Pocket pets

The Ferret is an intelligent and curious animal that loves to sleep. When awake they are lively, active and like to be kept busy. Ferrets are becoming more popular as pets, an easy care pet with a big personality, they have lots to offer!

A Guinea Pig is also known as a Cavy which is derived from the scientific name, Cavia porcellus. Guinea Pigs make fantastic pets for those people limited by space, and those that love an affectionate and social companion. Find out fun facts about Guinea Pigs and how to care for your little friend here.

When you think of a traditional small pet, you might think of a rabbit or guinea pig. Though often overlooked, the mouse can also make an excellent pet. Particularly for children as they rarely bite, are inexpensive to keep, do not require a lot of space and can be easily handled and cared for.

As part of the Leporidae family, rabbits are found in many parts of the world both in the wild and in family homes as pets. Similiar to cats and dogs, rabbits make wonderful pets. Each rabbit having their own personality and the ability to learn tricks and play games. They also have some particular home and veterinary care needs which are discussed here.

Unlike people, rabbits do not sweat to lose body heat rather they use their unique ears and a panting action to do so.

If you look close enough at a rabbits' ears you will find large blood vessels, which dilate, when the rabbit is overheated. Overheating may be a result of warm weather, exercise or in some cases, disease. When air moves across the ear it cools the blood as it passes though the large vessels and returns to the body slightly cooled.

The house rabbit should have a diet high in fibre and fairly low in calories (especially fats and starches). Over time pellet diets have been sold as the mainstay of a rabbit's diet, but pellets were originally formulated for non household rabbits (i.e. laboratory or farmed rabbits).