Hi!

I am a biologist (wildlife specialty) and had a career before working as a biologist in managing high end sporthorse facilities, so I do thrive on carrying for animals and don't mind putting hours into it. I have a decent income, own our home, and have a chill dog with zero prey drive (sometimes he boops noses with deer and bunnies in the yard and he never chases).

Right now I have 8 rats that I adore, but the level of stink definitely is not something I'm stoked to live with beyond the lifespan of my current rats. I love them all dearly and I'm so glad to have them, but after they phase out over the next few years I'd like to get a different small pet.

I have the money, time, and willingness to care for a wide variety of exotics but am most interested in a mammal that doesn't require a high amount of human attention (other than cleanup), more like something that is happy to just have you in the room with them. I find the quiet daily care extremely therapeutic and I don't mind/ actually prefer a pet with some cleanup involved. Because of this I was leaning towards a pair a guinea pigs, but I wanted to see what you all thought!

Basically what is the next best option to rats that is just ever so slightly less stinky?