that much I don't think, because they were little biters.
She has had hamsters, they were all right.

Gerbils are quicker I think, so if they get out, and there are these little hamsters that are quick as well that the name escapes me.
Well DD wanted the quick small hamsters, I was like why not get the dumbo rats.

Did I mention that I am a chicken when it comes to rodents? the rats I have actually started to get used to. they are actually really smart, they live a little longer then gerbils and hamsters. I am at the point where I can hold on if DD is near me.

She is the animal take care person, she love animals. When she is at her dad's then I take care of them.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Schmeck]

You can't get either one at WDW, sorry!

 

[justintime]

How old are your kids? Will they be the ones cleaning the cage, feeding,etc?

My DD13 now has 2 dumbo rats-yes rats. I know, it freaked me out first, but it was actually my big idea.

She has had a guniea pig, he was a sweet little guy.
She had gerbils, 1 pair weren't used to humans that much I don't think, because they were little biters.
She has had hamsters, they were all right.

Gerbils are quicker I think, so if they get out, and there are these little hamsters that are quick as well that the name escapes me.
Well DD wanted the quick small hamsters, I was like why not get the dumbo rats.

Did I mention that I am a chicken when it comes to rodents? the rats I have actually started to get used to. they are actually really smart, they live a little longer then gerbils and hamsters. I am at the point where I can hold on if DD is near me.

She is the animal take care person, she love animals. When she is at her dad's then I take care of them.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

My kids are 7 and 9. They will be the ones cleaning the cage, etc (with my guidance of course). I thought it would help them learn more responsibility. So part of my decision on which to get will be based on which is easier to care for. My 9 year old will probably do most of the work, but I would like it if my 7 year old could help also.

 

[KLAIT]

We have had both. Gerbils usually do better in pairs and if purchased together. I agree that they are really fast and hard to catch. They are active several parts of the day.

Hamsters are a little bigger and do better alone. They are slower but they like to sleep during the day. The only time any of our hamsters bit where when you startled them during the day when they are asleep. They do not like to be played with or messed around with during the day and are up running on their wheel all night.

Love them both

 

[hereyago]

For hamsters and gerbils, I cannot stress enough to have a "quiet" wheel. nothing can grade nerves at 3 am like them getting their workout on,lol.

 

[dizneechic]

I've raised hamsters as a kid and we researched both thoroughly before deciding if we would get one for our kids.

Hamsters:
Nocturnal - sleep during the day, most active at dusk & dawn
When handled at the right time (ie night) can be friendly. Will bite if alarmed or awoken during the day.
Slower, shorter tail, larger pouch cheeks, cuter and more "pet" like.
Omnivores, will eat veggies, berries, nuts and insects that you feed it (as well as hamster food).
Messy in their cage, pee a lot. Frequent cage changes are necessary if you don't want to smell them.
Solitary.

Gerbils:
Diurnal - sleep & awaken every few hours around the clock.
If handled from a young age will not bite.
Fast, jumpers, long tail and pointy nose. More "rat" like in appearance.
Eat Gerbil food with an occasional treat - dried fruit, veggies, occasional seeds (sunflower), natural cereals. Avoid items with too much fat (ie nuts) or they will get diarrhea.
Are desert animals, pee much less than hamsters therefor have much "cleaner" cages.
Need to gnaw constantly, best suited for non plastic cages or they could eventually gnaw through.
Does better in pairs - make sure you get the same sex unless you want a rather large family!

Ideally if it is a childs pet, gerbils would be the better choice. Mainly because their cages are easier to manage and their sleeping habits would coincide with when the kids would be awake. They are also less prone to biting, especially if they are handled from a young age. Our issue with gerbils was the beady eyes and long tails... too rat like and creeped us out a little.

One of my hamsters we had growing up we actually renamed "Dog - the attack hamster" because it would bite us all the time. Even poking fingers into the cage it would nip you. Of course I didn't know I was waking the poor thing up and now don't blame it, but it certainly wasn't one of my favorite pets because it wasn't one we could play with.

Ultimately we decided on hermit crabs for our kids which are also nocturnal. We see them out occasionally during the day and the kids love watching to see who's changed shells or messed up areas we've set up in the cage, but again not a cuddly pet (way more fun for me at night than the kids!). They are much neater and easier to care for than both rodent options.

 

[njmom47]

We love hamsters in our house. I think if you get them as babies and handle them frequently, they should be ok...at least that's how ours were. I miss them.

 

[poohguys]

we had gerbils growing up. Very nice pets, but as others have said fast if they get loose. DS has had two hamsters. First one was a biter. The second one never bit, wish we coulf get another just like him. If you get a hamster the girl ones are stinky at times. Another thing to keep in mind is that they only have about a three year life span. I think that the hamster may be a bit better for a younger child.

