How to Care for Small Animals

Rabbits Unlike hamsters rabbits are not rodents despite what many people erroneously believe. Rabbits are herbivorous which means that they eat a solely vegetarian diet which consists of grass hay and green foods. Grass hay is essential to the health of a rabbit and various forms of it are required to ensure that the animal is getting all the nutrients it needs to be healthy throughout its lifetime which can span a decade if cared for properly. Because green foods contain a wider variety of micro nutrients these must not be neglected as part of the diet.

Although one can find a range of pellet rabbit foods these are not suitable for pet rabbits as they are designed more for commercial use and do not contain sufficient indigestible fibre while they are too high in protein and contain too many calories. Rabbits need exercise and therefore the cage needs to be large enough to allow the rabbit easy movement. Providing plenty of opportunity for exercise is crucial to a healthy rabbit. Cages should ideally be sturdy and secure and will not break easily. Regular cleaning is essential and there needs to be plenty of nesting material provided.

Hamsters Hamsters are rodents and have been popular pets since the 1930s. They are extremely easy to care for and are fastidiously clean animals, devoting copious amounts of time to the process of cleaning themselves. When it comes to caring for hamsters it is important to bear in mind that these animals, by virtue of them being rodents, will gnaw at things and need to have foods that satisfy this craving while at the same time providing them with all the essential nutrients that they need to thrive.

Commercial hamster food is ideal for them and will contain all the essential vitamins and minerals the animal needs. The hamster cage must be large enough to accommodate the nest, feeding bowls, the all-important hamster wheel and areas for digging. Hamsters like to burrow so making sure that they have plenty of suitable material for this purpose is essential. A hamster wheel provides the exercise that a hamster requires and most people are surprised to learn that the average hamster will cover over 8 miles per night if they have a wheel to amuse themselves with. Ensuring that you provide the items that the hamster can use to satisfy its gnawing tendencies will help to keep the incisors so typical of rodents at the proper length, as these teeth continue growing throughout the animal's life.

In Summary While it is certainly a commendable thing to allow children to keep a pet such as a rabbit or hamster it is vital that the animal's needs are not compromised or neglected. Ensuring that you are familiar with all the necessary requirements will ensure that the animal you choose is cared for properly to ensure a long and happy life. Before making a purchase it is highly advisable that you conduct the proper research to determine just what needs they have and whether or not you will be able to meet those needs sufficiently.


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