Which "Pocket Pet" is best?

[Stacykins]

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Gerbils are crepuscular, it means they are active most around dawn and dusk

Diurnal means most active during daylight hours, nocturnal during nighttime.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

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LOL! No, but they love to curl up in a shirt pocket. They will glide from one person's shoulder to another persons. And they have tons of personality.

 

[CupOJoe42]

I've had:

3 hamsters that were great - never bit anyone (some breeds are less nippy than others)
6 guinea pigs that were fairly friendly
a hedgehog that was adorable but needed a lot of handling to be friendly
2 ferrets that were fun but would nip and steal things.
9 cats (at most 3 at a time) that were absolute marshmallows (except for 1 that was a total psycho)
8 dogs that were total marshmallows
1 bunny that was friendly

All animals can become very stinky if you don't maintain their living conditions regularly.

My chicks are extremely friendly so far (and I am not a bird person, per say) and love to fly on my arms and shoulders to great me or get some snuggles. I never knew they could be so friendly!

Some day I want to have a pet skunk. I would probably have a menagerie if DH would let me, as I love almost ALL animals!!

 

[chickensioux]

I have had rats and mine were alot of fun and very smart. Affectionate too.

 

[Inkheart]

Rats make awesome pets - especially if handled from a young age - and they are super smart ---and can be affectionate

 

[Countrypunk92]

I have chinchillas.

 

[Shadera]

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LOL! No, but they love to curl up in a shirt pocket. They will glide from one person's shoulder to another persons. And they have tons of personality.

Yes! I raised a nest of babies several years ago and they were the most fun little critters. They always wanted to be in the tallest "tree", so if someone else stood up in the room they'd go running across the floor to scurry up you. During the holidays when the tree was up, that was a hoot. LOL

OP, have you considered rabbits at all? Some of the breeds are quite small, and they can be soooo sweet. Mini rex especially are one of my favorites.

 

[bagendhens]

i like sugar gliders and flying squirrels but honestly i wouldnt say they make good pets for most people...
they dont enjoy being held and snuggling, instead your a climbing frame...as someone else pointed out...your the tree, theyll climb you, theyll find nooks and crannies ot curl up in and sleep but in the end they arnt what id call "tame" they dont realy "need" your interaction like a rat does, instead your there, you feed me and your soemthign to climb...

its not that there bad aniamls to keep, there adorable and fun...
its just when someone mentones likes being held and cuddly ( and not too expensive) gliders and flying squirrels exit the list pretty quickly lol

 

[mom'sfolly]

I've had or handled most of these animals. I would say rats every time. There is a reason they are the go to animal for pyschological testing; they are smart, clean and easy to handle. If you have any type of animal allergies, avoid guinea pigs. They are highly allergic animals. Hamsters, gerbils and mice all are very small and hard to socialize. They are also not very smart so that the interaction would be limited. I think ferrets have their good points, but they have many bad points that have already been listed here.

 

[carolinagirl58]

I have had all of them and rats are by far the best pets. They are very intelligent and enjoy human interaction.