Best Pets for Seniors - Part 6 - Best Rodents for Seniors

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - Benefits & Drawbacks
Part 2 - Tips, Alternatives, & Helpful Programs
Part 3 - Best Dogs for Seniors
Part 4 - Best Cats for Seniors
Part 5 - Best Birds for Seniors
Part 6 - Best Rodents for Seniors
Part 7 - Aquariums & Aquarium Plants
Part 8 - Best Aquarium Fish for Seniors

Introduction

When it comes to pets the first word that comes to mind is probably not "rodent", yet some species such as guinea pigs & gerbils have become well known for being good pets for beginners. Many of the same qualities that make good starter pets or suitable pets for children also transfer over their suitability when it comes to determining pets for seniors. 

Many may be surprised when it comes to the exact type & breed of rodent that is best suited for an affectionate, healthy, and relatively trouble-free pet. Read on below for general tips when it comes to choosing & taking care of the more suitable pet for your senior loved one's fuzzy little furball needs.
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Benefits

• Rodents & their cages are easier to maintain for those with limited mobility. Cages are often smaller than the cages required for birds and can be placed on handy tables so that stooping is not required unlike with dog & cat food bowls & kitty litter bins. Rodents don't require walking or more active forms of exercise that other pets such as dogs do.
• Caged rodents are often acceptable in living arrangements such as smaller condos, apartments, or assisted living where dogs & cats may not be allowed.
• Rodents can provide many of the same therapeutic benefits as cats & dogs when it comes to their handling and the stroking of their fur.
• Compared to other available pets (and depending upon the exact breed chosen), rodents are more short lived and thus will not require complex succession plans in the case of their owner's incapacitation.
• Compared to other prospective pets, rodents are inexpensive in their initial costs (including the cost of purchasing the rodent itself, plus its cage, water bottle, food bowl, and toys) as well as in their maintenance costs (litter & sheddings, pellets & other types of food)
• Outside of long-haired guinea pigs, rodents don't generally require any type of grooming and require less outside vet visits.
• Many of the more intelligent breeds of rodents can be trained to use an in-cage litter box which will make cleaning even easier.

Drawbacks

• Rodents still require responsible upkeep with cages needing to be cleaned a minimum of once weekly for the less high maintenance breeds. Water bottles and food will also need to be re-supplied daily with their attendant costs. While automatic feeders can be subbed in for short trips away, rodents will require caregivers if their owner is incapacitated for an extended period. Many of the more intelligent & affectionate breeds of rodents will also require daily interactions outside of their cages with their owners or caretakers.
• While being short lived can be beneficial when it comes to their potential care if their owner passes away, the rapid turnover of some rodent's life spans can be found to be depressing to people.
• If a rodent does require a health check-up, then a vet that specializes in exotic mammals will need to be found. These vets tends to be less widespread and more expensive than more common cat & dog vets.
• Rodents are fragile compared to many other prospective pets and can be easily harmed if dropped or handled too roughly, especially when it comes to the smaller breeds.
• Rodents that have not been properly socialized tend to be biters. Even tamer ones can sometimes scratch and bite when taken by surprise, so rodents are not appropriate for those seniors with especially fragile skin or compromised immune systems.
• Due to their sociability, many types of rodents should be kept in same sex pairs or groups from their original litters which will require more resources than a solo pet. Introducing non-litter mates could lead to potential fighting. Mixed genders should not be kept in order to prevent unwanted breeding.
• Many rodents tend to be nocturnal and thus may be not be active when their owner may find it most convenient. The noise of their nightly activities can also disturb the sleep if their cages are kept within the bedroom.

Tips to Keep in Mind

• Like other pets, rodents should always be bought from reputable breeders and pet stores to help ensure that all prospective pets come from a healthy environment & sturdy breeding stock. Pet rodents should also be properly socialized with humans especially to get them used to handling in their early development.
• Individual rodents that have been properly socialized and gentled to human contact since their early development should be sought out as they will be the easiest & safest ones to handle.
• Rodents should have large, roomy cages relative to their own size to give them enough room to exercise as well as the ability to defecate, eat, and sleep in separate areas.
• Besides proper food & water, rodents will require chew toys, nesting materials such as aspen shavings (avoid cedar or pine which can be toxic to smaller animals), a smaller enclosed space to make a nesting box, and exercise areas such as running wheels.
• For rodent species that prefer being kept in pairs or groups, the groups should always be same sex to avoid any potential unwanted breeding and should come from the same litter to help avoid any potential fighting that would come from introducing an outside rodent. 

