hamster or rabbit?

tequilarose24

Hi, I'm hoping to buy a small animal to live indoors, thinking of a hamster or dwarf rabbit. Visited a pet shop today and saw the cutest dwarf rabbits. Also love syrian hamsters. Have a nice garden so it would be great for a run for the rabbit. Any ideas if rabbits are good pets or would i be better to go for a smaller, less hard work hamster??
Thanks

animalcrazy

I love both hamsters and rabbits, I personally think they both make great pets. Rabbits are alot more work then hamsters. Firstly, if you are planning on keeping it inside, you will most likely need to get it spayed/neuteured. Rabbits that aren't fixed spray! Nothing worse then a rabbit spraying you in the face! Or having to repaint when they ruin the paint by spraying on the walls. Their spray is smelly aswell. They are expensive pets to keep properly.

Rabbits need to be vaccinated and fixed, say this costs about 100 euro. A run and cage are going to cost you close to 200, bowls, water bottle costing another 10 or 20. Rabbit proofing your house anywhere from 20 to 100 usually. Plus your food, hay and veggies that need to be bought regularly. So they are quite expensive.

A hamster does not nearly cost as much in my experience, although I do prefer my bunnies

RaeRae

2 rats. You'll never look back. Males. (:

Sigma Force

Depends on how much time and money you have to spend.

Rabbits should be kept in bonded pairs there are many in rescue looking for homes that may be already spayed/neutered but you give a decent donation but still works out cheaper than buying from a shop where they could already be preg (not all but some sell unhealthy or preg smallies).

As said they need vaccinations etc. there is rabbit insurance available in Ireland now which is a must really because they can cost a fortune if they become ill. Also if you don't have an experienced rabbit vet that you can get too easily in an emergency then I'd reconsider nothing worse than a sick smallie and no where to bring it. So many smallies die needlessly because people are too slow to bring them to vet or the vet doesn't know enough about them same goes for hammies.

A rabbit will cost more to set up and feed etc. Although a decent hamster home can be pricey but in general they cost much less, don't need vaccinations or neutering etc.

_Arctic_

A rabbit would definitely be a more expensive pet to keep than a hamster, but they are nice animals to have. If you're keeping the bunny in your garden, you should make sure that cats/dogs etc cant get into the rabbits living area. You could use chicken wire or whatever its called.

I assumed my rabbit was safe in its hutch out the back, but I went to feed it one morning and the door was broken open and he was gone

A hamster would probably be easier to keep in the long run.

Interceptor

I think you should get a gerbil. Great starter pet, easily socialised and much less likely to bite than a hamster.

'cptr

candy-gal1

rabbits FTW

Sigma Force

Gerbils could be a good compramise, they are small like hammies a pair would need a tank about minumum 3 feet long or 2 feet long with an upper area. They're awake during the day and fun to watch not as nippy.

If you get either hammie or gerbil highly recommend carefresh bedding as an alternative to woodchips much gentler on their wee noses.

ergonomics

Hey,

I previously had two hamsters and about 10 days ago I got two rabbits so I said I'd lay out some pros and cons for you from what I've seen so far.

Hamster
Pros
Low maintenance
Cheap
Portable, i.e., if you have a wire cage you can easily move it into the room you're in.
Can be kept in a small area

Cons
Not much human/hamster interaction
Can be noisy on their wheel/in their ball
Short life span
Nocturnal, although can be 'trained' to wake up on your timetable

Rabbits
Pros
Can roam free; at the moment mine are running around the kitchen like mad, exploring everything.
Can be kept outside or trained as an indoor pet
Will get to know you and look forward to seeing you

Cons
Much more maintenance and costs than a hamster
Not as portable as a hamster
Can live for very long
Some landlords don't like rabbits

Overall though I don't think I'll ever go back to hamsters. Nothing beats seeing my two darting around the kitchen after each other. I think a hamster would be a much better starting pet though.

jessicaR

I am glad you're enjoying your two rabbits. They are such adorable nosey critters:)

ghosttown

Am thinking of buying a rabbit as a family pet (we have a 20 month old), we have a large bungalow if he needs to be indoors, but a big garden too which is secure, so I guess a hutch will be got too. Can anyone recommend a book on keeping rabbits ? Should I be thinking of 2 for company for each other ? (I don't want them breeding, I've heard all the rabbit jokes !)

jessicaR

"Rabbit health in the 21. Century" by Kathryn Smith is an excellent book and available through Amazon. Most petshop will stock general books on rabbit care.
two rabbits are certainly happier than one. The easiest would be buy two baby girls and have them both spayed. Or else start of with a male, wait till he is old enough to be neutered and then introduce a female. That way you may also be able to give a rescue bunny a new home. At times you can also find bonded adult pairs up for adoption if it isn't too important for you to have them as baby bunnies.
By the way a rabbit is not a great pet for a young child as they will find it very difficuilt to hold them securely. So you will need to supervise at all times.
I have a sixteen months old girl who grew up with the rabbits and I can safely let her toddle around in the rabbit enclosure but that's not necessarily the norm.
If I were you I'd have a look at breeders or reputable pet shops that are able to sex their rabbits properly. There is of course always the option of adopting a rabbit.
Good luck. They are very rewarding pets.

