|
The Feeding of Small Mammals |
Most
rodents and lagomorphs will survive on a diet based on cereals (oats,
barley, maize), plus dried legumes and biscuit meal, with the addition
of fresh fruits and vegetables for their vitamin / mineral content and
in the case of Rabbits, Guinea pigs and Chinchillas a plentiful supply
of good quality hay for bulk, roughage and to prevent boredom. Many
small rodents are omnivores however and greatly appreciate a quantity of
animal protein and table scraps. Some may not be breed successfully if
their diets are deficient.
Where available, commercially developed diets or feed pellets should be
used, as they represent balanced rations.
Dried Hamster / Rabbit mixes begin to loose their vitamin content within 8 weeks of manufacture and this should be born in mind when considering the need for supplementation, particularly if fresh foods are not offered. Two weeks of Vitamin C deprivation causes skeletal scurvy in Guinea Pigs.
High fat foods, such as peanuts and sunflower seeds should be kept to a minimum to reduce the risk of obesity, particularly in caged pets. Sunflower seeds are low in calcium and have been implicated in osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures in Gerbils fed solely on these. Some rodents (notably Rats) can develop corn allergy, manifesting itself as an irritant dermatitis.
Hard items, such as fruit tree bark for gnawing, should be provided to help keep the incisors worn down and many small rodents appreciate whole nuts in shells, giving exercise for the teeth and relieving boredom. Very hard shells, such as Brazil nuts and Walnuts, can be cracked a little first. Foods should be offered in solid earthenware or ceramic dishes which cannot easily be chewed. Soft plastic if swallowed can harden in digestive enzymes causing damage.
Water should be provided in gravity drinking bottles where possible to keep it free from contamination and prevent small rodents from drowning in open dishes. This water should be changed daily to prevent stagnation and the delivery spout checked for patency.
Normal feeding Requirements
| Species | Food and Supplements | Water Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Mice | Approx. 7 gm (0.25oz) cereal mix or commercial mouse pellets, plus small quantities fruit and veg (raw or cooked) especially for Spiny Mice. | 15ml / 100gm / day |
| Bank Vole | Very high metabolic rate and need to feed constantly:-cereals, berries, apples and live food (beetles, mice etc. if available) | High water intake. Die quickly if not supplied ad lib. |
| Syrian Hamster | 10-15gms of cereal and pellet mix daily, plus small quantity fruit and veg. | 15-20ml / day |
| Chinese Hamster | 10gms daily of above mix with higher need for fruit and veg. | ad lib |
| Russian Hamster | As above with additional animal proteins e.g. egg and cooked meats. | ad lib |
| Rat | Up to 42gm of dry diet as for mouse, plus fruit etc. and table scraps | 10ml / 100gm / day |
| Gerbil | 10-15gm/day of dry cereal diet, plus very small amount of fruit and veg. | Able to concentrate urine conserve water 5ml / 100gm / day |
| Chipmunk* | 25gm nut/cereal mixture, plus fruits, some appreciate animal proteins. | 20ml + per day |
| Guinea Pig | Up to 125gm cereal/pellet ration daily plus hay. Fresh fruit and greens as a source of Vit. C or supplement 100mg/Kg/day. | 100ml / 100gm / day |
| Chinchilla | 75gm of specific pelleted ration daily, plus very small piece carrot or apple as treat and hay ad lib. | 10ml /Kg / day |
| Rabbit Average sized 2.5-3kg |
300-400gm of cereal and pellet mix plus hay, greens and fruit. | 100ml / Kg /day |
* Note there is now a Chipmunk mix produced by Burgess Supafeeds in the U.K.
The
Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents. Harkness and Wagner.
Keeping Small Rodents. Chris Henwood.
Manual of Exotic Pets. BSAVA
Pet Care Manual Pet Trade and Industry Association