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Husbandry - Small Mammals (view source)
Revision as of 16:23, 30 August 2011
, 16:23, 30 August 2011no edit summary
==Hamsters==
==Hamsters==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Most hamsters should be kept '''singly''' as they will fight if kept in pairs or groups. Easy to clean cage is recommended with lightweight, easy to remove plastic bottom, sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire top and large door. There should be at least one '''hide box'''. Dishes for food should be small and heavy and a water bottle checked and refilled daily.
'''Bedding'''- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob are all acceptable, avoid pine and cedar wood. The cage should be cleaned twice a week.
The cage must be kept in a cool area of the house during the summer because hamsters get stressed by hot and humid environments. Twelve hour light cycles are recommended.
===Diet===
===Diet===
'''Seeds as treats''', not sole diet
'''Seeds''' can be given as '''treats''', not as a sole diet. Formulated pellets or blocks are available. The diet should consist of minimum protein content of 16% and fat content 4-5%.
Formulated pellets or blocks
==Gerbils==
==Gerbils==
===Housing===
===Housing===
'''Territorial and best kept singly'''; cannibalism can result from keeping incompatible pairs together
Gerbils are '''territorial and best kept singly'''. Cannibalism can result from keeping incompatible pairs together.
Easy to clean cage is recommended with lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom and sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops and large door. A minimum of one hide box is recommended.
Water bottles (check/refill DAILY)
Provide a '''dust bath ''' and small, heavy dishes for food. Water bottles must be checked and refilled daily. Thwelve hour light cycles are the best.
Bedding- recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak beddings, corncob; avoid pine and cedar
Bedding can consist of recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob. Avoid pine and cedar wood. The cage should be cleaned 2x per week.
===Diet===
===Diet===
Seeds as treats, not sole diet
Formulated pellets or blocks are available. Seeds should only be given as treats, not as a sole diet. The recommended minimum protein content is 16% and fat content 4-5%.
==Rats==
==Rats==
===Housing===
===Housing===
Rats can and should be '''group housed'''. They like to climb '''ramps and ropes''' and use various hide boxes. The cage should be easy to clean with lightweight easy to remove plastic bottom with sides deep enough to contain bedding, wire tops and large door.
Small, heavy dishes for food and water bottles (check/refill DAILY) should be provided. Food can also be hidden in suitable objects to give them something to do.
Bedding can consist of recycled paper, compressed wheat straw, citrus litter, aspen or oak bedding, corncob. '''Pine and cedar shaving should be avoided''' as they can predispose rats to respiratory disease. They contain the volatile oil thujone. '''Thujone is a respiratory irritant and may be tumorogenic'''. Thujone can cause convulsions and cortical brain lesions if there is prolonged exposure.
The enclosure should be cleaned 2x per week. Twelve hour light cycles are recommended.
===Diet===
===Diet===
Seeds as treats, not sole diet
Seeds should only be given as treats, not as a sole diet. Formulated pellets or blocks are available. Minimum protein content of 16% and fat content 4-5% are recommended.
Formulated pellets or blocks
Minimum protein content of 16%, fat content 4-5%
Rats are harder to convert to a new diet.
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