How it works
Thinking about a pet and not sure which kind? Press the button for one of 13, from a hamster to a horse, each with how long it lives and the company it needs, as the RSPCA describes it.
Read the full guide
Start with how long you can promise
After your first press, the list beside the button narrows the draw. Lives a few years holds the hamster, gerbil, rat and mouse. Lives about 5 to 12 years holds the rabbit, guinea pig, degu and ferret. Lives 10 years or far more holds the chinchilla, the goldfish and the horse. Dogs and cats have a group of their own.
One pet or two
Wants company of its own kind draws the animals whose RSPCA page says they are social with their own species: a rabbit needs another rabbit, guinea pigs are happiest in pairs, and a horse needs other horses. Count the second animal in the cost and the space before you decide.
Tips
- Read the RSPCA care page for what you drew before you visit a shelter or a shop.
- Set the count to 3 and compare the lifespans side by side.
Questions and answers
Which pets live the longest?
Of the kinds here, the RSPCA says a goldfish is known to live for up to 25 years, a chinchilla 10 to 20 years, and a horse or pony well into its thirties. A hamster usually lives up to two years.
Which pets should not live alone?
The RSPCA says rabbits need rabbit companionship, guinea pigs get lonely and are happiest in pairs, and horses need other horses. Hamsters are the opposite: generally solitary, and some kinds should not share a cage.
Is this a quiz that tells me the right pet?
No. It is a shuffled list with filters, made to give you an animal to read about. Your home, time and budget decide, and a vet or a rehoming center can help you judge those.