FAQ: Health for small pets

Social animals such as guinea pigs, rats, degus and rabbits often get bored and stressed alone, so they are kept at least in pairs. Syrian hamsters, by contrast, live alone and fight if kept together.

A small pet should have a check-up at least once a year, and older or chronically ill animals more often. Because small pets hide illness, regular checks help catch problems early.

Seek help urgently if the animal is not eating or passing droppings, breathes with difficulty, bleeds, does not move, has seizures, suddenly tilts its head, has a bloated belly or has overheated. With small pets it is better not to wait until morning.

Not all vets have experience with rodents and rabbits, and their anaesthesia, dental care and medicines differ from those of dogs and cats. It is worth finding such a vet in advance while the animal is healthy.

Modern anaesthesia is much safer for rodents and rabbits than it used to be, but the risk is higher than for dogs or cats. A vet will assess the animal and explain how to prepare; rabbits and guinea pigs are usually not fasted before surgery.

No. The medicine, dose and length of treatment are chosen for a specific animal and illness, and some medicines safe for other species are dangerous for rodents and rabbits. Always consult a vet.

No. Some antibiotics can cause dangerous digestive problems in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and chinchillas. Only a vet who knows small pets should prescribe them, and the course must not be changed on your own.

Liquid medicine is usually given slowly with a needle-free syringe into the corner of the mouth while gently holding the animal. Ask the vet to show you how, and do not mix medicine into water unless they said to.

Feeling better often does not mean the illness is cured, and stopping treatment early can let it return. Follow the length the vet set, and if side effects appear, call the vet first.

Check which species the supplement is for, its ingredients, directions for use, storage conditions and expiry date. If the label says to consult a vet, do so.

Better not, as species’ needs differ: guinea pigs need vitamin C, for instance, while degus should not have sweet additives. Choose products made for your pet’s species or ask a vet.

Supplements and care products have an expiry date, and some lose effectiveness faster once opened. Choose a pack you will use up before it expires, and compare prices per unit of quantity.

Veterinary diets or supplements are made for specific health conditions, such as recovery after illness or dental problems. Use them only on a vet’s advice and for as long as they say.

Dried herbs such as chamomile or dandelion are often given for variety, but they are not medicine and do not cure illness. Choose ones made for animals, introduce new ones gradually, and see a vet if the animal is ill.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing; it only compares prices of Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you choose a product, you buy it on the shop’s own website.

Prices on zoogidas.lt are collected about daily, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Always confirm the final price on the shop’s website.

Each product page on zoogidas.lt shows price history, so you can see whether the current price is higher or lower than before. Products can also be compared by price per kilogram or litre.

Rabbit urine is often coloured by plant pigments from food, which is harmless. But it is hard to tell pigment from blood at home, so if the colour persists, the rabbit strains to urinate or acts unusually, see a vet.

It is a highly contagious, often fatal rabbit disease whose virus survives a long time in the environment and spreads via objects, food, insects or contact. The best protection is the vaccination a vet recommends plus hygiene, such as washing hands after contact with other rabbits.

Myxomatosis is a viral rabbit disease mostly spread by mosquitoes and fleas, with swelling around the eyes, ears and genitals. Vaccination, insect mesh and flea control protect against it, and a suspected case needs a vet urgently.