small
furry
THE UK'S NO.1 SMALL ANIMAL MAGAZINE
s t e P
Lop Rabbits
Ccuudtdel&y
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DRY FOOD FOR YOUR PET
Plus:
▹RABBITS ▹GUINEA PIGS ▹HAMSTERS ▹GERBILS ▹CHINCHILLAS
AUTUMN 2011 SAMPLE
SAFE HANDLING
FOR YOU AND YOUR PET
16
PAGE SAMPLER
s r e t s Ham WHICH SUITS YOU? AND MUCH MORE
.....
News updates ✱ Focus on housing ✱ Your Q&A
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6
Just like us, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas need their 5-a-day. The Excel Feeding Plan has been developed to include everything these pets need, keeping them happy and healthy in five simple steps. For information, great offers and a fun way for your kids to learn about feeding their pets properly, visit our website
www.excelfeedingplan.com
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small
CONTENTS CONTENTS
furry
s t e P
AUTUMN 2011
FEATURES
14 WHICH SMALL ANIMAL PET IS FOR YOU?
includes a series of illustrated checklists and charts, to help you to find the most suitable pet for your individual circumstances. Covers all the major groups - rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, mice & rats.
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which pet is best for your chil d?
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Photos © Lizzie Noble
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6
24 INDOORS OR OUT?
dow Meis breed of Up and born with normal ears, but rarer are An older ner, start to hang young lops is the Meisse created should then about a month German lop it was New lops of lop are still being but these is not e the rabbit the city where uished by its , this does down once Further breeds ad lops have becom named after is disting be habits of hamsters compare their cases though 1800s. It with these reactions in should ideally old. In some transformation in created. Lionhe has in the late been carried both h housing systems recent years, tion, which out by animal longer te when a behaviour happen. The normally comple . popular over ing the “mane” of body, althoug silver coloura and welfare is of age. traditional cage Those kept in a the entire terises student sarah the head arah caunt. appearance n four and 12 weeks set-up were rabbits display head which charac even across aunt. including The aim was prone to gnawing the the weeks to identify the extremities In the USA, bars of the cage least five lop is betwee fur around often, the living at space preferred itself. take and moving around d breed It will late by The French the lionhea its extremities, are darker. bred in the how they utilised the hamsters and ment coloura it betion tiveWill safe to breed than utilising lops were rather lop is the satin it. Two types Tempera that mini lops are nowthe myroyal satinloosens all the area of for this distinc in guinea usually red housing were of young pig now she heaviest e sleek, a the e enclosure. This the ive used pelvis, making amongst is eight to emerg It is no surpris months 1990s, with kind of behaviou their attract the breed, traditional rectangu in the study: a member of connectio thisold? They popular, ranking considered to in spite of r is rabbits of the group s coat, butelastic. n between the two halves immensely kept breeds of rabbit. be indicative and a new modular lar wire design more widelyof anxiety and which remain It can therefore are stress. and type, most expand slightly the Habitrail It is becoming O OvO vO manufac during the birth , with appearance, dangerous at On the other tured by rolf process, so there have a cute wide range of colours rolf c her hand, the hamsters c.. Hagen. age. As a general Ten syrian risk of an obstructio is less ears yrian hamsters the modular le in a easy to rule,Young in them sows , availab lops have raised all n Habitrail should not be occurring under age of one year also the cage used all fold this stage. at size making allowed the available (left), which . Mini lops old, were chosen their small at first once they are 10 months, to breed space, particula the subjects e and handle as Should your sow as they become rly the open parts and if they have for the research downnot accommodat lly placid and friendly l. as become done so before. the (right), . area pregnant ▲ The Always provide hiding now however, containin hamsters were This is because older in the exercise a genera their appea her pelvis will places in an all-wire videoed over their wheel. The hamsters g pelvic bones, shown be more have rament, adding to period of four cage rigid. This means a through which were also much weeks tempe this case the young that pass in the birth less prone to behaviour recorded and their risk that any young there is a greater canal, harden gnawing their ters and analysed together will need to be as the guinea quarters, suggesti , to by Caesarean any way born Health mat pig become older. that they felt ng section, which antaged in more secure If your sow had will be not disadv ears, although you traumatic for the here. are bred previously Lops sow their about 4-5 months , at lops terms of the veterinaryand costly too, in by the position of old, the risk of of English problems would birth the claws and AS SpeCIeS peCI pe CIe CI The birth process bill. eears, S IS C have been significan ConSIde need to keep t their trailing onSI on SIdered dered red to be itself is normally reduced, because tly protec extinctbeif kept quite rapid, with it hasvery forest. We are of the productio not been sighted short, to also the young being steel absolutely delighted hormone called n of a rs mustyears. for 50 The so-called produced within become ssoiled relaxin at this lop have rediscove their quarte ears do notZoologist were therefore 30 age. This red such a wonderfuto variety of French the amazed by the the start of labour. minutes or so from creature after clean, so l recent reappear g. just a ance of volunteering with month of by dirty beddin a unique and mysterious South proAves. roAves. Clearly American rodent, 7 el dorado the orado reserve which had not furry pets eserve has many onal seensmall been an internati since 2011 more exciting discoverie have built up AUTUMN organised 1898, despite several s waiting,” said These two English lops circles. searches noble, Lizzie oble, who is from show for it. Jenn Badger following in Godalming in My rabbit keeps The red-crest were bred by Rabbitry Surrey. The red-crest ed tree rat youngsters scratching at Sweetie ed tree rat is now (Santama (Santamarrtamys dry crusty scabs its ears, and at her My Little California tamys be designated likely there here seem which won’t as ‘critically endanger in northern