1. For Rabbits, Ferrets, and Pocket Pets
Habitats & Feeding
For Rabbits, Ferrets, and Pocket Pets

2. Objectives Standard: Objective:
9.00- Select the best pocket pet or bird for a given use.
Objective:
9.02- Use care techniques that improve the well-being of pocket pets & birds.

3. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Hutch size depends on the size of the animal with small rabbits needing cages 24” wide x 24 “ long x 14” high and large rabbits (over 12 pounds) needing 24” x 48” x 18” high. The Belgian Hare is an active breed that needs even more space

5. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Solid wood floors are needed for large breeds (over 12 pounds) to prevent sore hocks. Absorbent materials for solid floors should be replaced weekly, but cages should be cleaned daily
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6. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Wire floors are easier to keep clean because urine and feces drop to a removable tray below. Cages for small rabbits will need to be cleaned about once or twice a week

7. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Control urine odor with baking soda sprinkled in the corners of the collection tray and replace absorbent material on a regular basis

8. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Raise rabbits outside year-round, but protect from winter wind and provide air movement in hot weather if temperature goes above 90 degrees F. A frozen water bottle and fans can help keep the rabbit cool in hot weather

9. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Ventilation is a must, but avoid cool, damp, drafts
Sixteen hours of daylight or artificial lighting promotes breeding

10. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Galvanized metal self-feeders that clip on the outside of the cage allow quick feeding and help eliminate waste.
Bowls take up cage space and are subject to be tipped over.

12. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Vacuum-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

13. Rabbits-Housing and Equipment
Rabbits need a lot of water. A 16 ounce water bottle is minimum, and a 32 ounce bottle is better.

14. Rabbits-Feeding
Best to use pelleted-type commercial feed formulated to meet daily nutritional needs
Use fruits, vegetables, and leafy green foods in moderation to avoid gastrointestinal problems

16. Rabbits-Feeding
Grass hay, oats, corn, oatmeal, wheat germ, pieces of carrot, carrot tops, slices of apples and bananas, pineapple, and green beans are acceptable

17. Rabbits-Feeding
Young rabbits 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.

18. Hamsters-Housing and Equipment
Size for a single hamster is 10” x 16” x 10” tall.
Cages must be gnaw-proof. Commercial cages have stainless steel tops and bottoms. Plastic floors are designed so the animal can’t gnaw with their teeth

20. Hamsters-Housing and Equipment
Water bottle needs to hang outside the cage to prevent damage from the animal gnawing or be protected with a metal cover
Aquariums make good cages. They allow the animal to see out and are easy to clean

21. Hamsters-Housing and Equipment
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

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23. Hamsters-Housing and Equipment
Hamsters need plenty of clean fresh bedding (paper confetti or strips, wood chips or shavings, hay, straw, or pieces of cotton) to absorb urine and give hamsters something to chew on

24. Hamsters- Feeding Easiest to use commercially prepared hard , pellets
Mixed rations should contain seed, lettuce, dried peas, beans and nuts
Avoid sudden changes in the diet and don’t overfeed greens and fruits that may cause diarrhea
Don’t leave soft type foods in the cage to spoil and be cautious because the feed may get stuck in the hamster’s pouch.
Special treats include sunflower seeds, crickets, and grasshoppers.

25. Gerbils-Housing and Equipment
Same as hamsters, but gerbils are more active and need more space
A breeding pair needs 150 square inches of floor space
Multiple gerbils need 36 square inches of floor space for each gerbil.
Over crowding can lead to cannibalism

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27. Gerbils-Housing and Equipment
Gerbils can jump, so a wire mesh cover is essential
Avoid cotton and wool for bedding.
These materials can cause blockage in the digestive system when the gerbil eats them

28. Gerbils-Housing and Equipment
Cardboard tubes from toilet tissue and paper towels make excellent temporary tunnels and gerbils enjoy chewing them up
Only use solid plastic exercise wheels. Wheels that have spokes may snag the tail of the gerbil and cause injury

29. Gerbils-Feeding Easiest to use commercially prepared hard pellets
Mixed rations should contain seed, corn, oats, wheat and barley
Avoid sudden changes in the diet and don’t overfeed greens (lettuce, cabbage, carrots, turnips, and beets) that may cause diarrhea

30. Gerbils-Feeding
Gerbils like bird seed which adds variety to their diet, but care must be taken when feeding oilseed like sunflower, because it may lead to obesity
Gerbils do not drink much water, an 8 ounce drip-type water bottle is best

31. Rats-Housing and Equipment
Basically the same as gerbils and hamsters
10” x 16” x 10” high cage is sufficient for a pair of rats and their litter
All equipment needs to be gnaw-proof or protected

33. Rats-Housing and Equipment
Ceramic feed bowls are easy to clean, will not rust, gnaw-proof, and are difficult to turn over
Ropes and ladders are good for exercise and wheels for small rats

