Skip to main content

Section

Small Mammals

Explore expert articles on small mammals with Vet Verified.

170 articles

Supporting a Guinea Pig That Has Lost Its Companion
Small Mammals

Supporting a Guinea Pig That Has Lost Its Companion

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.

More in Small Mammals

  • What Are the Signs Your Ferret Is Sick?
    Small Mammals

    What Are the Signs Your Ferret Is Sick?

    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.

  • Supporting a Rabbit That Has Lost Its Companion
    Small Mammals

    Supporting a Rabbit That Has Lost Its Companion

    Rabbits can grieve when a bonded companion dies. Signs of grief in rabbits include reduced appetite, lethargy, hiding, searching, reduced play, clinginess and changes in sleeping habits. Appetite changes are serious because a rabbit that stops eating can develop dangerous gut problems, so contact a rabbit-savvy vet immediately if your rabbit refuses food, has fewer or smaller droppings, or loses weight. Simple help that may calm a grieving rabbit includes keeping routines the same, offering extra gentle attention, keeping the home quiet and familiar, giving favourite greens and fresh hay, and letting the rabbit briefly see their companion’s body if you think it will help. Watch closely for illness, especially in older rabbits, and avoid making many big changes at once. If you plan to get another rabbit, reintroduce slowly using neutral territory, supervision and neutering for both. Take care of your own feelings too, and contact rescue groups or vets for bonding support and advice on how to help a grieving rabbit.

  • Everything You Need to Do Before Boarding Your Guinea Pigs
    Small Mammals

    Everything You Need to Do Before Boarding Your Guinea Pigs

    Boarding guinea pigs while you go on holiday can give peace of mind, but good preparation matters. Choose a guinea pig boarding facility with experience, clean secure housing, daily health checks and vet access. Book early for busy holiday periods. Make sure bonded guinea pigs stay together, keep their normal diet and vitamin C routine, and bring favourite items like hideouts, bedding and food. Leave clear written care instructions, label supplies and tell staff about any medical needs. Use a safe carrier for travel and check your guinea pigs’ health before and after boarding, contacting a vet if you spot worrying signs. With these steps your guinea pigs are more likely to stay calm and healthy while you are away.

  • Mobility Issues in Rabbits: Signs, Causes and How to Help
    Small Mammals

    Mobility Issues in Rabbits: Signs, Causes and How to Help

    Mobility issues in rabbits are problems with hopping, jumping, standing or grooming. Watch for signs such as limping, stiffness, reluctance to hop, dragging back legs, poor grooming and less activity. Common causes include arthritis, injury, spinal or neurological disease such as E. cuniculi, obesity, sore hocks and age-related muscle weakness. See a vet for diagnosis, pain relief and possible scans or physiotherapy. At home, make the rabbit more comfortable with soft bedding, non-slip floors, low-entry litter trays, ramps, easy access to food and gentle exercise. Keep the rabbit’s weight under control, groom more often and check for urine scald or flystrike. Seek urgent veterinary help for sudden paralysis, severe pain, inability to stand or loss of bladder or bowel control. With early vet care and simple home changes, many rabbits with mobility problems can still live happy, comfortable lives.

The archive

Other sections