The Best Small Pets: Pros, Cons, and What to Expect
What are the best small pets?
That will depend on your lifestyle, the amount of money you are willing to spend, and the time you have to dedicate to a pet.
Small pets can be a great choice for you if you have limited space, a busy lifestyle, or are a first-time pet owner looking for an easier companion. But just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re low-maintenance. Each tiny animal comes with its own set of needs, behaviors, and quirks.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best small pets, including what makes them great and what you should consider before bringing one home.
The best small pets
let’s dig in!
1. Hamsters
Overview
Hamsters are solitary, nocturnal rodents known for their chubby cheeks and love for running on wheels.
Pros:
Easy to care for
Don’t require a lot of space
Fun to watch, especially at night.
Cons:
Short lifespan (2–3 years)
Can be nippy if not handled properly
Need a weekly cage cleaning to avoid odor
Overview
Another great thing about hamsters is that they don’t require a lot of time each day. They are also really quite pets.
Although hamsters are small and don’t require much space, they still need some space to roam, as they are quite curious creatures. Most cages sold as hamster cages are less than ideal
because they are not only too small, but they also fail to create proper burrowing space. An aquarium can make a great cage for a hamster, and they are not super expensive.
Here are some essentials for a proper setup:
- wheel
- food + water bowl
- Lots of bedding for burrowing
- Seed sprays, herb & flower mix (optional, but they will thank you for it)
While hamsters can be tamed and bond with a human, each will have their own personality, and some are more outgoing than others, while others prefer to be left alone.
Want to learn more about hamsters as pets? Read this article from Rodents for Pets.
2. Guinea Pigs
Overview
Guinea pigs are social, vocal, and gentle animals that thrive on companionship, both from other guinea pigs and humans.
Pros:
Friendly and rarely bite
Enjoy human interaction
Longer lifespan (5–7 years)
Cons:
Need a larger cage than most small pets
Can be noisy (squeaking, wheeking)
Must be kept in pairs or groups for social health.
Overview
Guinea pigs are one of the best small pets, especially if you want a pet that your children can interact with, and they rarely bite unless threatened.
Their diet is pretty simple, but they do need fresh vegetables daily and some occasional fruits. They also need unlimited hay and water, and they need fortified pellets (which are quite inexpensive).
In order to create a bond with your guinea pig, it is necessary to dedicate some time each day.
They are easy to care for, but they are susceptible to developing tumors and some other diseases.
Probably the biggest con is the fact that they need a decent-sized cage, and they do produce a lot of waste because they need to eat a lot of forage to wear down their teeth, which continue to grow throughout their entire lives.
For this reason, it can be challenging to find enough time to frequently clean their cage.
Overall, a great pet!
3. Rabbits
Overview
Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate animals that can be litter-trained and love to hop around outside of their cage.
Pros:
Can bond closely with their owners
Quiet and clean when trained
Great for apartment living
Cons:
Require a lot of space and exercise
Can be destructive if bored
Need regular grooming (especially long-haired breeds)
Overview:
Similar to guinea pigs, they require a constant supply of forage.
Rabbits are really entertaining pets.
Some rabbits enjoy coming out of their cage for short periods of time, but will either need to be closely supervised, or you can rabbit-proof the space that they will have access to.
Like any other pet, they will need time to trust you, but by spending plenty of time with them and feeding them treats, you can create a strong bond with them.
With enough time, you can even teach your rabbit some tricks.
Their cage setup can be a bit expensive because they require more space than some other small pets.
But rabbits themselves are pretty cheap.
Their diet is not complicated, and it’s also pretty cheap.
Due to their grooming requirements, they will require a bit more time than some other pets on this list. They also shed, which might be a problem for some people.
4. Gerbils
Overview
Gerbils are small, active rodents that love to dig and tunnel. They’re more social and curious than hamsters.
