Brown rats, mice and hamsters as well as other rodents are quite small pets and sometimes, we don’t even think about dealing with them being overweight. However, if we like our pets and we want them to be well and stay with us as long as possible, their weight needs to be checked.
I’ve seen hamsters so fat that they could barely fit in the hole to get into their house and their legs could barely bear them. Rodents do not belong to long-lived animals and a bad lifestyle may even shorten their lives. Therefore, do not underestimate their balanced diet and if needed, check their food portions.
Checking a rodent’s weight might be a bit more difficult than checking a dog’s or cat’s weight. Weight fluctuations are not so obvious in rodents due to their small size. Therefore, even if your rodent does not look exactly obese, its nutritional health should be under your control. If you don’t know how to do that, here are a few tips for you:
The fundamental thing is a healthy and balanced diet. It slightly differs for each rodent. For example, rats need more protein and less fat in their food than mice. And also rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters have different needs with regard to the composition of their food. Therefore, it is important to feed them with mixtures determined specifically for the given type of a rodent and also pick suitable supplements for them.
Also be careful if you choose food in the form of seed mixture. Even rodents are sometimes picky and they will choose only the seed they like which then leads to unbalanced nutrition. Weigh their food and do not allow unlimited access to it for your rodents. Even the healthiest food might lead to obesity with enormous consumptions.
Even treats should be healthy. And don’t forget about moderation. Fruits and vegetables might be great food supplements. But first learn what kinds are suitable for your pet. You may also decide for healthy bought goodies. They consist of dried herbs, fruits and vegetables. Not only that they do not harm the animal, they can even support its immune system.
Besides healthy food, enough exercises is also important, of course. Therefore, make sure your animal has a sufficiently large cage or another type of accommodation and it does not lack enough inputs for games such as a running wheel, various tunnels and constructions and other similar things and you may also let it run around often enough. Branches and other toys for chewing are also great.
Even if you provide your pet with enough exercise and the proper amount of balanced and healthy food, its weight is worth observing. Rodent obesity might mean also serious health problems besides diet mistakes. In such case, the condition of your rodent is worth consulting with a vet.
Do you manage to have the weight of your rodent under control or do you fight obesity? And how did you manage to get your pet in shape again?
.jpg/30x20/FIT)
.jpg/600x400/FIT)
Summer months bring hot weather and also holidays. What sort of nutrition do animals require during this period? Is it necessary to change their diet on hot days? And what is most important during hot temperatures? We have discussed this topic with...
.jpg/30x20/FIT)
.jpg/600x400/FIT)
Despite being self-reliant animals to a certain extent, cats are provided with the best possible care by their owners who make sure that those balls of fluff are content in any circumstances. What is required by cats that live with us in a flat? And...
Everyone should have their own place where they can relax in peace. This also applies to animals. Rats, for example, who are very sociable and in nature live in large groups, usually have their own place where they can recharge by the side of their...
They help with searches in avalanches, debris and large wooded areas in inaccessible terrain. They save valuable minutes that can make the difference in whether an injured person survives. One canine rescuer makes up for up to 20 people, especially at...
The tradition of rescuer dogs has been a staple in the Czech Republic for almost a century, and our country ranks among the top European leaders in this discipline. Canine rescuers help in the mountains not only in winter, but throughout the whole...
Today, there are a number of products and gadgets for riding with a dog, which will ensure that we can take the dog with us safely on longer journeys. However, you should pay attention to driving safety even if you only drive a few kilometers. Even...
Dog agility is a discipline that means a lot of exercise for both the dogs and the handlers, but also a lot of fun. In addition, it strengthens the relationship between the owner and the animal, and also allows the dog to learn new skills. Another...
Rabbits are great pets for all who live in flats, but cannot afford a cat, or just want to have a cheerful companion who won’t let you down and can handle being alone at the same time. Still, there are certain factors you should think about before...
In most cases, cats love being in nature and active, so it comes as no surprise that felines living in houses and flats may occasionally want to go out and explore the world. If you have such a cat at home, you may find useful the following tips on...
Czech cynologists from the Search and Rescue Czech Republic team have managed to train eight dogs who can tell if you have COVID-19. Detecting the disease is a worldwide problem, which is also recognized by VAFO, who supported the project financially...
As the title suggests, this breed comes from the State of Maine in the United States. It is one of the oldest breeds living in nature, the largest domesticated breed, gaining popularity in Europe in recent years. There are several reasons for this....
We have already introduced dogfrisbee, the activity in which a dog catches a frisbee, several times. We focused mainly on various disciplines in which dog owners can compete together with their canine companions at any level. Another such discipline...
