FAQ: Supplies for small pets

It is a serious diarrhoeal illness, most common in young hamsters after stress: the tail area is wet, the animal is lethargic and stops eating. It can quickly be fatal, so urgent veterinary help is needed.

Rats are prone to respiratory infections, made worse by ammonia from dirty bedding, dust and draughts. A clean cage and low-dust bedding help, and sneezing, wheezing or red discharge around the eyes are reasons to see a vet.

Yes, especially degus and some dwarf hamsters. Avoid sugar, fruit and sweet treats for them, and if you notice the animal drinking and urinating a lot, see a vet.

Fine kitchen scales, a carrier, a towel, a heat pad and your vet's contact details. Apply any care or syringe feeding only as instructed by a vet.

Plant pigments often colour rabbit urine, so an orange or reddish shade is often harmless. However, spots of blood, painful urination or straining are reasons to see a vet.

Yes, for example some respiratory bacteria from dogs, cats or rabbits can be dangerous to guinea pigs, and parasites pass easily between animals. Keep animals separate and wash your hands.

Most of them do well at about 18–24 °C. The most important thing is to avoid sudden temperature changes, draughts, heat next to a radiator and direct sunlight.

These animals do not sweat, and chinchilla fur is very dense, so from around 25 °C they are at risk of overheating. On hot days keep them in the coolest room, away from the sun.

Provide shade and fresh water, and add a cooling ceramic tile or stone, or a bottle of frozen water wrapped in a towel. Ventilate the room, but do not point a fan directly at the animal.

Rapid breathing, lethargy, lying stretched out on its side, red ears, drooling or collapse. Move the animal somewhere cooler, cool it gradually rather than with ice-cold water, and contact a vet immediately.

Yes, in a cold room a hamster can go into torpor, which is dangerous for a pet. Keep the room warm, and if you find a cold, motionless hamster, warm it gradually and contact a vet.

In the warm season yes, if the enclosure is safe from predators and has shade, a hide and water. On cool nights, or when rain or heat sets in, it is better to bring the guinea pigs indoors.

The hutch should be insulated and raised off the ground, with a thick layer of straw. Cover it against wind and rain while keeping ventilation, check that the water does not freeze; a companion also helps a rabbit keep warm.

Better not: in summer direct sun quickly overheats the cage, and in winter a window brings cold and draughts. Choose a bright spot further into the room.

Air conditioning helps keep things cool during a heatwave, especially for chinchillas and rabbits. Just do not aim the airflow directly at the cage and avoid sudden drops in temperature.

Yes, if the pen is secure, there is shade and the animal is supervised. The grass must not be sprayed, watch out for birds of prey and cats, and a rabbit should be vaccinated beforehand.

Fit fine insect mesh over the hutch, clean it daily and check the rabbit's rear. Since mosquitoes spread myxomatosis, timely vaccination matters too.

Yes, loud bangs cause severe stress. During celebrations bring outdoor animals inside or cover the hutch, provide extra hides and keep the room quiet.

Use a sturdy, ventilated carrier with bedding, hay and a familiar scent. Secure it in the car and never leave the animal in a hot car.

A sturdy plastic carrier in which the rabbit can turn around works well, ideally with a top opening, which makes it easier to put the rabbit in and take it out. Rabbits can chew through soft carriers.