Miami

Pocket Pets Aren't Stocking Stuffers

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE by Dr. Ian Kupkee

If you follow these articles throughout the year, you’re probably familiar with my usual holiday rants: don’t give pets as presents, don’t dump that Christmas puppy at the shelter, pick a less stressful time to bring home a dog or cat ... but a recent trip to buy fish food made me realize I’d been habitually excluding one of the largest, and most vulnerable segments of the pet population. Often referred to as “pocket pets”, these hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, and mice are purchased by thousands of well-meaning parents looking for a holiday “starter pet” for their children. 
 
The marketing machine is very convincing - they’re quiet, they’re easy to care for, they’re inexpensive, and best of all, they’re small! But buyer beware; these little pets are a big business. And a busy associate at a bustling pet store may not have the time or the expertise to help you make sure you are choosing the right pet for your family. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly held beliefs about these special little souls.
 
Caring for pocket pets is easy
 
At this time of the year, pet stores advertise great deals on “starter homes for starter pets.” For less than $50, a small pet kit, complete with cage, bedding, food, water bottles, and exercise wheels can introduce youngsters to both the joys and the responsibilities of pet ownership. But like most great deals, this one too comes with a considerable amount of fine print. 
 
For example, a small mammal’s bedding must be changed at least once a week, and the cage must be thoroughly cleaned. While this is probably a reasonable expectation for an older child, a youngster will not be able to do this without assistance. In other words, parents should expect to have one more thing placed on their endless lists of things to do. But as long as you’ve got that list out, add routine trips to the feed store. Why? Because if you’ve stuffed that stocking with a rabbit or a guinea pig, you will need to feed them plenty of fresh hay to avoid life-threatening dental problems.  
 
Their teeth grow continuously, they must also eat plenty of fresh vegetables. Since all rodents have different types of dentition, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding said veggies. Each type of small mammal has different dietary needs. Uneaten portions should be discarded promptly to avoid spoilage (read: more cleaning!) Then there’s the debate over types of bedding. Many experts feel that the most commonly sold forms of bedding - specifically cedar and pine - can cause respiratory problems in small mammals. 
 
Some studies even suggest a link between these materials and liver damage. Corn cob litter can harbor dangerous mold in climates like South Florida. I personally recommend recycled paper pellets, but I’m sure plenty of experts will sound off in the comments section, so let’s just keep going and learn more about these “super easy” pets, shall we?
 
Pocket pets just stay in their cages
 
Sadly, this is often the case. But it is not an ideal standard of care for a small mammal. There are many fun, stimulating toys that can provide exercise for your little friend, but like many repetitive forms of exercise, this gets boring for them. Pocket pets need to get out of their cages on a regular basis so they can explore and burn up energy. 
 
What kind of exercise? Well, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to that either. Rats and mice love to climb. They are often perfectly content to use their owners as a jungle gym. Rabbits and guinea pigs aren’t wild about heights, so these critters will need an open space. But make sure said space is clear of wires, cables, electrical cords, and pretty much anything else that you like. Those continually growing teeth create a constant need to chew, and anything within reach is considered fair game. And it’s unwise to leave them unattended, as they can escape, or become trapped behind appliances. Again, an older child can handle this responsibility. But if your kids are on the younger side, this too will be up to Mom and Dad.
 
Pocket pets are quiet
 
This one is partially true. Some pocket pets are very quiet - during the day. Mice, rats, hamsters, and hedgehogs are just a few of the more popular small mammals that are nocturnal. Unlike rabbits and guinea pigs, these critters are ready to rock and roll at about the same time children are getting tucked into bed. And I’m convinced there’s no such thing as an exercise wheel that doesn’t squeak like nails on a chalkboard. Should you choose to bring one of these critters home, understand that they will sleep while your family is active. This can cause children to lose interest rather quickly.
 
Pocket pets are great with kids
 
With frequent, gentle handling, this can certainly become the case. However, it’s important to understand that by nature, these creatures are prey animals. While this heightened state of awareness served their wild ancestors well, it can lead a household pet to view innocent childhood behaviors as threats. 
 
