Status

Our online vet service is live

Hamster vs Rat: Which Pet Should You Get? (With Pictures)

PangoVet_Hamster vs Rat

Hamsters and rats are the most popular small pets. They are both known for being social, and they enjoy spending time with their owners as long as they are regularly and routinely socialized. They both live approximately 2 years and while the rat is a little larger than the hamster, it is also considered easier to train. Rats can be trained to perform various tricks and commands, and they are well known for their ability to find their way out of mazes and around obstacles.

Both of these species make good pets for children, as well as adults, although care must be taken to ensure that your children do not accidentally hurt the small animals. It doesn’t take much to cause serious injury to animals of this size.

The two species are considered similar; they are small, live in cages, enjoy socialization, and can be somewhat trained. Below, we’ll discuss the hamster and the rat so that you can decide which is best for you and your family.

Divider_Hamsters

Visual Differences

Hamster vs Rat - Visual Differences
Image By: Left – Olena Kurashova, Shutterstock | Right – Nikolett Emmert, Pexels

A Quick Overview

Hamster
  • Average Length (adult): 2–6 inches
  • Average Weight (adult): 1–10 oz
  • Lifespan: 2–3 years
  • Grooming needs: Low
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Species-friendly: Rarely
  • Trainability: Minimal
Rat
  • Average Length (adult): 6–12 inches
  • Average Weight (adult): 8–16 oz
  • Lifespan: 2–3 years
  • Grooming needs: Low
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Species-friendly: Yes
  • Trainability: Excellent, highly intelligent

Divider_Hamsters

Hamster Overview

Hamsters are cute little rodents with round bodies and cheeks, fluffy fur, and long whiskers. There are, in fact, many distinct species of hamster, ranging from the tiny Russian dwarf hamster to the Syrian hamster, the latter of which is the most popular of all the subspecies. Chinese hamsters also make popular pets.

The hamster is considered a popular pet because it tends to be friendly, is very cute, and thrives in a cage. While it is sometimes used as a gateway pet to ensure that a child can look after a small animal before getting a cat or dog, it has plenty of character of its own, and its attributes make it a great addition to the home.

Hamster
Image By: Nikki, Pixabay

Personality

Hamsters are solitary creatures. They prefer to be alone, and if you try to keep two male hamsters together, they may try and kill one another once they reach adulthood. With humans, however, they tend to be docile and even friendly. With some socialization, they enjoy being handled and rarely bite. They are nocturnal creatures, so will come alive at night and sleep through the day.

Training

Hamsters are receptive to some training, but it depends on your definition of training. While it is unlikely that you will train your hamster to sit or perform tricks, you can train them good social skills. A young hamster may try and bite you, but with regular and calm handling, they will stop biting. They will also learn where their food is, and they may learn that specific actions occur before feeding. It is possible to train a hamster to come to you for food.

Health and Care

Hamsters usually live 2–3 years. They are prone to certain health conditions, including colds. They may also suffer from a condition called wet tail, which is usually caused by stress. Wet tail is a bacterial infection whose main symptom is diarrhea. Once a hamster is infected, it can die within 72 hours, so early identification and treatment are important.

Hamsters need daily handling to ensure they are well-socialized. Their cages need cleaning out every few days, and you will need to remove soiled bedding every day. The more time you spend looking after your hamster and the habitat, the healthier it will be.

Hamster
Image By: marcelaarrubla0329, Pixabay

Suitable For

Hamsters are suitable for all potential owners who can provide a little time daily to give them love and attention. If you cannot give them daily attention, they may not be suitable pets.

Divider_Hamsters

Rat Overview

Rat
Image Credit: Varga, Pixabay

Rats have grown in popularity in recent years. In terms of aesthetics, they are not as cute as hamsters, and many people are put off by their long tails and the old reputation of being dirty animals. However, rats are as close as you can get to a cat or dog. They are responsive, show love to their owners, are highly intelligent, and can be trained.

Personality

While hamsters can be grumpy, even toward their human owners, rats tend to be much more laid-back. Following early socialization, they rarely bite, and they can live with other rats, usually without fear or trying to kill one another.

Training

Rats are incredibly intelligent animals. They can figure out quite complex problems, and you can use this intelligence to train them. Rats can learn to respond to their name, they can learn some basic commands, and they excel at small problem-solving tasks. They need plenty of time out of their cages and need to be provided with mental stimulation as well as physical stimulation.

Health and Care

Rats can suffer from several common health complaints. They regularly get runny noses and eyes, may have breathing difficulties, and may lose weight. If your rat experiences any of these issues, make an appointment with your vet. Expect your pet rat to live approximately 2 years, and ensure it has clean bedding and a safe environment.

Rat
Image Credit: sipa, Pixabay

Suitable For

Rats are also suitable for any pet owner who wants a small but responsive pet. Rats can be surprisingly affectionate, bond with their owner, and even be taught to perform some basic tasks. They are very intelligent, and if their tail doesn’t put you off, they make excellent pets for people of any age or pet experience.

Divider_Hamsters

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Hamsters and rats are similar in many respects and it will often come down to personal preference to determine which species is better suited to you. Rats are more intelligent, can be more loving, and are less prone to using their teeth, but hamsters are smaller and generally considered cuter, and they will be happy with little more than a wheel in their cages for exercise.

YouTube video

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Top – dep377, Pixabay | Bottom – ErikSmit, Pixabay

Share

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve PangoVet for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

No stressful travel

Personalized advice

Trending Articles

Read more

Related posts

Want to talk with a vet online?

We are here to help. Simply schedule an appointment by clicking on the button below.

Didn't find what you need? Use the search!

Close the search