Owning a Rodent

Pet rodents, sometimes referred to as "pocket pets", are popular pets. Hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, and guinea pigs are the most common rodents kept as pets. Some of these animals, like teddy bear hamsters and guinea pigs, make good pets for young children.

Most members of the rodent family have a much shorter lifespan than dogs or cats. Hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats have a lifespan of two to four years. Chinchillas, however, can live for up to 20 years. As with any pet, rodents occasionally get sick, and their illnesses can be severe.

Most rodents eat some combination of pelleted hay, rodent chow, grains, seeds, vegetables, and fruits, with the amount of each depending on the rodent. Research your pet rodent’s diet before purchase. There are plenty of books and websites with quality information about the type of rodent you have or wish to own. 

The upper and lower incisors or front teeth of all rodents grow continuously throughout the pet's life. Overgrown incisors are a somewhat common problem in guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rats. This problem seems to have a genetic or trauma-associated origin, but can be minimized by providing the pet with gnawing opportunities such as access to pieces of wood and other chewing objects or toys. Overgrown incisors should be treated by a knowledgeable exotics veterinarian as soon as possible. In advanced cases, improper tooth or jaw structure may cause excessively overgrown teeth that need to be surgically removed. In addition to incisors, guinea pigs and chinchillas also have continuously growing molar or cheek teeth, like rabbits (although rabbits are lagomorphs, not rodents). Yearly health examinations by an exotics veterinarian should also involve an examination of the entire oral cavity, including the cheek teeth.

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are generally quiet, “hands-off” pets. They do best when left alone to run about in their cage. They require a “chin spin” in their cage for exercise, and it is critical to have a dust bath for them to help clean their fur.

Chinchillas may live up to 20 years with a proper diet and good healthcare. Their native habitat is the Andes Mountains in South America, so they do not tolerate hot, humid environments; instead, they should be housed indoors with temperatures from the mid-60s to the mid-80s.

Gerbils

Gerbils are friendly and inquisitive. They are active, entertaining animals and love to climb, burrow, and chew. They are good jumpers and very fast, so take care when young children handle them. Gerbils especially like to chew on things like paper, cardboard rolls, and junk mail. They make excellent pets for older children and teenagers. If gerbils are well-socialized from a young age and treated gently, they are easy to handle and rarely bite unless provoked. Since gerbils are desert animals, they have a very low water requirement. Due to the low water intake, gerbils produce only small amounts of urine and do not have a strong smell. Gerbils are hardy and generally more disease-resistant than hamsters.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies (or cavy if it is one animal), make good family pets. There are about 13 or more different breeds. The three most popular are the English (common) guinea pig, which has short, straight, fine hair; the Abyssinian guinea pig, which has rough, coarse hair growing in rosettes or whorls; and the Peruvian guinea pig, which has long, straight, silky hair. Guinea pigs have a wide range of fur colors and patterns, and some are hairless ("skinny pigs"). Males are called boars and females are called sows. Males tend to be larger than females and their weight varies from 700 to 1200 grams.

Nutritionally, guinea pigs are like humans and non-human primates in that they require a dietary source of vitamin C. Lack of adequate vitamin C in the diet will cause scurvy, a disease that causes brittle hair and swollen, painful joints. Guinea pigs are generally hardy, easy to care for, and make great family pets if they are handled frequently and gently. They rarely bite or scratch and are docile, non-aggressive, responsive animals.

Hamsters

Hamsters are among the most common family pets. If they are well socialized from a young age and treated gently, hamsters are easy to handle and tend to move slowly. However, they startle easily and may become defensive. Always let a hamster know you are there, or gently wake it up before attempting to handle it. Hamsters tend to be nocturnal but can be active for periods during the day.

