| Basic Small Animal Care Contents: |
Care By Family: |
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Learn more about each type
of Small Animal:
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Why Small Animals Make Good
Pets!
Small animals make super pets because they are so much
fun, generally very playful and can be so lovable!
All small animals are not the same, however. Some are
calmer and easier for a small child to hold, while others are frisky
and take more attention.
The housing and feeding requirements are unique to
each animal, just as each animal is unique.
Take a little time to learn about the pet that is
right for you. Find out what your pet needs and how to take care
of it. Your reward will be a very happy pet and you will have a
great friend.
Housing Requirements
Cage,
Hutch or Habitat: A cage, hutch or habitat needs to
suit the pet your putting in it. That means the right size and the
right accessories. A full size bunny needs a much bigger home than
a dwarf bunny. A mouse can live in a much smaller cage than a guinea
pig. A wire cage needs to have small spacing so that your pet animal
cannot get its head through it. If the cage has a wire bottom, the
spacing needs to be small enough so that the animals feet cannot
slip through it, too.
The cage needs to have a spot for your pet to sleep,
a place for his food, water and treat dishes, and some space to
play and run around. If your pet is out of its cage during the day
to play and excercise, the cage can be smaller to accommodate just
a sleeping place, food and water.
Make sure
your cage is escape proof. Some small animals are escape artists!
Chewing holes through plastic or biting through soft wire can happen,
so check your cage regularly. Escaped pets are very vulnerable and
can get hurt or killed when they are on their own.
Litter
or bedding: Litter or bedding is needed for most cages.
It absorbs waste and can help eliminate odors. Lots of small animals
like to burrow into their bedding and make a nest to sleep in.
There are lots of different beddings on the market.
Commonly used beddings are various wood types such as pine, cedar,
and aspen, recycled wood products and man-made pelleted products,
corn cob, walnut shell and clay cat litter.
Some litters may cause your pet to sneeze and develop
respiratory problems or skin irritations. If your pet is susceptible
to these or has other problems, then change beddings until you find
the type both you and your pet are happy with.
Nest box
or sleeping hut: A nestbox or sleeping hut is often
appreciated although not always absolutely necessary. Many small
animals are nocturnal. That means they like to sleep during the
day and run around at night. A hut can help your pet feel more comfortable
during the sunlight hours while it is sleeping.
Dishes
for food and treats: Dishes for food and treats should
be solid crocks with straight sides. They can be either ceramic
or hard plastic. Other types and shapes of dishes can cause problems.
Round bowls will tip over and spill easily. Lightweight dog dishes
that are not solid can trap small animals when they burrow underneath
and this can kill them. Water should be put into a water bottle
that is mounted on the side of the cage, either inside or outside.
Bowls can be used, but often small animals will foul the water so
it must be changed all the time. A water bottle usually works out
alot better and only needs to be refilled daily. Do watch that your
pet does not run out of water, or it may chew up your bottle!
Foods and Feeding
Feed
and water daily: Small animals should be fed and watered
everyday. Their feeding requirements vary depending on the pet.
Each pet has their own food mix and that is what they should be
fed.
Generally
one type of small animal food cannot be substituted for another
type, or the wrong type of animal food for very long without causing
problems!
For example, guinea pigs cannot be sustained on rabbit
pellets because they won't get enough vitamin C and can develop
scurvy. They must be fed guinea pig pellets.
Another example is feeding mice and rats only a hamster
mix. They can develop skin problems because it is too rich in seeds
for their dietary requirements.
Fresh
fruits and Vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables such
as, apples, romaine lettuce, and oranges are great extras for may
small animals and help to balance their diets. Always rinse these
foods before you offer them to remove any insecticides or other
chemicals. These tidbits should also be removed after afew hours
before they start to go bad or sooner if your pet loses interest
in them.
Not all small
animals should be given fruits and vegetables or should only be
given them occasionally. Learn more about your small animal pet
and what types of foods are safe for it to have.
Treats:
Treats are a great and fun way to interact with your pet. There
are all sorts of bars, wafers, chews, drops and mixes available
as treats.
Be especially careful not to overfeed treats. Look
at the size of your pet and give him what would be about the same
size to him as a couple of oranges would be to you. Keep the treats
to less than about 10% or 20% of your pets total diet.
Be careful
to feed the right types of treats to your small animal pet. For
example, hamster treats are for hamsters but not for bunnies.
Exercise and Activites Gnawing:
Gnawing is a favorite activity for lots of small animals. There
are vegetable flavored or plain wood chew toys in a variety of shapes,
colors and sizes available, as well as hard alfalfa cubes. Some
pets like bunnies, guinea pigs and chincillas, must chew. Their
teeth keep growing just like your hair and fingernails do. Gnawing
is how they keep their teeth trimmed. With trim teeth they can keep
chewing their food. If they don't have chew toys they will chew
on their food bowls and even on their cages.
Scampering
Around: Scampering around is another favorite activity
for most small animals, especially hamsters and mice. No matter
when they like to run around, an excercise wheel or a variation
of the wheel, a spinning disc, is a great choice for smaller pets.
Another variation of the excercise wheel is an excercise ball. Your
pet can climb into the ball and roll around the floor or on specially
made tracks. Your pet can overexert itself, so don't keep it in
the ball for more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time.
Burrowing
and Tunneling: Burrowing and tunneling are natural activities
for many small animals and some, such as the ferret, are very curious.
Great toys for these activities are funnels and hiding places. Generally
you can find them made of plastic, wood, hemp or rope. They come
in many colors, shapes and sizes.
Some small animals,
such as ferrets, sugar gliders and rats like to climb on limbs.
Climbing branches, bird perches and bird swings work well. They
may get chewed up, but that's part of your pet's play, too!
Harnesses
and leads: Harnesses and leads work well with small
animals that you want to take outside. They allow you to keep your
pet from getting away from you and from getting into things. Most
harnesses can be adjusted to fit the size of animal that you have.
Some bunnies, ferrets and guinea pigs can even be harness trained
when they are young.
Some
animals are simply too small or just get too wild to deal with a
harness,
while others will do really great.
Do's
Be sure to feed and water
your pet small animal everyday. Check it's cage for chewed or damaged
areas. Remove any old foods and check the toys to be sure they are
still working and in good condition.
Keeping your pet safe and well cared for can give
both you and your pet a long and happy experience!
Don'ts
Be sure to pick a small
animal that you feel will fit you. If you know a small animals characteristics,
you can get the pet that is right for you. Take a little time to
find out before you buy.
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