Companion Animals

Companion Animal: Small Mammal Housing Welfare

Small mammals including hamsters, gerbils and mice are commonly kept in inadequate housing that fails to meet their behavioural and social needs.

Key Facts

Hamsters require minimum 80x50cm floor space according to welfare evidence
Wild hamsters run up to 9km per night - wheels are essential welfare provisions
Gerbils are social and must be kept in pairs or groups of same sex
Mice need complex multilevel environments and should never be kept alone
Many commercial small mammal cages fall far below welfare-evidenced minimum standards

Welfare Considerations

The discrepancy between typical small mammal housing sold in pet shops and welfare-evidenced requirements is substantial. Hamsters and gerbils in typical small cages cannot meet their locomotion, burrowing and social needs. Owner education and industry cage standards reform are both needed.

What You Can Do

Research species-specific welfare requirements before acquiring small mammals
Provide the largest practical enclosure with appropriate enrichment
Join species-specific small mammal welfare communities for housing guidance
Advocate for pet industry cage standards to reflect welfare science evidence