Chico, photo by Heather
(chins)
(other animals)
(lxwxh)
| Small Pet Comparison Chart This is not an opinion page, just info to help you decide what small pet you may be interested in getting. All small mammals have unique needs and the right pet for you may not necessarily be the best for someone else. (Note, I have owned only rats, mice, a hedgehog, and a rabbit. Other info as well as most of my info on these animals is based on comments by owners as well as research on the internet. If something is inaccurate, you have something to add from experience, or you know of a small mammal I should add, please email me.) These are mammals only. Dogs, cats, pigs, and some other animals are not included because their needs exceed those of the typical "small pet." Jump to: Chinchilla/Chipmunk/Degu/Dormouse/Duprasi/Ferret/Flying Squirrel/Gerbil, Mongolian/Guinea Pig/Hamster, Dwarf/Hamster, Syrian/Hedgehog, African Pygmy/Mouse, Fancy (Pet)/Mouse, Spiny/Mouse, Zebra/Opossum, Short-Tailed/Prairie Dog/Rabbit/Rat, Fancy (Pet)/Rat, Gambian/Skunk/Sugar Glider | |||
| Chico, photo by Heather | |||
| Size: | 8 inches long, 18-30 oz. (Females are the larger gender) | ||
| Lifespan: | 15-20 years | ||
| Colors: | Gray, white, ebony, mosaic, beige, black velvet, brown velvet, charcoal, violet, sapphire | ||
| Health: | Chinchillas are particularly sensitive to heat stroke. Seizures are also not rare. | ||
| Compatibility: (chins) | Males get along fine in small groups, but females may fight. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Can get along with cats or dogs under some circumstances. Be sure to supervise! May do okay with rabbits, but don't house together because they have different needs. Ferrets are natural enemies. | ||
| Personality: | They do okay with handling if held from a young age, but most dislike being handled too much. They generally don't bite. Chins may slip their fur if frightened. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 36"x24"x24" for 1 | ||
| Food: | Chinchilla pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables and timothy hay. (Chinchillas are herbivores.) | ||
| Cleanliness: | Chinchillas have no body odor and not too much urine odor either. | ||
| Other: | Chins need to have a dust bath at least once or twice a week. They also require temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid overheating. They are rodents and need things to chew on. They also need a place to hide. May be illegal in some areas. | ||
| For Children? | No, chinchillas are sensitive and require more care/responsibility than can be expected of a young child. | ||
| Helpful Site: | ChinNet | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | ??? | ||
| Lifespan: | 6-8 years | ||
| Colors: | Only wild color (possibly albino?) | ||
| Health: | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (chipmunks) | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | Curious and fairly active. They can build a trust with people if held from birth or from a very young age. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | ??? | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks and/or gerbil/hamster mix | ||
| Cleanliness: | ??? | ||
| Other: | There isn't much info about chipmunks as pets, but there are some being sold in pet stores. If you decide to get one be ready to adjust to his needs and to health and behavior issues that may not have an easy-to-find answer. | ||
| For Children? | No. I say this only because chipmunks don't have a lot of ready information about problems that can arise as pets. I would recommend them to only people experienced with both pet and wild rodents. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Harry the Chipmunk | ||
 Degus, photo by ahbauer@rogers.com | |||
| Size: | 6 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 5-10 years | ||
| Varieties: | Currently only brown/agouti | ||
| Health: | Degus are prone to diabetes, cataracts, and mouth infections. | ||
| Compatibility: (degus) | Degus are social and need to be kept with each other. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | Friendly if handled from infancy. Degus may be easily startled and may bite if frightened. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 20"x20"x20" for 1 or 2 | ||
| Food: | Chinchilla pellets and/or guinea pig food, timothy hay, and occasional fresh vegetables. Degus are herbivores. | ||
| Cleanliness: | ??? | ||
| Other: | Degus enjoy toys like exercise wheels. They also like dust baths. Degus are illegal in some areas; check state and local laws. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. They have more needs than some other small pets, and may be skittish. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Degu Guide | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | African dormouse: 2 inches Fat/Edible dormouse: 5-8 inches | ||
| Lifespan: | 3-7 years | ||
| Varieties: | Only wild color | ||
| Health: | They are vulnerable to cold and have fragile little bodies. | ||
| Compatibility: (dormice) | They get along well together. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Very small, so seen as prey by other animals. | ||
| Personality: | Tend to be fairly shy and nervous, can be really jumpy, but are less frightened in the dark. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x12"x10" | ||
| Food: | Hamster food, lots of fruit and veggies, and some crickets and/or cat food. Dormice are omnivores/insectivores. | ||
| Cleanliness: | They need cage cleanings often, because they poop everywhere and have messy droppings. | ||
| Other: | Temperature must be kept warm, especially for babies, or they will fall into a state of hibernation. May be illegal in some areas. | ||
| For Children? | No, they are too small and fragile and quite nocturnal. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Dormice @ Rodentfancy | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | 3-4 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years | ||
| Varieties: | Only wild color | ||
| Health: | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (duprasi) | Somewhat social animals. Females are more territorial. Some are prone to fighting, and they can live alone. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | May be seen as prey by larger animals. | ||
| Personality: | Gentle and agreeable if handled from birth but can be prone to biting when startled. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 20"x12"x12" for 1 to 4 | ||
| Food: | Gerbil food with some other supplements like veggies and mealworms. Duprasi are mainly insectivores. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Not much urine odor. | ||
| Other: | Duprasi need things to chew and places to hide. They will also use a wheel. Duprasi need dust baths like Chinchillas. May be illegal in some areas. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. They are small, so need gentle handling. Care is relatively easy, but they can be nippy. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Duprasi FAQ | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | 2.5-3 pounds 18"-22" long | ||
| Lifespan: | 7-10 years | ||
| Varieties: | Albino, roan, mitted, blaze, black, champagne, chocolate, panda, sable, siamese, silver, angora | ||
| Health: | Life-threatening complications can occur if a ferret is not spayed or neutered. They are also prone to lymphoma, digestive troubles, and other diseases. Ferrets require vaccinations (sometimes by law) for canine distemper and rabies. | ||
| Compatibility: (ferrets) | Ferrets get along well together if introduced at a young age. As with other animals, introductions may not work out, and ferrets may fight. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Ferrets can get along fine with cats and with dogs who don't have high hunting instincts (such as hounds and terriers). Ferrets will hunt and kill animals of similar size or smaller so should never be left alone with birds, lizards, small pets, or anything of that nature. | ||
| Personality: | Ferrets are active and inquisitive. They are no more likely to nip than a dog, but hurt if they do. Ferrets are intelligent and a little mischievous, so the potential of them tearing up a few possessions is high. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 24"x36"x36" | ||
| Food: | Commercial ferret food or kitten food without corn or grain as a first ingredient. They need a high protein, high fat, strictly meat diet. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Ferrets have a slight musk. A good diet and good non-clay litter keeps urine and feces odors down. | ||
| Other: | Ferrets need to be considered at the same level as a dog or cat. They are best kept in one room with a litter box, food, water, and toys, and nothing they could easily destroy or get hurt by. Ferrets are illegal or have special requirements in many cities, states, and countries. | ||
| For Children? | No. Ferrets are expensive and very demanding of space and time to nearly the level of a dog. Ferrets may also seriously hurt a child if they decide to bite. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Everything Ferret | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | 9-10 inches (including tail) 3-4 inches (sans tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years | ||
| Varieties: | Only wild color | ||
| Health: | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (flying squirrels) | They are social and do well in groups. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | Wild-caught animals are often untamable. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 18"x18"x24" | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks or hamster/gerbil mix supplemented with fruits/veggies and/or insects. | ||
| Cleanliness: | No worse or better than other rodents. Similar to rats. Need weekly cage cleaning. | ||
| Other: | They need a nest box and things to chew on. May be illegal in some areas. | ||
| For Children? | No, they are often skittish. An experienced and patient owner is a must. | ||
| Helpful Site: | N/A | ||
 Bella, dove gerbil, photo by Sam | |||
| Size: | 5 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Varieties: | Agouti, Argente, black, blue, slate, lilac, dove, sapphire, himalayan, white, cream, honey, nutmeg, polar fox, blue fox, red fox, Burmese, siamese, schimmel, spotted | ||
| Health: | Epilepsy is a common problem in gerbils. They are also prone to diarrhea and respiratory infections. Tumors of scent glands are sometimes seen in old age. | ||
| Compatibility: (gerbils) | Both genders get along well when raised together, and both may fight with new gerbils. They need to be kept in pairs or groups. Gerbils are very territorial, so two need a large aquarium. (Gerbils tend to naturally live in family groups with mom, dad, and babies.) | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Seen as prey by larger animals. | ||
| Personality: | Very curious and playful, but may nip when startled or out of curiosity. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x24"x10" for 2 | ||
| Food: | Commercial gerbil food | ||
| Cleanliness: | Push bedding everywhere if in a wire cage, but are very clean animals with little urine. Cages may need cleaned only once every two or three weeks. | ||
| Other: | They need things to chew and like exercise wheels. Gerbils also need a lot of substrate, such as aspen shavings or peat moss, to play in. Gerbils benefit from an occasional dust bath. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. Many gerbils can be nippy, especially those from pet stores or those not held frequently. They are also fairly small and fast (and good at escaping). | ||
| Helpful Site: | Gerbil Information Page | ||
 Dutch (unknown breed), photo by Jennifer | |||
| Size: | 10-14 inches, 1-3 pounds | ||
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years | ||
| Varieties/Breeds: | Abyssinian, Alpaca, American Crested, Coronet, Dalmatian, Dutch, Peruvian, Rex, Shetland, Silky, Teddy, Texel and many colors. | ||
| Health: | Cavies cannot make their own vitamin C, so it needs to be part of their diet or given as a supplement. Also, they are particularly susceptible to parasites and eye infections (especially in long-haired breeds). | ||
| Compatibility: (guinea pigs) | Cavies are relatively social animals and enjoy each others company, but they can live happily by themselves with a person's attention. Male guinea pigs may fight. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Cavies can get along with cats or dogs under certain circumstances, but may be seen as prey. On neutral territory, they may get along with rats, rabbits, or other similar sized pets. Never house them with any animal other than cavies. | ||
| Personality: | Fairly calm and cuddly, though many from pet stores are skittish from being around noises and not held enough. Cavies love to cuddle and almost never bite. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x24"x12" for 1 | ||
| Food: | Commercial guinea pig diet along with timothy hay and fruits and veggies. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Cavies eat a lot and poop a lot, but females have no body odor. Males have a slight odor which can be reduced by neutering. Cage maintenance is the key. They also will kick out bedding if their cage pan isn't deep enough. | ||
| Other: | Cavies are smart and need toys to play with. They also need things to chew on, as do all rodents. Long-haired cavies need regular grooming. Cavies can be kept in outdoor hutches but they are MUCH happier, healthier, and longer lived indoors. | ||
| For Children? | Yes. They are generally good natured and large enough to not be lost or injured easily. Care is relatively easy, though more than other small pets. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Guinea Pig Compendium | ||
 Jasper, Winter White Hamster, photo by Melodie | |||
| Size: | 4-5 inches | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Varieties: | wavy, satin, rex, black, lilac, chocolate, blue opal, champagne, pearl, sapphire, imperial, agouti (wild type), albino, argente, black eyed argente, lilac fawn, beige, dark beige, blue beige, dove, blue fawn, mottled, ruby eyed mottled, dilute platinum, platinum | ||
| Health: | I don't have a lot of info about the occurrences of health problems, but they seem to be moderately healthy, and are prone ailments seen in any small pet (like strokes, skin troubles, tumors, etc.) but no more than any other. | ||
| Compatibility: (dwarf hamsters) | Unlike their larger cousins, dwarfs are fairly amiable toward each other and social in pairs or small groups. Adults do not take well to each other. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | They are small, so likely to be seen as prey or a toy by larger animals. I'm unsure of how they do with smaller animals like gerbils, but they should not be put with Syrian hamsters. | ||
| Personality: | Slightly less nippy than Syrians, but may still bite if annoyed. Fairly nocturnal. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x12"x10" | ||
| Food: | Commercial hamster mix | ||
| Cleanliness: | Generally less smelly than mice or Syrians, but still need frequent cage cleaning to control odor. | ||
| Other: | Dwarf hamster species include Campbell's, Winter White, Chinese, and Roborovski. All have similar care requirements and personalities, but each have their own distinct look and quirks. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. They are not as nippy as Syrians and are easy to care for, but their size makes them easy to lose or injure if not handled gently. | ||
| Helpful Site: | The Dynamic Dwarf Hamster | ||
 Hamster, photo by Katie | |||
| Size: | 90-130 grams | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Varieties: | Teddy, Hairless, Cinnamon, Rust, Gray, Yellow, Honey, Lilac, Blonde, Copper, Sable, Ivory, Black, Mink, Tortoiseshell | ||
| Health: | The main health concern is wet tail, an often fatal bacterial infection. Otherwise, hamsters are fairly hardy animals. | ||
| Compatibility: (hamsters) | One of the only rodents that prefers a solitary lifestyle. Hamsters nearly always fight, especially females who are viciously territorial. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Hamsters will likely be preyed upon by larger animals and will be territorial to similarly sized animals. | ||
| Personality: | Hamsters make loving pets if well socialized, but ones from pet stores are notoriously ill tempered and nippy. Even a socialized hamster may bite if wakened or annoyed. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 20"x12"x10" | ||
| Food: | Commercial hamster food | ||
| Cleanliness: | Although fairly clean animals and easily litterbox trained, hamsters tend to stink up their cage, which will need cleaned often. | ||
| Other: | Hamsters like wheels and tunnels. They have an advantage in exercise wheels because they have no long tail to get caught. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. They are larger than other rodents and can be kept singly. However, hamsters may be nippy and tend to be nocturnal and need cage cleaning often. | ||
| Helpful Site: | HamsterLand | ||
 Toby, photo by David | |||
| Size: | 6-8 inches | ||
| Lifespan: | 4-8 years | ||
| Varieties: | Salt & pepper, chocolate, apricot, albino | ||
| Health: | Hedgehogs may get diabetes or skin problems. | ||
| Compatibility: (hedgehogs) | Hedgehogs and generally solitary. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Hedgehogs do not bite and most animals (aside from some breeds of dogs) won't bite or paw them or will do so *once,* so they do okay with other animals in general. Hedgehogs are insectivores, so may prey on very small animals like mice or hermit crabs, and a ferret or terrier may attack them. | ||
| Personality: | If held often, hedgehogs will not roll into a ball. They enjoy exploring things and are generally slow and laid back. If frightened, a hedgehog will roll into a ball and make puffing noises. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x24"x12" | ||
| Food: | Commercial hedgehog diet or cat food with occasional meal worms or crickets as treats. (Preferably not live, or they can hurt your hedgehog.) | ||
| Cleanliness: | Hedgehogs have messy droppings, but they can be litterbox trained, which will ease the cleaning some. They don't have a body odor but aren't great at keeping themselves clean either. | ||
| Other: | Hedgehogs may run (well walk/waddle) in a wheel, but make sure you get a large one. They need a box or capped pipe to sleep in. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. Although they don't usually bite and are easy to care for, children may not like to pet or hold their hedgehog or be bored with its laid back personality. If not held often, a hedgehog will roll into a ball when touched, which may irritate a child. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Hedgehog Central | ||
 Lilith, black and tan fancy mouse, photo by Danielle | |||
| Size: | 3 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Varieties: | Shorthair, longhair, satin, astrex, black, blue, white, champagne, chocolate, dove, fawn, lilac, red, silver, agouti, argente, chinchilla, pearl, siamese, himalayan, tans, foxes, banded, brindle, broken, dutch, variegated, capped, tricolor, burmese, tortoiseshell, etc. | ||
| Health: | Fragile but generally resilient to diseases. Handle with care.. | ||
| Compatibility: (mice) | Social animals, but males often fight. Do best when introduced young and/or from the same litter. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Not to be kept with other animals. Mice are generally seen as prey of cats, dogs, reptiles, and even other rodents. Should not be kept with other mouse species like spiny mice, due to different needs and possible fighting. | ||
| Personality: | Not likely to bite. Generally friendly, though easily spooked. Very active animals, especially females. Males may cuddle some. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12" x 12" x 10" for 1 or 2 | ||
| Food: | Commercial diets of lab blocks or seed mixes. | ||
| Cleanliness: | High metabolism makes a lot of pee. Cage needs cleaned twice a week. Females have no body odor. Males have a "mousy" odor that many people don't like. The urine smell is fairly strong if cage is not kept clean. | ||
| Other: | Being rodents, mice need things to chew in order to wear down their teeth. Mice are very good at escaping, so they need secure cages with no big holes or gaps or material they can chew through. Mice need toys because of their active minds. An exercise wheel is recommended. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. Very easy to care for, but are small and may be timid. | ||
| Helpful Site: | mouse@horns | ||
 Egyptian Spiny Mice, photo by Ryan Giesecke | |||
| Size: | ??? | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Species: | There are 2 species of spiny mouse the Egyptian Spiny (more common) and the Nile Spiny. The Nile Spiny is gray and smaller, while the Egyptian is golden in color. | ||
| Health: | Spinies are generally healthy with no known diseases or reported tumors. They are rather fragile, especially their tails. | ||
| Compatibility: (spinies) | Spinies are social animals like fancy mice and do best when living with another spiny. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Spinies should not be kept with other mouse species, as they can be aggressive and fight. Larger animals may see them as prey. | ||
| Personality: | They are very active and can be jumpy if not handled often from birth. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x20"x10" | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks | ||
| Cleanliness: | The are desert animals, and put off a smaller amount of waste than fancy mice. They smell very little, and need their cage cleaned only about once a month. | ||
| Other: | Spinies enjoy wheels and toys to use up some of their excess energy. They also need things to chew on. | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. Spinies are a little more wild than fancy mice and are small animals that need a gentle touch. Care requirements are similar to fancy mice. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Spiny's Nest | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | 4-5 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 1-3 years | ||
| Species: | There are four species zebra or striped mouse. | ||
| Health: | Zebras are generally very healthy but are fragile animals. They are prone to parasites and need to be wormed in spring and autumn. | ||
| Compatibility: (zebra mice) | Zebras are social and do much better in groups. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Zebras have been known to get along with fancy mice, but use caution. They are seen as prey by larger animals. | ||
| Personality: | ??? | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x20"x10" | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks and/or seed mixes | ||
| Cleanliness: | Being desert animals, like the spinies, desert mice have no odor and make very little waste. | ||
| Other: | ??? | ||
| For Children? | Maybe. Zebra care is similar to that of fancy mice, though they may be a little more fragile and wild. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Zebra's Nest | ||
 STO, photo by Molly | |||
| Size: | 5 to 7 inches | ||
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years | ||
| Species: | There are 17 species of STO, but Monodelphis domestica is the one most commonly kept as a pet | ||
| Health: | They need water at all times to prevent dehydration. Some STOs are prone to ears drying up, cracking and splitting if they don't receive enough humidity. (Thanks, Molly, for the info!) | ||
| Compatibility: (STO's) | They are territorial and aggressive to each other and must be kept singly. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | STO's will hunt and kill smaller pets. | ||
| Personality: | They are mostly nocturnal | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x24"x10" | ||
| Food: | STO's are mostly insectivores and can be fed cat food or hedgehog food with some fruits and crickets or mealworms. | ||
| Cleanliness: | They have no body odor and can be litter trained. They need cage cleanings once a week. | ||
| Other: | ??? | ||
| For Children? | Maybe, they are nocturnal and fairly small, but are fairly easy to care for, so may suit older, more responsible children. | ||
| Helpful Site: | CentralPets.com | ||
 Prairie dog, photo by Donnie | |||
| Size: | ??? | ||
| Lifespan: | ??? | ||
| Colors: | Wild color (brown), white | ||
| Health: | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (p-dogs) | They are social animals. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | ??? | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | ??? (a ferret cage works) | ||
| Food: | Commercial prairie dog food, timothy hay, oats, supplemented with low-sugar veggies. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Prairie dogs have natural body odor and scent glands that will spray if they are nervous. | ||
| Other: | There isn't a lot of info about these animals as pets right now, but people who breed and/or raise them may be able to provide you with more to go on. | ||
| For Children? | No, prairie dogs are animals that may be hard for a child to properly care for and control due to their size and semi-wild nature. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Black-tailed Prairie Dogs | ||
| Send a photo! | |||
| Size: | Smallest breed: 2 pounds Largest breed: 14-20 pounds | ||
| Lifespan: | Indoors: 9-12 years Outdoors: 4-7 years | ||
| Breeds/varietiess: | Some varieties include angora, argente, beveren, Britannia petite, British giant, papillon, chinchilla, dutch, Flemish giant, harlequin, havana, himalayan, lop, dwarf, Rex, silver, and tan. | ||
| Health: | Rabbits are not tiny fragile things and can put up with a little rougher handling than smaller animals. They can be prone to hairballs and digestive problems. | ||
| Compatibility: (rabbits) | Rabbits enjoy the company of other rabbits, but as all animals, they may fight if not introduced gradually or when young. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Dogs or cats may get along with a rabbit in some cases, especially if the rabbit is large and the cat or dog doesn't have strong killer instincts. Rabbits can get along with guinea pigs or even smaller animals that aren't aggressive (and on neutral territory), but do not leave them unsupervised and never house rabbits with other species. | ||
| Personality: | Quiet and sensitive. Some rabbits like to cuddle and others are very playful. They are usually not skittish or shy and bond to owner and home. Rabbits rarely bite. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 12"x24"x12" (or at least 4 times the size of the rabbit) | ||
| Food: | Commercial rabbit food, timothy hay, and vegetables. Rabbits are strict herbivores. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Rabbits don't have a body odor and can be litterbox trained. Their smell is generally low. | ||
| Other: | Rabbits are quiet but sensitive animals. They enjoy toys to chew on or toss around but can't use a wheel since they don't really "run." Rabbits can be kept in outdoor hutches but are MUCH happier, healthier, and longer-lived when kept inside. | ||
| For Children? | Yes, but the child needs to be calm and gentle because rabbits can be emotionally sensitive. Care is relatively easy, and most rabbits are calm and gentle animals. | ||
| Helpful Site: | House Rabbit Society | ||
 Dante, Dojo, and Scratch, siamese rats, photo by Vickie | |||
| Size: | 9 to 11 inches (nose to base of tail) 1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds. Males are the larger gender. | ||
| Lifespan: | 2 to 4 years | ||
| Varieties: | Dumbo, hairless, tailless, rex, satin, hooded, variegated, capped, dalmatian, Berkshire, husky, siamese, himalayan, albino, agouti, black, beige, blue, mink, chinchilla, pearl, dove, champagne, roan, merle, etc. | ||
| Health: | Prone to respiratory problems and mammary tumors, but very hardy and able to withstand a little rougher handling than smaller rodents. | ||
| Compatibility: (rats) | Social animals, do best in pairs or small groups. Best when introduced young. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | Can get along with cats or dogs under certain circumstances, but always supervise. Do okay with guinea pigs or rabbits on neutral territory but are territorial and may attack other animals in or near their cage. Are likely to hunt and kill smaller rodents, birds, or other animals. | ||
| Personality: | Not prone to biting and are usually calm and friendly, especially if handled often when young. Females tend to be more playful, and males are more cuddly. Form strong bonds with owner and can be taught to come when called. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 24"x12"x10" for 1 or 2 | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks or low fat/low protein dog food supplemented with fresh veggies and cereal. Rats are omnivores. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Not as much urine odor as mice. Recommended cage cleaning is once a week. Females stay very clean and have no body odor. Males have no odor to a slight body odor and usually don't clean their tails. | ||
| Other: | Rats need things to chew and like a place to hide. Some, but not all, will use a wheel (must be very large). | ||
| For Children? | Yes, rats tolerate some rough handling, rarely bite, and are easy to care for. They also bond to an owner. However, rats are not pets you can just leave alone in a cage. They need daily handling and an owner who wants to spend time with them. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Introduction to the Rat Race | ||
 Gambian rat, photo by Holly | |||
| Size: | 13-17 inches (nose to base of tail) 5-7 pounds | ||
| Lifespan: | 7-10 years | ||
| Varieties: | Gray to brown. Some white spotting has been seen. | ||
| Health: | Healthier than fancy rats and hardier too. | ||
| Compatibility: (gambians) | Gambian rats are very territorial and don't do well with others of the same sex. A female may beat up a male she is housed with, but often a male and female pair will work as cagemates. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | May attack a cat or dog (or person) in their territory. Will hunt and kill any smaller animal. | ||
| Personality: | Shy and solitary animals. They can be pleasant and friendly if handled very often from birth. But they are territorial and may defend their cage or room violently. Be prepared to deal with an animal that is large and not domesticated. Pet Gambians are simply "captive bred" at the moment and have many more wild instincts than a fancy rat. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 24"x36"x36" | ||
| Food: | Rodent blocks or dog food, parrot mix, fruits, and nuts. | ||
| Cleanliness: | ??? | ||
| Other: | Gambians are very intelligent like fancy rats but have the size and strength to really cause mischief by chewing everything, opening even supposedly secure doors, and generally getting whatever they want. They need to be provided plenty of toys such as dog or parrot toys and be well-trained and supervised. | ||
| For Children? | No, the Gambian pouched rat can be temperamental and is big enough to seriously hurt someone if it wants to. It is also crafty and can be a real challenge to even seasoned pet owners. These animals are recommended only to experienced rat owners. | ||
| Helpful Site: | Raven Moon Care Guide | ||
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| Size: | 5-10 pounds | ||
| Lifespan: | 8-15 years | ||
| Varieties: | Black, albino, black-eyed white, blue, chocolate, lilac, and cream. Their white stripes vary in size, shape, and number. | ||
| Health: | Skunks need to be wormed regularly and are susceptible to other parasites. Spaying or neutering is recommended for their health and to curb agression. | ||
| Compatibility: (skunks) | ??? | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | Skunks are intelligent and curious. They are able to get into mischief if not supervised. They are similar to ferrets in their behavior, and some can be calm lap pets. They can be agressive biters, especially if not spayed/neutered. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 36"x36"x24" | ||
| Food: | There are some commercial skunk diets on the market. Otherwise, they can be fed dog food and vegetables. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Pet skunks can be (and are often required by law to be) descented. However, they will still have a slight musk like a ferret. Skunks can be litterbox trained. | ||
| Other: | Skunks are illegal in some areas and/or classified as "native wildlife." Because they have long, sharp claws, skunks need their claws trimmed regularly. Skunks have similar space and time requiements as ferrets. | ||
| For Children? | No, skunks are at the same level of responsibility as ferrets, and since there is no approved skunk rabies vaccine, a pet may be seized and destroyed if it bites anyone. This, plus the potential expense of owning a skink, is too much to ask of a child. (Plus, skunks can leave deep puncture wounds if they choose to bite.) | ||
| Helpful Site: | OOPS | ||
 Sugar glider, photo by Donnie | |||
| Size: | 4 to 7 inches (nose to base of tail) | ||
| Lifespan: | 12-15 years | ||
| Varieties: | Wild color (gray with white and black marks), albino, black-eyed white, platinum, blonde, cinnamon, champagne | ||
| Health: | Gliders are fragile and need to be handled gently. They are also prone to paralysis from nutrient deficiency. They can have calcium deficiencies and other problems associated with nutrition. | ||
| Compatibility: (sugar gliders) | Sugar gliders are social and do well in pairs or small groups. They will get depressed if a cagemate or a human they bonded to leaves for an extended period. | ||
| Compatibility: (other animals) | ??? | ||
| Personality: | They tend to be shy and nocturnal, but will bond strongly to an owner. | ||
| Minimum Space: (lxwxh) | 20"x20"x36" | ||
| Food: | Gliders need fruits and vegetables as the majority of their diet and a source of protein such as boiled chicken or crickets. | ||
| Cleanliness: | Gliders can't be litter trained and will likely poop and pee on you. Males have a slight but noticable body odor. They produce fairly stinky and messy waste due to fruit in the diet. | ||
| Other: | Gliders are illegal in many cities and states, so check laws. | ||
| For Children? | No, because they are very nocturnal and shy. They are also fairly small and fragile. | ||
| Helpful Site: | GliderCentral | ||