Chinchillas

Caring for Chinchilla's

Chinchillas are a very loving pet and can be tamed easily. If you are patient with a chinchilla they will answer to their name. They are a good pet for working people, because they are a nocturnal animal. Nocturnal means they are active at night. They love to show off their climbing and jumping abilities. Chinchillas are able to jump up to five feet above their head. They also love company whether it is people or other chinchillas. They get along best with chinchillas of the same sex.

Chinchillas are just like every animal when put into a new environment. They feel frightened. You should talk to them in a calm non frightening voice. This will help them reach their comfort zone and feel safe. Before you pick up a chinchilla you should approach them slowly and talk to them so they get used to how close you are getting to them. This is so you don’t startle them. When picking up your chinchilla be gentle they are very fragile and if picked up in a rough manner it can be harmful to them.

Your pet has special needs just as you do with hygiene, teeth, hair and nails. Chinchillas are very clean animals and take care of their hygiene themselves. There fur contains a lot of dirt and grease. They have to bathe in sand which helps keep the dirt and grease out of their fur. Their teeth never stop growing, there for you will have to provide your chinchilla with something hard to chew on such as our Apple Stick Smaks. As for your chinchillas claws they are able to wear them off and nothing needs to be done to them unless your veterinarian recommends it.

A chinchilla’s cage should be cleaned every so often. Their drinking bowl, if you do not have a proper drinking bowl try our Drinkwell, should be cleaned out with hot water regularly. The bottom of the chinchilla’s cage should be cleaned out with a wet towel once or twice a weak. Every month the entire cage should be cleaned with hot water.

Chinchillas should be fed twice a day around the same time. This helps them know when it is time to eat. Chinchillas do well on roughage, we offer five varieties of hay; Timothy Gold, Timothy High Fiber, Mountain Grass, Alffy Alfalfa and Three Way Grain Hays. They also like pellets, try our Timmy Chinchilla Pellets or Alffy Chinchilla Pellets. Chinchillas love berries and fruits try our Smaks Treats. They are nutritious treats for all small animals. There are many various possibilities your chinchilla will love them all.

American Pet Diner has come out with a NEW line of probiotics such as; Flora Blast, Critter Be Better Probiotic Feed Pellet, and Critter Be Better Feed Powder. Probiotics help keep beneficial bacteria in your chinchilla’s digestive system which will keep your chinchilla healthy and keep the bad bacteria which cause diseases out of the digestive tract.


What is a Chinchilla?

The chinchilla is a South American rodent. Their habitat is the cool high desert areas of the Andes Mountains. Originally brought to the United States in 1923, they are active, practically odorless, parasite-free, and require little housing. A chinchilla weighs about one pound, with a life span of 10 - 15 years. Their fur is very soft, dense, plush, and silky, unmatched by any other animal. Their natural color is an attractive blue-gray or silver. They come in oher colors such as beige, black velvet, white, mosaic, charcoal, ebony, pastel, brown velvet, and violet. Chinchillas are small, gentle, curious animals. Their are easy to care for and simple to feed, making them an ideal family member.

Feeding:

Chinchillas young, growing and breeding eat Alffy C Chinchilla complete pellet ration daily along with alfalfa and timothy hay. An average adult chinchilla will transition nicely to the Timmy C Chinchilla complete pellet ration and eat approximately 2 to 3 tablespoons per day. Feed timothy hay daily with APD pellets, and your pet will be very healthy and happy. Feed alfalfa hay only occasionally. Always have fresh water available in a bottle daily. Supplements can be given 3 to 4 times a week in their water. Chinchillas are rodents and have ever-growing teeth that need gnawing materials. Hard, safe objects to chew on can be wood blocks, apple fruit twigs, rodent chews, manzanita pieces, or pumice stones, as well as our Timbo Snak Cube and Papaya Snak Cube. Commercial toys and chews are practical and decorative, your chinchilla will never get bored. Fruits and vegetables can be given moderately. They include raisins, banana chips with no sugar, papaya, pineapple, dried cranberry, sunflower seeds pumpkin seeds, peanuts,(in the shell and unsalted). Fresh fruits and vegetables are good, but watch the water content. Too much of a good thing results in diarrhea and or constipation. Your pet's droppings (feces)are always a good indicator that you are not loving them to much. Sticking to a balanced diet will keep your pet healthy.

