Small pets are a great addition to your household for many reasons. Because of their small size, they often require less space than a cat or a dog. They are also easy to care for and can be quite affectionate.

Whether you're looking for a rabbit hutch or a hamster habitat, finding the right small pet structure is an important element when caring for a small pet. Our guide covers all you need to know about small animal cages, including tips on choosing the correct size and material.

Choose the Right Type of Habitat

When browsing for a small animal cage or habitat, there are four popular types to choose from. We've outlined these types of habitats below so you can select the right one for your small pet.

Cage: Small animal cages provide excellent ventilation and come in a variety of designs that feature one or more levels, which allows your pet to have plenty of space. Because small pets have sensitive paws, it's important to choose a wire cage with a solid base, such as a smooth plastic base or layers of soft bedding. Cages are best for rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.

Modular Habitat: Modular habitats are made of individual pieces that can be easily connected so that you can customize the habitat to meet the needs of your small pet. With tunnels, wheels, and other fun attachments, you can expand modular habitats to include different zones for sleeping or playing. These habitats are a great option for rats, mice, and hamsters.

Hutch: Designed for rabbits, hutches are freestanding structures that feature separate areas for sleeping, food and water, and a litter box. Most hutches come with a run to provide extra space for rabbits to stay active. If the hutch doesn't include a run, it's important to purchase one to ensure your rabbit has enough room for exercise.

Playpen/Run: Playpens (or runs) are enclosed areas that allow your pet to run and play freely. They can be used indoors or outdoors, and they often attach to hutches to provide your pet extra space. Since playpens can have larger openings in the walls, they are better suited for rabbits or ferrets.

Tip!

With any type of habitat you choose, it's important to consider which accessories your pet will need. Small pet beds, food bowls, water bottles, and play structures are key elements for creating a comfortable home environment for your small pet.

Think About Indoor or Outdoor Use

If you plan on taking your small pet outdoors, there are a few important key factors to consider. These precautions can help you keep your pet safe and healthy:

• When your pet is outdoors, stay close to their enclosure to make sure that they don't escape their habitat, don't wander away, or get taken away by any wildlife.
• Check the weather to see if it's a suitable temperature. We recommend a range of 65°F – 78°F, so that it's not too cold or too hot for your pet.
• Find a location that isn't too loud and that doesn’t have any unexpected noises to lower the chance your animal will be scared.
• Choose a habitat that can withstand the elements. Features like weather- or predator-resistant cages and habitats are designed for outdoor use and ensure your pet will stay safe.

Find the Correct Size

Small pets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so each pet will have different guidelines when choosing the best habitat. The proper cage size has to accommodate the size of your pet, its activity level, and any accessories or toys. It's always best to choose the largest cage or habitat size possible. This gives your pet plenty of space to play, sleep, and roam around comfortably. We've outlined which habitat size is best suited for each type of pet below to help you determine the best size for your pet.

Tip!

The space between the bars is an important measurement when choosing the right habitat. You have to make sure that the bars are close enough together that your pet can't squeeze between them and get out.

Rats: Rats require a habitat that is at least 20” x 14” x 24” with bar spacing that is between 0.4" and 0.6".

Mice: Mice need a cage that is at least 18” x 12” x 12”, and bars that are spaced ¼" apart. If you have more than one mouse, add ½ sq. ft. for each mouse.

Gerbils: For gerbils, we recommend choosing a cage that is at least 20 gallons or 15” x 12” x 10”. The walls must be at least 12" and the bars should be ¼" apart.

Ferrets: Ferrets should have a habitat that is at least 24” x 24” x 24” with bars spaced 1" apart. Ferrets are high-energy and enjoy climbing, so it's best to choose a tall multi-level cage to give them ample room to exercise.

Rabbits: As a general rule, rabbit hutches should be at least four times larger than a rabbit so that it has enough room to hop four times without reaching a wall of the hutch. The hutch should also be large enough that a rabbit can stretch out fully to rest and tall enough that a rabbit can stand upright. The minimum size of a rabbit hutch should be 12 sq. ft. with a larger area of 32 sq. ft. for exercise. The bars should be spaced 0.85" for young rabbits or 1.35" for adult rabbits.

