h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hamsters-solitary..only 1 per cage..unless they're russian hamsters..
Guinea Pigs-sociable-prefer company of other guinea pigs..female more likely to get on together than males..though i've had 2 males & 3 males in same hutch..no probs..also..guinea pigs *need* vegatables every day..they enjoy lettuce..but..very little nutritional value for them in letuce..
Water-Bottles..water bottles on hutches need shade so the water remains cold..it's surprising how hot the water can get in the sun..
Cats-all cats..(unless purchased for breeing!)..should be spayed/neutered at 5-6 months of age..most cat charities will help with the cost for those on benefit or low income..it's an 'old wifes tale' that a cat..(or a dog)..needs to have a litter befote being spayed..
Runs..this maybe obvious..(sorry)..always make sure your rabbit/guinea pig has a shaded area if put in a run..
Dogs in parked cars-dogs left in parked cars in summer can & do die!!!!..quite a few years ago..i was at an indoor market..on a hot sunday morning..car number plates were being called out over the 'intercom'..these were cars that had dogs dying or dead inside them..6 dogs died that day..6 owners learnd the hard way..don't leave dogs in parked cars..
All Pets-are for life..not until they grow out of 'cute' age or become inconvenient..

Thanks for the tip about water bottles in the shade. I hadn't thought of that. (My poor rabbits!)

i only know that because a couple of years ago..i opened my guinea pig hutch to feed them..acidently touched water bottle & felt a few drops of hot water..not something i would've thought of....

I'll have to think carefully, I've got a south facing garden, so the water will heat up. I'll have to turn the hutch round to face the wall!
Unless I move it to the bottom of the garden, where the whole hutch will be in the shade.

While the weather is hot and sunny I've been putting a spare dog drinking fountain in the rabbit run to make sure that they don't run out while I'm at work.

Most people seem to place the cat's waterbowl next to their food.
Don't. Cats never hunt near a waterhole.
We use little bowls near the window or on the table, helps also to get some moisture in dry central heated rooms.
And be carefull with elegant slim flower vases. Our cats always try to drink from them, so now we have stable cat-proof vases.

sorry..that doesn't make any sense....my cats drink from dogs water bowl..&..'pinch' dogs food..a litter tray shouldn't be kept near food..would you like to eat next to your toilet?..
i've also seen wildlife programmes where 'big cats' main hunting 'ground' was a waterhole..where their prey was most vulnerable..
cats catch fish from fish ponds..