Small Animals as Pets

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Small Animals as Pets...

Mice, Hamsters, Guinea pig, Rabbits, etc., can be great pets; often very sociable and enjoying the company of others. They are typically good-natured and curious, and you can spend hours watching them play. They generally grow no longer than nine or ten centimetres, and can be easily handled. these pets have a lifespan of around 1½ to 3 years.

If you are hoping to have more than one small animal as a pet, you will be better off introducing them while they are still young. Although these pets like company and are very sociable creatures, an older pet may be accustomed to his own space and resent the intrusion of another mouse. This is often more common if it is a pet is of the same sex. These are relatively easy to care for, as long as you are happy to commit some time and energy towards them. They can be great pets for both children and adults, and can provide both entertainment and companionship. When you first bring a small animal as pet to home, give him a few days to get accustomed to the new environment before you start taking him out to play. It will take him a little bit of time to get used to the new smells and sounds and to start feeling comfortable around you.

Common Name: Golden Hamster (Syrian hamster), Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus, Family: Muridae, Order: Rodentia, Size: Length Head / Body: 6.5 to 7 in (17 to 18 cm), Tail Length: 0.5 in (1 cm) Weight: 99 to 113 g (3.5 to 4 oz)

Russian, Chinese, Winterwhite, Roborovski.

People who wish to watch their activeness; this could be the right hamster for them.

Quick & Gentle
Small (hence difficult to handle)
Limitted colours
Multiple accessories available.
Can’t assure tameness for lifetime.

Syrian Short/Longhaired

People who wish to play/spend time with it and to be safe from bites, This could be the right one.

Gentle & Calm
Medium size, Good to handle(hand-full)
Multiple colours availability
Not many accessories available
Assured tameness if it is tamed in initial few months

How Hamster Became Worlds Best Modern Pet

Hamsters are the most popular rodent to be kept as pets and their popularity has increased over the years. The popularity of hamsters as pets is not difficult to understand. They make ideal pets for a number of reasons as below.

Hamsters are extremely cute and appeal to people of all ages,
Health, Accommodation, Toys, Food and other needs or costs and are inexpensive.
They require relatively little room and can be accommodated by people who live in Flats & apartments.
Hamsters are generally very healthy animals with little maintenance
They are very lively and inquisitive and hamster's behavior is fascinating to watch.
They do not give off unpleasant smells as long as their living quarters are kept clean and they make little noise. (Contrary to popular belief)
They can be kept alone as most are solitary animals, or in some types under the right circumstances, they can be kept in pairs of same sex.
Hamsters can be tamed and with regular and correct handling, will grow to enjoy human contact and biting is rarely a problem.

Before You Buy A Hamster...

1. Age
As most hamsters only live 3-4 years, it is advisable to buy a younger hamster so that you can enjoy a longer relationship with your pet. Younger hamsters are also easier to tame than an older hamster.

2. Sex
Generally, there are no distinct behavioural differences in the different sexes. You should buy from a pet shop or breeder who are knowledgeable enough to determine the sex of the hamster. Make sure you do not house a male and a female hamster together or you run the risk of ending up with fights.

3. Cost
Although a hamster usually does not cost very much, the real cost of keeping a hamster are quite substantial. The cost of bedding, food and cage supplies as well as potential veterinary bills should be taken into consideration. In addition you will need to spend time interacting with your hamster to tame it and to clean the cage regularly to keep the hamster in good health.

4. Natural predators
Many household pets, such as dogs and cats, are natural predators of hamsters, and should be kept away from the hamster to prevent injuries and death.

5. Allergy to fur
If you or any of your family members are allergic to fur, wear gloves when handling the hamster. A short-haired hamster will be a more desirable choice than a long-haired one. Have another family member clean the cage regularly so that the hamster's fur can be kept as clean as possible.

6. Hamsters are nocturnal
Since hamsters are nocturnal animals, refrain from waking them up in the day to play. Waking up your hamsters and picking them up when they are sleeping makes them irritated and you will most likely get your fingers bitten.

