Pocket pets day 2
A.
B.
Rabbits
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Solid wood _________ are needed for large breeds (over 12 pounds) to prevent
sore hocks.
b. Absorbent materials for solid floors should be replaced _____________, but
cages should be cleaned daily.
c. Cages for small rabbits will need to be clean about once or twice a _________.
d. Control __________ odor with baking soda sprinkled in the corners of the
collection tray and replace absorbent material on a regular basis.
e. Raise rabbits outside year-round, but protect from winter wind and provide air
movement in hot weather if temperature goes above ________________. A
frozen water bottle and fans can help keep the rabbit cool in hot weather.
f. _________________ is a must, but avoids cool, damp, drafts.
g. _____________ hours of daylight or artificial lighting promotes breeding.
h. _______________-type water bottles that clip on the outside of the cage are
best for eliminating wet dewlaps and spills that can spoil bedding and result in
lack of water for the pet.
i. Rabbits need a lot of water. A _______ ounce water bottle is minimum and a
_________ ounce bottle is better.
2. Feeding
a. Best to use _______________-type commercial feed formulated to meet daily
nutritional needs. Clip on galvanized metal self-feeders save space/time for
commercial feed.
b. Use fruits, vegetables, and leafy green foods in moderation to avoid
_________________________________ problems.
c. Grass hay, oats, corn, oatmeal, wheat germ, pieces of carrot, carrot tops, slices
of apples and bananas, pineapple, and green beans are all acceptable.
d. _________________ should not be fed leafy green vegetables such as lettuce
because of their high water content. Results in diarrhea and dehydration
because rabbits stop drinking water.
Hamsters
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Size for a _______________ hamster is 10₺ x 16₺ x 10₺ tall.
b. Cages must be _________________________-proof. Commercial cages have
stainless steel tops and bottoms. Plastic floors are designed so the animal can’t
gnaw with their teeth
c. Water bottle needs to hang outside the cage to prevent damage from the animal
gnawing or be protected with a metal cover
d. ____________ make good cages. They allow the animal to see out and are easy
to clean.
e. Exercise wheels may be plastic or metal. Plastic wheels will be destroyed by the
animal’s gnawing, but are quieter. This is important because hamsters exercise
all night long.
Pocket pets day 2
f. Hamsters need plenty of clean fresh __________________ (paper confetti or
strips, wood chips or shavings, hay, straw, cotton) to absorb urine and give
hamsters something to chew on.
2. Feeding
a. Easiest to use commercially prepared hard , ______________________
b. Mixed rations should contain seed, lettuce, dried peas, beans and nuts
c. _________________ sudden changes in the diet and don’t overfeed greens and
fruits that may cause diarrhea
d. Don’t leave soft type foods in the cage to spoil and be cautious because the feed
may get stuck in the hamster’s _________________.
e. Special treats include sunflower seeds, crickets, and grasshoppers.
C.
Gerbils
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Gerbils are more active and need ______________ space than hamsters.
i. Multiple gerbils need 36 square inches of floor space for each gerbil.
ii. Overcrowding can lead to ______________________.
b. Gerbils can jump, so a wire mesh cover is essential.
c. Avoid _______________ and wool for bedding. These materials can cause
blockage in the digestive system when the gerbil eats them.
d. Cardboard tubes from __________________ and paper towels make excellent
temporary tunnels and gerbils enjoy chewing them up.
e. Only use solid plastic exercise wheels. Wheels that have spokes are may snag
the tail of the gerbil and cause injury.
2. Feeding
a. Easiest to use commercially prepared hard pellets
b. Mixed rations should contain _______________________________________
c. Avoid sudden changes in the diet and don’t overfeed greens (lettuce, cabbage,
carrots, turnips, and beets) that may cause diarrhea
d. Gerbils like ___________ seed which adds variety to their diet, but care must be
taken when feeding oilseed like sunflower, because it may lead to obesity.
e. Gerbils do not drink much water, an 8 ounce drip-type water bottle is best.
D.
Rats
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Feeding
i.
Best to use commercially prepared hard pellets for rats or other small
animals
ii. _________________________________________
b. Rats consume about 1 ounce of water per day and vitamins and minerals can be
added to the water.
