Whats a good Small pet?

[IRescue452]

Ferrets are a huge responsibility and very expensive, comparable to a medium sized dog. Plus ferrets can live up to 15 years.

Rats are great pets, cheaper in the long run but expensive at the start. Unfortunately, pet store rats actually average 18 months of life. But I've had rats live longer than 3 years from pet stores.
Cages must be quite large, even for rats who spend hours outside of their cage. They should be a minimum of 16 (preferably 18) inches on any side. The reason for this is because a small pet should be able to stretch out completely straight, including their tail, on any side of the cage. If they constantly have to be bent or hunched over, they can develop back problems. I think a good minimum for two rats is 2'x3'x2', and this is hardly much more than a person living in a one-room apartment. I'd nix the exercise wheels as they take up too much room, are argued to be too dangerous, and the typical rat prefers to just use them for another roosting area. Outside of cage time is more important.
My most personable rat would follow me around and try to climb up my pants legs. My least personable rats I couldn't handle at first, but they came around enough to pick up if I had to. They're too individual to say for sure what yours would be like, but most are very friendly if handled well.

[Tora Oni]

I see, I was planning on getting a rat from a rescue or re-home ad. I see, I was considering the flying saucer since it looks a bit safer, what about the exercise balls I use to have hamsters so I'm a little familiar. My hamsters we use to put them in an exercise ball. Though I looked on some sites I like Hsus.org for foods they can't have since that concerns me as much as what they can have. Do they require a lot of vet care? I mean if I get two I knowing how to pair them and how much spay or neutering would be. I wouldn't want a bunch of rat babies. I am probably going to wait until a graduate and get a job because it really depends on what kinda job I have if I get any pet, since there is a chance that I could be traveling and won't be able to be home enough to give them the care they need. It would just be stupid. Thanks IRescue, for your help.

[Christmas_Hamster]

It would be awesome if you rescued/adopted. There are thousands of homeless rats that need homes. A wheel/saucer isn't necessary for rats like they are hamsters. Rats need plenty of outside time where as hamsters can skip a day or two if your busy. You should avoid the ball, rats typically don't like them and it would be a waste of money. They prefer more stimulating toys or just playing with/on you. Most rats are about 10x friendlier than hamsters and they seem to play with you more then on you. But every rat is different. It seems that rats will need to go to the vet at least once through out their life but it may be for something like an abscess. Save up money for emergency vet trips because having rats almost guarantees that you will need to see a vet eventually. You'll know if you have a male, trust me they have huge 'manbits'. The females will...well they won't have them. :P Neutering and spaying is possible though. Neutering lowers chances of fighting between males and it necessary for some males to be able to live with other rats. Spaying lowers the risks of mammary tumours.

In my experience rats make awesome pets. Their personality varies widely but they are just such amazing animals. Be careful they can be addicting though. I started with one, got another one so that the first one wasn't lonely and eventually ended up with 7. :P

[Tora Oni]

Yeah I've seen some videos of the hairless ones on Youtube....one of them had some large ones. Though the closest rescue I found on petfinder.com is in Frankfort or Lexington I live in Louisville. So if I were to rescue on I deffiantly have to check the Animal service, since they say they get all sorts of animals, and maybe even the local humane society even though I've only seen them take cats and dogs. Though Maybe I might suggest we expand our horizon and do small and furry creatures since their is a huge volunteer pool and I think many of these people have other pets besides just cats and dogs.

[Christmas_Hamster]

You can try looking on online ads such as kijiji. I always see rats needing homes on there, although it does depend on the area. Good luck!