Bathing:

Chinchillas require a unique dry bath, ground lava rock, called chinchilla dust. The dust cleans the fur of oils. dirt, removes dead fur and prevents mats. Dust bowls can be gallon jars, bread pans or even goldfish bowls or kitty liter boxes. Using about one cup or more in a bowl, put the dust in the cage for 10 - 15 minutes at least 2 to 3 times a week for a healthy and happy pet.

Handling:

A chinchilla is a clean, curious, shy, yet very agile animal that responds well to affection and a soft voice. They are not aggressive by nature and are very trusting to a slow steady hand. As with any animal, avoid sudden changes, loud noises, and be consistent. You both will enjoy daily playtime and achieve the pet you always wanted. As with any rodent, when you are not in the room with them put them in there cage for their safety.

Accessories:

For undisturbed sleep during the day, Provide a "hide away" in their cage for privacy. Pine boxes and/or tubes allow your pet a place to get away in private.

Exercise wheels are available for chinchillas. Be sure to find at least a 12" diameter wheel (w/o center bar) or 15"(w/ center bar) for their safety. Many are made of wire mesh, but the best are solid metal or plastic runners. Always secure them to the cage, you'd be surprised at how fast they can run!

Housing:

A multiple level, wire mesh cage is a good house for chinchillas. An average size for one to two animals is 18W X 24L X 24H. Shelving can be either wire mesh or a solid surface of wood or sheet metal. Use recycled paper bedding material, such as APD Critter Litter and Bedding or pine shavings for cage litter, but never use cedar or redwood as they are toxic. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily and be changed on a weekly basis. An outside water bottle, a bowl for pellets, hay rack, dust bowl, tube or box to sleep in and some toys should be the basics to keep your pet in a happy home.

Very important: chinchillas prefer cool - dry, well ventilated household climates of mid range temperatures of 55 - 75 degrees. Keep cages out of drafts and direct sunlight as excessive heat is deadly. 85 degrees and above will kill chinchillas.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are a small furry animal that loves attention and likes to cuddle. Guinea pigs feel more comfortable when they have a friend. When you first bye a guinea pig they may feel uncomfortable at first but they will eventually feel at home. To help them reach their comfort zone talk to them in a calm voice so that they do not feel threatened. By doing this you are not only making your guinea pig feels safe but they will also get used to your voice.

When you are carrying or picking up your guinea pig be gentle. They are very fragile animals and any rough movement can be harmful. Approach the guinea pig slowly and talk to them at the same time, the reason for doing this is to make your guinea pig feel safe and not frightened.

Your pet has special needs just as you do with hygiene, teeth, hair and nails. Guinea pigs are a very clean animal they clean themselves thoroughly everyday. However you should brush their hair once a day this will help the hair from getting matted. Guinea pigs teeth never stop growing there for you have to provide them something hard to chew on constantly such as our Apple Sticks Smaks. Guinea pigs are not able to wear down their claws, they have to be trimmed every once in awhile. We recommend asking your veterinarian for assistance. If you rather do it yourself be careful not to hurt your guinea pig, there are nerves and blood vessels running into their claws.

A guinea pig’s cage should be cleaned every so often. Their drinking bowl, if you do not have a proper drinking bowl try our Drinkwell, should be cleaned out with hot water regularly. The bottom of the rabbit’s cage should be cleaned out with a wet towel once or twice a weak. Every month the entire cage should be cleaned with hot water.

