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Small Animals

Rabbit Biting Other Pets Small Animal Aging Symptoms

Hamster Hair Loss

Hamster Losing Hair

Rabbit Eating Clothes

Hamster Diarrhea

Fleas

Hamster Overgrown Tooth

Hamster Paralysis

Breeding Mice

Hamster Bonding

Hamster Sudden Death

Hamster breathing

Rat Bonding

Hamster skin problem and rabbit grunting

Rats and Cheese

Guinea Pig Eye Cloudy

Your veterinarian should be your first source of care and medical
information. As with all medical cases, check with your veterinarian before changing any medical treatments. This information is meant as a resource, not as a treatment, diagnosis or replacement of veterinary advice.

Aging Pets - We have gotten a lot of emails lately about aging pets and decided to list common ailments and problems associated aging. Any changes in behavior or appetite are often the first signs of illness. If you notice any of the symptoms below, please take your pet to a vet immediately for a complete check-up. This is not intended to cover everything, just the most common problems.

Hamster, Mice & Rats - A rodent's lifespan depends greatly on quality of life and genetics. A typical rodent will live between 2-4 years. Rodents are considered senior at 1 1/2 years of age and geriatric after age 2. This means that you should watch for health problems after age 1 1/2. We recommend taking your rodent to the vet for a geriatric check-up at 1 1/2 years to rule out any hidden age related illnesses. The most common health problems associated with rodent aging includes; internal and external tumors, dental problems, skin problems, mobility and weight gain. Symptoms to watch for in an aging hamster, mouse or rat: bulging eyes, bulging stomach, hair loss, overgrown teeth, changes in appetite, not using wheel or wobbly movement.

Guinea Pigs - Guinea pigs are rodents and have similar aging issues to smaller rodents listed above but do have a longer aging process. Cavies have a typical lifespan between 4-6 years. Their lifespan depends greatly on the quality of life and genetics. Cavies are considered senior after age 3 and geriatric after age 5. This means that you should watch for health problems after age 3. We recommend taking your cavy to the vet for a geriatric check-up at 3 years to rule out any hidden age related illnesses. The most common health problems associated with guinea pig aging includes; internal and external tumors, dental problems, skin problems, mobility and weight gain. Symptoms to watch for in an aging guinea pig: overgrown teeth, appetite changes, lumps and bumps, hair loss, and wobbly movement.

Rabbits - A rabbit's lifespan depends greatly on quality of life and genetics. A typical rabbit will live between 10-12 years. Rabbits are considered senior at 7 years and geriatric at 9 years. This means that you should watch for health problems after age 7. We recommend taking your rabbit to the vet for a geriatric check-up at 7 years to rule out any hidden age related illnesses. The most common health problems associated with rabbit aging includes; internal and external tumors, dental problems, eye problems, skin problems, mobility and weight gain. Symptoms to watch for in an aging rabbit: overgrown teeth, lumps and bumps, cloudy eyes, hair loss, changes in appetite, weakness and wobbly movement.

Hamster Sudden Death - We had two hamsters that live/lived in two separate cages. Last night when they wer being fed we noticed that one of the hamsters, Rolie, had died. As far as I know he was laying face down with his body extended in a place where he usually doesn't lay...behind a little hut that we had in there. We do not have an exact time that he died but we are in there every night to give them their food and treats and he was fine the night before just nibbling on apiece of lettuce we gave him. He had not experienced any symptoms that we could see at all in his last days. It just hurts not to know what happened and we are hoping that whatver it was that our other hamster, Shadow, will not experience it.

As I said their cages were side by side , not touching but on the same coffee table. I cleaned out both cages last night...and Shadow seems to be doing fine except for a small bald spot on his back and he seems to be itching a bit. But now I dont know if its all in my imagination and the itching is normal. I guess I am just looking for anything. When i cahnged all the bedding I didn't see any fleas. I dont know what to do ...

The hamsters were bought together sometime last year so we are estimating that they are about a little over a year old...maybe around 15-18 months old. I cant remember the exact time we got them but that's approximate. Rolie was a little bigger then Shadow when we got them but supposedly they came from the same breeder/litter. We bought them at Petsmart so how much do u believe.

I am sorry that I am rambling but i am just upset and feel so lost. Of course people say it was only a hamster but to us he was still a part of the family.

Response - I am sorry to hear about Rolie...any loss of a family member, no matter how small, is difficult.

It sounds like you take excellent care of your hamsters. If you bought the hamsters about a year ago and you estimate their age at about 18 months...that could mean your hamster died of natural causes. Hamster generally only live about 2 years, in rare cases 3. It is odd that Rolie was not showing any signs of problems. Usually with old age they start to show some symptoms of hair loss (around the neck), teeth become very overgrown, bulging eyes, weight loss, tumors, etc. An upper respiratory infection has very obvious symptoms and you don't indicate that was an issue. An upper respiratory infection would be the main cause for worry with your other hamster because it is very contagious...however, sounds like that is not an issue. Since they were housed seperately (good job), Shadow has probably not been exposed to anything if it was not airborne. As for the itching, could be mites (you should be able to see these when inspecting)...which can be brought in on purchased bedding such as pine. If its mites you can treat with medication from your local pet store. Try using CareFresh bedding which does not hosue mites. It could also be dry skin with aging. Check his skin for flaking...if so, try to add some foods with more fatty/oils like sunflowers or other seeds.

Watch Shadow carefully for the next week and if there are any changes in eating or behavioral habits, take him to the vet.

Thank you for your participation in our website,

Hamster Breathing - We have a hamster that we bought about 9 months ago at a Petsmart. We have had no trouble with it until just in the last week or so. She has begun to act strange. She makes a noise like she is struggling to breath, almost a low grunting noise, and my daughters claim that she has gotten really fat. They thought that she might be pregnant but we have no male.

Response - Any changes in behavior or eating habits can be the first sign of illness. Your first resource should be your vet. We are not vets and cannot give veterinary advice.

Hamsters can get respiratory infections which cause breathing and snorting problems. These infections can be attributed to fluctuations in temperatures, age, unclean environment, even from you, if you have had a cold. Usually the symptoms often include runny eyes also but this occurs in the later stages of more serious infections. Hamsters are also susceptible to tumors which if located near lungs, neck, etc. can restrict breathing.

If a respiratory infection or tumor is suspected, you should take your hamster to the vet for treatment.

Thank you for your participation in our website,

petinfo4u.com

Guinea Pig Eyes Cloudy - Hello, I noticed yesterday that my guinea pig has got misted/white eyes. My mum says that he may have cataracts and we are going to take him to see the vet tomorrow. Could you please tell me about cataracts and if anything can be done to help him. He is 3 years old.

Guinea Pig Response - I am glad to hear that you are going to the vet! Many times our visitors
have life threatening issues and wait until they hear from the internet.
Our information is provided as a resource and is not meant to replace
veterinary care, advice or treatment.

There are two things that come to mind, the first being cataracts which
guinea pigs are susceptible to as they age. The other is a respiratory or
eye infection. Symptoms of these types of infections are runny, goupy and
clumpy eyes as well as coughing.

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/conjunc.htm

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/cataracts.htm

Have you considered that it has injured the eye?

Diabetes in guinea pigs is also known to cause cataracts. I could not find
any good information about diabetes in guinea pigs. I did find some links
you may be interested in reading:

http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/ailments.html

http://www.angelfire.com/az/cavykingdom/

Rats and Cheese -

I was told that rats are not supposed to have cheese. Is this true? We have 2 white rats and 1 black and white rat. They are about 2-3 years old.

Rats and Cheese Response -

It is not true that rats can't have cheese...what is meant is that cheese is not supposed to be a rats sole source of food and if given in large amounts can cause diarrhea. A pet rat's main diet should consist of a high quality rat diet and/or rat pellets with supplements of fruits and veggies. Cheese can be given as a treat, mostly used for training purposes.

Hamster Losing Hair - Our hamster is less than a year old and has lost her fur on her underside from head to tail, as well as behind her ears,
legs and now on her hind quarters. We use pine shavings.
She is eating well and does not appear to be scratching
excessively. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hamster Losing Hair Response - The most common cause of hair loss in hamsters is mites and fleas. You said
that she is not scratching excessively, she may still have them. You can
pick up mite medication for hamsters at your local pet store. It is most
important when treating for mites to completely change the bedding and wash
the cage thoroughly. Did you know that hamsters are also susceptible to
fleas. Do you have other pets that might be infecting your hamster with
fleas? You can treat fleas with a kitten flea powder by dusting your
hamster lightly and completely cleaning the cage. However, they can easily
become reinfested unless the flea problem is treated in the house. In
either case of fleas or mites, you should be able to examine her to see if
there are any mites or fleas.