Which would rufodorsalis),which heal. any suggesti to be some lis),which is you recomme ed’. What is most ons? nd as a pet for year old daughter See your vet about the size concerning our six as soon as of a : a hamster, regarding a gerbil? a guinea pig possible, because guinea pig, bizarrely its future, be permanent. or the deposits within the ears however, is that showed up at Be particularly are likely to be much the careful if you the result of an infection its potential remainingof Hamsters are front door of an have any other rabbits, less suitable for by ear mites. because these Rabbits find younger children range is inundated they tend to wake ecolodge at the mites can be these very irritating, because el el up at bedtime spread very easily readily. If they as the mites with introduce and can bite quite dorado orado nature from are able to escape bore into the ature one rabbit to d feral did another by handling id yOu into a room, they prove difficult tissue of the yOu knOW yO cats that prey reserve in the reserve OW that this to find, particular ears. In a can also . on far Strip down the is the year on the c ly if there is a year of the r Gerbils are active bad case, your chinese hutch and hinese calendar native fauna, posing north of Colombia rabbit, based gap in the floor. vet may and do not like ? itt began on disinfect it thorough will continue can even faint close contact. need to sedate february ebruary 3rd, a serious threat in early May this through until ly, if held tightly, In fact, they the and to January 22nd using a special so a guinea pig there are 12 best choice in rabbit in order the continued year. It stayed next year. in animals featured would be the safe this case. to total, for in the chinese product which the rabbit remove the debris Their larger size hinese zodiac, survival of this sold for small almost two hours, is the fourth makes them easier of in the sequenc animals for this People born and guinea pigs and help the nocturnal species. for children to allowing two research e. under will not attempt nature and consider this sign are believed to purpose. Rinse to bite when being handle, They can live healing process. volunteers to be calm by indoors quite the ate, but also picked up. take the happily as well be particularly interior and allow cautious. They in this way in Ear mites can first photogra - they were first reluctant to commit their native South are said to it be phs of a kept for this reason, to dry complete America and still You can buy special serious because themselv small es mammal although being romantically ly are today. if left cages to accommo that was very loyal by people are frequentl before putting untreated, the the home. date them safely thought to have nature. rabbit your infection y interested in vanished in rabbit back in successful in fashion and are is likely to spread Start with a young forever. business often dealings, although its quarters. caution means should soon become guinea pig about 4-5 weeks through into their instinctiv “He just shuffled they are not keen the middle ear. old, which tame if handled e up This treatmen to gamble. supervise your This will affect regularly. Always the handrail near daughter with the kill any surviving t should where the guinea pig prevent any risk sense of balance rabbit’s we were sitting mites, so though, to of injury. there are no previous rabbit and cause it and further symptom to twist its neck abnorma seemed totally years: 1939-194 Provided that 1963-1964; 1975-197 lly. Once these no scabs reappear s. 0; 1951-1952; are apparent signs unperturbed 6; 1987-1988; within three weeks, , the damage 10 small furry by all the 1999-2000 is likely likel to then these pets AUTUMN excitement he parasites will 2011 was have been eliminate causing, and d. finally Famous people shuffled back borN iN A black and white drew Barrymo into the re; russell Brand; rabbit years: unusual feature of tail is an david this species Joan crawford Beckham; natasha ; richards Tina Turner; ichardso on; n; Jane seymour kate Winslet. ;
Q
N pets AUTUM
20 RABBIT BREED PROFILE lop rabbits.
PROFILE
t
did yo
petes pet
AUTUMN 2011
small all furry urry pets
11
om o nd www hu & on H n oM h n
how to ensure that all small pets are safe within the home.
34 WHAT MY PET MEANS TO ME
the joys of keeping small pets.
40 GOING DUTCH looking at Dutch patterning, which is commonly seen in a range of different small animals.
44 THE EASTER BUNNY AND OTHER TALES
myth and reality.
46 THE RISE OF THE RAT how this maligned creature has now become a popular pet.
system of rabbits and rodents, which sets them apart from other mammals, and what can go wrong.
REGULARS
4 NEWS ROUND-UP news about small animals.
8 CLUB OR REHOMING ORGANISATION PROFILE each issue, we focus on one of the many clubs
W
Pho og ph
31 PET SAFETY INDOORS
53 HEALTH MATTERS explaining the unique digestive
Furry Pets ELCOME TO Small sampler ge - or at least a 16 pa ng. On this taste of the real thi a u yo e designed to giv t for a full 76 page typical contents lis range page, you'll see a ion to the acclaimed ts is the latest addit Pe rry Fu all Sm . by issue produced keeping magazines of pet and animals, ing Group. rabbits, guinea pig the Kelsey Publish cation will focus on bli rs pu he w ot ne as ll ing we cit This ex this area, as rs. well-known pets in de the gli r all ga d su an d s an ter s hams such as degu le, ofi pr er low h, a alt ve he that currently ha ws, plus advice on will be the latest ne rt comment, pe ex th wi d In each issue, there ine mb co and general care, nutritional matters much more. d an ns tio eti mp blication breeder profiles, co UK news-stand pu will be the first ever popularity e os wh ts, Small Furry Pets pe of up
al pet care sively on this gro not just via tradition concentrating exclu will be distributed t newsagents, It ee . str idly h rap hig d gly an sin is increa jor supermarkets ma the gh ou thr o outlets, but als ip. , t possible readersh love small animals ensuring the wides
o geted at people wh cess If your product is tar that will give you ac e zin ga ma ly on the is ts Pe rry Fu Small siast. to the general enthu
erton d l A d i v Da
Editor .co.uk ey els @k .ed Email: sfp
ks is well-known for his boo the for ls for over 45 years, and als ma ani mm all ma sm all t sm kep g David has unit coverin d. He also prepared the about the care and articles in this fiel broadcast extensively has and , rse cou g inin tra ent em nag Ma re Sto Pet up of creatures. and biology of this gro
28 GROW YOUR OWN how to provide your pet with the freshest food possible and reduce your feeding costs.
around the country, or a rehoming centre.
