Pet advice

Small Furries

Care notes for hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chinchillas, degus, gerbils, duprasis and chipmunks.

We use this term to describe the many small furry animals kept as pets. These include rats, mice, hamsters, chinchillas, guinea pigs, degus, gerbils, duprasis and chipmunks.

Of course it is important to know all about your particular species to ensure that your pet receives the correct food and environment — housing, bedding and so on — and that they are handled in the right way.

You might need help in determining the sex of your pet, as this can sometimes be surprisingly tricky. Depending on the species concerned, you may need to house your small furries in separate groups to prevent either breeding or fighting, or perhaps both.

Supplements

Vitamin and mineral supplements formulated specifically for exotic species have been improving the health of guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, chinchillas, degus, gerbils and chipmunks for years, and the specialist ranges are updated in line with current veterinary research. Choose a supplement that is formulated for the exact species you keep.

How long will my pet live?

All the small furries have a lifespan of approximately 2 years, except for guinea pigs and chipmunks, who will live for around 5 years, whilst chinchillas and degus can easily live for 10 years.

Breeding

We recommend that all of the small furries — rats, mice, hamsters, chinchillas, guinea pigs, degus, gerbils, duprasis, chipmunks — are kept in separate colonies of males and females, or are surgically neutered according to their species recommendation. The individual details are as follows.

Pet	Puberty	Pregnancy	Litter size	Eyes open	Weaning
Rats	4 weeks	3 weeks	6–13	12 days	21 days
Mice	6 weeks	3 weeks	7–12	12 days	18 days
Hamsters	8 weeks	2–4 weeks	5–10	12 days	21 days
Chinchillas	6 months	14 weeks	2–6	at birth	few days
Guinea pigs	3 months	8–10 weeks	2–5	at birth	few days
Degus	6 months	12 weeks	5–6	at birth	few days
Gerbils	3 months	3–6 weeks	3–6	21 days	28 days
Duprasis	3 months	3 weeks	3–5	16 days	21 days
Chipmunks	1 year	4–5 weeks	3–5	5 weeks	6 weeks

What can go wrong?

The most common problem in many small furries is dental disease, usually as a result of an incorrect diet that has softened the bones supporting the cheek teeth. This results in the tooth roots shifting their position so that the tooth arcades become malaligned. This needs professional assessment and may require trimming or rasping under a general anaesthetic.

Other common ailments include respiratory disease in rats and mice, bowel disease in hamsters and gerbils, large skin tumours in rats and mice, diabetes in hamsters, skin mites in guinea pigs, and ringworm in all of the small furries.

But don’t let this put you off. The small furries can make great pets if you choose wisely, especially for children.

Lifespans, roughly

Most small furries: about 2 years
Guinea pigs and chipmunks: around 5 years
Chinchillas and degus: easily 10 years
Keep separate male and female colonies, or neuter according to the species
Dental disease is the single commonest problem we see, and it starts with diet

Frequently asked questions

Why do so many small furries get dental disease?

Usually an incorrect diet has softened the bones supporting the cheek teeth. The tooth roots shift, the arcades become malaligned and the animal stops eating properly. We correct this by trimming or rasping the teeth under a general anaesthetic.

Can you tell me whether my pet is male or female?

Yes, and please do ask — it is surprisingly tricky in several of these species, and getting it wrong is how people end up with unplanned litters.

Are they good pets for children?

The small furries can make great pets if you choose wisely, especially for children. The important thing is knowing what your particular species needs in terms of food, housing, bedding and handling.