Small mammals and birds: wonderful companions when you understand their needs.
The rabbit is a diurnal small mammal of the lagomorph family (lifespan 6–13 years). It eats mainly hay (timothy) and fresh green vegetables, with a little pellet feed and fruit as treats. It produces soft droppings (cecotropes) that it re-ingests to recover vitamins and protein.
Social but stress-sensitive; sterilization is advised (males can become aggressive). Let it out 1–2 h a day under supervision — watch electrical cords! Avoid wire-bottom cages and cedar/pine shavings; use recycled-paper or corn/straw pellet litter.
Common illnesses:
An annual exam is important: sick rabbits show few symptoms.
A diurnal herbivore (lifespan 4–6 years) eating mainly hay and fresh green vegetables. Like humans, it cannot make vitamin C: a daily supplement is needed (crushed onto moist food; not in water, where it oxidizes).
Very social and vocal; males are territorial. Avoid wire-bottom cages and cedar/pine shavings.
Common illnesses:
An energetic, endearing small carnivore (lifespan 5–8 years) that enjoys company. It loves to hide small objects and swallows whatever it finds — supervise it! Its characteristic musky odour doesn’t disappear with baths (too many baths worsen it).
Fast digestion and high metabolism: food always available (ferret food, high in protein, or quality kitten food). Multi-level cage; it loves hammocks. Essential vaccines: distemper (fatal) and rabies. Treat for parasites if it goes outside in summer.
Common illnesses:
A mostly nocturnal rodent, very affectionate and social (lifespan 2–3 years). Omnivore: grains, fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, and a little pellet feed. Provide the largest possible cage with enrichment (PVC pipes, wheel, boxes). Avoid cedar/pine shavings.
Common illnesses:
A small rodent (lifespan 1–3 years). It has a tear gland producing a red-brown pigment under stress or illness (chromodacryorrhea). Avoid cedar/pine shavings; prefer recycled paper or corn/straw pellets.
Common illnesses:
A nocturnal, solitary rodent (lifespan 1½–3 years) that can be aggressive if handled roughly. It has cheek pouches for carrying food or pups, and a tear gland (red-brown pigment under stress). Two symmetrical flank glands are sometimes seen — often normal depending on the breed. Avoid cedar/pine shavings.
Common illnesses:
Herbivorous rodents. The degu is active by day, the chinchilla at dusk. Never grab a degu by the tail (autotomy: it sheds part of it). Lifespan: degu 4–8 years, chinchilla ~10 years. Diet: hay, some vegetables, little pellet feed; like rabbits they ingest cecotropes.
Spacious multi-level cage with hideouts. Offer a sand bath 30 min every 2 days (remove afterward). Avoid cedar/pine shavings.
Degu:
Chinchilla:
A small omnivore leaning insectivore (lifespan 7–10 years). Poor vision, strong sense of smell; solitary; needs warmth (22–24 °C) to avoid hibernation.
Varied diet: hedgehog or quality cat food, a few insects (crickets, worms — fatty, occasional), some fruit/vegetables (washed, peeled, deseeded), occasionally hard-boiled egg or cooked meat. Avoid raw food, whole nuts, sweets and dairy. Clear plastic bin, plastic wheel without rungs; ensure exercise. Avoid cedar, pine and corn pellets.
Common illnesses:
Contrary to popular belief, birds are omnivores: besides seeds, their diet should include fruit and vegetables, or a complete pellet. A seed-only diet causes deficiencies and obesity. A bath or shower at least weekly.
The cage must allow flight: width ≥ 2× wingspan, height ≥ 2× head-to-tail length. Vary perches (wood, rope, diameters) to avoid foot sores; avoid sandpaper. No direct sun or drafts. Teflon is toxic (non-stick pans, carpet glue, mirror backing…).
A sick bird hides its illness. Consult immediately if it: stays at the cage bottom, has ruffled feathers, half-closed eyes, open-beaked breathing, tail bobbing, drooping wings, or suddenly stops singing.
Common illnesses:
