In our latest article we focus on some top tips for caring for our smaller pets: rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs and rodents. We share some advice (thanks to Dr Ilse Jenkinson at Cape Exotic Animal Hospital ) on what you need to know about their nutritional needs, environmental needs as well as their behaviour; and hope this helps you provide the best care for your small pet.
RABBITS
Nutrition
Rabbits need fibre which they get from hay (like the quality range of hay from Burgess Excel) so you’ll need to ensure they have unlimited access to hay at all times. It’s also important to give them green, leafy vegetables, such as herbs, watercress, cucumbers, sprouts and lettuce (except iceberg lettuce). All pets need water but you need to ensure your rabbit has cool, non-chlorinated water to keep them hydrated and their digestive systems healthy.
Environment
Rabbits are active and playful so you need to keep them entertained. You may need to consider ‘bunny-proofing’ your home as these small and energetic pets love to chew, especially when they are bored. They love toys and will play for hours, so invest in some fun toys to keep them occupied.
Behaviour
Hopping or dancing is a sign of happiness in rabbits. However, if your rabbit grunts, it usually means they are angry and possibly feel under threat in which case this grunt is usually followed by a nip or bite. Despite this, rabbits are actually very social animals and will form a close bond with other rabbits and people.
Did you know that rabbits also mark their territory, like cats? They do this by rubbing their chins on items they consider theirs. They also don’t like to have their cages rearranged once they are settled in.
HAMSTERS
Nutrition
Pellets created for hamsters should make up the bulk of their diet as they offer complete and balanced nutrition. Some other foods that are safe to give your hamster include broccoli, carrots, cucumber, kale, hay and peas. For a tasty treat you can give them sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Foods to avoid include raw beans, raw potatoes, onions, almonds, citrus fruits, almonds or any salty or sugary foods.
Also great options for hamsters is a tasty mix of seeds, beans and other nutritious ingredients, or a cereal mix that includes mealworms for animal protein.
Environment
Hamsters need lots of places to bury, dig, hide and climb, so create some levels and include obstacles like hidden boxes and tunnels when setting up their cage. Exercise wheels are a great way to keep them mentally stimulated and will help with maintaining their weight too.
Behaviour
Hamsters are nocturnal meaning they are very active at night – when they can exercise for up to three to four hours! You will notice that they are always searching for something to grind their teeth into – this is because their teeth are constantly growing. For this reason, it’s a good idea to provide soft wood blocks in their cage or alternatively some gnaw sticks made from 1005 natural, wholseom ingredients. They will also burrow and hide as a means of protection and staying safe.
GUINEA PIGS
Nutrition
Constant access to hay is very important for guinea pigs as it helps with their digestion. However, the bulk of their diet should consist of leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, parsley, kale and coriander. Guinea pigs can’t manufacture their own Vitamin C so you need to ensure their diet includes vegetables such as red pepper, broccoli or tomatoes. Alternatively find a guinea pig food, such as this Gerty Guinea Pig Tasy Mix or the Burgess Excel Nuggets with Mint that includes added Vitamin C. As a treat, you can give them a small piece of fruit like apples, oranges, blueberries or bananas, once a day or a few times a week.
Environment
Guinea pigs need a lot of floor space and if they are going to be kept in a cage, it is important to ensure that it is relatively large and is lined with hay. Keep their environment stimulating with tunnels for them to hide in, shelves to hide underneath or explore on top, logs for them to gnaw on and rocks to keep their nails worn down. Forage bags are an excellent way to keep them entertained.
Behaviour
Guinea pigs have big personalities, some can be shy while others can be confident. When they are happy, they make a quiet vibrating sound (like cats when they purr). However, when you hear their teeth chattering this is a good indication that they are angry or in an aggressive mood.
CHINCHILLAS
Nutrition
A chinchilla’s diet should be made up of up to 90% high-quality grass hay and this should be available at all times. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets and measured out daily (about 1–2 tablespoons per day). They can have small amounts of fresh produce as treats like dried rose hips, dried dandelion, rosemary and parsley but avoid sugary commercial treats. Make sure they have fresh water daily, preferably in a bottle.
Environment
Chinchillas are active and curious creatures who have a lot of energy so give them toys to keep them busy and include blocks of wood, perches or ladders in their environment as they love to climb. A large exercise wheel is a great addition too. They also love the occasional dust bath, which helps them maintain a healthy coat. It is important never to get a chinchilla’s body even a little bit wet as their fur can become tightly compacted, creating an uncomfortable mass that can lead to fungal infections. Like other rodents, they keep their teeth trim by gnawing and chewing so make sure you have appropriate gnaw sticks (high in beneficial fibre) or wooden toys for them to do so.
Behaviour
When they are happy or excited chinchillas hop around and can hop up to 6 feet in the air! They spread their whiskers apart when they are exploring, but also when they are frightened or nervous – this helps them get a better feel for their surroundings. Keep in mind that if they lose patches of fur when you pick them up it’s because they are trying to get away from you. It is a defense mechanism called a ‘fur slip’, this fur will grow back.
RODENTS
Nutrition
Rats benefit from eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, such as apples, grapes, broccoli, potatoes, peas and carrots, but in very small portions. The Tiny Friends Farm Tasty Mix for rats contains is a nutritionally balanced mix of delicious ingredients perfect for your rat or moue. As a special treat you can give them whole nuts in their shell such as almonds and walnuts, or sunflower seeds; but make sure to avoid human junk food or any sugary treats, raw potatoes, raw beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, green bananas and poppy seeds.
Environment
Direct sunlight exposure for short periods of time is good for your rodents’ health and behaviour. They like deep bedding to build nests and to maintain their high body temperature (they love bedding that is close to their fur colour so that they can blend in and feel safe). All rodent species live more happily when provided with toys like running wheels and small things they can interact with. They also feel safer when they have a hiding spot or two so it's a good idea to invest in a little house or hiding spot like the Beeztees Rodent House.
Behaviour
Rats make great companions because they are sociable, intelligent and curious creatures that enjoy being with people. They need lots of exercise and really enjoy playing so it’s a good idea to invest in a suitable ladder, climbing toy, exercise wheel and ropes. You can usually tell when they are unhappy about something because you will most likely hear them making a high-pitched noise at a very fast pace. Rats chew a lot to wear down their teeth so make sure you have suitable chew toys for them or a few gnaw sticks that are made from 100% natural ingreidents and promote dental health.
Get in touch
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rodents and chinchillas all have very specific needs so we highly recommend you contact a specialist vet for their expertise.
A huge thank you to Dr Ilse Jenkinson at Cape Exotic Animal Hospital for sharing her expertise with us and helping us put together this article.
And remember, we are also here to help so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online, or on Facebook.
Happy & Healthy
Absolute Pets