Next Pet after Hamsters?

[Puchiko]

So I've gone from having fish to having Hamsters now and am looking at something larger for my next pet. I've read Guinea pigs make great pets and size wise they seem one step up from my syrian hamsters. I would really like a pet that is more socialable than my hamsters who merely tolerate me. I love my hammys and don't plan on getting rid of them to be clear, but want something that more than a one way relationship.

I was curious how much more care/attention do they need compared to a hamster? I know that you should get two of them so they don't get lonely which would be a nice change from solitary hamsters. Cleaning after my hamsters is pretty much a breeze since they all wee in their sand box so I only have to change their bedding once a month. But after seeing how much poo and pee was all over the cages in some of the pet stores and accounts of how stinky they can be from other owners I'm not sure if thats something I want to deal with.

Cost really isn't an issue, just the amount of cleaning involved I spose. I've never had a dog/cat (am am not allowed to have one either) so I can't really relate to the amount of care those require.

Or is their something better than a Guinea pig that is just a socialable and possibly lower maintenance? I defintely do not want a ferret/chinchilla/degu/sugar glider though. Rabbits look so cute but can be pretty fiesty it seems.

[Silver]

Have you considered Gerbil's?

I know they are not bigger than a Syrian but need to be kept in groups or pairs. I'm afraid my knowledge of them ends there!

Silver xxx

[vanilla-yazoo]

silvers suggestion of gerbils is quite a good one
they live longer more like 4-6 years then the hamsters 2-3, they do best in pairs, are very active and enjoy digging, but are not nippy and can be handled.

rats also make great pets, but they have to be kept very clean as they often get infections from shavings and beddings, they must be in a pair or more, but are a rewarding pet. not had them myself but intrested.

guinea pigs i dislike because of the noise and fragility, but they are a nice pet, those who know more can help.

I have a pair of mini lop rabbits who have me completely tied around their lil paws, friendly and cuddly, they do need space tho.

have you heard of pigmy hedgehogs? they are often kept in zz2 style cages with wheels, they are quite fun little characters, i belive its 3-5 years expectancy, they can be costly but are a very different pet.

I have also looked into chinchillas and sugar gliders, chinchillas seem niece pets, but the sugar gliders are so fragile a lot of prior knowledge is needed.

I have kept hamsters for nearly 2 decades, and wont ever be without one, you dont need to upgrade if its a pet you love and enjoy.

I will be getting dogs in a few years time, when we are in the new house, and everyone is settled, I will still have the hams, but a lower number.

[fluffymunchkins]

Gerbils are lovely, but are not cuddley pets in the slightest! They love to watch you and will use you as a climbing frame, but they prefer not to be handled

Guinea pigs I've found similar, they love to interact with you (take treats, have strokes etc.) but hate being picked up and instinctively run away. Though I have had pigs that will sit on your lap quite happily, so it could depend on the pig. They do poo a lot The pig I holiday sit requires daily spot cleaning to stop her hutch from getting too dirty.

What I will reccomend is rats Not everyone is a fan, but after going to a show and handling friends rats I was smitten! I haven't owned them myself yet, but I'm sure other owners will tell you about how they love to play and ride on your shoulder.

What species of hamster have you owned? I feel some species suit certain people more than others x

[Silver]

Going the completely different direction have you thought about mice?

Just that they are up & about in the day, live happily in groups or pairs except males that need to be kept alone.

Silver xxx

[purple_x]

My mice are never awake in the daytime!
Males can live in pairs (you just have to keep a closer eye on them in case they fight) or you can get them neutered and put them with some females
Mice are lovely little pets but I wouldn't say they were cuddly or anything, mine all prefer to climb all over me and dash about playing, no mousey cuddles for me !!

I know people who have rats though and they say that they fall asleep on them which is sweet so I want rats at some point.

[Kissa]

Out of curiosity, why have you discounted ferrets/chinchillas/degus?

[mangoandmimi]

I'd also recommend gerbils
Cuddly.. absolutely not, if you want a cuddle monster you're best sticking to guinea pigs or male syrians My pigs do not tolerate being picked up, but once they're in your lap they're no trouble and just sit there quite happily. They just don't like being moved haha.
If you hadn't discounted degus i would have recommended rats also, my friend has them and oh god i love them to pieces.

[Ren]

I'll be getting mice or rats next if I don't just continue with hamsters. I don't want guinea pigs because they're extremely dirty and you basically have to clean up after them every single day. They also live a very long time and I just don't know where I'll be in 5-10 years. Rats are absolutely lovely and social and adorable and intelligent. It is extremely sad that they don't live a bit longer but I plan to have a colony of boys or girls sometime in the near future. Mice take less effort and energy so I might get those while I'm in Uni instead of rats-- who knows! They're just as adorable and sweet and less needy than rats.

[Puchiko]

I've had Syrian (male and female) hamsters, Robos (Female) and for a very short time a couple of White Winter Dwarfs. I currently only have the Syrians.

I don't really like gerbils as the big front teeth and long tail creep me out (which is why I ruled out Degus because they look like really big gerbils). And hearing they aren't cuddly doesn't help either. I've seen mice and rats in petstores and they just don't do anything for me. I guess I still associate them as pests more than pets because I grew up in a house infested with mice in the walls. Ferrets/Chinchillas run about $150 so that is a way bit out of my price range and they really don't interest me either.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will probably take a closer look at the gerbils my hamster breeder has the next time I visit him. My petstore options are limited to Petco/Petsmart and a local mom and pop petstore that should be shut down for inhumane conditions.