10 PRODUCT SHOWCASE a range of the equipment and foods available, especially new product. 12 VETERINARY CASEBOOK
real-life accounts of individual cases affecting small pets.
35 CROSSWORD test your knowledge about the world of small pets, in our prize crossword.
36 COMPANY INSIGHT profile of one of the leading suppliers in the small animal area.
38 SMALL PETS IN FOCUS poster spread. 42 BREEDER SPOTLIGHT
a focus on a well-recognised figure in the hobby.
50 Q&A the questions that you want answered. 59 THE NEBLIK INTERVIEW each month, Victoria talks
with a leading expert in the field of nutrition, veterinary science or other areas, keeping readers up-to-date with the latest insights into the care of rabbits and rodents.
62 YOU & YOUR PETS photos sent in by readers. 67 WILD TALK the wider world of these small mammals. 70 TAIL END the page for younger readers. 71 EVENTS DIARY what’s happening in the world of shows and club meetings.
AUTUMN 2011 small furry pets
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22 07 2011 13 01
small furry
pets
Time to think P Lo
fu
WELCOME TO THIS 16 PAGE SAMPLER FOR KELSEY PUBLISHING’S NEW CONSUMER MAGAZINE,
Ra
Ccuud
SMALL FURRY PETS.
T
HE UK SMALL ANIMAL market has developed into a thriving sector within the pet trade and continues to grow, attracting people of all ages. A 2011 survey of pet-owning households found that 2.7% of all UK homes now own rabbits; 1.5% keep guinea pigs and 1.4% look after hamsters, with smaller numbers owning chinchillas, gerbils, rats and other similar animals. Rabbits have now become Britain’s third most popular pet after dogs and cats, overtaking the budgerigar, and yet up until now, there hasn’t been a news-stand publication catering for this dynamic pet sector.
At last….
Companies serving and supplying the UK’s rapidly increasing number of small animal-keeping households will now have a consumer magazine tailored to their needs, providing a focus for their efforts. Small Furry Pets is produced by Kelsey Publishing, the UK’s most exciting and innovative producer of specialist
magazines for enthusiasts. Kelsey has a portfolio of over 30 regular frequency magazines, covering a variety of market sectors. The company already publishes a more comprehensive range of magazine titles for pet and animalkeeping enthusiasts than any other UK publisher, as shown below: Kelsey successfully launched Practical Reptile Keeping in 2009
Kelsey also originated and produces the UK’s market leading monthly magazine for poultry enthusiasts - Practical Poultry
In 2010, Kelsey launched the quarterly Practical Pigs which has proved to be an instant success Last year, Kelsey purchased the weekly title Cage & Aviary Birds Kelsey Publishing is therefore not just a well-established magazine publisher, but also has huge experience of successful magazine launches. Small Furry Pets will be edited by David Alderton. David will be known to many in the pet industry as an authoritative expert who has written extensively on all aspects of choosing and looking after pets. David is also editor of Kelsey’s successful Practical Reptile Keeping title.
4
Key facts ● FREQUENCY: quarterly, then monthly. ● FIRST ISSUE: cover dated Autumn 2011 (to be published November 2011). Winter (January 2012) and then monthly from April 2012.
cho
● PAGINATION: 76 pages; A4. ● PRODUCTION: quality, gloss paper. ● COVER PRICE: £3.50. ● CONTENT: coverage of all aspects of choosing and caring for all types of small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, rats, and more recent arrivals on the scene such as degus, reflecting the dynamic nature of this sector. News, health care, breeder profiles, reader competitions and more, with the emphasis throughout being placed firmly on responsible ownership. ● DISTRIBUTION: through the news trade including WHSmith, high street shops and other major groups including supermarkets throughout the UK and Ireland. ● DISPLAY POSITION: next to other pet magazines. ● PROMOTION: pet magazines, enthusiast websites and other relevant Kelsey magazines. ● TARGET DISTRIBUTION QUANTITY: 25,000 copies.
The r dry f for y
Plus:
● ADVERT PAGE RATE: £975.
We hope that you will enjoy this 16 page sampler copy of Small Furry Pets Pets, which has been produced exclusively for businesses involved in supplying products and services to small animal enthusiasts. The aim is to give you a clear insight into our plans for the development of the magazine.
small ll ffurry pets AUTUMN 2011
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small furry
small
furry
The UK's No.1 small aNim al
Pets
Safe handling
AuTuMN 2011 Sam Ple
for you and your pet
16
Lop Rabbits
Ccuudtdel&y
paGe Sampler
Hamsters
chooSing Th
e righT dry food for your peT
Plus:
magaziNe
pets
A great opportunity!
SMALL ANIMAL ENTHUSIASTS will have their very own magazine dedicated to their love of rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and similar pets – even pygmy hedgehogs! Small Furry Pets will build on their passion for these attractive and endearing pets with practical, informed editorial content about choosing the right pet and maintaining it in good health, combined with superb, often specially commissioned photography.
SMALL FURRY PETS will answer readers’ questions, promote the club scene and expanding website activity, encourage youngsters to take up the hobby and give manufacturers a brilliant opportunity to present their products in a magazine read by their target market of small animal enthusiasts of all ages. From time-to-time, Small Furry Pets will run content on introducing readers to the idea of showing their pets, but this will not be a major part of the magazine. Have a look at page 3 of this special sampler issue to get a flavour of the breadth of content that will be included in a typical 76 page issue.
