Small Pets
We've raised and, in some cases, trained a number of small pets: everything from Bushy Tailed Jirds to button quail, and in their own way, each one is just a wonderful creation.
(And yes, you can train small animals - there's more to doing it than I have the time to delve into here but I would highly recommend visiting the following sites for more info: Rabbit Agility, Rat Agility, Gerbil Agility and More )
Eventually we'd like to devote this page to articles on pet care - if you have a pet in mind, email us and we'll hopefully have the incentive we need to complete this page! :)
Pet Tip for the month:
When introducing small pets (and in many cases, large pets too!) it is best to do it slowly over many days or even weeks.
With rodents, a mixture of citrus and apple vinegar can be applied to the scent glands of the animals. This will mask the animal's personal scent and hopefully let them concentrate on getting to know each other with out the territory match.
Speaking of which - If they are small, they can be introduced in a neutral territory - like the bathtub - where they can't jump escape, and it is pretty easy cleanup.
December Small Pet Article:
RATS!
Visit our Small Pet Pages:
Chinchilla Care Sheet:
Chinchillas are ADORABLE animals - and their fur is so soft - there is nothing quite like it! Never had a chance to pet one before? The next time you bake cookies, grab a handful of powdered sugar. Feel that powdery, smooth softness? A chinchilla's coat is softer - and plushy!
Bathing:
Now, to care for that coat, chinchillas DO NOT bathe. Most in fact, despise water and will drink it, but that's about it. Water is not good for their coat. Instead, they need to 'dust bathe'. Volcanic ash, often sold as Fullers Earth and similar brands, is a finely ground bag of well? Dust! You can sprinkle it in their cage, rub it on the chinchilla, or best yet, put it in a clean litterbox or specialized commercial Chin Bathing Box and let the chinchilla go wild!
Some believe chinchillas should be offered the bath once a day, others think no more than once a week or so - you'll have to find what works best for your chinchilla. Dust Baths prevent bugs from irritating them, from oils building up on their coat, and it keeps them happy.
(A female that's given birth should not be offered her bath for two weeks though to prevent infections)
Treats:
Chinchillas love to try new treats - and fresh fruits and veggies are great for everything, right? Maybe. Research which treats can be given and ONLY give them in moderation. Just because your chinchilla has had a bit of bannana once doesn't mean you can give them a whole chunk two months later - bad idea! A tiny piece, the size of a small raisin, given once in a while would be fine though.
Cages:
The bigger the better - it's true! Now sure, you can keep a chinchilla in a small cage. Most pet stores sell them as 18"x18"x18 or so. But chinchillas are very mobile, active creatures, and they love to jump, climb, run, and play. Hard to do in such a tiny enclosure. Give them levels, give them ramps, give them slides and be creative! But be safe too - bars that are large enough for a foot to slip through can eventually cause your Chinchilla to break a leg - it's sadly far too common. Cover up bars with plexiglass sheets cut to fit, wood, thin granite sheets (which double as cooling blocks in the summer) or PVC sheeting.
Keeping Cool:
Chinchillas are not tropical animals. They like it cool - need it, actually. Those thick, plush coats insulate them to an extent, but in the heat - well, imagine yourself wearing three or four thick knit layers on an 80 degree day. You'd have heatstroke pretty quick. It's best to keep your pet's enclosure out of direct sunlight. Keep them in an air conditioned part of the house. And remember - they don't care for the humidity and can't tolerate it well - so near a dehumidifier if necessary.
NOTE: DumansArk.com offers personal thoughts only and is not responsible for any damage to property, person, or animal. We always recommend that you contact your pet's vet and breeder if you have any questions.
