Guinea pigs are considered the sweetest and most social of the pet rodents.
The largest of the rodents commonly kept as pets, their size and gentle temperament make guinea pigs popular. They are social, unlikely to bite, and do well in same sex pairs or groups. They can also be more vocal than other rodents.
Rats and guinea pigs are mainly tame animals that can also be picked up. Mice, dwarf hamsters and gerbils on the other hands are difficult to manage and therefore less suitable for children. Chinchillas do not like to be handled too much either.
Mice are one of the easiest pets to own because they have minimal space needs and do not require attention. They do, however, enjoy companionship with other mice, so purchasing multiple can keep your pet happy. A pet mouse will usually live for 1 to 3 years.
The friendliest rodents are either gerbils or rats, while hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils are the most popular. We feel that gerbils as the best rodent pet for children. They don't smell, and they're small, playful, and fluffy. Gerbils are intelligent small pets that can be trained to do tricks.
Meet the capybara - the world's largest rodent, which also appears to be the friendliest critter on earth.
The most cuddly rodent pet is the rat. Rats can develop strong bonds with their owners, and they enjoy being stroked and held. Gerbils are also sociable, but they rarely sit still for cuddles. The least affectionate rodent pets are chinchillas and mice, as they are more shy and timid small animals.
Gerbils are a great choice for young children. They're easy to care for, not nocturnal and tend to bite less than hamsters. They're fast though, which can make handling tricky for very young children. They live for around two years and dislike very humid environments.
Hamster. The classic hamster, and the most popular pet rodent by a large margin. They are more rounded compared to other rodents and have short legs and a stubby tail. Hamsters can be classified into 2 different categories; Syrian (regular sized) and dwarf hamsters.
The least stinky rodent pet is a gerbil or chinchilla. They are desert creatures, so they rarely drink and urinate. Their poops are dry and odorless. Provided that you remove waste when you see it, the cage shouldn't smell too bad.
But what exactly do mice and rats hate to smell? Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, ammonia, bleach, and mothballs.
Many people believe that astringent, menthol, and spicy odors are effective in keeping mice away. This makes peppermint oil, chili powder, citronella, and eucalyptus the most common natural rodent repellents. Chemical smells, such as ammonia, bleach, and mothballs also work as mice deterrents.
Rats and mice are highly intelligent rodents. They are natural students who excel at learning and understanding concepts. Rats are considerably smaller than dogs, but they are at least as capable of thinking about things and figuring them out as dogs are!
(GIRL POWER!) If you're looking for a close "I really love you" kind of relationship, a mouse may not be the best option if you're on the fence between a mouse and a rat. Of course, mice can be handled and should be. But they're probably not going to be as affectionate or responsive as your rattie rat would likely be.
Cats have been known to help with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and more, just like dogs. If you're looking for a pet that requires a little less attention, a cat might be your best bet. They still make for great companions, but they're also okay with being alone for a while.
Parakeets (also called budgies) can be a good option when it comes to pets for kids. “They're fairly low-maintenance, not super messy and don't take up a lot of space,” says Dr. Hess. She explains that by the age of 7, children start to understand how to be gentle with pets and can actively engage in their bird's care.
A chinchilla's fur is considered the softest in the world: 30 times softer than human hair! This medium-sized rodent also evolved its fluffy fur to live in a harsh climate, this time the cold heights of the Andean mountains of western Chile.
Santa Catarina's Guinea Pig (Cavia intermedia) has the smallest geographical distribution of any known mammal. It occurs on a 10-ha island within the coastal archipelago of Moleques do Sul in Santa Catarina State, Brazil.
Hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, and guinea pigs are the most common rodents kept as pets. They make good first pets for young children and as a rule require minimal care. Compared to dogs and cats, they have a shorter life span (two to six years for most, but chinchillas can live for up to 20 years).
Hamster vs Mouse: Behavior
Hamsters are also very friendly and easygoing, while mice tend to be more shy and curious overall, warming up to their owners in time. While it will depend on the individual rodent, many pet hamsters require more exercise than mice.
Rats tend to enjoy being with other rats and are less territorial and less aggressive in social situations. Mice are generally more averse to interaction with other mice and show more aggressive behavior in social situations with other mice.
Rats also fear predators such as hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Other animals that rats are afraid of include your cat as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents. Rats fear becoming a meal for a snake.
All you need to do is mix 2 – 2 and a half cups of ammonia, 100 – 200 mL of water and a 2-3 spoonful of detergent in a bowl. Then, put it to places where rats are usually seen. The smell of ammonia is very pungent that it instantly kills rats.