Why is my rabbit not eating?

A rabbit not eating (GI stasis) is a medical emergency. Causes include: insufficient hay/fiber intake, stress, pain, dental problems (overgrown molars), or intestinal blockage. Signs include no droppings, hunched posture, teeth grinding, and lethargy. Offer fresh hay immediately, gently massage the abdomen, and keep the rabbit warm. If not eating within 12 hours, seek emergency exotic vet care. GI stasis can be fatal within 24-48 hours without treatment.

Why is my guinea pig squeaking loudly?

Guinea pigs are vocal animals. Wheeking (loud squeaking) usually means excitement, especially at feeding time. Purring indicates contentment. However, high-pitched shrieking indicates pain or fear, and teeth chattering signals aggression or annoyance. If your guinea pig is making distressed sounds combined with lethargy, not eating, or labored breathing, consult an exotic vet. Respiratory infections are common and serious in guinea pigs.

How long do hamsters live?

Hamster lifespan varies by species: Syrian hamsters live 2-3 years, Dwarf hamsters (Campbell's, Winter White, Roborovski) live 1.5-3 years, with Roborovski hamsters often living the longest at 3-3.5 years. Chinese hamsters live about 2-3 years. Factors affecting lifespan include genetics, diet, exercise, stress levels, and veterinary care. Providing a proper wheel, varied diet, and spacious enclosure can help maximize your hamster's lifespan.

Do ferrets smell bad and can you reduce ferret odor?

Ferrets have a natural musky scent from skin oils, which is normal. Descenting (removing anal glands) reduces emergency spray but not daily odor. To minimize smell: clean the cage and litter daily, wash bedding weekly, feed high-quality protein-rich food (poor diet worsens odor), avoid over-bathing (strips oils, causing overproduction), and ensure good ventilation. Most ferret owners find the smell manageable with proper husbandry.

Can guinea pigs live alone or do they need a companion?

Guinea pigs are highly social herd animals and should ideally live in pairs or small groups of the same sex. In Switzerland, it is actually illegal to keep a single guinea pig. Lone guinea pigs can become depressed, stressed, and may develop behavioral issues. A same-sex pair (two females or two neutered males) is recommended. If you absolutely cannot have two, provide extra human interaction daily and consider a neutered male-female pair.

Why is my hedgehog not eating and losing quills?

Quill loss in young hedgehogs (under 6 months) is often normal quilling - like baby teeth falling out, replaced by adult quills. However, excessive quill loss combined with not eating can indicate: mites (very common - causes flaky skin and quill loss), fungal infection (ringworm), hibernation attempt (dangerous for African pygmy hedgehogs - keep temperatures above 72°F), Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS), or dental disease. See an exotic vet if quill loss is patchy, skin looks irritated, or appetite loss persists more than 24 hours.

Small Animal Care Guide - Pet Care Helper AI

Q: What should I feed my rabbit?

A rabbit's diet should be approximately 80% unlimited timothy hay (or orchard grass), 10-15% fresh leafy greens (romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, basil - NOT iceberg lettuce), and only 5% high-quality pellets (plain timothy-based, no colored pieces or seeds). Treats like fruit should be very limited (1-2 tablespoons per day). Fresh water must always be available. Young rabbits under 7 months can have alfalfa hay, but adults need timothy hay for proper dental wear and gut health.

Q: How big of a cage does my hamster need?

The minimum recommended cage size for a hamster is 450 square inches of unbroken floor space (roughly 30 x 15 inches), but bigger is always better - 600+ square inches is ideal. Syrian hamsters need more space than dwarfs. Bin cages (large storage bins converted to cages), Niteangel, and Ikea Detolf are popular affordable options. Avoid wire-bar cages (too small, bar chewing causes dental damage) and those colorful plastic tube cages. Provide at least 6 inches of bedding depth for burrowing, a proper-sized wheel (8+ inches for dwarfs, 10-12 inches for Syrians), and enrichment items.

Small Animal Breeds & Species Directory

Explore our comprehensive directory of small animal breeds and species. Click any breed for a complete care guide including housing, diet, health, and socialization information.

Rabbits

Holland Lop

Compact, floppy-eared rabbit. Friendly temperament, 3-4 lbs. Great first rabbit.

