Choosing the right small pet
Before committing to a small pet, it’s important to do your research to make sure they’re the right fit for you and your home.
Are small pets the right pet for me?
There are many misconceptions around small pets and they are often seen as ‘easy’, low maintenance pets. While they are wonderful pets to own, they all have very specific needs that must be met to ensure that they are happy and healthy, including the correct diet, different housing requirements and lots of time, care and attention.
Small pets can also be seen as 'beginner pets' for children, and while they can be a great addition to a home with children, they are not always the right fit. Some small pets are nocturnal and do not like to be disturbed during the day, some can be difficult for children to handle, and small pets are prey animals and do not enjoy being picked up.
Do your research
When thinking about buying or adopting a small pet into your family, it's important to do your research. It can be helpful to ask yourself some questions, such as:
- who will be your pet's main carer? You have to be over 16 to legally own a pet and children should never be a primary carer – small pets should be a family pet, just like a cat or a dog.
- will your small pet need a companion? Apart from the hamster species, all small pets need to have company of their own kind – this is really important for their wellbeing as living alone can be stressful for them.
- how much space do you have? Small pets need a much bigger enclosure than people often assume, and each small pet has very specific housing requirements. It’s important to make sure you can meet these needs.
- how long will your pet live? Knowing how long you will need to commit to looking after your pet is important – some small pets can live up to 20 years.
To help you make the best decision for you and your home, we’ve listed an overview into the needs of each small pet, from housing requirements to their companionship needs.
We also have lots of detailed information about each small pet to help you get set up – click through the links to read more.
Rabbits
Rabbits are active and athletic animals that need lots of space to stay happy and healthy. They love exploring, grazing, digging, chewing and spending time with their rabbit companions.
Although rabbits are generally friendly and can enjoy being stroked, they are prey animals and do not like being picked up. They feel much safer with their feet on the ground and can enjoy interacting with you on their level.
Rabbits can live between eight to 10 years.
Rabbits need to live with at least one other rabbit to keep them happy and healthy. They can live in pairs or a compatible group as long as they are neutered.
Read more about rabbit companionship.
Rabbits need permanent access to lots of space, so you will need to think about where they will live.
Two rabbits need a home that is a minimum of three metres by two metres, and one metre high in size. This can be indoors or outdoors and should include a place to shelter such as an open hutch.
Read more about housing for rabbits.
Rabbits' teeth continuously to grow throughout their lives, so they need lots of hay to graze on throughout the day to keep them healthy. Rabbits’ daily diet will need to consist of:
- a constant supply of hay
- a handful of fresh veg and leafy greens once per day
- small quantity of high-fibre pellets (not muesli) once per day
- a constant supply of clean water
Read more about feeding rabbits.
Rabbits are most active at dawn, dusk and certain periods of the night.
Guinea pigs
Guinea pigs are timid, social animals that thrive in pairs or small groups.
They enjoy grazing on hay, exploring tunnels and hiding places and need plenty of space and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy.
Guinea pigs communicate with a range of squeaks and whistles, and can become very tame with regular, gentle handling.
Guinea pigs typically live for five to seven years.
Guinea pigs are highly social animals so they must have at least one friend of their own species. They can live in pairs or a small group.
Read more about introducing guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs need a large enclosure with plenty of floor space on one level, as they are not climbers.
The main living area for two females should be no less than five feet by two feet wide (or 10 square feet) with access to a separate run. Pairs of male guinea pigs or a trio of guinea pigs will need a larger space to keep them happy, and their enclosure should be no less than six feet by two feet wide (12 square feet) with access to a separate run.
If you do not have a separate run, or if they’re living indoors permanently, their living area should be no less than six feet by four feet (or 24 square feet).
Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, but they are very sensitive to cold weather and extreme heat, so you may have to adapt their living arrangements during these times.
Like rabbits, guinea pigs' teeth continuously to grow throughout their lives, so they need lots of hay to graze on throughout the day to keep them healthy. They’re also unable to produce their own vitamin C and they rely on getting this from their diet.
Their daily diet will need to consist of:
- a constant supply of hay or fresh grass to nibble on
- a handful of fresh veg and leafy greens
- small quantity of high-fibre pellets (not muesli) once per day
- a constant supply of clean water
Guinea pigs are active during the day, taking short naps between grazing but they are at their most active at dawn and dusk.
Hamsters
Hamsters are small, solitary animals that need to be housed alone. They need a spacious enclosure with deep bedding for burrowing. They enjoy running on appropriately sized wheels, exploring tunnels and foraging for food.
While some hamsters can become tame with gentle, regular handling, they can also be easily startled and may nip if frightened or woken suddenly.
There are many different species of hamsters, so it’s important to research to make sure you can meet their specific needs.
Depending on the species, hamsters typically live between two to three years.
Unlike other small pets, hamsters are a solitary species and should be kept alone.
Hamsters are indoor pets. Their ideal home for a hamster is housing no smaller than 100cm long by 50cm wide and 50cm tall. The bigger the better as hamsters love to explore and roam.
Hamsters also need a minimum of 20cm of suitable 'digging' bedding to allow them to create their own tunnels and nests.
Hamsters are omnivorous, which means they need a mixed diet of both plant and animal-based products. A hamster’s diet should consist of:
- a commercial dried hamster mix
- small pieces of fresh food – adding small pieces of fresh food will have nutritional benefits and keep their diet interesting. Portions should be as small as their ear and can include most vegetables, mealworms, lean cooked meat and boiled egg.
