The Best Pet Rodents

It's easy to get confused when trying to figure out which kind of pet rodent to get. Each species has its own distinct features and personality traits. Pet rodents can also be great in different ways depending on what someone is looking for. One person may want a tame rodent. Another may be more concerned with space or maintenance.

  1. Rat

    • Rats can learn many different tricks and games.

      Rats are the most intelligent kind of pet rodent, so they're the best choice for someone who is looking for an interactive pet. They can learn their names, how to come when called and even games such as hide and seek and tug-o-war. They enjoy being petted as well. Rats can get quite large, up to a foot in length, not including the tail, and up to 1.4 lbs in weight, and need a cage that is at least 12 by 24 by 12 inches. They need lots of toys in their cages to keep themselves busy and need daily play time outside of their cages. Rats eat specially formulated rat food found at the pet store. They also eat small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Guinea Pig

    • The guinea pig's long life span makes it an attractive choice.

      Guinea pigs are one of the largest pet rodents available and are the best for families with children. This is because they rarely bite, even when they are distressed or startled. They are very social and talkative and make a variety of different noises. They love playing outside their cages and being petted. Guinea pigs are also the longest-living pet rodent and have a life span of up to eight years. Guinea pigs do need large, ventilated cages with solid flooring. Their diets are more complex than that of other rodents and they require a combination of timothy pellets, timothy hay, small amounts of vegetables and vitamin C supplementation to thrive.

    Mouse

    • Mice don't require large housing or excessive human interaction.

      Mice are great for people with space and time constraints. Two or three of them can fit comfortably in a 10-gallon tank. Of course, they will always prefer a larger cage. They eat mouse food, which can be purchased at a pet store, and their cage needs to be cleaned only once a week. It's important, however, to remove leftover food, change water and replace soiled bedding daily. It's best to get two or three females so they have someone to play with, especially if you work long hours or lead a busy lifestyle. Mice also like exercise wheels and tubes. Toilet paper rolls make good mouse tubes.

    Shaw's Jird

    • The Shaw's jird is related to the smaller common gerbil.

      The Shaw's jird is less common than most other pet rodents, but it makes a great pet nonetheless. It is a large species of gerbil. Shaw's jirds are among the cleanest of the rodents. They do not spill or waste water, they groom themselves several times a day, and they won't use the bathroom in their nests. This greatly reduces odor and cage cleaning time. Shaw's jirds are also very friendly to humans and can be handled and played with. They are about as big as rats so they need relatively large housing. They are omnivores so they need mealworms and crickets in their diet, in addition to fruits, vegetables, grains and seeds.