Although small mammals are cute and tiny, they can be a big responsibility. If you’re interested in owning a chinchilla, ferret, hamster, hedgehogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and other small mammals, it’s important to learn how to properly care for each of these furry creatures before bringing them home with you.
Consider what size, temperament, and activity level are right for your household so you can choose the option that best matches your lifestyle. Are you looking for an animal that will take kindly to being petted and interact with you? Rabbits or guinea pigs are pets that enjoy cuddling once they’re gotten used to you. Be sure to choose a small mammal that has what you’re looking for and you’ll love having it around. Check out the articles below to learn more about the general care of each of these animals.
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Seasonal Allergies Can Make Your Pet Miserable
Category:
Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
Winter is quickly becoming a distant memory as the days warm up and plants and trees come into bloom. Unfortunately, the change in seasons can cause unpleasant symptoms for pets that suffer from seasonal allergies. Because dogs and cats do not experience the same allergy symptoms as people, you might
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Pet-Friendly Exercises Offer Benefits for Both You and Your Pet
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Looking for a devoted workout partner? Consider exercising with your pet.
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Protect Your Pets with These Water Safety Tips
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
There's nothing better than cooling off in a pool, lake or the ocean on a hot day, particularly if you wear a fur coat year-round. Unfortunately, our pets aren't aware of the dangers that water can pose. A few precautions can help you ensure that your pet enjoys the water safely this summer.
Can Your
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Protect Your Pet from Painful Paw Pad Burns
Category:
Newsletter Library, Pet Dangers
Have you ever tried to walk across the beach barefoot on a very hot day? After the first few steps, you probably set a new speed record as you sprinted to the water, or maybe you gave in and put on your sandals before taking another step. Your pet experiences the same reaction during summer walks on
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Does Your Dog Suffer From Anxiety?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Anxious dogs tend to act out in ways their people do not like. If you have ever returned home to discover shredded pillows or bite marks on your front door, you are probably familiar with the consequences of anxiety. Understanding why your dog is anxious is the key to helping your dog overcome this common problem.
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Cooking for Your Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Read the back of a pet food bag and you will see a long lists of ingredients that features a variety of preservatives and fillers. While these ingredients may keep the food fresh, they are not always good for your pet. Luckily, you will find plenty of dog and cat food recipes on the Internet that will
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What is a Raw Diet?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Raw diets offer an alternative to commercially prepared pet food and can be a good choice for some pets. Serving raw foods offer a variety of benefits, although the diet isn't appropriate for every cat or dog.
Why Offer Raw Food?
Commercially available pet food often contains preservatives or chemicals
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Is Your Pet Overweight?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Packing on the pounds is just as dangerous for your pet as it is for you. Being overweight or obese can lead to many of the same health problems whether you are a human, dog or cat. Luckily, with your help, your furry friend can easily lose that excess weight and enjoy a healthier, happier life with your help.
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Who's Healthier: Purebreds or Mixed Breeds?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
For years, pet owners have disagreed about whether purebred or mixed breed dogs are healthier. Until recently, there was no scientific data to back up their opinions, but UC Davis researchers recently helped answer the question with a landmark health study.
The Arguments
Pet owners who thought that
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What is Mange?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Has your pet suddenly started losing hair? Mange may be to blame. The common skin condition affects dogs, cats and rabbits, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.
Tiny Mites Cause Big Problems
Mange is caused by a mite infestation. The microscopic parasites either burrow under your pet's skin
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Tortoises
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Reptiles, Turtles
Tortoises can make an interesting pet, although they can present a challenge, due to their size and dietary habits. Their diets vary based on species, but all need quite a variety of foods, with careful attention paid to the amount of roughage as well as calcium/phosphorus balance. Some species have
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Animal Shelter
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Finding Your Pet
Animal shelters, or what used to be known as pounds, are either governmental or private organizations that provide temporary homes for stray, surrendered, or abandoned pet animals. They most often house dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until it is reclaimed by the owner, adopted to a
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Breeder
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Finding Your Pet
Buying from a reputable breeder gives you the opportunity to interact with the pets family, siblings, dam, also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the pet you take home.
A responsible breeder is a good source for a well-bred, healthy pet. The
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How to Keep Your Cat from Getting Fat
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
A fat cat may appear happy and provide visitors with a source of amusement, but feline obesity is certainly no laughing matter. Cats who carry excess weight have a heightened risk for diabetes, cancer, liver problems, degenerative joint pain and other conditions that could severely curtail its quality
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Is a Feral Cat Right for You?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
In many ways, Tiger Kitty (or TK as he's known for short) isn't your typical feral cat. Unlike his still-wild counterparts who still roam around, homeless and often hungry, he now has a home. When his owners get home at night, he runs out to meet them and rubs against their ankles looking to be patted.
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Keep Cats Moving and Grooving
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Keeping your cat active can help it burn calories and use muscles, tendons and ligaments that may often be seen catnapping. Burning calories is important for your cat. The more your cat moves and exercises, the more calories it will expend during the activity. Exercise will help to off-set the naps taken
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