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This is a picture of a very old picture of my oldest dog
and one of the sweetest, coolest rats I've ever known
Rodents are relatively popular caged pets with families with children. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice are relatively low maintenance pets when compared to some. Some of the smaller rodent pets may never even need a vet visit, though many people are neutering rodent pets these days for MANY reasons including health and behavioral benefits. Choosing the right small pet is very important. There are MANY sources available to help make the right selection for your family.
Here is a very brief rundown of the most popular rodents:
• Rabbits are very sensitive, and require a lot of supervised time out of their cage. They’re ok for older children, children who are generally calm and cooperative, and homes where adults give the care and only allow supervised interaction between the children (when they’re calm) and the rabbit. Rabbits live 5-10 years, but are physically delicate, and need to be handled carefully. Check out this wonderful article regarding children and rabbits.
• Guinea pigs are rather sensitive as well. They enjoy living in pairs or larger groups, but the caging requirements for several pigs can be a big space commitment. They are not as entertaining as other rodent pets. They don’t go in the wheels or balls that other rodents go in. It could seriously injure their backs. The have distinct dietary requirements with Vitamin C supplementing and hay being required. They are very charming, less likely to nip than some of the other rodents, and many people like the little chirpy squeal they make. They can live 5-8 years. Check out today's very informative article from the Wilmington Parenting Examiner on Guinea Pigs.
• Hamsters are nocturnal, usually solitary creatures. If they are disturbed in the daytime they may react with a nip. Hamsters are very cute and can be friendly if chosen and handled properly. They probably should not be kept in a child’s bedroom due to their active time being while the child would be sleeping. They can live 2-3 years.
• Gerbils are small adorable furry things. They’re generally more social than hamsters; so same-sex pairs (or even more depending on cage space etc) are a good pick. They ARE rodents, so breeding would occur and potentially get out of control with mixed sexes in an enclosure. They have a similar lifespan to rats, and adapt to the humans’ schedules better than the strictly nocturnal hamster.
• Rats are incredibly smart, remarkably clean rodents that groom themselves on average 6 times a day. Their tail that disgusts so many actually gives them better balance than some of the other rodents, making them a better option for child handling in some cases. Many people find rats to be very affectionate, fantastic pets. They’re generally very hardy and can handle a variety of diets and living conditions. Rats also enjoy a group setting and live 4-5 years.
• Mice are very easy pets to keep and are also fairly friendly. They are social and interactive, and it is fun to watch their antics on the wheel or in the exercise ball. They live about as long as hamsters, 2-3 years. They require smaller bar spacing on their cage than some of the larger rodents due to their smaller size. Their size also makes handling for young children more difficult, though given proper provisions and occasional handling by adults to keep them tame, they are very fun pets for children to observe until they’re ready to handle them. They come in a variety of colors and are generally inexpensive.
Any caged pet will require daily feeding, watering, spot cleaning, and attention. Cages should be cleaned routinely, though frequency will vary case by case. Supervised, controlled interactions with children should also be worked into the family’s routine to maintain the bond between them and their pet(s).
The Internet is rich with specific information on all aspects of small pet care by species as well as places to find your new pet. Believe it or not websites like craigslist.org will have local classified ads that frequently involve small pets with all their accessories for a small rehoming fee. Always use caution when meeting people through Internet ads. Small animals at pet rescues can be found through websites like petfinder.org, where you can search your zip code and what pet you’re seeking and pages of the closest matches will come up. Sometimes the local SPCA or other shelters get small pets in or, if they don’t have anything at that moment, they may put you on a list.
My pet store jobs in my past have allowed me the opportunity to catch, care for, unpack shipments of, and become knowledgeable enough to sell small pets to customers and get them set up to succeed with their new pet. While I am not an expert, I do have a working knowledge of many different types of pet rodents, and from that I’ve got a few opinions on the subject:
• Unless defending offspring (again it’s important to choose rodent pets of the same sex) rats and mice are generally docile, curious animals. Even the feeder rats and mice make fine pets.
o I had a friend that used to come take the friendliest feeder rats from the store I worked at after hearing me lament that they were always the first to be caught and sold to snake owners. His rat friends lived for about 3 years except for the one that passed shortly after he got her.
o I too had pet rats later in life, but mine were males. They were very easy, surprisingly not smelly on proper bedding, and my favorite one was so fun to hang out with. He didn’t mind the dogs, and he liked to sit on my shoulder. I highly recommend rats as pets. Mine only lived to be about 2-3 years old, and they too were feeder rats.
• Certain species of and individuals of hamsters are nicer than others. Siberian Dwarf hamsters, in my opinion, are a little feistier than other species, though you may find some friendly ones. The Teddy Bear and Black Bear hamsters are supposed to be reasonably friendly, and they’re bigger than the Dwarves which helps improve a child’s chance of being able to safely handle it. Again, though, individual temperaments will vary. I’ve encountered some fantastic hamsters and I’ve been bitten by a lot of hamsters.
• Bunnies and Guinea Pigs are less likely to be nippy in my experience, but they need to be completely fulfilled, and a strong understanding of their behavior is also important.
o Signs of happiness, fear, stress, and illness can be misinterpreted, and it’s also quite important to know (and teach the kids) when to back off and give the pet space.
Finally, all of the rodents listed here are prey species that instinctively don’t show weakness or illness (lest they be selected as easy pickings for a predator). Knowing the earliest signs of trouble are the best bet in saving a sick pet. A good routine including balanced diet and proper caging accommodations is the best way to keep a pet rodent healthy.
This article was written as part of an ongoing series of collaborative efforts between me and the Wilmington Parenting Examiner, Jana Lynch. Please check out our past works on the subjects of cats (Jana's) and dogs (Jana's)
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