Small pet

Domesticated rats live between two and three years, but with the right care, some can reach up to 4 years of age. Female rats tend to live longer and mature earlier than males. “Unfortunately, our beloved rat companions do not tend to live as long as we’d like them to and usually have several health problems,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian and the owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services, in Eddington, Maine. Wild rats typically don’t live as long as domesticated fancy rats. They usually live less than a year, due to multiple factors, such as: Lack of food and natural resources Lack of proper care and environment Susceptibility to disease Genetic predispositions Threats from predators,Jump to section How Long Do Rats Live? Rat Life Stages How To Keep Your Rat Healthy How To Improve Your Rat’s Lifespan Tips for Caring for Senior Rats

Do hamsters hibernate? If you notice that your hamster is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign of torpor, a hibernation-like state they can experience. We talked with vets to learn more about hibernation vs. torpor in hamsters, including why it happens, what to do if your hamster is hibernating (in torpor, rather), and how to prevent it.

A Well-Behaved, Potty Trained Ferret in Just a Few Steps When we talk about how to train your pet ferret, we’re not talking about training it to do acrobatic or magic tricks, and it is doubtful that they will ever replace dogs on sleds or surfboards. But ferrets, like dogs (and even cats), will respond to basic training techniques. Besides, a little training will make life more pleasurable for you and your ferret. Ferret Boot Camp Why train a ferret? Well, like any animal they sometimes need a little direction. They also need to learn boundaries, and the younger they are once training begins, the better. One problem you may face with your ferret is nipping. Ferrets like to bite things, and sometimes that “thing” might be you. This needs to be, ahem, nipped in the bud, and there are a few ways to do this. Teething rusks and hard dog biscuits can help to distract and refocus your ferret’s biting impulse, along with some disciplinary measures. But don’t panic at the word “disciplinary,” it does not involve hurting your pet. A few simple things, like making an alarmed, high pitched sound when bitten, holding your ferret by the scruff (the nape of the neck) and saying “no” in a very firm voice, or even hissing at the ferret when it bites will help to teach your ferret that nipping people and other things (like furniture) is wrong. These techniques can work for training your ferret not to do other things too. One other method that some people swear by is spraying bitter apple scent on things they don’t want the ferret to bite or chew on. This can be bought in spray form at a pet store. Just don’t forget about positive reinforcement. All animals, including ferrets, respond very well to positive training moves. Cuddles, treats, and praise given whenever your ferret does something good can work wonders on making the training stick.

Yes, neutering makes a big difference in these behaviors. Un-neutered male rabbits are full of hormones and want to find a female to mate with. They will often run circles around you, they will mount your leg, your arm, the family cat or dog — it just goes on and on. They will spray urine to mark their territory and will have bad litter box habits. They can become aggressive, especially when you enter into their rabbit cages or living areas, as they want to protect them and let everyone know they’re theirs. Once a male rabbit is neutered, the hormones will die down over a couple of weeks and these behaviors usually go away. Your rabbit will do very well using a litter box and normally will stop the grunting and lunging when you enter his pen, as long as he has a big enough living area. The smallest living area I suggest for a small- to medium-sized rabbit is 4 feet by 4 feet, and he should come out to a larger area for daily playtime. It is important to find a veterinarian who knows rabbits. There are lists online, plus it’s good to call and ask how many rabbits the vet sees a week and how many spay and neuters they do a week. Plus, what the before and after instructions for surgery are, and if they provide take-homes pain medication. Two tips I’ve picked up over the years are that a rabbit should never be fasted before surgery (unlike cats and dogs), and take-home pain medication should always be provided. Read more: Directory Of Veterinarians 12 Common Rabbit Behaviors That May Puzzle You,Q:

Jump to section How to Pet a Rabbit: Step-By-Step Instructions Where Do Rabbits Like To Be Pet? Areas To Avoid When Petting a Rabbit Signs Your Rabbit Is Enjoying Your Petting More Tips for Petting Your Rabbit FAQs About Petting a Rabbit

Even though rabbits can be kept outdoors, outside, giving them a proper indoor habitat is essential.   Rabbits need daily social interaction and exercise.  Rabbits need unlimited hay and a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as a pelleted rabbit diet. ,Rabbits are fun, furry creatures with an endless supply of cuteness, but they require a lot of love, care, and commitment.   If you’re considering adopting a rabbit, learn how to give them the best possible home. 

Signs. They are everywhere. They tell us everything from where we are to what we can or cannot do. Road signs give us directions, and warning signs help keep us safe. Our ferrets give us signs, too, that help us navigate through caring for them during their lifetimes. Ferret owners just need to learn how to read the signs and interpret them. As our ferrets age, changes take place in their bodies. We all recognize the signs that tell us they are getting older when they slow down, don’t play as much and sleep more. As they reach the twilight of their life, other subtle signs may emerge. Learning to recognize the signs, and understanding how to read them, can help us be better prepared to make end-of-life decisions for our ferrets when the time comes.

