HowToDoThings.com Recent Small Pets Articles

How To Play with a Pet Mouse

3100 Caldera Blvd — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:06:50 -0500

How To Feed a Ferret

3100 Caldera Blvd — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:07:07 -0500

How To Have a Pet Rat

3100 Caldera Blvd — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:29:44 -0500

How To Have a Pet Funeral

3100 Caldera Blvd — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:34:22 -0500

How To Shoulder Train a Pet Rat

3100 Caldera Blvd — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:44:52 -0500

How To Potty Train Pet Rats

3100 Caldera Blvd — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:29:11 -0500

How To Breed Chinchillas

jrh326 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:24:55 -0600

Breeding chinchillas is a process that can be both gratifying and fun. Unlike other rodent species, chinchilla babies emerge with their eyes open and full hair, making them very cute. Before you begin, ensure that you have an experienced exotic pet veterinarian on call should problems arise. Additionally, secure proper homes for the offspring before the doe becomes pregnant. Chinchillas are prolific animals and will breed readily. Keep males and females separate unless you are prepared for kits. Please note that chinchillas are often unintentionally sold into the fur trade as their coats are especially popular in fashion. Use your discretion when you place a kit in a home.

How To Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

bronwyn — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:51:27 -0600

Christmas and other holidays can be fun for the whole family - pets included. However, there are some common hazards that may threaten your pet's well-being. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets who wander around the house could soon find that their curiosity and playfulness gets them into trouble. Before relaxing and celebrating, make sure that your home is pet-friendly.

How To Decide What Pet Is Right For You

JessRan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:32:29 -0600

Selecting a new pet is a big decision for anyone. Remember anything you do will now impact the
life of another creature. Below are some things to think about before you decide to bring home any animal.

How To Give a Pet as a Gift

JessRan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:24:10 -0600

Many people purchase pets as gifts with good intentions only to discover their new pet takes more time and care than anticipated or the recipient isn’t as thrilled as they’d hoped. Caged animals need daily handling to become loving members of the family. Puppies and kittens left in unfamiliar surroundings may get into more trouble or discover possible dangers in the home.

How To Have Happy and Healthy Gerbils

KiwiB — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:10:50 -0500

Whether you are a first-time pet owner or have a zoo at you home, gerbils make some of the best pets. Friendly, quiet, clean and curious, no doubt you will find hours of enjoyment with these little critters. Following a few simple guidelines can help you and your gerbil(s) have many happy and healthy years together. Here are 6 simple steps to ensure that happens:

How To Know If a Ferret Is the Right Pet For You

sharonlacouture — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 20:58:37 -0500

Viewing a litter of baby ferrets (called kits) is like looking at a litter of puppies or kittens. They are all adorable, they usually are of mixed colors and patterns and it's hard to choose just one to take home with you.

The life span of a ferret is normally 6+ years (barring any unforeseen serious health issues). Ferrets are cage animals but many owners allow ferrets to roam free inside their homes. Ferrets sleep up to 18 hours a day, sometimes more in winter, especially if you live in a place that gets temps below 40F and has snow. Ferrets are playful, very clever and creatures of habit. So is a ferret the right pet for you? Learn proper ferret care before you make your decision.

How To Help Children Cope with the Loss of a Pet

Staff468 — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:07:00 -0600

Children are funny when it comes to grief. It can look something like this: "Yea, my dog died. Can I have a peanut butter and banana sandwich?" Children can appear to be unaffected by the loss of a pet but they often express their feelings though behavior and play rather than through words. This does not mean that they are not grieving; they are, just in their own unique ways. Below are some tips for helping children cope with the loss of a pet:

Living in the moment. Remember that children live in the moment. Since we, as adults, do so little of living in the moment, we really forget what this means. What this means is that a child's acute sense of observation does not go away during the death process. If, as a dog lay dying, the dog loses bowel control, a child will notice and probably say something. Accept a child's observations of the death process without judging or shaming him.

