Rabbit
Rabbits can be ideal pets for older children. They can appear nervous but rarely bite. They're inquisitive, friendly and like to come out and play regularly. Rabbits live for 6 - 8 years. Both males and females make excellent pets although neutered male rabbits are generally more laid back and friendlier.

Rabbits are very sociable and are happiest when they have another rabbit for company. However, they should be neutered to prevent breeding or fighting. Neutered rabbits tend to live happily together. The best pairing is usually a neutered male with a spayed female. Young rabbits may need to be housed separately until they're old enough to be neutered. A vet will usually spay a female rabbit when it's around 6 months old and will neuter a male rabbit when it's approximately 5 months old.

Rabbits can be kept outdoors all year round but ideally they should be brought into a shed or unused garage with natural light and ventilation for the winter. Never put your rabbits in a used garage as the exhaust fumes from your car can be very dangerous. When choosing a home for your pets, buy the largest hutch you can afford. The hutch should have a separate living area and bedroom to allow your pets enough space to stand up on their hind legs or stretch out.

Rabbits need extra fibre in their diet to aid digestion. Hay is a natural long fibre and should always be available in your pets' home. It also helps to grind rabbits' teeth down, preventing them from growing too long and becoming painful.

Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs make ideal pets for children. They can appear nervous but rarely bite or scratch. They're inquisitive, friendly and talkative. They enjoy being handled if you take it slowly. Guinea pigs can live for 4 - 8 years and both males and females make excellent pets.

In their natural habitat guinea pigs prefer to live in colonies. Their sociable nature means that they're happiest when they have another guinea pig for company. They're prolific breeders so it's best to choose two of the same sex. Male guinea pigs are often friendlier than females. Two guinea pigs that have been purchased at the same time and are of a similar age will usually live happily together.

Guinea pigs can be kept outdoors all year round but they should be brought into a shed or unused garage during winter. Never put your guinea pigs in a used garage as the exhaust fumes from your car can be very dangerous. If you're planning to keep your guinea pigs outdoors, make sure the hutch is draught free and fully weatherproof.

Guinea pigs need extra fibre in their diet to aid digestion. Hay is a natural long fibre and should always be available in your pets' hutch or cage. It also helps to grind guinea pigs' teeth down, preventing them from growing too long and becoming painful.

Unlike most animals, guinea pigs (like humans!) can't produce their own vitamin C. Pets at Home guinea pig muesli and nuggets are enriched with this essential vitamin to ensure your pets stay healthy. Vitamin supplements are also available and can simply be added to your petsﾒ water.

Gerbil
Gerbils make good family pets. They're easy to care for and with lots of attention they can become very tame. Gerbils are built to withstand desert conditions and so produce little waste, naturally conserving as much water and nutrition as possible. This makes them a popular, clean and odourless pet. They're curious, active and entertaining and are ideal pets for older children. Gerbils live for 2 - 4 years.

Gerbils are very sociable and are used to living in colonies. A gerbil living on its own may become depressed causing behavioural problems and in some cases, poor health. Therefore, they should be kept in single-sex pairs or groups. Buy your gerbils at the same time ﾖ they will probably be happier as they'll be used to living together from a young age. If you introduce a new gerbil that is over 10 weeks old they're highly likely to fight.

Gerbils can live in most hamster cages but make sure you choose one that provides enough space for your pets. Position the cage away from radiators and draughts. Cages wholly constructed of plastic with ventilation areas are ideal as you can provide a deep layer of woodshavings for your gerbils to tunnel in.

Your pets will require a good quality gerbil mix such to provide them with a balanced diet; this can be supplemented with very small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple and carrot. Do not feed them too much fresh food as this can lead to stomach upsets. Vitamin supplements and mineral stones can be added to your pets' diet to keep them in optimum health.

Degu
Degus are great pets for older children and adults. They're friendly, inquisitive and easy to look after. With lots of attention they can become very tame. Degus are very intelligent and love to play and explore. They usually live between 6 - 8 years.

Degus should be kept in same-sex pairs or in groups of up to 6, as they thrive in this social situation. They tend to be happier and healthier when they have a play mate and it means that they can snuggle up with one another when they're asleep. If you plan for your degus to live together you should buy them at the same time as they'll already be friends. It can be very hard to introduce degus to one another later in life.

Degus are par t of the rodent family and love to chew everything. Therefore, it's essential that they live in an appropriate cage from which they can't escape. A wire cage is a good choice but it's important that it has a solid (rather than mesh) base to prevent your pets developing problems with their paws. Degus are very active, like to climb and need space to exercise. Ideally, their cage should have several levels or shelves as degus love to bound around from one level to another!

Extruded degu nuggets are recommended for your pet alongside good quality hay, such as Timothy hay. This should always be available as should fresh water in a sturdy bottle.

