Small Pet

Speedy the guinea pig sits in his favourite place and observes the world from up high. After a few strenuous hours he is pretty exhausted. First a round of jogging, then a good climb up and down and finally a delicious salad. That is how a guinea pig gets really tired.

Probably every guinea pig owner knows the funny whistling noise that this animal makes when it sees the bag of food or the little squeak of happiness when it cuddles up with its companion. What exactly is a guinea pig trying to say when it snorts and whistles?

Hamster are much loved pets. Even though they don’t coo like guinea pigs or squeak like rabbits, hamsters have a complex language. Here are a few tips to help you understand your new pet!

It is a widespread misconception that rodents eat grain. Grain in the form of concentrated feed is only suitable as an occasional snack! The natural diet of guinea pigs is made up of grass and herbs so pets that are kept in cages should be given lots of fresh food.

The most natural food for rodents like rabbits, guinea pigs and co is fresh and juicy. Many types of fruits and vegetables are much-loved by most rodents and, in addition, they contain healthy vitamins and minerals!

Agility is not just for dogs! Cat owners are also starting to discover the fun their pets can have with obstacle courses that demand skill and a strong level of trust from all those taking part. And now even small pets are getting in on the act – rabbits, guinea pigs, degus, chipmunks, chinchillas, rats and other small pets love the variety and extra excitement that agility can bring to their lives.

This guide applies to golden Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters. Despite being different species, these pet rodents are similar in their internal makeup and their nutritional needs. All hamsters need animal protein as well as plant rich food as they are omnivores. In contrast to chinchillas, guinea pigs and rabbits, hamsters can tolerate grains well. Grains are concentrates of plant nutrients, mostly in the form of seeds and seedlings, and these are ideal for hamsters.

Hedgehogs are adorable and shy animals which awakens our compassionate instinct. However, interfering more than necessary can be harmful. In autumn, these creatures go on the hunt for food and slowly start to build their nests. You shouldn’t be surprised if you come across several hedgehogs during the autumn months. However, their numbers have declined by 50% since the year 2000. This is why it is crucial to help hedgehogs when necessary. There are several signs you can spot to know whether a hedgehog is in need of help. If you find a hedgehog that looks injured, emaciated or ill, you should act straight away. The same goes for baby hedgehogs that have been left behind.  Watch the nest for a while - if the mother hedgehog doesn’t come back after two hours, you should bring the hoglets to safety as soon as possible. Hoglets that are found outside of the nest also need your help. If you find a hedgehog active in winter, it is a sign that it hasn’t started hibernating and it needs your help. You can make their lives a little easier by following these 10 tips:

Rabbits regularly groom their own fur themselves by using their tongue. During the moulting season which lasts several weeks, your rabbit will need some occasional help. One the one hand, bushing has the effect of a soothing massage, on the other hand, it helps to get rid of the old, dead hair. For normal length hair you should use a brush with natural bristles or a glove with rubber bobbles.

The Siberian chipmunk is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. Due to its lively ways, its button eyes and its cute appearance, more and more people are falling under its charms. That said, these pint-sized pets are more demanding than they first appear to be.

It is no surprise that the yellow necked mouse, which is very active at night and not normally found in areas where humans live, is not at all well-known. Until this century, this rodent was not differentiated from its sibling species, the wood mouse, which is known to most people.

Length:  30-49cm Weight:  1 - 1.5kg Lifespan:  15-20 years Indoor or Outdoor:  Indoor Domestic varieties include:  chinchilla lanigera, chinchilla brevicaudata.