How do Gerbils Compare to Rats?

I.e Forming Bonds with owner, Not biting etc, Sleeping times (day night etc), Space required, attention required, How long can you leave them?





Also will i have to let them out every day or so?How do Gerbils Compare to Rats?
Rats form a strong bond with the owner, become extremely tame, will answer their names, play games with you, and can learn tricks. Gerbils will tolerate handling but are very jumpy and nowhere near as tame. Rats have very painful bites but it is a rare rat that does so. Gerbils are not prone to biting either. Rats are mostly active at night but will wake up and play when you want them to. Same with gerbs. A minimum rat cage is 2X1X2foot. To be perfectly honest I'd have at least a 2 by 1 base size for gerbils too. Gerbils dont mind if you handle them. rats need a bare minimum of an hours attention and free play time. Yes, rats will need out every day, gerbils wont.





Rats are much more interactive, fun pets than gerbils, but gerbs are much lower maintenance. if you cant give your pets an hour a day, choose the gerbils.How do Gerbils Compare to Rats?
I've had both. The big thing to remember is rats are domesticated, gerbils are not. Gerbils can become tame, but they are not domesticated.





Rats bite much less than gerbils. Even skiddish rats with little experience being handled do not have a tendency to bite. I'd use a glove when handling a gerbil that is skiddish.





Both are nocturnal, but rats adjust a little better to being awake during the day. If you take them out to play or feed them they will be awake and active for a while even after you put them back in their cage, whereas the gerbils will probably go back to sleep shortly after you put them in their cage.





Rats need a lot more space than gerbils, 2 square feet per rat as opposed to a square foot per gerbil. Of course these are just the minimums. The larger the space the better. Imagine the difference between you living in a large closet versus the whole house.





Rats need a lot more attention seeing as they are colony animals and domestic, gerbils could care less as long as their basic needs are met. Rats should be out an hour every day at least, gerbils have no requirements but you should consider a larger habit
Gerbils and rats are both great rodents. Both are much like 'dogs' of the rodent world , as far as capability to bond, play, know their names, come when you call, mischief.


If you enjoy the company of the little fellow, let him join you on your bed as you read, or on the floor in your room while you whatever- just be careful to seal the door ways.And watch for cords. They may chew.


I have always had rats, but from time to time- a stray hamster or gerbil has passed through.


I love the rats the best.
I'm thinking about getting a rat. If you handle a rat from when it's a baby, it will learn not to bite. Rats can be trained to come when called and do form a bond with the owner. You can let them out, but make sure all escape routes are closed. Train it to come to you with food before you start letting it out. You can train a rat to stay in your pocket. If you want a hands-on pet, a rat is better. You can't do anything like this with a gerbil. As for your other questions, I still have some research to do. I learned this much at Petsmart. Ask at any pet store. They should be able to help you.
Dunno about rats but I currently have four healthy gerbils. They sleeping during the night - a couple of hours at a time. They eat quite a lot but drink not much. They are very social and if you handle them as babies, love to be stroked and cuddled. They don't bite after one or two weeks and a good sized tank will take 4 comfortably.
Rats win hands down. Gerbils are skittish and bite, rats...with proper handling...are very tame. Mine was even eventually potty trained to not poop outside the cage. I've known people with rats who will ride on their shoulders. Rats are MUCH more fun pets. Have fun!
How do Gerbils Compare to Rats?


rats have more dark meat.