Autumn is a beautiful time of year. Many of our animal companions enjoy the beautiful weather as much as we do. Fido gets to take long walks and take in that gorgeous foliage, while Fluffy can amuse herself by watching the leaves falling from the trees. Little pets can also celebrate in their own way. A local Greater Cincinnati vet offers a few tips on autumn care for pocket pets in this article.
Just like larger pets, these little guys need some extra protection against plummeting temperatures. Your pet may appreciate some extra bedding. Larger pets, like bunnies or Guinea pigs, will enjoy a comfy bed or cozie, which is basically a little tent/sleeping bag. You’ll also want to make sure your furry friend’s home is in a room that stays at a comfortable temperature at all times. This is very important! For instance, if hamsters get too cold, they instinctively try to hibernate. However, they can’t do this safely, as they don’t know how.
There’s no reason you can’t make your tiny furball’s cage look a bit festive. Many seasonal decorations can make cute hidey-holes. Just stick with safe materials: your pint-sized pal may try to eat their home. You can also add paper decorations. Make some cute ghosts out of plain paper, or put some cute ceramic items in their habitat. You can also hang seasonal backings or lights behind and around the cage, as long as your little buddy can’t reach them.
Pumpkin and cinnamon are all the rage this month. You can give your furry friend a seasonal snack. For instance, your bunny may enjoy an apple slice, while a hamster may like nibbling on a pumpkin seed. The exact list of safe and unsafe items varies greatly from pet to pet, so do plenty of research. Ask your vet for specific recommendations, including portion sizes and safe and unsafe treats.
Larger pocket pets, like bunnies and Guinea pigs, enjoy having some time out of their cages. Keep this in mind when decorating. Anything small or sharp is a potential chewing target. That can be pretty dangerous: candies, wires and cords, ropy or stringy items, and anything made of a breakable material, such as foam or light plastic, should be kept out of reach of those tiny little paws.
Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us, your local Greater Cincinnati animal hospital, today!
