Page 1 of 2 [ 17 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next


Which rodent makes the best pet?
Mouse 13%  13%  [ 2 ]
Chinchilla 40%  40%  [ 6 ]
Hamster 13%  13%  [ 2 ]
Gerbil 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Guinea pig 33%  33%  [ 5 ]
Total votes : 15

puddingmouse
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Apr 2010
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 8,777
Location: Cottonopolis

18 Jan 2012, 4:25 pm

I can't have a cat as I live in a 3rd floor apartment. I think my landlord would allow me to have a small pet like a rodent, small bird or fish.

I quite like the idea of getting a rodent. Anyone who has had experience with pet rodents, could you let me know which ones you think make the best pets.

I don't really want a rat, so that's why I left it out of the poll.

Also, are chinchillas really hard work? My main concern is the temperature/humidity. I like it quite warm and usually have the heating on all winter, but I don't have AC for the summer, as I live in the UK and it doesn't get unbearably hot on enough days of the year (but it occasionally gets way too hot for a chinchilla). I'm willing to do the big cage, dust bath and lots of toys thing, I'm just terrified of accidentally overheating the chinchilla. Plus, it's very humid where I live - on average about 80% but sometimes nearly 100% - so will I need a dehumidifier? I'm guessing that 'yes' is the answer.

The reason I'm asking is that I've wanted a chinchilla for quite some time now, but I'm thinking that maybe I should get a pet rodent that's easier to look after? :?


_________________
Zombies, zombies will tear us apart...again.


Henbane
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 Apr 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,071
Location: UK

18 Jan 2012, 4:35 pm

Out of those options I would say guinea pigs make the best pets. However you would need quite a bit of space, and they are best in a pair as they are very sociable. Think 4ft by 2ft mininum for a cage.
The advantage of them is they are friendly, never bite, easy to feed and care for, chatty and entertaining, and very sweet temperament.

I'm not sure about them not getting outside in a run though, mine go outside for most of the year during the day and really enjoy it. You'd have to give them some running about excercise indoors.

I've had hamsters and found them bitey and a bit unfulfilling.



Sparx
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 23 Oct 2011
Gender: Male
Posts: 2,186

18 Jan 2012, 4:58 pm

I voted chinchilla. :D



lilbuddah
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

User avatar

Joined: 9 Dec 2011
Gender: Male
Posts: 331

18 Jan 2012, 5:03 pm

I had a Chinchilla as a kid Fun to have, fun to say, all round fun.



puddingmouse
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Apr 2010
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 8,777
Location: Cottonopolis

19 Jan 2012, 8:46 pm

Henbane wrote:
Out of those options I would say guinea pigs make the best pets. However you would need quite a bit of space, and they are best in a pair as they are very sociable. Think 4ft by 2ft mininum for a cage.
The advantage of them is they are friendly, never bite, easy to feed and care for, chatty and entertaining, and very sweet temperament.

I'm not sure about them not getting outside in a run though, mine go outside for most of the year during the day and really enjoy it. You'd have to give them some running about excercise indoors.

I've had hamsters and found them bitey and a bit unfulfilling.


Do you think they'd be okay with running around just indoors? I have enough room, but just not a garden.


_________________
Zombies, zombies will tear us apart...again.


Trigas
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 13 Jul 2011
Gender: Male
Posts: 4,143

19 Jan 2012, 8:47 pm

Chinchillas are awesome. :)


_________________
All fantasy should have a solid base in reality.


Solvejg
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 2 Mar 2011
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,558
Location: gondwana

20 Jan 2012, 5:27 am

flemish giant.


_________________
I love diggin' in the dirt
With just a pick and brush
Finding fossils is my aim
So I'm never in a rush


puddingmouse
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Apr 2010
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 8,777
Location: Cottonopolis

20 Jan 2012, 6:48 am

^^^

Not a rodent.