P.S. the book I mentioned earlier may actually be more useful for an existing bunny owner. When I got my first rabbit I bought a little inexpensive booklet called "How to care for your rabbit" by Louise Brown. It was certainly sufficient at the start. And there is also the Irish rabbit forum http://www.irishrabbits.proboards.com you could check out.

ameliajane

animalcrazy wrote: »

I love both hamsters and rabbits, I personally think they both make great pets. Rabbits are alot more work then hamsters. Firstly, if you are planning on keeping it inside, you will most likely need to get it spayed/neuteured. Rabbits that aren't fixed spray! Nothing worse then a rabbit spraying you in the face! Or having to repaint when they ruin the paint by spraying on the walls. Their spray is smelly aswell. They are expensive pets to keep properly.

Rabbits need to be vaccinated and fixed, say this costs about 100 euro. A run and cage are going to cost you close to 200, bowls, water bottle costing another 10 or 20. Rabbit proofing your house anywhere from 20 to 100 usually. Plus your food, hay and veggies that need to be bought regularly. So they are quite expensive.

A hamster does not nearly cost as much in my experience, although I do prefer my bunnies

I have owned hamsters and rabbits in the past. They are both gorgeous and cute. I think that Rabbits make a more rewarding pet because they interact better with you. They have a longer life span then a hamster too. Hamsters tend to sleep all day and get lively at night which can be the problem when you go off to bed they get up! Also hamsters tend to go down hill at the two year mark which is sad as they age quite rapidly. You can replace the hamster alright but you are back to square one trying to get to know it, tame it and so forth. You have lost the hamster almost as soon as you got to know him. Personally, I find the ageing process hard to watch but then that is just me. Rabbits don't nip you really either. I know I sound anti-hamster here but if I had to choose it would be a rabbit. That said, hamsters are cute, running around on a wheel. They are sweet to watch when washing their little furry faces with their paws. I loved it when I offered it a nut or a seed and it stored it in its pouch, opened the seed case with its its paws(hands almost!). They are tiny, cute little teddy bears and I did own one who was the sweetest and most gentle little creature in the whole world. I have lots of happy memories of them. Hamsters are cheaper to keep. The cage is the most expensive part and you should invest in a comfortable one. Don't over do it with the accessories. An exercise wheel is essential. Hamsters get depressed without having one. Keep a close eye on their teeth so they don't over grow. A hamster book with detail about dental care is the book to buy. If not look up the internet to see when your chap needs them done. Do this before you get him/her. Be fully informed. Don't let the time come where the teeth overgrow. That is horrendous for the animal. Take it to the vet when you get your young hamster and ask him/her to point out all the advice about teeth care when you get the hamster. I can't emphasise enough how important it is to ask the vet about preventing teeth from overgrowing and how often your hamster should go for his dental check up to ensure that he/she will not suffer that horrible situation. That way you will be getting advice from an expert who can explain it perfectly to you. I would not be capable of explaining it well enough and I would hate to leave out vital details which you do need to know. The vet will trim them for you. That is a very important point. Their teeth are like our nails. The animal will not feel it being cut at all but your vet is the best person to do this awkward job. They know and have the skill to do it properly for your pet. The hamster deserves expert care here. A hamster cage will last you a life time. You can have it for every hamster you ever own. So the expensive cage lasts you for years. Hamsters need to live alone. They do not need company and do not become lonely. They are territorial little animals and will attack and kill with a vicious intent. That will end badly for you and is horrible. Keep your bunny happy with hard wood chewies from the pet shop and hard foods to wear down their teeth. Very important. Hutches of varying sizes and forms are in all pet stores so get a comfortable, spacious one for your little chap. You should look up all the nutritional requirements in detail of a rabbit. My advice is feed pellets to your pet not the mixed feed type. Rabbits may select their favourite foods and not get a balanced diet with the mixed type. Burgess Excel pellet food is a fantastic food for the bunny. Ask your pet store to order it for you. Plenty of meadow hay, and timothy hay. Hay is the most important food you give your bunny, Some fruit and veg. -please look up the ones suitable for bunny as it would take me ages to list them. Don't give without doing your research. You don't want to poison your bunny. They love dandelions so get out into the countryside and pick them for your friend. Wash them well and don't be tempted to give dandelions from the side of the road. They will be contaminated from traffic fumes. Breeding is a big step to take so make sure you do your research. Not a matter to consider lightly. Consider neutering and spaying so you will have a contented pet. Let bunny have lots of exercise. Very important. These are some tips I hope which may help. Enjoy bunny or hammy. Perhaps, you could have both or try out both to see what you like best as this is only a personal opinion. Oh, I forgot to mention this important point. I have found over the years that male hamsters make better pets then females. Males tend to be more laid back, friendly and gentle. Females can be grumpy, inclined to bite and be intolerant of handling. There are obviously exceptions in them too. Some males can be vicious and females friendly but in general males have a better reputation then the female. I certainly would have found the males to be the best. Dwarf hamsters are a nice pet but they only live between 1 and 2 years. Dwarfs need to live alone just like the Syrian variety. They have similar requirements to the Syrian but are a totally unrelated species of hamster. Get a book and do your research. I found that the Syrian made a better pet and female hamsters can be vicious so look after your fingers! I have only skimmed the surface here. Remember to groom bunny, as moulting is something you need to be informed about. When visiting your pet store ask the assistant to guide you as to what wood chips to line the cage with. Keep away from cedar shavings. Absolute poison. You need wood chippings to be from the pet store. No cheap alternatives like sawdust from the saw mill. That will make your bunny become poisoned. Believe me. Give plenty of fresh, clean drinking water. Bottles are available for rabbits and hamsters etc in the pet shops. Change it every day and give a ceramic bowl of clean water every day too. Change it regularly throughout the day as necessary. Your water bottle could have an air block and the pet could be deprived of water if you do not provide him with a bowl of clean water too. Ceramic is heavy and cannot be knocked over by the creature. Don't put a female and male together. You know what will happen!! Male rabbits living together will fight. Two females are a better option for companionship. A neutered duo is an option perhaps. Ask your vet for advice on this issue. It really comes down to the personality of your rabbit really. Each one is an individual character and their temperments do vary. Do your research, love your pet, care for them well and you will have a very happy, healthy best friend. This is only a very basic guide so be well informed before you take the step of owning your pet. -oh, very important --- Enjoy your little pet and the very best of luck to you!

