Exercise & Your Pet
A person would never think of confining their child to one small area, to never introducing them to learning new things, to never allow them movement outside that small area. Yet, unfortunately this is exactly what happens to many small pets...
Pets that receive ample activity are healthier, in turn live longer, and are more content than those who are lethargic. Some pets, such as fish, obtain enough exercise without requiring your effort.
Exercise toys are plentiful for many pets such as dogs, cats and hamsters. Dogs can be leashed trained and walked daily; cats can spend hours at a scratching post or in cat tunnel, and hamsters love those wheels.
But what about ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits? You may need a bit more imagination to hit on the perfect exercise for your pet. Maybe these suggestions will spark some new ideas. Remember, when your pet is out of its normal environment, it should be supervised at all times.
Hedgehog - Your hedgehog will get a great workout if you station him in your empty bathtub. Place a few toys in the tub with him and if it's dark, you can switch on a night-light. Watch out for other 'pet members' of the family. Dogs and cats and hedgehogs generally do not mix.
Potbellied Pig - Yes, she needs exercise too. Invest in a harness and a leash and take her on a walkabout. You can purchase a special made harness and leash for your potbellied pig in a pet shop or center. With enough patience from you, she'll eventually adapt to the leash. Teaching your pet even something this simple keeps the mind active and fertile so she can keep learning. Even if you are limited to your backyard, your potbellied pig will enjoy this stress-free time with you.
Rabbits - A rabbit's natural inclination to chew limits the probability of allowing her to have free reign of your home. If you decide to exercise your rabbit indoors, try placing her on a non-absorbent base, such as a tile floor. Your rabbit may positively react to small rabbit-proof toys, such as a ball. As with the potbellied pig, you may want to consider investing in a specially made harness and leash for outdoor use.
Guinea Pigs - These little critters love to be on the move! However, like the rabbit they have a tendency to chew. Try propping up a large brown paper bag and allow them to poke around inside. Or, arrange cardboard boxes that they can explore and gnaw on. Cardboard is generally considered a safe material for your pet guinea pig.
Ferrets - Ferrets are super active, requiring a spacious area for exploring. There's no way around it. Ferret-proof your home. The investment of your time will far outweigh the end results. Be sure and seek out all potential dangers for your ferret - from top to bottom.
This page gets updated often, so please check back if your pet wasn't mentioned. In the meantime, the time that you spend exercising your pet is also beneficial to your own health. Exercise smart and often.
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