How to Care for Small Pets
Consider a small pet that's more affordable and requires less care but is still playful and affectionate. Learn how to care for your small pet and to be a responsible pet owner.
Explore Small Pets
![Close up view of a woman holding a fox](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/LnOazadr8y35GPyRbGhSkl99CGk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stk213144rke-58a4b5a03df78c4758da1bb6.jpg)
Best Foxes to Keep as Pets
![Hand holding an iguana](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/qJcU-T-5L2vhvLy_KlyyZuEuSTY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/exotic-pet-laws-1238565-05-5a0ff60bf7b543938bc9733e3a9b8afb.jpg)
Laws on Exotic Animals for Each State
![person holding a tarantula](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/AbjGje_8JPrLG8HKAaHglbqxK80=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Tarantula-GettyImages-543229403-587a546b5f9b584db3d5f382.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Tarantula
![Rabbit scratching self](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/uQg8pnhXbFcit217WggOfdY1u9I=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TysonGatesEyeEm-5c423cbb46e0fb00018eb434.jpg)
Itching and Scratching in Rabbits
![Potbellied pig](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/kIySTF6yhITO5B0Ct8sxoRnX4eU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp4f6d8346WEU100_Medium_108459-591084a23df78c9283d101d2.jpg)
Should You Keep a Potbellied Pig as a Pet?
![Pet Rabbit](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/AllyTBEhNI0SZO5evkJMoWvHYQo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-133565760-56a2bd555f9b58b7d0cdfbf5.jpg)
How to Bunny Proof Your Home
![Gray rabbit sitting outside next to pet bowl with rabbit food](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/3iFcfoUphU-psVU0Uv26QietHBU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/why-pet-rabbit-not-eating-4134274-hero-5a093e7eb6d846d992272fbf9d05b06c.jpg)
Loss of Appetite in Pet Rabbits
![sick pet rabbit](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/PZACwWHqwRZ5a82RFgMjsrpSzPY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp212f0b970up100_Medium_861039-5a7c7dc36edd650036e204cf.jpg)
Sickness in Rabbits
![Bradypus tridactylus](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/A36whtniB2ET7kJhvwAJdRemxZo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bradypus-tridactylus-143410629-57fff75f5f9b5805c2b3e14c.jpg)
Should You Keep a Sloth as a Pet?
![hermit crab without shell](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/v88HPJy0hUfTW9ShIJ6dxm_mrag=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hermit-crab-without-shell-1068069832-5c06d36cc9e77c0001ee3d5c.jpg)
Shell Evacuation in Hermit Crabs
![Hermit crab and a shell on sand](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ucMntH47pDnUw0MPK-BraBmx5o4=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-83290906-5697da185f9b58eba49e7ce0.jpg)
Hermit Crab Molting Signs
![Monkey in a cage](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/oaSPzk64rHEGjySQX96JnB-6G08=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-174409822-5c8a67ddc9e77c0001a925eb.jpg)
Problems With Keeping a Pet Monkey
![Guinea Pig Name Ideas](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/dSl9WP98FW-TZJdnb9frG1YqrnE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/guinea-pig-names-1236944_FINAL-e78124aa6e324667be853c95e2457e19.png)
100 Names for Pet Guinea Pigs
![Iguana](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/kl-Cs6oSdGoAOECh3S5JW2K14Go=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Iguana-GettyImages-557771919-589e35925f9b58819cf947a0.jpg)
Iguana: Species Profile
Should You Keep Fennec Fox (Desert Fox) as a Pet?