The other possibility is that she may require vitamin supplements. Hair
loss can sometimes be attributable to a poor diet. She should be feed a
high quality hamster diet that is supplmented with alfalfa cubes (good for
the teeth), carrots, apples, etc. at least once per week. In addition water
soluable vitamin supplements can be added to the water bottle once per week.

Since you said that she is less than one year old, the other possibility of
age may not be a factor. However, are you sure of her age? Very often, pet
stores sell hamsters and say they are babies when in fact they are not.
Since hamsters only live 2 to 3 years, they reach their old age at about 2
years old. If old age is the cause, there is no treatment.

Our information is provided as a resource and is not intended to replace
veterinary care, advice or treatment. Your first resource should always be
your veterinarian.

Hamster skin problem and rabbit grunting - My hamster has a red irritated bump on his back. What could this be? I also have a rabbit and it grunts a lot when I pet it. It is also in a cage with its sister and has scratches on its neck. What should I do?

Hamster skin problem and rabbit grunting Response -

Since we are not veterinarians we cannot give veterinary advice, care or treatment. However, we can provide you with information and resources. Our information is not intended to replace veterinary care, advice or treatment. Your first resource should always be your veterinarian.

There are two things that come to mind with regards to your hamster's skin problem:

1. Hamster bedding bought at pet stores can be infested with mites. It is easy to treat by completely changing the bedding and completely washing the cage with soap and water. There are also mite powders in the hamster section that you can use on your hamster to get rid of the mites. Hamsters are also susceptible to fleas (as well as rabbits). Since it is the start of flea season, this could be an issue. Fleas require the same treatment of cleaning the bedding and cage, as well as purchasing some kitten (not dog and cat) flea powder to treat your hamster. You may want treat again in two weeks to get any hatching fleas.

2. A hamster's lifespan is around 2 years. At the later stages of a hamsters life, they can become susceptible to tumors and cancers. Is it possible this is an issue? If so, your veterinarian would be your best resource.

In regards to your rabbits...

You don't say whether or not your rabbits are spayed...hormones play a large part in the biting pattern of adult rabbits. If one of your rabbits is biting the other or showing grunting behavior this is generally caused by hormones. The treatment for this and other aggressive behavior is spaying and neutering. Spaying your females also greatly reduces their chances of getting uterine and mammory tumors. It is recommended when two rabbits are living together that you provide a large cage to prevent territorial fighting.

When your rabbit grunts or squeaks when you touch her she may be displaying territorial behavior (or asking you not to touch her). Rabbits who are territorial and can become aggressive when you suddenly stick your hand into their territory. Try leaving the door to her cage open and let your rabbit come out on her own. Be sure to close the door behind her. Let your rabbit sit on the floor next to you, in your territory, and gently stroke him. Wait before picking your rabbit up until he is comfortable with the attention you are giving her. Here are some links for more information:

http://www.hamsterific.com/health_reference.asp

Rat Bonding - Can you tell me how i can get my rat tame and to do tricks please. And how to make them not run around when i hold them

Rat Bonding Response - You are lucky...rats are one of the easiest pets to train. As for the running around, rats are very active when awake and it may be hard to get them to stay still. They are very curious by nature and will constantly be checking things out. The easiest way to tame a rat is with constant attention, treats and handling. If your rat is hand-fed, then this process should be easier. If not, then a little patience and trust will win your rat over fast. If your rat is timid climbing on your hand and coming out of its cage, try letting him come out when he is ready. Leave his cage door open (while you are supervising) and have treats waiting outside the door on the floor. This will teach him that coming out of his cage means food and fun.

Here are some tips to training your rat:

1. Keep loud noises and sudden movements to a minimum and use a calm, quite voice.

2. Have lots of peas, popcorn, cheese and hot dog bits available for rewards.

3. First have your rat perform tasks that are natural to their behavior and reward them for doing what you ask. Your rat will soon learn the connection between rewards and tricks. For example; rats love to climb so ask your rat to climb your leg while you are sitting on the couch. Be sure to use simple one word commands. Try a game of hide-n-seek. Rats love to search for food so hide some treats and ask your rat to search for the food (start off easy and steadily get harder).

Send us pictures of your rat for our Pet Pictures Page

Hamster Bonding - Hi,how you say that if you keep putting a sugar glider in your pocket,it will keep on returning there.Will that work with a hamster.I have ahd the hamster now for about 1 year.

Hamster Bonding Response - You don't say if you have tried this method or not....Hamsters are solitary animals in the wild and usually do not have a family unit that they rely upon. Animals that are known for bonding are usually animals that live in family units in the wild such as birds, dogs, sugar gliders, etc. This means that they rely on family members for their survival.

