Rabbits are rather cute, friendly pets. They generally have excellent health; however, the pet’s life can be at risk without proper care and attention.
The most commonly species considered when choosing a pet rodent are:
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- mouse
- hamster
- guinea pig
- rat
- chinchilla
- guinea pig
- gerbil
Like any other pet, their lives depend on human factors such as food, shelter, warmth, entertainment, and medical care. We have collected some helpful topics for you that will be useful for every owner of a cute creature.
Cages for rodents: how to properly keep the animal
Cage
Usually, a cage or an aquarium is used to house animals. Wire cages are considered the most durable and should be selected based on the animal’s size. In addition, its device will depend on what kind of rodent you want. For example, you can take the guinea pig out of the cage from the top without locking the door when the animal is inside.
However, more intelligent rats can open such a cage quite easily. Underestimate rats are pretty smart animals. You will be amazed at how they can easily find an escape route. If you decide to opt for an aquarium, make sure that the lid is fastened securely. It is worth taking care of air sources. Also, wash the aquarium thoroughly several times a week, as the ammonia released from urine can turn an aquarium into an unhealthy place for an animal in just a few days.
Your pet’s longevity, comfort, and health depend on the “bedding,” the filler. Avoid softwood fillings. Birch, cedar shavings, spruce, and pine sawdust are unsuitable for filler roles. Also, could you use something other than old things from your closet? The best solution is to use paper towels, shredded paper, or cat litter.
Feeding
Animals must constantly have access to fresh water, so it is best to use extraordinary drinkers. Justifying the name of their species, rodents must continually chew something. This is useful and necessary for grinding teeth.
For this purpose, the following improvised items will work as well as possible:
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- solid dry food
- breadcrumbs
- special stones
- shell nuts
- chicken bones.
As an essential diet, grain mixtures are recommended, to which you can add pieces of fresh fruit, raw or cooked vegetables, yogurt, cheese, meat, etc. Each type of animal has its own set of recommended products. On our site about rodents, you can find out which products will be the most useful for your pet!
Cleanliness
Rodents will keep themselves clean as long as the house is clean. If the animal is dirty and you decide to bathe it, you should approach this process cautiously. For the procedure, it is worth choosing a warm room without drafts. In a small tub of warm (not hot) water, add a few drops of baby shampoo or shampoo intended for kittens.
The appropriate water temperature can be measured using the inside of your wrist. Your pet will likely panic, so keep its head above water during bathing and calmly rub its body with a sponge soaked in soapy water. After bathing, it is worth offering your pet something tasty to help reduce stress!
Physical exercise
Rodents need a place to explore the territory. The pet store’s bird section finds many valuable toys suitable for a rat or hamster. Of course, it is worth considering the size of the animal. For rats, you can buy a particular puzzle or a spinning wheel. Also, please pay attention to the material from which the toy is created: wire devices are traumatic for rodent paws. On our site about rodents, you will find many valuable tips for selecting pet toys!
Socialization
It is no secret that any animal should be approached calmly to eliminate the possibility of fright and attack. Of course, this rule applies to dogs and cats, the guinea pig, and even the Hungarian hamster! As practice shows, most rodents are happy and content with their lives until the owner hurts them. In no case do you lift the animal by the tail and do not throw it from a height? This can cause permanent damage to your pet!
Are you convinced rodents are unpretentious, usually quite intelligent, cute creatures? Join our community of lovers of these adorable animals!
