Rat, Guinea Pig or Rabbit?

[scoobysoo]

I really want to get a pet for my flat, but not sure what to get. What I would really love is a pet with a personality that can sit with me while I'm watching TV and be a good alternative to a cat which I'm not allowed to have. I have a hamster already but although he's lovely and tame he's very anti-social and doesn't ever seem interested in playing. I'm a bit torn as I think rabbits and guinea pigs are cuter, but concerned that it may be too much of a commitment, plus not sure about keping them inside. As far as rats are concerned I'm not sure if you can have only one, as I don't want a pair.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated

[noxlumos]

We keep our guinea pigs inside and very lovely they are too:)

[hugnie21]

Although I think they are the best pets ever, don't have a guinea pig on it's own as they are very sociable and wouldn't be happy alone.

[yvette79]

You can have the one rat but they are better of as a pair as they keep each other company when you are not there. They are very social, funny to watch esp when playing together and love a lot of attention also love to play games with you. Out of all the pets rats are the ones i would really recommend, they would be just what you need. I don't like to see rabbits and guinea pigs kept indoors as they are more of an outdoor animal.

Hope you found this useful.

[CT]

Apparently some rats like to watch tv too.

[scoobysoo]

Thanks guys. I have really tried to do a bit of research and get a lot of advise about this as I didn't want to make a hasty decision. I have heard so many great things about rats which has frankly surprised me a great deal, so I think I may for-go my original idea and actually get 2...now I need to choose sex!!

[gessoo]

Rats make wonderful pets - they are very intelligent and loving. They love human company. Unfortunately, they don't have a very long life span. I would love a rat - but two cats and two dogs prevent it!

[gessoo]

noxlumos. Have you sorted out your guinea 'barbering' problem - did you have to separate them?

Sorry to hijack your thread scoobysoo.

[Emma-J]

Scoobysoo - I would definately recommend Rats, I had two females and they are a pleasure to have, they don't really smell (provided you clean them out every 7-10 days), they are really inquisitive and will be in to anything and everything you have, but they are wonderful to have and they live for about 3 years too.

Have fun.
EJ

[zipadeedodah]

I would advide against rabbits particularly - they really smell (well, most do) and I'd imagine keeping them indoors would not be great to live with unless you cleaned it out every day!