How to handle small pets

When it comes to being handled, different small pets have very different opinions. Some soon learn to enjoy it – particularly if there are some tasty treats involved! Others are not quite so keen.

Veterinary charity PDSA advises: “Some small pets love being picked up and cuddled, others prefer to be petted in their cage, and some would be happiest if you just sit back and watch their natural behaviours. Apart from ferrets and rats, who love lots of attention from their owners, most small pets won’t play games with you like a cat or a dog. This doesn’t mean they don’t make good pets – they can be fascinating to watch as they climb, dig, or build comfy nests in their cage.”

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Vet Dr Richard Black, of Rouken Glen Veterinary Surgery in East Renfrewshire, adds: “Small pets are delicate creatures. Mishandling can lead to stress, injury, or even fear, making them less sociable and harder to care for. Gentle handling helps to build trust between the pet and the handler, creating a safe and loving environment for your pet to thrive.”

Small animals and small people

Small animals are often chosen as pets for children. And, while it’s lovely for children to enjoy the company of animals, the responsibility for their wellbeing lies with adults. Small animals are often more complex to feed and care for than a cat or dog and require more looking after than a child can offer.

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“In the UK you need to be over 16 to legally own a pet,” says PDSA. “So, it’s important that an adult is ultimately responsible for your pet’s care. Children can learn a huge amount from pets but should always be supervised around them.”

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Expert tips on handling small pets

“Teaching children how to hold hamsters and other small pets gently is essential for the safety and happiness of the pets and fosters a caring attitude in young minds,” adds Dr Black. To help parents to teach their children how to become confident pet handlers, he’s compiled a really useful list of top tips:

• Use Both Hands: Always support your pet with both hands. Place one hand under their chest and the other under their hindquarters.
• Stay Calm and Quiet: Approach your pet slowly and speak softly to avoid startling them.
• Close to the Ground: When holding your pet, keep them close to the ground or over a soft surface in case they wriggle free.
• Regular Breaks: Limit handling time to a few minutes to prevent your pet from becoming stressed.
• Supervision: Always supervise young children when they are handling hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small pets to ensure they follow the guidelines.

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Dr Black also has some great ideas for how to explain gentle handling to children in ways that they can understand:

• Use Clear Language: For example: “Small pets like our hamster are very delicate. They need us to be very gentle with them, so they don’t get hurt.”
• Demonstrate First: Show your child how to hold the pet gently, using soft hands and calm movements. Let them observe a few times before they try.
• Create a Story: “Imagine if you were as small as our guinea pig. You would want people to hold you softly, right? That’s how we should treat our pets.”
• Practice with a Toy: Give your child a stuffed animal to practice gentle handling. This can help them understand the right amount of pressure to use.
• Use Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child when they handle the pet gently. Positive reinforcement will encourage them to continue the right handling technique and behaviour.

HELP YOUR PETS TO RELAX WHEN YOU’RE HANDLING THEM

Some tasty treats can really help your small pets enjoy their handling experience. For example, hay bars topped with delicious flowers are ideal for hand feeding to help a nervous guinea pig, chinchilla or bun learn to feel comfortable about being handled – and with a delectable choice of Cornflower, Marigold or Rose, you can see which hay bar they like best!

Chewable treats, such as Forage & Feast Mini Bales with Marigold or Cornflower also come in useful when it comes to grooming sessions, making this a positive, enjoyable experience for your small pets.

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PDSA advises: “Your pet might not be used to being groomed or being touched in certain areas. Take things slowly and stop if your pet is worried or stressed.  Make the grooming a positive experience, using treats and praise during and afterwards.”

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Having a few Herby Hearts or Winter Berry Bakes to hand will keep your small pets occupied while you brush out their fur and check them over.

HANDFEEDING HELPS TO BUILD YOUR BOND

Handfeeding sometasty treats is a great way to build a closer bond with your little pets, helping them to associate you with good things and enhancing and enriching your relationship with them.

However, it will take time and patience – but once your small pet pals are happily accepting a tasty treat from your hand, it’s incredibly rewarding. The key is to take things slowly, so that your little chums begin to place their trust in you.

• Am I in danger? Small pets are prey animals, which means they think anything approaching is a potential predator – even you. Don’t loom over them (as a predator in the wild might), but crouch down to meet them at their level.
• What’s happening? Keep your approach slow and steady – small pets can be easily startled and will simply run for cover. Speak to them in a soft, happy voice as you gradually get closer.
• That looks like it could be tasty! Offer some food, so they learn to associate your approach with something good happening. If your pets won’t come close enough to take food from your hand, lightly toss the food to them whenever they come in your direction. Wait until they come a little closer each time before offering food again, while continuing to talk to them in a soothing voice.
• I think I’ll risk it... If your pet does take the food, sit beside them and continue chatting to them. Then, offer them another treat. If your pet looks comfortable and doesn’t back off, you could try giving them a gentle stroke. Do this every day and your pet will begin to approach you, creating some magical animal moments.
• On my own terms Most rabbits will pick this up pretty quickly, as will super smart rats, chinchillas and degus. Guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters may take a little longer to gain confidence, but every pet is an individual and it’s essential that they choose to interact with you on their own terms – and it’s that which makes it so rewarding. When your small pet decides that he or she trusts you enough to want to engage in some hand-feeding time with you it’s a great result!

While providing your small pets with secure, accommodation that’s suitable for their species is all-important, small furries also benefit from having the opportunity to explore outside their main housing >>

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for your rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, gerbils and ferrets from Burgess, the pet experts.

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Feeding the right food for their species is an essential part of small pet care. At Burgess, all our foods for small pets is made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications. With a long tradition of supporting British famers, we actively source all our ingredients as close to our mill as possible.

It’s no surprise that 92% of UK vets recommend our Burgess Excel small pets range!

• Check out our tasty nugget varieties specially created for junior and dwarf rabbits, indoor bunnies, golden oldies, adult rabbits – there’s even a light recipe for buns who are watching their weight!
• All Burgess Excel guinea pig nuggets, feeding hay and healthy treats are made with the finest ingredients that meet our stringent specifications and homegrown grass that’s exclusive to Burgess – no other pet food manufacturer has access to our grass!
• Burgess Excel has also developed nutrition-packed food for chinchillas and degus, hamsters, gerbils and mice, pet rats and ferrets.

And, with a fantastically nibbly range of healthy snacks available, there are all sorts of 100% natural, tasty treats to reward your small pets!

Are your small pets Burgess small pets? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.

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Let’s get social...

Sign up to the Excel Bunny Base – a safe Facebook community for rabbit guardians that are looking for advice and friendly discussions from likeminded owners – and there are lots of cute bunny photos and videos!

Or why not become part of the Excel Squeak Squad on Facebook? Join Berry & Bramble, our special G-force guinea pigs, on weekly missions and fun competitions.

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