Pros:
Less odor than hamsters
Diurnal (active during the day)
Fun to watch and very playful
Cons:
Fragile—may not be best for young kids
Need enrichment to avoid boredom
Should be kept in same-sex pairs or groups
Overview:
Gerbils need a cage setup similar to hamsters, with plenty of bedding for digging, a wheel, and some toys to avoid boredom.
If provided with proper space and a companion, they will be fine with little to no human interaction, which will cause them to be more skittish towards people.
Their diet is pretty much the same as hamsters consisting mostly of seeds and some fruits, and vegetables.
They don’t create much noise. They are mostly active during the day, which can be a plus for some people, making it easier to spend time with them and giving you more opportunities to enjoy them!
5. Budgies (Parakeets)
Overview
Budgies are small parrots with bright feathers and big personalities. They’re known for their ability to mimic sounds and enjoy human interaction.
Pros:
Intelligent and trainable
Can learn to talk or whistle
Don’t require as large a cage as bigger birds.
Cons:
Can be noisy
Need regular interaction and mental stimulation
Messy eaters. may scatter feathers and seed.
Overview:
Budgies are not for everyone, they are one of the more challenging pets on this list. They are quite sensitive to things such as paint and other chemicals, It is best not to use non-stick pans in your house if you have budgies, as they release harmful chemicals into the air that can kill your birds.
They need the companionship of another budgie, and they will bond strongly with each other.
Taming budgies can be a little challenging, especially if it is an older bird.
These beautiful birds are fun to watch, and they can be quite noisy, bringing life to any home, but at times, this can be annoying.
They are also messy leaving poop and seeds everywhere they go.
If none of that bothers you and you have some time to dedicate to budgies, they might be a good pet for you.
6. Betta Fish
Overview
Betta fish are vibrant, hardy fish that do well in smaller tanks. They are fun to watch, if you create a planted tank for them, it can brighten up a corner in your home!
Pros:
Low maintenance (compared to other pets)
Doesn’t need a large aquarium
Beautiful colors and fin types
Cons:
Must be housed alone (males will fight)
Water must be kept warm and clean
can’t be cuddled
Overview:
While betta fish are hardy, they still need proper care to survive, and taking care of an aquarium comes with a bit of a learning curve, because you will need to learn how to properly balance the water.
Bettas come in many different colors, and some are really flashy, making them even more fun to watch. Some of the males have long, flowy tails.
I would recommend keeping these fish in a tank no smaller than a 2.5-gallon tank.
The fish themselves are not expensive, but a tank setup with proper filtration, a heater, and plants can cost a bit.
They don’t require much daily care, but a small weekly water change is necessary to maintain proper water parameters, ensuring your betta stays happy and healthy.
A great pet for someone who enjoys just sitting and watching their pet, or if you want to bring a natural, earthy vibe to your home, a planted aquarium would be perfect.
And I highly recommend getting a planted tank for a few reasons:
- Plants help maintain proper water conditions
- It makes any tank look great!
- Bettas like hiding in plants (sometimes even take a nap on a big leaf).
7. Leopard Geckos
Overview
These reptiles are calm, easygoing lizards that don’t mind being handled. They’re a good starter reptile for beginners.
Pros:
They look cool!
Low feeding frequency (insects every few days)
Long lifespan (10–20 years)
Cons:
Requires special heating and lighting
A live insect diet may not appeal to everyone
Can become stressed if overhandled
Overview:
Their setup can be a bit expensive because they require a heater and special lighting. They come in various cool color patterns!
Leopard geckos stay rather small and don’t require a huge amount of space; a 10-gallon tank for one gecko is enough!
You probably won’t be able to cuddle up on the couch with these small reptiles, but they are still a super cool pet to have.
They are pretty resilient pets, but they still come with a bit of a learning curve because leopard geckos need the right humidity, substrate, and natural hiding places.
Their diet consists of live insects, so if you a finicky about mealworms, then this might not be the right pet for you.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best small pet depends on your lifestyle, time commitment, and what you’re looking for in a companion. Whether you want a furry cuddle buddy, a chirping friend, or a silent observer, there’s a perfect small pet for you—you just have to find the right match.
