Domestic rats

Rodents rank as the third most popular pet among families with children, after the dog and the cat. Understanding the behaviors and the needs of this classification of pets will help you decide if a rodent is the right pet for your child.

Gerbils, hamsters, fancy or domestic mice, rats, and guinea pigs are the most popular rodents that children ask for. Many times their classroom teacher will have one or more of the little critters as the class pet. Here are some things to keep in mind about each animal.

Gerbils live 1-3 years, can be housed with gerbils of the same sex in a 2-4 square foot space, and are easy to pick up and handle on a regular basis. Hamsters live 1-3 years and are smaller than gerbils. If not handled on a regular basis both can become defensive and tend to bite. They need a fresh water source, daily food, and shavings in the cage to burrow into and to soak up the urine. These shavings need to be changed out at least once a week and more often if there is an odor. Depending on the age of the child, it may not be a task that can be done independently. Gerbils and hamsters also need an exercise ball or wheel to play with when left alone for long periods of time.

Fancy or domestic mice live nicely in a small cage that is escape proof. These little critters can be quite good at escaping if given half a chance. Their needs include fresh water, food, and clean dry bedding. Mice tend to be social and are happiest if there are two or more females housed together. Males tend to fight and a male/female pair will reproduce more often than the average pet owner needs. Mice are nocturnal so most of their entertaining antics are done in the evening hours or after dark. They do not make a good pet for young children because they are quick and can easily escape the grasp of the younger child.

Rats make very entertaining pets. They live 2-4 years, are very social, enjoy human socializing, and can be trained to do tricks. They require regular handling and more time than the other rodents listed. For a responsible teen that enjoys the challenge of taming and training a pet, the rat might be just the ticket. They require a small space that is secure, fresh water, bedding, and daily food.

Guinea pigs are the largest of the rodents here, although some professionals don't consider the guinea pig a rodent. These creatures are gentle in nature. They are larger than the other rodents making them easier to hold and handle. Guinea pigs rarely bite. They enjoy the company of a same sex cage mate, but will be content alone. The diet of the guinea pig is the more challenging of diets. It includes fresh hay or pellets, fresh veggies, and a clean water source. The bedding also will require a change out at least once a week.

Consider purchasing a rodent from a reliable pet store or breeder. This ensures the pet is healthy, free from disease, and the sex that you prefer. A good pet store owner can give you tips on how to handle the animal in a safe manner for both the pet and the child. The expense of rodent ownership includes the cage, bedding, food, self water bottles, vet costs if the animal becomes ill, and any vitamin or mineral supplements that may be recommended. It is also a good idea to have an exercise wheel or ball appropriate for the size of your rodent to keep them entertained.

Rodents can be fun to watch, easy to handle, and safe to maintain around children. A soft little rodent may be the perfect pet for your child.

Terri Forehand is a pediatric/ neonatal critical care nurse and freelance writer. She has a passion for kids of all ages, especially kids who are fighting against tough illnesses and diseases. Visit her blog and website for more information. She is currently working on fiction for kids. http://www.terriforehand.com
http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com

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Rattery

A Quick Guide To Bed & Breakfasts In Devon
Devon is a great place to visit all year round and has lots to see and do. There are miles of beautiful beaches, breathtaking coastal walks and amazing countryside. One of the areas of Devon that is particularly attractive is the South Devon area. If you are looking for a bed and breakfast in Devon, there are plenty of places to choose from. However, if you are looking for something slightly different then you may want to choose from one of the more unusual locations that this rich, vibrant county has to offer. 

If you fancy relaxing in Victorian in style, you may want to try the Lockwood House in Dawlish. Lockwood House is a family-run bed and breakfast set in 2 acres of countryside, complete with its own orchard. If you are looking to relax in a peaceful, countryside environment, this may be a good place for you. The feature that makes this bed and breakfast different from many others is that one of the rooms within the house is located in a Victorian tower. This room has a 14 foot high ceiling and a Victorian roll top bath. If you fancy something a little more traditional, this guest-house also offers standard family rooms and you can still get a view of the tower if you take a stroll through the grounds.

Another bed and breakfast that offers a unique experience is the luxury, south Devon Cliffside bed and breakfast near Dartmouth. This guesthouse is situated, as its name suggests, right on the edge of a cliff. This means that the views are stunning and dramatic. It also means that you will be lulled to sleep at night by the sounds of the sea lapping against the cliff side. The breakfast is really good too. It is also ideally suited for visits to the beach and nearby towns and villages.

Another good bed and breakfast in the area is the Hillhead Farm in Ivybridge, just south of Dartmoor. Although there are plenty of farmhouse bed and breakfasts in south Devon, this one really does stand head and shoulders above the rest. It has won several awards for it quality of service. The house was built in around 1840 and is still a working farm. This guesthouse's location means that it is an ideal base for excursions into the surrounding countryside, and the owners are happy for guests to bring their dogs to stay as well.

Another guesthouse that may be ideal for you is another farm. However this time it is the 300-year-old listed farmhouse called Lower Cobberton in Dartington, near Totnes. What makes this place so unique is that it offers a whole range of complimentary therapies to guests. It also goes out of its way to cater for unusual dietary requirements. They provide diets for coelliac, dairy-free and vegetarian guests. This bed and breakfast is near to the pretty village of Rattery, which has the oldest remaining pub in Devon.

Finally, if you want something even older then you might want to try the Post Cottage bed and breakfast near Totnes. This cottage is 500 years old. The great thing about Post Cottage is that it has a stunning thatched roof and traditional white washed walls. It is a beautiful, traditional Devon cottage, and will certainly help you to feel as if you have stepped back into the past. The rooms have log beams and open fires, which makes it romantic too
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