I want a pet. Are gerbils better? Or hamsters?

Question

I wanted a pet hamster until I found out that they are nocturnal and solitary. I've been thinking about gerbils but I need more input. Lifespan, behaviour etc. is what I'd like to know. How much would a gerbal/hamster cost per month and which is the better pet? What toys and cage equipment would I need to purchase for a happy pet?

Answer 1

I MUCH prefer gerbils, I've had both and I think hamsters are a bit more common and boring. Here's my reasons:



1. Gerbils bite far less than hamsters, in fact they very very rarely bite.



2. Hamsters sleep all day and are up at night, where as gerbils take short naps during the day and night, so they're always ready to play when you are!



3. Gerbils naturally adapted in the desert, so they produce very little waste, MUCH less waste than hamsters. This also means you only need to clean out a gerbil cage approx. once a month, whereas hamsters need to be cleaned out more.



4. They eat and drink less than hamsters. This along with point 3 will actually save you money.



5. Gerbils need to live in pairs or small groups, 2 gerbils living together form an incredible bond! But you must buy at least 2 - a single gerbil is a lonely gerbil, and a lonely gerbil generally has a shorter life expectancy. Most species of hamster are better off living along because they're more aggressive and more likely to fight than gerbils.



6. Gerbils love to burrow, they need a cage with a deep base (e.g. a gerbilarium or tank) so they can have lots of sawdust to burrow and play around, they're fascinating to watch, and they're so clever!



7. Last but not least, a hamsters life expectancy is around 2 years old. With good care gerbils live up to the age of 5. My two gerbils are 4 years old and still going strong :)





I went from having a russian dwarf hamster to having 2 amazing gerbils. Of course I loved my little hamster to bits, but having experienced both, I'd pick gerbils any day! For a cage try a "gerbilarium" they have a deep base for lots of sawdust so they can dig :) You can purchase wooden toys, but avoid plastic because gerbils chew it up FAST, but actually I found that my gerbils liked the free toys! They love nothing more than a toilet roll or kitchen roll tube, pretty much anything cardboard goes down great, in fact my gerbils seem to prefer the free cardboard toys than anything I've ever purchased them!

Answer 2

Don't get a puppy simply 'reason your different puppy is getting "uninteresting". If you REALLY wish a gerbil and your moms and dads will can help you have it and you're certain you're going to be entirely dependable then YES! That is quality. But if you happen to wish whatever simply seeing that you're bored together with your hamster, then I do not consider getting a gerbil will aid. In time you're going to regularly uncover a gerbil practically as uninteresting as a hamster after which you'll be able to have 2 pets to maintain. I do not imply this to sound like a sermon, rather I do not. If you rather love gerbils then via all way pass forward! But simply seeing that you're bored together with your hamster doesn't suggest you must get a gerbil. Good success, Sids

Answer 3

Gerbils are better because they love people. Their nosy little sweet creatures, and if there kept in pairs, there behavior will be calm. For begginers 1 gerbil is best. They live up to 3-4 years and a cage for a gerbil (and hamster) is around 25$. A gerbil is around 10$ and litter is 3-5$. There favorite toys are toilet paper tubes or cardboard. That'll keep 'em busy for a while. Per month it'll be just the litter cost if you run out because you need to clean their cage once a week. And for the cage just buy a 2 floor house. That's all you need particularly! Hope i helped.!!

Answer 4

I have had both and I prefer gerbils of russian dwarf hamsters, both like to be in pairs or groups and both are great pets. But my favourites are gerbils. They don't sleep all day or all night, they have constant naps that usually fit around when you're in and out, so they are often awake when you want to play! You need a gerbilarium, or a big aquarium. You fill it to just above half way with bedding, as they always dig and make burrows in it. You don't really need any toys as they enjoy burrowing and playing in and around them. You feed them gerbil food from pet shops and occasionally pieces of fruit or veg (some are really bad for them so be careful). They live around 3-4 years, a little longer than hamsters, but one of mine lived to almost 6! They are really friendly creatures once tamed and mine used to love climbing into my pockets and sleeping in them. The per monthly cost depends on where you are, but I'd say just under £10. I hope I helped :)

Answer 5

It's good to get a gerbil that was handled since being young. Gerbils nor hamsters are the most social pet, but a well handled gerbil can be nice to have.

Answer 6

I've never had a gerbil, but I have had a hamster. They are cute pets but they are loud and mine would sometimes escape it's cage, so we would always have to go searching around the house for it.