 

[npcougar]

We've had both and preferred hamsters. Gerbils weren't as fun to watch and had a much stronger odor. Our hamsters had no problems being held and one pair had babies which was fun. We have since graduated to chinchillas and they are awesome, but expensive.

 

[crazyboutdisny]

Ok, you are going to say ewwww...but get a rat! I know...I know...it sounds gross and I thought the same way when my daughter wanted one. But do some research about them and give them a chance. Rats are extemely clean, VERY friendly!!! They LOVE people and LOVE it when you talk to them. They have such awesome personalities. They are nocturnal but dont mind being woken up during the day. They were always happy to see us.We ended up getting two and I would do it again. We have had hamsters and guniea pigs and the rats were by far the best pocket pet we ever had and the most entertaining.

 

[Bambi5826]

I agree that rats are much better then anything out there!
Having said that, I would pick hamsters over gerbils. It also depend on the kind of hamster. Winter White and Russian hamsters tend to be very nippy, and seem to like to bite. Robo Dwarfs (very fast), and Chinese dwarfs are great. Chinese are pretty great, and usually don't mind being held. Teddy Bear hamsters are always great to handle.

 

[mjkacmom]

We've had hamsters, and rats, and hamsters are more like fish, and rats more like dogs. Rats are smart, and extremely friendly and clean. My little ones were their caregivers, and carried them around on their shoulders. They never pooped outside their cage, and only peed if they were out for a long while, and desperate. As soon as someone entered the room their cage was in, they'd scramble to the front of the cage, almost begging to be let out. They loved to be cuddled, and would come when called.

 

[jana616]

My DH is a vet, and he strongly recommends rats over both hamsters and gerbils when clients ask his opinion. We haven't bought our children anything but fish and a newt yet, but when we do, it will be a rat. As others said, they are smart, clean, and social. Good luck with whatever you get!

 

[Zoesmama03]

My 8 year old daughter has had a Chinese dwarf since the day after Christmas. My brother got her the cage for Christmas. She was nippy for awhile and will still nip if she is handling her too much but it took less than a week to tame her enough for holding. You have to wait the 3+ days before removing or touching them but then you'll have to "tame" him/her.

When I was younger(teens) I would get teddy bear hamsters that seemed to bite less. Dwarf hamsters are usually pretty wild and fast and don't like to be handled. They also can escape from wire cages so they do better in 10 gallon fish tanks. We used to do the 10 gallon tank because some hamster will chew on the bars too. So far this Chinese dwarf doesn't seem to do that.

Rats are really good for families too. They are social and usually do best in groups of at least 2-3 where as hamsters do better solo or in groups they were in since born or real young.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Think dwarf! dont let them convice you there not good for kids. I had a dwarf for 4 years (till he passed) nd he was the most tame little thing. We got him when he was really young and started handling him right away. My best bud had 4 kids (2,5,10,12) who played with him almost daily. Only one child ever got bit and that was cause he didnt wash his hands after eating (hammy smelled food). As far as getting out, my dwarf would sit in his overturned cage and go no were. He knew where he was safe. Now I have a black bear hamster, Hes a bit grouchier (nips more) but is larger. He is about the size of a small rat. He is very good with the kids (11,12). They play with him everyday and are not all to gentle. the youngest trained him to ride around in her shirt pocket without excaping.

I also have a guinea pig but I wouldnt reccomend them. hes too skiddish and the kids feed him but they dont like playing with him (he eats the carpet too).

 

[chinchiller]

Ignoring everything else and echoing what others have said, gerbils are darn fast. Hamsters sort of waddle and can usually be caught fairly quickly if they get away, but gerbils, well, not so much. Not only are they fast, but the way they hop means their path is unpredictable, making it harder to grab them and may lead to grabbing too hard in frustration.

I'd suggest either guinea pigs or a chinchilla over and over again for kids. They're not too difficult to keep, they tend to be a lot more friendly, and they're quite a bit more durable than the smaller animals. I've had my chinchilla since I was 13 years old and I love him to pieces. He's still my buddy.

 

[roxysmum123]

Neither, get a rat. They're friendlier, easier to handle, trainable, cleaner, etc etc etc.

 

[disneydeal]

from personal experience with my 9 year old.... she ignores our 4 dwarf hampsters..... and loves to play with the guinea pig..... think the hampsters are too fast and small to enjoy.... just my opinion

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I vote Teddy Bear Hamster. This is ours. He is very gentle and loaded with personality.