Rodents: Worthwhile pets or a Nuisance?

Rodents are not everybody's cup of tea but they make good pets. They are easy to care for, most can be handled by children, and they require minimal care. Unfortunately most live only for a couple of years.

They do not need a lot of space which makes them ideal pets for people living in apartments. There is a lot of information available on different rodents. Whether you want information on pet rats, pet mice, pet gerbils or pet hamsters, you have to do research.

How to Choose Which Rodent to Purchase

There are six different types of rodents available. The four popular ones are:

• Gerbils
• Hamsters
• Rats
• Mice

Gerbils

Gerbils are naturally inquisitive and they love exploring new things. They love to dig and they are really active. It is best to provide them with a tank. As with all rodents, they also love to chew. Pet shops do sell many plastic toys.. This can prove to be really expensive so the best thing to do is to buy wooden toys. They last a lot longer so they are more cost effective in the long run. Gerbils are easy to tame and they are really fun to watch. They make ideal children's pets and they can really bond with their owner. Gerbils are social animals and they prefer to live in pairs.

Hamsters

Hamsters are really popular children's pets, though they aren't as active as gerbils. They are nocturnal and mainly come out at night. This is ideal if children are out at school all day, as they get back when the hamster is becoming playful. Although hamsters can be good pets, they also have a tendency to be grumpy, especially when woken up. Of all rodents, hamsters can be the most temperamental. They love running around on a wheel and they also love going through tubes. There are various hamster cages. Hamsters generally like to live alone.

Rats

Rats are highly intelligent animals and they need a lot of things to do to keep them occupied. They love hammocks, ropes to climb up, and they really do enjoy. They also need to be let out of their cage for at least one hour a day. They are easy to tame and they hardly bite making them ideal pets for children. Of all the rodents, rats are the least aggressive and they would rather run away than fight.

Mice

Pet mice are pretty easy to keep and they are the smallest of the group. They only need a small cage making them suitable for small living spaces. They do prefer to live in small groups.

They are active and playful which makes them interesting to watch and they do make good children's pets.

Where Can I Purchase A Rodent From?

Pet rodents can be purchased from a variety of places:

• Pet Shops
• Breeders
• Private Sellers
• Animal Shelters

Pet shops are the most common places to buy small pets. Many people prefer to buy cage, food, toys and accessories while they are buying their pet, and pet shops are ideal for that purpose. While the staff generally does have some knowledge of their animals, they do not tend to have knowledge on each individual pet so you may not get some information.

Breeders tend to know quite a lot about their animals. They know each individual and they should be able to tell you their characteristics. For example, if you are looking for a pet that is laid back and a bit more docile, the breeder should know which ones fit your needs. Breeders sometimes offer aftercare which means if you have any problems when you get your pet home, you can ring them and they will try and help you to overcome the problem. Always ask as many questions, as possible. If you are buying a pet rat, try and get the breeder to give you as much pet rat information as possible.

Private sellers can usually be found in local classifieds. They usually have had an accidental litter of rodents. Some animal shelters sometimes find themselves with unwanted rodents of various ages. You may need to have a home check to check that your home is suitable for a rodent, but generally most homes are suitable.

Precautions in Rodent Care

No matter which types of rodent you decide to purchase, all need some amount of care in order to look after them properly. Things to bear in mind when handling your pet rodents are:

• Never pick them up by their tails. Gerbils in particular can shed their tails as they would in the wild. This means that part of their tail will actually fall off.. If you do need to pick them up by their tails for any reason, you should always pick them up by the base of their tail (near their rear end), briefly before putting them into the palm of your hand.
• When getting your new rodent home, it is important that you do not overcrowd them. They need at least 24 hours to adjust to their new settings as the stress from traveling would have been quite traumatic.
• All rodent's food needs to be covered up to stop any bugs or dust going into it. Covering the food up also keeps it fresher for longer.

Will My Pet Rodent Need Any Veterinary Treatment?

Sometimes pet rodents do need to be taken to the vets. This could be due to some enlargement in their body or other health problems. It has to be treated immediately

Pet rodents can, and do make good pets. They are quit inexpensive. They fit in small apartments and they can make ideal children's pets. However, you should always supervise children when they are handling any animal as they could easily be rough with the animal.