Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
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Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Thinking of you Pheasantpheasantchick wrote:We had a hamster, until fairly recently. She was cute and I was sad when she died. She was fairly easy to look after - we took her around to a neighbours's house when we went on holiday. We handled her alot as a baby so she didn't bite, unless you had just handled food and still had food smell on your hands,
I still get a little something in my eye when think of our little friend. Miss his little noises, and hammie cuddles.
Copella, good luck with your decision, although sad at his loss, have become a real hamster fan, and a great first pet for little ones. Not quite ready to get a new one yet though.
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Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
We've got loads of gerbils believe it or not they actually have different personalities- I have favourite males and females and haven't really found the gender matched the personality traits good or bad.
Some like being handled, a few like being alone but usually happiest with a sibling.
Some like being handled, a few like being alone but usually happiest with a sibling.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Once again thank you for all of your help. You gave me lots to think about. I spoke to DS yesterday and he seemed happy with the idea of gerbils, but I think we will go to our local pet shop rather than Pets World to take a look as well before making a final decision.
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Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Try Preloved for small pets, too. Some people run rescues for them as well. We've had a couple of rescue gerbils and they were lovely.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Hello... Copella, if you haven't made your decision yet...we started with two female Chinese dwarf hamsters which were very cute and easy to handle and look after, didn't smell and only needed a small cage. I had gerbils as a teenager and mine bit me and also escaped when a neighbour was looking after them and chewed through half of my precious album covers and made a big hole in my rug. So not my favourite rodents.
After much persuasion by our DS we now have two female dumbo rats (yes, rats!) which are amazing - so tame, so intelligent and really part of the family. They have a huge cage and they do smell a bit but we are smitten. I'd definitely recommend the dwarf hamsters as a first pet though and see how you get on. But get the Chinese ones, not Russian or roborovski as they are supposed to be much harder to handle.
After much persuasion by our DS we now have two female dumbo rats (yes, rats!) which are amazing - so tame, so intelligent and really part of the family. They have a huge cage and they do smell a bit but we are smitten. I'd definitely recommend the dwarf hamsters as a first pet though and see how you get on. But get the Chinese ones, not Russian or roborovski as they are supposed to be much harder to handle.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Ok i've made a list and we are going to the shops to have another look and the final one decision will be down to Ds.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Sorry to bring up an old thread...
We love hamsters and guinea pigs but don't do rodents with tails as they make us all feel nauseous for some reason
When we first had gp's - they were outside in summer and in our garage in the winter. However, we made the decision to bring them for a number of reasons...not least of which, was that we actually wanted a pet we could interact with. We purchased 3 indoor cages and have never looked back. They love being round us, are so much more vocal and far tamer than their outdoor counterparts. You really get to know your gp when they're indoors and you know they're safe from the elements and predators. Our current two live in the same cage and love each other very much - anyone thinking of gp's should have two as they're incredibly social animals - unlike Syrian hammies who will kill each other. We also love Syrians and dearly miss every one we've had I'll probably have another hammy but I find gp's easier to control, handle, look after etc and I adore how they talk to you We've rescued three gp's in the past and I highly recommend this to anyone
We love hamsters and guinea pigs but don't do rodents with tails as they make us all feel nauseous for some reason
When we first had gp's - they were outside in summer and in our garage in the winter. However, we made the decision to bring them for a number of reasons...not least of which, was that we actually wanted a pet we could interact with. We purchased 3 indoor cages and have never looked back. They love being round us, are so much more vocal and far tamer than their outdoor counterparts. You really get to know your gp when they're indoors and you know they're safe from the elements and predators. Our current two live in the same cage and love each other very much - anyone thinking of gp's should have two as they're incredibly social animals - unlike Syrian hammies who will kill each other. We also love Syrians and dearly miss every one we've had I'll probably have another hammy but I find gp's easier to control, handle, look after etc and I adore how they talk to you We've rescued three gp's in the past and I highly recommend this to anyone
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Am looking after neighbours three guineas for three weeks this summer so I'll know where to come for advice!! Know nothing any them and don't really like anything smaller than a rabbit!! Hey ho.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Also just to update we decided on hamsters as gerbils looked too rodenty. Have the cage etc and will buy them when we get back from our hols.
Re: Guinea Pig or hamster help needed
Hamsters are much easier to look after than guinea pigs! We have both! If you go away - give the hamster cage to someone - easy! Also guinea pigs live longer approx 5-6 years whereas hamsters up to 2 years! I do prefer guinea pigs though coz they squeak like mad when u cuddle them but more smelly and need hutch plus run and they poo for England!
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!