_________________
Zombies, zombies will tear us apart...again.


Henbane
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 Apr 2011
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,071
Location: UK

20 Jan 2012, 11:11 am

puddingmouse wrote:
Henbane wrote:
Out of those options I would say guinea pigs make the best pets. However you would need quite a bit of space, and they are best in a pair as they are very sociable. Think 4ft by 2ft mininum for a cage.
The advantage of them is they are friendly, never bite, easy to feed and care for, chatty and entertaining, and very sweet temperament.

I'm not sure about them not getting outside in a run though, mine go outside for most of the year during the day and really enjoy it. You'd have to give them some running about excercise indoors.

I've had hamsters and found them bitey and a bit unfulfilling.


Do you think they'd be okay with running around just indoors? I have enough room, but just not a garden.


Yes, probably. You could get them a run for indoors, or if you had a room without wires and holes n stuff you could let them run free. If you get young ones they will like to run about quite a bit, and popcorn.

You can also get bunny grass, or guinea grass seeds, and grow it in a tray for them. They love grass.



OliveOilMom
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 11 Nov 2011
Age: 62
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,447
Location: About 50 miles past the middle of nowhere

20 Jan 2012, 12:31 pm

Solvejg wrote:
flemish giant.


We have one of those. When they say giant, they mean it. It's about the size of a medium sized dog now, just not as tall.


_________________
I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA. ;-)

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com


CockneyRebel
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Posts: 121,183
Location: In my own little country

20 Jan 2012, 12:53 pm

A rat. :O)


_________________
The Family Schlager


hanyo
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 30 Sep 2011
Age: 51
Gender: Female
Posts: 4,302

20 Jan 2012, 1:14 pm

I'd say rats too but it depends on how bad the heat gets. I had some rats die of heatstroke once and rats don't like the heat.



readingbetweenlines
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Oct 2010
Age: 59
Gender: Female
Posts: 622
Location: UK

20 Jan 2012, 3:50 pm

Henbane wrote:
Out of those options I would say guinea pigs make the best pets. However you would need quite a bit of space, and they are best in a pair as they are very sociable. Think 4ft by 2ft mininum for a cage.
The advantage of them is they are friendly, never bite, easy to feed and care for, chatty and entertaining, and very sweet temperament.

I'm not sure about them not getting outside in a run though, mine go outside for most of the year during the day and really enjoy it. You'd have to give them some running about excercise indoors.

I've had hamsters and found them bitey and a bit unfulfilling.


Completely agree. Hamsters make lousy pets. They are nocturnal and let's face it, they don't live long.

Guinea pigs make great pets.


_________________
I have traveled extensively in Concord (Thoreau)


MONKEY
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 3 Jan 2009
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Posts: 9,896
Location: Stoke, England (sometimes :P)

20 Jan 2012, 5:08 pm

Chinchillas live longer so they provide more long term companionship than a hamster or a rat. They can live between 12-20 years sort of like a dog or a cat.


_________________
What film do atheists watch on Christmas?
Coincidence on 34th street.


puddingmouse
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Apr 2010
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 8,777
Location: Cottonopolis

20 Jan 2012, 5:18 pm

MONKEY wrote:
Chinchillas live longer so they provide more long term companionship than a hamster or a rat. They can live between 12-20 years sort of like a dog or a cat.


Really? Fancy mice only live 1.5 - 2.5 years. Except me, because my pudding gives me immortality.


_________________
Zombies, zombies will tear us apart...again.


nick007
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 4 May 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 28,552
Location: was Louisiana but now Vermont in capitalistic military dictatorship called USA

20 Jan 2012, 6:35 pm

I have a chinchilla & it tends to be hot & humid in my area. My parents like to keep the AC on about 78 degrees sometimes but my room in the hottest part of the house. I think they'll be OK if yoru temp stays less than 80 degrees but much hotter could be a problem. She tends to be more active when it's cooler but when I open the blinds near her cage when it's cool; she'll lay down & sun herself so I'm not sure what temp she prefers


_________________
"I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem!"
~King Of The Hill


"Hear all, trust nothing"
~Ferengi Rule Of Acquisition #190
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ru ... cquisition