Gerbils don't smell! You will only need to clean their cages every other week!
Gerbils are inexpensive to house and feed and rarely need
veterinary care.
Gerbils live in pairs, so they are happy even if you don’t have
much time to play with them.
Gerbils can be left overnight or for a weekend with an extra
supply of food and a “backup” water source (like a carrot).
Gerbils rarely bite and enjoy climbing all over you!
Gerbils are not nocturnal – they sleep on and off all day and
night, and generally wake up when you come into the room.
Gerbils come in 40 different colors and patterns.
Tame, friendly, healthy, hand-raised gerbils are available to you
from local breeders.
Comparing gerbils to other rodent pets.
Species
Life Span
Clean cage
Minimum Handling
Active period
Housing
Vet Visits
Gerbils
3 years
2 weeks
15 mins a day
on and off, day and night
10 gal. tank
when sick
Gerbils may be the easiest to care for of all rodent pets, and given their adorable curiousity, energy, and affectionate social behaviors, one of the most gratifying to own. Unlike the noctural rodents, gerbils are awake and doing cute things when you are watching. This makes them ideal for schools, libraries, etc. Gerbils are truly social animals that require gerbil companionship. This is usually easy to start with - simply get two boys or two girls from a reputable source - but harder to maintain when one gerbil dies and you need to re-partner the survivor. To facilitate this, get your gerbils from a reputable breeder who will be there to provide lifetime support.
Hamsters
1½ - 2 years
1 week
15 mins a day
nocturnal
10 gal. or Habitrail
when sick
Hamsters are great pets for younger children. Slow-moving and easy to care for, they are a good alternative to faster gerbils or mice. However, don't make the mistake of confusing dwarf hamsters with babies. Dwarf hamsters are an entirely different species than Syrians. Dwarfs are quicker and generally prefer company, while Syrians are slower and would rather live alone. Also, be aware that all hamsters reproduce very rapidly, so be sure you have a same sex pair or a non-pregnant female.
Mice
1 year
2x a week
15 mins a day
nocturnal
10 gal. tank
when sick
Mice are tiny, adorable creatures who can be quite affectionate if carefully tamed and regularly handled. A friendly, tiny mouse in your hand is a true delight. Male mice must be housed alone; females can live in groups. Male mice produce a strong scent, so if they will be in a public area, be prepared for frequent cleaning. Their reproduction is prodigious so be sure your females are sexed correctly and not pregnant when you get them.
Guinea Pigs
5 years
2x week
45 mins a day
diurnal
solid bottomed wire cage
occasional
Guinea pigs are great for younger kids who want a lap pet. A calm, quiet guinea pig will sit in a child's lap for hours - however, a towel is suggested, as the guinea pig is a veritable dispenser of liquid and solid wastes. Timid and social, guinea pigs do best with company but will be fine alone if you give them plenty of love. Avoid buying your guinea pig in a pet store, as they have frequently picked up illnesses on their way to the store. Shelters and humane societies are chock-full of guinea pigs needing new homes. Visit petfinder.org to find one.
Rats
2 years
1 week
1 hour a day
nocturnal
solid bottomed wire cage
when sick
If you can get past the hairless tail, a rat is one of the most friendly, intelligent and people-oriented short-lived rodent pets, almost dog-like in its clever, loyal ways. Rats can learn tricks and know their names and owners. They will sit happily inside your shirt or on your shoulder and ride around for hours. Rats need plenty of human attention and out-of-cage time as well as rat friends. As much as you might be tempted to rescue a feeder rat from the bin at the pet store, do yourself a favor and buy one that's been raised as a pet and well socialized. Mainely Rat Rescue has many rats in foster care all over the East Coast waiting for new homes, or try petfinder.org.
Rabbits
8-10 years
every other day
4 hours out-of-cage time
diurnal
solid bottomed wire cage and free run area
annual
Picturing a meek, mild pet? Think again. Bunnies are intelligent creatures with strong personalities and a sense of humor. Bunnies are not usually "lap pets" but there is great variation between individuals. Bunnies are frequently given up because owners underestimate their care requirements. Check shelters, vets and local animal control rather than buy from a pet store.
Chinnies
15 years
1 week
30-60 mins a day
nocturnal
solid bottomed wire cage and free run area
occasional
Chinchillas are one of the more exotic rodent pets and therefore somewhat expensive and hard-to-find, but for people who can make the 10+ year commitment, they are an unspeakable wonder. They are intelligent, soft, beautiful, friendly, nearly magical creatures. Chinnies need a very large cage plus a "run" or chinnie-proofed room in which they will need at least 1 hour a day of free time. They are clean and nearly odorless. Like rabbits, individual personalities vary widely: some like to be held, others prefer to perch on your shoulder. Seek out a homeless animal or purchase from a reputable breeder.
Degus
8-10 years
1 week
20-30 mins
on and off, day and night
solid bottomed wire cage
annual
Degus are also somewhat hard to find and expensive, but their charming, clownish and affectionate ways make them wonderfully appealing pets. They will eagerly greet you and beg to come out, then climb all over you as you carry them around. Degus are social and should live in same-sex pairs, preferably siblings. They need a large enclosure with solid surfaces to rest on. They are prone to tooth problems and will need regular vet visits. Their diet must be managed carefully in order to avoid diabetes: a mix of chinchilla and guinea pig pellets plus lots of hay and fresh water.
