Introducing your small pet to other pets generally isn’t a good idea because other, larger pets tend to see smaller pets as something to eat rather than a buddy to hang out with.
Some general guidelines
As a general rule, introducing your small pet to other pets is not a good idea. Small pets include gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, birds and fish. Though some of these animals burrow, others swim and others fly, they have one thing in common. They’re all viewed by larger animals as something to snack on, not something to hang out with. So, if you have larger animals at home, do not introduce the two pets. The introduction (even if done through a cage) will make your small pet stressed out. Small pets instinctively know, even if they are protected by a glass cage, that they’re being watched by a predator.
Introducing small pets to other small pets
Sometimes introducing you small pet to other pets that are also considered to be small pets, is not a bad idea. Some small pets get along well together and actually prefer to have a buddy. That being said, ask your pet provider if the small pet you’re purchasing is a pet that enjoys being social. If it’s not, it’s best to put it in a cage by itself.
Small pets that enjoy being with other small pets include mice, guinea pigs and rats. Mice like to be in groups or small pairs though it’s a good idea not to place a bunch of males together. Males will fight for dominance over the group. Rats are happiest when they’re matched up in male/female pairs however, if you don’t want to wake up one day to a cage full of baby rats, make sure to spade and neuter your rats before you put them together. Introducing your small pet to other pets when the pets include mice, rats, birds and some fish, is a delightful way to provide companionship to your animals.
Introducing your small pet to other pets is not a good idea for hamsters. The only hamster that will get along with other hamsters is the dwarf hamster. However, to get this to happen you usually have to raise the hamsters together. Dropping a hamster into another hamster’s cage is a bad idea and will cause a massive fight.
Things to look out for
Introducing your small pet to other pets is fun and it’s good socialization for some pets. That being said, if you have more than one pet in a cage, be extra careful about keeping the cage clean. Three mice make three times as much mess as one mouse and their cage should be cleaned accordingly. Dirty cages will cause each animal to become sick very quickly because disease and illness spread at a rapid pace when animals live together. Introducing your small pet to other pets should only be done by a responsible pet owner.
