Rat or hamster?

[KitKat1985]

I'm thinking of getting a pet that my DDs (4 and 2) can enjoy. DD1 in particular has autism and adores animals, and I think she would love to have a pet of her own. However I'm very aware that I'm going to end up looking after it, so something small and easily manageable is probably best as I work full time etc so wouldn't be fair on the animal to get anything that requires loads of time (I did also consider guinea pigs but we have a lot of foxes around here so not sure it's a great idea).

I had a hamster as a pet as a child who I loved and he was very sweet, but obviously being nocturnal I'm wondering if the DDs would really enjoy a pet that's largely going to be asleep in their waking hours. Are rats better? I've not had rats before but am aware that they obviously need a bigger cage and to be kept in pairs, but are also supposed to be intelligent and interactive so wondering if this may be better for the kids?

[bluebellation]

Rats make wonderful pets. My DDs had them and they were so friendly and playful. We did have a hamster once but they didn't engage with it in the same way at all.

[KitKat1985]

Yes I'm leaning towards rats at the moment.

[bluebellation]

Re: keeping rats in pairs, my Dds first one she had as a single and he was perfectly happy. He grew as big as a kitten and was extremely affectionate - they grind their teeth when they're happy and it sounded as
though he was talking to you! They do appreciate a large cage and we used to let them out to roam around the room, they love climbing and exploring and you can set up a sort of assault course for them. I'd definitely recommend!

[Rose220]

Gerbils we've had ours for 3 years they are great to watch. There not smelly as there desert animals and don't need cleaning out as often. My kids love them.

[Wolfiefan]

I wouldn’t get a small pet for such a young child. They need very careful handling.
Give it a couple of years at least. Then rat!!

[TeaKettleBell]

Wait until they are a bit older.
Hamsters a bit less... verminy.
Sorry rat owners!

[lovesawindyday]

i had a
fancy rat when i was a kid they are really good pets never bit me and used to great me when i got home from school. they are quite intelligent 😂

[crocsaretoocoolforschool]

I'd go for rats every time

They make lovely pets, are really sociable and not generally nibbly of peoples fingers

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Just got rats here to share with my 10 year old. I had them when I was younger, much better pets than the hamsters I’d previously had.
Unless you’re really going to enjoy them though, I think your children are too young.

[LuluBellaBlue]

Rats!!!

[stairway]

Rats are the are the rodent equivalent of a dog intellegent and affectionate. They do need a large cage and a lot of stimulation. We had them as class pets they never bit anyone and the play monitors were terrified of them! It meantime during wet plane we had the classroom to ourselves.

[stairway]

Also rats have a good grip and will happily sit on your shoulder while you go about your day.

[thethethethethe]

Interesting to hear about rats - they freak me out a bit because of their reputation / seeing them in the wild.
Why not get a cat? Very rewarding and very easy to keep. You can even leave them at home for a few days and they're fine.

[Wolfiefan]

A cat can live for over 20 years though. A small rodent less so.

[ASilhouetteAndNothingMore]

I've got 2 very well trained rats. One is a dumbo rat, she's bigger and more chilled out, the other one is smaller and more inquisitive. My sons gave trained them to sit on their shoulders.
They are very affectionate. Perfect pet for children.

[PinkCrayon]

I had rats and hamsters as a child.
Rats make the better pets.

[Laurajjj]

Rats. They are so much more tamer, plus they smell less than hamsters

[BikeRunSki]

I had both, at different times, when I was a child. Hamsters are actually a bit rubbish as pets, nocturnal, not that affection and font live that long. Rats are far cooler.

[IHeartKingThistle]

Oh we loved our rats. Lovely pets. Wish they lived longer than 2 years!

[thethethethethe]

scent marking (urine) and prone to illnesses.

[TroysMammy]

Rats. Hamsters have bad eyesight so can be bitey solitary and nocturnal. Rats are friendly, fun and love company.

[Bumply]

Gerbils are more active during the day compared to hamsters, and they live longer as well. Just don't put them in plastic habitats as they'll chew through and escape.
Not had rats so can't comment on that comparison

[BarryMcguigan]

Honestly... I'd consider a cat. Any caged animals is so much harder work than a cat in my opinion. Their cages need cleaning daily to prevent smells and they need such careful handling to get them used to people and to stop them nipping. If you have outdoor access then a cat can enjoy the garden and you can put down food and water once a day (and with a garden most cases you can avoid a litter tray)

[TheSilveryPussycat]

Rats are lovely. I've kept them over the years. IME females are lively and fun, males are lazy chilled.

[KitKat1985]

I'd love a cat but DH is scared of them. Aside that we live near quite a busy road so would be worried about the poor thing getting hit by a car.