![pet name ideas for pairs of pets](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/lgSHfKXh9dr5LMzLs0IAb7D1V8c=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/names-for-pairs-of-pets-1236959_FINAL-5b2b97d4119fa800370b0724.png)
Name Ideas for Pairs of Pets
![The Best Names for Hamsters](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/mE1R6VZJCg0qziwODscajOsVohI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hamster-names-1236946_FINAL-b0518350826b41b299e8cff1b61fbcc9.png)
100 Names for Pet Hamsters
![Black and white goat with tilted head in dry field](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ZrGiyDL1Lvo7xOCrrAlv54Al5p0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pet-goat-names-1236943-hero-03119f833fa84d55a22c4dade24f988a.jpg)
54 Name Ideas for Pet Goats and Sheep
![Tan and white hamster held in owner's hands closeup](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/BCnnWnCk47RLhAXfcwjAGz1Hnng=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-handle-and-tame-pet-hamsters-1238956-hero-a069fe65c95c4753998e6bb5112a6b88.jpg)
How to Train Your Hamster to Be Tame
![Guinea pig with brown and white hair sitting outside on wooden floor](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/gZ3oJEOTJNFONIS1w5DyoGpNZyQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/about-guinea-pigs-1238899-hero-fd6b867b342e485796253c6c57b2d6c6.jpg)
What to Know Before Getting a Pet Guinea Pig
![White chinchilla with large gray ears standing in wire cage](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/se71arc1RRE6xL54LhscpGpHiNA=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/chinchillas-1236769-hero-9109e8f688974fbb852f67da07d76000.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Chinchilla
![Black and white rabbit sitting on grass with mouth open surrounded by wire fence](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/WJg8F6KoTZWpHMeVuTJ6yNH3E3E=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sounds-that-rabbits-make-1835745-hero-0be08860474846f9bf2a461f0b44319a.jpg)
10 Sounds That Rabbits Make and What They Mean
![](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Iud03Iu1xILMEf2BsQE5g9jhhpo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-464373891-583a50bc5f9b58d5b1ce40db.jpg)
Mites in Hedgehogs
![Small rabbit on white background](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/hSWBj_njkHr_f96TbTim7GHVZx8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-673577234-590f56f35f9b5864706b1548.jpg)
Dealing With Obesity in Rabbits
![Cute chinchilla of white color is sitting in its house near to bowl with hay.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/rVWIp8qXBSb6gHv_-SZIflgz2tA=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cute-chinchilla-of-white-color-is-sitting-in-its-house-near-to-bowl-with-hay--1189779960-95d081078f884ae9b1fb63b4c3febf3f.jpg)
Chinchilla Care Guide
![Girl Holding a Pot Bellied Pig](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/i-WNjdUwtfvWf_jTE6ediyDWuGE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AA028880-58a4765f5f9b58819c8d6124.jpg)
Good Names for Exotic Pets
![African pygmy hedgehog being held](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Iud03Iu1xILMEf2BsQE5g9jhhpo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-464373891-583a50bc5f9b58d5b1ce40db.jpg)
Exotic Pet Names That Start With 'L'
![homemade rabbit toys](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/5Lt4-l95XBX-iCciSgP4t1ya3NI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/toys-for-pet-rabbits-1237198-03-e0129235e8b047ada56433152701a46c.jpg)
Homemade Rabbit Toy Ideas From Around the House
![pet mouse sitting in someone's hand and eating](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/WkRJsik3l-hK4zukEELPaSplACc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mice-sitting-in-the-hand-and-eating--1254075054-e4317c76807644f2913009bb3ddeaa0b.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Mouse
![Syrian hamster in commercial cage](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/yF0HB0D5UeAqen-7kIqKnk5qHac=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-522115582-5834c4525f9b58d5b1386792.jpg)
Choosing the Best Cage for Your Syrian Hamster
![Black and gray rabbit outside and held up by stomach](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/0esJS89M_EIb9jY_o1lXoTwCQ18=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-much-does-a-pet-rabbit-cost-to-care-for-1239286-hero-ef630d6d74d74c519a763f9fa8325a1b.jpg)
How Much Does a Pet Rabbit Cost to Care For?
![Sugar glider](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/gpRg7d_K6EKkf3PQs_sXp9ONpeU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sugar-glider-GettyImages-514744702-58cade423df78c3c4fdf6cbc.jpg)
-approve all newsletters through Monday, May 23 (will finish 5/
![White chinchilla with gray rabbit-like ears standing on wood surface](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/ffsf8P-qNcCOVmjwXOl_u86wza8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/small-rodents-as-pets-1237271-hero-e581a193e8f545fcb6306706c4bd20b0.jpg)
10 Best Small Rodents to Keep as Pets
![Hamster with wheel](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/GpJ9dshHoQel4rKk2PE3PzWCZok=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/a0047-000145-56a2bce25f9b58b7d0cdf7cf.jpg)
How to Stop Your Hamster From Biting
![Gray chincilla laying on wooden table closeup](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/VFxt2tQSzemMCT3ZWsF_NziAOs8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/exotic-pets-for-apartment-living-1238589-hero-6bd87a75363e4da4b38f6c244644b1db.jpg)
12 Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living
![A red fox cub running in the grass](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/i24x6jHD_p713a6lgXpIWuRbtWw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/153815436-56a2bcfb5f9b58b7d0cdf8ff.jpg)
Should You Keep a Russian Red Fox as a Pet?