There is no reason that you cannot try the bonding process with your hamster. Hamsters are nocturnal pets and, therefore, may do nicely in a bonding pouch or pocket during the day. The idea behind bonding is to provide a safehaven for your pet where they feel protected so that they want to stay. As with sugar gliders, hamsters cannot be potty trained. Be sure to use a pocket liner or washable fleece liner. Below are some links to bonding pouches. While not meant for hamsters, they may work well.

http://www.toandfrogliders.com/ go to pouches

Let me know how it works out. Debra Petinfo4u.com

Hamster Paralysis -

We have had a (actually several) families of hamsters over the past year, all stemming from a female we purchased in April. She has had 3 litters derived from 3 different males. Some offspring of litters died with uncomfortable frequency - symptoms were similar in all deaths; first frantic activity with increasing inability to controll the hind limbs which eventually appear totally paralysed. Animals that appear to be dead can be "brought round" temporarily by being kept warm and hand fed water, which they will usually take. In the final stages they have a great deal of trouble breathing and blowing gently into their noses or gently massaging their chests does not seem to help greatly. There was no odiferous diahrroea or other apparent intestinal problems. The age of those of the first litter who died was ca. 3 months, those of the second litter a little younger, and one of our weanlings has just exhibited the first symptoms. We have five different cages, and only once have all the occupants of a cage died. They are all fed the same food at the same time, the same litter is used for all. The cages are cleaned and washed out with hot water and clorox solution at least weekly. It doesn't sound like wet tail. Any ideas?

Response Hamster Paralysis -

What a sad story...I hope we can help. From your description, I immediately thought of Hind-leg Paralysis. This problem is said to be associated either with a hereditary disease or from a lack of Vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium. Without Vit. D the body cannot absorb calcium and the bones deteriorate causing paralysis and death. You said that all your hamsters have descended from one female. Is it possible that she carried a defective gene? If this is a possibility, you should not use any of your current hamster for breeding. Below I have copied some information I found on the Hamsterific site (linked below also). It sounds like you take great care in keeping a healthy environment for your hamsters. Are you providing enough room and exercise with a wheel or exercise ball? It is also important to keep bones and muscles strong with plenty of exercise. If you suspect it may be a vitamin deficiency, there are water soluable vitamins available at your local pet store in the small animal section you can use on a daily basis. You didn't say what type of litter you were using...be sure that it is not cedar shavings as these give off toxic fumes to small animals. Below is a link regarding the bedding issue. I hope this information gives you a starting point on where to find your problem.

CAGE PARALYSIS - A disorder resulting from hamsters being confined in a cage that is too small and doesn't allow it sufficient exercise. The symptoms include the hamster appearing to be semi-crippled by dragging its back end around. There is, however, a very simple cure and an even simpler preventative measure - a larger cage and more exercise. It is also thought that diets low in Vitamins D and E may be a contributing factor to this condition. Vitamin supplements may be beneficial.

HIND LIMB PARALYSIS - In a Syrian male around 6 months old, the onset of hind limb paralysis may be an indication of a hereditary defect. There is no cure and these animals should not be used for breeding purposes. Other possible causes could be from a fall, constipation, dystocia or a cage that is too small. Veterinary advice is recommended in all cases

http://www.afrma.org/rminfo2.htm

Our information is provided as a resource and is not meant to replace veterinary care, advice or treatment. Your first resource should always be your veterinarian.

Breeding Mice - Hi. I've looked all over your site and I think it's great, but do you have any information about breeding mice.

Response Breeding Mice - Thank you for the compliment. Your right we don't provide much information on breeding mice...mostly because we discourage it. Mice are prolific breeders and a novice can quickly become overwhelmed. An important tip to remember is to keep your male mice away from the babies. Male mice may eat the babies if they are not his and the female can get pregnant almost immediately after birth. Here is a link that has information on breeding mice.

http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/breeding.cfm

December 31, 2000 - Fleas on Hamster - As hamster are such good groomers, do they ever get fleas? If so, what type of treatment do we use? This is a dwarf hamster and he's scratching a lot lately. Our cat and dog have recently been treated for fleas.

Fleas on Hamster Response - Yes, your hamster can get fleas from your other pets. Fleas live on most animals that have fur. Your local pet store will have special hamster flea powder that you can dust on the bedding (where the fleas live, they do not live on your hamster). If there is no specific hamster powder available, you can use kitten powder. It should be fairly easy to rid your hamster of fleas because of the enclosed environment. Be sure to change the bedding frequently.

