Changes

==Ferrets==

==Ferrets==

===Housing===

===Housing===

The can be housed '''singly or in groups'''.

Ferrets can be housed '''singly or in groups'''. The choice of indoors or outdoors depends on the climate.

:'''Outdoors''' - A portion of the cage should be shaded for protection from extreme heat or cold. The enclosure must be escape proof. Ferrets do not tolerate temps above 32°c especially with high humidity. In climates where temperature drops below -6°C, a heated shelter is necessary.

'''Slings, hammocks, shelves''' can be built into cage to add additional sleep/play areas. Dark, enclosed sleeping area can be created using towels, old shirts, cloth hats, commercial sleeping products (tubes/tents) or similar items. If the pet eats cloth, cardboard, plastic or wooden box with access hole can be used instead. At least one sleep area per ferret should be provided.

 

'''Slings, hammocks, shelves''' can be built into cage to add additional sleep/play areas

 

Dark, enclosed sleeping area using towels, old shirts, cloth hats, commercial sleeping products (tubes/tents)

 

If the pet eats cloth can use cardboard, plastic or wooden box with access hole

 

One sleep area should be provided per ferret.

Ferrets can be '''litter box trained''' relatively easily. They back up into corners to defecate or urinate, so box sides should be high. A pelleted litter material is recommended instead of clay or clumping litter. Ferrets have a short GI transit time so litter boxes should be easily accessible.

Ferrets can be '''litter box trained''' relatively easily. They back up into corners to defecate or urinate, so box sides should be high. A pelleted litter material is recommended instead of clay or clumping litter. Ferrets have a short GI transit time so litter boxes should be easily accessible.

There should be a safe play area with a variety of objects (boxes, bags, plastic pipes)  

There should be a safe play area with a variety of objects (boxes, bags, plastic pipes).

“Ferret proofing” the house - block off all holes to outside or to areas which ferrets cannot be retrieved , cover bottom of couches/chairs/mattresses with a piece of thin plywood or hardware cloth- ferrets like to burrow in soft foam rubber (destructive, foreign body), restrict access to recliners, no foam or latex rubber items (cat/dog toys, athletic shoes, rubber bands, stereo speakers, headphones, pipe insulation).

“Ferret proofing” the house: Block off all holes to outside or to areas which ferrets cannot be retrieved from, cover bottom of couches/chairs/mattresses with a piece of thin plywood or hardware cloth - ferrets like to burrow in soft foam rubber, which is not only destructive but may also result in a foreign body problem. Restrict access to recliners. No foam or latex rubber items (cat/dog toys, athletic shoes, rubber bands, stereo speakers, headphones, pipe insulation) should be within ferret's reach.

===Diet===

===Diet===

Ferrets are '''strict carnivores''' - designed to eat whole, small prey.

Ferrets are '''strict carnivores''', designed to eat whole, small prey. In nature, they would only encounter carbohydrates in prey's partially digested stomach contents. They have a short GIT, minimal gut flora, few enzymes, and so '''cannot use carbohydrates efficiently or digest fibre'''.

Ferrets in nature would only encounter carbohydrates in preys partially digested stomach contents, they have a short GIT, minimal gut flora, few enzymes, and so '''cannot use carbohydrates efficiently or digest fibre'''.

Diet should be high in fat, high in good-quality meat protein, with minimal carbohydrates and fibre. '''High quality kitten food''' or commercially prepared '''ferret food''' is recommended. Avoid dog or cat food. '''Supplements to dry food''' - whole prey (chicks, mice, rats), fresh raw organ or muscle meat, raw eggs, omega-3 oils, fish oils or meat fat can be added to increase fat content. Some ferrets tolerate dairy products.

Diet should be high in fat, high in good-quality meat protein, with minimal carbohydrates and fibre.

Ferrets develop olfactory preferences for foods during first three months of their life and preferences set by four months of age (when they leave the nest in the wild). It is difficult to change an adult ferrets diet.

Water must always be available in sipper or heavy crock-type bowl. Ferrets like to play in the water, so the bowl should not be easy to overturn. Supplements should not be added to the ferrets’ water.

 

 

 

Water always available in sipper or heavy crock-type bowl. Ferrets like to play in the water, so the bowl should not be easy to overturn. Supplements should not be added to the ferrets’ water.

==Chinchillas==

==Chinchillas==

===Housing===

===Housing===

Individual or group housing

Chinchillas can be housed individually or in group housing. They are '''very active''', acrobatic animals and require a lot of space. '''Large, multilevel cages''' allow for climbing and jumping. Welded '''wire mesh''' is preferred as they often chew wooden cages. The housing should include areas for eating, sleeping, exercising and latrine.

 

'''Very active''', acrobatic animals; require a lot of space

 

'''Large, multilevel cages''' allow for climbing and jumping

 

Welded '''wire mesh''' preferred as they often chew wooden cages.  

Areas for eating, sleeping, exercising and latrine

They are '''shy''' animals so need places to hide such as PVC pipes, plastic or cardboard boxes. '''Soft bedding''' to absorb waste and decrease pressure on feet such as recycled paper products, shredded newspaper, aspen shavings is recommended. Cedar and pine should be avoided.

'''Shy''' so need places to hide such as PVC pipes, plastic or cardboard boxes

Chinchillas best in cool, dry environment, '''10-20°C.''' They do not tolerate dampness and are prone to heat stroke at temperatures greater than 30°C. In high heat, the housing may be cooled by using electric fans or placing plastic bottles filled with ice in the enclosure.

'''Soft bedding''' to absorb waste and decrease pressure on feet such as recycled paper products, shredded newspaper, aspen shavings. Cedar and pine should be avoided.

In their natural environment, they have 12 hour photoperiod. Full spectrum lighting might be helpful to keep them content and healthy. The housing should be cleaned thoroughly at least 2x per week. A diluted bleach solution is the preferred disinfectant.

Do best in cool, dry environment- '''10-20°c.''' They do not tolerate dampness and are prone to heat stroke at temperatures greater than 30°c. Alternatives might include using electric fans or placing plastic bottles filled with ice in enclosure.

'''Dust bath''' should be provided daily or at least several times per week. Sanitised chinchilla dust is available in pet shops. 9:1 mixture of silver sand and Fuller’s earth can also be used. Beach/playground sand is not suitable. The recommended way to provide a dust bath is by putting 2-3cm depth in a pan big enough for chinchilla to roll around in. Sand bath should be removed from cage when done to prevent faecal contamination and over bathing.

 

12 hour photoperiod; full spectrum lighting might be helpful

 

 

'''Dust bath daily or at least several times per week'''. Sanitised chinchilla dust is available in pet shops. 9:1 mixture of silver sand and Fuller’s earth can be used. Beach/playground sand not suitable. 2-3cm in a pan, big enough for chinchilla to roll around in. Sand bath should be removed from cage when done to prevent faecal contamination and over bathing.

 

Water bottles or heavy bowls.

===Diet===

===Diet===

Eat mainly '''at night'''.

Chinchillas eat mainly '''at night'''. Their specific nutrient requirements are still unknown. '''Commercial diets''' are available, some are just a mixture of rabbit, guinea pig and rodent pellets that provide vitamin C, are lower in protein and fat, have same fibre content as rabbit diet, and the pellets are longer to make it easier for the chinchilla to hold. Accepted formula is 16-20% protein, 2-5% fat and 15-35% bulk fibre.

'''Commercial diets available''' - some are just a mixture of rabbit, guinea pig and rodent pellets that provide vitamin C, are lower in protein and fat, has same fibre content as rabbit diet, and the pellets are longer to make it easier for the chinchilla to hold

Any changes in diet must be made gradually.

Clean, fresh drinking water should be provided in sipper bottles or heavy bowls and available at all times.

 

 

 

Clean, fresh drinking water at all times.

==Hamsters==

==Hamsters==

Mitchell, M. (2009) '''Manual of Exotic Pet Practice''' ''St. Louis: Saunders''

Mitchell, M. (2009) '''Manual of Exotic Pet Practice''' ''St. Louis: Saunders''

[[Category:To Do - Helen]]

 

[[Category:To Do - Review]]

[[Category:Rabbit]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]