Which small pet is the best fit for you?

Having a preference when choosing out your first pet is a norm across all pet owners. If you find yourself wanting smaller animals over larger ones like cats and dogs, but you’re not sure which is better for you, here’s a list of some common small pets in Singapore and what to expect for each of them!

Hamsters

One of the most common small pets, hamsters have the tendency to tug at the heartstrings of anyone who lays their eyes on them! But if you’re looking to get a hamster, keep in mind just some of the things you’ll have to get for them:

What to prepare

• A large cage (big enough for your hamster to run around and explore comfortably)
• Bedding and nesting for the cage
• Food (Hamster mix, vegetables, and fruit)
• Food bowl and water bottle
• Toys (such as exercise balls) 

Photo by zhennyzhenny on Freepik.com.

Things to note

Despite their small size, hamsters need abundant space to move about and stretch their little limbs, so make sure that your home is able to accommodate their movements around the house! 

Some hamsters can also be quite territorial, so no need to think about housing more than one of them in a single cage anytime soon. Dwarf hamsters don’t mind sharing the space with their parents, children, or littermates, but that’s the extent to that.

Like most small creatures, they have no need for a watery bath as they can groom themselves, but be sure to give their cage and playing areas a good cleaning regularly so as to avoid any stenches in your home!

Photo by ViniSouza128 on Freepik.com.

Guinea pigs

Another popular small creature is the fluffy guinea pig, identifiable by their long, luscious hair. They have similar lifestyles and needs with hamsters, but they have their own unique charm too! Here are some things you should prepare before getting one:

What to prepare

• A large cage (big enough for your guinea pig to move about comfortably in)
• Bedding and nesting for the cage
• Food (Guinea pig pellets, hay, vegetables, and fruit)
• Food and water bowl
• Toys

Photo by grace800 on Freepik.com.

Things to note

Exercise is important for guinea pigs, so make sure you have space in your home allocated for them to run about and explore! Unlike hamsters, they enjoy the company of other guinea pigs, so you can consider getting a companion for your guinea pig if you have the space and time for them both.

Guinea pigs will have to be groomed on a regular basis too, especially their long locks of fur. Using a soft bristled brush can help to comb out their fur and keep them in good condition! However, there’s no need to give them any wet baths as they can groom themselves - bathing tends to be counterproductive and make their fur and skin dry instead.

Keep an eye on your guinea pig’s diet too! They need to have a daily intake of Vitamin C, as their bodies can’t store or make their own, so be sure that their diet consists of food rich with Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and kiwis!

Photo by user19739995 on Freepik.com.

Rabbits

Another lovable pet is the rabbit, and they’re definitely quite the adorable creature to have about your home! Their cages and play area definitely need to be bigger to accommodate their large strides and hops - here’s a list of the things you should prepare to welcome these bunnies into your home:

What to prepare

• A cage (Large enough for your rabbit to stand on its hind legs without reaching the top and contains a litter box and resting area)
• Food (A mix of hay, pellets, vegetables, and water)
• Food and water bowls
• Hay feeder
• Toys

Photo by freepik on Freepik.com.

Things to note

While carrots are commonly associated with rabbits, it actually isn’t a big part of their diet at all. In fact, a healthy diet for your pet rabbit would be an equal mixture of rabbit pellets, hay, and vegetables. Food with high starch and fatty content should be avoided too, as it might lead to medical conditions in your fluffy pal.

Rabbits are also known for their long front teeth, but did you know that it means your rabbit has to constantly gnaw at objects to keep them from growing too long? So if you’re preparing to get a rabbit, be sure to have an abundance of hay and chew toys for them to gnaw on!

Same as hamsters and guinea pigs, rabbits don’t need a bath as they keep themselves clean nearly all the time. A bath might even send them into a shock, leading to death in worst cases, so set that bathtub aside and just keep a lookout for your rabbit’s health and cleanliness!

Photo by freepik on Freepik.com.

Gerbils

These tiny creatures are often overlooked, but they’ll be sure to steal your heart the second you hold one in your hands! Gerbils are active and sociable little animals, and tend to live in tanks rather than your usual hamster or rabbit cage. Here’s your list of things to prepare for this adorable little animal:

What to prepare

• A glass or acrylic tank (large enough for gerbils to dig and explore)
• Bedding and nesting for the tank and nest
• Food (A mix of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables and insects)
• Food and water bowls
• Sand bowl for sand baths
• A rough-textured object to help wear down claws

Photo by Opayaza12 on Freepik.com.

Things to note

Gerbils are rather social creatures, so it’s best to get them in a pair or a small, bonded group! Same-sex gerbils, as well as littermates, work the best, though be mindful to not put two adult gerbils together immediately if they aren’t familiar with each other as it might get violent. It’ll take time to get them to assimilate with one another; using a split cage can help gradually introduce them!

They are also very active and thus, they need the space to be able to run about, digging and burrowing into the bedding. Make sure that the tank size is big enough so that your gerbils are constantly entertained, otherwise the frustration at being squeezed in with other gerbils might cause a few fights.

Sand baths should also be placed in their tanks, so as to let them clean themselves and stay fresh! Water baths, like the other small animals, will stress them out, so be sure to avoid them.

Photo by borisenkoket on Freepik.com.

Chinchillas

Recognisable by their large ears, chinchillas are lively little creatures with a whooping expected lifespan of 15 to 20 years, so be sure that your love for a chinchilla is willing to withstand the commitment! If you’re truly passionate about owning one, here are just some things you’ll have to get:

What to prepare

• A cage (large enough for chinchillas to move about comfortably)
• Shelves, ramps, and perches at different heights inside the cage to allow them to climb
• Food (A mix of chinchilla food, hay, dried fruits, and root vegetables)
• Food and water bowl
• Sand bowl for sand baths

Photo from petco.com.

Things to note

Just like gerbils, they don’t do well as solitary animals, so it’s best to get them together in a pair or a small group! Littermates are a good set, but be sure that they’re of the same sex to prevent uncontrolled breeding.

They’re also nocturnal creatures, so be ready to encounter nights where these fluffy creatures are scampering about their cages! Like rabbits, they need to constantly gnaw at things to keep their teeth in check, so be sure to have hay and chew toys at their disposal for ample gnawing!

Chinchillas keep clean by taking sand baths and cannot get wet as they have dense fur that might trap water, causing possible fungal growth. As such, leave out the sand baths in their cages for them to get cleaned up themselves - it’s more than enough for these furry little animals.

Photo from burgesspetcare.com.

Which is the best fit?

In the end, which pet suits you the best depends on your own lifestyle and preference! Those who prefer multiple small pets can opt for the social gerbils and chinchillas, while those who are content with just one can look into getting a hamster instead.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, so be sure that you’ve done your research before getting one (or a few)! These may be small creatures, but the things to prepare to make them comfortable can be daunting!