Sociable Rodents
When thinking about getting a pet, one of the many things to consider is how this animal that youâre bringing into your home will interact with you.
Most people have experienced a good amount of dogs and cats in their lives to get a sense of how the two vary differently in how they show affection and socialize. However, rodents arenât talked about as much as they should be and for some reason, the best of them developed a pretty bad rap.
This article highlights rodents that make for the best pets for those who want to actually socialize with their companion animal.
If youâre considering a âpocket petâ but donât know where to start, this oneâs for you!
Guinea Pigs
The largest of the rodent options on this list - Guinea pigs make for great first time pets.
They have a calm temperament, enjoy a good scratching and will let you know what theyâre feeling based on the sound of their squeak (probably the most vocal on this list as well).
It is always recommended to get more than one as they are very social creatures and naturally prefer to live in groups. These groups are actually called herds and if that wasnât good enough, the males are referred to as boars and females as sows (humans have really committed to this pig bit).
The different breeds of Guinea Pigs makes their physical differences a fun little bonus when choosing your pets. Colour, hair-length, and size really range from pig to pig.
A nice thing about these bigger rodents is that their enclosures donât necessarily need to be too big and versatile as long as you take them out and let them play around your house or safely (enclosed) outside on a nice day.
An essential part of their diets is vitamin C, and a lot of it! So grab your boars and sows, place them on your lap and share an orange together! Theyâll reward you with happy squeals and even little kisses!
Gerbils
Probably the most surprising on this list. Yes, from afar they look a lot like a mouse/hamster hybrid. However, they make for much better pets than both!
First of all, unlike many other small creatures of the rodent family, Gerbils are not nocturnal. Most mice and rats hide for most hours of the day only to then run marathons on their wheels at 3am. Not the Gerbil.
These highly intelligent little desert creatures are out and about during the day and sleep through the night. Coming from the desert, they require significantly less water than other small rodents. Less water means less urine, keeping their enclosures clean and smell free (unlike mice and hamsters).
Less smelly pee isnât the only thing evolving in the desert did for these little guys. Gerbils are way more resistant to disease and sickness than most rodents of their size, therefore living longer and healthier lives than their cousins.
Socially, Gerbils are extremely friendly and inquisitive.
Unlike the hamster that is known for biting or mice which tend to hide and burrow, Gerbils (once theyâve learned you are not a threat) enjoy being handled. Donât be surprised if you find them making gestures within their enclosures to be picked up and played with or that theyâve curled up and fallen asleep in your cupped hands in the evening.
Itâs important to note that as social as they are with you, they also rely on each other for comfort and affection. Be sure to buy them in pairs or they will get depressed.
Rats
Yes Rats! Though their PR team has failed them miserably, rats are some of the smartest, most affectionate and cognitively advanced rodents around.
For starters, you can train your pet rat - sit, stay, come, spinâŚthe list goes on and on.
They barely shed, making them ideal for pet owners who suffer from vague fur-related allergies. And contrary to popular belief, Rats are extremely clean animals! Especially when housing more than one (itâs encouraged to do so), rat packs take pride in grooming themselves and each other (fun fact, rats groom themselves on average more than cats do).
These inquisitive creatures form very strong bonds with their owners, perking up whenever you enter the room or extend a hand out to bring them out of their enclosures. When you let them roam free from their cages, it is common that they will seek out their owners once theyâve had enough fun/tire out, letting you know that they are ready to be returned to their enclosures for a little nap (they are technically nocturnal but often stay awake with you for many hours of the day).
Colouring, markings, coat types, sizes and body types are all differing phenotypes in the rat species, giving future owners a lot of fun versatility when selecting their companion animal of choice.
Before getting to the last pick, we wanted to highlight an important and seemingly obvious statement: Different animal types need different types of care. As for any friend belonging to the rodent family, a common factor in all of them is Incisors.
Incisors are front teeth that will not stop growing ever throughout the animal's life. For evolutionary purposes, incisors are great for these little creatures ensuring that for as long as they live, theyâll have the tools to burrow, defend and munch on their crunchier diets in nature.
As a pet owner, as long as you provide them with plenty of gnawing opportunities like wood chips and chew toys, they should be of no issue. However, if you do find your animal companion has sudden changes to their eating habits, over extended front teeth or any other forms of incisor irregularities, bring your companion to the vet asap as they rely on these teeth for survival. That said, incisor scares are not an issue for the last animal we'll be looking at today.
Ferrets
And finally, Ferrets - often grouped with the aforementioned animals on this list are technically not rodents at all. Belonging to the Mustelidae family, cousins of the ferret include Weasels, Otters, Minks, Badgers and Skunks!
These charming, sociable creatures make for great interactive pets and should be regarded as a top choice when looking at the larger side of âpocket pets.â Ferrets love to play with you. If brought in at a young age, it is likely that they will not only form a strong bond with you but also with your other pets (including dogs and cats). They enjoy stimulation making them great playmates and with their extreme level of intelligence, they can be taught tricks, games and best of all, how to use a litter box! Though they love taking long naps during the day (giving you a break), when theyâre up, they are up. They bounce around and even invite you to play and chase them! Like many puppies, they tend to roughhouse when young so itâs important to train them out of their cute nipping nature when engaged in play.
It is recommended that their enclosure be versatile so they do not get bored or depressed, however if youâre ok with them roaming free about the house, then you can reduce their cage size. Note that you should ferret proof the house if choosing to let them roam free. They are master hiders and their inquisitive nature gets them burrowing in places that you may not want them entering. Many people have their ferrets wear a collar with a bell when letting them loose in their houses so they can actually find them again. It is also highly recommended that ferrets be bought/adopted in pairs to keep them happy and comfortable in their new homes.
Male Ferrets are called Hobs, females are called Jills and babies, born blind and deaf like puppies and kittens are called Kits. A quick but important note here: Ferrets, especially females, should be spayed and nurtured. When a Jill reaches maturity it will stay in heat until itâŚwellâŚyou know ;). Not only does this affect their behavior but the resultant prolonged increase in estrogen may lead to bone marrow suppression which can be fatal if not treated.
Back to the good stuff. You can take your ferret for a walk on a leash, cuddle with them (they love this) on your lap for movie night and even share an occasional chicken wing (sauce free!) with them when you want to reward them with some cooked meat. Their life expectancy ranges from 5-8 years, significantly longer than other smaller pets and their ability to understand commands have been reported to be similar to the level of understanding that a dog or a cat has. Essentially, if looking for a smaller sized pet with a bondable and sociable personality, Ferrets are great options to consider.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Sociable Rodents through the Companimal platform. The information provided references both the Veterinary Centers of America (VCA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), as well as experience from pet owners like you! If you want to share about your experience with your beloved pet, feel free to reach out! 