Caged animals are a great solution if you want a pet but do not have much space or money. They are cheap to buy and feed and unlikely to need to see a vet very often. They will need their cage cleaned out weekly but they will not cause much mess in the house unlike dogs and cats who will drop hairs everywhere. They can be fun to play with but some will not like it as much as others so it is important to check before you buy. Some tend to bite when handled so this could be a problem if you have young children who want to play with them. Tiny animals can easily escape if the cage door is left open or if they are being played with outside of the cage and get forgotten. This is worth considering when buying one, especially if you have lots of places an animal can hide in or have cats or dogs who may decide it is a nice tasty treat. It is important to realize that some caged animals need exercise either by way of toys inside the cage or by being taken outside of the cage so you will need the time to do this.

Cats tend to be fairly easy to care for. They may need a cat flap in the door to save you having to let them in and out of the house all of the time or you may prefer to leave a window open but this may not be secure and could be very cold. As kittens they will need a litter tray so that they do not do their business around the house but once they can be trusted to go outside and not run off they will go outside. They do not cost too much to feed but there will be vet bills to pay. Cats can be very affectionate and like being stroked which can be very relaxing. However, it will depend on the breed of cats as some prefer to spend most of their time outside and they will only come inside for feeding. They make good pets for children, although they will scratch if they are not happy and sometimes in play but they are unlikely to bite or cause any serious harm. They cannot be trained and so tend to remain more independent than dogs and possible more unpredictable but they will still become attached to their owners and show affection towards them.