Which "Pocket Pet" is best?

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

So I am looking for something that is really friendly, loves to be held and won't bite. And also something that isn't smelly/dirty, or too expensive.

Which one suites me best?

Hamster
Rat
Guinea Pig
Ferret
Mouse

Thank you.

 

[animalpro24]

We had a rat about five years ago, She was sweet as can be and very friendly! We have had a dwarf Hamster too, She was sweet and fun to play with and cute!

 

[Kevin565]

i'd have to say ferret. I LOVE my ferret

. He's easy to take care of. Plus he's very affectionate.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I second rat, they are inexpensive, way easier to keep than a ferret and as long as you handle them a lot from when they are little they are very friendly.

 

[NellaBean]

Rat. Have had rats, mice, hamster. Hamsters like to bite and are nocturnal so less fun for normal people. Mice were fun but more in a "tolerates handling" way. Rats were fun to play with, would actually show enthusiasm for handling or people, come up to the front of their cage to visit and would sit on our shoulders forever.

No experience with ferrets or guinea pigs.

 

[yadaguhtoo]

I would go with a rat, they are very friendly ecspecially the males. I have had hamsters, rats, mice and ferrets. Ferrets are very fun but they do have an odor all the time even if you bathe them often and clean their cage everyday. Hamsters and mice that I have had are not nearly as friendly. Yep rats are the best! I would get another except I have 4 cats now and would not take a chance on tragedy. they really do become your little friend.

 

[DuckLover2399]

Quote:
FERRETS STINK! I KNOW I HAD ONE LOL

 

[Stacykins]

Rats are absolutely wonderful pets who LOVE their owners so much! BUT you can't have just one! They are social animals and will suffer mentally if they don't have a rat companion. You can keep same sex pairs!

 

[HEChicken]

I used to keep rats and found they were far better pets than I expected. I had one who I would bring upstairs everyday when I got home from work. She made a "rule" that cats weren't allowed on the couch and would chase them off any time they tried. When I put down a saucer of tuna juice for the cats, she decided it was hers and they weren't allowed to have any until she was done. She never pottied upstairs, but when she needed to go potty, would hop down the 14 stairs to the basement and climb into her cage by herself. She's stay there then, and all I had to do was go down and close up the cage. I even used to take her outside with me where she'd gather mulberries under the tree. She came when called, bounding through the grass to get to me. I cried harder when she died than I have for any other pet.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

I've had them all except a ferret (will have to wait for that). I've by far enjoyed rats the most, even though I love them all. It depends what will work best with you and what you are looking for though. Rats that are given lots of attention are pint sized puppies, and will come when you call them. You can have a single male (get him a cagemate though if he shows any signs of stress, ie. self barbering), but females do not do well alone. They are still very social and bond strongly to people even if you keep a whole group of them together, unlike most animals. Females are very, very prone to mammary tumors though, and that can be hard on the wallet and the heart.