What Are Pros And Cons Of Having A Small Mammal As A Pet?

Are you considering having a rabbit as a pet?

Are you considering having mice as pets?

Are you considering having a rat as a pet?

Are you considering having a hamster as a pet?

Are you considering having a gerbil as a pet?

Are you considering having a Guinea pig as a pet?

Are you considering having a chinchilla as a pet?

Pros: Rabbits are adorable, often very playful and social. They can be kept solitary or in small groups. They can be spayed/neutered, which allows for “mixed-sex” groups. Cons: Rabbits are expensive and high maintenance to take care of properly.

Pros: Mice are small and inexpensive pets. They can be kept solitary and in small groups. They can learn routines and food games quickly. With enough in cage stimulation, they do not always require handling. Cons: They are fast-moving, smelly, and may be nippy.

Pros: Rats are very engaging and interactive pets, intelligent, social, learn games quickly. Cons: They have a short life expectancy and are relatively expensive to maintain.

Pros: Hamsters are amusing pets which are relatively content in a fairly small space. It can be kept as a solitary pet. Hamsters will create and play games entirely by themselves, but also often enjoy human interaction. Cons: Hamsters are nocturnal, can be very nippy, and fairly short-lived.

Pros: Gerbils are active, entertaining, low maintenance animals. They can be kept in small social groups, and when neutered, can be in mixed-sex housing. Cons: Gerbils need a lot of space to maneuver.

Pros: Guinea pigs are friendly, social, interactive pets. They often love human interaction, toys, and developing games. They can be kept in small groups or solo. Cons: Guinea pigs are delicate and require careful handling.

Pros: Chinchillas are adorable, friendly and engaging, active, entertaining, and often quite social and playful. Females can be kept in small groups, or solo, males are best-kept solo. Cons: They make a lot of mess. They chew a lot and have nocturnal habits.

If you are considering having a ferret as a pet - Pros: Ferrets are very amusing, they have busy antics – almost like the blend of a puppy and a kitten that never grows up. They are intelligent, interactive, and best kept in small groups. Because they typically come already neutered, mixed-sex groups are possible. Cons: They keep finding trouble everywhere they go, they are high maintenance and significant veterinary costs.