Rabbits

by Ashley Legore

Introduction

Rabbits are gentle quiet creatures, and they make wonderful pets. They range in size and breed from the 15 pound Flemish Giant to the 2 pound Netherlands Dwarf. Rabbits become more tame and personable with each handling, becoming bonded with their humans. Rabbits require some basic care: they are not just a pet you can throw in a hutch outside and forget. The more attention you pay to them the greater the rewards. Rabbits can be kept indoors and they are easily litter box trained. There are also rabbit societies for rabbit lovers (contact your vet for phone numbers and addresses). Rabbit shows are a popular event - contact your local 4-H or FFA club for more information.

General information

Rabbits become sexually mature at the average age of 4 months (earlier for dwarf breeds). The average life span for a rabbit is 5 years, but keeping your pet indoors and spayed or neutered will lengthen your pet's life. Though rabbits become very tame and need to be handled regularly, they should never be handled by unsupervised children. A rabbit that is not handled regularly can inflict painful scratches with their hind feet if scared. Your pet will need regular health visits with a veterinarian, yearly and after purchase. Yearly fecal exams are also recommended to look for parasites or bacteria. Rabbits should be spayed and neutered before they reach puberty at 4-6 months. Consult your veterinarian to properly determine the sex of your rabbit.

Feeding your rabbit

Fresh drinking water should always be available by water bottle. Water offered by bowl is not recommended, especially for does (female rabbits). Does have a flap of skin under the chin called a dewlap, and if the dewlap is chronically wet from drinking this can cause health problems. Feeding tables are as follows;

commercial rabbit pellets

hay (timothy or grass hay) feed alfalfa hay only to lactating does green leafy vegetables (no iceberg lettuce) Occasional snacks of fruit, whole grain cereals, wheat bread, or other veggies are appreciated in small quantities. Hair balls are a common problem for domestic rabbits. Daily papaya tablets can help with this. Consult your vet for a dosage.

Housing

Unsupervised bunnies should be in a hutch, cage or bunny proof room. If your rabbit is kept in a cage with wire flooring it is very important to provide a piece of wood or some sort of relief from the wire flooring for the rabbit to sit on. Clean your pets' cage frequently and please do not use cedar shavings as they cause health problems for rabbits.

Housing should include:

Prevent access to these items for safety

Prevention is the key to health, so follow these tips

  • vet exams yearly, and after purchase
  • check teeth regularly
  • give medication only as directed by your vet
  • contact your vet about hair ball prevention.
  • Keep nails trimmed
  • spay and neuter to prevent uterine cancer.

    • always provide fresh water

    Prairie Dogs 

    Introduction

    Black Tail Prairie Dogs are native to North America. They make an exciting pet, barking and using vocalizations when excited and will commonly greet their people. They are a very social animal and are most happy when housed with other prairie dogs. They are active during the day and do not hibernate, but sometimes will have dormant periods in inclement weather.

    General Information

    Prairie dogs have an estrous season for 2-3 weeks between January-March. They have 1 litter a year and gestation is between 30 and 35 days. Litter size is between 2 to 10 babies that wean at 6 weeks of age.

    Housing

    A strong cage is required for these little escape artists. They prefer a cage with plenty of hiding spaces and digging spots. They do best in a cage that does not have a wire floor due to small feet. Provide plenty of towels and bedding for them to sleep in. They can be litter box trained. Do not use cedar shavings for substrate: pine, newspaper pellets or shredded newspaper works best. Prairie dogs can be territorial and aggressive, especially around their cage. They pack quite a bite when upset. Look for teeth chattering and a fluffed up tail that looks like a pipe cleaner. When you see this they are asking you to back off. Back off, let them go about their business, and they will calm down.

    Feeding

    Basic Care


     

    Guinea Pigs 

     

    Introduction

    Guinea Pigs are intelligent little animals who often bond to their owners, greeting them with chirps, squeaks, purrs and whistles. The more you handle them, the tamer they get. Guinea pigs are active and like to play with toys and will often play chasing games with each other. They are very social and will establish a male dominated pecking order.

    General Information

    Guinea Pigs reach sexual maturity at 2-3 months of age for females and 3-4 months for males. Consult your veterinarian for proper sex determination of your pet. Average life span is 5 years. Guinea pigs are not designed to handle a lot of stress or loud noises, so to keep your pet happy and healthy minimize exposure to children, other pets and loud noises. Nails and teeth should be checked and trimmed regularly.

    Feeding your Guinea Pig

    Clean fresh water should be available at all times through a water bottle. It is very important that your guinea pig gets vitamin C daily to prevent scurvy (which can be fatal if not treated). Consult you veterinarian for a dosage. Specially formulated guinea pig pellets should be offered daily as well as a treat of veggies (no Iceberg lettuce), or fruit. Timothy hay or grass hay should be available daily as well.

