Hamsters, Gerbils & Guinea Pigs

Gerbils are small desert rodents found throughout Africa and Asia, which are also popular as pets. There are several options for building a living environment for a gerbil, but a glass aquarium is a…

Caring for dwarf Satsuma trees, also known as Owari Satsuma mandarin orange trees, differs depending on whether your tree is potted or planted in the ground. Your ability to grow one of these trees in…

Dwarf hamsters make excellent first pets for children. They are easy to care for and can live in a 10-gallon aquarium made comfortable with a substrate of wood shavings, chewable toys and an exercise…

The dwarf pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) is a common bonsai tree. It grows quickly, adapts to new shapes and can be less than 1 foot high, making it ideal for centerpieces. It will grow flowers…

Guinea pigs, or cavies, make playful pets. The pigs require only minimal maintenance to remain healthful and happy. An outdoor play area gives guinea pigs plenty of room to run around and explore…

Bent hinges on a hamster's cage are commonplace, in part because hamsters are natural escape artists and tend to test any means of escape. A bent hinge can be dangerous to your pet, however. Paws can…

When choosing a cage for your pet hamster, consider the cage's size and durability. Larger hamsters, like smaller hamsters, need enough space for sleeping, eating and exercise. A large hamster is…

Long-haired guinea pigs need regular brushing and combing but are unlikely to often need washing, an event guinea pigs rarely enjoy. The odd occasion may arise when you should wash the guinea pig,…

There are several basic structures that can be used as hamster cages. Common cages include modified aquariums, barred cages and plastic modular cages. For the DIYer there are even instructions on how…

Cedar and pine wood shavings are traditional materials to use as bedding in a hamster cage, but both are inherently dangerous: The oils in both cedar and pine shavings can cause upper-respiratory…

Full-length mink coats can be the most valuable of all fur coats and can cost $10,000 or more for a high-quality coat. Even lower-quality full-length mink coats can be priced in the thousands. They…

Guinea pigs, or cavies, must be housed in a large cage. Improper cage maintenance techniques can lead to bad odors and a sick guinea pig. Many cavy owners use wood chips, but the oil in the wood is…

Cage liners provide a simple, sanitary way to keep your bird's cage clean, but keeping a fresh supply on hand can get expensive. Homemade cage liners are an appealing alternative to the store-bought…

Dwarf hamsters do well as a single pet or in small groups of other dwarf hamsters. Hand taming dwarf hamsters is necessary to prevent bites and unruly behavior. Interestingly enough, dwarf hamsters…

Gerbils are friendly, curious rodents that make amusing pets. Since they are sensitive animals with a strong sense of smell and weak eyesight, it sometimes takes time for a gerbil to fully explore and…

If you're interested in giving your hamster a new place to live but don't feel like shelling out the cash for a high-priced cage, you can save yourself a substantial amount of money by making one…

Hamsters may run several miles a night and even the largest cage doesn't allow them to do this. You should let the hamster out for exercise every day, either in a hamster-proofed room or an exercise…

Skinny pigs are mostly hairless guinea pigs, not to be confused with the completely hairless breed known as the Baldwin pigs. Skinny pigs have delicate skin and therefore have delicate bathing needs.…

The head of a guinea pig is connected to the body in such a way that its difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends. Draw guinea pigs with help from an artist in this free video clip.

Members of the rodent family, gerbils are kept as pets and in medical or scientific research. The Mongolian and Fat-tailed gerbils are the two main types of gerbils kept as pets, though more than 100…

With their porous skin, salamanders are very sensitive to pollution. Cleaning out a salamander tank using the powerful chemicals you have under the sink could lead to a dead or very sick salamander.…

Dwarf nectarine species, such as Prunus persica nectarina "Mericrest," provide your family with flavorful fresh fruit while maintaining a manageable size. Most dwarf nectarine trees top out…

A guinea pig is a popular small pet for children or apartment dwellers as they are quiet and easy to care for. When you bring a baby guinea pig home, it is likely to be frightened and will hide from…

Gerbils are small rodents that originate from the deserts of Africa, Asia and India. These animals make great pets because of their friendly disposition, small size and ease of care. Gerbils weigh…

