Are you looking for a good first pet for a child? Do you live in an apartment that does not allow for pets? Is your lifestyle too busy for a dog or a cat, but you would still like to have a pet of some sort? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then a pocket pet could be just what you are looking for. What is a pocket pet? Generally, the term refers to hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats. These pets all have roughly the same care requirements, but differ greatly in the opinions they elicit from people. This is a comprehensive guide to choosing and keeping one of these wonderful little animals. I have owned all of these pets at various times and can’t wait until my children are old enough for their own pocket pets.

General Care

The care of these animals is the same for all four of them. They are all rodents and are all friendly pets. The lifespan varies from 1-3 years, so they are great pets for people who cannot commit to a longer living pet such as a dog. They do not need exercised outside of the cage (except for rats) and are very quite.

Housing

When choosing a cage, keep in mind that they are rodents and will chew on anything. Therefore, the best bet for housing is an aquarium with a screen top or a metal cage made for rodents. There are pros and cons to each of these choices, the aquarium will have a foul odor quicker, but will keep the area around the cage clean of bedding and food debris. A metal cage made specifically for rodents will allow for better air circulation, therefore the smell will seem to be less offensive. However, the animals will borrow in the bedding causing it to spill out of the cage along with any food that is in the way.

Feeding

The best possible feed for any of these small pets is a diet formulated specifically for rodents. There are foods made for laboratory animals that are nutritionally balanced and should be offered at all times. This food can be supplemented with a variety of seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables and occasionally some “snack” foods such as crackers. These animals will also enjoy a treat from your garden such as grass, dandelions, or sunflowers. Care should be taken to make sure these plants are not treated with any chemicals and should be washed first.

Fresh water needs to be available at all times. There are many types of gravity fed water bottles on the market today, lots of colors and styles to choose from to match your tastes. Water should not be offered in a bowl, as it will be tipped over or soon filled with bedding and food.