Many young people living alone in crowded big cities may have a desire – “to keep a pet”. However, raising a cat or dog requires more energy and time than imagined, and eventually, some people have no choice but to rehome them.
Choosing a pet is like finding a roommate who shares your life rhythm. It’s not just about “what animal you like”, but more importantly, “what kind of animal fits your lifestyle”. In the fast-paced, space-limited urban life, not everyone can provide sufficient time and emotional care for a cat or dog. Some “lightweight and cute” small pets are bringing unexpected warmth to the lives of solo young adults.
“Lightweight Pets” Are Becoming Favorites Among Young People
For many young people living alone in big cities, the pressure of life makes keeping pets a luxury. As people pay more attention to the issue of pet abandonment, some will, based on their current living conditions, turn to pets that can adapt to smaller spaces and require less companionship. According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper (Consumption Report), the number of people raising small exotic pets continued to rise in 2024. Currently, about 17.07 million people are raising exotic pets, mainly “post-95s” young adults living alone.
Mao Mao, a freelance illustrator who just graduated from college, keeps 2 rabbits in her rental house. “I actually really wanted to raise a dog, but I’m too lazy. After thinking about it for a long time, I still think rabbits are more suitable for me.” Mao Mao placed the rabbit cage by the balcony window, next to the large desk where she usually works on her paintings. She can see the rabbits at a glance, which not only gives her a sense of constant companionship but also makes raising them much easier. She just needs to feed them on time, clean the cage, and observe their condition, which fits perfectly with her lifestyle.
From Mao Mao’s observation, apart from friends who have cats, there are also many families raising small pets like hamsters, rabbits, and goldfish. Her friend’s uncle’s family is too busy with work and often not at home, so even though they like dogs, they can’t raise one. But since about five or six years ago, her uncle bought a large and beautiful fish tank and kept several arowanas, parrot fish, etc. Every night when they come home, watching the fish swimming back and forth in the glass tank, their tired mood gradually fades away. Recently, their family has also got a hamster and a rabbit, making every return home full of new expectations.
How to Choose Among the 4 Favorite Small Animals of Solo Young Adults?
These small pets don’t require as much time as cats and dogs. Even in a limited rental space, they can be raised with peace of mind, making them very suitable for beginners who desire companionship. So, how to choose the right type of pet? Here are 4 popular small pets among solo young adults that may inspire you.
No. 1 Hamster
- Average lifespan: 2-3 years
- Survival temperature: 20-28℃
- Main feed: Grains, plant seeds, pure water
- Basic supplies: Bedding, fine cat litter, corn cobs, etc.
- Living environment: Not too bright, well-ventilated
- Interaction method: Gently lift from the back into hands
- Notes: Avoid noisy environments, do not wash with water
In memory, children who pestered their parents to raise cats or dogs when they were young might end up getting a hamster as a “consolation” gift. These small rodents, with a body length of 5-12cm, have been popular among solo young adults and students since the 21st century because of their small and cute size, low maintenance cost, and high interactivity.
Hamsters have a large number of species, up to 60 genera. There are 3 genera and 9 species existing in China. They are mostly short and stout, with small heads and fat bodies. Even people who are afraid of “Jerry” (from Tom and Jerry) can’t help but be charmed by hamsters.
In the wild, hamsters mostly live in dry areas such as deserts. They are good at digging holes in the sand to live in and eat various plants and animals such as seeds, small insects, and earthworms. During the day, they sleep in deep burrows and only go out to forage at night.
Hamsters kept by humans still retain their “nocturnal” habits, being active at night and omnivorous. Their strong adaptability makes them easier to take care of than other pets. Currently, among hamster breeders, docile Buddy rats, silver fox rats that like to get close to people, and purple warehouse rats suitable for beginners are all very popular.
However, it should be noted that hamsters must not be kept in the same cage except for male and female pairs, otherwise, they will fight to the death, and even cannibalism may occur between the same sex. In addition, hamsters may “play dead”. When you see a hamster lying stiff and motionless, it may be hibernating or in a “feigning death” state due to fright. At this time, you need to gently touch it to check for breathing, see if the abdomen has slight 起伏，and the eyes may also tremble slightly. The “playing dead” state usually lasts for a few minutes to half an hour, and in extreme cases, it may last longer.
※ Recommended highlights: Small in size, extremely cute, low maintenance cost, and takes up little space. Suitable for renters or students with a limited budget, fast-paced life, and a desire for gentle companionship.
No. 2 Budgerigar
- Average lifespan: 10-15 years
- Survival temperature: 20-28℃
- Main feed: Special parrot food, fresh fruits and vegetables
- Basic supplies: Birdcage, perches, toys, etc.
