FAQ: Health for small pets

The airways of rodents and rabbits are sensitive, so strong scents, aromatic sprays, essential oils or scented candles can irritate them. Regular cage cleaning and airing the room are better.

Ammonia released from urine irritates the eyes and airways and raises the risk of respiratory disease, especially in rats and mice. If you notice a sharp smell in the cage, clean it more often.

Choose ones made for animals without a strong fragrance and use them as the label says, on the cage or bedding, not on the animal. No product replaces regular cleaning.

Place the tray in the corner the animal already uses, add a little soiled bedding to it and, for a rabbit, put hay next to it. Patiently move droppings into the tray; neutering often helps rabbits learn.

Unscented paper or compressed wood pellets are suitable. Do not use clumping or mineral cat litter, as the animal may swallow it and the dust irritates the airways.

Bacteria and algae multiply quickly on wet surfaces, and leftover food can go mouldy. Clean dishes help prevent digestive upsets and encourage the animal to drink.

Wood absorbs urine, so brush wooden houses and platforms, wash them in hot water without harsh chemicals and dry them well. Replace heavily soiled or mouldy items.

It can point to diarrhoea, an unsuitable diet, or obesity, dental or joint problems that stop the animal grooming itself. Gently clean it with a damp cloth and see a vet to find the cause.

Usually not: rodents and rabbits groom themselves, and bathing is stressful and risks chills. Wipe a soiled area with a damp cloth and dry it well; chinchillas and degus have sand baths instead.

Unscented, alcohol-free wipes made for animals or simply a soft cloth dampened with water are suitable. Dry the fur afterwards so the animal does not get cold.

Yes. Like other animals, rodents can carry bacteria such as salmonella even when they look healthy. Wash your hands after handling the animal and cleaning the cage, and supervise young children.

Some diseases, such as fungal skin infections or salmonella, can pass to people. The risk is low with good hygiene: wash your hands, do not kiss the animal, and pregnant people or those with weak immunity should ask their doctor.

Yes, in warm weather wet bedding starts to smell sooner, bacteria grow in it and flies may target rabbits. In summer clean the toilet corner daily and change all the bedding more often than in winter.

Rats, especially males, mark territory with urine, and fabrics, hammocks and shelves soak up the smell. Frequent cleaning of the toilet corner, washing fabrics, wiping shelves and airing the room help.

Baking soda works for cleaning the cage tray and accessories, but rinse everything well with water afterwards. Do not sprinkle it on bedding where the animal can eat or inhale it.

A vet sometimes recommends probiotics after antibiotics, stress or diet changes. A healthy animal on the right food and plenty of hay usually does not need them; use them as the label says.

It is an emergency: the digestion of rabbits and herbivorous rodents can fail within hours without food. If the animal is not eating or passing droppings, do not wait and see a vet as soon as possible.

It is when gut activity slows or stops. Signs: the animal does not eat, passes few or no droppings, sits hunched, grinds its teeth; it needs urgent vet care, and plenty of hay, water and exercise help prevent it.

The amount, size and shape of droppings show well how digestion is working. If droppings suddenly shrink, become dry and small, stop, or diarrhoea starts, see a vet.

Rabbits produce soft caecotrophs that they normally eat straight from the anus, and that is normal. If many are left in the cage or stick to the fur, diet, obesity or teeth may be the cause, so ask a vet.