Get het what, when and why of small mammal

To get the best food for your pet, know its natural eating habits. Herbivores, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, must stick to vetables, fruit and hay; carnivorous ferrets need animal protein, and may experience instetinal blockage if fed fruit and vegetables.

Omnivorous small mammals get the best of both worlds. These include: Sugar gliders, flying squirrels, skunks, hamsters, rats, coatimundi, gerbils, short-tailed opossums, pot-bellied pigs, hedgehogs and hermit crabs.

After basic food group requirements, learn the eating habits of your critter. Ferrets and rats need food available at all times. Rabbits, guinea pigs, pot-bellied pigs and skunks, on the otherhand, are prone to obesity, so monitor their food intake.

Feed nocturnal pets the bulk of their food in the evening rather than in the morning.

Each critter needs various nutrients, tooo. Because guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C from glucose, give the green leafy vegetables as supplements. Free feed timothy hay t rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, which requiere large amounts of roughage.

Live food entices some small mammals. Sugar gliders, coatimundi and flying squirrels all enjoy hunting live food. Farm-raised mealworms and crickets make good choices.

Fresch water is a must. Water bottles supply most mammals amply, but some animals, such as flyping squirrels, benefit from small crocks of water. Hermit crabs and pot-bellied pigs ned large containers of water suited to their size.

For portion size, read up on the profile of your small mammal in CRITTERS USA and talk to your vet.

Species-specific commercial food can give your pet a diet targeted to its needs; some can satisfy the needs. Of more than one particular animal. Of course, read labels and check with your vet about any food your offer your critter.