Popular Pet Rodents

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Do Rodents Make Good Pets or Are They A Nuisance? (Rats, Mice etc.)

The rodents are the easiest pets to take care of. They require only minimal care and their maintenance is also very easy. The space required is also very small. It can be a small tank or cage. But you require some knowledge about growing them up .This article will make your task easy. Read more

This article covers

What are rodents?
Types of rodents
Types of rodents
How to choose a pet rodent and sources for purchasing them
How pet rodents become popular

One of the main factors, which contribute to making rodents such excellent pets, is the minimal care they need when being looked after. Dealing with the various types of rodents and list of rodents - pet mice and pet rodents, for example- and their maintenance- gerbil care, breeding pet rats, care of pet rats, for example- is not a very daunting task.

What is required is just knowledge of the basics on how to look after a rodent, besides some information on pet rats, since all rodents more or less have the same sort of needs. You would probably need a cage/tank in which you could keep the animals, some sort of bedding in which they could nest, some food and water, some basic knowledge, and any other special thing that the particular animal may need. Pet rodents can be bought from your local pet store, and information on pet care can be obtained from a really informed salesperson at the store.

Types of Rodents

There are some popular types of rodents such as follows:

Hamsters

Syrian or golden hamsters are solitary animals who should be necessarily kept one to a cage. While the basic minimum size of a cage is 12x18 inches, the bigger the better as hamsters are quite an active species. They more often than not are possessed of an agreeable temperament, and make good pets, with the main advantage- of being able to be kept single. A smaller species of hamsters, called dwarf hamsters, are now more freely available at your local pet store, and they are known to be more sociable than a Syrian hamster.

Gerbils

Another in the list of pet rodents, gerbils have a body length measuring about 4 inches, and accompanied with a furry tail almost as long as the body. Being naturally active and sociable, gerbils are happier as a group. Regarding gerbil care a minimum size cage of 12 by 24 inches, with a height of about 12 inches, is quite satisfactory, although more space in a cage would be most welcome. With regular looking after, gerbils can become quite tame, and very interesting to watch as they socialize and interact with their cage-mates.

Mice

Fancy pet mice, are another breed among the list of rodents that are quite easy to keep. They have a long hairless tail, and are the smallest in the group with a body length of about 3 inches. They are quite social; particularly the female of the species who does well in small groups or pairs. They need a small cage, 12 by 18 inches, with 12 inches height, although, if you have more than a pair, a larger cage is recommended. Their active nature and playful temperament make them very interesting to watch, and they make good pets as they require low maintenance.

Rats

Rats live for an average life-span of 2-4 years, and make good pets. They are social and move well in pairs of the same sex. Since they have relatively larger bodies, about 8 inches in length, with a hairless tail almost that long, they are much easier to handle. They enjoy the company of humans, rarely bite, and with regular handling can become very tame. With regard to breeding pet rats and care of pet rats, these species of rodent need time outside of the cage for exercise and social interaction. According to information on pet rats, they could even be taught simple tricks. Their cages are generally larger- a tall cage of 24 by 36 inches is recommended. Due to their sociable nature, they require more attention and time than do many of the smaller rodents, but they do make rewarding pets.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs live fairly long, having a life-span of 5-7 years. Weighing 2-3 pounds and measuring 10 inches long, an adult guinea pig, are the largest among the list of pet rodents. They rarely bite, even under stress, and their gentle and amiable temperament and size, have made them popular pets for families. They can be best kept in same sex pairs on account of their sociable nature. They require a cage larger than what is generally found in a pet store- a pair would require about a minimum of four square feet of floor space, if they also have daily exercise outside of the cage. Needing a more demanding diet than other pet rodents, rats require a sufficient amount of vitamin C, and a fresh supply of vegetables and hay. Though they require more attention and space than other pet rodents, they make for very rewarding pets, with a longer life-span.

How To Choose A Pet Rodent And Sources For Purchasing Them

On account of space limitations, financial and time constraints, more people are turning to rodents as their choice for a pet. As pet rodents are selectively bred for their temperament, they should not be confused with, and considered alongside, mass produced prey animals. A good breeder is very important- as with all pet animals. If you are considering buying an animal from a pet store, purchase only pet animals. Most pet stores and breeders will have a variety of young animals that are socialized, so be sure to choose a pet rodent that is alert, has clean fur, and clear eyes.

Most pet rodents can be purchased from a pet store, or you could look for a breeder from whom you could buy a particular breed of rodent, for example, guinea pigs. While choosing a pet mouse, rat or guinea pig, the most important factor to be considered is

to choose one that looks healthy and has been weaned from his mother.
Have a good long look around the cage before choosing a pet rodent that has quiet and even breathing, runs about comfortably, and is energetic and active.
The teeth should be straight and clean, and not broken or overgrown.
There should be no sort of discharge from the nose, the eyes, the mouth.
Any staining at the rear would be indicative of diarrhoea.
A rodent that does not cough, sneeze or wheeze, can be classified as a healthy rodent.

Continue to : How Pet Rodents become Popular