Pocket Pet Services

Our veterinary care team is experienced in caring for smaller pets like gerbils, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs and chinchillas. In many cases, pocket pets can develop illnesses due to improper care. To ensure your pet is healthy, they should have at least one veterinary visit annually. To schedule a veterinary exam for your pocket pet, call us today at 780-967-2967.

What are common health issues in pocket pets?

Because they are small, it's easy to miss signs of illness. Pocket pets can suffer from respiratory ailments, parasites, dental dysfunction (overgrown teeth) and tumours. With regular veterinary visits, we can detect these issues and provide treatment. When sick, your pocket pet may experience the following symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Lumps on the body
• Diarrhea
• Scratching
• Shedding
• Discharge from eyes and nose

How long do pocket pets live?

It all depends on the type of pocket pet and their unique situation. Some, like gerbils, can live up to 10 years, while other pocket pets have a life expectancy of 1 to 3 years.

What should I feed my pocket pet?

Each species has different dietary needs that must be maintained to keep them healthy. Pocket pets like guinea pigs and chinchillas are herbivores. Their diet requires lots of green leafy vegetables and occasionally some fruits. Rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils are omnivores. They eat some vegetables, nuts and seeds. It is best to provide them with pellet food. Ferrets are strict carnivores who need lots of protein in their diet. There are many commercial foods to meet this requirement. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, enjoy insects to get enough nutrition. Speak with your veterinarian for more information.