  There’s No Such Thing as a “Starter Pet”
Late last year, a family came to the shelter with a family of mice to relinquish. The story was familiar: the daughter wanted pets, so the family decided she was responsible enough to care for “easy” pets like mice. They purchased four male mice and were surprised to find out they were actually female. The teenaged daughter kept the mice in a cage in her room and consistently piled new bedding on top of the soiled bedding, forcing the mice to live surrounded by their own feces and urine. Our care staff found mold and parasites inside the enclosure as well. Luckily, the mice were not yet suffering from other obvious health problems due to their dirty environment like respiratory or eye diseases. Being that mice have a very sensitive sense of smell, the strong ammonia order from the breakdown of urine, likely made the living conditions difficult for the mice. These pets came to us because the family expected their child to be the primary caregiver for an animal.
A common misconception is smaller pets like mice, rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs don’t need a lot of care and attention, making them a good option for children to care for on their own. The reality is these animals need special care and in the case of caged animals, often need more socialization and direct interaction than other types of pets. Children get bored with these pets or discover that cleaning cages isn’t very glamourous, and the animals suffer from neglect. Parents need to be prepared to take an active role in these animals’ lives from the beginning to make sure their diet, social, and environmental needs are met. A small pet veterinarian is often the best resource for information on feeding, housing, handling, and guidance to keep your pet healthy. DuPage County Animal Services can also provide resources to make sure your small pet is getting everything it needs:
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Environment: Research to best learn how to house your pet. Avoid wood chips and remove soiled bedding every day. Minimally, clean the full enclosure weekly.
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Diet: Different small pets have a wide variety of diets. It’s important to research what your particular pet should eat and what could be toxic.
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Social: Spend time with your pets every day.
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Medical: Take your pet to the vet and monitor them for any changes in behavior or physical condition. Again, these pets should visit a veterinarian who has specialized training in small pet health.
Many small animals are not appropriate for small children handle. Mice, guinea pigs, and hamsters tend to be afraid of loud, high pitched noises and sudden movements. They also don’t like to be picked up. Make sure your children respect your pets. Although often overlooked, rats and ferrets are more laidback and might tolerate handling by older children.
Here are examples on how to involve your children with the care of your pets. Children can be your pet’s:
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Chef: Tear up the greens to make a salad and measure out the pellets
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Enrichment Officer: Switch out toys inside the enclosure every day
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Tooth Fairy: Select good chewing items
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Masseuse: Use a toothbrush to gently brush down the pet’s body
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Floor Supervisor: Sit calmly and let your pet come up for special treats while spending time out of the enclosure
Remember, even though these animals are small, it doesn’t mean they deserve a lesser life than other pets. Your children will follow your example as they learn to care, respect, and be responsible for the smallest family member.
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
When wondering what to feed your pet, it can get confusing! Think about what they would naturally have available. They only eat plants. Guinea Pigs and other small mammals need a healthy diet to keep their GI systems functioning properly. Make sure to avoid any animal-based products like yogurt drops, sour cream, or cheese. The guinea pig GI tract is not meant for anything but plants. They simply don’t have the enzymes needed to digest anything else. Dairy can do damage to your piggy's system, and it may take a while for any symptoms to show. Instead, provide plenty of hay, some guinea pig safe pellets, leafy greens, and occasional fruits and veggies for treats.
Mr. Barry, an adoptable piggy at DCAS, knows plants are the best! This sweet boy has struggled to find a good home that can give him proper care. He's been through a few different homes and is eager to settle down and find his forever family. He's very social but will need slow introductions to new playmates after the stress of being shuffled around. Are you ready to help this boy unpack his suitcase for good? Visit bit.ly/OurAdoptables to fill out an application!
Click on the picture to see Barry enjoy his morning greens!
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Two-Pronged Approach to Keeping Small Pets Safe from Wildlife
Officer Anthony
Late winter and early spring is breeding season for many of our wildlife including coyotes, raccoons, and foxes, which means these animals will be more active. As long as we take the proper steps to safeguard our pets, even a coyote looking for a date won’t be a threat.
Smaller pets are more at risk to predation and disease transfer from wildlife. We recommend keeping smaller animals inside the house to reduce these dangers. Outdoor animals like chickens need to be enclosed into a secure coop with a solid floor every night.
A new rabbit disease, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2), is making its way through the United States in wild rabbit populations. RHDV2 is highly contagious and spread through bodily fluids such as urine. It is fatal 3-5 days after exposure and can be transmitted by people, other animals, and objects that come in contact with contaminated fluid outside. Even if your rabbit lives inside, it can still contract the disease after the virus is tracked into the house. Click the picture of Officer Anthony and adoptable rabbit Bashful to learn more about RHDV2. Contact a veterinarian today about getting your pet rabbits vaccinated!
RHDV and other diseases or parasites can easily come into the home by traveling on our shoes after we walk through the back yard. One habit I’ve developed over my years of working with animals is to leave my work boots and garden shoes in the garage to reduce the risk of tracking anything in. We as pet owners can take small steps like that to make a big impact on our pet’s health and wellbeing.
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Join us at 7pm select Thursday nights all year long! Follow the links provided to register.
Our Wild Neighbors - March 3, 2022
Separate fact from fiction about Chicagoland’s wildlife. Understand how you can protect these fascinating animals and live in harmony.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3DbmGnK
Caring for Senior Pets - March 17, 2022
Has your pet become a sweet old lady or a grumpy old man? Either way, senior pets need special care from their owners. We’ll discuss behavior needs, home modifications, medical warning signs, and more.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3rpJhe1
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