Bearded dragon vs. Hamster: which is easier to take care of?

[Anonymous]

A huge factor to consider is how long the pet will live. A hamster usually lives 2 years tops and a bearded dragon is 10-15 years. That’s a huge difference in terms of a commitment.

[Anonymous]

So, we have become pet hoarders during COVID (only partly kidding) and now have a freshwater fish aquarium, a dog, 2 gerbils, and a leopard gecko. Help me, Jesus.

My 9 y/o DD loves the gerbils. She would love to (also) get a hamster. I think maybe hamsters can live alone but a lot of these little rodents really need a (same-gender) buddy--gerbils, guinea pigs. Our gerbils are in a 20-gallon enclosure and we learned the hard way they are super loud at night. Their cage is okay, they're in like a big glass aquarium and it's not so bad to clean. They are cute, one likes to be picked up, but they're not cuddly. Mainly just fun to watch, but really, so are the fish. Oh, and they get really freaked out by the dog (who obviously can't actually access them, they're in a tank) but it means DD's room is off-limits for the dog which isn't a huge deal but just kind of annoying.

The leopard gecko is also fine. Not cuddly either but also willing to be picked up and handled. Not super high maintenance but there is a lot to learn like the PP above said. As a parent I am not thrilled about knowing he will live here longer into the future than my 12 y/o kid is planning to but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. He is also entertaining and honestly I feel like both kids have benefited a lot from being able to observe their little animal worlds during this seemingly endless phase of virtual school.

Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that hamsters are more tactile and understandable pets. The child can interact with it. Moreover, now there are many useful resources like https://pawfectpawprint.com/what-to-do-when-your-hamsters-eye-is-bulging/ to prolong the life of your hamster. Bearded dragon looks more like fish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will hamsters attract mice into your house?

No.

Although when I read this I imagined little mice arriving for a playdate with the hamster.

[Anonymous]

Personally I love guinea pigs. Aren’t hamsters nocturnal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both seem like undesirable pets. I'd get fish.

This. We got a Betta. I really didn't want it but my son did. I have to say, the little guy has a personality. He loves his tank (be sure to get something for them to swim in and out of) and he wiggles when it's dinner time.
I cried hard when our first one died - much to my surprise.

[Anonymous]

If I were you, I would choose the bearded dragon. Because hamsters have a lot of disadvantages and no pros. They smell bad, you can't pet them properly, you can't play with them, they make noise at night and keep you awake if you have a sensitive sleep. In general, I love dogs very much. And I have had my favorite dog since I was a kid, Jack, now he lives with my parents. He is hilarious. One day he got so playful with my hand that he accidentally snatched my dragon-vibe.com ring and almost swallowed it. That's not likely to happen to a bearded dragon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8-year old daughter has been begging to get a bearded dragon or a hamster for months. We already have two cats. She's getting new dresser that would give us room for a cage in her room, so I'm inclined to give and let her get one or the other.
Does anyone have advice on which would be easier to take care of and--most important to me--does not smell bad. I had a hamster when I was a kid and remember that cleaning the cage was disgusting.
Any guidance would be very welcome!

np this may not be helpful but, your dd has two pets. I would tell her if she was my dd that she can get whatever she wants when she is an independent woman living on her own. Bearded dragons need to be fed live crickets. Are you prepared for that? Hamsters will be food for the cats. Does you dd help with the care of the cats? Probably not. If you want either one than get it but be prepared to do all the work and get little affection ( relative to the cat)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were you, I would choose the bearded dragon. Because hamsters have a lot of disadvantages and no pros. They smell bad, you can't pet them properly, you can't play with them, they make noise at night and keep you awake if you have a sensitive sleep. In general, I love dogs very much. And I have had my favorite dog since I was a kid, Jack, now he lives with my parents. He is hilarious. One day he got so playful with my hand that he accidentally snatched my dragon-vibe.com ring and almost swallowed it. That's not likely to happen to a bearded dragon.

This is such a dumb and useless response. 12:24 or whatever in the first page has the beardie angle covered. Just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dragon hands down. Now it will take a gross poop which is small and you can scoop it out very easily. We love ours and he is almost cuddly.

I have a bearded dragon and I would like to just comment that my bearded dragons takes big poops and they are hard to clean and from my stand point I think that hamsters would be easier to take care of

[Anonymous]

And also my bearded dragon is mean what should I do

[Anonymous]

And anyone that would like to buy my bearded dragon and his enclosure with all of the stuff needed for him then contact me [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And anyone that would like to buy my bearded dragon and his enclosure with all of the stuff needed for him comment back on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 8-year old daughter has been begging to get a bearded dragon or a hamster for months. We already have two cats. She's getting new dresser that would give us room for a cage in her room, so I'm inclined to give and let her get one or the other.
Does anyone have advice on which would be easier to take care of and--most important to me--does not smell bad. I had a hamster when I was a kid and remember that cleaning the cage was disgusting.
Any guidance would be very welcome!

np this may not be helpful but, your dd has two pets. I would tell her if she was my dd that she can get whatever she wants when she is an independent woman living on her own. Bearded dragons need to be fed live crickets. Are you prepared for that? Hamsters will be food for the cats. Does you dd help with the care of the cats? Probably not. If you want either one than get it but be prepared to do all the work and get little affection ( relative to the cat)

Dp. This is what I told my dd when she wanted a snake. You can say no

[Anonymous]

You have two cats, I would not add any cat-prey. Also pets in tanks are difficult to do well, whether that's fish, hermit crabs, or rodents.

Bearded dragons are neat but, like birds, they tend to be more difficult and longer lived than people expect.

I'd tell her to engage more with your cats.