Things to consider before getting a small animal

Which small animal might be a good match?

Small animals, although often thought of as simple first pets, require as much care and attention as cats and dogs. Each species has its own unique and complex needs, and requires the right accommodation, nutrition, enrichment, and company.

Here are some things to consider before getting a small animal:

Which small animal might be a good match?

Here are some things to consider before getting a small animal:

How many animals do you want?

Most small animals, with the exception of hamsters, thrive on companionship and should be kept in pairs or groups. They are naturally nervous and feel safer and more secure in the company of their own kind. It’s a joy to see them playing, snuggling and grooming each other.

If you end up with a lone small animal, Raystede offers a bonding service for mice, gerbils, rats, degus, chinchillas, guinea pigs and rabbits.

How long do you want your animal for?

When considering a small animal, it’s important to recognise that their lifespans can vary significantly. Some may only be with you for a few years, while others could be your companions for over a decade. Think about how long you are willing to commit and how much time you’re able to dedicate to a new furry friend.

Mice, hamsters, gerbils and rats have shorter lifespans, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years. Degus live a bit longer, around 5 to 8 years, while guinea pigs generally enjoy 5 to 7 years of life. Rabbits can be with you for 8 to 12 years, and chinchillas have the potential to live the longest, often reaching 15 to 20 years.

How long do you want your animal for?

Do you want a pet that enjoys being handled?

The small animals that most enjoy your company are rats! Enjoy playtime outside the cage or teach them a trick for a tasty treat.

With time and patience, guinea pigs may get used to being handled, whilst rabbits prefer to keep all four paws on the ground, but will enjoy a head rub.

Other small animals, including mice, hamsters, gerbils, degus and chinchillas, generally prefer to explore their surroundings on their own, but will enjoy the occasional treat you offer them from your hand.

It’s also important to remember that every pet has its own personality and background, which can influence whether they like to be handled or not.

Do you want an animal that’s awake during the day?

When choosing an animal, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and daily routine. Think about whether you’d prefer companions that are active during the day or ones that are active in the evening or at night. If you enjoy daytime interactions, pets like mice, gerbils, rats, degus, rabbits and guinea pigs are great choices, as they are diurnal (active during the day) or crepuscular (active morning and evening). However, if you’re looking for an animal that is active in the evening or at night, hamsters or chinchillas may be the perfect fit.

Do you want an animal that’s awake during the day?

How much space do you have?

Despite being small animals, their housing requirements are large! Sadly, enclosures typically found in pet shops often fall short on space and they don’t enable the animals to thrive.

To replicate their natural habitats, your animals should have the freedom to run, jump, stretch, play, climb, burrow and explore. The larger the space, the better it is for their wellbeing. Additionally, it’s essential to provide an enriching environment which is a stimulating and engaging place for them to live.

For smaller animals like mice, gerbils and hamsters, consider creating extra space using secure play areas such as pop-up ball pits or play pens. These stimulating environments not only provide an opportunity for exploration but also encourage physical activity and mental stimulation. Incorporating toys and obstacles can enhance their experience, making playtime engaging and fun.

Size requirements for all species

Indoor rabbits

Indoor rabbits need a large and safe living area measuring at least 10ftx6ftx3ft, whether a whole room or fenced off area.

Outdoor rabbits

Outdoor rabbits need a secure, predator-proof enclosure 10ft x 6ft x 3ft, including an indoor area measuring at least 6ft x2ftx2ft.

Whether indoors or outdoors, the space should include hay-filled litter trays, tunnels, and hides, as well as items for chewing and dig boxes. This gives them the opportunity to hop, run, jump, stretch, stand upright on their back legs, chew and dig.

A pair of guinea pigs need an indoor enclosure of at least 10.5sq ft. Groups need a bigger space – add an extra 3sq ft per guinea pig.

The space should include hides, bridges, tunnels, feeding toys and big piles of hay. This enables these shy and energetic creatures to hide, explore and chew.

A hamster needs a cage measuring at least 100cm x 50cm x 50cm with maximum bar spacing of 0.9cm.

The cage should include hides, tunnels, ladders, ropes, logs, a dig box, as well as a large hamster wheel (30cm Syrians and 20cm dwarf species) and a sand bath. These make their cage a fun place to climb and explore, and offers places for hiding and bathing.

A group of up to 3 mice need a minimum cage size of 80cm x 50cm x 50 cm, and a larger group will need at least 100cm x 50cm x 50cm with maximum bar spacing of 0.6cm.

The cage should include hides, tunnels, ladders, ropes, logs, a dig box and a wheel. These make their cage a fun place to climb, explore, tunnel, as well as providing plenty of hiding places.

A pair of gerbils require a minimum 100cm x 50cm x 50cm enclosure, including at least 20cm of deep bedding.

The enclosure or tank should include tunnels, bridges, logs, tubes, wooden and cardboard boxes, as well as a wooden or metal wheel (minimum 28 cm) and a sand bath. This set up, with the deep bedding, enables the gerbils to build their network of tunnels, including food stores, nesting areas and escape routes.

Rats need a cage of at least 152 cm x 90 cm x 60cm with a solid floor to avoid injuries.

