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Old 10-11-2015, 03:40 PM   #1
Wanna Hamster
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Default Hamsters vs Rats

Hi guys!
So recently I lost my sweet little Syrian named Tori and have finally decided I'm ready for a new pet. I wasn't sure if I wanted a rat or hamster. I have a cage that would be suitable for a pair of male rats or a Syrian ham. I know rats can be very expensive and I have the money for it. I use dust free Aspen shavings mixed with Carefresh. I have a 12" Silent Spinner and many toys that are suitable for both rats and Syrians. But, I just don't know which to get. I do enjoy getting some quality cuddle time with my pets, but I don't know how that would affect things. I have at least an 1 hour and 1/2 of spare time I could easily use playing with my pet and cleaning out its cage. I have good breeders near me that breed hams and rats.
So, what do you think? Should I get another ham or try something new with the rats?
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Old 10-11-2015, 04:06 PM   #2
SmallFluffyBears
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

I don't know much about rats so I cannot really help you. If you haven't had rats before, I'd say go for rats. A change is always good
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Old 10-11-2015, 04:08 PM   #3
virtualkeith
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

Rats seem more sociable than hamsters. From what I've seen, it seems like you can interact with them more. They're apparently quite smart as well. I think their faces are so cute, but for some reason, I can't get past their tails.
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Old 10-11-2015, 04:36 PM   #4
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

From what I've heard rats make lovely pets but their lifespan is about the same as a hamster's and they can be prone to respiratory problems if kept on shavings. However, I have not kept one myself so I can't say for definite that this is the case. A lot of pet shops in my area keep them on wood based cat litter so there may be something in it, I've never really thought to ask.

Do you know anyone with rats that you can have a chat to about what they're like as pets and their pros and cons. If so that might help you with your decision.
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Old 10-12-2015, 01:37 AM   #5
pewmouse
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

First of all, I'm sorry you lost your little Tori.

I have Syrian hams and rats so maybe I can help.

My rats are very social, they are also great fun to watch as they interact with each other and with me. They will sit and watch TV with me and cuddle or I get them out and they play together and keep coming to me for a fuss. All my current boys are rescues and they have come round really well with a bit of trust training. I had a group of rescues as my first rats and they never really got over their fear and they were not really people friendly, which meant I enjoyed watching them play but they never willingly came to me for affection.

As much fun as my rats are I would say they are harder to care for than hamsters. Its probably very similar with care as in cleaning out and feeding but rats are more demanding and also more prone to health issues, in my experience.

It sounds like you have a good rattie set up and if you have a breeder nearby that is even better as you should get healthier rats. I would say look in to a good diet as diet seems to have a big impact on rat health in the long run. I always feed fresh and dry food daily and monitor protein intake. I would say use cardboard based bedding as I used carefresh and it set of resp problems in my boys. I use walmsley premier bedding which is just cardboard squares and it comes in bales as its made for horses.

When I took my first rescues I fed fresh daily along with a Shunamite diet (ratrations in UK), I still have two of those boys at 2 years and 4 months and another lady had several of their siblings, she fed lab blocks only and she lost all of hers before they reached 2 years.

Look into a book called the scuttling gourmet if you go for rats, that's a great source of info on diet.

I really love hams but I'd say go for rats, you can have a really special bond with them
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Old 10-13-2015, 06:04 AM   #6
hrl20100
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

Whaaaa??? What happened to Tori?! :'(
I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope your coping okay! *hugs*

Rats vs Hamsters...
RATS. (I have 8 so I might be a little biased though!)

Which cage do you have? Because I know of a few cages that say they are suitable for rats, but they arn't tall enough. Rats LOVE climbing and need a LOT of room for enrichment.

As for the substrate i'd avoid anything woodbased. My girls are all litter trained, they don't have a substrate and just have litter trays, but I did use fleece for a long time. I have also used recycled paper pellets and chopped up cardboard, much like megazorb.
Many people use a paper based cat litter as its not dusty and has no real scent to it so it doesn't affect their breathing.

Carewise, rats and hamsters are very different.
Rats require a varied diet thats high in protein (around 16%) and they will need additional foods as well such as boiled egg and cooked meats such as chicken to provide them with extra protein (and its a lovely treat for them!)
My rats get a lot of my leftovers as well. They've had chicken pie, christmas dinner, spag bol and various pasta salads. They are designed to eat pretty much anything, though they should be fed rat pellets the majority of the time!
My rats love mealworms, baby food and dried fruit and nuts too

Attention wise, rats need a whole lot more attention than hamsters as you know and must must must be kept in atleast a pair! They need company and without it they can suffer from depression and develop health and behavioural problems.

Rats need a large cage with more height than floor space idealy. Then ropes and enrichment can be hung across the cage giving them things to climb on, mimicking their natural behaviours.
Royal Suite 95 Double Ferret Cage |Great deals at zooplus
This is the cage I have for my 8 girls. Its suitable for up to 12 rats, but 8 is the max i'd have in there at once.
A suitable starter cage is this one:
Furet Plus Rat Cage | Pets At Home
and this is the one I started off with. Its suitable for 2-3 rats, but if you were wanting males, i'd go with something a little larger just because males can get a lot larger than females and so that there is room for them to get away from eachother if there is a scuffle!
I had it with two females in, and did have it with another 3 girls in as well (at another point) and I'd say its better to have 2 ratties in that cage, rather than 3.

Enrichment!
They need a lot of it, go for ropes and cargo nets. Little wooden ledges, hammocks and sputniks are great as well!

Rats make amazing pets, you can train them to do tricks, they can learn their names, they really do want to spend time with you and are honestly very much like dogs! They are incredibly expensive and are prone to respiratory problems and tumours (and they are a little stinky!) but they are worth it!
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Old 10-13-2015, 06:05 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffagrams View Post
Do you know anyone with rats that you can have a chat to about what they're like as pets and their pros and cons. If so that might help you with your decision.
I'm always available to talk about rats, so if you want you can drop me a message!
I'm a little obsessed with the things ahaha
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Old 10-19-2015, 05:01 PM   #8
candycakes75
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

I prefer hamsters over rats, they both are full of personality, but personally i love hamsters
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Old 10-19-2015, 06:18 PM   #9
Wanna Hamster
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

Quote:
Originally Posted by hrl20100 View Post
Whaaaa??? What happened to Tori?!
Sleep tight Tori.

As for the cage, I have the American version of that first cage you linked. I originally bought it for Tori, but she absolutely hated it LOL! Thank you SO much for all the info and help. I think I'm going to use a dust-free paper based bedding for my ratties (right now I'm planning my trip to the humane society). I think it's pretty much final I'm getting rats, but thanks for the help everyone!
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Old 10-19-2015, 11:29 PM   #10
Wisper
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Default Re: Hamsters vs Rats

You won't regret getting ratties they are amazing pets they really respond to you and seem to enjoy the company of people. I still miss mine from over 3 years ago. Don't go into it with a hamster frame of mind, they are more like little dogs.
Its true they got a bit expensive towards the end with vet bills but they were worth it.
All the best with your new friends
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