hamster or mouse?

[thisgal]

Hello all... I was visiting one of our local pet stores the other day, and they had a few mice and a few dwarf hamsters for sale. I'd really like to get one or two of either animal. I'd like to know from someone who owns either of these as pets how much work they are. I've got a houseful of animals already (not that many really, but considering I'm the only one who takes care of them all, plus go to work....), and I do most of the other housework, so I'd like something that is rather easy to get used to handling, and something that needs minimum care (besides the basic food and water stuff, duh). Based just on my visit, I'm pulled towards the mice... They've all got these little red eyes.

I've researched a little bit on each, and haven't really been able to decide. I think it'll be easier to hear from someone who actually HAS the animal.

 

[Gigas]

white or lab mice can be prone to genetics diseases, like random wounds just appearing on the tail. i personally like dwarf hamsters loads, i used to keep a few cute guys only downside is they are mostly nocturnal

 

[FRAZE01]

The only problem with dwarf hamsters is that they have a tendency to bite.

 

[KennyGee]

Yah i had hampsters there evil little bastards, ive never met a nice one that hasent bit me

 

[pitbulllady]

Yah i had hampsters there evil little bastards, ive never met a nice one that hasent bit me

In my experience, both mice and hamsters are really prone to biting, and mice(especially males)STINK! If I were going to get a rodent pet, I'd get a rat. Seriously, rats are the best rodent pets; they tame down quickly and become very tame, even affectionate, they are smart, they don't have much odor, and they are just far more personable than a mouse or a hamster. You can get them in a lot of different fancy colors and patterns, too, as well as different coats, like Rex, Curlies, Silkies, and even hairless.

pitbulllady

 

[KennyGee]

awww yes rats are the best, i had one that was named jerry and he was a sweet heart and he never pooed outside his cage either.

 

[WhyTeDraGon]

Get a rat, great pets!

 

[wickedsweetheart]

if your set on mice or a hamster i'd go with the hamster, we'v had 2, they both took a little time to socialize but our first one was as sweet as could be and the second one is a cute lil thing thats calmed down alot, had a few mice too, went from 3 to 30 in a few weeks, were told they were all female, had one male and 2 females, they were cute but eww did they stink! and just to add another 2 cents, i'd go with the rats get 2 of the same sex, females can be a little jumpier, and males a little calmer in my experience, but either are great pets when handled and socialized well.

 

[thisgal]

Get a rat, great pets!

Man, I'd LOVE to get a rat. I've wanted one for years. The thing is, I can't find any stores around here that have 'em. Plus, a bigger animal means a bigger cage and more food, equalling more spending! Not that I'm broke (I wouldn't be interested in another pet), but I spend most of my money on four dogs, three cats, three scorpions, and my 3 month old neice!

So what's with the biting issues here? Is one more prone to biting than the other? Is this an issue solved by simply getting a younger one?

My boyfriend was with me at the pet store, and every time he'd stick his hand, finger extended, into the hamster cage, one of them would run up to him and sort of punch his finger...it was hilarious!

Oh, and you hamster advocates haven't convinced me yet. There's just something about how darn cute little mice are....

 

[pinkzebra]

I have to agree with all of the rat advocates here. I have 10 of them, they have totally captured my heart! They do need a bigger cage than either mice or hamsters, but they are so much smarter and sweeter it is definately worth it! They really don't eat too much more than mice. They can be potty trained and can learn their names and all sorts of tricks. I have had mice too, they are cute but don't really bond as well with people as rats. The male mice smell but I didn't think the females smelled too bad. I have heard alot about hamsters nipping, but I have never had one so no first hand experience on that count from me...None of my mice ever bit me.

Between the two, I would go with mice.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Jen

 

[bengerno]

Hi,

I recommend hamsters, If you wanna choose above the mouse and hamsters (rats are the best ). Try to choose young animals, and handle them daily...they will bite you afew times in the beginning..I'm sure! But will calm down, and become not so wild. Good luck!
PS: Mouse are stinky!!!!

 

[pharaoh2653]

ive never had those little dwarf hamsters but ive raised and bred regular hamsters. the main difference other than size is that dwarf hamsters are a little more nippy and can and should be housed communally. hamsters are relativly low maintenance and from my experience most like to go to the bathroom in the corners of their cages which makes cleaning easier. although nippy most nips are only out of curiosity and with regular handling hamsters are very tame. the fact that they are solitary makes it better so as not to have unwanted babies and they are soft as hell, especially the teddy bear variety.

in my experience of mice they are alot more nippy but very fun to watch. i had four females whom i almost never handled because of their nippiness but i love to watch them in their cage. they do stink but it can be reduced with regular cage maintenance.

ive never had rats but may i suggest GERBILS. i love em. ive had gerbils for many years as a child and had many generations of babies. they are rarely nippy and are in my opinion the best bet. they must be housed communally which gives for ours of entertainment, are very inquisitive, and are bigger than mice yet smaller than rats(for your space issues) and can come in as many colors as mice and rats.

 

[Spideyman]

Nobody seems to be recommending gerbils...

 

[Thoth]

Nobody seems to be recommending gerbils...

They seem to always be sleeping, not very exciting.

Having worked with both mice and rats. Mice are evil biting creatures, while rats are far more docile. (a litle bitter towards mice as you can see)

Don't know about hamsters.

 

[GailC]

Every dwarf hamster I've ever had was evil. I prefere mice, just make sure to get females and you won't have to deal with the smell. Rats are better and really don't need a huge cage. I also really like gerbils, mine never bit and were super cute. True they sleep a lot during the day but so do hamsters.

 

[Scylla]

Get the mouse. I've kept and bred both. Those little hamsters are nasty little rodents. Even hand raised little pups would bite as adults. Never been bit by a mouse (yet) and they have very sweet personalities. There are some breeders on my list who might have some interesting colors available if you're interested.

 

[hermitman64]

I've had many mice and many hamsters.

From my experience:

Never been bitten by a mouse
Never been bitten by a dwarf hamster (my personal favorites)
Been bitten many times by hamsters

Good luck.

 

[pharaoh2653]

Nobody seems to be recommending gerbils...

whatever man. i know how cool gerbils are. in fact this thread made me go out and get a pair (three really). its true they sleep alot but i find them very entertaining. i dont know about rats as i never had any but i prefer gerbils over hamsters and mice. and a sleeping ball of gerbils is always a good thing to have around.