How to Buy a Pet Rodent

If you've decided that a rodent is the best pet for you, the next step is to choose a particular species and go get that new furry friend. There are some important factors to take into consideration when choosing your new pet, so before heading to the pet store, keep these tips in mind.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Choosing a Species

1. Choose a rodent based on how big you want your pet to be and how much space you want to devote to your pet's living area. Gerbils, hamsters and mice are small and require relatively small cages, but some rodents, such as rats, guinea pigs and chinchillas, get large and require more space for their large cages.

2. Decide how much time you want to spend in maintaining your pet. Some rodents are more high maintenance than others, including the amount of time you will need to play with them.

3. Take into account the age of your children if you are buying the rodent for them. Not all species like to be handled or played with in the same way, so choose your rodent based on whether your kids will understand its particular handling preferences.

4. Pick a rodent based on how much interaction you want to have with it. Hamsters, for example, sleep during the day and don't like their slumber disturbed, and mice don't like being handled much at all, whereas rats need human companionship.

Finding That Special Someone

5. Look for an animal that has the general appearance of being healthy. It should look alert; have a clean coat, nice whiskers and clear eyes; and be disease-free.

6. Watch the animals before choosing one to find one that exhibits regular breathing and is appropriately active.

7. Listen for sneezing or other audible indications that a rodent is not entirely healthy.

8. Find a reputable breeder or pet store from which to buy your new pet. While pet stores generally carry many different types of rodents, you may need to contact a breeder for a specialty breed or a hard-to-find species (such as chinchillas).