Hugging, cuddling, and being picked up are actions to which these little guys must gradually become accustomed. A pocket pet that is grabbed, squeezed, or startled out of a deep sleep will often instinctively react as if he is being snatched by a predator. And while bites from pocket pets are not generally dangerous, they are surprisingly painful.
 
If you share your home with dogs or cats, bear in mind that these animals are technically predators. While the internet is full of videos featuring unusual (and adorable) animal interactions, I feel it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Dogs and cats should be taught to leave pocket pets alone. If you have a pet with an especially high prey drive, don’t even bring a small mammal home. 
 
While I have a soft spot in my heart for these little guys, our younger dog’s prey drive would be a constant source of anxiety for a pocket pet. Stress can kill these little ones, so ask yourself if it is reasonable or humane to expect him to share his environment with an animal that perceives him as a meal.
 
Pocket pets don’t need to go to the vet
 
My practice is exclusive to dogs and cats, so please don’t think I’m self-promoting by writing the following: pocket pets absolutely MUST be provided with routine veterinary care.
 
Rabbits and rodents all have dental health needs that vary from species to species. Neglecting your pocket pet’s dental care can result in painful overgrowths and abscesses that affect their ability to eat. Additionally, there is a lot of bad information out there with regards to basic care. 
 
A veterinarian who is experienced with small mammals can help you avoid the many illnesses that stem from improper husbandry and nutrition. These professionals can inform you as to which species should live alone, which prefer a buddy, which should be spayed and neutered, and which have special nutritional needs. Periodic wellness checkups can save you a lot of money and heartache down the road.
 
I know what you’re thinking…”The hamster cost me six bucks. Why should I spend $40 just to walk through the door of a vet’s office?” 
 
Here’s the thing - a veterinarian who specializes in pocket pets and exotics has spent at least as much time and money on his education as the doctor who treats your dog. And quite possibly more. While the pet industry has devalued these small mammals, the same must not be said about the expertise of professionals who spend six figures on the education required to specialize in their care. 
 
Of the millions of pocket pets living in the US, fewer than two out of ten ever see a veterinarian in their lifetimes. There is no excuse for this. Indeed, one of the country’s leading experts in avian and exotic medicine is right here in Miami. If you have a pocket pet, spend the money and take him in for a checkup. Pet owners have been known to spend thousands of dollars on a pet cat or dog that was picked up from the streets for free, yet a $19 rabbit from a pet store is somehow “not worth it." Please don’t be a part of the phenomenon that places so little value on these special little souls. Because pocket pets are awesome! Which leads me to the final - and most infuriating myth.
 
Pocket pets are all the same. Just let them die and buy another one
 
My wife still speaks with fondness about her first “bachelorette pet," a Syrian hamster named Ben. By the time she arrived home from work at 9 p.m., Ben was ready for some serious play. His favorite activity was running up the stairs, shimmying back down along the wall, then racing back up again. When he tired, he would seek out the closest lap for a power nap and a snuggle. He had no fear of strangers, and if she brought friends home, “Ben the Rat” would quickly become the life of the party. 
 
Ben lived for nearly six years - quite possibly a record - and while he crossed the Rainbow Bridge almost 25 years ago, Lynn has never gotten another hamster. When I once asked her why, her response was simply, “He was one in a million. He’s not replaceable.”
 
Regardless of its size or price tag, every life has value. Every pet is dependant on us, and every decision to bring one home carries the burden of responsibility. This is especially important to remember if you’re buying such a pet for a child. 
 
ownership is encouraged to teach children responsibility, and respect for life. Yet children take us very literally, and they don’t miss a thing. What lessons are they learning from us when our actions imply that some lives have value, yet others do not? Are we really teaching responsible pet ownership by simply buying another pet when the the first one dies of neglect?
 
This holiday season, don’t be lured in by attractive bargains on starter cages and kits. Think long and hard about whether or not a pocket pet is right for you, and use the same criteria you would use for evaluating a “real pet”. Because the bottom line is, that’s exactly what they are.
 
Dr. Kupkee is the lead practitioner at Sabal Chase Animal Clinic in Miami.
 
Do you have a question for Dr. Kupkee? Send him an email by clicking here.
 
Click here to check out great deals and discounts exclusively for NBC 6 viewers.
Contact Us