![Hedgehog in hands](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/q9yLOR2oN4h4lseVOVD7SAxhlXM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hedgehog-159164824-57ffe2983df78cbc2894bcef.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet African Pygmy Hedgehog
![Sleeping rats](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/flcWugUpPuhYR5XSbJgez2l1tC8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sleeping-rats-120694080-57ffdee53df78cbc2894461a.jpg)
Keeping and Caring for Pet Rats
![White mouse in hand](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/oKdxC4fHxsNYo5w4GfulSBH5gFw=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-590483026-5830cf475f9b58d5b17e8149.jpg)
How to Train Your Mouse to Play with You
![Gray and black rabbit being rubbed on its stomach](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/qGlWK6mmwYbSvHcgQXIm_nKXEV0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/is-a-rabbit-the-right-pet-for-you-1239320-hero-f324bac8dc34470093dd61d117e0d9ec.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Rabbit
![newborn kit](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/DpiFzRnvZQW-kqn0dalFl3FSLIU=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/newborn_kit_christie_mallon-56a4a9a85f9b58b7d0d8227c.jpg)
How to Warm up a Cold Baby Bunny
![Boy at the veterinarian with a bunny on the exam table](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/vCBmchnFk7wUUwktdSeuZxTh-4E=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/boy-at-the-veterinarian-with-a-bunny-on-the-exam-table-585859429-5c4928c3c9e77c0001e02aa1.jpg)
Why Your Pet Rabbit Is Limping
![Hamster with front feet on ledge](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/DAaKMvo5Ma1M5jR6h5clYEacuGY=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hamster-on-bedding-56a2bd333df78cf7727963d4.jpg)
Exotic Pet Names That Start With H and I
![Close up of capybaras in grass by water](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/55-PEZy6umY7Hg4pLxUEJbDi3lE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-590084935-57fc0b545f9b586c35c9daae.jpg)
Should You Keep a Capybara as a Pet?
![Gerbils standing](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/bF6qGPKnVjz0aiOcdN-WNDDehKk=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gerbils-standing-73673142-9b0a42779aaf4f039aeac5c8e98748ce.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Gerbil
![Prairie Dog](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/3i5PK1nPIvo41VEFmkRsDIwkGqM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/131989285-56a2bcdb3df78cf77279608c.jpg)
Should You Keep a Prairie Dog as a Pet?
![A cute pet ferret in repose](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/uyr8arI4qz1C_f-kia_-4afBBtQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stocksy_txp35e7cb0aotp100_Medium_1651864-5a7c78d3119fa80037fc1330.jpg)
10 Reasons Ferrets Make Good Pets
![Sugar Glider Joey](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/IY8gI2x7AJEN-QU-p-8S5bX81Jc=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sugar-glider-joey-505395006-587583685f9b584db3571e2f.jpg)
Sugar Glider Behavior
![child holding a pet rat](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/4aGmR403KbJ2Iz94zVYtiyP4wYo=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/87907104-56a2bcd23df78cf772796034.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Rat
![Fun loving Gerbils](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/Vw6NEwzbSISp7kj4CVny7s-S2vI=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fun-loving-gerbils-1037242552-fc4175395de84a3eafd65067e449a59f.jpg)
8 Best Exotic Pets for Kids
![Capuchin monkey](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/KxUnV7ElJnp6NJYIsSIOyBMtyJ0=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Capuchin-Monkey-GettyImages-480821393-58b6fc053df78cdcd8601955.jpg)
Should You Keep a Capuchin Monkey as a Pet?
![Degu in hands](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/BxDVhKep1dI0IaQHGJaRiCyIJjQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/95937339-56a2bcc83df78cf772795fd7.jpg)
Should You Keep a Degu as a Pet?
![Close-Up Of Turtle In Tank](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/_zj1gCYYsy_Esqt6heJEleEOs6U=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-600813489-583f29da3df78c6f6ae21dd1.jpg)
How to Set Up a Thermal Gradient for Thermoregulation in Pet Reptiles
![Two kids sitting on a front porch holding white ferrets](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/MX9U9g8G4aI9uZlhyrBQEOzWxRE=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/caring-for-the-farm-animals-together-860943606-5a84b7a1a18d9e0037822b2f.jpg)
How to Care for a Pet Ferret
![Mice litter](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/d5QhkTfganDJWKtvwF0pXQgYxt8=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-610307332-5834c9c15f9b58d5b1396f61.jpg)
What to Do If Your Mouse Has Babies
![Names for Pet Frogs and Toads](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/8TlUct1zbOswpCQ-nSmmCoAMRQM=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pet-names-for-frogs-1238726_02-0ed6aee31f6949b099456bd0097a7a92.png)
100 Names for Pet Frogs and Toads
![Mice Names](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/iQw_gGJxSBfjkJ-v2D0otzXu92E=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pet-names-for-mice-1236954_source_file-2-298f2df4d31b424db4c18aaceda8bc05.jpg)
100 Names for Your Pet Mouse
![Cute chinchilla of brown velvet color is sitting in his house and looking away, side view.](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/NeeIOQiujQEMiQkru4Fj9ZTKcQQ=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cute-chinchilla-of-brown-velvet-color-is-sitting-in-his-house-and-looking-away--side-view--1066526728-ac485be0c3a743338060fcb3ce9dddd7.jpg)
Eye Problems in Chinchillas
![Rabbits of different colors lined up](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/mdXvyw2GuFR65x9gwj6I0lbmRBs=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-128419457-585b25943df78ce2c345cef4.jpg)
An Overview of Rabbit Fur Colors and Patterns
![Types of Guinea Pig Cages](https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/zdp1Bt_qwbclrTXKzu8vkykcmEg=/315x236/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/types-of-guinea-pig-cages-2662243-ce9b1a3052db4e2d976216e6079b2dcb.jpg)
4 Types of Guinea Pig Cages