victoria said:
I haven't read all the comments, so forgive me if I repeat something.
Rabbits DO NOT need to go outside, they do need time out of their pen/cage daily. They can go outside, but they should be secure and supervised as they are prey to many animals and often die of a heart attack before the predator actually gets them. They like to explore new areas and need exercise. They also need quite a bit of cage space and *most* cages are too small for them so a pen is often better. They can be finicky about being held but are not as fragile as it may seem and I think they are far easier to pick up and hardier than guinea pigs. A lot of people form really great bonds with their rabbits (lone rabbits or bonded pairs) , much like with cats and dogs and they can live 8-10 years if well cared for. Larger breed rabbits (Flemish giants and other smaller giant breeds) tend to be more affectionate but live much shorter lives.
Guinea pigs are fun to watch and love to be fed, but many do not like being handled to much in the way rabbits do. They do live longer than rats but they are more prone to health issues than rabbits and there's a much higher risk of post-op complications with them than other rodents/rabbits. They are ground dwellers so they need horizontal space rather than vertical and can be pretty noisy at times, so not the best pet to keep in the bedroom for a light sleeper. (Although, it may be that they only get worked up at feeding time so it may not be an issue.)
Ferrets are very similar to rats in many respects but they need more out time, are generally sneakier, and more destructive. They do live longer than rats, but have their fair share of health issues - especially if sterilized too young. Most ferrets here are sterilized by the breeder/mill before getting to the pet store because it reduces their smell (they do smell more than rats and rabbits) and females get a fatal anemia if they go into heat and don't get pregnant. Because some people want to get them out and sold as soon as possible they are sterilized too young and have a tendency to develop adrenal gland disease so if you can get them from a source that sterilizes them later that would help reduce the risk. Also, ferrets are strict carnivores and sensitive to diet changes (and poor diet) so it's important to do your research ahead of time and find a good source of food for them. I find ferret poo is pretty gross too - similar to cat poo but they are not as easily trained as cats.
Chinchillas are also in the rodent family (not sure how popular they are in Norway) and generally MUCH more social with humans than degus. They can live 15-20 years if well cared for. They are also herbivores and I think may get a pair when my rabbits pass. They tend to cause fewer allergies and have less of an odour than rabbits/GPs and you could keep them in a Suite Royal. Their diet is a bit more restricted than GPs/buns in terms of what types of veggies they can have. Oh, and they are SO soft and don't mind cuddling. They are much more nocturnal than rats and rabbits I believe.
Gerbils are like rats in the sense that they adjust their schedule to ours. They are not as prone to respiratory issues as other rodents and tend to be prolific chewers. Smaller and more fragile than rats, they tend to be more affectionate/social than hamsters but not as interactive as rats. They can be kept in groups and can be really fun to watch, especially if you keep them in a tank where you can see them dig tunnels. (Tanks are suitable habitats for them.)
ETA: Just read through the comments and I forgot to add litter habits for most of them. GP are almost impossible to litter train (from what I hear - my boss has 5 and she's had many more over the years); bunnies, especially if fixed, are fairly easy to train; ferrets can usually be trained but tend to be sloppy and poo over the edge of their box, etc.; chins can be litter trained, especially for pee; and gerbils not so much (from what I remember as a kid) and tend to poo on you as they walk over you.
Rabbits just need free range time (protect your cords!) not to be taken for walks. They also should be sterilized, they are much less likely to be aggressive/territorial that way or spray.
I somehow missed this post, probably because I was logged on on my phone.
Thanks for lots of info!
Rabbits: What exavtly do you mean by pen?
http://www.halterandlead.no/images/hund/easy_grind.jpg something like this, or am I way off?
As long as they don´t have to live outside, it´s okay. It wouldn´t be an issue to be with them outside(if we for once have decent weather..)
Guinea pigs: The gp´s I´ve dealt with has mostly only been noisy when feeding or spooked.. But I haven´t really been much with them over the course of a day.
Ferrets: I don´t really think ferrets are an option for me. Both because they are carnivores, but also because they are fairly hard to get(not even pet stores sell them here :shock: ), and i don´t feel up to the task at this point.
Chinchillas: I don´t really know either. I know of two people who has had chins, with completely different experiences.. One got hers tame(I
think she only had one), and one had two and they were pretty much monsters.. Impossible to tame, chewed up the entire appartment etc.. I´ve seen they are starting to get chins in one pet store now, but that´s pretty much it.. I think they cost ~180-360$ each, so they are not as prone to impuls buyers maybe? I know they don´t get handled.. at all tho..(I´ve worked there - before they got chins). They can possibly be an option, but they might live a bit too long(since I have NO experience in them, and still live at home with no income except disability thing). I will read more about them and check them more out tho.. Do they tend to be at the vets a lot? My mother don´t like them(but that don´t really say much, since she don´t like rats, GP´s, hamsters or anything else either)..
Gerbils I actually do like gerbils, but I find them a bit too small..
I´d prefer a pet that can run free in my room that I can actually find if needed :giggle:
So far it seems like it´s GP´s, bunnies or chins that I need to look more closely into. Both with care, and if I can get decent food etc. I have a good rat vet, would he also be good with other rodents? I think he´s specialized in rodents, but thought I´d ask anyway.
