Fundamnetal Small Animals Info

Question 1

Cecotrope Pellets (Night Droppings)

Answer 1

Part of the digestion process, bunnies produce these pellets and then reingest them to absorb the nutrients.

Unlike feces, they will appear like grape clusters.

Question 2

Wet tail

Answer 2

This bacterial infection is commonly brought on by stress (such as lacking in the 4 Basic Needs or bringing home for the first time). It will appear as diarrhea and can be fatal in as early as 24 hours.

The most obvious symptom of Wet Tail in hamsters is diarrhea

Question 3

Some Daily Tasks in the Small Animal Department

Answer 3

Clean and replace bedding as per Pen
Instruction Sheets
Remove shavings from food dishes
Clean the glass on the inside and outside of pens
Ensure herbivore and omnivore pens have chew blocks
• Clean snuggle bowls between uses
Ensure litter is not scattered outside of boxes
• Ensure huts are not left upturned after guests have socialized with the animal
• Interact with all guests in the department
• Dust/Front/Face stock
• Empty garbage cans, take outside, replace with new bags

Question 4

Hamsters

Answer 4

• Beginner experience level
• 2-3 year lifespan
• Omnivôre
• Prefer to live alone
• Over 24 species of hamsters worldwide

Question 5

Gerbils

Answer 5

• Beginner experience level
• 2-4 year lifespan
• Omnivore
• Prefer to live in groups (females get along better)
• Better success at cohabitation if introduced before 10 weeks of age

Question 6

Mice

Answer 6

• Beginner experience level
• 1-3 year lifespan
• Omnivore
• Prefer to live communally
• Very intelligent and love to climb!

Question 7

Bunnies

Answer 7

• Intermediate experience level
• 8-10 year lifespan
• Herbivore
• Grass hay is vital to their digestive health
• Need to be spayed/neutered

Question 8

Guinea Pigs

Answer 8

• Intermediate experience level
• 8-10 year lifespan
• Herbivore
• Prefer to live communally
• Born fully furred and with eyes open

Question 9

Ferrets

Answer 9

• Advanced experience level
• 5-8 year lifespan
• Carnivore
• Baby ferrets will need to be taught to not bite
• Petland ferrets are already spay/neutered and de-scented

Question 10

Chew Blocks

Answer 10

• Most small animals that Petland carries have teeth that constantly grow

• Due to this, they need to be offered chew blocks to keep the teeth trimmed. Without, their teeth will overgrow and prevent them from eating

• Chew blocks are made from Balsa
Wood which will not splinter as it is chewed

Question 11

Wheel/Ball

Answer 11

• Wheels are a must for hamsters who run 9km/night!

• Bunnies, on the other hand, receive their exercise from time spent in an exercise pen

• Running on wheels or in a ball is damaging to a bunny’s back

Question 12

Harness/Leash

Answer 12

• Harnesses and leashes are an excellent way for guests to engage with their small animal!
• It can be a real bonding experience.
•When in the store, you can walk some of your small animals on a leash and get guests involved!

Question 13

Staple Food

Answer 13

seeds
• Meets the nutritional need of food
• Offers variety for picky eaters
• Better suited as a supplement or treat in the diet

Pellet
• Meets the nutritional need of food
• Nutritionally balanced
• Small animal cannot selectively eat
• Wastes less food

Question 14

Hay

Answer 14

• Hay is beneficial for omnivores and herbivores because it:
• Aids in digestion
• Promotes proper dental health
• Prevents obesity
• For herbivores such as bunnies and guinea pigs, hay makes up the majority of their diet, not pellets
• Alfalfa hay is for young animals. For bunnies and guinea pigs, this includes those under 6 months of age (Though they should still be offered Timothy hay)
• Timothy hay is the most common type for adult animals

Question 15

Treats

Answer 15

• Treats should only make up 5% of a small animal’s daily diet
• The level of sugars found in most treats are not required in their daily diet

Question 16

Salads

Answer 16

• For omnivores such as hamsters, fresh veggies and fruits are considered a treat, and not a daily nutritional requirement.
• Herbivores such as bunnies and guinea pigs require a daily vegetable salad. Generally these foods should be offered gradually as they mature to prevent diarrhea.
• Bunnies and guinea pigs should receive 1 cup of primarily vegetable salad a day (roughly the size of their head) after they reach 6 months of age

Good Salad Options

• Carrot and Beat Tops
• Kale
• Collared Greens
• Leaf Lettuce
• Pea Pods
• Bell Peppers

Bad Salad Options
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Onions
• Excessive amounts of fruits

Question 17

Vitamins/Minerals

Answer 17

• Mineral blocks are fun for small animals to chew on, and also provides essential minerals
• Salt licks are not required for bunnies, but many other small animals benefit immensely from this addition
• The salt encourages them to drink more water, and more water consumption aids in digestion

Question 18

Water Bottles

Answer 18

• Water bottles are ideal for small animals because:
• You can monitor the drinking levels
• Shavings and poop will not land in it
• It will not spill all over the cage

Question 19

Crock Bowls

Answer 19

• Bowls will be necessary to hold the
staple food and salad.
• It is a good idea to have several bowls so that they can be switched out and
cleaned between uses
• Offering water in a bowl, in addition to a water bottle, will encourage the pet to drink more

Question 20

Brush & Clippers

Answer 20

. Brushes and clippers are more or less optional for hamsters, but are very important for larger small animals like bunnies, guinea pigs, and ferrets
• The nails of bunnies, guinea pigs, and ferrets grow quite long and need to be trimmed approximately every month or as needed.
• A brush is beneficial for preventing mats in longer haired bunnies, and removes excess fur

Question 21

Cage Cleaners

Answer 21

• A pet safe cage cleaner is important for those weekly cleans!
• Alternatively guests could use a mild soap with water.

Question 22

Bedding
1st type

Answer 22

Pros:
• Cost effective
• Readily available
• Works for many small animals
Cons:
• Pine contains phenols which can cause problems for sensitive respiratory systems

Question 23

Bedding
2nd type

Answer 23

Pros
• No dust
• Eco-friendly
• Can be used for those with sensitive respiratory systems
Cons:
• Not very absorbant

Question 24

Bedding
3rd type

Answer 24

Pros:
• Absorbant
• Comes in fun colours
• Expands to twice the size
Cons:
• More expensive than alternative options

Question 25

Bedding
4th type

Answer 25

Pros:
• Can be used for those with sensitive respiratory systems
• Moderately priced
Cons:
• Moderately dusty

Question 26

Cages

Answer 26

• When selecting a cage for a small animal, bar spacing is really important. Hamsters will easily escape from cages if the bars are far apart
• Hamster cages (or other animals of similar size) often have multiple levels that allow them room to run, sleep, and tunnel
• Bunnies require more than just a cage to live in. They also need daily exercise and interactions outside of their cage
• An exercise pen found in the dog section can be used for this purpose

Question 27

Litter Box

Answer 27

• Litter boxes are economical for guests because the bedding in the rest of the cage will not have to be cleaned as frequently
• Bunnies in particular are very easy to litter train, though any small animal has the capability
• Bunny litter boxes need a layer of non clumping litter with hay on top. This is because they nibble while they go

Question 28

Hiding Hut

Answer 28

• Every small animal requires a hiding hut
• Not having a hut can cause a lot of stress, making the animal more susceptible to illnesses
• If multiple small animals are housed in one cage, each one requires their own hut