|
|
Good things come in small packages, as the saying goes, and people with small animals as pets fully agree!
The most common small pets are Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, Degus, Mice, Rats, Chinchillas, Rabbits and Ferrets.
Guinea Pigs are friendly little rodents that average 10 inches long and 2-3 pounds in weight. They live approximately 4-8 years. Guinea Pigs cannot naturally produce vitamin C and therefore their food must contain a vitamin C additive.
Hamsters usually grow to a size of 4-6 inches and live for approximately 2-3 years. Most hamsters should be kept on their own in their cage because they often will fight each other. Some dwarf breeds (such as Russian dwarfs) may be kept in pairs.
Gerbils live for 3-5 years, on average. Their bodies are approximately 10 cm long and their tails are another 8-10 cm. They are pets that are best kept in pairs, as they are very social animals.
Degus are small animals that are similar to Gerbils, though a little bit larger. They live for approximately 6-10 years, though they typically live longer when housed in pairs. They can grow to be as big as 15 cm long, with an additional 15 cm tail.
Mice grow to an average length of 9-10 cm in body length and their tails are approximately 8-9 cm in length. Their average lifespan is 1½ -2 years.
Rats live approximately 2-3 years, sometimes longer. They grow to be about 9-11 inches in length, not including their tail which is another 7-9 inches. Rats are very smart and can be trained easily.
Chinchillas are known for the softness of their fur. They grow to be about the size of a large ground squirrel, approximately 30-38 cm in length. Chinchillas typically live to be 15-20 years old. They can jump as high as 1.5 m and require tall, multi-level cages.
Rabbits have an average lifespan of 7-10 years. They vary dramatically in size and can be anywhere from 2 pounds up to 20 pounds, although most domestic breeds are on the smaller end of the scale. Rabbits love to be let out of their cages to run around, and are easily litter trained.
Ferrets live an average of 6-8 years, and sometimes up to 10-12 years. They are usually 13-16 inches long, and male ferrets are usually larger than females. Ferrets can be litter trained and can also be trained to walk with a harness.
Most of these animals are nocturnal, preferring to sleep during the day and play at night.
Rabbits and ferrets tend to be active at dusk and dawn, while sleeping during the day and
the night. Gerbils and Degus prefer to take short naps and are active in small spurts throughout the
day and night.
Your pet will likely begin to adjust to your schedule, allowing you some playtime together. Small animals
all appreciate regular exercise sessions outside the cage. Make sure you pet proof the room your pet
will be in, especially removing all items that could be chewed, before letting your pet out to exercise.
Feeding and Watering
You can find food mixtures specifically made for each of the popular small pets.
These food mixes are formulated for the dietary needs of each animal, and help provide
a well-rounded diet.
You may find it easiest to feed from a heavy ceramic bowl, as it is less likely to be knocked
over (creating a mess to clean up) in the cage by your pet when it runs and plays.
Don't ever feed your small pet a mixture formulated for a different species. Rabbit food can be
harmful to smaller animals, for example.
All small animals will enjoy supplementary treats such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
Make sure to feed in small pieces though, and only as much as your pet will eat. This
avoids the problem of moldy food developing in the cage. Try to limit the amount of treats
that are high in sugar or fat, as this can lead to obesity.
Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas and Rabbits also require a constant supply
of hay (timothy hay is recommended). These small animals chew on hay to balance their
diet and to grind down their teeth which grow continuously. Many of the animals will also use the hay as bedding.
A supply of fresh water must be available at all times for your small pet. The easiest way to ensure this is to
purchase a water bottle which hangs on the side of the cage. This eliminates the problem of spilled water from a
dish as well. As some small animals may not know how to use a water bottle, a water dish may be necessary to
ensure they receive the water they require. Water should be changed daily.
For increased nutrition, you can also purchase vitamin drops which can be added to your pet's water. Be sure to change the water regularly, to maintain freshness.
Cage
The cage you choose needs to be big enough for your pet to run and play. For the smallest animals (hamsters, mice, gerbils, rats) an aquarium can be used but they do not provide ideal ventilation so a wire or open-air cage is considered superior.
The bigger the cage, the better it is for your pet. Your cage will have to fit one (or more) full-grown animals, as well as food, water, toys, ramps, and a 'house'.
Most small animals prefer to have some sort of enclosed 'house' inside their cage where
they can go to sleep or simply hide. This can be as simple as a small box, or a more
elaborate wooden home purchased specifically for your pet. Keep in mind that a flimsy
cardboard box will need to be replaced much more often.
A floor covering such as wood shavings or small animal litter is also required for the cage. This covering makes the cage more comfortable and also soaks up urine. Be aware that strong-smelling woods such as pine or cedar shavings may irritate your pet.
With rabbits and ferrets, you will also want to fit a litter box into the cage. Ferrets and rabbits can be litter trained which cuts down on your cage clean-up.
However, all small animal cages should be cleaned at least once a week. Remove your pet and everything in the cage and place fresh 'flooring', fresh food and water and the 'house' back in the cage. You may find your pet appreciates having the hay it was using for bedding replaced in its cage - but only if the hay is unsoiled.
Handling
Mostly small animals will be timid at first but are easy to tame. They should be treated gently so they learn to relax and trust you. Never allow your small animal to bite you.
Start with gentle patting or stroking of your pet while it eats, so your pet learns to associate you with pleasant moments. You can do this right inside its cage until it becomes accustomed to your hand.
When you progress to picking-up your pet, make sure it's whole
body weight is supported. A rabbit needs its hind legs supported too.
Never pick-up your pet by its ears (including rabbits), tail or legs. This can injure the
animal and it may bite you and/or avoid future contact.
Always wash your hands before handling your pet as it may smell food on your hands and try to nibble you. You should always wash your hands afterwards as well.
Toys and Accessories
Small animals will make good use of ladders, ropes, hammocks, tunnels, and platforms. Some will run on a small animal wheel for ages while some will never go near it. Toys should be provided as well - blocks of wood for chewing, cardboard tubes, and toys designed for inquisitive little pets. Look for rope and wood toys as many plastic toys can't stand up to chewing by a determined small animal.
The last thing to do is sit back and watch as your little pet amuses you with hours of antics and play.
|
|
pet care tips 