Unlike many other household pets, your guinea pig’s teeth have no anatomical roots and will continue to grow throughout its life. This is typically not an issue because guinea pigs eat forage…

While guinea pigs are generally tidy little animals, they still need some grooming. Grooming your guinea pig on a regular basis is a good opportunity for you to bond with your pet and allows you to…

Gerbils are small, active little animals that make a good first pet to help kids learn how to care for animals. Gerbils need careful care because of their small size, but are not to difficult to look…

Hamster cages do not have to be complex structures. The main consideration is that they have enough floor space to accommodate all toys and furniture while also providing plenty of space to move…

Being active and inquisitive animals, hamsters may get bored if they don’t have enough to do. They appreciate a variety of toys to keep them occupied. Because hamsters are tough on their toys,…

Bathing a hamster can mean death for the small creature. Water baths for hamsters presents a strong danger; it is neither necessary nor safe to bathe hamsters. Hamsters have the ability to keep…

Gardeners living in frost-free areas of the United States can liven up their gardens with dwarf tibouchina (Tibouchina spp.). The short-growing plant is hardy in United States Department of…

Faraday cages or screen rooms have three purposes. They are used to protect people and equipment in areas with high voltage. They isolate sensitive equipment from external electro-magnetic…

It’s time to bring a pet hamster home when all the correct equipment is in place. You’ll need a cage with a nesting area, exercise wheel, food and a dish, water bottle and bedding.…

Hamsters have a noticeable odor that causes many owners to bathe them like any other pets, with soap and water. This action is potentially dangerous and could lead to a life-threatening drop in the…

Grapefruits are the results of crossing sweet oranges and pummelos, and oro blanco grapefruits (Citrus x paridisi “Oro Blanco”) are the results of backcrossing grapefruits and pummelos.…

Typically featured in customary English cottage style gardens, dwarf lupines add a spectacular effect with their vivid spires of blossoms atop dense, vigorous plants. Minarette dwarf lupine (Lupinus…

As many rodent cages can lack vibrancy, it is a fun activity to introduce a bit of color. While acquiring colorful items is easy, the materials should be sturdy so that the hamster cannot bite off…

Dwarf lime trees are created by grafting a standard lime variety to a dwarfing rootstock. The tree will not grow as tall as a standard lime tree, but still produces full-sized fruit. With glossy, deep…

Pigs are kept in a pen to keep them safe from other animals and the environment. Building a portable pig pen can create a pen that you can move to new locations easily. Moving your pig pen may be…

A hamster cage can be a simple combination of wire mesh sides and top and a wooden base. One adult hamster needs an enclosure at least 12 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 12 inches high, though they…

Pet stores carry dozens of hamster habitats with a variety of designs and shapes, all designed to keep your hamster safe and active. Of course, the more intricate the hamster habitat is, the more…

Proper lighting and heating is crucial to the health and well-being of any reptile. Reptiles require special full-spectrum UV bulbs that mimic the sun's rays. You can buy these at any pet store. These…

Modern aquariums are constructed from five pieces of glass and non-toxic silicone sealer. Although a large variety of commercial aquariums are available, aquarists can design and make their own…

The bustle cage was worn in the back of long skirts or dresses with trains during the Victorian era. Constructed of steel hopes and fabric, this accessory is popular today with…

Pyracantha is the genus and common name for a group of shrubs sometimes referred to as firethorn. Numerous cultivars of pyracantha have been developed, including dwarf varieties such as…

Hamsters don't require a wire or plastic cage for their habitat. You can create a suitable living space for your hamster using an old or new aquarium. Adapting an aquarium, however, poses its own…

Store or transport your pet doves and other pet birds using a dove cage. A dove cage is a wooden cage with a hinged door that can latch to close and keep the bird secured inside. Build your own dove…

Julianas are a breed of minipigs often kept as indoor or outdoor pets. Because it is covered in colored patches and spots, the Juliana is known as the painted pig. The Juliana has a more-delicate bone…

Dwarf musa bananas, also know as dwarf Cavendish, produce large bunches of medium-sized fruits. The plant only grows up to 6- to 8-feet tall, making it a suitable choice for the home landscape or for…

A/C unit cages are designed to protect your exterior air conditioner from theft. The copper in the condenser unit is the most common item that is stolen due to its value. An A/C cage is placed over…