Gerbil or hammie?

[Pat]

Okay, I'm thinking about adopting either a dwarf hamster or a gerbil, question is, I'm stumped about which one. I'm hopeing someone with experience with either one or both could answer a couple questions I've got.


1. Since they'll be in a ten gallon glass aquarium, would that be big enough for two gerbils? I've heard it would be large enough, but it looks rather small.....

2. Do dwarf hammies smell more than gerbils? I heard with gerbils you clean the whole tank about once every one or two weeks, with hammies more than once a week.

3. Does one bite (or nibble!) more than the other?

4. Which one lives longer??


Hope this isn't too long, but any info would be much appreciated!

[LuvPets]

Okay, I'm not going to be much help, but I'll share what I know!! I have hammies--Syrian. They need to be kept alone, however, dwarves can be kept together. Obviously keep same sex together to avoid babies!!! In my experience, dwarves bite more than Syrian, but Syrians need adjustment time to get used to you and your smell. I personally prefer bin cages over anything. You can buy a plastic tote and I got instructions off the internet on how to make the lid--very easy, cheap, roomy, and easy to clean!! I use CareFresh bedding. It's a little more expensive than other types, but it is very good at odor control. I have my hams potty trained so I only have to clean the "toilet" every evening and the cage bedding stays clean for a couple of months!! A Syrian's lifespan is about 2-3 yrs with proper care. I don't know anything about gerbils, so I can't give you any comparison. If you have any more questions, feel free to message me! I have pics of my cages in my albums if you want to check them out for references!! Hope I helped a little!!

[Kendalle]

gerbils live longer i'm pretty sure. Both can be friendly but gerbils can be touched more.

[Pat]

I didn't know it was possible to train a Syrian...hats off to you!
I'd thought about adopting one, but had second thoughts because of their size, because of space problems I couldn't get anything bigger than a ten gallon aq.

I'd heard glass was better since it doesn't scratch like plastic, but I'll take a look at some bin cages too.

Well thanks for the advice, I'll take a look at some of your photos!

[LuvPets]

Not a problem!! I'm happy to help--even if just a little!!!!

[Jess]

I think you should go with a single dwarf hamster- You cage is too small for a syrian, I doubt that is enough space for 2 dwarves to get along, and 2 hyper gerbils should have at least a 20 gallon. Why dont you try a male russian winter white/siberian dwarf? All hamsters nip, but Ive found these to be the calmest dwarf breed, and they are easier to handle. They dont smell as long as you keep up with cleaning. As for life span, gerbils in general can live a tad longer, but hamsters can live just as long if you take good care of them... my RWW/Siberian dwarf lived 3 1/2 years! Theyre adorable lil things!

[Pat]

Hmmm, that's pretty much along the lines I was thinking too. I'd heard gerbils could live in a ten gallon but I didn't think they'd choose to.
Winter Whites had been my first pick, but I'd heard they're rather rare. I'd seen a couple at my Petsmart recently, should have adopted them then, I'm hopeing there will be more soon.

One more question for whoever can answer it, do dwarves really need another dwarf for a companion? I've heard it both ways, so if you've had any experience one way or the other feel free to let me know....

[LuvPets]

I know they prefer a cage mate, but I don't know if they need one!!

[Jess]

Its always nice to have a buddy, but they dont NEED one. Ive had plenty of single RWW dwarves that where still very happy.

[Pat]

Okay, thanks guys! Guess sometime this summer I'll see if I can adopt a WW! If I see two at Petsmart who look pretty attached to each other I'll adopt them both, but we'll see.

I've heard they're the calmer of the dwarf breeds, which is a plus, and they're sooo cute.......

Thanks for the tips, very much appreciated!

[rach17]

1. Since they'll be in a ten gallon glass aquarium, would that be big enough for two gerbils? I've heard it would be large enough, but it looks rather small.....
i have had gerbils and i raised a pair and babies in a 10 gallon, its big enough

2. Do dwarf hammies smell more than gerbils? I heard with gerbils you clean the whole tank about once every one or two weeks, with hammies more than once a week.
i don't think gerbils smell at all, but that's just me.

3. Does one bite (or nibble!) more than the other?
HAMSTERS DEFINITELY BITE MORE!! i never got bit but once by all of my gerbils the whole time i had them

4. Which one lives longer??
i think gerbils.


p.s. i like gerbils WAY MORE than hamsters by ALOT haha
i dont like hammies

[Pat]

So two gerbils in a ten gallon is fine? Since you raise a couple in there I'll definetly belive you, I'd heard they'd be fine in them, but wanted to be sure on that point.
Thanks for the tips, I'll be checking out Winter Whites and Gerbils.
I'll admit think they're both very cute, with Gerbils leading a little bit.....

[cards55fan]

i have a chinese dwarf hamster. i have him in a crittertrail cage, he does really well on his own. i have had him for 2 years now, i bought him at petsmart. he has bite me once, but it was my own fault. i had some apple scented lotion on, he tought it was an apple so he bite. i have never had a gerbil, so i know nothing about them. your 10 gallon tank should be fine for a chinese dwarf hamster. just make sure you put a wheel in it, i have talked to more than one person that say they love to play on a wheel. mine LOVES his wheel. hope some of this helped

[GerbilCrazy]

Gerbils have several sleep cycles and dont sleep all day. I keep pairs in a 10 gallon tank. I think they smell less then my hamsters do and are alot easier to handle. sometimes you can find a gerbil that after it warms up to you it will pur when you hold them. They do jump so a good cover is a must. hamsters are slower and seem to like the run around balls more. Gerbils rarely if ever nip when woken up. Ive had problems with petsmart and petco with gerbils but they have gotten a little better. maybe Im biased but I like gerbils more with the exception of a few syrian hamsters... dont really care for the dwarf hamsters, mine is very cage agressive.

[Nbhanna]

I definitely go with a hamster . Once they are able to be handled they are the most friendly pet ever. I love my hamster to pieces!