Undeniably cute, the spiky hedgehog is a terrific and interesting pet. Typically living 4-7 years, they are great companions for people who have the time and the inclination to socialize and handle their shy, prickly friends. Healthy hedgehogs are bright, alert and responsive, says Stacey Leonatti Wilkinson, DVM, at Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of Georgia, Pooler, Georgia. Generally asleep during the day and active at night, hedgehogs have bright, open eyes during the day, constantly sniff when exploring and can ball up completely when they choose to, she adds. Like other mammals, hedgehogs can suffer from several health problems. Let’s look at the most common hedgehog health issues and the best ways to prevent or treat these ailments in your pet.

Skin disease is the most common problem seen with pet mice. Many different things can cause skin disease in pet mice. Fur mites are common in mice, and three different mites can infect mice: Myobia musculi, Myocoptes musculinus and Radfordia affinis; M. musculi is the most common type. Mice typically get infested with mites from contact with other infested mice or from infested bedding or wood chips. This is especially common in pet stores. Infested mice have a thin hair coat mostly on the head and back, an oily appearance, itchy skin and skin damage from excessive scratching. Fur mites can be diagnosed when your veterinarian does a skin scraping and looks for mites under a microscope. Sometimes the mites can be seen on the hair and skin with a magnifying lens. Fur mites can be treated with ivermectin either by injection, orally or topically. Selamectin and moxidectin can also be used topically to treat the mites.,Mice are one of the common small rodents that make good pets. In general, mice do not bite and are fairly disease-resistant. They are also small enough that their enclosure fits in most homes or apartments. They are omnivores that eat mostly grass, seeds, grain, berries and insects. Their dietary requirements are well known from laboratory studies, and several different pet food companies make good rodent pellets and treats for mice. Pet mice are prone to two common diseases: skin problems and mammary cancer.

Pet rat parents have likely witnessed their rat displaying unusual eye and teeth grinding. While these movements may seem concerning at first, these behaviors, called eye boggling and bruxism, can be normal rat behaviors. What Does Rat Boggling Look Like? Eye boggling is when the eyeballs vibrate rapidly, bulging seemingly in and out of the eye socket. The eyes tend to become large and boggling during intense bruxism. What Is Bruxism in Rats? Bruxism, commonly referred to by pet rat fanciers as “bruxing,” is a soft but repetitive grinding of the incisors, or front teeth. When a rat is “bruxing” more aggressively, it may cause the bulbous eyes to pop out of the socket even more. A rat’s anatomy is unique in that the jaw muscle passes behind the eyeball. So when the jaw is moving rapidly up and down during bruxism, the muscle will also vibrate the eye at the same rate. Why Do Rats Brux? Rat teeth, like most rodents, are constantly growing. They need proper care, food, and toys to ensure the teeth are worn down appropriately. If rat teeth aren’t consistently chewing throughout the day, the teeth become misaligned, causing abscesses and difficulty eating. “Bruxing” helps wear down the teeth, but is never a replacement for correct husbandry and other environmental ways to grind their teeth. Healthy teeth are important for the overall health of a pet rat and are a primary area of focus during veterinary exams. It is a good idea to start looking at your rat’s mouth for signs of any abnormalities and to acclimate your rat to having their mouth examined.  Similar to a cat purring, bruxism in rats is commonly performed when the pet is relaxed and content. However, rats may also grind their teeth when they are experiencing anxiety, stress, discomfort, or pain. Take into account the overall picture when your pet rat is “bruxing” or eye boggling. If they are not eating, drinking, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and diagnostics. Rat Chattering Rats can also chatter their teeth, which is similar to bruxism but may be louder with more sharp cracking noises. Chatter may occur when a rat is having an intense encounter and is torn between the physiologic fight or flight modes. Rats also chatter with some illnesses—especially respiratory disease. Contact your veterinarian if your pet rat is chattering or “bruxing” more than normal in addition to any of the following: Labored or increased breathing Coughing or sneezing Lethargy Decreased appetite Ocular, nasal, or oral discharge Rats typically only live for 2-4 years, so regular veterinary care is crucial to keeping them healthy. A 3-year-old rat is roughly equivalent to a 90-year-old human! Keeping their teeth aligned properly allows normal mastication (chewing), nutrition, and supports overall health. What Does it Mean if my Rat is Boggling? This photo of a rat boggling shows how the rat’s eyes bulge abnormally during boggling. While the eyes appear to pop out of the socket, this can be a normal, even happy, expression. Happy pet rats may boggle when they are: Pet by their family Held by their family Playing with a favorite toy Eating a favorite food During pleasant mental stimulation While it is most commonly believed to be an expression of joy, boggling that occurs secondary to distress-induced bruxism, may be an indicator of disease.  Evaluate your pet rat in its entirety—their behavior, appetite, and overall demeanor. Whenever in doubt, seek veterinary help. While boggling and “bruxing” are likely normal, it’s always better to be safe.