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Explore expert articles on small mammals with Vet Verified.
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Senior guinea pigs, usually aged four to five and over, may need extra help as they slow down or develop health problems. Regular vet checks, weight monitoring, good dental care, constant fresh hay and enough vitamin C can help spot and manage issues early. Soft bedding, easy access to food and water, gentle grooming, calm routines and time with bonded companions can also keep older guinea pigs comfortable, active and happy.
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Mobility problems can make it hard for guinea pigs to walk, eat, groom and enjoy time with other guinea pigs. They may be caused by arthritis, injury, low vitamin C, extra weight, sore feet or illnesses affecting the nerves. Watch for stiffness, limping, dragging legs, less movement, poor grooming or trouble reaching food and water. A vet should check any movement problem, especially sudden weakness, severe pain or refusal to eat. At home, soft bedding, non-slip floors, easy-to-reach food and water, gentle grooming and a clean one-level enclosure can help keep your guinea pig comfortable.
Rex mice are fancy mice with curly fur and whiskers. They are active, social pets that need safe housing, daily coat checks, a balanced diet and gentle handling. Females can live in small groups, while males usually need separate homes. Their curly coats can catch dirt, so clean bedding and regular health checks matter. Rex mice suit people who like watching and caring for small, quick animals, but they are not ideal for very young children or people wanting a cuddly pet.
Guinea pig boarding facilities and home visits can both provide safe holiday care, but the right option depends on your guinea pigs’ health, temperament and daily routine. Boarding may suit guinea pigs that need medication, close checks or skilled care, while home visits often help nervous guinea pigs stay calm in their familiar enclosure. Keep bonded guinea pigs together, give clear feeding and vet details, and choose a carer who understands hay, vegetables, vitamin C and signs of illness.
Learn why sawdust, cedar and some pine wood shavings may be unsafe guinea pig bedding. Fine dust and aromatic oils can irritate guinea pigs’ lungs, eyes and skin, and may lead to breathing problems. Find safer low-dust bedding options, including paper bedding, fleece liners, hemp and cardboard pellets, plus cleaning advice and signs of bedding irritation.
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Rabbit boarding vs home visits: learn which holiday care option suits your rabbit. Compare supervision, stress, travel, health needs and bonded pairs, plus key questions to ask and signs of illness to watch for while you are away.
Learn why sawdust, cedar shavings and some pine shavings are not safe rabbit bedding. Fine dust and aromatic oils can irritate a rabbit’s eyes, skin and lungs, while damp bedding can lead to ammonia smells and poor hygiene. Safer rabbit bedding options include low-dust paper bedding, hay, straw, hemp bedding, cardboard pellets and washable fleece liners. Choose bedding that is soft, non-toxic, absorbent and easy to clean, then remove soiled areas each day to keep your rabbit’s home clean and comfortable.
Planning a holiday with guinea pigs? Never leave them alone for long. Guinea pigs need daily hay, fresh water, veg, cage cleaning, social time and health checks. Ask a trusted friend or neighbour, hire a professional pet sitter, or use a small animal boarding service. Keep bonded guinea pigs together and leave plenty of hay, pellets, veg, bedding, water and any medication. Write clear care notes with feeding amounts, cleaning routines, vet contacts and emergency details. Remind carers that guinea pigs need vitamin C every day and watch for signs of stress or illness such as hiding, loss of appetite, teeth chattering or weight loss. Avoid big changes before travel and check your pets are well with a vet if needed. Book sitters or boarding early during busy holidays to get good care.
Holiday rabbit care: how to keep rabbits safe while you are away. Rabbits need daily feeding, fresh hay and water, clean bedding and a daily health check. Ask a trusted friend or family member to visit, hire a professional rabbit sitter or book rabbit boarding well before busy holiday dates. Leave plenty of supplies and clear written care instructions, including feeding amounts, medication steps and your vet’s contact details. Keep bonded rabbits together and avoid big changes to diet, housing or routine before you go. Watch for signs of illness or stress such as not eating, hiding or odd droppings and contact a vet if needed. Plan early so you have time to meet sitters, check reviews and pick the right option for your rabbits.
Porphyrin in rats is a red-brown pigment from a gland behind the eyes. It can look like blood but is usually normal in very small amounts. If you see large or persistent red stains, crusty marks, or red discharge with sneezing, wheezing, weight loss, lethargy or poor appetite, the rat may have a respiratory infection, be in pain, stressed, have dental trouble or be getting old. If you wonder whether it is blood, porphyrin is often darker and dry, while blood is bright red and wet. Clean gently with a warm damp cloth or vet-approved wipes, but cleaning will not treat the cause. To reduce problems, keep the cage clean, use dust-free bedding, provide a balanced diet, good ventilation and friendly company. See a vet if the discharge is heavy or long lasting, breathing is noisy or laboured, or the rat stops eating or becomes very quiet.
Guinea pigs can grieve after a bonded companion dies. Signs of grief in guinea pigs include reduced appetite, weight loss, hiding, quietness, lethargy and searching for the missing friend. How to help a grieving guinea pig: keep routines the same, give extra gentle attention, offer fresh hay and favourite vegetables, and provide a calm, familiar space. Some owners let the survivor see the body briefly to reduce confusion. If you plan a new companion, introduce them slowly in neutral space and watch for bullying. When to seek veterinary help: if your guinea pig stops eating, loses weight quickly, has breathing problems or becomes very weak. With calm care, careful monitoring and time many guinea pigs recover.
Signs of illness in ferrets: recognise problems early. Ferrets hide illness and can get very sick fast. Watch appetite changes such as eating less, refusing food, weight loss or sudden thirst. Look for low energy and changes in behaviour like sleeping more, less play or weakness. Digestive problems — diarrhoea, vomiting, dark stools or bloating — need a vet. Breathing problems such as wheeze, cough, sneezing or laboured breathing are serious. Hair loss or a dull coat can point to adrenal disease. Changes in toileting, blood in urine or stools, or trouble urinating can be life threatening. Pain signs include teeth grinding, hunched posture, sensitivity to touch or reluctance to move. Hind leg weakness, dragging legs or loss of balance should be checked. Low blood sugar from insulinoma can cause drooling, staring, seizures or collapse and needs urgent veterinary care. See a vet straight away for difficulty breathing, refusing food, severe lethargy, seizures, sudden collapse or inability to urinate. Early veterinary care helps recovery and keeps your ferret well.
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