SMALL FURRY PETS will be published as an A4 magazine printed on quality glossy paper and published quarterly, with the first issue on sale from November 2011 and cover dated “Autumn 2011” with a £3.50 cover price. The first monthly issue will be launched in April 2012.
SMALL FURRY PETS will be distributed to the news trade on sale or return terms throughout the UK and Ireland. With an initial supply target of 25,000 copies, Small Furry Pets will be positioned in the pets magazine sector in WHSmith high street shops, major supermarkets plus thousands of independent shops.
▹raBBItS ▹GuInea pIGS ▹HamSterS ▹GerBIlS ▹CHInCHIllaS S News updates ✱ Fo cus
WHICH SuItS you? and much more
SMALL FURRY PETS will be promoted through adverts in other pet magazines and enthusiast websites including via Kelsey's own extensive range of titles.
.....
KELSEY PUBLISHING is confident that Small Furry Pets will offer advertisers a superb opportunity to reach small animal enthusiasts, with editorial tailor-made to give your products and services a magnificent showcase, thereby helping to ensure sales success. The advertisement page rate is £975 with smaller adverts priced at a correspondingly lower rate.
. . . t u o s is m ’t n Do on housing ✱ Your
Q&A
The UK’s small animal enthusiasts will soon be enjoying their own high quality specialist magazine
MAKE SURE YOUR COMPANY BENEFITS BY ADVERTISING IN
SMALL FURRY PETS
CONTACT: DAVID LERPINIERE 01959 543507 OR SIMON DUNN 01959 543514 Email: sfp.adsales@kelsey.co.uk For a digital version of this sampler and a downloadable pdf go to:
www.smallfurrypets.co.uk
AUTUMN 2011 small furry pets
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Introducing
small furry
pets BREED PROFILE
THE LOP F Lop breeds rank amongst the most distinctive of rabbits. They all have one characteristic in common - their ears hang down the sides of their head, rather than being held erect.
R
A blue-eyed white Holland lop
ABBITS OF THIS TYPE have been known for centuries. The English lop is the oldest recognised breed existing today, with a history which can be traced back nearly 200 years. The origins of lop rabbits extend back even further though, with representations of such rabbits being portrayed on ancient Chinese carvings dating from the 1500s. At first, the aim was to create a breed distinguishable by the length of its ears. This was the measure by which the early lops were assessed for show purposes,
and exhibitors competed to set new records. As far as English lops were concerned, they had to have ears measuring at least 43cm (17in) long, in order to be shown in the 1820s, with measurements of 53cm (21in) being considered exceptional at that time. This breed, however, is not an ideal choice as a pet, thanks in part to its large size, not to mention the length of the ears themselves, which trail down on to the ground. But it has played a key role in the development of other, more suitable breeds.
▲ Chinchilla butterfly German lop, seen from the front
French lop
Scaling down
An even larger breed of lop was then created during the 1850s in France, from crosses between English lops and now rare or extinct giant breeds of French rabbit, such as the Picard and An English lop called Nipper’s Geronimo, Rouennais. The French lop was not bred in Bakersfield, California, set the originally developed as record for the longest ears of any rabbit a show breed though, in 2003. His ear span, measured from but bred instead for its meat. These rabbits tip to tip across the top of the head, usually weigh over was 79cm (31.1in). 5.4kg (12lb).
DID YOU KNOW?
Orange mini lop
In 1949, a breeder in the Netherlands then decided to see if he could create a much smaller version of a lop breed. He began a breeding programme which involved crossings between the original large English and French breeds and Netherland dwarf rabbits. Initially though, he encountered difficulties, because at first, none of the offspring were lops. Over time however, he was then able to reduce the size of the emerging new breed, which is sometimes referred to as the Holland lop, but is now better-known in the UK as the dwarf lop. In common with its Netherland dwarf ancestor, its ears are relatively short, and do not trail down around the feet. Scaling-down in size also became
The so-called steel variety of French lop
English lops have built up an international following in show circles. These two youngsters were bred by Jenn Badger at her My Little Sweetie Rabbitry in northern California
6
small furry pets AUTUMN 2011
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BREED PROFILE small furry
ppets
P FAMILY Lionhead lop
fashionable in Germany during the mid-1950s, where a variety of breeds, including French, English and Holland lops were used, along with others including the Polish, chinchilla and New Zealand, to create what is now known as the German lop.
ODD LOPS
In the early days of lop breeding, other variants were recorded. These can still be seen occasionally, cropping up unexpectedly in litters. HALF LOP - such rabbits have one ear raised, and one in the lop position. OAR LOP - an unusual arrangement, where the ears were held out on each side of the head. Named after the position of the oars on a rowing boat. HORN LOP - the ears in this case are directed forward over the head, rather like the horns of a cow.
The French lop is the heaviest member of the group
Compact and beautiful!
quite rare today, especially outside its German homeland.
The smallest form of lop is the miniature, which weighs no more than 1.6kg (3lb) when adult. Mini lops are not the same as the breed of this name known in the US, which are slightly larger in size, but are descended from dwarf lops. Other small lops, which need more grooming because of the longer coats, are the miniature cashmere lop (which also exists in a giant form), and the miniature form of the lionhead lop.
New lops
Up and down
Further breeds of lop are still being created. Lionhead lops have become popular over recent years, with these rabbits displaying the “mane” of longer fur around the head which characterises the lionhead breed itself. In the USA, royal satin lops were bred in the late 1990s, with a sleek, usually red satin coat, but in spite of their attractive
Young lops are born with normal ears, but these should then start to hang down once the rabbit is about a month old. In some cases though, this does not happen. The transformation in appearance is normally complete when a lop is between four and 12 weeks of age.
