Pet Care Help

Small animal care is easier than you think

In general, keeping a small animal pet is quite simple. The basics apply: fresh water, the right food, a clean and safe habitat, proper temperature, and lots of affection.

For the most part, small animals do not require expensive food or special care. Having a child with pet allergies could influence which small animal you choose for your home. Have a vet in mind in case your pet becomes ill.

Read the descriptions below and click on any animal to download an info sheet containing more in-depth details on each species.

Rats & Mice

Rats and mice are very clean animals and enjoy daytime hours. While these critters don't need a lot of human interaction, they do enjoy social time. Plus, the more you hold them, the more they warm up to you. Rats and mice have energy, running two to three miles in one night, so provide an exercise wheel. A chew toy is a necessity, since their teeth never stop growing.

Click to download the care sheet

Gerbils

Gerbils are cute, tame, and great first pets. They are active and entertaining during the day. Gerbils love to explore and build, so supply digging material in the cage, such as paper-based items or cardboard. They will enjoy an occasional sand bath—they roll around in sand, and their fur gets shiny and smooth. Chew toys are also necessary for gerbils, as all rodents have continually growing teeth.

Click to download the care sheet

Hamsters

Hamsters love attention and are quite friendly. They spend an ample amount of day time resting. Their simple needs and small size make them perfect for kids and school classrooms. You need to satisfy their urge to gnaw by giving them a chew toy. Besides chewing, these animals love to exercise on an exercise wheel or in a run-about ball. Most hamsters are solitary animals and need to live without a room mate.

Click to download the care sheet

Ferrets

Ferrets are known for their curiosity and fun-loving personalities. They enjoy stealing and hiding objects, part of their natural nesting instincts. Ferrets like energetic play, so they'll enjoy all the fun, exercise, and toys they can get. Despite their great energy, they're also heavy sleepers, enjoying long hours of napping. Ferrets' slightly musky odor can be easily controlled with shampoos and ferret specific sprays.

Click to download the care sheet

Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs are very friendly animals that greet each other by touching noses. They require easy, basic care as well as daily affection. Guinea Pigs cannot manufacture Vitamin C, so they need a daily supplement or a diet formulated specifically for Guinea Pigs with Vitamin C added. You may be surprised how smart a Guinea Pig can be, quickly learning their own names or certain sounds. A bag of food opening will likely get them to whistle or squeak.

Click to download the care sheet

Rabbits

Rabbits, like many small animals, love attention and form strong bonds with their owners. Rabbits are naturally timid, and enjoy a comfy, safe habitat. But, they like to show off, too! Sometimes, they'll put on “shows” for children, hamming it up when they hear laughter. Rabbits want to run, so a large area in which to exercise is recommended. They also love toys, something they can flip in the air or toss around their habitat and if the toy is also chewable that's a bonus as rabbits require chew toys for dental health.

Click to download the care sheet

Chinchillas

Chinchillas have extra-soft fur that helps keep them warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Nearly every day they take a dust bath to keep this fur soft. Chinchillas can't sweat! So, they must be kept in a cool space with plenty of air ventilation. Chinchillas are more active at night than during the day, and they may greet kids in the morning with chirps and squeaks. You can teach a Chinchilla tricks, and they may even learn to recognize their own name. Chinchillas enjoy extra space in their cages, and they like ledges on which to jump. Plus, they'll give an exercise wheel a real workout! They love to chew and need chew toys to help keep their ever growing teeth trimmed.