- Living environment: Humidity maintained at 40%-60%
- Interaction method: Communicate softly, finger training
- Notes: Do not burn cigarettes, mosquito coils, air fresheners, etc.
As early as the Tang Dynasty, parrots were introduced to the court as tributes from Southeast Asia. Since then, raising small parrots has become a pastime for ancient royal nobles and literati. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the most popular parrot species was the “budgerigar” introduced to China through maritime trade, also known as “Jiaofeng” or “Caifeng”. These small parrots, with a body length of 15-20cm, have colorful feathers in green, blue, yellow, white, etc. They are hardy, easy to raise, like to chirp, and have a very lovely personality. Even today, budgerigars are still the first choice for many bird-loving families.
Budgerigars have strong adaptability to the environment, enabling them to integrate well into novice bird-raising families. At the same time, their lively personality makes it easy for them to establish a close interactive relationship with their owners. With simple training, smart little budgerigars can learn some small skills such as perching on hands and turning around. Every day, talking softly to them beside the birdcage brings a unique sense of companionship, making many people living alone feel a lot of warmth.
In addition to budgerigars, cockatiels that are quiet and super friendly to people, and lovebirds that are a bit fierce but have a strong physique are also legal parrots suitable for beginners. Since each species of parrot has a different personality, before choosing a parrot that suits you, you need to learn about the personality and habits of each species, such as whether they like to get close to people, whether their calls are sharp, and whether they have the habit of biting. Only by comprehensively understanding each type of parrot and choosing the one that best fits your lifestyle can you truly enjoy the fun of raising parrots. If you keep a pair of male and female parrots, be prepared to welcome baby parrots at any time. Parrots with strong reproductive ability will bring you unexpected surprises of life.
※ Recommended highlights: Budgerigars are “talking” elves. They can not only imitate human language but also “sing” and “talk back”, so that you won’t have to “talk to the wall” after work.
No. 3 Holland Lop
- Average lifespan: 7-12 years
- Survival temperature: 15-25℃
- Main feed: Rabbit food, vegetables, timothy hay
- Basic supplies: Rabbit cage, hay rack, toilet pan, etc.
- Living environment: Avoid direct sunlight, well-ventilated
- Interaction method: Can stroke the top of the head, back, and chin
- Notes: Do not grab the ears, avoid frequent washing with water
With a mini round face and a pair of drooping long ears, Holland Lops are simply the synonym of “cuteness” and have been very popular among solo young pet owners in recent years. In fact, the history of Holland Lops as domestic pets is only about 60-70 years. In the 1950s, Dutch breeder Adrian de Cock crossed French Lops with small Dutch rabbits. After 6 years of experiments, he bred mini Holland Lops suitable for domestic keeping in 1964, which were officially recognized as an independent breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) in 1979. With a small size of only 1.5-2kg and a friendly personality, Holland Lops have since become the most popular domestic rabbits.
In 1990, Holland Lops were introduced to China through Hong Kong and Taiwan. Although early Holland Lops were introduced to the market as high-end pets, with the popularization of local breeding, the price of Holland Lops has dropped to 300-1000 yuan each, which is completely affordable even for young people who have just entered society.
They are not noisy and spend most of their time quietly staying by themselves. Eating, drinking, and toileting don’t cost much. Their soft and fluffy fur makes every touch feel warm from the bottom of the heart. In the eyes of every Holland Lop owner, their little rabbit is the most caring and healing cute pet in the world. However, it should be noted that although rabbits are herbivores, they still need regular cleaning to reduce odors. In your free time, you can also take the little rabbit out for a walk. Put on a safe and comfortable traction rope, and every short outing will bring healing to both you and the rabbit.
※ Recommended highlights: Although rabbits are quiet, they are emotionally rich. They will remember their owner’s scent and take the initiative to approach you for petting when they get familiar. Suitable for people with a slow pace of life and who love soft things.
No. 4 Ferret
- Average lifespan: 6-10 years
- Survival temperature: 18-25℃
- Main feed: Ferret food, raw meat and bones, cat food freeze-dried
- Basic supplies: Multi-layer three-dimensional ferret cage, hammock, pipeline
- Living environment: Avoid direct sunlight and air conditioner vents
- Interaction method: Stroke the chin and back, suitable for stroking all the way down
- Notes: Need to get vaccinated once a year
As a domesticated subspecies of the European polecat, the domestication history of ferrets can be traced back to 2500 years ago. As early as the Middle Ages in Europe, ferrets became a special tool for nobles to hunt rabbits, and there were even laws prohibiting common people from raising them. Until 1970, ferrets with bright eyes and beautiful fur were popularized as family pets in the United States, and these cute and beautiful small animals finally entered ordinary families.