Meissener lop An older but rarer breed of German lop is the Meissener, named after the city where it was created in the late 1800s. It is distinguished by its silver colouration, which should ideally be even across the entire body, although often, the extremities including the head are darker. It will take at least five weeks for this distinctive colouration to emerge in young rabbits of this breed, which remains
appearance, they have not yet become Blue Holland lop well-known. Other varieties, including a velveteen lop, are being bred there. Here in the UK, dwarf rex lops are a soft-coated and attractive form to consider.
Young lops have raised ears at first (left), which fold down as they become older (right), as shown in this case
Temperament It is no surprise that mini lops are now immensely popular, ranking amongst the most widely-kept breeds of rabbit. They have a cute appearance, and are available in a wide range of colours, with their small size making them easy to accommodate and handle. Mini lops also have a generally placid and friendly temperament, adding to their appeal.
Health matters Lops are not disadvantaged in any way by the position of their ears, although you need to keep the claws of English lops short, to protect their trailing ears, and their quarters must also be kept very clean, so the ears do not become soiled by dirty bedding. AUTUMN 2011 small furry pets
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Life used to be straightforward! When the golden hamster started to become a popular pet in the 1960s, it was the only one of its kind. But now there is a wide choice available.
Choosing your id Other types
found in the same part of the world as its relatives. The only other type of hamster that is occasionally kept as a pet is the Chinese or striped hamster (Cricetulus griseus griseus). Today’s strains of pet hamster are all descended from zoo-bred stock.
Change of name
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HE GOLDEN HAMSTER (Mesocricetus auratus) originates from Syria, and has recently been discovered in an adjacent area of Turkey. Hamsters as a group range through parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. There are about 25 recognised species, of which the very scarce European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is the largest. Dwarf hamsters first started to be kept as pets in the mid-1970s, and they have since built up a strong following. The Djungarian or Campbell’s (Phodopus sungorus campbelli) lives in parts of Russia, Mongolia and China, while its close relative, the winter white dwarf hamster (P. s. sungorus) originates from eastern parts of Kazakhstan and south-western Siberia. The third member of this group, which is less commonly-kept, is the smaller Roborovski’s (P. roborovskii), which is
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As the number of colour varieties has increased in the case of the golden hamster, so its name has been changed, to that of the Syrian hamster. The original colour form is still known as the golden, but now you can choose from varieties literally ranging right through from white to black - and bi-coloured individuals too, such as cream and white. There are even tortoiseshells and tortoiseshell and whites, corresponding to the colours seen in cats. If you want to have the widest selection of colours to choose from therefore, then pick a Syrian hamster. In terms of coat type though, bear in mind that if you opt for a longhaired individual, its coat will require regular grooming, using a soft toothbrush to prevent the fur from becoming matted. Rexes, with their crimped fur, only require to be stroked by hand to keep their coats looking neat. Their fur is often somewhat thinner than normal.
(above) Roborovski’s dwarf hamster. (below) The endangered European or black-bellied hamster can stand over 30cm (12in) tall. (left) Golden hamsters inhabit arid countryside.
The number of colour varieties in the case of dwarf hamsters has also grown over recent years, particularly in the case of Campbell’s, where you can now choose from opal (bluish-grey), argente (ginger) and copper amongst others. There is also a satin coat type, as in the case of the Syrian, which can be combined with any colour, giving the coat an extra shiny appearance. As far as the winter white is concerned, be prepared for a sudden colour change. As with many smaller mammals, its fur becomes white in the autumn, just as would happen in the wild. This helps to conceal these hamsters from predators when there is snow on the ground. In the case of the Chinese hamster, you may come across the so-called ‘white-spotted’ form. As its name suggests, there are white patches on the back, and over the head in a wellmarked individual. A separate pure white strain has been created in Switzerland, but is very rare.
Starting out Should you have your heart set on a hamster of a particular colour, then you may need to patient. It might be possible to order a youngster of your choice through a local pet store, although in some instances, you may have to track down a breeder, especially if you are in search of a particularly rare variety. This will definitely be the case as well if you are interested in
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IF YOU HAVE TWO CHILDREN REN, both of whom are keen to have a pet hamster, it can be both cheaper and easier to start out with young dwarf Russians. They can share their accommodation, and will usually agree well, provided that they are both introduced here at the same time. This saves the expense of having to purchase two separate housing set-ups, and your children can share the care of their pets. Be sure that the hamsters are of the same sex, however, so as to prevent an unexpected litter.
