Small mammals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters and other rodents, can make a wonderful addition to the family. Approximately 8.1 percent of households in 2024 owned some type of small mammal. Much like reptiles, we don’t always see them at the vet for routine visits, but it is still important for them to have veterinary care.
Rabbits and guinea pigs
Rabbits and guinea pigs are both herbivores that digest using hindgut fermentation, just like horses. Unlike cats and dogs that are fed twice daily, rabbits and guinea pigs must always have access to food. If they do not have access to food, their gastrointestinal tract can stop moving, which is a condition called gastrointestinal stasis. This is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the vet. If you own either of these species, I often recommend having special food on hand, such as Oxbow Critical Care or Lafeber EmerAid, for syringe feeding in case this happens.
Basic diets for these animals include hay, pellets, and fresh veggies. There are many different types of hay that can be fed like timothy, oat, meadow and alfalfa. It is important to note that only young rabbits and guinea pigs should be eating alfalfa hay because of its high calcium content. Young animals need that extra calcium to help grow their bones, but if an adult consumes extra calcium, it can cause urinary issues.
There are many fresh veggies that rabbits and guinea pigs can have. Dark leafy greens are best, but they can also have small amounts of other veggies. Guinea pigs have a very large vitamin C requirement, so bell peppers are a great diet addition due to their high content. We recommend daily vitamin C supplementation for guinea pigs as well. Fruit should be fed as a treat only.
Both rabbits and guinea pigs can make very personable pets. I often talk to owners about how they have such a big personality in a small package! Even with their small size, they can be mischievous. It is very important to “bunny proof” your home if you are considering adding one of these little ones to the household. They love to chew, which is necessary for good dental health. Their teeth continuously grow throughout their lives, and they need to grind them down to eat properly. Providing chew toys like bamboo sticks, compressed hay, or wood can be helpful and good enrichment.
Rabbits can get vaccines like other pets. We only have one vaccine in the US that has conditional approval through the FDA, which is for the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV). This was approved on an emergency basis because of the spread of RHDV from wild populations to house rabbits. Because there have been positive cases in Connecticut, I highly recommend talking with your veterinarian to know if vaccination is right for your bunny.
If you are thinking about adding a small mammal to the family or already have one, I recommend finding a veterinarian with the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV).