Rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice and gerbils getting along with dogs and cats

Ever think how nice it would be if your little critters got along with Fido, Fluffy, and any other non-human members of your family? Don't count on it, please! Companion rodents are prey animals by nature, while most other species kept as pets tend to be their natural predators. By simply respecting your small animal friends for who they are, you will indeed have the most peaceable kingdom possible.

In the wild, rodents like gerbils, mice and guinea pigs are hunted and eaten by other animals. That's one reason why they spend a lot of time hiding in caves and nests, so as to avoid becoming a predator's dinner. Their domesticated counterparts still retain some of these behaviors. It's important that your pets always have a hideout to which they can retreat to feel safe.

All tamed animals love people

Because your companions have been specifically bred to live with humans, they are easily tamed. When you begin to handle your little critters, they will learn to trust you, and understand that you are a friend and do not want to eat them.

That's not the case with other animals, though. Cats and dogs are natural predators of rodents, and many will instinctively want to hunt your little guys. Even if you have the most harmless, playful pooch on the planet, or if your cat seems like she could care less about your rodent, your small furry friend probably does not feel the same way. Just knowing that a "predator" is nearby can really stress out a companion rodent.

To ensure that your furry friends don't live in fear, please note the following:

• Make sure that your critter's home has a secure, escape-proof lid.
• Do not allow other pets into the room where your critter is housed.
• Never leave your critters and other pets together unsupervised.
• Note that large birds such as parrots can easily attack and kill a little critter. Their loud voices may also frighten rodents.
• Ferrets tend to view companion rodents as very animated toys, so keep them safely away from your small pets.

The myth of guinea pigs and rabbits

In the past, many pet stores have advised that rabbits and guinea pigs can live together in the same cage. These days, we're better informed. In addition to the fact that cavies and rabbits have different nutritional needs, a rabbit can easily kick and injure a guinea pig with his powerful back legs. Some guinea pigs and rabbits (particularly the smaller breeds) do enjoy supervised playtime together when they are properly, and slowly, introduced. However, the key word here is supervised, and any such play session should end if the rabbit attempts to bite or kick.

The bottom line

Of course, we have heard the rare instance of dogs or other pets making friends with companion rodents. Rats in particular tend to be very curious, and may not quite realize their own size when going nose-to-nose with a sweet Labrador. And a rodent and a cat could very well ignore each other while you are in the room with them, but once you leave it's another story. Please, please, don't risk it!

It's also important to understand that companion rodents need their own spaces and different species of small animals (i.e. rats and hamsters) should never be housed together. Nor should you mix a Syrian hamster, for example, with a dwarf hamster. As it turns out, the best friend for your little critters is...you!