Most Popular Small Pets in the U.S.: What New Owners Should Know

The most popular small pets in APPA's 2025 ownership report are rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, but popularity does not mean easier care. Ownership figures describe a survey group, not which animal fits your home or which one needs the least care.

In This Guide

Editorial illustration of a golden hamster emerging from deep paper bedding beside a cork tunnel AI-generated editorial illustration.

Ask a few friends which small pet they had growing up, and you will probably hear the same answers: a rabbit in the backyard, a pair of guinea pigs in the classroom, a hamster on the bedroom dresser. These animals feel familiar, and familiar feels easy.

Many of the most common small-pet mistakes come from that feeling.

This guide looks at what U.S. ownership figures show, then at the one care need for each popular species that new owners most often miss. It also makes the case for an animal that rarely tops the lists: the pet rat.

Which small pets are most popular in the U.S.?

Rabbits, then guinea pigs, then hamsters. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), its 2025 report ranks rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters highest among the small-animal types it reports. Among small-animal owners, APPA reports that:

  • 37% have a rabbit, a 37% increase since 2018;
  • 23% have guinea pigs;
  • 18% have hamsters, with hamster ownership down 25% since 2018.

These percentages describe small-animal owners, not all U.S. households, and an owner may keep more than one kind of animal.

What do the popularity numbers not tell you?

They tell you what people own, not what is easy to own or right for your home. A species can be popular because it is familiar, widely sold, or appealing in photos. None of that measures how much space, time, or veterinary care it needs.

The figures also do not establish a clear fourth place. We include pet rats below because they are a well-documented companion animal with very different needs, not because they rank fourth.

If you are still deciding which animal to get, our Small Mammals section has a full comparison by lifespan, space, schedule, and companionship.

Rabbits: why are they not a starter pet?

Because they live a long time and need more space and diet care than most people expect. The Merck Veterinary Manual says rabbits given a proper diet and healthy living conditions can live 10 to 12 years or longer.

The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) says rabbits need as much space as possible to exercise, and that adult rabbits should have grass hay available at all times, with only a limited amount of pellets.

The surprise for many owners is how serious a drop in appetite can be. Merck explains that a rabbit that stops eating can develop gastrointestinal stasis, which can become life-threatening, and advises prompt veterinary care.

Guinea pigs: why are pellets and veggies not always enough?

Because guinea pigs need a reliable source of vitamin C in their diet, and that vitamin breaks down over time. Merck says guinea pigs of all ages require dietary vitamin C, and lists rabbit pellets and old pellets among the feeding histories seen in deficient animals.

AEMV notes that guinea pig pellets are formulated with vitamin C, but that it degrades over time, so owners should check manufacture dates. Signs of deficiency listed by Merck include difficulty eating, a rough coat, lameness, swollen joints, pain, and slow wound healing.

Housing is the second surprise. Merck recommends at least 7.5 square feet of floor space for one guinea pig and a solid floor to prevent foot and limb injuries.

Hamsters: why is the classic kids' pet often misunderstood?

Because hamsters are night animals that usually live alone and do not like being held for long. AEMV says hamsters are active at night and that most should live alone. Merck notes that adult Syrian hamsters housed together can be aggressive, and that a hamster may bite when startled, awakened, or roughly handled.

Diet is the other common gap. AEMV and Merck both recommend a pelleted diet made for hamsters, because hamsters pick out their favorite seeds from mixes. AEMV warns this selective eating can lead to an unbalanced nutrient intake and excess weight.

Merck gives Syrian hamsters a lifespan of 2 to 3 years, which is worth explaining to a child before the hamster comes home.

Why do pet rats deserve a second look?

Because they are social, interactive animals that suit owners who want to spend time with their pet. Merck describes rats as very social creatures, and AEMV says it is best for at least two same-sex or neutered rats to live together.

Rats also have clear housing needs. Merck says the cage floor should be solid, because wire mesh can damage feet and legs, and that wooden cages are unacceptable because urine soaks in and ammonia builds up. AEMV advises avoiding pine, cedar, and corn cob bedding.

Merck gives rats an average lifespan of 18 to 36 months and notes that sick rodents hide signs of disease well, so a pair of rats needs regular, attentive checks.

What do all four have in common?

They all need an owner who plans ahead. Each needs species-specific food, housing with solid flooring, daily observation, and a veterinarian who treats small mammals. The CDC notes that many general veterinarians do not treat small mammals and recommends a checkup within a week of bringing a new pet home.

All four can also carry germs such as Salmonella even when they look healthy. The CDC recommends washing hands after handling the animal or its equipment and supervising young children. Our Care & Housing, Nutrition, and Health & Welfare sections cover each area.

If you are choosing an animal, use our practical small-pet comparison rather than an ownership ranking.

Before buying an enclosure, work through the small-pet cage size guide.

The bottom line

Popular small pets are not automatically easy small pets. Rabbits can live more than a decade and need constant hay and space. Guinea pigs need a dependable source of vitamin C. Hamsters are nocturnal loners that do better on pellets than seed mixes. Pet rats, less common in the rankings, are social animals that do best in pairs.

Pick the one care need from this list that matches the animal you are considering, and confirm you can meet it every day before you bring that pet home.

Sources & further reading

Explore our articles