| Hamsters, Gerbils,Rats, Guinea pigs, ferrets etc... |
| Hamsters are the cutiest to most kids, and yes they will be not so squirmy the more they are handled BUT HAMSTERS BITE. If your hand smells like food, they will bite. If you woke them up and they wanted to sleep, they will bite...eventually they will stop biting, but hamster teeth HURT. They can go in any size cage, but they are chewers, so be careful of the plastic cages. They all sleep during the day and are up all nite. Hamsters like to run in the wheel. To stop the wheel from squeeking, rub the "hinges" with veggie oil (or olive oil) so that way if the hamster licks it, it will not harm them. Gerbils do NOT bite, but they aren't easy to hold either. They are squirmy and can pop their tails off to get away. SOME gerbils can go in a wheel, some can not. If you put in a wheel and he begins to run with his tail in the air, he is ok to run in the wheel. If he doesn't know to put his tail up, pull the wheel out NOW!!! Gerbils LOVE to chew papertowel rolls, toilet paper rolls, so tell the neighborhood to save, they will chew it all. Mice don't like to be held...not the greatest pet. Rats are to smartest of all the rodents but many "skeeve" the tail. They also can bite, but are cuddlie and sweet animals. Guinea Pigs...they are tough ones. They can NOT have a cage with a grated bottom, they can break their ankles. Pigs can not go in one of those balls or wheels because if they fall over they can break their spine. Pigs do NOT produce their own Vitamin C, so they need foods with Vit. C in it a few times a week. They can NOT be in a fishtank with a lid. They can not get enough air from just the open lid. And the lack of air and moisture can cause bacteria that is bad for pigs. Most pet stores carry the food for each animal, but all do like people food. Hamsters LOVE pasta...Kids can usually share their dinner with a hamster, mouse, rat or gerbil. Try and give the pocket pet something to hide inside. They need to feel save from time to time. Ferrets are hardest to care for because from what I was told you have to clean up after them a few times a day so they do not smell. They can't be bathed daily because of the oil in their skin, but even de-pued they still smell. But they are SO cute...Good luck with ferrets.... |