Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Rat, Ferret

FACTS ABOUT RABBITS

• Male= "buck"
• Female ="doe"
• Breeding age from 4-10 months; Pregnancy lasts 31 days
• Litter size 1-12         Wean @ 4-6 week
• Diet: bad diet is the most common cause of disease in rabbits. Rabbit pellets do not provide the complete diet for a rabbit.

A rabbits diet should be based on a grass diet free access to grass is ideal. Next best is dry grass = "hay". Lucerne/alfalfa and clover are all very high in calcium and should be fed in small amounts only.

Rabbits should be offered fresh leafy green vegetables/herbs daily: broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, beet carrot tops, brussel sprouts, spinach leaves, Bok Choy, chickory, kale, mustard greens, dark leaf lettuce and herbs (parsley, danelions, coriander, basil, dill, mint) rate: 2 packed cups of fresh greens per kg per day. Some rabbits also love fruit.

Never leave your rabbit outside on hot days, even in the shade, as this can be the same as leaving it in a hot car. Every summer rabbits died from heat stroke because the owner thinks that the rabbit is OK in the shade. In the wild the rabbit can escape into its burrow or under cool vegetation.

Preventative health

Unfortunately there is not a vaccination for myxomatosis available in Australia. Calici virus (which causes a haemorragic disease) can be vaccinated against. One vaccination is satisfactory if the rabbit is over 10 weeks old (2 two if first vaccination is given at less than 10 weeks) and then an annual booster will give and maintain immunity.

To prevent transmission of these disease rabbits must be kept shielded from mosquitoes and free of fleas. Revolution can be used in rabbits for fleas and mites. NEVER USE FRONTLINE. Advantage can also be used for flea control.

Rabbits make better pets if they are desexed so it is advisable to get you rabbit desexed even if there is no chance of it breeding as they have a better temperament if desexed

FACTS ABOUT RATS

Rats can be fabulous pets, just ask anyone who has ever owned one. They come with their own little personalities and can become very attached to their owners.

• Male=buck adult weight 400-700 grams
• Female=doe adult weight 200-500grams
• Breeding from 5-12 weeks (averge 8 weeks)
• Duration of pregnancy 22-23 days
• Eyes open 13-16 days old
• Weaning 5 weeks (male and female litter mates should be separated by 4-5 weeks)
• Life span 2-3 years

Rats are highly intelligent, social animals, and although they love human company it is best if two rats (of the same sex) are kept together as pets. Rats love to do mutual grooming and curl up together to keep warm. Male rats can be desexed to minimise any aggressive tendancies.

Because rats are intelligent and inquisitive it is best to keep your rat busy with lots of activity and toys. It can be a lot of fun turning the cage into an adventure playground using ropes, ladders, tree branches, shelves, hammocks, and flowerpots. As rats love to climb, a cage that can have shelving is ideal, in this way it is possible to give the rats maximum space with out taking up too much floor space.

Rats should be fed wholegrain rice, vegetables: broccoli, potatoes, peas, carrot etc, wholemeal bread, fruit, like apples, cherries, grapes, banana and animal protein. The animal protein can be in the form of a good quality dog food, occassionally cooked liver and kidney and if available meal worms.