![various small mammals](//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.curatedcontent.smb/730x400_85/149/img-730x400-community-content-vet-3-628149.jpg)
Although small mammals are cute and tiny, they can be a big responsibility. If you’re interested in owning a chinchilla, ferret, hamster, hedgehogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and other small mammals, it’s important to learn how to properly care for each of these furry creatures before bringing them home with you.
Consider what size, temperament, and activity level are right for your household so you can choose the option that best matches your lifestyle. Are you looking for an animal that will take kindly to being petted and interact with you? Rabbits or guinea pigs are pets that enjoy cuddling once they’re gotten used to you. Be sure to choose a small mammal that has what you’re looking for and you’ll love having it around. Check out the articles below to learn more about the general care of each of these animals.
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Having a Positive Experience at the Dog Park
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
Dog parks: they are great for socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation for many dogs. But certain dogs may feel threatened or anxious. Whether you and your dog have a good dog park experience or a bad one depends largely on your understanding of your dog, advanced preparation, proper training,
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The Pet Economy
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
If there's still any doubt whether the pampering of pets is getting out of hand, the debate should be settled once and for all by Neuticles, a patented testicular implant that sells for up to $919 a pair. The idea, says inventor Gregg A. Miller, is to "let people restore their pets to anatomical preciseness"
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Traveling with Your Pet
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
Traveling with your pet can be rewarding but challenging if not enough preparation has been made. Planning will help your trip go smoother and should include acquiring any paperwork that is needed, consideration of the temperatures to be experienced and how to deal with them, and obtaining equipment
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Flea Preventative Medications: Oral vs. Topical
Category:
Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites
Fleas are not only a source of irritation and frustration, but they also pose a serious health threat to animals. These tiny external parasites can carry a variety of diseases, including bubonic plague, and severe infestations may cause deadly levels of blood loss in very small or young pets, according
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Fleas, the Frustrating Pest
Category:
Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites
Consider the following scenario: You arrive home from a long flight from a wonderful, two-week vacation. As you drive home, you remind yourself the boarding kennel is already closed and you have to wait until tomorrow to pick up your dog, Max. You finally walk in the front door, happy to be home. As
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Giardia: A Parasite of Many Species
Category:
Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites
If you have a friend who camps or fishes, you may have heard that they had been infected with Giardia. Or your veterinarian may have told you that your cat or dog had Giardia. In either case, you probably wondered, can I catch it as well?
Giardia is a protozoan parasite (one-celled organism) that can
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Stress Relief for Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Stress isn't just a problem for humans; your pet can experience the negative effects too. Illness, changes in the usual routine or the death of another pet can lead to an increase in your pet's anxiety level. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help your furry friend relax.
Signs of Stress
Your
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Vetopedia
Category:
Today's Veterinarian
Vetopedia is a glossary of terms used by vets in treating animals.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials; an organization which sets standards for pet food ingredients and minimum daily requirements.
Abdomen A region of the body between
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Hip Dysplasia
Category:
Pet Health, Orthopedics
Hip dysplasia is a congenital disease that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can be found in many animals and, rarely, humans, but is common in many dog breeds, particularly
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Understanding Pet Behavior
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Because our pets can not raise their paws and tell us when something is wrong, we as owners need to know what to watch for to know when our pet is ill.
The Dog Scoot Boogie
A dog dragging his hind end across the floor is his way of telling you his anal glands are full and need emptying. Anal glands
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Three Keys to Successful Potty Training for Your Dog
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Potty training your dog can be easy or difficult...the difference is in how much time and dedication you are willing to put into training. Follow these simple tips to get your puppy on the right path to accident-free living.
Set a schedule:
Decide on a schedule and stick to it. In a family situation
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Ferrets Can Be Furry Family Too
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Fragile Ferrets Entertain Families and Friends
Your new family pet will provide you with entertainment and laughs as he or she climbs and crawls through tubes, hoses, boxes, clothing and pipes.
Keeping your ferret safe and secure in your home is easy with a bit of advanced planning.
Create or
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Family Friends Aren't Always Furry - Think of Feathery Friends!
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Transitioning a Bird into Your Home
When including a bird of any size and species in your household, take time before the transition to prepare. Use these tips to welcome your new bird and create a happy experience for your family.
Choose housing with bars or slats that are only half the width
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Introducing Your First
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Pets aren't the only ones who need a little (or a lot) of help adjusting to life with a newborn. No matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet. Remember, your dog or cat was your first "baby" and is used to being the center of your attention. So
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Internet Reunites Lost Pets and Owners
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Everyone loves the amazing stories of dogs and cats who travel long distances to find their way back home or even locate their owners in a new city. Unfortunately, these happy tales are the rare exception to the rule. For every pet that makes it back after leaving, there are tens of thousands who
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Heart Disease in Cats
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Cats are wonderful pets. In fact, they outnumber dogs as pets in the United States. It is estimated that 60.2 to 62 Million cats are kept as pets; one-third of all households have at least one feline friend. It is important for cat owners to be aware of a stealthy disease that may affect as much as 15
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