Guinea Pigs: Guinea pigs should have a cage that is 7.5 sq. ft. or 30” x 36” minimum. Cages larger than the minimum size are always a great way to ensure your guinea pigs have a comfortable environment. Bars should be spaced less than 1".

Hamsters (Dwarf & Syrian Breeds): Hamsters require a cage that is at least 24” x 12” x 12” with bars spaced less than ½" apart, but we recommend opting for the largest habitat you can fit in your home. Most hamster cages are designed for dwarf hamsters, so Syrian hamsters will need a larger cage.

Chinchillas: The minimum size habitat for one chinchilla is 3' x 2' x 2' with bars 1" apart. Try to choose the tallest cage so that your chinchilla can have ample room to jump, which means they need a cage that can accommodate jumping up to 6' high. Because chinchillas are also best kept in pairs, make sure to calculate the space for two chinchillas when determining the right habitat size.

Pick the Best Material

The material of the habitat should also be considered. Some materials may be better suited for one type of pet than another, so we've outlined the different types of materials that are available.

Cage Bar & Playpen Materials

Powder- or Plastic-Coated Wire: The protective coating prevents the wire from rusting and is non-toxic to small animals that tend to chew on the wire.
Galvanized Metal: Similar to powder- or -plastic-coated wire, galvanized metal is treated to prevent rust. However, galvanized metal should not be used for ferret cages. This material is poisonous to ferrets and would be harmful if chewed on.

Hutch Materials

Wood: Wood is the most common material used for hutches. Untreated wood or plywood is the best option for constructing a hutch because medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is toxic to animals when eaten and should not be used.
Plastic: Corrugated plastic is another popular option for hutches. These sheets of plastic are lightweight and chew-proof, which makes them ideal for small pet habitats.

Flooring Materials

Wire: Like the cage bars, wire floors are coated with a protective powder or plastic. This type of floor provides optimal ventilation, but often requires a plastic mat or tray to catch bedding and droppings. If your pet has sensitive feet, make sure to add a plastic mat or plenty of bedding to ensure that their paws are comfortable.
Plastic: Plastic provides a smooth, sturdy, and easy-to-clean base. Plastic floors don't have small holes like wire floors, so plastic is a great option for pets with tiny paws like hamsters or mice.

Consider Helpful Features

After learning about small animal cage types, sizes, and materials, there are additional features that can upgrade your pet's habitat.

Portable: With a lightweight design or wheels, these small animal cages are easy to move from one spot to another. This is great for moving small animals indoors during the colder months of the year.

Starter Kit: If you're picking out your first small pet, a starter kit includes many of the essentials that you'll need to care for your new pet. Most starter kits come with a habitat, a feeding bowl, a water bottle, and a running wheel. Make sure to check the pet type in the description for the starter kit to ensure the kit is the right size for your pet.

Feeder-Included: These cages come with a food bowl or a food dispenser to make feeding your small animal easy.

Tunnels-Included: Give your mice or hamsters more room to roam with tunnels that extend beyond their cage. These tunnels can offer extra space to scurry or can connect to other cages within a larger modular habitat.

Running Wheel-Included: Give your pet more ways to exercise with a running wheel. These wheels can be attached to an interior wall of your pet's cage or can come as a freestanding wheel.

Water Bottle-Included: Keep your pet hydrated with a water bottle. These water bottles often attach to a wire wall of the cage or at the upper lip of the habitat for a secure fit.

Locking Doors: With a latch on the outside of the cage, this feature keeps your pets safely inside their habitats. This is ideal for ferrets because they're known for escaping their cages.

Platforms: Similar to a cat tree, these cages feature different platforms and levels that your small pet can climb. This is a popular addition for active animals like ferrets or chinchillas.

Removable Base/Pull-Out Tray: Make cleanup simpler with a tray or base that slides out. Typically paired with a wire cage, the removable base allows you to clean out the droppings or food that has fallen into the tray.

Removable Top: A removable top gives you easy access to the cage, which makes cleaning the cage or lifting an animal easier.

Ladders/Ramps: Rabbit hutches are elevated to keep predators out, so ramps are added to hutches to let rabbits move freely between the hutch and a run.

Detachable Run: Made for rabbit hutches, these runs can be detached for cleaning.