Small pet

Small pets are pets that live in cages and can be taken out briefly for your Sims to play with. They require less attention than Cats and Dogs.

The Sims
In The Sims only one small pet was available, the fish in the Poseidon's Adventure Aquarium. Sims obviously have to feed the fish and clean the tank to ensure they remain healthy.

In Livin' Large, the guinea pig was introduced. If you didn't clean its cage for a long time, and then it bit you, your Sims would become sick. The fastest and easiest way of curing your Sim's sickness is to buy the guinea pig painting and look at it.

A lot more pets were introduced with The Sims: Unleashed. Sims were able to go to Old Town and purchase a variety of small pets, including iguanas, turtles and small birds such as budgies and love birds. All of them require feeding and cleaning occasionally, but they don't need as much attention as the larger pets such as cats and dogs. Parrots and Cockatoos can also be bought, and Sims can not only feed them crackers, but also talk to them, which boosts their Charisma. (the Sim's, not the parrot's!)

The Sims 2
In The Sims 2 an aquarium of fish is also available.

With The Sims 2: Pets you could buy a parakeet or womrat. Their cages can be bought in the pet section of the Buy mode and then filled with the animal.

They must be fed and their cages must be cleaned. Parakeets can be taught to talk while boosting a Sims Charisma.

If you leave your bird's cage open too long, it will fly around your house. It will eventually return to its cage though. Birds also die if you don't feed them.

In The Sims 2: Apartment Life, puppies were available without the Pets expansion pack.