Small & Furry . . . What rodent makes the best pet?

Hmmm... It's been way too long for me to give my opinion on rabbits (although they're pretty easy to take care of)...

HOWEVER- I don't suggest getting a hampster. I LOVED my hampster when I was a kid! But they have like a 3-yr lifespan (IF they're lucky) and that can be traumatic. LOL I won't ever get my kids one. I'd suggest maybe getting something slightly bigger (ie rat, rabbit, etc) so that if it gets loose you'll have a better chance of finding it.

Good luck though! I can't wait until we can get pets!

rabbits stink. literally! and they are messy if you train them to use a litter box. our rabbit was tempermental and would purposly tip the litter box when he was mad.

hampsters are easy to care for, but some done have the best life span. i had a few as a kid as and they died quickly. but we got one for my DD and he lasted almost 3 years, through my daughters torture and he got out of the cage a few times (our fault) and he survived days without food.

we used to have mice when i was a kid and they always bit us. they were mean!

other then that i dont know anything about the other furry rodents

When i was little I also had a hamster made a great pet but like everyone says they dont live that long. I also later on got a ferret and loved it.

Rats are the best especially if u get them as a baby, and hand raise them. You can train them, and they are really self sufficient too. I trained my rat to only go potty in her cage only, to come, and how to eat out of my hand, not to bite.  She loved to clean my ears mouth and nose, lol. She also knew how to go in and out of her cage.

I've had tons of rabbits and LOVE them, however, some don't adapt or take to the person, like any animal, so you need to see how the rabbit behaves around your son. If it'll run and hide or come up to him. 

I had one that was absolutely wonderful. It was a jackrabbit. Big one. I would let him out of his cage to hop around the yard and he would come to me when I called, like a dog or a cat. They can also be litter box trained.  I also had one that would run away from me every chance she got. That was a floppy eared rabbit. I ended up giving that one away when my gray one died (my favorite) because it just never took to me and it killed all its babies.

My daughter has a guinea pig. She's on her 3rd and they seem to be really good pets.

Guinea Pigs are LOUD. I had hamsters as a kid, some that I loved and a few that bit. Gerbils I didn't like, the two I had bit no matter how much I held them. I have always wanted a rat. I hear they make great pets. 

Yes, Guinea Pigs can be loud but I think it's cute because my daughter's piggy squeeks for attention or when she's excited to see my daughter.  They don't squeek alot, only when they really want something.

Quoting Jynnifer292:

Guinea Pigs are LOUD. I had hamsters as a kid, some that I loved and a few that bit. Gerbils I didn't like, the two I had bit no matter how much I held them. I have always wanted a rat. I hear they make great pets. 

Quoting miss_hughes:

rabbits stink. literally! and they are messy if you train them to use a litter box. our rabbit was tempermental and would purposly tip the litter box when he was mad.

hampsters are easy to care for, but some done have the best life span. i had a few as a kid as and they died quickly. but we got one for my DD and he lasted almost 3 years, through my daughters torture and he got out of the cage a few times (our fault) and he survived days without food.

we used to have mice when i was a kid and they always bit us. they were mean!

 

other then that i dont know anything about the other furry rodents

I read that about rabbits!  I saw some really cute ones at the Humane Society and did a little research and that's what I read.  I was hoping it wasn't true . . . but alas, I think it is. 

Sounds like you haven't had the best of luck with small furry animals! 

Quoting MommytoAlexis08:

When i was little I also had a hamster made a great pet but like everyone says they dont live that long. I also later on got a ferret and loved it.

See, I'm kind of thinking the short lifespan might be a good thing.  Does that make me a bad person?  ;)

Quoting usmchoney:

Rats are the best especially if u get them as a baby, and hand raise them. You can train them, and they are really self sufficient too. I trained my rat to only go potty in her cage only, to come, and how to eat out of my hand, not to bite.  She loved to clean my ears mouth and nose, lol. She also knew how to go in and out of her cage.

Where do you get a baby rat?  Is it hard to train them?  I've heard they are very smart and lots of fun.