Do You Want A Pet Hedgehog?

You might have been thinking about getting a new family pet, but something that is non-traditional.  Dogs and cats might be adorable, but then they could be loud.  So you think perhaps hedgehogs might be good pets, so long as snuggling with one at night is not something you want to do.  Pet hedgehogs do not require as much maintenance as cats and dogs, but they still need specialized care.  If you are planning to move up from the typical reptile and small rodent animal companion, then perhaps hedgehogs might be the ideal pet.

Most people assume that hedgehogs are a member of the rodent family.  But they actually belong to the family called Erinaceidae.  The common domestic hedgehog species could measure between 5 and 9 inches, and they usually weigh about a pound.  Another popular assumption is that hedgehogs are baby porcupines.  They are not.  On the subject of quills, porcupines can shoot theirs, but hedgehogs cannot.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Bourne, MA. Click here to know more about their services. 

Cleaning Your Chinchilla

Wild chinchillas live in the desert. Thus your chinchilla might be very frightened if you try to submerge him in water to give him a bath. He would prefer a dust bath instead. You can obtain chinchilla sand from a reputable pet supply store. This sand is coarse enough that it doesn’t create dust that can lead to respiratory problems. Purchase a chinchilla dust bath or use a shallow plastic container. Pour a few inches of chinchilla sand in the container. Place it in your chinchilla’s enclosure so he can jump in and roll around. Remove the dust bath after about fifteen minutes. Otherwise your chinchilla may use it as a litter box. Keep on trying and eventually your chinchilla will learn to use and enjoy the dust bath. Allow your chinchilla to use the dust bath several times a week to keep him clean and shiny. For more information, contact your animal hospital Bourne, MA.