CARING
FOR SMALL PETS — Hamsters,
Guinea pigs, Rabbits
Pet
Profiles
 Hamsters
• Most
active at night. Cuddly.
• Large
cheek pockets for storing food and bedding.
• Prefer
solitary lifestyle (do not get along well with other hamsters).
Guinea Pigs
• Active
during the day.
• Friendly
and easy to handle.
• Usually
okay to keep several together. Many beautiful colours and breeds.
 Dwarf
Rabbits
• Active
during the day.
• Appealing.
Many beautiful breeds.
• Some
timid or shy at first.
Selecting Your Pet
Checking
for health
Choose
a clean, active and alert pet that is easy to handle. Signs
of good health
• Bright
and clean eyes, clean nostrils
• Normal
teeth, the top incisors slightly overlapping the bottom ones
• Shiny,
clean and evenly distributed fur or hair
Signs
of poor health
• Thin
condition
• Watery
eyes, runny nose
• Lethargy,
rapid breathing
• Soiled
fur, tail or bare spots
General
Care
Handling
your pet
• Scoop
up your pet with both hands, hold it in the palm of one hand and use
the other hand for support.
• Rabbits
should be placed carefully in your lap — no bare legs though! Some
rabbits are best picked up gently by the scruff — never the ears.
Exercise
• Small
pets need exercise outside of the cage daily, but always under close
supervision.
• Plastic
wheels are a favourite among hamsters. Other items offering tunnel-like
places are great for your pet to sleep and play while small animal harnesses
and leads are excellent for exploring a new room or a safe spot in the
yard.
Teeth
Your pet
must have something safe to gnaw on otherwise overgrown teeth will prevent
proper eating. Choose items designed for gnawing from pet shops.
Grooming
Grooming
tools are available at most pet shops. A soft brush is an ideal grooming
tool for small animals while the larger brushes are for grooming long-haired
rabbits and guinea pigs. Your vet can help you trim nails if desired.
Reproduction
• Small
mammals reproduce very rapidly. When the female is expecting, she spends
a lot of time preparing the nest area. Good bedding offers safe nesting
comfort.
• Remove
the male from the den, for he will be a threat to the offspring. Be careful
not to disturb the female during the first few days after birth. Give
the female fresh food every day and extra vitamins and minerals after
the young are born.
• Small
amounts of high protein, high calcium treats and fresh items such as
cheese and broccoli are recommended (for pet rodents).
Illnesses
Any change
in normal behaviour could be a sign of illness. Ask a vet if unsure.
General signs of illness include:
• Disinterest
in food and water, thin body.
• Difficulty
moving, sleeps too much.
• Dull,
runny eyes, a dirty or runny nose, overgrown teeth, swelling, patches
of baldness, underdeveloped, dirty/wet fur or tail.
Housing
Your Pet
Your pet's
cage should be spacious and well-ventilated - the bigger the better.
Select a well-lit location away from extreme heat from sunlight which
can cause sunstroke and death. Make the cage inaccessible to very young
children and other pets.
Ensure it has
everything your pet needs; proper bedding, food bowl, water dispenser,
exerciser, etc. Also that it is secure and escape-proof.
Small pets
like to stay clean and dry. A dirty cage causes stress and illness. Clean
your pet's cage every second or third day, removing soiled litter and
replacing it with fresh wood shavings or wood chips. Once a week empty,
wash and rinse the bottom of the cage with mild detergent.
Feeding
Your Pet
Feed hamsters
good quality seeds from pet shops or supermarkets. Choose brands that
have vitamins and minerals added. For guinea pigs, feed guinea pig pellets
with added vitamin C, offering nutritional balance. Rabbit pellets provide
a complete diet for rabbits. Alfalfa and timothy hay contain almost 30%
fiber. Grass or timothy hay should be available every day to all rabbits
and guinea pigs.
Treats for
hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits contain vegetables, grasses, roots,
seeds and other favourites. They are nutritional and great for hoarding.
Fresh foods,
including vegetables such as carrot and broccoli, are fine for small
rodents and rabbits. Offer only small amounts at the beginning. Remove
uneaten food to prevent decay.
Vitamins
and minerals
Salt lickstone
offers important minerals every time your pet gnaws or licks it. It also
encourages water drinking which is very important to the long-term health
of your pet.
You may wish
to add multi-vitamins to seed diets. Simply place a few drops in the
drinking water.
Water
Your pet requires
a supply of fresh water daily, or it may not consume enough water to
stay healthy. Water tubes and bottles help protect water from contaminants
but still should be changed daily. Attach the water bottle spout at the
right height so that your pet does not strain for water. Make sure that
the spout is not blocked or leaking. Install water bottles vertically
for proper operation. Clean the dispenser before each new filling.
Source:
Hagen brochure |
