All about small pets
We find out more about these small but mighty pets.
9 per cent of those who filled in the Big Pet Census own a small pet. Except for hamsters, small pets like to live in pairs or groups, owners we surveyed had more than 4,305 individual pets in total.
- 3.9 per cent of you own guinea pigs
- 1.4 per cent of you own hamsters
- 0.6 per cent of you own rats
- 0.3 per cent of you own gerbils
- 0.2 per cent of you own chinchillas
- 0.1 per cent of you own degus
- 0.1 per cent of you own mice
What’s the most common hamster breed?
We heard about the lives of 874 hamsters in total, and of these, 62 per cent were the Syrian breed of hamster.
The top 5 words people use to describe their small pet
In total, we collected 10,990 words that people use to describe their small pets. The top five were:
- Cute
- Funny
- Cheeky
- Adorable
- Fluffy
‘Fascinating’ also came up frequently, and we couldn’t agree more—small pets have fascinating behaviours that are often overlooked.
We love talking about our small pets!
When we asked, "How often do you talk about your small pet during the day?" 37 per cent of people in England talk about their small pets a few times a day, and in Wales this is 33 per cent.
Celebrating your small pet’s birthday
42 per cent of those we spoke to say they celebrate their small pet’s birthday.
Social media accounts for small pets
Among small pet owners in England, 10 per cent have created social media accounts for their pets, exceeding the 8 per cent of cat owners who do the same. It seems our small furry friends are stealing the spotlight online!
Small pet housing
8 per cent of Pet Census respondents identified adequate housing as their top animal welfare concern. For small pets, ensuring they have the right living space is crucial for their happiness and health. It's vital to create an environment where these little companions can thrive.
[Illustrations by Laura Ireland]