It is best to feed a guinea pig small portions several times a day on a regular feeding schedule. This will allow your guinea pig to know when it is time to eat. Guinea pigs like to eat pellets, so try our Timmy Guinea Pig Pellets or Alffy Guinea Pig Pellets. They also thrive on hay, American Pet Diner offers 5 varieties of hay such as; Timothy Gold, Timothy High Fiber, Mountain Grass, Alffy Alfalfa and Three Way Grain Hays. Guinea pigs can not produce Vitamin C there for you have to provide it for them. Try Vita C Tabs. American Pet Diner is coming out with different varieties of probiotics; Flora Blast, Critter Be Better Probiotic Feed Pellet, and Critter Be Better Feed Powder. Probiotics help keep beneficial bacteria in your guinea pig’s digestive system which will keep your guinea pig healthy and keep the bad bacteria which cause diseases out of the digestive tract.


What is a Guinea Pig?

Guinea pigs came from South America. The Incas were the first to domesticate them. They are members of the cavy family. It is believed that they are called guinea pigs because in England they were sold for a guinea, which is a coin. Some think it is because they were brought to Europe by Spanish sailors from a country called Dutch Guiana in south America.

Guinea pigs do not have visible tails, however they have a tail vertebrae. Guinea pigs are born with hair and their eyes open. Unlike rabbits and mice that are born hairless and helpless, guinea pigs are born with both. They are so small they can fit in the palm of your hand. Their feet look too big for their bodies! They nurse right away, and may nibble a little food in a couple of days. Guinea pigs are called cavies and are in the rodent family, which means they like to gnaw. Be sure to provide gnawable materials such as wood sticks or hay cubes. This will help keep their teeth from growing too long.

Feeding:

Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their daily diet because they can not produce their own. Make sure the pellet ration you feed has stabilized vitamin C provided in it. Both the American Pet Diner Alffy C Guinea Pig (Alfalfa Based-High Protein) and the Timmy C Guinea Pig (Timothy Hay Based -High Fiber), Complete Pellet Rations have stabilized vitamin C in them. Feed a daily ration of Alffy C Guinea pig pellets , which has 18% protein, an alfalfa based complete pellet ration for young, growing, gestating, lactating or mature guinea pigs. Feed Timmy C Guinea Pig which has 14% protein and is a complete ration to animals that are adult, overweight, or with urinary track problems.

Feed alfalfa hay only to young, growing , lactating or gestating animals. Provide adult or overweight animals with as much Timothy Gold Hay as they can eat. A good choice is 2nd crop timothy or orchard grass. As with all animals, keep a supply of fresh water. Veterinarians recommend supplementing Vitamin C in their water. These Vitamin C drops can be found at your local pet store.

Treats:

Guinea pigs like to gnaw, so provide them with things to gnaw on such as our Timbo Snak Cubes, or wood items such as Busy Bunny basket of sticks. Feed fresh vegetables and fruits high in vitamin C such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pea pods, dark green lettuce (no iceberg), herbs, grass, apples, oranges, grapes, pears, peaches, strawberries, pineapple, papaya, and blueberries, (remove seeds) in moderation. Always introduce these items slowly as they can have adverse reactions including diarrhea.

Housing and Handling:

Guinea pigs need to be held and loved to create a bond between yourself and your pet. This makes a loving and gentle pet. They may be easily frightened, so speak to them in a soft voice and move slowly around them. A guinea pig's cage must have good ventilation, so don't use an aquarium. The cage should have enough run around room and a solid bottom and mesh sides. Mesh bottoms cause foot injuries and sores. Provide a hiding spot like a small box or tunnel, so they can hide if scared or if they feel like they need to escape, sleep or be alone.

Hamsters

What is a Hamster?

The hamster was discovered in Syria and Russia. It is believed that today's pet hamsters are all descendants of the Syrian hamster. The most common is the golden hamster with long or short hair and range in length from 4 to 11 inches, or a dwarf hamster from 2 to 4 inches.. Hamsters do not have a tail, but have a stub.

They are natural burrowers and need to have plenty of non-toxic bedding material to dig in. They are solitary pets, thus they should be housed separately. Even though they may fight with their own kind, except while mating, hamsters thrive on the company of humans. Give them lots of attention.

