We have an aisle dedicated especially to small furries. Toys, treats, bedding and food. Call in and browse. Pet guinea pigs can be kept indoors or in an outside hutch. Although they are naturally nervous creatures, they soon become used to gentle handling. When you first take your mice home allow them 24 hours to get used to their new environment. Allow your pets to sniff your hands before handling them; this will get them used to your smell. Some small animals may only have a life expectancy of 1-2 years while others may live 10+ years. This may be a deciding factor when choosing your child’s pet, as it will give you an idea of the long-term commitment that you are making. Veterinary care Fancy rats are descendants of the brown rats, which originate from Asia. They are social animals so it is strongly recommended they are kept in single sex pairs or groups. It is best to introduce animals to live together when they are young, as adults may fight.

Traditional-style cages need to have quite a deep layer of shavings and the whole thing will need to be cleaned and disinfected weekly. Environment: Whether an indoor cage or outdoor hutch, your pet’s housing should be warm, well ventilated, and safe from predators. Give them a comfortable bed and somewhere to hide out too. It is important that your chinchilla has constant access to good quality hay to provide essential roughage.As a treat a few raisins or other dried fruit could be offered, but only in small amounts and fed occasionally.Any changes to the diet must be made gradually. Fresh water should be provided daily in a chew proof gravity-fed water bottle. Hygiene is extremely important, particularly in summer. If not kept clean the hutch will attract flies and other undesirable pests, so it should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week. Rabbits often use the same area for their toilet; this means they can be trained to use a litter tray, which can be easily cleaned out daily. Fresh drinking water should always be available for your pets It should be provided by a gravity-fed water bottle suitable for your chosen cage.

Fresh water should be available at all times. Water is best provided in a gravity-fed bottle attached to the side of the cage, it should be emptied, rinsed and refilled daily. An exercise run on the lawn will allow your rabbits to express normal behaviour, such as running, digging, burrowing, jumping, hiding and grazing. It is important to be aware that your rabbits may dig their way out of a run, so make sure you move it regularly to prevent escapes. Regularly moving the run will also allow your rabbits have access to fresh grass. A chipmunk enclosure must be furnished with an interesting selection of natural, non-toxic wood branches, shelves, pipes and perches. Chipmunks can become bored easily, so it is worth buying a selection of toys and rotating them and moving the cage contents regularly. Your chipmunks will also appreciate a solid exercise wheel. Rats will enjoy a varied environment with branches, tunnels and ropes. A dust-free paper based product makes an ideal floor covering. Your rat will also appreciate a nest box with soft shredded paper. Mice can leave an odour and there are a number of products available to help to absorb this – your pet shop can advise on a suitable product.

Properly cared for gerbils do not normally suffer from ill health. Obesity can be caused by offering too many high fat items like sunflower seeds so these should only be given sparingly. DID YOU KNOW? Around the end of the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors brought guinea pigs from South America to Europe, where they became popular exotic pets among Elizabethan society.

Life expectancy  

Neutering:It is strongly recommended that ferrets of both sexes are neutered. Males will have a less musky smell and will happily live with other neutered ferrets. Female ferrets risk serious, even fatal, illness if permitted to stay in season for prolonged periods. Neutering of either sex can be performed by surgery or by hormonal treatment. Your vet will be able to advise on the best intervention.

HousingFerrets can be kept indoors or outdoors provided the accommodation is dry, draught-free, escape-proof and out of direct sunlight. If keeping your ferrets indoors, beware of open doors and windows from which they can escape through. If you decide to keep your guinea pigs indoors, then a cage similar, but much larger than those used for hamsters, is suitable. These should be placed in a cool room out of direct sunlight and draughts. Fresh foods should be given in moderation. Baby rabbits in particular should only get very small amounts and contrary to popular belief, lettuce should be avoided. Suitable fresh foods include kale, spring greens, broccoli and dandelions. Fresh foods should be washed thoroughly before feeding and should not be allowed to become frosted. Anything that is not eaten should be removed regularly. Hygiene is extremely important especially in the summer. If not kept clean the hutch or cage will attract flies. As a general rule, cages should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week. A good quality, pet-friendly disinfectant should be used and all the bedding and shavings replaced with a fresh supply. Rats are intelligent and interactive animals that make good family pets. They can become very tame when handled regularly and typically live for around two and a half years.

Home setup needed for small furry pets 

Rats are clean in their habits but will need their bedding changed and their cage cleaned with a pet-safe disinfectant at least once a week.

Rats normally stay healthy throughout their lives, but they can suffer from sneezing and breathing problems. Be sure to use appropriate dust-free bedding in their cage to help prevent these problems occurring. If sneezing and breathing problems persist, seek the attention of a vet. Enrichment activities are a great way to keep small pets entertained, while also allowing them to satisfy their inquisitive natures. But it’s important to remember that not all small animals are the same, and a toy that’s okay for a hamster won’t necessarily be safe for a gerbil. Because of this, you should always read up on toys or activities to make sure they’re safe before offering them to your pet.Ferrets can live in households with other animals but it should be remembered that ferrets are predators and should not be introduced to smaller animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Similarly, dogs may be a threat to ferrets so take any introductions very carefully.