Rat or Guinea Pig?

Which one?


  • Total voters
    35
  • Poll closed .
Rat they can hang out with you and not run away and you can train them!!
 
I'd definately get him a Rat they are really calm. I had one for about 6 years and he would sit on my shoulder and watch t.v. he was allowed out of his cage in my bedroom and always came back they are very loyal pets. guinea pigs can be abit skittish and shy so not as much fun to play with and own. he can keep the rat in his room which is a much more fun way to keep them.
the stories that rats bite and smell etc are false all animals can be agressive it depends on the way they are treated. most animals treated with love and respect are loving creatures regarless of breed and species. its the nature vs nurture that u need to combat.
 
ditto what is said above about rats. They are one of the most intelligent and loyal animals... a lot of times more so than a dog or cat. They are fairly easily trained to do tricks, and to be potty trained. The quiet factor I think is a big one also. Rats are quiet. I have had guinea pig. The only thing he was trained to do was squeal every time the refrigerator opened. It was enough to drive a person crazy at supper time. (albeit a short trip for me)
 
Besides my fishies, I also have a gerbil, who is kept in one of the "Habitrail" type cages. She once got loose (one of the tubes came loose) and was running around for a day or two.

Caught her when she was sitting in front of the fishie tank enthralled by the fishies.

Got the tubes duct taped now for extra security!
 
If you can abide their looks, rats make better pets. They're smarter, more stable and even tempered (but they're also capable of holding a grudge longer - comes w/ being smarter). They're also quieter & smaller and can handle a tail pick-up.

Guinea pigs are cuter and longer lived (I think 5-6 yrs vs. 2-3+ for most rats).
 
I eat my words. You know, I was just assuming they lived longer because I thought the life expectancy of a guinea pig was 2 years. But, research proves otherwise. They say guinea pigs can indeed live up to 10 years while rats max out at 4 as an average. My mistake....
 
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