Indroduction to Choosing a Pet

So you have decided that you would quite like to own a pet, but where to start? There are so many pets to choose from; big or small, feathered or furry, scaly or slimy?

However it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Make the wrong choice and it could spell disaster- you don’t want to be sharing your bath with a crocodile now do you?

Getting a pet is certainly not something you should do on impulse, instead ask yourself the following questions:

Why do you want a pet?
o For companionship
o Exercise
o To teach children responsibility
 

How much spare time do you have?
o Are you out at work during the day?
o Are you a full time mum / house wife?
o Are you retired?
 

Can you afford a pet?
o Vet bills can be very expensive
o Some pets require specialist housing and equipment
o And then there are the everyday items such as food and bedding

Can you provide a suitable environment for a pet, do you have enough space?
o Do you live in a tiny flat or house?
o Do you have a garden?
o Do you own your own home if not will the homeowner approve of the pet?

Do you have any children or other pets to consider?
o Small rodents or fish often make a good first pet for children as they are relatively easy to care for
o Remember to choose a pet that will be safe for your children. All pets have the potential to bite or cause injury but the risks can be reduced by choosing wisely.
o If the pet is for your children will you be prepared to look after it if they get bored or lose interest?
o Will the new pet be compatible with any existing pets?

 
Do you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to care for a pet?
o Are you fit and active?
o Do you suffer from asthma or similar conditions which may be aggravated by a pet?

How often do you go away on business or holiday?
o If you are frequently away from home can you take your pet with you or is there someone who can look after your pet whilst you are absent?

If you still feel that you are ready to provide a safe, happy and loving home to a pet the next stage is to decide what type of pet you would like.

Examples include:

o Fish
o Small rodents such as hamsters and gerbils
o Chinchillas
o Guinea Pigs
o Rabbits
o Dogs
o Cats

Written below are some brief pointers to help you on your way to making that all important decision about what type of pet to choose. But remember that children should always be supervised when handling or caring for pets.

• Hamsters

o Lifespan 2-3 years
o Golden or Syrian hamsters are solitary animals
o Smaller dwarf varieties can be kept together in pairs or small groups
o Generally quite good natured, easy to handle and tame although can still be grumpy if woken or if not handled regularly.
o Live happily in a wire based cage with split levels and a solid exercise wheel. They will also need a bed to sleep in with soft bedding such as shredded paper, wooden chew toys or treats to gnaw on and cardboard tubes and other toys to play with. The cage will need to be cleaned out weekly and positioned away from draughts, sunlight and direct heat.
o Feed on a good commercial hamster mix and fresh fruit and vegetables
o Veterinary conditions / problems
            -Food can become impacted in cheek pouches or piece pouches causing an infection
            -They can develop a condition known as wet tail cause by diarrhoea often associated with stress

The main disadvantage of owning a hamster is that they are nocturnal animals, which means that they are mainly active at night which can be disappointing for younger children.

• Gerbils

o Life span 2-3 years
o Need company so best kept as same sex pairs or small groups
o Can be timid so will need gentle handling
o They are very active and fun to watch as they love to dig tunnels hence are best kept in a large tank or old aquarium filled with lots of substrate such as dust extracted wood shavings or dried moss peat.
o They will also require a nesting box, shredded paper for bedding and a dust bath of chinchilla sand so they can clean themselves and toys and cardboard tubes to run through and chew. Water should be provided via a water bottle as they will often tip over and bury bowls if used.
o Feed on commercially available gerbil mix and fresh fruit and vegetables. Favourites include apples, carrots, broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower.
o Veterinary Conditions / problems
              -As with all small rodents, gerbils teeth grow continuously so they will require wooden chew toys and fruit branches to gnaw on to kept them short.
              -Keep an eye out for runny noses, sneezing, dull coat or ocular discharge as these can all be signs of ill health

The main disadvantage of owning gerbils is that they are very quick and can be difficult for young children to handle. Like hamsters, gerbils are mainly active in the evening.

• Mice

o Relatively short life span 1-2 years
o Need company so best kept in same sex pairs or small groups
o Females tend to make the best pets as are less aggressive and smell less than the males who have very strong smelling urine.
o Mice can make very friendly pets and are entertaining to watch.
o Mice like to climb, so large split level wire cages with suspended rope and hammocks to play on make the best homes. Only use a small amount of substrate at the bottom of the cage preferably shredded paper or dust extracted shavings to prevent any respiratory problems. They will also need various toys to play with, a water bottle and a nest box.
o Due to their strong musky smell, pet mice will require frequent cleaning out, however always try to leave a small amount of used bedding behind as mice are comforted by familiar smells.
o Feed on a small amount of commercial mix with the occasional treat such as sunflower seeds or small pieces of fruit and vegetables such as carrots and apple. Care should be taken not to allow them to get too fat and dairy products and peanuts should be avoided.
o Veterinary conditions / problems
            -Keep an eye out for any lumps or bumps on your pet mouse as they are particularly prone to developing tumours
            -They also have very delicate respiratory systems so are susceptible to numerous bacterial and viral infections.

The main disadvantage of owning mice are that they are very small and quick, making handling difficult and that they have a relatively short lifespan which for obvious reasons can be upsetting for young children.

