Selecting the small pet that's right for your home is no small feat. With all the adorably tiny options, it can be difficult to determine whether your family's new addition should have fins or fur. After all, some pets need massive amounts of care and attention, while others prefer to be left alone. It all depends on how much time and effort you're willing to put forth to become a pet owner.
You should also consider whether you'd like the type of pet you can curl up with on the couch or prefer to watch at a distance. A little snuggling might be possible with a chinchilla, but it's a sure bet your hermit crab won't take the bait. And, there are a few pets that aren't a good fit in households with preschoolers.
So, where will you start? We've got the scoop on 10 popular small pets that, in one way or another, reward their owners with companionable ease.
10. Guinea Pig
As small pets go, guinea pigs -- also known as cavies -- are virtual giants. In fact, each of the 13 guinea pig breeds recognized by the American Cavy Breeders Association can weigh up to 3 pounds or 1,360 grams (that's a lot compared to a parakeet). They come in several colors and patterns, and can have short or long hair.
Life Span: Five to 10 years
Best For: Children of any age; a great "starter" pet
Feeding: Commercial pellets, prairie hay, fresh vegetables and water; daily dose of vitamin C
Housing and Exercise: Guinea pigs need lots of exercise. Pet retailers sell portable enclosures in which your guinea pig can safely explore an indoor or outdoor environment. You can add pipes for your pet to run through or offer hiding places like small boxes. However, resist the urge to add an exercise wheel to its cage. That's because running in a wheel could cause injuries to your guinea pig's back or legs.
Good to know: Guinea pigs are actually from South America (not Guinea) and aren't pigs at all.
Sometimes called "pocket pets" because of their size, hamsters have pet appeal in triplicate: They're cute, furry and oh-so-friendly. People began keeping hamsters as pets in the 1930s, and this easy-to-care-for pet has grown in popularity ever since. The most common hamster breeds include the Syrian hamster (also known as the golden hamster), which can grow up to 7 inches (17 centimeters) in length. The Roborovski dwarf hamster, on the other hand, is only 2 inches (7 centimeters) in length.
Life Span: Two or three years
Best For: Children 8 and older; hamsters are nocturnal -- unlike young kids
Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh water; occasional treats of fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese
Housing and Exercise: Wire hamster cages with a solid bottom; hamster wheels, tubes and other toys. Shredded paper or tissue makes good bedding. Most hamsters don't mind living alone. In fact, they tend to be aggressive in same-sex pairs.
Good to know: If you adopt two hamsters of the opposite sex, you may soon have a bevy of baby hamsters. That's because a hamster pregnancy only takes about two weeks, from start to finish. Why the rush? It's all part of nature's grand design to keep the breed alive.
They can come when called, use a litter box and exercise on a leash. Sounds like a strange mix of cat- and dog-like qualities, but for this household pet, it's all in a day's work. There are more than 60 breeds of rabbits in the United States, so you can choose from a variety of sizes, colors and ear lengths. Even weight is an option, because rabbits can range from 2 to 13 pounds.
- Life Span: Five to 10 years
- Best For: Children 8 and older
- Feeding: Commercial pellets, fresh vegetables for a treat, fresh water
- Housing and Exercise: Indoor-only rabbit cage with a solid floor. Rabbits need lots of exercise; specially made enclosures can provide a safe outdoor environment for hopping, as can an enclosed indoor space. Some rabbits can be trained to exercise outdoors with a collar and leash.