Pick A Pet Gerbil, Hamster, Ferret, Guinea Pig

The first pets for many families are small animals such as gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, or ferrets. It’s important to do your research before you pick a pet small animal because each has its own characteristics and needs.

Gerbils and Hamsters are rodents and great pets for those who want a little friend, but don’t have a lot of time to care for your pet. These are affectionately referred to as pocket pets. Once they settle into their new home, they love to be handled. Because they normally forage over great distances to get their food, an exercise wheel in their cage lets them get the exercise they would out in the wild. There are exercise balls that you can put them in to get exercise outside of their cage. It’s important to give them fresh food and water and keep their cage clean. Gerbils have a tail and like to stand on their hind legs. They are diurnal so they play during the day and sleep at night. Hamsters are nocturnal; they sleep during the day and play at night, and they don’t have tails. Both live about 2 to 3 years, some longer.

Ferrets are not rodents, they are in the weasel family. Most of their time is spent outside their cage, freely roaming and playing throughout your home. They are very adventuresome and gregarious, so they do best when there are two or more. Having ferrets is like having young children of 2 to 4 years old in your home. Being very curious they love to get into everything. When awake they are nonstop activity, gleefully chattering as they go after each other, dogs, cats, and people. If it isn’t tied down, they’ll go after it.

Guinea pigs have a life-span of 5 to 7 years and are very social animals. While they bond with their owners, they do better when there is a same-sex pair of guinea pigs. This works best when introducing them to each other when young. They need a fairly large cage, especially if there is more than one. Guinea pigs can be easily tamed with consistent gentle handling. Before you go out to buy a guinea pig, they are often available in animal shelters and would love to come home with you to their new forever home.

Pick A Pet Small Animal Store

Books

The books in the store below will give you some insights into the behaviors of these wonderful little animals to see if they are the perfect pet for your family. You and your kids will love them and you can order them from the store below.

Stuffed Animals

Here you’ll find cuddly stuffed animals that can be held by a child while you read them books about small animals. Customers rate these highly as great companions for children, during the day and to sleep with at night. These are great gifts for parents and grandparents to give to go with a book.

Feel free to go to our ‘About’ page and let us know which book(s) are your favorites. Did we leave any out of the store which you think we should add?