The cage should have different levels which include plenty of cosy places (hammocks, blankets, hides), tunnels, ladders, ropes, as well as a dig box and a large wheel. These will enable the rats to use their natural behaviours, such as snoozing, hiding, exploring, climbing and digging.

Degus need a cage of at least 152cm x 90cm x 60cm with a solid floor to avoid injuries.

The cage should have different levels which include hiding places, branches, shelves, ropes, logs and rocks, as well as a large wooden wheel and a dust bath. This gives them the opportunity to climb, explore, hide, run, jump and to keep their coat in good condition.

A pair of chinchillas need a cage of at least 152cm x 90cm x 60cm with a solid floor to avoid injuries.

The cage should have different levels which include plenty of shelves, branches and boxes, as well as a dust bath and a large wheel. These items enable them to run, jump and climb, as well as keep their silky fur in perfect condition.

Do you have the time?

Before getting a small animal, consider how much time you can commit as their care involves daily and weekly tasks. Daily, you'll need to feed your animals, check if they are healthy and spot-clean their enclosure. Weekly, you'll need to thoroughly clean their enclosure, including all their enrichment items.

Spending time with your animal is very important for their happiness and health, and it deepens the bond with your pet.

For rats, it's particularly important to provide them with time outside their cage in a safe, supervised area, allowing them to explore and engage with their environment. These curious creatures thrive on human interaction, which provides a vital form of enrichment for their mental and emotional well-being.

Chinchillas also require at least one hour of exercise each day outside their cage. This time should be spent in a secure room where they can jump, explore and exhibit their natural behaviours. A dedicated play space is essential to allow them to stretch their legs and let off some steam.

The other small animals will happily be left to their own mischievous devices in their enclosures and play pens.

Do you have the time?

Spending time with your animal is very important for their happiness and health, and it deepens the bond with your pet.

The other small animals will happily be left to their own mischievous devices in their enclosures and play pens.

Why choose a rescue small animal?

By adopting a small animal through a rescue centre such as Raystede, you will be fully supported throughout the process of finding the right one, and settling them into your home and life.
We will help you to find small animals that are the perfect match for your home and lifestyle, and support you in creating an ideal enclosure for them.
Our Small Animals Team are also on hand to offer advice, support and expertise throughout the whole adoption process and the lifetime of the animal.
All Raystede small animals will have received a full vet health check, which will be shared with a potential adopter.
Rabbit adoption fees also include vaccinations, microchipping, neutering and four weeks’ free pet insurance.
If your circumstances change in the future and you are no longer able to care for the animal(s), we will always take them back into our care.

Adopt, don’t shop!

At Raystede, we are asked to care for approximately 1,000 small animals every year. We don’t have the space for all of them and are only able to rehome a fraction of this amount. Please enable us to help more smalls animals in need by adopting and not buying from pet shops and breeders.

How do I adopt a small animal from Raystede?

You will need to complete an online application form. If you are not keen on using the internet, don’t worry, a member of our Rehoming Team can help you to complete an application form over the phone. Please call 01825 880468 between 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Please add as much detail as possible on your form telling us about your home, lifestyle, experience and the type of animal you are hoping to share your life with.
Once you have registered with us, please keep an eye on our website for new arrivals. All our small animals available for rehoming are listed on our website which is updated regularly with new arrivals, so don’t worry if you haven’t spotted a potential match just yet!
Once your set up has been approved, you will be invited to Raystede to meet any animals that may be a match. We will discuss the animal's background, health and behaviour.
When your animal is ready to come to your home, our Rehoming Team will be in touch to arrange an adoption appointment. They will talk you through caring for your new animal.
Your adoption fee will help us continue our work to help more animals in need and find them their forever homes.

How do I adopt a small animal from Raystede?

You will need to complete an online application form. If you are not keen on using the internet, don’t worry, a member of our Rehoming Team can help you to complete an application form over the phone. Please call 01825 880468 between 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Please add as much detail as possible on your form telling us about your home, lifestyle, experience and the type of animal you are hoping to share your life with.
Once you have registered with us, please keep an eye on our website for new arrivals. All our small animals available for rehoming are listed on our website which is updated regularly with new arrivals, so don’t worry if you haven’t spotted a potential match just yet!
Once your set up has been approved, you will be invited to Raystede to meet any animals that may be a match. We will discuss the animal's background, health and behaviour.
When your animal is ready to come to your home, our Rehoming Team will be in touch to arrange an adoption appointment. They will talk you through caring for your new animal.
Your adoption fee will help us continue our work to help more animals in need and find them their forever homes.

Which small animal might be a good match?

Which small animal might be a good match?

How many animals do you want?

How long do you want your animal for?

How long do you want your animal for?

Do you want a pet that enjoys being handled?

Do you want an animal that’s awake during the day?

Do you want an animal that’s awake during the day?

How much space do you have?

Size requirements for all species

Rabbits

Guinea Pigs

Hamsters

Mice

Gerbils

Rats

Degus

Chinchillas

Do you have the time?

Do you have the time?

Why choose a rescue small animal?

Adopt, don’t shop!

How do I adopt a small animal from Raystede?

How do I adopt a small animal from Raystede?

Help keep our animals warm and safe this winter