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COURTESY OF DR. TOM CHLEBECEK Named Props because his ears resembled a propeller, this is Dr. Tom Chlebecek's first pet rabbit, the pet that inspired him to go to veterinary school.

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Caring for rabbits,
chinchillas and
guinea pigs

When considering adopting a pet, most people think of cats and dogs. There are also a variety of smaller, quieter companions such as chinchillas, guinea pigs or rabbits available at the Hawaiian Humane Society and shelters on the other islands, too. Rabbits are classified as lagomorph mammals, while chinchillas and guinea pigs are rodents, but they are all similarly sized. Here are some tips for their care:

Rabbits need attention

Potential owners often underestimate the amount of effort that is required to care for a rabbit. These creatures can live for 13 to 15 years and are relatively fragile. It is recommended that rabbits be spayed or neutered to prevent diseases and overpopulation. Un-spayed female rabbits might become temperamental or aggressive and could develop uterine cancer.

"I think the closer you can come to their natural diets, the healthier they will be," said Dr. Tom Chlebecek, veterinarian at Makai Animal Clinic in Kailua. "Wild rabbits eat grass in the summer and hay in the winter. Pet rabbits should eat a limited amount of pelleted food and free choice timothy hay, plus fresh greens twice a day and a tiny amount of fruit as a treat."

Hay provides rabbits with fiber, which aids in digestion and prevents health problems. Rabbits also gnaw on it to keep down their ever-growing teeth.

Another aspect of rabbit care is cage size and litter cleanup. An ideal home should be indoors and at least five times a rabbit's size to allow for comfortable living. If they are kept in a wire cage, a cardboard floor should be placed at the bottom to protect their feet. The ideal rabbit enclosure should be kept clean, and to assist with this, bunnies can be trained to use a litter box. The best material to use is organic litters made of paper or hay, and it should be changed once a day to maintain an odor-free and clean environment.

Like larger pets, rabbits require daily exercise outside of their cages. This means rabbit owners should rabbit-proof their homes or create alternative areas where their bunnies can run and play. Make sure all electrical cords are out of reach, because these are tempting chew toys. Pesticides and cleaning products should also be kept out of the rabbit's play area.

"Most people think these types of animals are docile and enjoy sitting hunched in the corner of their cages," Chlebecek said. "This is simply not true. They're very sociable animals and live happily in groups. People need to spend plenty of time with their pets, especially if they have only one animal. Your bunny likes to be where the action is, like in the living room with the family. They can provide the same, if not more, affection than dogs and cats, once people take the time to learn about and interact with them."

The sociable guinea pig

Hailing from South America, the guinea pig is another wonderful, affectionate companion, often squeaking or squealing loudly when they see their families. The guinea pig, also called a cavy, typically lives five to seven years. There are more than 10 breeds of guinea pigs with a variety of hair types and colorings that will capture your heart.

Handlers of guinea pigs must be careful of their delicate bodies. They are a good choice for adults and responsible teenagers. Children should be taught gentle petting and proper carrying methods so as not to frighten the animal.

Their diet consists of guinea pig pellets supplemented with vitamin C that they need to stay healthy. However, this source of vitamin C perishes quickly. Pellet shipments take a long time to reach Hawaii where the bags might sit on a store shelf for an unknown period of time before being purchased. By the time pellets reach local households, it is likely that they have lost their vitamin C content.

"Similar to humans, guinea pigs need to have vitamin C in their diets, or they will get scurvy," Chlebecek said. "They require 20 to 40 milligrams a day, which you can find in oranges, broccoli or the appropriate amount of crushed-up children's chewable vitamin C tablets. However, guinea pigs do not like to try new things, so once you find something they like, stick with it. Also, do not put anything in their water, because if it tastes different, they won't drink it." Treats of fruits and vegetables can be used to supplement their basic diets, but all fresh food that is not eaten should be removed before spoiling. Guinea pigs require ample fresh water and an untreated fruit branch for gnawing.

Because of their sociable nature, guinea pigs should be housed in cages kept near their human families. Their cages should be as big as possible and lined with timothy grass hay or aspen wood shavings; NEVER cedar or pine, which emit fumes that are toxic to them.

A glass aquarium is not a good house for a guinea pig because of poor ventilation. Guinea pigs can be trained to use a litter box, but like all training, it requires time and patience. Toys such as cardboard tubes, empty coffee cans with smoothed edges and platforms can be incorporated into their home for entertainment and exercise.

Long live the chinchilla

Native to the Andes mountain ranges, chinchillas are highly regarded for their soft fur. With an average life span of 10 years, some as long as 20 years, these pets make great companions for adults rather than children.

Intelligent and shy, these animals are easily stressed by loud noises and rough handling. Generally, the animal is the size of a small rabbit with dense fur, large eyes and ears, stiff whiskers and a short fluffy tail.

Chinchillas are heat-intolerant. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80 degrees can result in heat stress.

"Chinchillas are not that common in Hawaii," said Chlebecek. "We see only a few each year at the clinic. Compared to guinea pigs and rabbits, chinchillas are often more expensive when purchased from a pet store."

All the food they require is chinchilla pellets, fresh water and clean, dry timothy hay (not alfalfa hay). Fruit and a small amount of greens can be offered as treats. They also like pumice stones or pieces of wood to wear down teeth that grow continuously. Chinchillas should be socialized gradually using gentle touch and treats like raisins. Be careful when handling them to avoid pulling on the tip of the tail, which can create "fur slip," a patchy shedding of fur that might not grow back. To pick up a chinchilla, grasp him firmly around the thorax and support his bottom on your forearm and chest, maintaining control without extreme pressure.

According to the U.K. National Chinchilla Society, the ideal home for a chinchilla is a spacious cage made of wire mesh with holes no larger than three-fourths inch square. Wire floors allow their waste to fall through.

Because of their unique coats, chinchillas require a special sand or dust bath every day instead of one with shampoo and water. Available at most pet stores in Hawaii, this specially formulated dust cleans their fur and prevents it from becoming dull and matted.

"I always recommend that small animals like these be kept indoors away from potential predators and parasites," Chlebecek said. "They come from climates that are cool, and don't tolerate Hawaii's heat well. Keeping them indoors in an air-conditioned room is ideal."

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