By the 1860s, rabbits, white mice, rats, and guinea pigs were considered perfect "children's pets." They were gentle, easy to care for and short-lived. Squirrels were also popular. Captured from the wild, they were sold in pet stores until around 1910. New rodent species have been introduced as pets periodically. In the 1950s, for example, the hamster became the new pet craze.

Children and adults also raised what was called "pet stock" --chickens, pigeons, and rabbits. These were kept as pets but also as livestock providing meat for the family dinner table.

Chickens as Pets? - Until the 1940s, even city children often had chickens as pets. If they had a flock, they sometimes sold eggs or extra animals to neighbors and relatives. Mostly, however, chickens were friendly, gentle, and easy-to-care-for backyard pets.