Hamsters are great escape artists. They do not tolerate the heat very well and should be kept in a cool area in the hot summer months. The smaller Dwarf hamsters are excitable, startle easily, and are more challenging to handle. They also do not hesitate to bite when being held. Generally, hamsters are the most aggressive of all the pocket pets and tend to bite more often. The most popular types of hamsters are the Syrian, teddy bear, Chinese dwarf, and "robo". The robo hamster is the smallest and the teddy bear hamster is the largest – and also has one of the nicest demeanors among hamsters.

Mice

Mice are popular, somewhat timid, social, intelligent, and entertaining pets, but may not be for everyone. Mice tend to be nocturnal (come out at night) but are active for short periods during the day. They do not shed a lot and seem to cause few allergies for people. They are small and considered a little more fragile than other rodents. Mice may produce a reddish-brown substance from the harderian gland, a gland near their eyes and nose, when sick or stressed. This discharge looks like blood to the untrained eye.

Mice are clean animals (despite popular beliefs) and reasonably easy to care for. However, they have a strong odor and their urine is particularly pungent. Daily cage cleaning is critical to reduce wet bedding and odor build-up. Mice have a relatively short life expectancy of two to three years. They reproduce frequently and readily. If well-socialized from a young age and treated gently, they are easy to handle, affectionate, and less likely to bite than other rodents; however, they are great escape artists.

Rats

Rats are extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and social pets. They can be trained to come on command and to perform various tricks. If well-socialized from a young age and treated gently, they are easy to handle, affectionate, interactive and rarely bite unless provoked. Rats, like mice, tend to be nocturnal but are active for periods during the day. They do not shed a lot and seem to cause few allergies for people. Rats are clean animals (despite popular beliefs), hardy, and reasonably easy to care for. Life expectancy is two to three years. Rats make good family pets, although they are also great escape artists. Rats are prone to a variety of cancerous and respiratory diseases. Female rats should be spayed within the first six months to prevent ovarian, uterine, and mammary cancer.

How should I select a pet rodent?

Most owners buy their pet rodent from a local pet store. Avoid sick-looking animals; remember that, with exotic pets, if it looks sick, it is really sick! Trying to nurse a sick pet rodent back to health may prove challenging. Just the stress of the new environment and diet change for an already sick animal is often enough to kill it. You are far better starting out right with a healthy pet.

Always inquire about the seller’s guarantee in case the pet is found to be unhealthy.

• The pet rodent should have no discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Check the teeth to make sure the front teeth (incisors) have not overgrown. They should form a nice, even fit.
• The animal should seem frisky, try to run, and resist handling, to some extent.
• No coughing, sneezing, or wheezing should be present.
• Examine the rectal area: it should be dry and free of diarrhea or caked-on stool. This is especially important for young hamsters. Many baby hamsters at pet stores have a disease called "wet tail", which is usually fatal.
• Ask the employee for help in determining the animal's sex.

Keep in mind that some part-time pet store employees may know very little about these animals. Most pet stores have books or educational materials for purchase to educate you about the care and nutritional needs for your new pet. The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians website (www.aemv.org) has pet care information about rodents.

What is involved in the first veterinary visit with my new pet?

Within 48 hours of your purchase, have your pet examined by a veterinarian knowledgeable in the care and treatment of pet rodents. Many health problems with small rodents are the result of misinformation. The first veterinary visit can help prevent well-intentioned owners from doing the wrong thing and ultimately contributing to poor health and an inferior quality of life. Veterinarians belonging to the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) are generally better trained in rodent care and diseases.

Your new pet’s first veterinary visit will include a thorough physical examination and evaluation of the animal's weight and body condition. Your veterinarian will examine your pet for signs of dehydration or malnutrition, and they should perform a fecal test to check for intestinal parasites. They will also determine the sex of your new pet. Your veterinarian will spend much of the time during this first examination discussing the dietary requirements and appropriate care for your new pet rodent.

Does a rodent need vaccinations?

Pet rodents do not require vaccinations. Like all pets, rodents should be examined by a veterinarian once or twice annually and have their feces tested for parasites during each of these visits. Check out aemv.org to find an exotics veterinarian in your area.