Small Animal Information

Hamsters

  Hamsters can be good pets as long as they are well socialized early in life. Typically hamsters live around 2-3 years old depending on the species. The most common hamsters found in the pet trade today are the Syrian Hamster and the Dwarf hamster. In my opinion many Dwarfs are calmer and a little easier to handle as long as they were held when they were younger. Syrians include so called Teddy Bear Hamsters, Fancy Hamster, Black Bear Hamsters, Panda Bear Hamsters and Rex Hamsters. Hamsters are relatively cheap and do not require as much care as a guinea pig or rabbit would, they can make ok pets for children, but I would always recommend a guinea pig or gerbil over a hamster for a child any day.

Housing

 By far the best house for a hamster is a 10 gallon aquarium with a secure lid, by the way hamsters are great escape artist so watch out. Other than aquariums you can also use other store bought hamster cages, just watch out for any bar spacing if the cage has it, I think so far no hamster I have had could get out of a 1/8 inch bar spacing, but baby dwarfs can get out of 1/4 inch which some hamster cages are made out of. Always baggie tie any cage doors close so the animal doesn't escape, it can be rather difficult to catch a hamster running loose in a house. Syrian hamsters MUST be kept separatly! Syrians will fight eachother to the death even if they are related. Dwarf hamsters on the other hand can be kept in colonies, preferably 1 male and several females or all females. Hamster can be kept in either pine or aspen shavings or a recycled newspaper bedding, never use cedar because it is toxic. For food and water it is best to use a non-plastic food dish, hamsters can chew through plastic, and for the water it is best to use a small size water bottle. Hamsters do enjoy little hiding places like igloos or wooden houses to lay in and  chew on. Do not give your hamster any cotton or fabric bedding, they can sufficate themselves with it or it can cause intestinal blockage, for bedding you can give them papertowel it is cheaper and safer.

• This is a safe cage for adult Dwarf or adult Syrian Hamsters, I would avoid these type of cages for any babies though or for breeding.

Food

This is my secret Hamster and Gerbil and Rat food recipe!! So far I haven't found a small critter that hasn't gone crazy for it.

• 1/3 quality wild bird seed, just the kind with cracked corn, millet and sunflower seeds
• 1/3 small rabbit pellets or guinea pig pellets
• 1/3 dry cat food, any brand will work, I always use a meat or chicken variety though, this adds protien to the mixture.

This mixture seems to have worked better than any hamster food I have tried and it is actually cheaper, especially if you have a lot of hamsters and gerbils! Just feed your hamster 1 bowl of food a day if he eats that much, a lot of hamsters hoard their food and should not actually consume more than this amount. Also always provide fresh water. Occassionally a carrot can be given to the hamster or cucumber or green pepper, stay away from any greens or lettuce though, also celery. Some hamsters like Cherrios or fruitloops for a treat, I also have a hamster that likes Mac. and cheese.

More will be added soon!

Chinchillas

  Chinchillas can be very good pets of well socialized at birth. Typically most Chinchillas love to be talked and interacted with between their cage bars, but most do not like to be handled. The best pet chinchilla to get is one that has been handfed. There have been cases of chinchillas that bite, as with a species of animals, but overall they are friendly pets. There are 3 different subspecies of chinchillas, these all relate to the shape of the body and facial features. Chinchillas now come in a variety of colors, gray being the most common. There are, however, white, mosiac, ebony, black and chocolate velvet, lilac and a variety of other colors of chinchillas now available. Chinchillas typically live between 8-10 years, so they are a big commitment. Chinchillas can be kept in singles, or in same sex pairs. No more than two chinchillas should be placed in the same cage because jealousy will occur between them.

Housing

  Chinchillas do best in a solid-bottom metal cage. Chinchillas do love to chew, so plastic cages can be used, but are often chewed on, so they need replaced more frequently then metal cages. Metal cages with bars on the bottom should be avoided, as they can lead to foot infections and swelling. Chinchillas should be provided with as much room as possible in their cage. For a single chinchilla the cage should be no less than 24" length by 18" width  by 24" height. Chinchillas love different levels in their cages, although if you plan to breed take the levels out when the female is due to have babies. Chinchillas also appreciate solid large-sized wheels to excersize in. All toys listed on the guinea pig page can also be used by chinchillas, in my experience bird toys and toliet tissue rolls seem to be chinchilla favorites.  A dust bath container will also have to be provided in the cage, enclosed containers made for chinchillas provide less of a mess. Chinchillas love hiding spaces, but anything provided will be chewed on, so it is best to buy a wood hiding house instead of plastic. The same food dishes and water bottles should be provided as with a guinea pig, the only difference is that chinchillas chew everything, so only ceremic or metal items should be used. If possible water bottles should be placed outside the cage in inclosed metal holders to prevent chewing a hole in the bottle. I have lost countless water bottles between 3 chinchillas alone. The best bedding to use is Carefresh, or other recycled paper forms of bedding. Pine and aspen can also be used, but never cedar. Chinchillas have no scent, and depending on the size of the cage, and number of chinchillas, most cages only have to be changed once to every other week.

Other Care

 Chinchillas do require dust baths. They should be given at least weekly, and if possible twice a week. Dust or sand can be bought at most pet stores, then a little amount (enough to cover then chin.'s body) should be placed in the dust bath container. Chinchillas that do not recieve dust baths often get fungal or other skin infections. Most chinchillas do not like water, but they should never be given a bath in water at all. Chinchillas are naturally cleanly animals, any other care is usually not needed.

Diet

  The main stable of a chinchilla's diet should be pellets. Almost all pet stores sell pellets made for chinchillas. No other pellet types should be used, as they do not contain the right amount of nutrients and beneficial bacteria to support a chinchilla's digestive system. Chinchillas should also be given unlimited timothy hay to chew on, as well as unlimited water. Almost all chinchillas love raisens for treats. Many also like bananna, apple, romaine or leaf lettuce, and green pepper. Chinchillas should be provided with wood sticks, wood hiding areas, boxes, toilet tissue rolls, and other chewing aids to help keep their teeth down.

More will be added soon!!