Netherland Dwarf

Tiny rabbit breed, 1.5-2.5 lbs. Energetic personality with compact round body.

Lionhead Rabbit

Distinctive wool mane around the head. Friendly, 2.5-3.5 lbs. Requires mane grooming.

Mini Rex

Velvety plush fur, 3-4.5 lbs. Calm and affectionate. Popular show breed.

Flemish Giant

Gentle giant rabbit, 12-14+ lbs. Docile temperament. Needs spacious housing.

American Rabbit

Heritage breed, 9-12 lbs. Calm, docile disposition. Blue or white varieties.

Californian Rabbit

White body with dark points, 8-10.5 lbs. Gentle and good-natured temperament.

Continental Giant

One of the largest rabbit breeds, 16+ lbs. Gentle, intelligent, and social.

Dutch Rabbit

Distinctive two-tone markings, 3.5-5.5 lbs. Friendly and easy to handle.

Dwarf Hotot

White rabbit with black eye bands, 2.5-3.5 lbs. Playful and energetic.

English Angora

Long, silky wool coat requiring daily grooming. 5-7.5 lbs. Gentle personality.

English Lop

Longest ears of any rabbit breed. 9-11+ lbs. Laid-back and affectionate.

French Lop

Large lop-eared rabbit, 10-15 lbs. Sociable and calm. Needs spacious enclosure.

Harlequin Rabbit

Striking color pattern, 6.5-9.5 lbs. Playful, curious, and outgoing personality.

Mini Lop

Compact lop-eared rabbit, 4.5-6.5 lbs. Affectionate and loves attention.

New Zealand White

Large white rabbit, 9-12 lbs. Calm temperament. Common pet and show breed.

Polish Rabbit

Tiny, compact breed, 2.5-3.5 lbs. Energetic with a curious disposition.

Rex Rabbit

Plush velvet-like fur, 7.5-10.5 lbs. Intelligent, maternal, and friendly.

Guinea Pigs

American Guinea Pig

Short, smooth coat. Friendly and low-maintenance. Most popular guinea pig breed.

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

Distinctive rosette coat pattern. Outgoing personality. Moderate grooming needs.

Peruvian Guinea Pig

Long flowing coat up to 24 inches. Requires daily grooming. Gentle temperament.

Teddy Guinea Pig

Dense, springy coat resembling a teddy bear. Hardy and easy to care for.

Skinny Pig

Nearly hairless guinea pig. Needs warmer environment. Unique and affectionate.

Baldwin Guinea Pig

Completely hairless guinea pig. Born with hair that falls out. Needs extra warmth.

Coronet Guinea Pig

Long-haired with a single rosette crown. Needs regular grooming. Sweet personality.

Silkie Guinea Pig

Long, silky coat that sweeps back. Also called Sheltie. Requires daily grooming.

Texel Guinea Pig

Long, curly coat throughout body. High grooming needs. Gentle and calm.

White Crested Guinea Pig

Short coat with a single white rosette on forehead. Easy to groom. Friendly.

Hamsters

Syrian Hamster

The classic golden hamster. Solitary, 5-7 inches. Most popular pet hamster species.

Dwarf Hamster

Tiny hamster species, 2-4 inches. Fast and social. Can sometimes live in pairs.

Campbell's Dwarf Hamster

Social dwarf species, 3-4 inches. Many color varieties. Can be nippy if not handled.

Roborovski Hamster

Smallest and fastest pet hamster. Active and entertaining. Better to observe than handle.

Chinese Hamster

Longer tail, mouse-like appearance. Gentle and rarely bites. Solitary species.

Winter White Hamster

Changes coat color in winter. Social dwarf species, 3-4 inches. Gentle temperament.

Rats & Mice

Fancy Rat

Intelligent and social. Bonds strongly with owners. Needs same-sex companion.

Dumbo Rat

Low-set round ears. Same care as standard rats. Popular for adorable appearance.

Hairless Rat

Completely hairless variety. Needs warmer environment. Prone to skin issues.

Standard Rat

Classic pet rat. Highly trainable, affectionate. Lives 2-3 years. Social species.

Fancy Mouse

Small and active, many color varieties. Females can live in groups. Quick and curious.