Rodents for Seniors

Here are the most common variety of rodents kept as pets in the order of most to least recommended for seniors...

Rats

• Size: up to 8"
• Lifespan: 2 - 4 years
• Cage Requirements:  24" x 36"
• Perhaps surprising considering their often negative reputation as a household pest, but domesticated rats can make terrific pets. As they have been long domesticated as a breed, they tend to be more friendly, calm & tame compared to other pet rodents. Rats are on the larger side for rodents and thus tend to be easier to handle (especially for those with small, weak, or stiffened hands), rarely bite, and bond strongly with their owners.
• Rats are social creatures and prefer to be kept in same sex pairs or groups. They require cages on the larger side that can be climbed or easily played in. They also require daily interaction & play time outside of their cages with their owners. Being very intelligent & enjoying human companionship, rats can be taught tricks and are often compared to cats or small dogs that enjoy snuggling up into their owner's laps. While primarily nocturnal, rats will often slightly shift around their sleeping schedules for greater interaction with their owners.
• Rats are very clean as rodents go and will groom themselves. Their cages tend to be less odorous compared to other rodents with their bedding requiring cleaning every couple days.

Guinea Pigs (Short Haired)

• Size:  up to 10",
• Life Span: 5 - 7 years,
• Cage Requirements: 30" x 36" cage
• Guinea Pigs are another long domesticated breed of rodent and thus also tend to be more calm, kind, and gentle than their smaller counterparts. They are unlikely to bite and, in contrast to most other rodents, tend to be more active in the day with short sleeping periods spread throughout. Due to their tranquil nature and larger size, they are the easiest rodent to handle for those who may have hand strength or dexterity issues.
• Guinea Pigs are social and prefer to be kept in same sex pairs or groups. They have more demanding dietary needs compared to other rodents which includes necessities such as fresh veggies, hay, and other sources of Vitamin C that their bodies can't naturally produce. Long haired guinea pigs will also require grooming & brushing. Being the largest of the common rodent pets, guinea pigs will require larger cages (often larger than the cages that are commonly marketed to guinea pigs) as well as outside play time with their owners. However, unlike other rodent breeds, guinea pigs tend to be content within their cages and are not prone to escape attempts.

Gerbils

• Size: up to 4"
• Life Span: 2 - 3 years
• Cage: 12" x  24" x 12" tall
• Gerbils are more active and social than other small rodents such as hamsters & mice and are happier in same sex pairs or groups. Unlike mice, rats, & hamsters, gerbils have furry tails which some people find more appealing. While they tend to bite less than other rodents, they are also more energetic (not to mention quick) and thus may be harder to handle for those with hand dexterity issues. Whether a gerbil is active during the day or night depends upon its exact species, however the more common pet breeds such as mongolian tend to be diurnal (more active during the day)
• Gerbils tend to gnaw on everything within reach (including their own cages), so their long term supplies (cage, water bottles, food dishes etc) should be made of glass or metal. Cages should also be cleaned a minimum of once a week.

Mice

• Size: up to 3"
• Life Span: 1-3 years
• Cage Requirements: 12" x 18" x 12" tall
• Mice like many other rodent species are primarily nocturnal. They tend to be more nervous & skittish than other smaller rodents such as gerbils & hamsters. This, plus their small stature & quick speed, make handling them more difficult, so they are more appropriate for pet owners who like to watch their pets more than have hand-on experiences. Mice are very acrobatic and can be entertaining to watch them playing around with their toys within their cages. When handling is required, mice tend to bite less than hamsters.
• Mice tend to be social, so females should be kept within groups. Males are more prone to fighting and can be kept solo. Mice are known for easily escaping through bars, so their cages should be glass or fully enclosed plastic. Mice cages can get odorous, so besides their minimum complete cage cleaning per week, they should have their droppings & uneaten food cleaned up daily.

Hamsters (Syrian)

• Size: up to 6"
• Life Span: 2 - 3 years
• Cage Requirements:  12" x 18" x 12" tall
• As the smaller dwarf hamsters tend to be harder to handle and tame, the more common syrian hamster is recommended as a pet. Syrian hamsters should always be kept solitary and are generally nocturnal. Of all the pet rodents, hamsters are the most likely to bite due to their poor eyesight. They are timid and generally require special handling and lots of socialization with humans in their early development to be properly gentled.
• Hamsters are also known for chewing on their surroundings similar to gerbils and thus long-term supplies such as cages, drinking bottles, and food bowls should best be made of glass or metal instead of plastic.