Projects filed under: Small Exotic Mammals

HOUSING: Cage – We recommend using a wire bar style cage with appropriately sized bars so the hamster cannot escape. It should be a minimum of 1 foot wide by 3 foot in length.  The cage bottom should be solid,...

Specific Requirements

Rodent pellets/blocks should consist of the majority of diet, escape-proof caging

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating, sneezing, diarrhea, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or hairloss, lethargy
Chinchillas are native to the Andes mountains in South America (Bolivia, Chile*, Argentina, and Peru). They live in colonies called “herds” and at very high elevations requiring them to have some of the densest fur of all land mammals. Chinchillas...

Specific Requirements

Unlimited hay (timothy, meadow, and/or orchard grass), heat intolerant, frequent dust baths

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating (>8 hrs), sneezing, drooling, trouble urinating, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or hairloss, lethargy
General Information: Sugar Gliders are small marsupials native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea.  The female glider, along with other marsupials, carry their babies, called joeys, in a pouch on the abdomen.  Female gliders are pregnant for a total of...

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating, swollen eye/face, drooling, diarrhea, self-inflicted trauma, tremoring or seizures, trouble urinating, appears painful, bloated, lethargy
HOUSING: Cage:Your hedgehog’s cage should be at least 2 feet wide by 3 feet long. A plastic bottom cage with narrow wire sides or 35+ gallon clear rubber maid-type container with ventilation holes drilled in the sides, may also be...

Specific Requirements

Daily/nightly exercise, careful weight control

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating, diarrhea, drooling, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or quill loss, lethargy
Guinea Pig Husbandry and Preventative Healthcare HOUSING: Cage – Minimum of 2×4 feet for each guinea pig. Cage bottom should be solid Plexi-glass, hard plastic, or stainless steel. Wire mesh bottoms should NEVER be used for guinea pigs due to...

Specific Requirements

Unlimited hay (timothy, meadow, and/or orchard grass) and daily vitamin C supplementation

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating (>8 hrs), sneezing, drooling, trouble urinating, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or hairloss, lethargy
HOUSING: Cage – Minimum size of 2×4 feet. Additional space is necessary when keeping multiple ferrets together. Many cages have several levels to provide more surface area to climb and play. Litterbox – A litter box should be provided in...

Specific Requirements

Need yearly rabies vaccinations, have an affinity for eating foreign objects

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, vaccinations or titers, not eating/defecating, diarrhea, black stools, teeth grinding, sneezing, drooling, trouble urinating, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or hairloss, tremors and/or seizures, lethargy
HOUSING: Cage – Minimum of 2×3 feet for small breeds and 3×4 feet for large breeds. Cage bottom should be SOLID plexi-glass, hard plastic, or stainless steel. If the cage has a wire mesh bottom, cover half with a solid...

Specific Requirements

Unlimited hay (timothy, meadow, and/or orchard grass)

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating (>8 hrs), sneezing, appears painful, bloated, drooling, trouble urinating, itchiness and/or hairloss, lethargy
INTRODUCTION: Rats are highly social and intelligent animals that can make excellent pets. Lifespan averages 2-3 years, although this may be shortened by severe respiratory infections and/or mammary tumors.   HOUSING: Cage – Minimum of a 1’ x 3’ enclosure...

Specific Requirements

Rodent blocks/pellets as majority of diet, escape artists

Reasons To
Visit A Veterinarian

Healthy annual examinations, not eating/defecating, sneezing, trouble urinating, appears painful, bloated, itchiness and/or hairloss, lethargy
INTRODUCTION: Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas have incisors and cheek teeth (premolars and molars) to assist in the task of apprehending and chewing food. The teeth are open-rooted, which means they grow continuously throughout the animal’s life. When the teeth...