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How To Cope with the Loss of a Pet

Staff468 — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:39:00 -0600

There's no easy way to cope with the loss of a pet, nor should you try to bypass the natural grieving process. Always remember, you're not alone. Everyone who's ever been touched by a pet's loving devotion has also known the pain of loss.

A time of emotional turbulence. After the loss of a pet, you can expect to face the emotional roller coaster known as grief. For a time - sometimes a period of days, sometimes weeks or months - you may experience feelings of disbelief, sadness, anger, guilt, embarrassment or depression. Let's banish embarrassment without further delay, though, since there is no justifiable reason to be ashamed of grieving for your lost pet. Grief is admirable and human, not unnatural or embarrassing.

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How To Choose the Right Breed of Guinea Pig (Cavy)

Casey47 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 16:25:00 -0600

When shopping at a pet store of any kind, it's not hard to find a guinea pig. There you will commonly find the breed "English Guinea Pig." The catch, however, is that there is no such breed of guinea pig, and to top it off, guinea pigs are actually called cavies!

There are in fact 13 breeds of cavy, and they are all very different in appearance and personality. In this article, we will explore different breeds to help you choose the right breed of cavy. We will also go into the best ways to find your perfect guinea pig!

All cavies have similar body types. The best way of describing their body type is that they are shaped like bricks--flat on top and straight down the sides. This is not always the perfect description of an individual guinea pig, but it is a close analogy. They should weigh no less than 32 ounces when they are full-grown. Most cavies come in many different and unusual colors.

Breeds:

How To Choose the Right Breed of Rabbit

Casey47 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 07:00:00 -0600

It is not commonly known that there are actually 45+ breeds of rabbit! Most people looking for a pet rabbit just find a randomly bred rabbit in a pet store in their area. While this is perfectly fine for most people, it is often misleading. It is unlikely most of the time that those kinds of rabbits are the actual breed that they are said to be.

Choosing the right breed of rabbit is just as complex as picking a new puppy for your family. Rabbits are full of personality and different breeds have different characteristics.

In the show circuit, rabbit breeds are divided up into groups by their body types. This is the best way of viewing all of the different breeds, as it divides them mainly by size and type.

Below we will explore each body type and the breeds within them:

How To Care for Pet Chinchillas

Lou178 — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:37:00 -0500

Chinchillas make great pets. Just stroking them is a pleasure. Their fur is the softest in the world -- thirty times softer than human hair. Many chinchillas are gregarious and enjoy interacting with people, although there is a wide range of sociability. Each chinchilla has its own personality!

You need a few items and some basic knowledge to keep your chinchilla safe and healthy.

How To House Train Rabbits

Amy 329 — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 12:42:00 -0500

When many people think of rabbits, they tend to think of bunnies living in hutches in the backyard. The truth is, however, that rabbits are much happier living indoors as part of your family. The good news is that rabbits, much like cats, can be trained to use a litter box. House training your bunny can be fairly simple if you follow a few easy steps.

How To Care for Hamsters

Ashtyn198 — Mon, 22 May 2006 00:11:00 -0500

If you are deciding whether or not to purchase a hamster as a family pet, you have a lot to consider. Hamsters are not going to be for everyone. While they are somewhat simple to take care of, because they fall into the rodent category, hamsters have some specific habits that can make them hard to live with. For instance, hamsters are nocturnal. If you are a morning person, and do not like a lot of activity at night, a hamster will probably not be the animal for you. In fact, they might even keep you awake!

There are two main types of hamsters that are used as pets. The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster or the teddy bear hamster, is by far the most common of the hamster house pets. These hamsters keep to themselves and if you add more than one hamster to a cage, you can expect a fight to break out.

How To Care for Gerbils

Ashtyn198 — Sun, 21 May 2006 22:15:00 -0500

Gerbils come from the rodent family and make excellent pets. No matter if you are young or old, a gerbil will be able to adapt in your family once you have handled a few necessities, which contribute to the health and well-being of your new pet. A part of the rodent family, gerbils are small and curious animals. They do not bite often and they are very entertaining to watch.

