Web Earth Online

It'd be about the same as a gerbil. Dogs would see it moving, think "oh a toy" and then grab it or something. Cat's would probably just go for it because it is moving, and my declawed cat has managed to catch and kill mice without a problem.
I guess just don't let the dogs or cats have access to it? My mom had a hamster once and had it in its exercise ball with her dachshunds in the same room and thought it'd be fine. The dogs managed to open the ball and ate the hamster. :/

Hm...
Well, when I was little, I had a parakee.
You could get a parakee, and keep it in a cage. That's what I did because it was at my grandma and grandpas house.
If its locked in a cage, the cats possible couldn't get to it.

If your looking for a long living pet I suggest skipping the hamster choice. Hamsters have an extremely short lifespan. My sister's dwarf hamster only lived to be 2 years old. We only had her with us for 1 year before she died.Hamsters have an average lifespan of about 2 to 3 years. Some dwarf hamsters rarely exceed a 2 year life expectancy. I suggest geting a cockatiel. Their average lifespan is 12 to 15 years. Some even make it to the ages of 20 and 30.
However cockatiel's a very dusty birds and there cages need to be cleaned regularly.

Maybe a pet caterpillar? My one's crawling around on my hand xD They're really easy to look after. I give mine washed tomato leaves and change his leaves and clean his container twice a day. They're really cute when they eat and check out your palm, but you have to be super gentle with them. Plus you can learn about how they turn into moths/butterflies

By the way alias I would not recomend that. They only have a lifespan of 20-40 days. However it depends on the species but it's still not very long. Some live 3-4 days, Others live only 6 months. Either way I would not recomend an animal tha lives for even less than a hamster. Otherwise you will be dissappointed when it dies after a short preriod of time.

Well, I'm suggesting you my dream pet:

A snake!

(Boa constrictor, if possible.)

The lifespan of the pet should definitely be considered. However, sometimes animals with shorter lifespans are more suitable for people. For example, if you buy a hamster, but quickly become displeased with it, then you do not have to wait 20 years to be rid of it like you would if you bought a longer-living pet! If you are going to buy a pet that will be around for a long time, then make sure you will be able and willing to take care of it the entire span of time it'll be with you.

I personally do not recommend ferrets, they are mischievous and very high maintenance. Ferrets will need to be let loose to run around and explore in order to be content. This puts them in danger if they are put in an area containing any other larger pets, like cats or dogs. They also tend to move things around, like stray socks or other small items, and store them in impossible places.
I have less experience with rabbits. I hear they are less mischievous than ferrets, but with equally as high maintenance.

Hamsters can be put in a cage, safe from your other pets. They are lower maintenance, but still fun.