What about a Small Furry?

If you don't have the time to care for a cat or dog but still want a pet for yourself or your children you might consider one of the following:

• Guinea Pigs: What's involved?  Guinea pigs are clever and sociable pets.  They don't need a high space because they don't jump or climb but they do need a lot of floorspace.  They need a temperature between 18-26 degrees C and so in winter they should be housed indoors.   Guinea pigs should be fed twice daily with a high fibrous diet and vitamin C (this is why guinea pig food is different to rabbit food - guinea pigs must have added vitamin C in their food).  Guinea pigs love to have companions - littermates or single sex guineas (not rabbits).

• Hamsters: What's involved?  Hamsters are very clever and adventurous - they are determined escape artists.  They must live in a wire cage (they will gnaw their way out of a wood or plastic cage).  Hamsters need lots of toys and frequent handling to keep them tame and socialised.  They are naturally nocturnal so play with them in the evening.  Hamsters are omnivorous, they hoard food and need chewing material to keep their teeth short.  Some species of hamsters like to live alone (eg Syrian) and some prefer a companion (dwarf hamsters).

• Gerbils: What's involved? Gerbils are friendly and inquisitive.  The ideal gerbil house is a gerbilarium, made of glass with a lid containing ventilation holes but secure to prevent escapes.   Gerbils eat seeds, grains, roots and insects in the wild.  They are very active, and in the wild, live in tunnels in the desert sand.  They need very little water but their supply should be fresh.  They are not smelly pets as they are adapted to preserve water and their faeces are dry.  They like a thick layer of sawdust, or something similar, to tunnel in and when in a glass aquarium, or the like, they can be very entertaining to watch.  They can be handled if not taken by surprise.

• Rats: What's involved? Rats are very intelligent and agile.  They should be housed indoors with a large wire cage.  The cage should be high enough to allow them two levels.  Rats are omnivores and need protein.  They should not be fed human food or nuts.  They need feeding once a day and need cleaning out regularly as they hoard food.  Rats are nocturnal and so will be playful in the evening.  They enjoy being handled if it is done properly.   They are very sociable creatures and so are best kept with another rat of the same sex, preferably a litter mate as they can fight if introduced to a new rat.

• Chinchillas: What's involved? Chinchillas are very bright, inquisitive and good climbers.  They need a large cage with a climbing area, a sleeping box and a daily fresh sand bath.  They are indoor pets and need a constant temperature above 28 degrees C.  Chinchillas are herbivores, needing a lot of fibre.  This helps grind down their constantly growing teeth.  They are very intelligent pets and so need lots of toys for stimulation.  They are sociable and like to be with a single sex group.

• Ferrets: What's involved? Ferrets are very intelligent and inquisitive pets.  They can live in wire cages with several levels so they have lots of space.  They can also live freely in the house and use a litter tray.  Ferrets are omnivores and need high levels of meat protein and fat.  They need to be fed little and often throughout the day.  They are very playful and play happily with humans with tunnels and balls.