    Housing

    Guinea Pigs cages should never have a wire flooring, because they can get their feet caught in the wire. A cage with dust free bedding such as wood shavings (no cedar shavings), or shredded newspaper is appreciated. Guinea Pigs live up to their name, and their cages need to be routinely cleaned and bedding replaced. A box or hiding tunnel is needed to reduce stress. The cage should have ambient temperature of 55-90 degrees. Offer them the opportunity for sunlight while also providing shade in case it gets to hot. Include some chewing items to pass time as well as wear down the teeth

    Prevent access to these items for safety

    Prevention is the Key to Health. Follow these Tips


    Ferrets 

    Ferrets are good natured, curious animals. They are very active and playful, and enjoy the company of humans and animals. They make excellent pets. They can be litter box trained. They are quiet pets, only making a few vocalizations like chuckles, squeals, and giggles during play. Ferrets can play around the house but please make sure to "ferret proof" your home, these curious creatures will get lost very easily. "Ferret proofing" is best done with a roll of duct tape and cardboard. Block off any air ducts, behind major appliances and any other holes, or nooks and crannies. Keep a collar with a bell and I.D. tag on your pet when it's out of its cage.

    General Information

    Ferrets can be trained to come to a bell or whistle. They are easily trained to walk on a harness and leash. Young ferrets usually need discipline training for nipping when they get excited. This can be achieved easily by a tap on the nose with a firm "NO." Do not encourage rough biting play with toys and your hands. Ferrets body length is usually 9-15 inches, weight is 1-2 kg for males and .5-1.0 kg for females. Sexual maturity is reached at 4-8 months, and their average life span is 5-8 years. It is very important to consult your vet upon purchasing your pet: properly determining the sex of your pet is pertinent to your ferret's health. Females must be bred or spayed by the time they reach sexual maturity or they will die from fatal estrogen toxicity. Males are more placid and less moody if neutered. De-scenting is highly recommended for your comfort.

    Feeding

    Ferrets' diets are high in meat protein and fat. They do not digest large amounts of fiber well. Commercial food made specially for ferrets should be used. Fruit and veggie treats should be limited to 1 teaspoon daily. Sugars and salt should be avoided. Always supply fresh water.

    Prevention is the key to Health

    Prevent access for Safety

    Housing

    Ferrets need to be caged when unsupervised. A cage without wire flooring is recommended. Shavings or newspaper can be used as substrate (No cedar shavings). Cage furniture can consist of hammocks, muffs, tunnels, tubes, and old towels or fabric for bedding. A litter box should be in the cage corner (careful with litter, they like to dig). Average room temperature and humidity is required, no greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or humidity over 55 %. Provide a strong locking cage for these escape artists.

    Hedgehogs 

    Introduction

    Hedgehogs are very inoffensive pets: they are noiseless, nondestructive and basically odorless. They are a solitary, nocturnal pet that prefers a quiet, dimly lit environment. They sometimes get frightened by loud noises or bright light. When faced with something new hedgehogs will taste it and begin hyper-salivating, creating a foam it spits onto itself. This process is called Anting or Anoiting You can bathe your hedgehog to rid it of this material. There are two species of hedgehog, African and European.

    Basic Information

    Their body length is about 7 inches. Sexual maturity is at 3 months of age and the average life span is 4-7 years. Average body weight for African hedgehogs is 500-600 grams for males and 250-400 grams for females, and European is 800-1200 grams for males and 400-800 grams for females. They are indigenous to Europe, Africa, and Asia, a free-ranging hardy animal that lives in scrub, forests, grasslands and desert. Hedgehogs are carriers of Salmonella and hands should always be washed after handling them. They should not come in contact with human food or cooking utensils to reduce the potential risk of Salmonella infection.

    Feeding

    In their natural habitat these free-ranging pets feast on insects, slugs, spiders, snails, worms and grubs. They eat very little plant matter. In captivity obesity is a huge problem, therefore, a diet high in protein and low in fat is recommended.

    Sample diet for an adult hedgehog

    (to be fed in the evening) Do not free feed.

    Housing

    Hedgehogs need ample exercise, and are good climbers. Logs, caves, and tunnels should be arranged in their cage as well as a running wheel. The wheel should be covered in astro turf on a non-slip surface so they can run on it. A smooth-walled enclosure works best for them. A 20 gallon (or larger) aquarium is acceptable. If you use a wire cage there should not be a wire floor. Tiny feet can get caught in the wire mesh causing injuries. Hedgehogs require an ambient temperature of at least 75-85 degrees. Substrate of newspaper or recycled bedding material in depth should be used and changed frequently. Keep bedding dry. Offer smooth, clean rocks for spreading out on, gnawing, scratching and face rubbing. Hedgehogs like warm water frequently for bathing.

    Can Hedgehogs Be Tame?

    Yes, but they are extremely nervous and timid animals. Try to get a young animal that can be conditioned to be held. Their first defense if frightened will be to roll up in a ball. Sometimes they will uncurl if their back is gently stroked. Offer a quiet environment with subdued lighting. They are not aggressive creatures but may bite if provoked, and will vocalize with a hissing sound when bothered. Young hedgehog spines are sharper than adults.

    Prevention is the Key to Health

    Do not breed European & African together (1 hibernates, and the other does not)
     

    What your Vet Knows