E.
Mice
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. A pair of mice needs a minimum of 72 square inches of floor space and a height
of 8 inches. An aquarium 6" x 12" x 8" will work for a pair.
b. Wood shavings are ideal bedding and should be changed at least ____ per week.
Pocket pets day 2
c. Mice urinate in the ________________ of their cages. Cat litter and baking soda
can help with the strong urine odor.
d. Water bowls will not work for mice as they quickly become contaminated with
feces and urine.
2. Feeding
a. Best to use commercially prepared hard pellets for mice or other small animals;
however, almost anything will work.
b. Mice will not __________________________.
F. Guinea pigs
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Guinea pigs like to see what is going on and aquariums make excellent cages,
while wood cages should be avoided because of the urine odor that builds up in
the wood.
b. When multiple guinea pigs are being kept, each pig will need at least 180 square
inches of floor space
c. Keep outside after temperatures warm to _________°F.
d. Provide 3 square feet of run using chicken wire for outside pens.
2. Feeding
a. Best to use commercially prepared hard pellets and feed twice a day.
b. Guinea pigs are _______________.
c. Guinea pigs cannot synthesize Vitamin ______ in their body and need Vitamin C
enhance pellets to supplement their diet and prevent scurvy. Vitamin C pellets
must be used within 30 days of opening.
d. Fresh greens, lettuce, fruits, herbs, green vegetables, root vegetables, potatoes,
clover, and dandelion greens are favorite foods.
e. Peanuts and sunflower seed are good treats but may lead to
___________________ because of their high fat content.
f. Guinea pigs drink with their mouth full of ________________________, so water
bottle tubes must be clean regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria
g. Guinea pigs consume a lot of water and need a 16 or 32 ounce water bottle.
G.
Chinchillas
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a.
Chinchillas are ________________ and need a quiet location during the day.
b. Metal and wire cages 14" x 24" x 12"will work for a single chinchilla but 24" x 24"
x 14" is better, any wood must be on the outside of the wire mesh or it will be
destroyed.
c. Need adequate _________________ and a location that is not too hot (over 90°F
will cause heat prostration).
d. Need small mesh wire less than 1" square to prevent loosing small chinchillas
e. Chinchillas must be kept in individual cages or they fight and inflict serious injury
f. Polygamous breeding cages use a _______________ system for the male to go to
different locations. Females are fitted with a collar that keeps them from using
the tunnel.
Pocket pets day 2
g. Chinchillas need a bath twice a week in finely ground powder to remove excess
moisture and oil (________________ ash available from the pet store). During
hot weather, baths are needed daily in the powder.
i. Powder is placed in a small pan to the depth of 2 - 3"
ii. Leave the pan in the cage for 5 minutes to allow the chinchilla to roll around
in it.
h. Chinchillas are not bathed in ___________________.
2. Feeding
a.
_________________ are a favorite treat of chinchillas
b.
Best to use commercially prepared hard pellets for chinchillas
H.
Ferrets
1. Management practices to nurture good health
a. Ferrets can be kept outside _______________ long if protected from inclement
weather, kept out of drafts, and shaded in the summer.
b. A cage 24" x 24" x 14" is better for a ferret with a pair needing a cage 24" x 48" x
14" high.
c. Need ________________ water bottles like those used by guinea pigs and rabbits
(16 or 32 ounce).
d. Ferrets are escape artist and doors need to be _______________________.
e. Food bowls need to be heavy earthenware so they will not be turned over.
f. Rubber balls, squeak toys, and plastic pipes provide ferrets with tunnels and fun
for hours.
2. Feeding
a. Ferrets need a feed containing at least ______________ animal protein.
b. Best to use commercial dry food to maintain gum and teeth health, but plenty of
water needs to be available.
c. Young ferrets should be fed all they will eat __________________ a day.
d. Add ½ teaspoon of ____________________ to older ferret’s diet to aid
indigestion, bowel movement, and help maintain a healthy coat.
e. Treats include meat scraps, cracklings, fruits, red licorice, and ice cream in limited
amounts.