- a constant supply of fresh water
Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active at night and may not be awake much during the day.
Rats
Rats are highly intelligent and curious animals. They form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy problem-solving, exploring and interacting with people, and can even learn tricks.
Rats are generally friendly and confident, making them one of the most interactive small pets. They are very sociable and will need to spend lots of time with each other and their owner.
Rats usually live around two to three years.
To keep rats happy and healthy, they must have at least one friend of their own company. They can live in pairs or small groups.
Rats must live indoors. They’ll also need a tall, spacious cage with lots of climbing opportunities, bedding and enrichment. A wire cage is best for rats, and it should be at least 90cm long, 60cm deep and 120cm high for two to five rats.
Rats enjoy a varied diet that includes grains, vegetables and a protein source. You can also feed commercial mixes that are available from pet shops.
A constant supply of fresh water should also be available.
Rats are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night.
Mice
Mice are small, active and inquisitive animals. They can be quick and delicate, so handling requires extreme care, but they are fascinating to watch.
On average, mice live for around one and a half to two years.
Mice need company of their own kind as they love to groom and play with each other. They get along best in small groups.
Mice must live indoors. They need an enclosure with deep bedding for burrowing and lots of enrichment such as tunnels and wheels.
The best home for mice is a wire cage with a plastic floor. Two mice need a cage size of at least 80cm by 50cm of floor space, by 50cm tall.
Mice should eat a small amount of commercial mouse mix from a pet shop.
Clean, fresh water should also always be available from a shallow bowl.
Mice are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are most active at night.
Gerbils
Gerbils are a lively, social species that love to dig and tunnel, chew and exploring.
They are generally very friendly and inquisitive, but do not enjoy being handled. They are very interesting to watch when they have the correct environment.
Gerbils generally live around three to four years.
Like most small pets, gerbils are highly social and must with at least one friend of their own species. They can live happily in pairs or small groups.
Gerbils should only be housed indoors in a quiet space. In the wild, gerbils live in underground tunnels so the best way to mimic this and keep them happy is to house them in a gerbilarium or a large tank with a secure wire lid. They will also need plenty of deep material for them to dig and tunnel into.
Two to four gerbils need a minimum floor surface of 100cm long by 40cm wide and 40cm tall to allow them plenty of space to explore, dig and build tunnels.
Gerbils can eat gerbil specific nuggets as the basis of their diet, but they should also be given small amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit.
They should also have constant supply of fresh water in water bottle fixed to their tank.
Gerbils are most active during the day but can also be active in the evening and at night.
Degus
Degus are highly active. They need plenty of space with opportunities to hop around, dig and gnaw. They are very social and enjoy interacting with their companions.
While they don’t like being picked up, they do enjoy human interaction such as taking treats from your hand, or clambering on you if you sit on the floor in a degu secure room.
They are also prone to certain health conditions such as diabetes, so it’s important to make sure you research their dietary needs carefully to help them to stay healthy.
Degus generally live around five to eight years.
Degus are a social species and need to be kept in pairs or groups. They can live happily in a pair or group of males, or a pair of females.
Degus must live indoors. They need a large, multi-level enclosure to keep them happy and healthy. A wire cage at the minimum size of 90cm deep, 60cm wide and 120cm tall is ideal.
Degus are unable to digest or process sugar and carbohydrates and they’re very prone to diabetes, so they need a very specific diet. Their diet should consist of:
- unlimited hay each day to help keep their guts and teeth in good health
- one tablespoon of pellets a day – these can be degu or chinchilla pellets
- treats – degus can be fed a variety of treats such as forage mixes, dandelion leaves and leafy vegetables
- a constant supply of fresh water
Degus are active during the day and sleep at night.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are lively and very interesting pets. They enjoy dust baths, climbing and chewing.
They are quite exotic pets and are a long-term commitment, with very specific needs. Chinchillas can be nervous, so they need gentle interaction. They don’t enjoy being handled, but there are lots of other ways to enjoy their company such as watching them enjoy their toys and companions. The also need access to a safe area outside of their enclosure, so they can explore on a daily basis.
If you are an adult looking for an interesting, lively pet and you're willing to research their needs, then a chinchilla could be a good option.
Chinchillas can live for 10 to 20 years, so it’s important to think about their long-term commitment when considering getting a chinchilla.
Chinchillas are not happy to live alone and must live in pairs or small groups. They can live happily with their littermates, but it’s important to get any males neutered when living with a female, to prevent unwanted litters.
Chinchillas are indoor pets. They are very active and need plenty of space. They need a tall enclosure for jumping and climbing, and for a pair or trio of chinchillas, their cage should be at least 90cm long, 60cm deep and 120cm tall.
Chinchillas need a diet that is high in fibre and protein, but low in moisture and fat. To keep chinchillas healthy, they need:
- pellets – one tablespoon of chinchilla pellets once per day is best
- hay – pellets alone are not enough for chinchillas. They also need a constant supply of good quality hay to help wear down their teeth.
- forage mixes – chinchillas enjoy forage mixes with dried flowers and herbs
- fresh fruit and vegetables – some chinchillas enjoy a small slice of a fresh vegetable such as carrot
- a constant supply of fresh water
Chinchillas are mostly active in the evening.
For more advice on small pets, call your nearest Blue Cross centre or small pet rescue.
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Reviewed
• 22 May 2026
Next review
• 22 May 2029
