Cuddly small pet for adult

[Kaz2200]

Really wanting a new pet, would really love a new puppy, but already have one dog and don't think k I really have time to look after a puppy. We have a cat and dds have hamsters. Would like something similar to rats that are intelligent, but that don't need quite so much room as would have to keep in my lounge. Is there anything unusual that would fit the bill.

[rightsaidfrederickII]

How much space do you have available? Even hamsters should have a minimum of 50x80cm floorspace (footprint only - shelves don't count for these purposes!). The not-so-fabulous Pets at Home does not sell a single cage in store that is big enough to meet their welfare needs, which is fairly shocking. It may be that giving your existing hamsters enough space has to be the priority if you are pushed for space (have a look at the Zooplus Alaska / Barney / Alexander models for what is actually needed to meet welfare needs, at a reasonable price)

How much time do you have available to spend with them? Nocturnal or diurnal? Will your DDs have any involvement in this pet, and if so how old are they are how able are they to deal with delicate pets?

Are funds an issue at all? Obviously some pets have rather higher maintenance costs than others.

As adult owners, we have a lot of fun with our Syrian hamster - does it really have to be 'unusual'?

[Kaz2200]

Dcs are 15 and 18 and have them in there bedrooms and look after them very well, I just would like something that has a bit of personality if that makes any sense, money not an issue within reason.

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

Guinea pigs have loads of personality, especially when it comes to hearing the fridge door being opened and food bags rustling.

[LittleBoat]

Guinea Pigs. They love to sit on your knee for a cuddle and have loads of personality. They do need a big cage though. Could you keep them outside? I know someone who has a heated shed with an outdoor run for her Gpigs.

[rightsaidfrederickII]

How much space do you have available for the new pet? There's no point recommending something big if you have something the size of an A4 piece of paper available

Guinea pigs seem to have something of a cult following on MN - I'm sure there are good reasons why, though I've never had one and can't comment!

Hedgehogs seem to be increasingly popular although maybe it's a fad but they do need quite a bit of space (100x50cm Zoozone 2 is the bare minimum) and time, and have a tendency to poo while running around your living room floor...

[TheOtherSock]

I'd be looking at your reasons for wanting another pet - if you already have a dog and a cat, and your children have hamsters, what are you hoping to get out of this pet that you don't get from the others? How much extra time will it require from you - will you have time to give them, say, an hour outside their cage every day when neither the cat or the dog is about (which is what most responsible rat owners would recommend)? How will you keep the animals safe and unstressed living in a house with predator species? When you say money is no object, remember that insurance isn't as easy for animals that aren't cats, dogs, and rabbits, so you might be looking at large out-of-pocket vet expenses. Most small animals need cages a lot larger than you'd expect - you wouldn't keep an active young cat confined to a bedsit (at least, I hope you wouldn't) so a cage for a smaller animal should usually be approaching being as large for them as a reasonable-sized flat would be for a cat.