Small Animal Care

When you talk of pets, most people think in terms of a cat or a dog. However, there are many different kinds of small pets, each of which needs a specific type of care. Some of the common small that people have as pets include:

Guinea Pigs: You can use basically any kind of cage as a house for your guinea pig as long as it is properly ventilated. You also have to make sure your pet has plenty of room and that the cage is easy to clean. Commonly used bedding for the cage consists of wood shavings, shredded paper and commercial pellets. The guinea pig might also like a small cardboard house tat he can get into away from people and when he is tired. The best way to ensure that the guinea pig is receiving the proper nutrients in the diet is to buy commercial food. They need to have exercise on a daily basis, which is why placing a wheel in the cage is a good idea. You should always pick it up by the shoulders and use your hand to support its weight.

Hamsters: You don’t need to have a large cage for a hamster. An old birdcage will do perfectly fine, but it does need to be large enough to give them space to run around inside. Wood shavings, shredded paper and commercial pellets provide the best bedding. You do need to have a thick layer, as hamsters love to burrow. You can purchase hamster pellets at a pet store for their food. You do have be patient when handling these creatures so that you gain their confidence.

Gerbils: When you choose a cage for a gerbil, you have to be aware that they will chew through wood, plastic and soft metals. For this reason an aquarium is often the best choice. Like gerbils and hamsters, they like wood shavings, shredded paper or commercial pellets as their bedding, but since they do like to burrow, you should make the layer at least two inches thick. Commercial pellets from the pet store will supply all their dietary needs. They are very active and require a lot of exercise. Placing a wheel in the cage can provide them with this outlet for their energy. They so not like noise or being handled roughly. When you pick up the gerbil, do so by placing your hand underneath the body and hold him by the scruff of the neck.

Ferrets: You can give a ferret its own room in the house or have a cage that is at least 2 feet wide, 2 feet long and 1.5 feet high. Wire cages are best because they provide the best ventilation. They like soft areas for sleeping, so you can give it its own blanket, but you do need to wash it on a regular basis. Their diet consists of whole prey, such as small mice and other small creatures, but there are dry processed ferret foods that you can buy. They don’t need a lot of grooming or bathing. They are playful and will run about the house, which is why you only allow them is specific rooms. Make sure you support the length of the body when you pick it up