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Gerbils & Hamsters

Gerbils are small rodents originating from the desert areas of Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their long tails help them to balance on their hind legs. They're social animals who prefer to live in family groups. Hamsters are nocturnal rodents that originated in the Middle East. They prefer a life of solitude, but they make interesting pets. They come in many colors and types of coats.

Mice & Rats

Pet mice come in an amazing array of colors. And they are always busy and playful. As weird as it sounds, rats are a very good choice of pet for households with responsible children. They are gentle, intelligent, interactive, and can be taught numerous tricks! They're also relatively easy to care for (if housed correctly and given proper diet.)

Rabbits

Rabbits are very popular pets and can be kept indoors or outdoors, if properly housed. Most indoor rabbits can be litter-trained. Providing good nutrition, exercise, and gnawing toys will help keep them healthy. But, remember, they are prone to diseases if stressed or kept in unsanitary conditions.

Guinea Pigs & Chinchillas

Guinea pigs, also known as "cavies," are from South America. And they do have some special dietary needs. However, if these needs are met, they make very good pets. The first time you pet a chinchilla, the first thing you'll nice is his amazing softness. It's important to have the proper housing ready BEFORE taking home your guinea pig or chinchilla. And you'll also want to know as much as possible about their behavior, diet, and common diseases.

Hedgehogs & Sugar Gliders

The African hedgehog is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. Hedgehogs are insectivores, which burrow underground in the wild. They need warm temperatures, a high protein diet, and like to swim and climb. Sugar gliders, also known as honey gliders, are marsupials. Their long tails and gliding membrane between the front and rear legs give them the capability of gliding long distances. Both hedgehogs and sugar gliders are nocturnal, not domesticated, and require special diets. It is important to understand their behavior, husbandry and nutrition, and have the proper housing ready before getting one as a pet.

Keeping your Pet Safe

The following items are all dangerous to some degree if ingested, nibbled, or placed in contact with your pet. Some can cause death almost instantly. Others may cause only a mild reaction, but it is best to remove them from any areas where they would be in contact with your small pet. This is not a complete list, so if you are in any doubt about something that your pet has eaten or been in contact with, please contact VetPets at (901) 756-5556 or the National Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. (They charge $50.00 per case.)

Common hazards to avoid:

In addition to being a full-service animal hospital for Pocket Pets, VetPets is a veterinarian-supervised pet store! We offer FREE training on how to care for your pet. And we also, carry everything you need to get started right in our store including food, supplies and housing.

Supplemental Sources: www.peteduction.com