r e t s m ur ideal pet Ha Obtain a young hamster after weaning, at 4-5 weeks old, as it will be easier to tame
difference in temperament between the because youngsters in particular can sexes if you seeking a pet. exhibiting your pet, to be sure of having sometimes slip between the bars, or may Lifespans a hamster from a show line. even become stuck between them. There is really no variation in Dwarf hamsters will thrive in modular DID YOU KNOW? Dwarf Russians typically have a life temperament between hamsters of systems, which are now available in a expectancy of no more than two years, Long-haired different colours. But there are wide range of designs. The whereas Syrian and Chinese hamsters Syrian hamsters very important difference when different components can be can often live for three, although there are sometimes can obviously be exceptions either way. it comes to choosing configured in a wide range The coat called ‘teddies’, between the species. Both of ways and they are of a long-haired equally suitable for Syrian because they can Temperament Syrian and Chinese Syrian hamster hamsters. Beware, hamsters are solitary Although there is some difference in look rather like animals by nature, and however, as a Syrian temperament between the various develops miniature must be housed hamster can sometimes species, this also depends on the over time teddy bears! individually. On the other have difficulty moving hand, dwarf hamsters tend to through these tubes as it be more social by nature, and this becomes older, if it has grown in part helps to explain why they have heavier and less mobile with age. become more popular over recent years. Gender Another key difference that you need to bear in mind is their size. As their It is not too difficult to sex young name suggests, dwarf hamsters are hamsters just after they are weaned, and THERE ARE A NUMBER OF significantly smaller too, and this has a before they are sexually mature, POINTERS THAT YOU NEED direct impact on their housing. especially if you can compare a group. TO CONSIDER Traditional wire cages may not be as The gap between the hamster’s genital move freely? commonly-seen today as in the past, but and anal openings, at the base of the tail, Can the hamster they are not to be recommended for is much closer together in a female than staining around Check there is no dwarf hamsters in any case, simply a male. Even so, there is no significant ich would be
k c e h c h t Heal
the vent area, wh indicative of diarrhoea. bald Ensure there are no at. co the in areas sleek, although The fur should be is slightly in Roborovski’s, the coat ds not ten it so , ter sof longer and to lie flat. bright. It is The eyes should be msters to ha normal for some e black eye. on d an have one red rred. The ears should not be sca
A Syrian hamster with full cheek pouches (left) and empty cheek pouches (right)
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NEED HELP WITH YOUR PET?
OR LOOKING FOR GENERAL ADVICE? Then why not email our team of experts at sfp.ed@kelsey.co.uk or write to our address on page 74? A selection of questions and answers will be featured in each issue, but replies can only be given through this column, and if you are worried about the health of your pet, seek veterinary advice without delay.
ES GUINEA PIG BREEDING WORRI
Q
Will it be safe to breed my guinea pig now she is eight months old?
A
It is becoming dangerous at her age. As a general rule, sows should not be allowed to breed once they are 10 months, if they have not done so before. This is because their pelvic bones, through which the young pass in the birth canal, harden together as the guinea pig become older. If your sow had bred previously, at about 4-5 months old, the risk of birth problems would have been significantly reduced, because of the production of a hormone called relaxin at this age. This
WHICH PET IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD?
Q
Which would you recommend as a pet for our six year old daughter: a hamster, a guinea pig or a gerbil?
A
Hamsters are less suitable for younger children because they tend to wake up at bedtime and can bite quite readily. If they are able to escape into a room, they can also prove difficult to find, particularly if there is a gap in the floor. Gerbils are active and do not like close contact. In fact, they can even faint if held tightly, so a guinea pig would be the best choice in this case. Their larger size makes them easier for children to handle, and guinea pigs will not attempt to bite when being picked up. They can live indoors quite happily as well - they were first kept in this way in their native South America and still are today. You can buy special cages to accommodate them safely in the home. Start with a young guinea pig about 4-5 weeks old, which should soon become tame if handled regularly. Always supervise your daughter with the guinea pig though, to prevent any risk of injury.
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loosens the pelvis, making the connection between the two halves more elastic. It can therefore expand slightly during the birth process, so there is less risk of an obstruction occurring at this stage. Should your sow become pregnant now however, her pelvis will be more rigid. This means that there is a greater risk that any young will need to be born by Caesarean section, which will be traumatic for the sow and costly too, in terms of the veterinary bill. The birth process itself is normally quite rapid, with the young being produced within 30 minutes or so from the start of labour.
SCRATCHING PROBLEMS
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My rabbit keeps scratching at its ears, and there seem to be some dry crusty scabs here which won’t heal. Any suggestions?
See your vet as soon as possible, because the deposits within the ears are likely to be the result of an infection by ear mites. Rabbits find these very irritating, as the mites bore into the tissue of the ears. In a bad case, your vet may need to sedate the rabbit in order to remove the debris and help the healing process. Ear mites can be serious because if left untreated, the infection is likely to spread through into the middle ear. This will affect the rabbit’s sense of balance and cause it to twist its neck abnormally. Once these signs are apparent, the damage is likely to
be permanent. Be particularly careful if you have any other rabbits, because these mites can be spread very easily from one rabbit to another by handling. Strip down the hutch and disinfect it thoroughly, using a special safe product sold for small animals for this purpose. Rinse the interior and allow it to dry completely before putting your rabbit back in its quarters. This treatment should kill any surviving mites, so there are no further symptoms. Provided that no scabs reappear within three weeks, then these parasites will have been eliminated.
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News round-up
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EACH ISSUE FEATURES NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL THE VERY LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT SMALL MAMMALS.
New study suggests hamsters prefer modular housing systems
▲ Always provide hiding places in an all-wire cage
A DETAILED STUDY into the domestic habits of hamsters has been carried out by animal behaviour and welfare student Sarah Caunt. The aim was to identify the living space preferred by the hamsters and how they utilised it. Two types of housing were used in the study: a traditional rectangular wire design and a new modular type, the Habitrail OVO manufactured by Rolf C. Hagen. Ten Syrian hamsters, all under the age of one year old, were chosen as the subjects for the research. The hamsters were videoed over a period of four weeks and their behaviour recorded and analysed, to
compare their reactions in both housing systems. Those kept in a traditional cage set-up were prone to gnawing the bars of the cage and moving around its extremities, rather than utilising all the area of the enclosure. This kind of behaviour is considered to be indicative of anxiety and stress. On the other hand, the hamsters in the modular Habitrail cage used all the available space, particularly the open parts and the area containing the exercise wheel. The hamsters were also much less prone to gnawing their quarters, suggesting that they felt more secure here.
