Animal Care Advice
Animals are sentient and feeling creatures and here at Little Valley we want to see every pet animal receiving the best possible care.
We follow and support the RSPCA’s Animal Welfare Act which places responsibility on pet owners to provide for the five welfare needs, which are:
- need for a suitable environment
- need for a suitable diet
- need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
- need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
- need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease
There are lots of other aspects to caring for pets, and the requirements for each species differs hugely. Below you can read more about the most commonly kept pets in the UK and click to be taken to the full care guides on the RSPCA website.
Dogs
As we all know, dogs make incredible pets. When all their needs are met they are fun, loyal and loving. But each dog is different and they do have a complex set of needs. We encourage you to thoroughly research the best way to care for a dog before considering owning one as a pet.
Cats
Rabbits
Rabbits have the reputation of being ‘easy-care’ pets for kids. This isn’t really true and rabbits have a complex set of needs to ensure their welfare is sustained. If their needs are met they can live happy and fulfilled lives in domestic settings.
Guinea Pigs
Small in size, big in personality, these chatty rodents make great pets. There is no one perfect set-up for guinea pigs but you must take all the necessary steps to ensure their needs are met.
Rats
If you’re thinking of keeping rats as pets you should make sure you’ve thought about how they’ll be best cared for. These highly intelligent and sociable animals have a complex set of needs and suffer quickly if they are not met. With a little research though, keeping rats is very rewarding.
Mice
Gerbils
Clever and full of character, gerbils are often kept by young children who appreciate their fun loving nature. However, they do have an extensive list of care requirements so talking one into the family requires lots of research and planning.
Hamsters
Cute, active and entertaining, hamsters make great pets. They only live for around two years though, so great efforts should be taken to making sure their short lives are as fun-filled and healthy as possible.
Ferrets
Chinchillas
Clean, quiet and shy, chinchillas make attractive and rewarding pets for adults and older children. They have specific care requirements though, and can live for up to 20 years so much consideration must be taken before deciding to keep one as a pet.
Birds
There are many different species of pet bird, and each of them have their own unique care needs to investigate. If you are considering keeping a bird as a pet it’s worth noting you’ll need a large aviary so they have ample room to stretch their wings. Give them that, along with the right food and plenty of enrichment and they could reward you by being a fun and musical companion.
