Selection and Care of COMMON HOUSEHOLD PETS AGRICULTURE INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. 332'U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Contents Page Mammals. __ 4 Cats 4 Dogs... 8 Gerbils.. 17 Guinea pigs 18 Hamsters. 19 Rabbits 20 White mice 20 Wild animals 21 Birds 21 Can aries ..^»..^ 22 Finches __^ 23 Parakeets ^...„ 23 Parrots 24 Selection and Care of Common Household Pets Prepared by Animal Husbandry Eesearch Division, Agricultural Research Service Before you start looking for a If you get a pet of any kind and pet, consider what kind is best for decide you do not want it, take it you or your family. Select a pet to an animal shelter for adoption that can adapt to the size of your or have a veterinarian humanely home and the people in it. Find out destroy it. Never turn loose un- what kinds of pets are popular wanted pets to suffer or to annoy among your friends and neighbors. others. It is easier to train a young pet You can buy pets from breeders, than an old one. However, you can dealers, pet shops, or private own- train a grown pet if you have pa- ers ; and you can adopt them from tience and time. humane society shelters and dog If you live in an apartment, small pounds. To be sure that your pet is pets are most suitable. You will be healthy, have it examined by a vet- happier with a small dog, a cat, or a bird, for example. Also, you should consider the cost and time required For information on controlling to keep a pet. How much will it fleas, see Home and Garden BuUe- cost to feed a big dog compared with tin' 121, "Controlling Flea^." For a a small one? free copy, write the U.S. Depart- Long-haired dogs and cats need ment of Agriculture, Washington, more brushing and grooming than D.C. 20250. Send your request on a short-haired ones. And they shed post card. Include your ZIP Code more on rugs and furniture, which in your r^urn address. will have to be cleaned more often. erinarian—before you take it home Have a veterinarian tell you what if possible. You should have an vaccinations your pet will need and agreement with the seller that you when these vaccinations should be can return the pet if it is unhealthy. given. Your veterinarian can also Ask a veterinarian or animal nu- advise you about symptoms to tritionist to advise you on what waitch for and when your pet will foods will best give your pet a bal- need treatment. If these symptoms anced diet. Carefully follow their show up, or if your pet is injured, recommendations. take him to your veterinarian. Mammals Cats and dogs are traditional haired cats are Persian and Hima- hou^hold pets. They have been layan, companions of man for thousands of The following alphabetical list years. Cats were sacred in ancient gives a short description of some of Egypt; dogs were friends of the the breeds of cats that make good cavemen. household pets. More recently, small cage animals have become popular as household ABYSSINIAN pets for children. Among these are Abyssinian cats probably came gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rab- from Egypt. They make playful, bits, and white mice. These small entertaining family pets. animals make interesting pets and Their short coat usually is light most of them can adapt to any brown with black or gray markings. household. They sometimes have long hairs on Cats the ends of their large ears ; the end of the tail is black. Domestic cats are classified as either long haired or short haired. DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR Long-haired types were developed in Persia (Iran) and Afghanistan; Domestic Short Hairs are the short-haired types in Egypt, Eu- ordinary house cats that are com- rope, and Asia. Usually, short-haired cats are ac- tive and playful, and easier to care for than long-haired ones. Long- haired cats are quiet^ stay-at-home pets, but they sometimes need extra care because of their long hair. Among the short-haired breeds of cats are the Abyssinian, Domestic Short Hair, Manx, Burmese, and Siamese. Among the breeds of long- Persian Domestic Short Hair PERSIAN Persian cats probably originated mon throughout the United States. in Afghanistan. They are larger Short hairs also are often described than most other breeds and are less as tabby, tiger, and tortoise shell active ; they make quiet companions. because of their various markings. Their long, thick coat may be white, black, tan, or some other They make excellent pets. Their coat may be white, black, color. Sometimes Persians are gray, or yellow, or combinations of striped. these. Many of these cats are SIAMESE striped. Siamese cats came from what is MANX now Thailand. They make friendly, lively pets and companions. Manx cats were imported from Their short coat usually is light the Isle of Man. They make friend- gray or yellowish tan with markings ly, affectionate pets. of a darker color on the face, ears, Their short, thick coat can be al- feet, and tail. The kittens are born most any color. They have short white and become darker as they front legs, long rear legs, and a stub grow older. of a tail. Manx Siamese Bedding a cloth or your fingers, but try to You can buy a bed for your cat keep the water out of his eyes and or you can make one from a box or ears. Rinse him in warm water and basket Put it in a quiet part of your dry him thoroughly. Keep him in- home away from drafts. Line it with doors until completely dry» a blanket, cushion, or discarded Commercial cleaning prepara- clothing. Wash the bedding often tions for cats also may be used. Be enough to keep it clean. Do not be sure the label indicates the prepara- surprised if your cat decides to tion is safe for cats and does not sleep somewhere besides in the bed contain creosote producta you have prepared. Brushing Feeding Brush your cat often, especially if he has long hair. Brushing gets Your cat should have a balanced loose hairs out of his coat that other- diet. Commercially prepared cat wise would get on the furniture and foods usually give adequate nour- rugs. ishment imder normal conditions. Knots fonn in the coats of long- ISTever give your cat small bones haired cats. Try to pull the knots that are likely to splinter, especially apart with a comb. If that fails, clip bones from pork or poultry. them out carefully with a pair of Although your cat may lick his blunt scissors. bowl clean, you should wash it after each feeding. Keep fresh water Training available at all times. Do not use the Cats are clean animals and easy to same bowl for water that you use housebreak. You can use a shallow for food. pan or box big enough for a full- Kittens usually are weaned when grown cat to get into. Cover the bot- they are about 6 to 8 weeks old. tom of the pan with an inch or so of They keep some of their baby teeth sand, sawdust, or commercial litter. until they reach 6 months; feed You can buy litter at pet stores, su- them four times a day until they lose permarkets, and hardware stores. their baby teeth. Always keep the pan in the same As the kittens grow, gradually in- place. crease the amount of food you give To train a cat, watch him care- them each day. Dec^rease the number fully; when you see him searching of feedings to twice daily by the one place after another, put liim in time they are 8 or 9 months old. his pan. After a few times, he will use the pan without help from you. Bathing Change the litter often; wash the Normally cats should not be pan with soap and water every few bathed. They clean their fur by lick- days. ing it. But if your cat gets dirty, you Your cat will scratch to wear off may bathe him in w^arm, soapy his old claws. Provide him with a water. scratching post to reduce damage to Massage his skin thoroughly with your furniture. You can buy a scratching post or you can make one hairs that form little felt-like balls from a log. Cover the log with in his stomach and intestines. canvas or a piece of old rug. The Although you can help prevent post can be vertical or horizontal. hair balls by brushing your cat Every time your cat claws at the daily, some will form anyway. A furniture, show him the scratching veterinarian can prescribe a remedy post until he learns, to use it with- to help your cat eliminate the hair out your help. balls. You should give your cat a soft A collar can be dangerous to your ball, a toy mouse, or some other kind cat; he will climb and sometimes of toy. Such objects should be too fall. If your cat wears a collar, make large for the cat to swallow. sure it is snug, but check it as he Most cats enjoy playing. But they grows so he will not choke. A loose are highly independent animials and collar is likely to hang on a fence- play only when they feel like it. post or tree limb if he falls. Also, If you play with your cat when you can buy a "break-away" collar he is in the mood, you may teach him that will break apart, and release to roll over, shake hands, sit up, your cat if he hangs on a post or jump, or bring a light paper ball to branch.