Pet Habitat South Africa

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18 Aug 2014

Enrichment Ideas for Small Furries

Posted By : Guest

A lot of importance is placed on the diets we feed our pets and the homes we provide for them. In fact, sometimes it seems like that’s all the information that we have on our small furries. Of course, that’s hardly the case. If you’ve got a small furry (from a hamster to a rabbit), consider these ideas to entertain and enrich the lives of your pets.

Hamsters – These are some of the smallest pets you’ll find, and they’re also some of the easiest to provide enriching activities for. That’s because they’ll play with just about anything they can get their tiny hands on. Unfortunately, they will want to do most of their playing while you are asleep, so the best time to interact with these pets is just before you go to bed (that’s breakfast time for your small furries). This is the perfect time to watch your pets scamper around in hamster balls; they’ll enjoy it just as much as you. And, once you do head off to bed, you’ll want to ensure that your hamster has tunnels and wheels to run though and on. Although either will make them happy, both is better, especially if you have a pair of hamsters.

Rats – These pets are known for their ability to reason and riddle through problems, so you’ll want to make sure there are plenty of those. That means hiding food inside balls or other objects. It also means giving them a chance to stimulate their body as wells as their minds with plenty of tunnels, ramps and branches to climb. And, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got more than one of these small furries because a loner can easily get into a lot of trouble. A pair will cut down on the amount of extra enriching activities you will need to provide, but that shouldn’t stop you. After all, rats can even be litter trained given a little extra patience from your side. You’ll also want to ensure there is always something safe to gnaw on. Otherwise, your finger may accidently get caught on one of their sharp teeth.

Chinchillas – Chinchillas need a lot more exercise than you might imagine. They need to run more than large dogs seem to. That and they need to jump, swing and climb too. Your chinchilla will be happy to do any of these activities on his own, but would really prefer a friend to do all of them with. Enrichment happens when you allow your chinchillas to run around the room and not just their hutch. But, keep in mind that they will do as much running and jumping as they can, so do make sure to hide away the breakables first. And, if you really want to challenge your pets, rest a treat at the top end of a tilted board that offers no grip. You chinchilla will spend hours trying to outsmart that block.

Guinea Pigs – There’s nothing your guinea pig enjoys more than playing with his friends in the garden. Of course, while this is fun, it could also be simultaneously frightening for your pet. Ensure that the run has plenty of boxes, obstacles and other objects to hide behind. One of the best extra activities you can offer your guinea pigs is an obstacle course. Although guinea pigs are hardly considered the most athletic of creatures, they will twist and turn for hidden treats. Set up a bit of a maze and hide food along the way to really see what your pets can do. And remember, if you make anything a challenge, your guinea pig will accept it, so feel free to trick your little friend a bit. You will both enjoy the experience immensely.

Rabbits – You rabbits, like many small furries appreciate it when you make an effort to replicate the home they would have in the wild. Perhaps the best activities you can give them for enrichment are tunnels and platforms. Tunnels can be made of anything that’s safe to chew. And tree stumps from safe to eat trees make perfect platforms. Hiding food is another great way to ensure your rabbit has a fantastic afternoon in the garden. You can tuck it into brown paper bags, or consider burying it just slightly underground. Most rabbits absolutely love digging and will enjoy this pastime to no end (especially if you sanction it). Just remember that rabbits become bored easily; if you do invest in toys, ensure that you rotate them before they get old.

Gerbils – These are some of the smallest furries you can welcome into your home, but they certainly love to play. And, their favourite toy may just be you. Gerbils love company and, unlike hamsters that are happy to play all night long, these pets are ready to move about when you are. And, they need a lot of exercises. Offer them plenty to hide in and under, and climb over and around, and these small furries will be about as happy as can be. Just don’t forget, these pets are really wriggly, so take proper precautions before removing them from their cage.

Of course, the type of home you provide and the quality food you feed your pet is certainly important, but life can’t be all eating and sleeping – or at least it cannot be that way for your small furries; they’ll need just a bit more excitement than that.