What rodent makes the best pet?

In my opinion, guinea pigs are really great pets. Here's some general facts and necessities:

♥ They are better in pairs, so make sure your parents are willing to get two.

♥Their cage needs to be constantly cleaned, and I would recommend a C&C cage. Blue Stone Commerce makes quality cages just for guinea pigs, and they are worth the price. Here's the web site: http://bluestonecages.com/

Pet store cages are usually overpriced and way too small. There are many different options for C&C cages if you are not willing to pay Blue Stone Commerce's price.

♥ Guinea pigs cost $10-40 a pet. Pet stores are an average of $30 a pet. I strongly recommend adopting; it is safer, cheaper, and you are helping an animal in need. When you buy from a pet store, you are supporting selling animals for profit.

♥ Remember, you have to be willing to spend time with your guinea pig every day. I suggest twice a day for 20 minutes at a time. You need to spend time with your guinea pig. I recommend holding him/her with a towel or baby blanket. This protects you from their claws and possible accidents. It also becomes a safe place for your piggie.

♥ Guinea pigs are sweet and adorable. They will only nip if: 1. Your finger is too close to their food and they ACCIDENTALLY bite your finger instead. 2. You are agitating them and not stopping. 3. You stick your finger in their cage and they think you are feeding them.

As long as you are careful, your guinea pig will be friendly and a fun pet.

♥ Get to know your guineapig. Here are some key sounds that you need to listen for as a guinea pig owner: http://www.mgpr.org/newsite/GP_Info/Guinea%20Pig%2...

There are a few more things you need to learn before adopting a guinea pig, or whatever pet you choose. So do your research! I hope this helps, guinea pigs are great pets. Happy New Year's to you and your pets!

How long would be the ideal life expectancy? Chinchillas are adorable pets, but can live for up to 20 years. While it's nice to have a pet which you have for a long time, if you're thinking of immigrating or going on an extended holiday, even in the distant future, they're not for you. Hamsters are lovely creatures, too, but they're on the opposite end of the scale. It's rare for a hamster to live longer than 3 or 4 years, with many of them passing away when they're a couple of years old.

You also don't say whether space is an issue, or if you have any other pets. If you don't have any other pets, I'd suggest getting either a house rabbit or a guinea pig kept indoors. They can be house trained and are fairly easy to keep. Both these animals kept indoors, even if they're not given the run of the house, will be more used to you. Ask anyone who keeps their rabbit or guinea pig indoors how tame they would describe their pet and compare it to a rabbit or guinea pig kept outdoors. Generally, ones kept indoors will be more used to you and will be tamer.

Whichever pet you decide to buy, I strongly recommend you get one from a breeder. I know, right? What a silly idea! But a breeder will handle the animal you're getting often. Animals from pet shops are nearly always bred in a rodent equivalent of a puppy mill, which is why so many are untamed. Yes, you may have to drive a little further, but the animal you're getting will probably be healthier and tamer. (probably prettier, too, but that's less important in the long run) If you want to know why, I suggest you research where the animals from pet stores come from, but I warn you that those pages are grim.

My sister has pet hamsters and mice.....but I would still say that the best type of rodent to have are pet rats. Ignore those stereotypes, as rats are not evil, but are really loving pets. Plus, did you know that out of every small pet, rats are the smartest small pets to ever own. Rats are REALLY clean (unlike mice) and they rarely bite. If you some how come across fancy rats that DO bite, then just tame them. It's very easy and well worth your time. My sister is the only person that owns rodents in our home, and she has never had a rat, but we both know about them like other animals we've never had.

I would say a guinea pig, they're affordable, they have a 5-7 year life span, and they're just so cute! They're also somewhat low maintenance. You have to make sure their water bottle is never empty, give them 2 small handfuls of pellets each day, (1 in the morning, 1 in the night) and keep them always supplied with hay. (I would suggest a hay hanger.) They do bite when you first get them, but as do most animals. Once you get to know them, they will only bite when they feel threatened. If a guinea pig doesn't suit you, I would also suggest a rabbit. They're lagomorphs, not rodents, but they're very close. They're fairly high maintenance, but it's well worth it. They have a 7-13 year life span. All rodents are going to smell, yes, but you can get animal safe air freshener. DO NOT USE HUMAN AIR FRESHENER ANYWHERE AROUND THE ANIMAL!!!! It can poison your lil' friend. Hope this helps! ;)

I have to say rats are the best rodents but I've also had hamsters. If you take good care of them and spend time with them every day they can be very sweet pets. Out of all three hams I've had Pebbles, my Winter White Russian Dwarf hamster was the sweetest. He would fall asleep in my hands and lick me. :( I miss him so much. Hamsters can make great pets but you can't interact with them near as much as rats and they're nocturnal so they like to be played with in the morning and before bed. Hammies are so cute but not all of them are super friendly like the three I had. I hope you find the pet that is best for you. Good luck!

I agree with Guinea Pig, as they are quite large, they can live outside in a suitable hutch. I disagree with a Hamster, as these are nocturnal they can get more grumpy, and you can't hold them as much because they'll be asleep a lot of the time, so you can't hold them as much. And Guinea Pigs are very sweet, and they are not nocturnal so it's easier to hold them during the day. So I recommend a Guinea Pig 100%!

hamsters are the best. i have one. its name is Skittle and its so cute to hold and look at. everything it does is so adorable. it's best to buy a hamster without the red eyes because those happen to bite a lot. but honestly, all hamsters bite sometimes but never often. different hamsters have different behaviour which could lead a hamster to defend itself by biting. but once it gets familiar with its owner, it wont bite.

It really depends on your personel preference. Guinea pigs are nice, but they dont always like to be held. Chinchillas are great pets but they are expensive. Hamsters are really cute, but you dont know what there like until you get them. Rabbits are a mixed bag, some are great, like mine, but some are nasty, like my brothers old one. Gerbils are really cute, but they can be mean. I have had all of them, but my personell favorite is chinchilla. Mine is named cherry, and she will play with me, and also fall asleep in my arms, they are expensive but only at first. I cant garuntee they are all nice, but all the ones ive met are. Good luck with the new addition to your family!!!

Honestly rats and mice are the best but if you can't have them I would recommend ferrets they're playful and loving

Guiena pigs: sweet... dosent bite.... lives 5-7 years... but makes a lot of poop

Hamsters: bite... lives 2-3 years... can't tame.... but sweet and a lot of fun!

Hope this helps!