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It's not difficult to get excited about these fun little bundles
of fur. However, anyone who decides to get dwarf rabbits
or guinea pigs should be aware that they'll be responsible
for their pets for several years and that buying them is just
the beginning. For dwarf rabbits and guinea pigs to feel
comfortable and at home, they have to be able to lead a life
that is suitable for their species and that allows them to act
on their natural instincts as much as possible. Before you
make your purchase, get informed about the requirements
of the different types of small animals. Having a look at
some specialised literature on the subject is very helpful in
this regard. A vet, animal shelter employees or speciality
pet store sales staff will also be happy to help you.
Please also be aware that all small animals apart from
hamsters should only be kept in pairs or even better in
a group. Once you've found your favourite, you'll need
to set up an appropriate small animal cage before you
bring your pets home. You can find recommendations on
proper small animal nutrition in the animal information
brochures from the German Federal Association for the
Expert Protection of Nature and Animal Species (BNA),
which are available in our Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo stores.
Different types of small animals all have very different
requirements for their homes. One thing they all have
in common is: you'll need to give careful thought to the
location of their home. If possible, it should be protected
from one if not two sides, for instance against a wall. This
gives the animals a sense of security. They'll need plenty
of sun and fresh air, but make sure they're not exposed
to draughts or allowed to overheat. Apart from that, the
place where they will be housed should be free from loud
noises and unpleasant odours. We'll tell you what else you
need to know about the most popular of all small animals
– guinea pigs & dwarf rabbits – in the next section.
A home for your guinea pigs
Guinea pigs are very sociable and socially active
animals. Their wild ancestors in South and Central America
live in groups of up to 20 animals. Keeping a pair of
them as pets is the absolute minimum, as guinea pigs do
in fact feel better living in small groups. The ideal group
has one boar (provided he has grown up in a social
environment with a family group including father
and mother) and several sows, but an all-male group
(assuming they are all social and well behaved) or an
all-female group is usually very harmonious too.
Basic equipment for a guinea pig hutch
removable food bowls
•
at least one closed fodder rack, ideally made of wood
•
an automatic drinking system or water bowl (the water
•
bowl provides a much more natural way for small
animals to drink than a bottle)
at least one sleeping enclosure per pet, with an entrance
•
and exit
hideaways such as cork tubes or bark
•
willow bridges and roots for running along
•
small animal toilet
•
create variety and entertainment in the form of obstacle
•
courses with ramps, stairs, tunnels or even a labyrinth
A home for dwarf rabbits
With their fluffy fur and sweet button eyes, dwarf rabbits
are very popular. Although they are extremely cute, they
do have certain requirements that you need to tend to if
you're to care for them properly. For example, they don't
like living alone, which means you need to keep them in
pairs or in a group. A castrated buck and one or more
does make a particularly harmonious group. Dwarf
rabbits are happiest when their cage is as spacious as
possible and has a varied set-up.
Basic equipment for a dwarf rabbit hutch
at least one sleeping enclosure per pet, with an entrance
•
and exit
removable food bowls
•
at least one closed fodder rack, ideally made of wood
•
a drinking system or water bowl (the water bowl
•
provides a much more natural way for small animals to
drink than a bottle)
at least one raised resting area with a back rest as an
•
"observation deck" (alternatively also the flat roof of a
sleeping enclosure)
tubes, tunnels, bridges and steps create some variety
•
small animal toilet
•
The right litter for your guinea pig hutch and
dwarf rabbit hutch
The right litter is very important for a perfect small animal
home. Every small animal has its own individual needs
for a species-appropriate lifestyle. You just need to take
a single glance at the overview to know which litter we
recommend for your little family friend.
Please note
You will find more information on the topic of
species-appropriate nutrition tailored to your pets'
needs in the Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo topic flyers. These
can be downloaded as PDF files on the fressnapf.de
website or picked up in our Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo stores.
Our Fressnapf | Maxi Zoo employees are also happy to
help you with any other queries.
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