BACK AFTER 113 YEARS! forest. We are absolutely delighted to have rediscovered such a wonderful creature after just a month of volunteering with ProAves. Clearly the El Dorado Reserve has many more exciting discoveries waiting,” said Lizzie Noble, who is from Godalming in Surrey. The red-crested tree rat is now likely be designated as ‘critically endangered’. What is most concerning regarding its future, however, is that much of its potential remaining range is inundated with introduced feral cats that prey on native fauna, posing a serious threat to the continued survival of this nocturnal species.
A black and white tail is an unusual feature of this species
Photos © Lizzie Noble / ProAves www.proaves.org
A SPECIES IS CONSIDERED to be extinct if it has not been sighted for 50 years. Zoologists were therefore amazed by the recent reappearance of a unique and mysterious South American rodent, which had not been seen since 1898, despite several organised searches for it. The red-crested tree rat (Santamartamys rufodorsalis),which ),which is about the size of a guinea pig, bizarrely showed up at the front door of an ecolodge at the El Dorado Nature Reserve in the far north of Colombia in early May this year. It stayed for almost two hours, allowing two research volunteers to take the first photographs of a small mammal that was thought to have vanished forever. “He just shuffled up the handrail near where we were sitting and seemed totally unperturbed by all the excitement he was causing, and finally shuffled back into the
Year of the Rabbit
DID YOU KNOW that this is the Year of the Rabbit, based on the Chinese calendar? It began on February 3rd, and will continue through until January 22nd next year. In total, there are 12 animals featured in the Chinese zodiac, of which the rabbit is the fourth in the sequence. People born under this sign are believed to be calm by nature and considerate, but also cautious. They are said to be particularly reluctant to commit themselves romantically for this reason, although being very loyal by nature. Rabbit people are frequently interested in fashion and are often successful in business dealings, although their instinctive caution means they are not keen to gamble.
PREVIOUS RABBIT YEARS: 1939-1940; 1951-1952; 1963-1964; 1975-1976; 1987-1988; 1999-2000 FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN RABBIT YEARS:
Drew Barrymore; Russell Brand; Joan Crawford; David Beckham; Natasha Richardson; Jane Seymour; Tina Turner; Kate Winslet.
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PRODUCT FOCUS: D Manufacturers have invested heavily in order to be able to provide small pets with a wide selection of suitable foods, ranging from rabbit and chinchillas pellets to specialist diets for pygmy hedgehogs.
A
CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT of research has been carried out to give a clear understanding of the nutritional needs of the various small animals being kept as pets today, allowing these foods to be developed. There are very important differences too. Get it wrong, and your pet will fall ill and could even die!
Different diets Chinchillas especially have very specific feeding requirements, reflecting the fact that they originate from the Andean mountain region of South America, where food is naturally in short supply. They subsist there on a very meagre ration of plant matter. They therefore need to be fed on a combination of special high fibre pellets and hay, although you can add alfalfa cubes made from a type of grass - to provide some variety alongside the hay. Chinchillas must not be offered treats such as sunflower seeds which have a high oil (fat) content. Their liver is not equipped to cope with this type of rich food, although
they will eat such foods very readily if given the opportunity, and are likely to end up dying prematurely as a result. Degus require similar food to chinchillas. Offering them a seed-based diet, as is typically used for rats and mice, can predispose them to developing diabetes mellitus. This medical condition is a serious risk in the case of these small animals, just as it is in people who are overweight. Most food mixes and treats now contain no added sugar for this reason, but their ingredients may include natural colourants. Individual components in seed mixes can be a problem in some cases too. As an example, peanuts have been linked with skin problems in Mongolian gerbils. Pelletised diets have become more popular for this reason, because the key ingredients are all present in the food. This helps to ensure that your pet receives a balanced diet, without being able to pick out favoured items, as is possible with a seed mixture.
Vitamins
â–˛ Chinchilla eating, using its front paws to hold its food
bleeding skin in more extreme cases. If you keep both a rabbit and a guinea pig therefore, you do need separate foods for them, because only the guinea pig food will contain Vitamin C. Also, do not exceed the recommended use-by date, because otherwise, the Vitamin C content will decline rapidly to a sub-optimal level, especially once the pack is open, leaving your pet again at risk of suffering from scurvy. Thankfully though, it is not difficult to purchase suitable prepared foods for all types of small animal pets these days. Even if you do not have a specialist pet store near you, suitable diets can be ordered easily on the internet.
Treats These food items are a great way to build up a bond with your pet, as they can be used to encourage it to take food from Guinea pigs need special food
Nutritional deficiencies are a potential problem, but again, they can be overcome by using the right type of prepared food. Guinea pigs are unusual, because they are not able to make Vitamin C in their bodies. It must be present in their diet, in order to prevent them developing signs of the skin disease known as scurvy. This is reflected by hair loss, and cracked,
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Rabbit eating timothy hay
S: DRY FOOD Using prepared foods Choose the right type of food for your pet. Store it in a dry environment, so there is no risk of it turning mouldy. Avoid buying large quantities which cannot be finished up before the ‘use by’ date. Follow the on-pack feeding advice, to prevent your pet becoming overweight. Be sure to offer hay and fresh food as appropriate. Provide fresh drinking water at all times. your hand. There are various types of treat to choose from, and they usually have vegetables and fruit added to them, often being in the form of a biscuit-like products. Treats are usually very appealing to all small pets, but do not offer them more frequently than recommended. They are not a substitute for a regular food, and if used to excess, they could also cause your pet to put on weight, potentially leading on to an early death.
Hay Hay is a very important part of the diet of many small animals, such as chinchillas, degus, guinea pigs and rabbits, helping to provide them with bulk and fibre. Chewing hay also helps to keep their teeth in trim. This is important, because unlike our teeth, those of rodents and rabbits will continue growing throughout their lives, and they need wear, because
otherwise, they will become overgrown, causing the animal to have difficulty in eating. As a natural product, hay can be of variable quality. It needs to be clean and free of dust, as this could otherwise harm your pet’s breathing. If you have a large collection, you may want to buy hay by the bale, but a better option is to use packaged hay, available through pet shops. Meadow hay of this type is of consistently high quality, and will have been processed so that any significant levels of harmful dust have been removed.
Dried herbs
Small pets like this dwarf hamster can be persuaded to feed from the hand, but take care not to be bitten!
It is not always practical to provide fresh greenstuff, but as an alternative, it is possible to acquire dry herb mixes for small pets. These can include items such as clover and dandelion, which can be provided in this form when the plants themselves may be hard to acquire over the winter months. These dried herb mixes may be loose, or are sometimes compressed into small blocks, which your small pet will be able to nibble away at, using its sharp teeth. Certain herbs are recommended for particular purposes. Raspberry leaves, available in dry form, are traditionally advised for pregnant guinea pigs and rabbits, in the belief that they will
DID YOU KNOW?
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Small animals are instinctively shy by nature. This is because in the wild, they are hunted by many other creatures.
SAFEr HANDLING t e p r u o y d n a u o y
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HEN YOU APPROACH your pet’s quarters therefore, you will probably be seen as a threat. But if you move slowly, this will be less likely to alarm your pet. Before long, especially if you are gentle and handle your new pet regularly, it will soon become more relaxed and should not struggle or attempt to escape. It is also important to remember that many small animals, including hamsters, rats and mice, become active at dusk, preferring to sleep during the daytime. If
DIFFERENT REACTIONS
Small animals generally are well-equipped to defend themselves. Their sharp incisor teeth at the front of the mouth can inflict a very painful nip, even drawing blood, although not all will react in this way. Guinea pigs will only bite very rarely, preferring to run off and trying to burrow out of sight into their bedding. They can be very wriggly when picked up though, particularly if they are not used to being handled, so always be sure your pet cannot escape when you pick it up.
RABBITS do have a very effective way of protecting
themselves, by lashing out with their very strong hind legs. Their powerful hindquarters, which allow them to run easily, also mean that they can deliver a series of very painful kicks, especially as their toes are equipped with sharp claws. The rear end of the rabbit’s body must always be adequately supported, because if it feels that it is in danger of falling, your pet will scratch you with its claws.
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SCOOP
The best way to lift your pet out of its quarters is generally to scoop it up from beneath, so that it ends up being cupped in your hands, rather than trying to restrain it tightly. Never attempt to lift your pet by clasping your fingers on each side of its body, because this will be painful and may cause injury, and your pet is likely to bite you as a result.
you suddenly probe into your pet’s bed, and try to lift it out while it is asleep, you are likely to end up being bitten. Allow it to wake up first. This particular group of small mammals do not have particularly good eyesight but they can detect smells easily. This means that they will come to recognise your scent, and so realise that they are not in danger when you pick them up. It helps to allow your pet to sniff your hand just beforehand for this reason.
Other pets out! If you have a dog or cat, always make sure they are not in the same room or nearby in the garden when you are handling your pet, as this is likely to upset it. Even a very tame rabbit is likely to struggle under these circumstances, so you could end being badly scratched.
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DON’T DO IT!
One thing that you should never do is to pick up a rabbit by its ears. This will be painful and very distressing for your pet. But by simply placing your hand around the base of the ears of a nervous rabbit, this can help to calm it down.You need to be sure that you are supporting its body firmly with your other hand and arm at the same time, when you pick it up.
YOUNGSTERS LEARN MORE QUICKLY!
GERBILS
Beware that gerbils may react rather strangely to being handled, and avoid touching the tip of the tail. This part of their body is very delicate, and will bleed readily, with the skin here being easily damaged. Even more alarmingly though, there can be occasions when you pick up a gerbil and find that it appears to die in your hand. This is part of their natural behaviour, because if caught in the wild, a gerbil will faint, as a means of deterring a predator from eating it. Many predators will only eat prey that they have caught and killed, rather than scavenging for food, and this behaviour confuses them. They may therefore abandon the apparently dead gerbil, which wakes up in due course and can then escape. Should your gerbil appear distressed when being handled, place it back in its quarters and let it recover.
Small animals of all types will soon become accustomed to being handled when they are young. They have less instinctive fear at this stage. It can be much harder to win the confidence of an adult animal that has not been used to being handled frequently in the past.
TOP TIP
Always wear long-sleeved clothing when picking up your rabbit, as this will give you some protection against being scratched, should your pet become alarmed for any reason.
➮ ➮ PYGMY HEDGEHOGS
Once they are used to being picked up, pygmy hedgehogs tend not to curl into a ball. A pair of gardening gloves can be useful at first though, to protect you from the hedgehog’s prickly spines.
TAIL AID
SITTING WITH YOU If you have a tame rat or hamster, it may want to sit on your shoulder. Only allow this when you are sitting down though, so that if your pet falls for any reason, it should end up tumbling on to the cushions of the chair or sofa, escaping any injury as a result.
Just as rabbits can be gently restrained by placing a hand around their ears, so rats, mice and chinchillas can be calmed by placing a thumb and first finger around the base of the tail. This will then allow you to scoop up your pet more easily.
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DAVID LERPINIERE - 01959 543507 or SIMON DUNN - 01959 543514 Email: sfp.adsales@kelsey.co.uk For a digital version of this sampler and a downloadable pdf go to:
www.smallfurrypets.co.uk
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