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Claire
Lv 4
Claire asked in PetsRodents · 1 decade ago

Am I a responsible pet owner?

I have a rabbit, a guinea pig (I am currently trying to find a friend for her), and 2 rats. My rats live in my room, in a large bird cage with 3 added levels and tons of hammocks and toys (I typed the dimensions into several cage calculators including ones that include levels and it fits 2 rats comfortably). My guinea pig lives in a Midwest Pets Guinea Habitat cage that is similar to a C&C cage. It is 7.5 square feet and when I find a friend for her I am buying another so it will be 15 square feet. My rabbit lives outside in a very safe and secure situation. First of all, I live in the city Eugene, Oregon so there is very mild weather here. It rains a lot but temperatures don't ever go below 15 or 20 degrees Fahrenheit and don't go above 95 degrees at the most. In my yard there is a large wooden frame covered in chicken wire, with a roof, and a door (that securely latches.) It is about a 5 or 6 foot square. Inside of that, is a wire cage, the length of the enclosure, attached to the wooden frame. The whole thing is right under a bunch of tall shady trees and bushes, it is never sunny there. In the winter we put Plastic around 3 1/2 sides of the enclosure, so that he is warm and safe from the rain/wind. It also makes it hard for predators to get in or scare him. We provide him with plenty of hay to burrow in in the winter. In the summer we take the plastic off all sides except the side that the back of his cage is on (so predators can't get to the cage as easily), but it is still very well ventilated. His cage is about 10.5 square feet and 18 inches high. Even though his cage has a wire bottom, about 1/4 of it is always covered with a large generous handful or hay so he never has to sit on the wire. I change the hay daily and I scrape out the droppings/hay under the cage weekly. Also weekly, I wash and disinfect his food/water dishes and scrape the bottom of the cage. I also spray the area under the cage with bleach. For exercise, My rabbit has a 6 foot by 6 foot dog kennel with a roof and wire on the bottom. The kennel is in the shade over some nice grass. There is a stool for him to play on and some brick platforms too that I made. I put him in it every day for at least 1 or 2 hours, but usually 4 or 5 hours (more on the weekends). I don't put him out if it is raining really hard or very windy. I give my guinea pig exercise in a large corner of my basement that I covered in towels/blankets and then put a pen around the corner. I spread her veggies all around and she also has boxes/toys to play with. She runs around for about 2 or 3 hours a day. For my rats, I have very thoroughly rat proofed my room and I let them out while I do some of my homework or whenever I have time to watch them, usually at least 1 hour, but more often 2 or 3 hours. For diet, my rabbit and guinea pig get 1/8 cup Oxbow pellets (guinea pig for the guinea pig and rabbit pellets for the rabbit of course) and 1 packed cup, or 2 loose cups of vegetables. They also get a large handful of unlimited orchard grass hay. My rats get a handful of Harlan Teklad lab blocks and about 1 tablespoon each of treats/fruits/veggies. I spot clean my guinea pig and rat cages daily, and clean the whole cage weekly. Here is the thing: This description of what I do is really what I try very hard to do, but sometimes I get really busy with homework/chores/events and things I have to go to. So sometimes I don't have time to spot clean, or do a whole cage clean, sometimes I clean the cage every 2 weeks, or I can't spot clean for a couple days. Sometimes I don't have time to let my bunny out, or it's raining. This is not really on a super regular basis, but it happens and I feel really bad. I really really want to give them best care I can to my animals but school and parents seem to get in the way a lot. If I stopped doing my schoolwork, then my parents would make me get rid of my pets. I have a very special bond with each of them and I also let my rabbit run around my fenced yard. He sticks close to me and follows me around. If I go inside to get a tissue, he will be waiting at the door for me. I love them very much. In the summer things like that won't happen very much, and next year I am going to a school with less homework, but 1 hour longer than most school days. I think it will be a better fit and I will have more time for my animals. In general am I a responsible pet owner?

Update:

sorry for not providing enough information. The rabbit is a 3 pound Holland Lop. On the days above 80 degrees we bring him inside a little, and provide him with water bottles full of frozen water. I spray him lightly with a spray bottle and keep a good eye on him. He usually does get 5 hours out of his cage, just when I am really busy, I don't want him to be out when I am not home so those times it is less, but it's usually 4 or 5. Since he is a lightweight rabbit, he does not get sore hocks, and I check his feet regularly.

Update 2:

The handful of hay is very large, they always have hay in their cage.

Update 3:

I keep the rabbits nails trimmed so it is unlikely that one would get caught

Update 4:

I cannot house my rabbit indoors because my family is allergic, and simply won't allow it. He is 5 years old and has never gotten sick, I don't even ever see racoons in my yard, even at night. He seems pretty happy, and I give him lot's of toys and attention.

9 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I don't even have to read this to know. If you are willing to type over 200 words just to know if other people think that your pet is being put under competent care. Then i know yes your responsible.

  • 1 decade ago

    Honestly the rabbits situation doesn't sound very good. They should not have wire floors even if they have a place to rest. They can still get sore hocks or get a nail caught and ripped out.

    95 degrees is way too hot and rabbits can overheat and die at those temperatures. They shouldn't be in temps over 80 degrees.

    And hes outside. When house outside rabbits are exposed to weather bugs and predators, they can pick up illnesses, diseases and parasites. They need to be housed around people. Rabbits are happier, healthier and live longer when housed indoors.

    He also needs more out of cage time. They need at least 5 hours a day out of their cages.

    You said you give the rabbit and guinea pig 1 handful of unlimited hay. If you mean a handful then thats not enough. They need unlimited hay.

    How big is the rabbit? They need 2 cups of veggies per 6 pounds of body weight so if you have a bigger rabbit you need to feed more veggies.

    The rats sound good. They just need some more veggies. They should have 2 tablespoons per rat every day.

  • About your gunea pig ; you don't have to get another cage.

    The midwest habitat is. 2x4 (if was a c&c cage) so you're good.

    Your rabbit is good.. besides the wire flooring. If you email me I'll tell you something.

    But, it sounds like your an amazing owner! You shouldn't have even typed it all! :)

    Do they get daily veggies?

    :)

    Source(s): My email ; brunomghernandez@gmail.com ~or~ brunomghernandez@yahoo.com
  • 1 decade ago

    Yes, you obviously are a fantastic pet owner if all your pets have such a devotion to you. You must take very good care of them.

  • 1 decade ago

    Exterminate

  • 1 decade ago

    Yes of course you are.. You are a great pet owner

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Yes^^

  • 1 decade ago

    WOAH THATS ALOT YOU TYPED! Well i say you are :) (i didnt read this :D)

    Source(s): Imma vet no rlly i am :)
  • 1 decade ago

    hell ya

    Source(s): pet owner myself
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