Outkast_IRE

guinea pigs are the answer best of both worlds

ameliajane

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

guinea pigs are the answer best of both worlds

Guinea pigs are wonderful little creatures. They are gentle, can be handled easily and perhaps are more inclined to enjoy being handled rather then the hamster. There are different types - smooth haired, rough haired (abyssinian) and longer haired ones too. Your best bet is to get a book giving you information about nutrition, housing, health care, varieties.
Most books advise that being sociable animals, guinea pigs require living in pairs or groups. A successful way is to have a number of females together. Usually one becomes the leader and it is beautiful to watch guinea pigs following the older "boss" in single file. I personally feel that guinea pigs make a more rewarding pet for a child rather then a hamster. They certainly engage more with the child. Although, I would stress that depending on the child and the maturity of the child you should supervise handling all animals. One advantage of a hamster is if the child tires of the pet you know it has only a short life span so you will not have the pet for too long if you were only interested in getting a pet for the child's sake. There is work involved in cleaning guinea pigs. Their habits are not as clean as rabbits from my experience. Rabbits are easier to train to use a litter box and usually use a corner of their cage. Guinea pigs are not so careful!
I would advise against having males kept together and if they are close to where females living quarters are you will have two unhappy little boars. However, I have had a father and son living together and they were extremely fond of each other. I think you may have a problem if the males are unrelated to each other. Females are known as sows. Actually, guinea pig is a common name for this creature. Cavy or cavies (plural) is the real term. They are from South America originally and are actually bred for their meat. They are not cuddled much in South America! The whole issue of breeding is one of the most fascinating in nature. Gestation is very long in duration but the guinea pigs are the most advanced when born. They are fully furred, eyes open and running around and feeding from Mum within hours of birth. It is truly a magical and wonderful miracle of nature. They are independent mini versions of Mum and Dad.
I know that the accurate details are in guinea pig books. I would prefer you to read them rather then rely on my post for those details. They wheek (squeaky, whistling sound) - a joyful sound to hear and a sound you will come to look forward to. They have their own language and you will realise they recognise your voice and even your footsteps. A friendly and beautiful pet. Definitely worth considering. Their life span is on average between 3-8 years in duration. Eight would be seen as a very old guinea pig. I heard that one made the Guinness Book of records and lived to the grand old age of fifteen but that was a big exception. Many tend to live between 3-4 years. I am not sure about the neutering or spaying issue as I have reservations about this given that I lost one through neutering. Certainly, the female operation is a big operation for a small little creature so please ask your vet for advice here. A vet who has a good deal of experience with small animal requirements is the best person to go to. There is a debate about guinea pigs and rabbits living together. A rabbit and guinea pig have different nutritional needs. Some guinea pigs can be bullied by the rabbit. A rabbit has very strong hind legs and a kick could seriously injure or kill the guinea pig. So, just ensure that you are aware that they may have to have separate hutches. Don't rely on one hutch and have nothing to offer the guinea pig if you have to separate them. I have given some basic information so make sure you do some research and be fully informed before deciding on owning one. Good luck if you decide to choose a guinea pig as a pet! It is a very rewarding experience and an honour to have one as a friend.

serenacat

I'd get a hamster, they are adorable and very low maintence. Their cages are easy to clean

Taceom

I haven't read all the posts here so maybe someone has already mentioned this.
I did have a hamster in the past and I will agree they are cute and easy to keep, but the one problem I had or at least my children had with the hamster is that he is a nocturnal animal and only 'came to life' when my kids were in bed. So if you are thinking of getting a hamster for some daytime entertainment forget it, because he will be asleep and is only fun after dark.