Happy Holidays! This special time of year is always an important time. It’s not about gifts or decorations: it’s about spending time with loved ones, and reflecting back on what the past year has brought. Pets, of course, have a special way of completing those holiday scenes. That doesn’t just apply to dogs and cats, but also to the smaller animals, like hamsters, mice, gerbils, and Guinea pigs. These little guys also need a little extra care around the holidays! Read on as a local Dawsonville, GA vet offers some suggestions on caring for your tiny furball during the holiday season. 

 

Holiday Gifts For Pocket Pets

Many smaller animals have open-rooted teeth, and must chew constantly. Otherwise, they will develop painful dental issues. You can find cute options in stores. There are also plenty of things you can make yourself. 

 

Here are a few options: 

 

Plain Paper: Crumple it into balls, and fill a shoebox or paper grocery bag with them. Put a small treat or tidbit in the middle to make it more fun. Another option is to shred it into thin strips, and again put it in a box or paper bag. If you have kids, you can have them fold or cut the paper into shapes, such as snowflake chains. 

Cardboard Tubes: The tubes from toilet paper or paper towel rolls can come in really handy. You can stuff them with herbs or plain paper. Or, slice them into rings and reassemble them as little balls. Another option is to poke holes in them, and then use those to put sticks or herbs in. You can also make them into little pyramids. Use a nontoxic glue, or make your own with flour and water. 

 

Wood And Wicker Items: Many smaller animals absolutely love to snack on wood and wicker things. That’s fine. There are a few caveats, though. Only use woods you’re sure are safe. Avoid pine, cedar, and other hardwoods: the oils aren’t safe for small critters.ALso, be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the items before handing them over. 

 

Here are a few suggestions: 

  • Grass Hay · 
  • Untreated Wood (Be sure to use safe kinds only.)
  • Dried Apple Sticks · 
  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Grass Mats
  • Wicker 
  • Bamboo 
  • Willow 
  • Safe herbs

Ask your vet for more information.

Giving Your Pocket Pet Treats

Food is a big part of many seasonal festivities.Little animals are just as enthusiastic about snacks as their larger cousins are. Just stick with safe options. The exact list will depend on what sort of pet you have, but there are a few things that are safe for most of these little furballs. That list includes things like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and melons. You don’t want to go too crazy with sugary foods, though. Less is better. For veggies, you can offer carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers. 


Be sure to ask your Dawsonville, GA vet for specific advice on both safe and unsafe treats. Also, take care not to give your pet anything that isn’t safe for them. That includes things like chocolate, garlic and onion, avocado, anything that includes xylitol, and items with a lot of salt, sugar, or fat. 

Decorating Your Pocket Pet’s Cage

Why not have some fun with your little buddy’s habitat? You’ll just need to keep some basic precautions in mind.

 

  • Smaller pets both enjoy and benefit from having hidey-holes that they can go to when they are scared, want some privacy, or just need to sleep a bit. You can use all sorts of cute seasonal pieces, such as igloos, winter cabins, and even manger pieces. Gift bags and boxes also work for this. Just don’t offer anything with small parts or sharp items. Things that are brittle or fragile are unsafe as well.
  • Seasonal bedding can also give your tiny pal’s home a warm holiday feel. You can find pet tents, cozies,and hammocks made of festive seasonal material. Or, make your own. 
  • While you shouldn’t hang ornaments, tinsel, or lights inside your pet’s cage, you can definitely put these things on the outside, or place them around it. 

Seasonal Hazards For Pocket Pets

This is a dangerous time of year for our furry patients. Smaller animals, like hamsters, mice, and Guinea pigs, are no exception to that rule. Some of these little guys will of course mostly stay in their cages. However, if you have a bunny or Guinea pig, you’ll need to let your pet out to play. 

 

  • We always recommend doing thorough bunnyproofing before letting pets out of their habitats. You’ll need to take a few extra steps around the holidays. 
  • Be sure to pick up any tinsel, ornament hooks, or needles (pine or plastic) that have fallen to the floor. These are definitely not safe for pets to eat. 
  • Many holiday plants, such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe, are toxic to pets. Keep these in high spots that your furry pal can’t get to. 
  • Fires, candles, and fireplaces may give your place a nice, cozy glow, but they aren’t safe for your pnt-sized buddy. Keep candles and potpourri burners in high spots, out of paws’ reach, and use grates in front of fireplaces. 
  • You may want to put a puppy gate or baby gate up to keep pets away from the tree.
  • Bunnies are large enough to get to ornaments and presents. Ribbons, tinsel, lights, and other decorations are also hazardous. 

Taking Cute Pictures Of Your Pocket Pet

We never get tired of seeing adorable photos of our littlest patients. Snap some seasonal pics of your tiny pal! Have some fun with this. You can arrange a little photo set. Many decorative items will work really well. Set up a tiny igloo for your tiny buddy, or snap their photo on a miniature sleigh. You might even be able to find tiny antlers or Santa hats. These can make for some really adorable photos!. Just stick with safe props. Don’t use anything small or sharp, or anything that has dangling threads.

We can also offer a few tips for taking photos. If you are snapping a pic of your pet inside their habitat, try to angle your phone down. This will help cut down on glare. Also, if your phone has a macro setting, try using that. It may work better than the zoom. 

Protecting Pets From Holiday Stress

All that hustle and bustle can be a bit overwhelming for pets. If you’re having a lot of guests over, you may want to take a few steps to keep your tiny buddy calm. Consider moving their habitat to a quiet back room until the holiday commotion has died down a bit.

Giving Gifts

One thing we always want to address at this time of year is the ongoing issue of people giving pets as gifts. Animals are truly precious gifts, but they do not make good presents. They are living beings that need a lot of love, care, and attention. This simply isn’t a decision you should make for anyone else. It can in fact lead to poor animal welfare and rehoming.

There are a few grey areas, such as deciding to go ahead and get your child that bunny she’s been asking for. However, you would need to make sure that you are ready, willing, and able to care for the pet. 

Make An Appointment At Our Dawsonville, GA Pet Clinic 

Season’s Greetings from all of us here atAll Animals Veterinary Hospital, Inc., your Dawsonville, GA pet clinic. Do you have questions about your pet’s health or care? Contact us  anytime!