Small Pets
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, degus, chinchillas and ferrets, with welfare-charity space figures, diet, company, bedding and preventive health care.
Bringing Home a Small Pet
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Most cages sold for small pets are too small. Start with plenty of floor space, hay for grazers, dust-free bedding and somewhere to hide.
Rabbits
Space, company, housing and preventive care for rabbits.
Bonding Two Rabbits
A slow, safe method that works
Indoor Rabbit Setup
Pens, litter training and rabbit-proofing
Outdoor Rabbit Setup
Space, shelter and predator-proofing
Rabbit Gut Health
Hay, daily checks and when to call the vet
Rabbit Health Basics
Vaccines, neutering, teeth and flystrike checks
Rabbits as Companions
Space, a rabbit friend and the real commitment
Guinea Pigs
Company, floor space and vitamin C.
Hamsters, Gerbils, Mice, Rats and Degus
Smaller rodents, from solitary hamsters to sociable degus.
Chinchillas, Ferrets and Think-Hard Pets
Bigger commitments with special needs, and pets most homes should think hard about.
Food, Housing and Health
Guides that apply across small pets.
Bedding and Litter
Safe, low-dust choices
Cages and Habitats
Minimum space by species
Choosing Hay
Timothy, meadow, orchard or alfalfa
Hay and Small Pet Food
What each small pet eats
Small Pet Health
Preventive care and when to call the vet
Small Pet Toys and Wheels
Chews, tunnels, foraging and wheels
No guides match that. Try an animal, or a word like hay or bedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions new small-pet owners ask most.
Which small pet is best for children?
It depends on the child and the time an adult can give. Rats and guinea pigs are often gentle with older children; rabbits and hamsters usually dislike being picked up. An adult should always be in charge of care.
How much space do rabbits need?
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund recommends at least 10 × 6 × 3 feet (3 × 2 × 1 m) for a pair, available all the time.
Which small pets need company?
Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice (females), gerbils, degus, chinchillas and ferrets do best with their own kind. Syrian hamsters and hedgehogs live alone.
Do small pets need a vet?
Yes. Find a vet who sees small pets before you need one, and call the same day if a rabbit or guinea pig stops eating.
Related Reading
- How to choose a pet: is a small pet the right fit right now?
- Reptiles & Amphibians: another world of small pets.
- Unusual Companions: invertebrates, hermit crabs and more.