You can purchase gerbils for a relatively fair price by visiting the pet store. However, many people recommend that you go to a breeder instead of a pet store as things are handled in a more efficient way. Additionally, your pets may come out healthier all around.

How To Design and Build a Rabbit Hutch

Casey47 — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 17:53:00 -0500

Getting a new rabbit can be a great and exciting edition to your family. Rabbits are perfectly happy living indoors or outdoors. They are, however, a little more comfortable when they are outside. This is because they deal with cold temperatures better than they do with warm temperatures. It is important if your rabbit is being kept outside to provide them with a safe, comfortable and stable hutch to live in. There are two distinctly different ways to approach building your hutch.

How To Raise and Care for a Rabbit

Casey47 — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:27:00 -0500

Raising your rabbit is a fun experience. Whether you are getting a young rabbit or an older one, you will still experience all of the joys of raising it. Raising a rabbit is a lot like raising a kitten. Rabbits have the same aloof yet kind personality as a cat does. If you are going to keep your rabbit indoors, it can be litter trained just like a kitten. Rabbits will do this naturally, but the litter has to be available at all times. Just like any other pet, your rabbit will learn its name and may even come when called if you spend enough time with it. This will be more likely of course if you keep your rabbit indoors.

Keeping your rabbit outdoors is not out of the question though. Rabbits handle cold weather very well so if you are in a cold climate, this is not an issue. Heat is another issue though, and your rabbit will need to be watched to make sure it does not overheat.

How To Identify Rabbit Diseases

Casey47 — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 06:04:00 -0500

There are a number of illnesses and diseases that rabbits are susceptible to. Although not all of them are life threatening, it is still important that your rabbit receives the proper medical treatment. Unfortunately when it comes to your rabbit, you are the veterinarian. Most DVM's do not learn how to treat rabbits and other small pets. Occasionally you might find one that specializes, and when you do hold on to them tightly! They are worth every penny.

There are a few illnesses that are very common to rabbits though, and they are easily identified.

How To Breed Guinea Pigs

Casey47 — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:49:00 -0500

Breeding Guinea Pigs can be a very frustrating task, although it is not a complicated one. There are a few easy steps to follow, and then it becomes a waiting game.

First, make sure that your boar and your sow are both healthy. Then make sure that you know your sow's age. A sow has to be bred before she reaches 6 months of age because her pelvic bones fuse together after 6 months. If this happens, she will still become pregnant but she will not be able to give birth. This ultimately spells doom for your sow. For her safety, make sure that she is bred before 6 months of age.

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How To Feed Rabbits

Casey47 — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 06:49:00 -0500

Feeding your rabbit is an easy task! The hard part is knowing how much to feed your rabbit, what to feed him, and where to get the feed. Here are a few good ideas to get you and your rabbit on the right track to a healthy lifestyle.

What to feed your rabbit: There are many misconceptions when it comes to what rabbits eat.

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How To Buy Rabbit Cages

Casey47 — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 13:59:00 -0500

Buying a rabbit cage is a very easy process. There are, however, many things to consider when doing so. Listed below are the easy steps to follow in order to choose and purchase your rabbit cage.

How To Buy Hamster and Guinea Pig Cages

Casey47 — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 08:31:00 -0500

Purchasing a cage for your Guinea Pig or Hamster does not have to be a hard task. These two types of furry critters do require very different types of cages however, so now we will go through a simple list and description of the items both animals will require.

Guinea Pigs:

How To Breed Rabbits

Casey47 — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:43:00 -0500

We have all heard the phrase, 'breed like rabbits,' but to a person who is looking to actually do so, the task can be problematic. Whether you are breeding for show, or simply for the experience, it is a very pleasant and amazing event. Starting with a buck and a doe is a good start. There are many items to consider in this process.

