The next morning you may be able to tell which room the animal is in by the number of remaining sunflower seeds. Another way is to place a pile of food in the center of the floor, than make a dusty circle with flour around the pile. After the animal comes to eat, you can follow the paw prints to its hiding place. If the animal appears nervous or there is any question about its behavior, use a scoop to lift the animal up. A scoop can be made out of an empty plastic milk container by cutting off the bottom and securing the top.
Chocolate contains a toxic substance called theobromine, which is harmful to animals.
Sometimes this substance can make an animal sick or even be fatal. The vet may recommend a night light or leaving the cage partially uncovered. Cedar chips are not absorbent and are very abrasive. Furthermore they contain aromatic cedar oils which can coat the animal, causing respiratory and liver dysfunction. Dealing with the Loss of Classroom Animals Animals in your classroom provide teachers and students a wonderful opportunity to cultivate the human-animal bond.