Small animals like gerbils and hamsters make great first pets for animal-loving youngsters. Such pets are relatively easy to care for and don’t take up much space. A cage, food and some entertainment is often all that’s needed to keep these furry critters content.

Small animals often provide the experience children need to grow acquainted with the responsibilities of caring for larger, more needy pets. But sometimes things may go awry. Children may overfeed a pet or forget to clean out the cage. Leaving a cage door open and unintentionally allowing pets to escape is a common problem when kids care for small pets.

Finding a missing gerbil, rat, hamster, or mouse can be challenging, but it’s something that should be done promptly to prevent injury to the pet and damage to a home. These rodents can chew, burrow and hide out, and parents do not want pets chewing on electrical cords or making holes in sheetrock walls.

These tips can make the process of locating missing pets a little easier.

— Work in the evening. These small pets tend to be most active at night and rest during the day. Therefore, it’s best to begin searching after the sun has gone down. If that’s not working, draw the blinds and curtains to make a home darker in an attempt to draw the pets out.

— Start in the room with the cage. Close the door of the room where the cage is located once the pet goes missing. The pet may have not ventured too far if you are lucky. Close the other doors in the home to help contain the animal if he or she got into a different space.

— Block off any exits. Look for exits the pet may use to escape. This may include open vents, gaps in the molding, cracks in the floors, or any other areas that offer holes large enough to squeeze through.

— Think like a small animal. The pet is likely frightened and will want to hide away. Check obvious places like behind and beneath furniture. Look for cozy crevices, such as in shoes or under clothing. Bags, backpacks and open drawers also can be great hiding spots.

— Listen closely. The sense of sound is often more helpful than sight when trying to find missing gerbils, hamsters and other rodents. Listen for sounds of scratching or chewing. Very often these noises will lead you to pets’ hiding spots.

— Leave foods stations. When all else fails, place a few food dishes around the house to draw out the animal. Monitor the dishes for activity. Try not to startle the pet if you get a chance to retrieve it. Place the cage by the dish being used and wait.

A humane live trap also can help catch a lost pet.

Small pets can get lost in a home from time to time. Patient pet parents can often return animals safely to their cages relatively quickly. 

An empty cage can be a scary sight when pet parents realize the small animal is now lost in the house.

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