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BETTER PETS
146 | April 2019
GUINEA
PIGS
■WHY THEY’RE
GOOD PETS
They love good quality
time with their pet
parent (or another
guinea pig of the same
gender) and will
come out to greet you
when you approach
their habitat. “They’ll
often do a popcorn
jump, which means
they’re super happy,”
Burch says.
■CONSIDERATIONS
Handling “Guinea
pigs can be jumpy
and dropped easily,”
says Jill M. Patt, D.V.M.,
founder of Little
Critters Veterinary
Hospital in Gilbert, AZ.
Feeding You’ll have
to monitor their
eating and pooping
to spot any tummy
upset because they’re
not able to vomit. And
because they can’t
make their own vitamin
C, you’ll need to
give C-infused food,
treats, and a daily
C supplement.
Grooming To help
keep teeth from getting
too long, guinea pigs
need chew sticks or
mineral chews. They
also need regular
brushing and monthly
nail clipping. ■leafy vegetables.
Grooming Rabbits
keep themselves clean
but will need regular
brushing and monthly
nail trims.HAMSTERS■WHY THEY’RE
GOOD PETS
They’re captivating,
social, and very active:
The stereotype of a
hamster running laps
in a wheel or plastic
ball is true. See how
much so by putting
their energy to use in
an exercise wheel, then
having a little cuddle
before bed.
■CONSIDERATIONS
Life span Hamsters
live only two to
three years.
Socialization They’re
easy to handle once
socialized. But they
can nip if startled so
may not be good for
young kids.
Habitat Hamsters
choose a favorite
spot to go to the
bathroom; a critter
potty will help keep
their cage clean.RABBITS
■ WHY THEY’RE
GOOD PETS
Domesticated bunnies
are smart, aff ectionate,
and social. They
crave daily interaction
with their pet
parents all through
their lives—more than
10 years with proper
care—says Dawn
Burch, director of
animal care, education,
and compliance for
Petco. You can even
teach her to walk
on a leash using a
small-animal harness.
■ CONSIDERATIONS
Space Bunnies
need room to hop
around. A pen about
four times your
rabbit’s size will keep
her out of trouble
and protect your
possessions from her
chewing habit.
Chew toys Their teeth
never stop growing,
so provide constant
access to chew
sticks, mineral chews,
or long-stem hay
to maintain their teeth.
Feeding You know
she wants carrots
and clover. But did
you know that
she shouldn’t eat
alfalfa? Stick to
quality pellets along
with hay and greenLove the thought of a pet but can’t
accommodate a cat or dog? These three
animals can make good companions.PETS
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