Best Small pets for Families with Children
Breeds with the temperament and tolerance for a household with children — rated 4 or 5 for family suitability.
← All small pet species (10)4 entries
Guinea Pig
Gentle, vocal and sociable — the small pet that genuinely needs your company.
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 2–3 lb (0.7–1.2 kg)
- Lifespan
- 4–8 years
Ferret
Mischievous, energetic and endlessly entertaining — the pet that will never let you be bored.
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 2–4 lb (0.7–2 kg)
- Lifespan
- 6–10 years
Fancy Rat
The most underrated pet in the world — clever, affectionate and heartbreakingly short-lived.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 1 lb (0.3–0.6 kg)
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
Mongolian Gerbil
A desert burrower that is awake when you are — social, tidy and endlessly busy.
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 2.1–4.6 oz (60–130 g)
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years