mice, gerbils or hamsters?

Question
Hi, I want to get some rodents either a pair of gerbils, a pair of syrian or cambells dwarf hamsters or a pair or trio of fancy mice, is any one better then the other? I am aware of housing needs/compatability and such. Would any type be better as a bedroom pet then the others? I will be cleannig the cage offen once or twice a week and will be using aspen shavings will anyone smell worse then the other? anyones unbareable? please let me know, thanks.

Answer
Hi,

Well, if you want more than one in the same cage, that rules out Syrian hamsters.  They're solitary and must be kept by themselves, so you would have to get 2 cages for 2 hamsters.

I've had all types that you mentioned, and there are many pros for each, and not many cons.  As far as gerbils - Pros: Gerbils make great pets.  They're lively and curious, and it's a blast to watch them play.  They're very sanitary, also.  They're desert animals, so they don't urinate a lot (and like hamsters, they can be potty trained), and then tend to defecate in one area, which makes for a very easy cleanup and no smell.  Two males or two females get along great.  They also tend to live up to 3 years.  Cons: Gerbils take a little longer to get accustomed to you.  However, once they are, they'll usually never run from your hand.  Also, they're very fast, so they wouldn't be good for children.  They would need to be housed in aquariums, as they would chew up plastic cages.  You need to make sure to give them toilet paper rolls, chew sticks, and cardboard egg cartons very frequently since their teeth grow so fast.

As for mice - Mice also make great pets.  They have many of the same qualities as gerbils; they're lively, curious, and friendly, and they should be kept in same-sex pairs.  Mice can be potty-trained, also.  They just take a little longer to learn.  They do not tend to defecate in one area, though.  The average lifespan of a mouse is 1 1/2-2 years.  They can be housed in any good quality cage.  As long as they have chew sticks, they should not chew on plastic.

As for dwarf hamsters - Whenever I've had a Campbell's Dwarf, I've noticed they tend to be more aggressive - not in a bad way, however.  I've had only females, so this may be the case.  I've heard and read that males are more docile.  I've had great luck with Siberian hamsters (the tiny grey ones with faint dorsal stripes).  They've all been incredibly gentle and sweet.  They can easily be potty-trained.  They work great in same-sex pairs.  If, however, you wanted to breed dwarf hamsters, you could get a male and a female, and the male would help the female take care of the offspring.  (That's always nice!)  The average lifespan is around 2 years.

Syrian hamsters - Great first pets, easily potty trained, very entertaining.  Females are more aggressive, and males are more quiet.  It just depends on your personal preference.  The biggest mistake people make is putting more than one in a cage.  I always have to stress this because so many people do this.  Adult Syrian hamsters will fight, often to the death, if they're in the same cage.  The average lifespan is 2-2 1/2 years, although they can live up to 3.

Absolutely none are unbearable :)  It just depends on what you personally want in a pet.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly