Pet Project: Choosing the Best Small Pets for Kids

GERBILS

• Lifespan – About 3 years.
• Size – 3 to 4 inches (not including the tail).
• Compatibility – Super social and friendly. While easy to handle, they’re also very squirmy and extremely quick. Gerbil do best in pairs.
• Habitat – They’re little balls of energy that need a plastic, wire or glass tank/cage big enough for exercising and exploring. Gerbils do not do well in humid environments.
• Diet – Gerbils are vegetarians/grain eaters and can eat commercially prepared gerbil diets. As a treat, you can also feed them fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Workload – Gerbils groom themselves, so there’s no need to clean or bathe them; however, you should clean their tank/cage at least once a week. Give gerbils toys like wheels, exercise balls and things they can safely chew.

HAMSTERS (DWARF & SYRIAN)

• Lifespan – 2 to 4 years.
• Size – 3 to 4 inches.
• Compatibility – Both are playful and easy to handle but can get nippy (especially the females). Hamsters are nocturnal, so don’t expect a lot of daytime play time. Syrian and dwarf hamsters are both best kept alone.
• Habitat – The bigger, the better. A dwarf hamster needs a wire cage or glass tank that’s at least 24” x 12”. A Syrian hamster cage or tank should be at least 24” x 15”.
• Diet – Dwarf and Syrian hamsters are omnivores/grain eaters. Feed them commercially prepared hamster diets and give them fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat.
• Workload – Dwarf and Syrians hamsters are both self-groomers, i.e., you don’t have to clean or bathe them. Nevertheless, you need to clean their tank/cage once a week. Also make sure you have toys like wheels, hamster balls and chews.

GUINEA PIGS

• Lifespan – 5 to 8 years.
• Size – 8 to 12 inches.
• Compatibility – Super sweet, vocal and very gentle when being held; however, they do go potty quite a bit, so be careful when they’re sitting on your lap. Guinea pigs love company and thrive in groups of two or more.
• Habitat – A guinea pig cage that’s at least 48” x 24”. Like with any other small animal, the bigger the cage, the better.
• Diet – Their diet should be 70% grasses and hay, 20% commercially prepared guinea pig pellets and 10% fresh, leafy greens. If anyone in your family is allergic to hay, a guinea pig may not be the right pet.
• Workload – Clean their cage at least once a week; however, you don’t have to clean or bathe guinea pigs since they groom themselves. Provide them with chewing toys made of wood, hay or paper.

MICE/RATS

• Lifespan – A mouse lives about 1.5 to 3 years, Rats about 2 to 3 years.
• Size – Mice grow to be about 3 to 4 inches long. Rats get about 8 to 10 inches long. These sizes don’t include their tails.
• Compatibility – Mice can be easily picked up and carried but it’s not their favorite thing. They thrive in groups of two or more; however, they may not keen on meeting new mice. If you get more than one, get them at the same time. Unlike mice, rats love playing and interacting with people (think super tiny dog). They’re also laid back, super intelligent and enjoy being in pairs.
• Habitat – Mice need a cage or glass tank that’s at least 24” x 12”. The smallest cage/tank for a rat should be about 24” x 18”. As with any caged small animal, the bigger the better. If possible, get them a taller cage/tank that can fit a multi-level setup. Mice and rats both enjoy having multiple “rooms.”
• Diet – Both mice and rats can eat commercially prepared mouse/rat food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also welcomed treats.
• Workload – Mice and rats are extremely tidy animals that only need their cage/tank cleaned at least once a week. Both are happy to entertain themselves with toys, particularly wheels, balls and chewing toys made from wood or paper.

RABBITS

• Lifespan – 8 to 12 years.
• Size – Up to 16 inches or more.
• Compatibility – Very shy and not big fans of being held for long periods of time. Rabbits are smart, inquisitive animals that require some patience. As a bigger small animal, they need room to run around and be outside their cage as much as possible.
• Habitat – Since there are so many species of pet rabbits, they can vary in size. In general, your rabbit’s cage should be at least six-times the length of their outstretched body.
• Diet – Pet rabbits need to eat primarily grass-based hays and about two tablespoons of rabbit pellets every day. Feeding them fresh, leafy greens is also a good idea. If a family member is allergic to hay, you may have to pass on a pet rabbit.
• Workload – Rabbits should be brushed once a week and their nails trimmed once every six weeks. Baths are not encouraged because they can be stressful for rabbits. To keep them mentally stimulated, get them rabbit-safe chew toys, plastic balls, tunnels and even cat toys.

FERRETS

• Lifespan – 6 to 10 years.
• Size – Males can get 15 to 16 inches long, females 13 to 14 inches long.
• Compatibility – High energy, playful and very smart. Ferrets hate being alone and do best when they’re kept in pairs or groups. They’re good with being held but would rather explore the surroundings outside their cage for several hours a day. They’re also big-time chewers, so any time spent not in their cage should be supervised. You should also get tubes, boxes and beds to satisfy their need to tunnel and hide.
• Habitat – They need a cage that’s at least 3’ x 2’ and something tall so they can have a multi-level setup. In addition, you’ll need a hammock and/or bed for playing and sleeping.
• Diet – 100% carnivore. Feed them ferret food and feed them often.
• Workload – Most states require yearly rabies and distemper vaccinations for ferrets, starting when they’re 12 weeks of age. Even if your state doesn’t require them, vaccinations are an important part of keeping ferrets healthy. They also need to be regularly groomed, i.e., coat brushing, nail trimming, teeth brushing, ear cleanings and monthly baths. Their cage should also be cleaned at least once a week. For fun, ferrets love playing with feathers, plastic balls, plush toys with bells and crinkly toys.

As with any pet, do your homework first. Learn how compatible a small animal may be with your family by understanding their living needs and personality traits. Despite your child swearing they’ll do “everything,” you know the truth. After all, kids will be kids.