Pet Mouse

Compact and entertaining. Easy to care for. Nocturnal and active. Lives 1-3 years.

Ferrets

Ferret

Playful and mischievous. Highly social and curious. Needs supervised free-roam time.

Albino Ferret

White coat with red eyes. Same care as standard ferrets. Sensitive to bright light.

Sable Ferret

Most common ferret color. Dark guard hairs with lighter undercoat. Classic look.

Other Exotic Small Pets

Chinchilla

Ultra-soft dense fur. Long-lived (15-20 years). Needs dust baths and cool temperatures.

Chinchilla (Standard Gray)

The classic gray chinchilla color. Most common and hardy variety.

Chinchilla Color Mutations

White, black velvet, beige, violet, and other color varieties. Same care needs.

African Pygmy Hedgehog

Solitary, nocturnal. Quill-covered insectivore. Needs warm environment (72-80°F).

Sugar Glider

Nocturnal marsupial that glides. Highly social, needs colony. Special diet required.

Gerbil

Active and curious burrowers. Social species, keep in pairs. Low odor and easy care.

Mongolian Gerbil

Most common pet gerbil species. Active during day. Loves to dig and tunnel.

Degu

Highly social rodent from Chile. Diurnal and intelligent. Needs same-species companions.

Flying Squirrel

Nocturnal gliding rodent. Bonds closely with owners. Needs tall enclosure for climbing.

Prairie Dog

Highly social burrowing rodent. Very vocal and affectionate. Needs spacious enclosure.

Small Animal Care Guides

Comprehensive resources for small animal owners at all experience levels.

Complete Small Animal Starter Guide

Essential information for new small pet owners including housing basics, diet needs, and species selection.

Small Animal Health & Symptom Guide

Recognizing illness signs in small animals, common diseases, and when to see an exotic vet.

Small Animal Housing & Habitat Guide

Setting up proper enclosures, bedding choices, temperature needs, and creating enriching habitats.

Small Animal Nutrition Guide

Species-specific diet guides for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and other small pets.

Small Animal Species Comparison Guide

Comparing small pet species and their care requirements to find your perfect pocket pet match.

Small Animal Socialization & Handling Guide

Taming, bonding, and safely handling rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small pets.

GI Stasis in Rabbits: A Life-Threatening Emergency

Gastrointestinal stasis is the most common and dangerous health issue in pet rabbits. Understanding the signs can save your rabbit's life.

Why Has My Rabbit Stopped Eating?

A rabbit not eating for more than 12 hours is a medical emergency. GI stasis occurs when the digestive system slows or stops completely:

Insufficient hay/fiber (#1 cause): Rabbits need unlimited timothy hay making up 80%+ of their diet. Without adequate fiber, the gut slows and harmful bacteria overgrow.
Dental problems: Overgrown molars (spurs) cause pain when eating. Rabbits' teeth grow continuously and need constant wear from hay.
Stress: New environments, loud noises, loss of a bonded partner, or predator presence can trigger stasis.
Pain from other sources: Bladder sludge, arthritis, or injury can cause a rabbit to stop eating.
Intestinal blockage: Hairballs (unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit) or foreign objects.

Emergency signs: No droppings for 12+ hours, hunched posture, teeth grinding (sign of pain), cold ears, bloated or tight abdomen. Seek exotic vet care immediately.

Guinea Pig Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are the most serious common illness in guinea pigs and can become fatal rapidly:

Symptoms: Sneezing, discharge from nose/eyes, labored breathing, wheezing, crusty nose, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Causes: Bacterial infections (Bordetella, Streptococcus), poor ventilation, dusty bedding, drafts, or stress.
Treatment: Requires veterinary antibiotics. Do NOT use over-the-counter remedies. Guinea pigs decline very quickly once ill.
Prevention: Avoid cedar/pine shavings (use fleece or paper-based bedding), keep cage clean, provide vitamin C daily, and minimize stress.

Critical: Guinea pigs hide illness well. By the time symptoms are obvious, the infection may be advanced. Any respiratory symptoms warrant same-day vet care.

Related Small Animal Care Resources

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Invertebrate & Exotic Pet Care Guides

Comprehensive care guides for popular invertebrate and exotic pets.

Complete Small Animal Care Guide

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