7. Hamsters are solitary
Hamsters are solitary animals and will fight if you house more than one in a cage. You should follow the one-hamster-one-cage rule. Some species, such as the Russian Campbell dwarf hamsters, can live cordially together. However there are many exceptions to the rule and you should always be prepared to buy a cage if you notice fighting.

Thumb rule if you want to have it as two: Adopt two males or two females from the same batch. Also to remember, never part them and put them together again after a long time. They will not be able to accept it.

8. Choosing from the different breeds
There are many breeds of hamsters to choose from. Roborovskii hamsters, for example, are extremely quick and lively, and hence difficult to handle. However, their liveliness make them very entertaining to watch. Choose a hamster that is most suitable to your liking and personality. Pls refer the left panel for the breeds and their specialities.

9. Children
Children should be supervised by adults when they are handling hamsters to ensure the safety of the young child and the hamster.

Names and Terms

Latin name: Cavia porcellus
Also called cavies (singular is cavy).
Females are called sows, males called boars, and babies called pups.
Hairless varieties also available, sometimes called "skinny" pigs.
Approximately 10 inches long, and 2-3 pounds.
Rounded stout body, no visible tail (a few tail vertebrae can be felt under the skin).
Variety of breeds with different coat types and color patterns. The most commonly found breeds are the American (short smooth hair coat), Abyssinian (short coat with "swirls" called rosettes) and the Peruvian (long haired). A wide variety of colors are seen.

Before You Decide on Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are social animals, and you should consider keeping a same sex pair so they have company. A pair of females is a good choice; a pair of males may be fine but may fight.
They are a long-term commitment, with an expected life span of around 5-7 years, although up to 10 isn't unusual.
They need a large cage (but fortunately it is easy to meet their needs with a home made cage).
While usually quiet they can call out quite loudly, and can be active both day and night.
They may be nervous at first but rarely bite and generally become very tame with frequent handling.
Usually good family pets (but make sure children handle them gently).

Guinea Pigs As Pets
-- God's Gentlest Creature --

Of all the pets that I have treat, guinea pigs are the gentlest. They do not have a mean bone in their body and it is hard to believe that they were once capable of existing in the wild.

The Spaniards introduced guinea pigs to Europe in 1554. They obtained them from the Inca Indians of Peru who kept them for food from as early as 5000 BC.

These rodent-like animals no longer exist in the wild. They are also called cavies. Guinea pigs are very shy by nature. They are active in the daytime and occasionally at night. Guinea pigs are very vocal and this vocalization plays an important part in socialization with other pigs and humans.

Guinea pigs love company. Researchers have counted at least eleven different sounds that guinea pigs make in communicating with each other and their owners. Their social nature, temperament and low maintenance make them excellent pets.

Guinea pigs are the gentlest of the pocket pets, which include mice, hamsters, rats and gerbils and so are ideal pets for responsible children. I would not purchase any living pet for a child younger than 9.

Guinea pigs love to be petted and will squeak and grunt with pleasure when they are gently handled. They will pine away and their health will suffer if they are not handled or kept with others of their kind or if they are ignored by their human owners. They are very clean. I got my first guinea pig when I was nine. We named her Mrs. Crawford, after one of my parent’s bridge partners who also had droopy jowls.

Like swine, boy guinea pigs are called boars and females sows. Adult female guinea pigs weigh about a pound (450gms) while males weight in at about a pound and a half (700gm).

They used to come in four basic varieties, long and short hair, straight and swirled and an endless variety of colors. But now frizzy texels, extra soft silkys and teddys are also available.

With good care and proper diet, guinea pigs should live 5-7 years. A few will reach 8 years of age.
Original Source of : Ron Hines DVM PhD

Most of all.... Understand that Hamsters are not TOYS. They also have their basic needs like proper food, water, cage,play area, chews, time to interact with humans(play time) Vet needs, etc.,

Please dont buy them as you have money to buy them; buy/adopt them if you have heart to care for them.