Small Animal Behaviour Problems Flashcards
Major behaviour problem in hamsters
Aggression
Hamster fights begin when…
One hamster knocks off its feet
Hamster breeds most often aggressive towards conspecifics and people
Syrian (solitary) will bite
How do we reduce aggression in hamster
Frequent, gentle handling in enclosure
Dim lighting, reinforce with treats
Gradually increase length (systematic desensitization)
First thing to do when hamster shows aggression
Determine threshold level (slowly bring hand to threshold, provide treat, remove hand, decrease distance)
How do you pick up a hamster
Do not sneak up
Scoop up with substrate, cup in hands loosely but secure
Can also be scruffed
Common maternal issues in hamsters
Aggression towards pups, cannibalism
Causes of maternal issues in hamsters
Anything basically (not enough substrate, wrong substrate, pups bite while nursing, wrong food, lighting, handled too much)
How do you try to prevent maternal issues in hamsters
Keep nest bedded, undisturbed, quiet, lots of food, no handling, low visibility (7-10 days without handling)
Stereotypie in hamsters?
Bar mouthing
Prevention of stereotypies in hamsters
Larger cage, enriched with things to gnaw on, deep bedding, running wheel
exercise ball
How many behaviour problems do guinea pigs have
Few
Name two guinea pig behavioural issues
Barbering (self-destructive fur chewing/pulling), uncommon
Aberrant head shaking in some isolated males
Main behaviour issue in chinchillas
Fur chewing
What is fur chewing in chinchillas, how do we resolve it
Self-mutilation caused by stress in captivity
Provide chinchilla enrichment (stuff to chew)
- chew toys (cactus wood, pumice stones)
- wood sticks (some toxic)