Is your rabbit in heat? There are only a few days in the span of a month when your rabbit will not be in heat. They have an extremely quick breeding cycle therefore they can be bred at almost any time. One sure fire way to tell if your doe is ready for breeding is to check whether she is a bit swollen and purple in her vaginal area. That is one signal that she is ready.

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How To Buy Supplies for Your Hamster, Guinea Pig or Gerbil

Michael 129 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 13:19:00 -0500

A pet store may advertise hamsters for five dollars each or a guinea pig for twenty dollars, but adult owners should realize that the REAL cost of taking Fluffy home can be much higher. Quality cages for small animals are not cheap, and the cost of water bottles, bedding, food, toys and snacks can add up quickly. It's not unusual for a ten dollar gerbil to end up costing a hundred dollars or more at the cash register. There are ways to find supplies for your small animal, however, that won't necessarily break your bank. Here are some ideas on finding the right supplies for your exotic pet.

How To Identify Guinea Pig Illnesses

Amy135 — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:23:00 -0500

Guinea pigs are good pets, but they can become ill quickly and need treatment just as quickly. However, since they are prey animals, their instinct is to mask illness in order to survive. A responsible pet owner will look for the following signs of illness in his or her pet.

How To Feed Rats and Mice

Brenda50 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:54:00 -0500

Mice and rats are scavengers and not very picky eaters. They are easy to feed a varied diet to. The very best feed I've found is at every horse barn in the world: horse grain! If you have access to a barn in your area, simply go ask the owners if you can have a variety of horse grain, oats, sweetfeed - whatever they have - and trade them apples or carrots for their horses. If this isn't possible, you can mix your own mouse and rat food at home. Commercial foods are not necessary - you can find plenty of food around your house for your mice and/or rats.

Experiment with different things and you'll find what your particular mouse or rat likes best. Just remember - they do not like vegetables or fruits and prefer grains. Here is a list of foods your rodent may enjoy:
- Black oil sunflower seed (that you feed wild birds)
  
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How To Care for Rats and Mice

Brenda50 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:39:00 -0500

Rats and mice do best in a "REPTILE" cage - which looks a lot like an aquarium with a sliding mesh top. This kind of cage is easy to fill with shavings, easy look through and see the mouse/rat playing inside (all glass), easy to reach inside and catch your rodent, and easy to put toys inside such as wheels for them to play with. There are no sharp edges for mice and rats to get hurt on, and plenty of room for them to build big "forts" made from shavings.
- Get a 10 gal to 15 gal REPTILE cage for one mouse. (Two mice can be caged together but for new owners I recommend starting with just one - mice do fight and it's heartbreaking to hear them scream and squeak). Make sure the cage comes with a top.
  
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How To Care for and Feed Guinea Pigs

Michael 129 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:55:00 -0500

Guinea pigs make excellent family pets, especially for younger children who may not feel comfortable with more delicate animals such as mice, gerbils or hamsters. A guinea pig is much sturdier and less inclined to bite. Depending on the breed, there may be some shedding issues, but guinea pigs do like to groom themselves and care about their appearance. Overall, guinea pigs do provide years of companionship with relatively little maintenance required by owners. A guinea pig can be left alone during the occasional overnight trip, or boarded at a local veterinarian's office. But there are some things that guinea pig owners need to know about care and feeding.

Guinea pigs are strictly vegetarian, and their main source of food while in captivity is compressed pellets of alfalfa and other ingredients. Guinea pigs tend to be brand loyal, so new owners should make every effort to use the same pellets the pet store or former owner provided.

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How To Tell If Your Hamster Is Hibernating

Sun, 04 Nov 2001 23:00:00 -0600

A cold or chilled hamster goes into a deep sleep (like hibernation) and is apparently dead. A terrified hamster goes rigid and collapses, but can recover within a few days.

Try a gentle warming with a hairdryer.
Wrap your hamster in a wooly sock for a few hours in the airing cupboard.