• Rats

o Life span approximately 2-3 years
o Thrive on companionship hence best kept in pairs
o Rats are intelligent, social animals that can make great pets.
o They are easier for children to handle compared to the smaller rodents, as already discussed.
o They are easily tamed but do require a lot of time and attention.
o Due to their size rats require a large tall cage with multiple platforms, hammocks and climbing apparatus. A solid base is preferable to prevent foot injuries and sores. Tanks and aquariums are not suitable for rats as they provide inadequate ventilation.
o Good quality dust-extracted-shaving should be used to line the cage. And a nest box filled with shredded paper, toys and a water bottle should be provided.
o Rats need a varied diet; commercially available mixes can be used providing that the rat does not selectively feed i.e. only picks out the best bits. They also enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables as well as cooked liver and other lean meats, pasta and bread.
o Veterinary conditions / problems
-          Rats can suffer from numerous respiratory diseases and from tumours, similar to the mouse.

The main disadvantage of owning a rat is that they are relatively high maintenance pets as they require a lot of time and attention compared to the other rodents. On average it is recommended that they spend at least one hour a day outside their cage. Many enjoy exploring but it is important that the house or area that they have free roam in is rat proof.

• Chinchilla

o Lifespan approximately 15 years
o Should be kept in same sex pairs or males can be neutered
o Chinchillas are extremely intelligent and can be very socialable providing they are handled gently and calmly. They do not enjoy cuddles but will happily take a treat from the hand and be stroked or have tickles under the chin.
o Chinchillas are quite large active animals therefore they require a large cage with shelves at different heights, purpose built chinchilla cages are available. They will also require a large wooden nesting box which can comfortably house both chinchillas together. Shredded paper or hay should be used as bedding material not wood shavings as these can become caught in their dense coat. Wooden fruit branches or toys should also be provided to help wear down their teeth
o Dust baths are essential for chinchillas so that they can clean themselves and should be filled with specially designed chinchilla sand. They should have access to the bath for approximately 20 minutes per day although beware as they can make a terrible mess when taking a bath
o They should be allowed exercise time outside of their cage on a daily basis
o In the wild chinchilla eat plants and tree bark therefore they require a diet which is high in fibre and protein but low in fat. Commercially available pellet feeds are available but these should be supplemented with good quality hay. Treats such as raisins and fresh vegetables can also be given.
o Veterinary conditions/ problems
                -Dental problems are common in chinchillas. Signs include hyper salivation, reluctance to eat, weight loss and ocular discharge
                -Feeding an inappropriate diet can result in colic/ bloat, liver disease or fur chewing.

The main disadvantages to owning chinchillas are that they are nocturnal animals, mainly active at dusk and dawn and they like to gnaw on everything in sight. Some people also see their long life expectancy as a disadvantage and although they can be easily tamed, if alarmed will spray urine and shed their fur.

• Rabbits

o Life span approximately 6-8 years
o Very sociable animals happiest in pairs or compatible groups
o Can live inside or outside
o If living inside will require a suitable cage or area of the house which has been made rabbit proof (no access to electrical wires or house plants)
o If living outside will require a good sized hutch / Wendy house with run attached or a fenced area around it. It is important that it is 100% secure as rabbits have many predators.
o Long haired varieties will require regular grooming
o Cages will need to be cleaned out daily to prevent a condition called fly strike. Flies lay their eggs in soiled bedding and hatch into maggots which can burrow into the rabbit's skin and fur.
o Rabbits can be trained to use a litter tray which can make cleaning out a lot easier
o Hay, grass and fresh fruit and vegetables should make up the basis of a rabbit's diet. Commercial rabbit pellets are available however they should only be given very small amounts approximately 1-2 teaspoons a day
o Veterinary conditions/problems
              -Dental problems are common in rabbits; watch out for any excessive salivation or weight loss
              -Other signs of illness include discharge or swelling of eyes or nose, diarrhoea or lethargy.
              -Rabbits should be vaccinated every 6-12 months against myxomatosis and viral            haemorrhagic disease (see your vet for more information)

The main disadvantage of owning a rabbit is that they are prey animals and therefore their first instinct is to run away from danger hence they may not be keen to be handled and may even kick and bite. Generally more suited to slightly older children.

• Guinea Pigs

o Life span 5-7 years
o Like to live in large communities or pairs so should never be kept on their own
o Guinea pigs are playful, lively, and inquisitive with good temperaments
o Guinea pigs are sensitive to noise so should be kept somewhere relatively quite. They can live outside provided they are given extra bedding in winter as they are also sensitive to the cold.
o Like the rabbit, guinea pigs will require a hutch with a run attached or a fenced area around the hutch. They like to hide so a separate sleeping area and lots of tunnels and boxes to run into packed with straw are also a good idea.
o Guinea pigs can not synthesise their own vitamin C therefore it has to be provided for them in their diet. Guinea pig mixes are available or alternatively vitamin C drops can be added to the water. Hay, grass and fresh fruit and vegetables should also be given daily.
o Veterinary conditions/ problems
             -Guinea pigs are prone to numerous skin problems including mites / lice and ringworm so any itching should be followed up by a trip to be the vets.
             -Check teeth regularly because like all rodents these grow continuously so will need to be kept trim by providing lots of things for them to gnaw on.
             -Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, weight loss, general weakness and swollen joints.

The main disadvantage to owning a pet guinea pig is they can be difficult to catch as they are very quick but once secure they really enjoy a good stroke and cuddle. They have great personalities and can be very chatty often squeaking for attention or food.