These days, rats are favored as pets by more people even though hamsters are still preferred as pets.  However, both these rodents differ in physical features, food habits, and behavior. Read this article for a better understanding of which one to choose as a pet for you and your family.

Main differences

Though hamsters are much smaller than rats, the most distinguishing feature between the two is that rats have longer tails that grow more than the length of their bodies. Hamsters have short and stubby tails that go unnoticed at the first glance. Hamsters come in various colors while rats usually come in a solid color.

If you are considering whether to have a pet rats or hamsters then visit Animals & Pets, which is a blog specially about rats and hamsters. The site provides everything that you want to know about the behavior, food, care, and dwelling of both the rodents. This would make it easy for you to decide, which one of the two can be an ideal and preferred pet for you.

Rats grow larger in comparison to hamsters, but both have almost the same lifespan that might vary depending on the level of care provided.

Behavioral pattern

Hamsters might keep you up at night being mainly nocturnal so they are more active during the night while rats are active during the day and also at night.

Rats are very social creatures, and on the other hand hamsters like to live solitarily in captivity. While some hamster breeds cannot love other hamsters, they enjoy the company of humans. Rats like to live with other rats or be handled by humans. Lack of socializing might depress them.

Care

The cages of both rats and hamsters need to be cleaned every day to remove soiled bedding and old food.

• There should be safe bedding inside the cage that should absorb both moisture and odor.
• The bedding should be of recycled paper and wood pulp
• Avoid using pine and cedar bedding in their cages as they trigger respiratory infection in the rodents that can be fatal for them.

Diet

Both hamsters as well as rats eat similar foods when kept as pets but since rats are more adaptive to the wild atmosphere, they can also eat trash and human food. Both pets will need a balanced diet along with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rats eat fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, eggs, insects, and small animals while hamsters eat seeds, grains, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and cracked cron.

Cooked beans are very safe and nutritious food for rats. Raw beans contain lectins and phytohemagglutinin that cause the red blood cells in the rats to clump together. These anti-nutrients are destroyed by cooking and make it safe for rats to eat. Note this important point while feeding your pet rat.

Biting

Rats hardly bite which makes them a better option for homes with small kids. Hamsters are more likely to bite until they feel properly socialized.

Do not go by the small size of hamsters as they have very sharp teeth that can break the skin whereas rats are timid rodents who prefer to flee than fight.