December 02, 2021
by Dianne Cook, LVT
Nimble and aerodynamic, exotic companion mammals are built for speed. Despite their athletic predisposition, many small pets don’t get nearly enough exercise. As dedicated pet parents, it is our responsibility to ensure our furry family members have everything they need to live their very best lives, including lots of time and space to run around every single day. Keep reading to learn how much exercise time your small friend truly needs, and the steps you can take to ensure they remain just as safe as they are active.
As prey species, our furry friends’ wild ancestors used their velocity and intrinsic athleticism to outrun even the sneakiest of predators. Despite generations of domestication, our beloved pets remain energetic powerhouses. Providing safe, engaging environments in which your little one can release all their pent-up energy will keep their bodies fit and functioning at peak performance. In addition, plenty of playtime also provides the following benefits:
While there are certain situations in which “more” does not equate to “better,” when it comes to exercise, it’s difficult to provide “too much.” Just like humans, the more active the pet, the healthier they tend to be, both physically and mentally. Providing your fur baby with 2 – 4 hours of playtime outside of their enclosure every day is a noble goal, but even an hour or so is better than no time at all. It is important to note that this time does not have to be consecutive. Your pet will get just as much benefit from splitting the time up throughout the day and will probably prefer having a mid-day break to nap and re-energize.
As with all things, exercise time should be tailored to your pet’s unique species and individualized needs. It is always best to work with an exotics-friendly veterinarian to make sure you are adapting your furry friend’s playtime routine to their species and breed predispositions, current health status, and future goals (e.g. weight loss, building muscle, maintaining weight, etc).
Despite their powerful physiology and athletic ancestry, it is not uncommon for our small, furry friends to have a predisposition for laziness. After generations of acclimating to life as a pampered house pet, the need to forage for food and escape predation has been completely removed from our fur babies’ lives. While keeping our little ones safe and well-fed is the privilege of every proud pet parent, keeping them active and spry should also be a top priority. The following suggestions will help keep your kiddo as kinetically inclined as possible.
Exercise and exploration should always be encouraged, even when your pet is hanging out in their enclosure or designated living space. As a result, it is important to make your pet’s habitat as stimulating as possible. Though not an exhaustive list, the tips below provide several ideas to ensure your kiddo remains physically and mentally active from the safety and comfort of their enclosure.
Though a stimulating enclosure or living space is essential for your pet’s overall well-being, it is also important that they have a separate (and staunchly supervised) play area in which they can stretch their little legs. The following tips will help create an inspiring play space that will help your furry friend maintain peak physical prowess.
Studies have shown that most humans are far more likely to exercise if they have the motivation of a workout buddy. The same is true of our small pets. Many exotic companion species are herd animals, making them notorious socialites who tend to do best when hanging out with friends of their own kind. Despite our pets’ ability to form a close human-animal bond with their favorite people, we cannot provide the same level of comfort and encouragement as a same species sidekick. Aside from the unparalleled acceptance and understanding that comes along with having exercise buddies who understand each other on an intrinsic level, keeping most of these unique species in pairs or small groups allows for interactive play both in and out of their enclosure(s).
While having a fitness friend is a great option for many small mammals, it is important to note that it is not right for every species or every individual pet. One of the most notable of these exceptions are Syrian hamsters. These adorable little friends are fiercely solitary, territorial beings who do not appreciate the companionship of their own kind. While some dwarf breed hamsters (like the Roborovski) do well in groups, make certain to work with a trusted veterinarian well-versed in exotic animal care before enforcing joint playtime.
As is the case with humans, our furry family members tend to live longer, happier, healthier lives when they engage in daily exercise. While daily time outside of their enclosure is important for your pet’s total health, make sure the environment in which they live is just as enriching to keep your little one as active as possible. It is always best to work with a trusted exotics-savvy veterinarian to help create the best exercise space and routine for your kiddo’s personal needs.
