Small animals

                                                  This section covers a variety of small animals listed above.
                                 There are over 40 different breeds of rabbits, so they have their own guide.

                                                                                            Rabbits

Some basics on rabbit care- please go to organizations such as the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association) for more information and links to website that can provide more detailed care sheets.

    Did you know that Rabbit Jumping is very popular in Scandinavia. It is similar to dog and cat agility.

As with any animal, do your research before purchasing a rabbit. If you intend on getting your child a rabbit for Easter, please do not do it on a whim. Although rabbits are great pets for children, most do not tolerate being held and cuddled. Rabbits are very fragile. Also consider the room you will house them in, as rabbit urine can be very strong. On the positive side, rabbits can be litter trained. Be careful on what you use as litter, as rabbits do eat their own feces (there are nutrients in it). Find the corner of their cage and/or room that they are already using as their bathroom and put the litter box in that corner. If you do let your rabbit run around, make sure the room has been checked for safety. Rabbits love to gnaw, and this includes furniture, electrical wires and anything else left lying around. Which brings me to my next point, make sure you provide your bunny with plenty of things to gnaw on whether it be commercial made, or as suggested on the ASPCA website, an old telephone book. If they are not given adequate chew toys you may need to go to the vet to have their teeth clipped. This also goes for their nails - it is necessary to clip their claws every 2 weeks or as needed. Provide your rabbit with a box to dig in filled with soil, etc. If you live in an area where your rabbit has some outside time, find a section of the yard you don't mind them digging in. This will help file down their nails a bit.
    The saying that a rabbit can get scared to death is true. Never leave your rabbit in a room unattended with other animals or even around loud sounds. I had a personal experience with this, so I know it can happen. Most breeds of rabbits have a lifespan of about 7-10 years.
   As with your cat or dog, you will have a much better experience with your rabbit if you spay or neuter. In general females can be a little more nippy and territorial than males, and spaying can make them more docile. Male rabbits tend to spray, especially if housed near a female, so neutering your male makes them easier to live with. PLEASE make sure the vet you go to has experience with rabbits, especially if they are going to perform surgery (see general information column in Rabbit Guide). NO Penicillin based drugs, Amoxicillin; NO Cedar bedding or Pine bedding - these can all be toxic to your rabbit.
     Before purchasing your rabbit at a pet store, consider adopting. There are many rabbits out there that could use a good home. In Massachusetts you can contact agencies such as the Hopline: House Rabbit Connection or The House Rabbit Network, among others. If you are looking for a particular breed try your local 4H club or check out the ARBA.

                                                                            Small Animals
     As with all animals, small children should always be supervised. Most of the general information is provided in the Small Animals Guide. A few things to remember, as with reptiles and rabbits, Never use Cedar or Pine bedding. These substrates (bedding) has a strong odor and can be toxic to animals or cause severe allergic reactions.
     Most small animals, especially rodents, have teeth that grow continuously and require something to gnaw on. If you choose to use branches, make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides. Another thing to keep in mind is the time of the day the animal is more active. If they are nocturnal (up during the night), this is usually not a great pet for children. For example, hamsters tend to be more nippy when woken from their daytime nap.
     As with rabbits, check to see if your area has a rescue. There are many small animals, such as ferrets, that could use a good home.

Cat with guinea pigs.
Never leave your small pet alone with larger animals.

Copyright 2008, 2009, 2010 Lost Temple Pets.com