Good luck with the flea problem, they can be tricky. Debra Petinfo4u

December 10, 2000 - Hamster Overgrown Tooth - I've noticed that one of my hampsters has a severly overgrown tooth. I had noticed that his mouth looked bad before,but i havent been able to see that its being cause by a tooth until now. Is there something that can be done?
If I put stuff in to chew might that correct it, or is too late for that
that? please advise.

Hamster Overgrown Tooth Response - A broken tooth, gum injuries or infection and some congenital problems can cause the opposite tooth to become overgrown. If a tooth is broken or there are gum injuries or infection, the opposite tooth will become overgrown because it is not continually meeting with the other tooth to assist in the grinding process. Hamsters can become susceptible to broken teeth due to a calcium deficiency (to many sunflower seeds in their diet which are not
nutritional). It is a relatively easy process to clip a tooth, however, we
do not recommend you try this by yourself the first time, but have your
veterinarian show how to properly clip a tooth. It is important to have the
tooth trimmed as soon as possible to prevent your hamster from becoming
malnurished. To prevent future problems, be sure to provide plenty of hard
chewing toys and treats (dog biscuits are a good treat). It is also
important to find a diet that is high in calcium to keep your hamsters teeth
healthy. Supplement your hamsters daily diet with fresh fruit and
vegetables to provide the extra vitamins. Be careful not to feed to many
leafy veggies as this can cause diarrhea. Try broccoli, beans, carrots,
celery, and apples.

Let us know how your hamster is doing! Debra Petinfo4u.com

October 25, 2000 - Hamster Diarrhea - hi. I have had a black bear hampster for about 7 weeks. She is great. About 1 week ago she started having soft, light brown and VERY smelly poops! I have tried the following: yogurt, old fashioned oats, cleaning her cage daily, feeding the oats and lab blocks only. Nothing has seemed to work. She is in good spirits and is eating and drinking. Her bottom is somewhat yucky and i have even given her a bath, being sure to dry her very well. All of these suggestions have come from the pet store where I got her. The next step is to take her to a vet, but I would
really rather not, as I know this will stress her! I don't want her to die.
We also can't take her out of the cage because she smells so bad and has
poop on her. HELP!! any suggestions??? Should i take her to the vet?
Thank you, Kara

October 25, 2000 - Hamster Response - The symptoms you describe in your hamster sound like an illness called "Wet Tail". This condition is associated mostly with diarrhea that has a strong pungent and foul odor. Your hamster may also show signs of inactivity. Wet-Tail develops in a hamster that is under a lot of stress. Stress to a hamster can be a change in environment such as; a new home, fluctuating temperatures (draft conditions) or to much handling during their sleeping period (daytime). This condition, if not treated can be fatal. Since your hamster is exhibiting these signs, please take her immediately to your veterinarian. Because a hamster with wet-tail can develop extreme diarrhea, your hamster can become quickly dehydrated. Once this condition is started the only
treatment usually involves rehydration and antibiotics.

Please take your hamster to the vet for treatment and let us know how she
is doing...Debra Petinfo4u.com

Follow-up - My hampster is home and the vet thinks she will be ok!! He does not think she has wet tail since she has had somewhat formed stools and has had it for a week. He thinks it is an infection and should clear in 1 to 2
days. He thought she looked a little run down but not that bad. He did
seem to think she would make it. He gave us two medications to give her
twice a day: Kaopect with Barium and Baytrill. She gets a small amount of
each! He thought she would have more pep in 24 to 48 hours but that it
may take a little longer for her stools to be back to normal. Anyway, I hope
she does great. She really is cute!!! The bill was $75, but what's a mom
to do!!?? My kids are really excited she is home. Thank you again for
your help. It's nice to know you are "out there!"

October 25, 2000 - Rabbit Eating Clothes - I'm having problems with my 11 week-old rabbit. What it does is that it nibbles clothes and it
worries me if he'll keep on doing this through out
it's life. I don't want to hit it to make it stop doing
this but I was wondering if you had any quick and
affective tips for me. Please e-mail me as soon as you
can because this really does worry me. Cindy

October 25, 2000 - Eating Clothes Response - From your description of nibbling, there are several possibilities that come
to mind. Rabbits are naturally curious creatures. Nibbling is their way of
tasting, smelling and getting to know their environment. Usually they will
taste see that it is not food and wander off. If this is not the case with
your rabbit, the following are some ideas to try:

First, I am glad to hear you do not hit your rabbit...they are very timid
and will quickly learn not to trust you.