Feeding:

Hamsters should be fed a basic mix designed for hamsters and occasionally hay. Then supplement fruits and vegetables such as: apple, banana, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, corn on the cob, kale, peas and spinach. Slowly introduce any new food, small amounts and only one at a time to reduce the chance of diarrhea. Always provide a steady supply of water. Do NOT feed sweets, chocolates, onion, garlic or any pellet or feed mix containing antibiotic.

Housing:

Provide a cage of at least 20 square inches. Stick with the single story versions, as hamsters can not climb as well as other rodents. Glass or non-chewable plastic is the best choice. A roomy cage allows the hamster room to move and area for you to add fun toys such as tunnels or wheels for their exercise and amusement. Hamsters have an instinct to run, so you need to provide a wheel or run for the animal to satisfy that urge. They are escape artist. Make sure their cage has no openings, no matter how small, as they can get out easily. Provide your pet somewhere in their cage that they can escape, a tunnel, ball or open ended enclosure for it to escape and hide.

Prairie Dogs

What is a Prairie Dog?:

Prairie Dogs are a rodent and are native to the flat plains of west Texas. They burrow and tunnel and live in colonies. They are very social. The prairie dog has been domesticated only recently and make wonderful pets. They must be handled at a young age to make them tame. They do not breed in captivity or will not rear a litter, so it is not advisable to attempt breeding them. Have them spay or neutered to make a better pet.

A prairie dog's digestive system houses bacteria that enables all necessary amino acids to be manufactured from hay and grass. The system is efficient and even wild prairie dogs are able to live on low protein sources. Mimic nature's way the best you can. Avoid high protein, alfalfa, fatty food like dried corn, seeds, fruit or rodent blocks. Over feeding and improper diet will lead to serious health problem or even death for your pet.

Feeding:

Adult prairie dog eat course grass, prickly pear cactus, roots and seasonal greens. When kept as a pet, try to emulate nature's diet. Pet prairie dogs can become overweight if not careful. So feed Timothy High Fiber Hay (1st cutting timothy) high fiber and low caloric feeds. You can also feed Mountain Grass Hay (orchard grass hay)and oat hays are healthy diet staples. Timmy Rabbit Complete Pellet Ration, (timothy hay based, may be fed in small quantities. For example 1/8 cup per day per adult prairie dog. In late summer it will be necessary to reduce the pellets to 2 to 3 times per week. The prairie dogs body begins to store fat at this time for the lean winter months, (in captivity this means they will get fat, and you don't want that). Always keep a fresh supply of water on hand, although prairie dogs don't require a lot of water.

Treats:

Another good feed choice is the Timbo Snak Cube (timothy hay cube). It is comprised of sun dried timothy hay and binder. The cube is tidy and may be used when traveling. Adding this into the diet gives diversity and helps to wear down the continuously growing incisors teeth.

For treats a small sliver of raw sweet potato, one plain mini shredded wheat, carrots, fresh grass or a spoonful of oats. Be frugal with treats and do not offer all three in one day. Prairie dogs are prone to obesity. Treats may be fed 2 to 3 times per week and only if your pet maintains a healthy body weight of 2 to 3 pounds.

Housing: Not available at this time.

Rabbits

Caring For Rabbits

Rabbits are a very loving pet. They are soft and love to be held and pet most of the time. When rabbits stretch out that means they do not want to be disturbed. Rabbits love the company of other rabbits and of guinea pigs. They are very sociable and can be tamed very easily, just be patient and they will become your new best friend. Always talk to your rabbit in a calm voice so that they never feel threatened, they will listen better.

Before you pick up a rabbit you should approach them slowly and talk to them so they get used to how close you are getting to them. This will make it so you are not frightening them. When picking up your rabbit be gentle they are very fragile and if picked up in a rough manner it can result in spine injury or other harmful injuries.

