Pocket Pets

Hôpital vétérinaire Animo-Vet provides health care services, including surgery, and veterinary guidance for the large family of rodents known as pocket pets, including mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas and degus.

Do I need to vaccinate my pocket pet?

There are currently no vaccines for pocket pets.

My pocket pet rarely leaves its cage. Do I still need to have it spayed or neutered?

Even if you’re not worried about your pocket pet reproducing, you should still have it spayed/neutered. Spaying protects females from a number of diseases that affect the reproductive organs (e.g. ovarian cysts and mammary gland tumors).

How do I choose the right food for my pocket pet?

The vast majority of rodents are omnivores and eat grass, grains and the occasional small insects in the wild. Come by our practice to discuss the right pellets for your pet and get our advice on how to vary their diet with fruits, vegetables and grains.

How can I make sure I’m adopting a healthy pocket pet?

In general, healthy rodents have bright eyes, a clean muzzle and a shiny coat. You shouldn’t see any hairless patches or sores. The areas around their nostrils and anus should also be clean. It’s definitely a bad sign if you notice one animal in the group that is wheezing or sneezing.

We also recommend taking the time to think carefully about what personality you want your future pet to have, as it will vary widely between males and females.