Housing for hamsters.
01
Ultrasound
House hamsters away from items that generate ultrasound (eg. television, vacuum cleaners) as they are sensitive to high frequency sounds.
Cage Size
Cages should be as big as possible, ideally with a deep plastic base (minimum 3-5cm). Provide a thick layer of litter/bedding.
Multiple Hamsters
Avoid housing unfamiliar hamsters or different cages of hamsters next to one another to reduce stress. Provide multiple shelters in the cage.
Diet for hamsters.
02
Change water at least once a day, regularly clean the bottle and nozzle to avoid contamination.
Provide commercial hamster foods or mixture of seeds, grains, nuts, washed fruits and vegetables.
Water bottle should have a valveless sipper tube, check daily for water leaks or blockages.
Do not suddenly change the hamster's diet or allow food to become stale.
Wet/powdered food should only be given if advised by a veterinarian.
Examples of toxic foods: grapes and rhubarbs.
Activities for hamsters.
03
Provide ample space and appropriate objects to play with (e.g. small boxes and tubes).
Wheel must be a solid structure, axle free, fixed close to the wall and non-slip.
Never leave your hamster out of the cage unattended or overnight.
Housing for mice.
01
i.
Conditions
Comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean and quiet.
ii.
Ultrasound
House away from items that generate ultrasound
(eg. television, vacuum cleaners) as they are sensitive to high frequency sounds.
iii.
Materials
Avoid materials that can easily come off (eg. wool).
iv.
Hiding spots
Provide shelters and suitable places to hide.
Diet for mice.
02
Constant access to drinking water.
Balanced diet (Magnesium, Vitamin A and Choline present).
Metal sipper tubes provided for water bottles.
Scatter food around the cage to encourage foraging behaviour.
Behaviours of mice.
03
1
Movements
2
Activites
3
Activeness
Provide vertical and
horizontal cage dividers.
Mice like to burrow and clean after themselves.
Mice are active
at night.
Housing for guinea pigs .
01
Ventilation
Well-ventilated and drought-free areas.
Temperatures
Protect them as temperatures above 26°C can cause heat stroke; below 15°C can cause them to become chilled.
Heat
Accommodations should be placed away from direct heat.
Bedding
Bedding should be safe(e.g. dust-free hay), avoid softwood products and materials that separate into thin strands (e.g. cotton wool).
Diet for guinea pigs.
02
Constant access to drinking
water and good quality hay.
Daily washed vegetables
(e.g. kale and broccoli).
Not allowed to
consume: citrus fruits.
Root vegetables (eg. carrots) are only to be given in small amounts.
Grass-based pellets daily to
provide essential vitamin C.
Behaviours of guinea pigs.
03
1
Exercise
2
Toys
3
Hiding spots
Large exercise area with pipe or shelters to encourage exercising.
Safe toys to play
with or chew.
Provide safe
hiding spaces.
Housing for gerbils.
01
i.
Ultrasound
House away from items that generate ultrasound (eg. television,
vacuum cleaners) as they are sensitive to high frequency sounds.
ii.
Materials
Avoid materials that can easily come off (eg. wool).
iii.
Rough surfaces
Rough surface objects (e.g. stones) wear down their claws.
Diet for gerbils.
02
Constant access to drinking water.
Allowed to consume: seeds of grasses, bulbs, herbs.
Metal sipper tubes provided for water bottles.
Balanced diet with sufficient nutrients and minerals.
Scatter food around the cage to encourage foraging behaviour.
Behaviours of gerbils.
03
1
Dig
2
Noise
3
Scent
Often hide and dig
day and night.
Upon hearing loud noises, they would be startled and thump their hind feet.
They can identify each other with their own scents.
Housing for chinchillas.
01
Flooring
Large and secure housing with mash floors backed with another flooring.
Space
Horizontal/vertical space to run.
Hiding spots
Have hiding places and housed away from other pets.
Bedding
Enough bedding and constant access to hay.
Diet for chinchillas.
02
Constant access to drinking
water and good quality hay.
Small amounts of dried fruit and root vegetable can be given as treats.
Behaviours of chinchillas.
03
Eating a small amount of
grass-based pellets daily.
1
Nighttime
2
3
Daytime
Toys
More likely to be sociable and feed at night where they need 12 hours of darkness.
Left undisturbed for long periods during daytime.
Safe wooden toys to play with or chew.
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