Pocket Pets      

   Pocket Pets are unique pets because of their small size. Included in this category are Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, Chinchillas and Gerbils.  Here are some tips on how to house and feed your pet rodent to keep it healthy and happy.

Housing:  Most pet rodents are comfortable in a 10 to 20 gallon aquarium or a cage designed for their small size.  Avoid wooden cages because rodents love to chew and can damage and then escape from these cages.  Also avoid wire-bottom cages because a rodents feet can get caught between the wires, causing an injury.

    Because rodents like to burrow, provide a hiding place in the cage.  A card board paper towel roll works well for this.

Temperature:  The temperature should be between 65-80° F.  Higher temperatures may cause heat stress and death.

Bedding Materials:  Shredded paper towels, pelleted paper products, oat hulls, wheat grass and wood shavings (other than pine or cedar) are the best bedding materials to use.  The bedding should be changed at least once weekly to prevent illness.

Toys:  Cage toys can provide stimulation for exercise and are encouraged.  Avoid open-track exercise wheels because a pet's feet can get caught between the rungs, causing fractures.

Diet:  About 85-90% of a pet rodent's diet should be rodent pellets.  Do not use rodent party mixes. They contain 50% more nuts and seeds, which contain low amounts of protein and high amounts of fat. You can offer nuts and seeds as treats, but they should make up no more than 5% of the pet rodent's diet.

    You can also feed fresh vegetables once or twice a week. Leafy green vegetables and yellow and orange vegetables are best.

    You might provide a hay as a source of fiber, which can prevent gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea.  Offer clover or grass hays.

    Make sure fresh water is always available.

    NOTE:  Guinea Pigs need an external source of vitamin C because they can not produce it on their own.  Feed them only guinea pig pellets (not regular rodent chow), which are supplemented with vitamin C. Keep in mind that vitamin C starts to disappear within 90 days of milling, so keep a fresh supply on hand. You can supplement your guinea pigs diet with fresh vegetables such as kale, broccoli, dandelion greens and small amounts of cabbage.  Also, add vitamin C to your pet's water supply daily. To do this, mix 200 to 1,000 mg of a crushed, generic Vitamin C tablet in 1 liter of water.

Signs of illness:  Anorexia, diarrhea & weight loss are nonspecific signs that indicate disease.  Also, masses on the body can be a indication that something is wrong.  If your pocket pet is not acting normal, contact our office right away.  Because of their small size, they do not have a lot of body reserve so illnesses can cause death readily in your little friend.

Life Expectancy (in years):

    Guinea Pigs     4-8 years

    Hamsters          1-3 years

    Mice                 1-3 years

    Rats                  1-3 years

    Chinchillas      8-10 years

    Gerbils              2-4 years

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