Never feed your pets foods that are high in fat or sugar (sucrose, glucose, fructose) or honey as this can cause diabetes and will make them very ill. Fresh (not dried) fruits in very small quantities make ideal occasional treats.

Hamster
Syrian hamsters make good family pets and are ideal for both children and adults. They're easy to care for and with lots of attention they can become very tame. Hamsters are nocturnal so they spend most of the day sleeping and become active in the evening and at night. Syrian hamsters generally live for two to two and a half years.

Syrian hamsters are naturally solitary animals and if well cared for, they're much happier alone. Their territorial nature will lead to fights if they're kept as a pair. If you'd like to have more than one hamster consider keeping dwarf hamsters, rats or gerbils as they naturally live in groups.

Syrian hamsters need a lot of exercise. Therefore, you should buy as big a cage as possible, ideally with a plastic base and wire top. Wire sides will allow your hamster to climb around the bars of its cage which is a favourite pastime.

Your pet will require a good quality hamster nuggets or muesli mix, which can be supplemented with very small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple and carrot. Do not feed your pet too much fresh food as this can cause an upset stomach. Vitamin supplements and mineral stones can be added to your pet's diet to keep it in optimum health.

Dwarf Hamster
Dwarf hamsters make good family pets. They're easy to look after and with lots of attention they can become very tame. Due to their tiny size, dwarf hamsters are ideally suited to older children and adults. Dwarf hamsters, like Syrian hamsters, are nocturnal - they spend most of the day sleeping and become active in the evening and at night. There are three different species of dwarf hamster: Russian, Chinese and Roborovski.

Dwarf hamsters are sociable pets and like to be kept in pairs or groups. However, Chinese female hamsters may be better off alone as they may fight. If you choose to keep a pair or group of hamsters, you should buy them at the same time ﾖ they'll already know each other or will be young enough to make friends. New individuals will not be accepted into a group later on. As with all pets it's possible that your hamsters will fall out from time to time so provide lots of hideaway holes in their cage to allow them space to sleep separately if they want to.

Dwarf hamsters are much smaller than Syrian hamsters and special care should be taken when choosing a suitable cage. There are specific dwarf hamster cages available to accommodate their small size; plastic topped cages make ideal homes for dwarf hamsters as do Rotastak systems but mouse ladders may be required in the vertical tubes. Whichever style you choose, buy the biggest cage you can afford as dwarf hamsters are very active and like to have lots of space to run around.

Your pet will require a good quality hamster mix, which can be supplemented with very small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple and carrot. Do not feed them too much fresh food as this can cause an upset stomach. Vitamin supplements and mineral stones can be added to your pets' diet to keep them in optimum health.

Rat
Rats make good family pets. They're generally very clean, highly intelligent and are ideal for older children. Whilst rats are inexpensive to keep, you should buy as large a cage as possible. Rats often sleep during the day but are not fully nocturnal like hamsters. They'll enjoy spending time with you during the day or evening. On average, rats live between 2 ﾖ 4 years.

Dumbo rats are a special variety of the normal fancy rat and have larger, differently positioned ears. Fancy rats are available in a variety of colours.

We strongly recommend that rats are kept in same sex pairs or groups as they're very sociable and human contact alone is not enough. You should buy your rats at the same time as they'll already be friends, although new rats can sometimes be introduced later.

Rats need lots of exercise and stimulation and love to explore so housing them in a large cage is important. There are many types of rodent cages available. However, it's essential that you buy a cage that is designed for rats and NOT for smaller rodents such as hamsters. Ideally, you should buy a large, wire multi-level cage as this will provide lots of interest and allow your rats to use the bars for climbing.

In the wild rats are scavengers and will eat a wide variety of foods. Pet rats should also be provided with a varied diet containing all the necessary food groups. Rat nuggets contain all the nutrients they need in every mouthful and prevents selective feeding.

You can feed your pets fresh food such as cooked egg, cooked chicken scraps and washed fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots and sprouts to supplement their basic diet and provide different flavours for them to try. It's nice to treat your rats too - hanging seed sticks or hiding treats or monkey nuts around their cage provides fun and tasty challenges as well as stimulating natural behaviour! When feeding your pets any of the additional foods mentioned here, you should do so in moderation to avoid stomach upsets and weight gain, restricting treats to one or two a day.

Chinchilla
Chinchillas make great pets for older children and adults. They're easy to look after, friendly and inquisitive. With plenty of care and attention they can become very tame. Chinchillas are timid by nature and are very sensitive to rough handling so they're not suitable pets for very young children. As they're nocturnal, chinchillas sleep throughout the day and become active in the evening. Keeping chinchillas as pets is a long term commitment as they can live between 15-20 years.

Whilst chinchillas can be kept on their own, keeping them in single sex pairs provides them with companionship and it means they can snuggle up with each other at nap times. If you'd like to keep more than one chinchilla, make sure you buy them at the same time as they'll already be friends. It can be difficult to introduce chinchillas to one another later on.

