Hamsters and rats are both popular pets among children and adults. They share many similarities, but also have their differences. It can be difficult to decide whether you want to bring home a new pet hamster, or welcome a new pet rat to the family. For those of you battling this decision and wondering, ‘‘how are rats and hamsters different as pets?’’ we have everything you need to know here:
Happy Hamsters
While caring for a hamster isn’t particularly difficult, it does help to have a basic understanding of what you’re getting into when you keep one as a pet. Hamsters are active creatures, but they’re nocturnal meaning they sleep through the day and emerge at night. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to keep your hamster cage in any room apart from a bedroom (otherwise they’ll keep you awake all night as they rummage, nibble and play).
Hamsters usually live for up to two years although some may live for longer. It’s also important to know when hamsters hibernate. Both wild and pet hamsters hibernate over the winter months for as long as it is under 18°C.
There are currently more than 25 different species of hamster in the world, but when it comes to pet hamsters there are 3 main breeds you need to know about: Syrian, Dwarf and Chinese.
- Syrian hamsters are the largest at 15-20cm long, weighing between 150-200g. They’re also the most common and come in various colours, patterns and hair types. Syrian hamsters must always be kept alone as they are solitary animals.
- Dwarf hamsters are usually between 5–12cm long and come in a range of colourings. Due to their social nature, dwarf hamsters are friendlier and more comfortable when kept in pairs or small groups (same sex or mixed).
- Chinese hamsters are also classed as Dwarf as they only grow to around 12cm long. They have a slightly longer tail than other breeds and typically come in a couple of colour variations, normal and the dominant spot (white spots). Similarly to the Syrian breed, Chinese hamsters aren’t naturally sociable and are better kept alone.
Before you bring a new hamster home, you’ll need to set up their cage and ensure they have access to food and water with a separate place for their bedding. They’ll also need toys and a hamster wheel to keep them entertained.
Hamsters love to eat pellets (which you can buy from pet shops), small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as herbs and hay. As an occasional treat, hamsters enjoy nuts (walnuts, almonds and pine nuts) and even boiled egg! Hamsters don’t like to eat leftovers so remember to refresh their food on a daily basis, keeping their bowl about three-quarters full.
Hamsters love to chew on things so make sure they have something to gnaw on (a simple toilet roll holder will keep them happy). You can also buy durable toys from pet shops (tunnels, swings, steps, seesaws, balls, wheels… you name it!).
You’ll need to clean your hamster cage on a weekly basis (it can get pretty smelly if not!). If, however, you have more than one hamster in the same cage, then #RookesRecommends cleaning it out at least twice a week.
Buying one hamster will only set you back around £15 however you will need to spend more initially for the cage, bedding and food etc. Thereafter, hamsters cost very little to keep (they’re small creatures that don’t eat or excrete much, so replenishing their food and changing their bedding will be minimal).
Hamsters make excellent pets for several reasons; they don’t require a lot of attention and get enough exercise from running on their wheel. Plus, they’re very cute! But be warned, hamsters are prone to biting when handle so may not be an appropriate choice for young children looking for something to cuddle.
Regal Rats
Rats have a similar body shape to hamsters, but they’re larger with longer tails (their tails often grow longer than the length of their bodies!). In addition, whereas hamsters come in a variety of colours, rats are usually one solid color. Rats are more intelligent than hamsters and subsequently require more mental and physical stimulation. They also enjoy interaction with their humans and can become depressed if they go without attention.
The average body length of an adult rat is between 23-28cm, and the average body weight is 350-450g for a female and 450-650g for a male.
Unlike hamsters, rats don’t typically hibernate during the winter months. But they are nocturnal and so nighttime is when pet rats are most active. Plus rats can bite; especially when threatened or startled (for example when you put your hand inside their cage). We have touched on this already, but rats are social creatures and they need the company of other rats – they’re much happier with a playmate or two. But you must remember to buy same-sex rats otherwise you’ll soon have a lot more than two!
There are so many colour varieties of rats. Some of our favourites here at Rooke’s include pink eyed white, champagne, chocolate, buff, platinum, quicksilver, British blue and mink! Rats live for around 2 years which may feel like a short time in comparison to other pets, but they are still a big responsibility and commitment.
When it comes to creating a home for your pet rats, you’ll need to invest in various items including:
- A cage (rats should be housed in a large cage with multiple levels for them to explore).
- Bedding (hay, shredded paper, paper strips or paper tissues work well).
- Food (rats should be fed a combination of fresh fruits and vegetables and small amounts of good quality rat pellets or rat cubes).
- A stainless steel bowl (for their food).
- A water bottle/dispenser.
- A nest box (for sleeping).
- Toys to keep them entertained (a plain brown bag will keep them occupied for a while).
Droppings, uneaten food and soiled areas of bedding should be removed from your rat’s cage every day. #RookesRecommend a rat’s cage is cleaned twice a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing down other areas with warm, soapy water. You’ll also need to have high-quality rat blocks in their cage for them to gnaw on to keep their growing teeth trimmed.
Rats tend to be a little more expensive than hamsters and are usually between £15 to £25. You’ll still have to spend some money on initial costs like their cage and there are other expenses to consider too including food, toys and possible vet fees.
Now, if you’re wondering ‘‘can rats and hamsters live together’’ then we’re sorry to say the answer is no. Hamsters are very territorial and if roomed with a rat can become stressed and even start fighting. While hamsters are smaller and cheaper to buy, they don’t need or want much fuss from their owners so they make the perfect pet for people with limited time.
Rats, however, will appreciate your company and would therefore make a great pet for someone with time to spare. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a large space to home your rat’s cage and you’ll definitely need to have at least two of them.
Our helpful Rooke’s team are on hand if you have any questions or need any other small animal advice. Why not pop in to see them?