Pocket pet

Pocket pet is a term used to refer to any small mammal commonly kept as a household pet. The six general criteria which qualify an animal to be considered a pocket pet are:

1. its commonality as a domestic housepet
2. no potential danger to humans or other animals
3. non-exotic
4. overall ease of care and feeding
5. amicable disposition making it suitable as a "companion" pet
6. relatively small stature

The most common pocket pets include rodents such as: hamsters, gerbils, fancy mice, fancy rats, guinea pigs and hedgehogs. It also includes pets such as sugar gliders, flying squirrels etc.; which have been bred as domestic housepets in the U.S. for the last 15 years.