Does your rabbit have access to lots of chewing material? This could be
related to his instinct to control his teeth growth.
Do you give your rabbit lots of attention? Rabbits will often nibble or
nudge when asking for attention or treats.
Does your rabbit have access to unlimited Timothy hay for his diet? Timothy
hay is essential to keep your rabbit healthy.

We recommend the distraction method of training. This means that when you have your rabbit out of its cage, be prepared with lots of treats (raisins
are good) and chew toys to distract his chewing your clothes. Using a sharp
"no", turn him away in another direction. Then get him interested in a toy
or treat.

The website (www.rabbit.org) below has excellent information on rabbits and chewing behaviors:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/chewing.html

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/training.html#chew-dig

Thank you for participating in our website, Debra Petinfo4u.com

October 25, 2000 - Hamster Hair Loss - I believe to have a Sirian hamster but she appears to have lost hair on her face, around her nose. I believe the reason for this is due to her gnawing on the bars of her metal cage.

I am writing to ask whether you have any tips on combating this problem. I am certainly interested if I can put some sort of substance on the bars that is non-toxic but will stop her from gnawing the bars. Jim Hayden

October 25, 2000 Hamster Response -

You say that the hair loss on your hamster's nose may be due to her chewing on her cage....You might first have her checked by your veterinarian for mites. Mange and/or mites are a common problem with hamsters. Mites can be transmitted to your hamster by new bedding material. Mites cause itching and hair loss around the neck and face. Hair loss is also an indication of a vitamin deficiency. If you are not supplementing her diet with vitamins, you can pick up water soluable vitamins for hamsters at any local pet store.

If you still feel that this hair loss is due to the chewing on the bars (one of the most common complaints), one cure would be to get a S.A.M. or Habitrail unit for housing that is made from plastic and has no bars. Chewing is a natural instinct in hamsters and actually has a medical benefit...it helps keep their teeth from becoming overgrown. They will chew just about anything to keep their teeth healthy. Are you providing lots of chewing activities such as; toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls, wood blocks, shredding material, gnaw stones, carrots, alfalfa cubes (excellent), dog bones, etc...

Some pets also develop obsessive behaviors out of boredom. Does she have access to an exercise wheel (one without metal bars to protect her feet)? Housing with different levels and tunnels can help keep your hamster exercised and happy.

There are pet products made such as "Bitter Apple" that prevent chewing in dogs and cats, however we do not recommend these types of chewing products for small animals because they may be toxic. The best remedy is to redirect the behavior.

Our information is provided as a resource and is not intended to replace veterinary advice, care or treatment. Your first resource should always be your veterinarian.

Thank you for your participation in our website,

Debra

August 5, 2000 - Rabbit Behavior - I have had my Rabbit and Guinea Pig (they are both female) for 4 months now. My rabbit has been spayed and they usually get on very well. In the last
week though, my rabbit has started biting the Guinea Pig and pulling her
hair out, which cause the GP & me alot of distress. I now have to keep them
separate, which is difficult due to limited space. Is there anything I
can do about my rabbits behaviour?

August 5, 2000 - Rabbit Response - For a little background, rabbits in the wild are social animals that live
together as families. These families usually contain a dominant male and
dominant female. They are also very territorial of their den space. With
this in mind, a pet rabbit will usually try to dominate either you or your
pets. Biting is a sign of protecting its territory and/or showing its
dominance. This is normal rabbit behavior. It is not usually recommended
that rabbits be kept together for this very reason. There can be a lot of
fighting for territories. It sounds as though this is what you may be
encountering. To combat the issue of biting we recommend the following:

1. Your guinea pig and rabbit should be housed separately. You mention
that you are short on space...There are several types of cages that are
tri-level which can be partitioned off for separate housing.

2. To teach your rabbit not to bite; when your rabbit bites either you or
your guinea pig, reach behind his head and press it gently but firmly to the
floor and give a firm "no". This is telling your rabbit you are dominant
and the boss. Rabbits are timid creatures that are easily frightened and do
not respond well to loud shouts and hitting. Never hit your rabbit.
Showing your dominance is the best way to get results.

3. Here are a couple of links you may find helpful.

http://www.rabbit.org/

Thank you for your great question and participation in our website,
Debra

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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care. If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.