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Stuff Every Small Pet Owner Should Know

Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats and ferrets: lifespan, cost, space, handling and vet care.

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  1. How long do indoor pet rabbits typically live?
    Show the answer

    8 to 12 years. Rabbit.org Foundation says indoor house rabbits typically live 8 to 12 years, depending on size, breed and care. A rabbit a 9-year-old gets could still be around when that child finishes high school.

  2. Compared with indoor rabbits, how long do pet rabbits kept outdoors usually live?
    Show the answer

    Shorter, about 3 to 5 years. Rabbit.org Foundation says outdoor domestic rabbits live only about 3 to 5 years. Rabbits do best indoors, where they get plenty of time with the family.

  3. How long do pet guinea pigs usually live?
    Show the answer

    5 to 8 years. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists a guinea pig lifespan of 5 to 8 years. That is much longer than a hamster's, so plan for years of daily care.

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  1. How long do indoor pet rabbits typically live?
  2. Compared with indoor rabbits, how long do pet rabbits kept outdoors usually live?
  3. How long do pet guinea pigs usually live?
  4. How long do pet hamsters usually live?
  5. What is the normal lifespan of a pet gerbil?
  6. About how long do pet rats usually live?
  7. What is the typical life span of a pet ferret?
  8. Rabbit.org Foundation says rabbits are often not the best match for children under what age?
  9. When a family gets a pet rabbit, who should be its main caregiver?
  10. In a family with kids, who should pick up the pet rabbit?
  11. According to Rabbit.org Foundation, how soon do most children lose interest in a new live bunny?
  12. What outcome does Rabbit.org link to impulse Easter bunny purchases?
  13. Hamsters are nocturnal. What does that mean for a kid who owns one?
  14. Which small pet is mostly awake during the day, so kids can handle it without waking it?
  15. Why are gerbils not recommended as pets for very young children?
  16. The CDC says ferrets are not recommended for homes with children under what age?
  17. Which group does the CDC say is more likely to get sick from germs that small pets carry?
  18. What does the CDC say about young children and pet ferrets?
  19. Do guinea pigs do better alone or with company?
  20. What does the Merck Veterinary Manual recommend for keeping pet rats?
  21. Should adult hamsters share a cage?
  22. What setup does the Merck Veterinary Manual recommend for pet gerbils?
  23. What kind of company does a pet rabbit need?
  24. Is it a good idea to house a rabbit with a guinea pig?
  25. Which statement about the cost of owning rabbits is accurate?
  26. Why can it be hard to find a vet for a pet rabbit?
  27. How much time outside the cage does a pet ferret need every day?
  28. Ferrets are very playful when awake. About how many hours a day can they sleep?
  29. How much exercise time does Rabbit.org Foundation recommend for indoor rabbits?
  30. Pet rats are active at night. Where is a good place for their cage?
  31. In which two US states is it illegal to keep a ferret as a pet?
  32. Which city bans ferrets as pets, even though ferrets are legal in its state?
  33. Why does Hawaii prohibit ferrets as pets?
  34. If a store sells a pet, does that mean it is legal to own where you live?
  35. What is one big advantage of adopting a rabbit from a shelter or rescue?
  36. Want two rabbits that already get along? Where can you often find a bonded pair?
  37. Why be careful buying a young female guinea pig that was housed with males?
  38. You notice one ferret in a store cage looks sick. What does the CDC advise?
  39. What size exercise pen does the House Rabbit Society call ideal for most rabbits?
  40. How much active play time does the House Rabbit Society say rabbits need each day?
  41. Why must electric cords be protected in a rabbit area?
  42. Why should guinea pigs have a hideout in their cage?
  43. Which bedding should small pet owners avoid?
  44. Why should rabbit and guinea pig cages have a solid floor area?
  45. What kind of cage suits pet rats best?
  46. Why do hamsters need a deep layer of bedding?
  47. How often should an indoor rabbit's cage be spot-cleaned?
  48. What should you check a ferret cage for before using it?
  49. Which food should make up most of an adult rabbit's diet?
  50. Which hay is usually too rich for adult rabbits?
  51. Why must guinea pig food contain vitamin C every day?
  52. How should pellets be fed to a guinea pig?
  53. How should pellets be fed to adult rabbits?
  54. Which human food is toxic to rabbits?
  55. What type of diet do ferrets need?
  56. How often should you clean and refill a guinea pig's water bottle?
  57. What is the safest way to change a small pet's food?
  58. What is true about a rabbit's front teeth?
  59. Why can a rabbit fed mostly pellets get overgrown teeth?
  60. What is true about guinea pig cheek teeth?
  61. Why do gerbils need things to gnaw on?
  62. What can overgrown teeth cause in a guinea pig?
  63. Above about what temperature can guinea pigs get heatstroke?
  64. At about what temperature does heat start to become dangerous for rabbits?
  65. Why are ferrets prone to overheating?
  66. Which sign can mean a rabbit is overheating?
  67. How do rabbits mainly get rid of extra body heat?
  68. Why is spaying female rabbits strongly recommended?
  69. What often improves after neutering a male rabbit?
  70. At about what age can rabbits usually be spayed or neutered?
  71. Why are female ferrets often spayed if not used for breeding?
  72. In the US, when are most pet ferrets spayed or neutered?
  73. How can neutering change male ferrets?
  74. What household benefit can spaying or neutering a rabbit have?
  75. Why must you support a rabbit's back end every time you lift it?
  76. A rabbit starts kicking while you carry it. What should you do?
  77. Why do most rabbits dislike being picked up?
  78. What can happen if you pick up a gerbil by its tail?
  79. What is the right way to pick up a pet rat?
  80. What is the safest way to move a sick or scared hamster?
  81. A small pet's bite breaks your skin. What should you do first?
  82. What does the CDC say about kissing or snuggling small pets?
  83. After handling your pet, how long should you scrub your hands with soap?
  84. Where should you NOT wash your small pet's cage or bowls?
  85. Who is more likely to get very sick from germs small pets carry?
  86. Besides a bite, how can rat bite fever spread from a pet rodent to a person?
  87. Can you tell by looking whether a pet rat carries rat bite fever germs?
  88. Who should avoid handling pet rodents like hamsters and mice, when possible?
  89. How can a pet hamster pick up the LCM virus?
  90. What causes ringworm, a skin infection small pets can pass to people?
  91. Your rabbit hasn't eaten or pooped in 12 hours. What should you do?
  92. What is the best everyday way to help prevent GI stasis in a rabbit?
  93. Unlike dogs and cats, what can rabbits NOT do?
  94. Your guinea pig drools and stops eating, but its front teeth look fine. What now?
  95. Why should you never give a rabbit or guinea pig leftover antibiotics from another pet?
  96. What helps most against chronic breathing disease in pet rats?
  97. Reddish-brown crust around a pet rat's eyes and nose is usually what?
  98. Your guinea pig is struggling to breathe. How fast should you get vet help?
  99. In hamsters, what does "wet tail" mean?
  100. Your rabbit has thick brown crusts in its ears. What should you NOT do?
  101. What can mites cause in a guinea pig?
  102. Why do pet ferrets get a yearly canine distemper vaccine?
  103. Per Merck, how old should a ferret be for its first rabies shot?
  104. After your ferret gets its shots, how long should you stay at the vet's office?
  105. Does an indoor-only ferret need heartworm prevention?
  106. Which vaccine does Merck recommend routinely for pet rabbits?
  107. How can RHDV2 reach a rabbit that never goes outside?
  108. Which of these pets needs routine vaccines?
  109. When should you find a vet who treats ferrets or rabbits?
  110. Why should you check your guinea pig closely every day?
  111. Your ferret has vomiting or diarrhea. When should it see a vet?
  112. Why keep erasers, rubber bands and foam away from ferrets?