By Sandra Justice, PD, FACA
A recent article from the Scripps Howard News Service provides a
wealth of information about “pocket pets.” Mice, rats,
guinea pigs, and hamsters are part of this group of pets which may
be a perfect ‘first pet” for young children. There are,
however, some potential health problems that may arise in these species
when kept in captivity.
Mice, rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters can have skin problems such
as mange, mites, lice or ringworm.
Rats can get tumors or cancer
Guinea pigs may suffer scurvy without enough daily vitamin C
Eye infections, pneumonia, heat stroke and obesity may also be problems.
As with other animals, warning signs for health problems in pocket
pets can include a decrease or loss of appetite, inactivity, straining
to urinate or defecate, diarrhea, discharge from the eyes or nose,
sneezing, patches of baldness and the development of sores or lumps.
To help keep a pocket pet healthy, you should follow these tips:
Keep the temperature between 65 and 72 degrees.
Keep cages clean and on a solid surface (no wire bottoms).
Provide toys for exercise and play (wheels, tunnels, ramps).
Provide a hiding place.
Provide continuous access to a sipper or dropper bottle of water.
Provide fresh water daily and wash the bottles regularly with hot,
soapy water and rinse well.
Pine shavings are the most suitable bedding. Other types of bedding
may have too strong an odor, or not stay as clean.
Don’t crowd cages or put different species of pocket pets together
in the same cage.
Provide fresh vegetables and fruit at least twice a week.
Provide chewing blocks made of wood or plant fibers.
Opinions differ on the handling of pocket pets, but the most common
advice is that owners should take pets out of their cages once a day
to keep them comfortable with being touched. However, the risk of
injury and loss anytime pocket pets are out of their cages is something
to consider. Remember that mice and hamsters are nocturnal creatures,
so interrupting their daytime sleep may not be a good idea.
When thinking about acquiring a pocket pet, also keep in mind that
hamsters and mice usually live 1.5 to 2 years, rats 2 to 3 years,
guinea pigs, 5 to 6 years and chinchillas 15 years.
For more information, visit www.noraapothecary.com.
