Rodents are quite low maintenance compared to cats or dogs, and they still turn the cuteness dial up to eleven. Nobody on Earth can resist those puffy cheeks or the pitter-patter of their feet on the hamster wheel!
But which rodents make the best pets? Read on to find out!
1. Hamsters
Biologically speaking, hamsters are rodents through and through, but they have a better reputation than a lot of their brethren. After all, they’re not particularly messy eaters by comparison, and they enjoy human contact a lot more than most animals.
Hamsters are usually nocturnal creatures, so they generally don’t mind being left alone in the daytime. They’ll be snoozing comfortably when you’re out at work or running errands, and you still can get your cuddles in before you go to sleep. Just be sure to leave them food overnight since they spend about five hours a night running on their hamster wheel. With a workout like that, they’re bound to build up an appetite come morning!
It should be mentioned that hamsters tend to bite when they feel threatened. If you have other pets in your home, practice due diligence and keep their interactions brief to start with. Biting could also be a sign that an animal is feeling unwell, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet if your hamster is behaving strangely.
2. Mice
Some people only see mice as pests or lab experiments, but they’re some of the smartest and most lovable pets you could raise. These inquisitive animals love to explore, discover new things, and very often interact with humans in adorable ways.
Mice are extremely nimble and active creatures, so you’ll want to give them lots to do. Make them a spacious enclosure with lots of details, and you could spend hours watching them mess around without getting bored. They also warm up to the people who feed them relatively quickly, faster than a lot of “conventional” pets like cats!
Just be prepared to clean up after them, especially if you end up letting them run around outside their container. They eat a lot of different food, from meat to seeds, so you’ll be picking up crumbs left and right. Also, everything you might have heard about their erratic bathroom habits is completely true!
3. Rats
You might think that rats and mice are effectively the same thing, with the latter being a bit smaller. However, there are some key differences in how the two operate, and you’ll want to keep them in mind when deciding which one to pick.
It’s a bit counterintuitive, but despite their large size, rats are a lot needier than mice on average. First off, they like to be held and petted on a pretty regular basis, and they’re not afraid to show it. You can also make the case that they’re smarter, and they tend to prefer the company of a second rat if they can get it.
They might not get up to the same funny antics as mice, but rats can integrate into households with other pets a lot better. In fact, with a little effort on your end, rats and dogs who live together can become really great friends.
4. Gerbils
Rodents get by just fine with relatively minimal human intervention, but these guys are especially easy to care for. Their simple veggies-and-pellets diet, docile behavior, and adorable little faces are just some of the reasons gerbils make such great pets.
As for their biggest selling point, they’re a contender for the friendliest rodents on the planet. Obviously, you need to keep in mind these are pretty frail critters, so don’t squeeze them too tight or hold them by the tail. Beyond that, though, it’s hard to convey how amazing it feels to handle something so tiny without it getting scared!
The only real downside is that gerbils have pretty short lifespans, ranging from three to five years. At the same time, your first gerbil is guaranteed to steal your heart, so you definitely won’t be stopping at one!
5. Chinchillas
Although they’re not the most popular pick, chinchillas can be amazing pets, especially if you have children. Their adorable, rounded ears are bound to win your kids over, and they don’t generally have the biting instinct that other rodents are known for.
These lovable furballs usually don’t enjoy being held, but feed them often enough, and they’ll start running up to you for snuggles in due time. They’re on the more cautious side when you first bring them home, so it’s that much more rewarding when you gain their trust.
Chinchillas are also incredibly bright animals, which makes them super fun to be around, not to mention it makes caring for them that much easier. For starters, it’s possible to potty train a chinchilla, which comes in handy since they take a couple hundred bathroom breaks every day!
One thing to keep in mind is that their fur is prone to getting oily, and they get around that by taking regular dust baths. They’re sure to fling some dust and dirt around in the process, but that’s a small price to pay for befriending one of these cuties!