With the popularity of beautiful and cute ferrets on social platforms, the number of ferret-raising families in China has been increasing in recent years. In 2022 alone, about 5,000 ferrets were sold by merchants on e-commerce platforms . However, it should be noted that when buying ferrets that can be legally raised, you must confirm whether the seller has a business license and complies with animal epidemic prevention regulations. Some cities may have additional breeding requirements for specific breeds, so you need to consult the local forestry or agricultural department before raising them.
Unlike relatively easy-to-raise small hamsters and rabbits, raising a ferret is as challenging as raising a cat or a dog, with a high entry threshold for beginners. Taking the popular American Marshall ferret as an example, the cost of a single ferret is about $140. In addition, after raising, you need to pay strict attention to diet management, daily care, behavior training, and social companionship. As a high-energy small animal, a ferret that has just come home may explore, climb, and drill holes tirelessly. It needs at least 2 hours of free activity time every day, and as much companionship and interaction as possible to prevent it from developing stereotypical behaviors such as excessive biting and repeated circling.
Despite many breeding challenges, ferrets’ natural “curious baby” personality, their endless desire to explore the surrounding environment, and various cute and funny actions still bring unique fun and satisfaction to many ferret owners. They are both independent and friendly. They are not as overly dependent on their owners as dogs, but are more willing to interact and play than cats. Their small size is also very suitable for urban apartment life. As long as you prepare a reasonably designed multi-layer cage, there is no need for special walking, and the ferret can consume its exuberant energy.
※ Recommended highlights: They are quite intelligent, love to drill holes and rummage through boxes and cabinets, and are real little “troublemakers”. Suitable for people who like to observe, love to interact, and can accept daily “disturbances”.
Raising a Pet Is a Trade-Off in Lifestyle and a Commitment of Responsibility
Although raising small animals is not as laborious as raising cats and dogs, you should not make a blind decision on a whim. Even a highly ornamental small goldfish requires you to learn about the animal’s living habits and relevant breeding knowledge in advance, evaluate your current living conditions, comprehensively consider the compatibility between yourself and the pet, and make a rational choice.
Tip 1: A Stable Rhythm of Life
Pets are not like home appliances that can be “on standby” and ignored. From raising a goldfish to a rabbit, a cat, or a dog, every time you raise a pet, it should not be an impulsive consumption, but the establishment and maintenance of a long-term relationship.
It requires the joint investment of time, patience, budget, and energy. You need to make space for them, be willing to get up early every day to change the rabbit’s clean bedding, prepare food for the ferret after working overtime, or take time on rest days to interact with the parrot and clean its feathers and cage. If you can accept these “trivial” daily routines, the rewards from your pet will far exceed your expectations.
Tip 2: A Safe Living Environment
A safe and suitable living environment is the first threshold for raising a pet while living alone. No matter what kind of small animal you choose, you must first ensure that your living space can provide them with stable, comfortable, and controllable living conditions. If you are a renter, you need to confirm whether pets are allowed.
In addition, home safety measures must be in place. Wires should be properly stored with anti-biting sleeves, and windows should be installed with screens to prevent flying or jumping. Especially when raising ferrets that like to “explore unknown areas”, be sure to check furniture gaps and the bottom of cabinets for potential dead corners where they might get stuck. For parrots, there should be a special flying or activity area at home, avoiding potential dangers such as ceiling chandeliers and hot stoves. Rabbits and hamsters need a quiet and hidden “cave” space to hide and rest to reduce stress.
Tip 3: Prepare for Emotional Management and Mental Readiness
For people living alone, before deciding to welcome a small animal into their life, they need to examine whether they have sufficient emotional stability and mental preparation. Pets do not understand your emotional fluctuations like humans do; they need continuous, gentle, and patient responses and care.
Are you willing to persist in cleaning their cages, combing their fur, and preparing fresh food even on days when you are in a low mood? Can you accept your pet’s naughtiness, sudden illness, or even possible departure? These are all tests of emotional endurance. Those who are prepared understand that pets are not “tools” to fill emptiness, but real living individuals. While they bring companionship and warmth, they also need to be taken seriously and loved responsibly by humans.
If you are living alone and can maintain basic enthusiasm for life and the ability to manage yourself amid the daily loneliness and trivialities, then you may already have the conditions to welcome a small life. This is no longer a short-term impulse, but a mature commitment between family members: “I’m ready”.