Your pet has special needs just as you do with hygiene, teeth, hair and nails. Rabbits are very clean animals and pretty much take care of their fur themselves, however every spring when a rabbit is changing their fur you should brush them with a soft brush every once in a while. You should never bathe your rabbit unless needed, soap can be harmful.  Rabbit’s teeth never stop growing so there for you will have to provide your rabbit with something hard to chew on such as our Apple Sticks Smaks. Every once in a while a rabbit needs their claws trimmed. Asking your veterinarian to help you is recommended. If you do prefer to do it on your own be very careful not to cut the ends of the nerves and the blood vessels that are in the claw.

A rabbit’s cage should be cleaned every so often. Their drinking bowl, if you do not have a proper drinking bowl try our Drinkwell, should be cleaned out with hot water regularly. The bottom of the rabbit’s cage should be cleaned out with a wet towel once or twice a weak. Every month the entire cage should be cleaned with hot water.

Rabbits love green food. They do best on a high percentage of roughage like our 5 varieties of hay such as Timothy Gold, Timothy High Fiber, Mountain Grass, Alffy Alfalfa and Three Way Grain Hay, minerals, fruit, greens, vitamin B and probiotics. We now have lots of varieties of products with probiotics such as: Our NEW Flora Blast, Critter Be Better Probiotic Feed Pellet, and Critter Be Better Feed Powder. Probiotics help keep beneficial bacteria in your rabbit’s digestive system which will keep your rabbit healthy and keep the bad bacteria which cause diseases out of the digestive tract. When it comes to feeding your rabbit feed twice a day at set times, this will allow your rabbit to be on a steady feeding schedule. Always provide your rabbit fresh hay and water; this is crucial to help a rabbit stay healthy. Also provide fresh lettuce and/or parsley. To give your pet a nice nutritional treat try our line of Smaks Treats.

What is a rabbit?

Early rabbits were natives of the land bordering the western Mediterranean sea. They were first domesticated about 4000 years ago. Like rodents, rabbits have incisors that grow constantly, and must be worn down. However, rabbits are not rodents. It is estimated that about 12 million rabbits are raised in the USA every year and that number is increasing. Rabbits do well in captivity. Rabbits do not readily acquire diseases from humans and they are not likely to transmit them.

Rabbits make wonderful pets. They are commonly litter box trained, very quite, and being kept in a cage, they are easily contained and not underfoot . Always supervise your rabbit when out of its cage, so that they don't gnaw on furniture, electric cords or eat house plants.

Rabbits range in size from 2 to 20 pound, so you need to decide which breed is better for you.

Feeding:

Feed a daily ration of American Pet Diner Alffy Rabbit Complete Pellet Ration, an alfalfa based pellet ration for young, growing, gestating, lactating rabbits. Feed Timmy Rabbit Complete Pellet Ration (Timothy Based Hay), which is high fiber and low calorie and protein and is a complete ration to animals that are adult, overweight or with urinary track problems.

Feed alfalfa hay only to young, growing , lactating or gestating animals. Provide adult or overweight animals with as much high fiber hay as they can eat. A good choice is our Timothy High Fiber (1st crop timothy), Timothy Gold (2nd crop timothy) and Mountain Hay (Orchard Grass and other Grass Hays). As with all animals, keep a supply of fresh water.

Treats:

Rabbits like to gnaw, so provide them with things to gnaw on such as Timbo Snak Cubes, or Apple fruit twigs. Feed fresh vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pea pods, dark green lettuce (no iceberg), herbs, grass, apples, pears, pineapple, and papaya in moderation. Always introduce these items slowly as they can have adverse reactions including diarrhea.

Housing:

Get your pet spayed or neutered as soon as they are fully grown. The rabbits disposition makes them a better pet after. Before housing two or more rabbits together, make sure they get along and don't fight. Most rabbit will be happier if they have a friend to live with. Just make sure they are compatible by spending time with them.

In order to know the size of cage you will need for your rabbit, you will need to know how big the rabbit is going to get. So, you will need to know the type or breed of rabbit you are getting. An adult rabbit should have one square foot of floor space per pound of weight. Smaller varieties need no less than four feet of floor space.