Chinchillas are very active and need lots of space to exercise so buy the biggest cage you can afford. Ideally, the cage should have several levels or shelves to allow your pets to bounce around their cage. As chinchillas are enthusiastic chewers, a wire mesh cage is essential to ensure that they can't chew their way out.

Good quality chinchilla pellets will provide a basic diet for your pets, which must be supplemented with a good quality hay, such as Timothy Hay for essential fibre and should always be readily available in your pets' cage alongside a fresh supply of water. Hay helps chinchillas to digest their food and aids in grinding down their teeth preventing them from growing too long and becoming painful. Chinchillas always appreciate treats but it is important to ensure that they are low in sugar and fats.

Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are one of the easiest lizards to look after, and make great pets for older children and adults. They are easy to handle and have lots of character. Smaller dragons can be delicate so younger children should be supervised when handling them. These dragons are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, and can live up to 10 years old. They do not need a great deal of space and their needs can be easily met in any home. Males are larger than females and if cared for properly, can reach their maximum size of 60cm in one year.

They do not have the same needs for companionship as most mammals do, so are happily kept on their own. Once they are comfortable around their owner, they seem to enjoy being handled and will quite happily sit on your knee or shoulder. It is not always possible to sex them when they are small. It is important to note that males tend to fight when they mature, whereas females may live peacefully together. A male who is housed with one or more females will form a fairly natural social group, although breeding is almost inevitable.

Bearded dragons originate from the hot dry deserts of central Australia. Like most reptiles, they are normally housed in an enclosed cage with glass doors, known as a vivarium. They have specific requirements, therefore it's essential that the environment within the vivarium is controlled precisely and monitored continuously.

A single adult will need a vivarium which is the minimum length of 90cm, pairs or trios should be allowed at least 120cm.

It is essential that the lighting and heating within all vivariums is correct. Without having the right levels of ultraviolet (UV) light, they are unable to absorb calcium which will cause deformities.

As these dragons are desert animals they need to be kept warm. Their natural routine is to bask in the heat of the sun in the morning, giving them enough energy to feed and move to and from cooler areas. To allow them to do this they need a spotlight to bask under at one end of their enclosure, so that the other end can be kept cooler. The temperature under the heat source should be at least 35ﾺC and at the cooler end, 20ﾺ ﾖ 25ﾺC. At night, the temperature should not fall below 15ﾺC, although it is best to keep younger dragons warmer.

Unlike most reptiles, adult bearded dragons eat vegetables rather than solely feeding just on a diet of insects. Fresh foods should be given every day, with insects offered to adults on alternative days. Juveniles less than 30cm need more protein while they're growing and should be fed insects daily. Like cats and dogs, bearded dragons are prone to obesity. Unlike most pets, food can be withheld for a day or more without causing harm and may even be beneficial if it is part of a considered management regime.

Leopard Gecko
Leopard geckos are considered one of the easiest lizards to keep and make great pets for older children and adults. Essentially, they live on the ground and although they can climb, their ability is limited. Being nocturnal, they become most active when the vivarium lights are turned off in the evening. Smaller geckos can be delicate, so younger children must be supervised when handling them. However, once they get to know you they are easy to handle. Leopard geckos can live for about 20 years or more. They do not need a great deal of space, and their needs can be met very easily in any modern home. If cared for properly, they can grow between 20 to 25cm.

Leopard geckos do not have the same needs for company as mammals, and will be happy living on their own. It is usually difficult to sex them when they are small.

Leopard geckos originally came from hot dry areas in India. They hide underground for the hottest part of the day and become active at night. Like most reptiles they are normally housed in an enclosed cage with glass doors called a vivarium. This needs to be monitored carefully to ensure that the environment is correct and has plenty of hiding places so the gecko can rest whilst the vivarium light is on.

Being nocturnal means they do not need the same special lighting requirements as many desert reptiles. Heat however, is very important and can be provided by a heat rock or heat mat. It is very important that if a mat is used, this covers less than 50% of the total floor area. Your geckos can then choose an area in their enclosure that they feel most comfortable in, and do not over heat. There should be areas in the vivarium where the temperature is about 30ﾺC, with cooler areas that can fall to about 20ﾺC at night. Lighting from above is desirable but not essential. An ideal set up will have light creating a distinct day and night regime. At night a blue or red ﾑnight light' can allow you to watch your geckos as they investigate their environment and look for food. This can be provided by incandescent lighting or using LED lights that are available for aquariums.

Leopard geckos are easy to feed, as they only eat insects. Try to avoid feeding the same insects all the time, and vary their diet between crickets, small locusts, waxworms and mealworms. Mealworms and waxworms should be fed in moderation.

For more detailed care advice, please visit our Pet Care Advice pages at www.petsathome.com.