34. Rats-Housing and Equipment
Rats prefer paper tissue for nesting, but bedding should be wood shavings or chips

35. Rats-Feeding
Easiest to use commercially prepared hard pellets for gerbils or small animals
May add dry dog food, fruits, and vegetables
Rats consume about 1 ounce of water per day and vitamins and minerals can be added to the water

36. Mice-Housing and Equipment
A pair of mice need 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
Bars of cage must be close together (5/16” apart)

38. Mice-Housing and Equipment
A mouse condo consists of several layers or platforms built on a table with concealed legs and at lease 20” from the floor. Mice have poor vision and will not jump from the table

40. Mice-Housing and Equipment
Wood shavings are ideal bedding and should be changed at least once per week
Mice urinate in the corners of their cages. Cat litter and baking soda can help with the strong urine odor
Water bowls will not work for mice as they quickly become contaminated with feces and urine

41. Mice-Feeding
Easiest to use commercially prepared hard pellets for gerbils or other small animals, however, almost anything will work
Mice will not overeat

42. Guinea pig-Housing and Equipment
The bottom of the cage needs to be at least 3-4 inches deep in order to prevent bedding material from being scattered
Single guinea pig needs a 12” x 24” cage in order to get enough exercise. Guinea pigs do not climb and the cage will not need a top

44. Guinea pig-Housing and Equipment
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

45. Guinea pig-Housing and Equipment
When multiple guinea pigs are being kept, each pig will need at least 180 square inches of floor space
Keep outside air temperatures warm to 50 deg F
Provide 3 square feet of run using chicken wire for outside pens

46. Guinea pigs-Feeding
Easiest to use commercially prepared hard pellets and feed twice a day
Guinea pigs are vegetarians
Guinea pigs can not synthesize Vitamin C in their body and need Vitamin C enhanced pellets to supplement their diet and prevent scurvy. Vitamin C pellets must be used within 30 days of opening

47. Guinea pigs-Feeding
Fresh greens, lettuce, fruit, herbs, green vegetables, root vegetables, potatoes, clover, and dandelion greens are favorite foods
Peanuts and sunflower seed are good treats but may lead to obesity because of their high fat content

48. Guinea pigs-Feeding
Guinea pigs drink with their mouth full of feed, so water bottle tubes must be cleaned regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria
Guinea pigs consume a lot of water and need a 16 or 32 ounce water bottle to meet their needs

49. Chinchillas-Housing and Equipment
Chinchillas are nocturnal and need a quiet location during the day
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

51. Chinchillas-Housing and Equipment
Need adequate ventilation and a location that is not too hot (over 90 deg F will cause heat prostration)
Need small mesh wire less than 1” square to prevent losing small chinchillas

53. Chinchillas-Housing and Equipment
Chinchillas must be kept in individual cages or they fight and inflict serious injury
Polygamous breeding cages use a tunnel system for the male to go to different locations. Females are fitted with a collar that keeps them from using the tunnel

54. Chinchillas-Housing and Equipment
Chinchillas need a bath twice a week in finely ground powder to remove excess moisture and oil (volcanic ash available from the pet store).
During hot weather, baths are needed daily in the powder

55. Chinchillas-Housing and Equipment
Powder is placed in a small pan to the depth of 2-3”
Leave the pan in the cage for 5 minutes to allow the chinchilla to roll around in it
Chinchillas are not bathed in water

56. Chinchillas-Feeding Raisins are a favorite treat of chinchillas
Pelleted feeds for guinea pigs or feeds made of ground alfalfa hay, corn gluten, wheat germ or bran plus alfalfa hay or timothy hay and green foods like grass, lettuce, leaves, carrots, celery, and fruits

57. Ferrets-Housing and Equipment
Hutches similar to rabbits are used to house ferrets
Ferrets can be kept outside all year long if protected from inclement weather, kept out of drafts, and shaded in the summer

58. Ferrets-Housing and Equipment
A wood and wire cage 12” x 24” x 10” will work for a ferret with a litter, but the animal will have to be let out for exercise
A cage 24” x 24” x 14” is better for a ferret with a pair needing a cage 24” x 48” x 14” high

59. Ferrets-Housing and Equipment
Need larger water bottles like those used by guinea pigs and rabbits (16 or 32 ounce)
Ferrets are escape artists and doors need to be locked

60. Ferrets-Housing and Equipment
Food bowls need to be heavy earthenware so they will not be turned over
Rubber balls, squeak toys, and plastic pipes provide ferrets with tunnels and fun for hours

61. Ferrets-Feeding
Ferrets need a feed containing at least 35% animal protein. Kitten food is higher in protein than cat food
A commercial dry food helps maintain gum and teeth health, but plenty of water needs to be available

62. Ferrets-Feeding
Young ferrets should be fed all they will eat twice a day
Add ½ teaspoon vegetable oil to older ferrets diet to aid in digestion, bowel movement, and help maintain a healthy coat

63. Ferrets-Feeding
Treats include meat scraps, cracklings, fruits, red licorice, and ice cream in limited amounts

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