- Fancy rats
- Hamsters
- Chinchillas
- Ferrets
- Guinea pigs
Fancy rats are a great choice for children. Some people are wary of these rodents. But as pets for kids, they are pretty cute. They can be various colors you can find even hairless ones. It is better to have two same-sex rats, in the company it is easier for them to endure captivity.
Pros: Suitable for families who often travel. If you are going to leave for a few days, you can safely leave the animal in the cage. The main thing is that it has enough water and food. If from early childhood you often keep the animal in your hands, it will quickly become tame.
Cons: specific smell. If released from the cage, this pet will chew everything it is able to reach.
It is better not to buy it for a kid if he or she is less than 7 years old. Until this age, children are reckless in handling small pets. In response, the rodent may bite.
Where to live: the cage should be at least 15 by 25 inches. It should have a house, shelves, ladders, tunnels, so that the animal has a place to climb.
What they eat: barley, oats, millet, wheat. You can give nuts for grinding teeth and chicken bones.
The length of life: 2 – 3 years
It’s a pleasure to watch this pet. He runs amusingly in the wheel, eats treats by both cheeks and sleeps curled up in a ball.
BBjinronjy Hamster Chew Toys Set
Pros: They quickly become attached to people and become tame.
Cons: very small, you need to make sure that the cage is locked. If he escapes, it’s hard to catch. Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Sleeps during the day, and makes noise in the evening. Does not live long.
It is better not to buy it for a child if he is under eight years old. The hamster may not survive active play. And it is also able to bite if the kid strongly presses the pet to himself.
Where to live: the cage should be at least 10 by 20 inches. The cage should have a house and a wheel for running, you can put various steps to make it more interesting for the animal to run.
What they eat: hard grains (wheat, oats, millet), seeds and nuts can be given as a treat.
The length of life: 2-4 years
An active and cheerful animal will become a great pet for children. Females are nimble and restless, males are calmer. You can stroke them, but this is not the animal that will sit in your arms for hours.
Pros: Chinchillas are funny and interesting to watch.
Bunny Chew Toys, Natural Apple Wood Sticks Organic Timothy Hay Balls Grass Cakes
Cons: they sleep during the day, and play naughty at night. They do not tolerate air temperatures above 80 º F; in the summer, the room will have to be cooled. The best temperature for them is 68 º F. If released from the cage, it will chew on everything that gets in the way.
Do not buy a chinchilla if the child in the house is under 5 years old. The animal can be very frightened by screaming or crying.
Where to live: The cage should be spacious, at least 20 inches wide and 30 inches long. Ideally, find a cage with shelves at different heights from each other. Chinchillas love to sit on them.
There should be two trays in the cage. One with filler (preferably woody, so that there is no unpleasant smell), where the rodent will go to the toilet, and the second – with fine sand for bathing. Yes, these animals do not bathe in water. The sand needs to be sieved every few days so that there is no feces.
What they eat: specialized food, herbs, dried fruits, wood sticks for grinding teeth. It is better to give food in the evening, when the animals begin to be active.
The length of life: 6-10 years
Ferrets are not rodents as one can think – they belong to the weasel family. They are playful and restless pets. While you are not at home, they feel comfortable in a cage, but as soon as you come, you will need to play with them. The more you exhaust him, the calmer the night will pass.
Pros: Can be brought home if there are cats or dogs at home. Ferrets are friendly and will get along well with other pets.
Cons: Give off an unpleasant odor if scared. Organize a cache from the cage, where things that are badly lying at home will be carried.
If children are at home: Take young ferrets at least at the age of two months old. Do not allow children to take it close to the face, the animal may bite.
Where to live: the cage should be at least 25 inches by 30 inches. You need to put a house and a hammock in it, as well as put rags and shreds. It is impossible to keep the pet locked up all day, you need to let it run around the apartment for 2 – 3 hours, closing the door to another room and removing or protecting valuable things, as well as medicines, household chemicals, wires and everything that can be chewed. The second option is to take it outside, the animals can be walked on a harness.
Double Unit Small Animal Cage
What they eat: specialized food. Another option is to give natural products: turkey, rabbit meat, chicken, beef. In this case, you need to add eggs and cottage cheese to the diet.
The length of life: 8-10 years
Amusing animals with friendly character. They do not like loneliness and rejoice when they are played with and held in arms.
Pros: Guinea pig hair does not cause allergies. The animals are clean and carefully take care not only of themselves, but also of their neighbors in the cage.
Cons: could be rather frightened.
Explain to your child that he needs to be very careful with the guinea pigs. Under no circumstances should the pig be thrown on the floor. Any careless movement – and a furry friend can be badly hurt.
Where to live: a cage or terrarium with an area of 15 by 30 inches. The cage can be low – they don’t jump – but spacious. Inside, you definitely need a house so that the pet can hide, and several toys. For example, a tunnel to climb in, an old sock or toilet paper tube stuffed with hay. Pigs love to chew something.
What they eat: specialized feed, hay, dry herbs, twigs of fruit trees.
The length of life: 5 – 8 years
