The use of crocks or pans as feeders or watertroughs promotes the spread of disease. Housing and Bedding Cages should be secure from escape and predators, provide protection from cold, wind, damp and direct sun and be easily cleaned. Of the small pets, only rabbits can be housed outdoors. Soft bedding, such as wood chips or paper, is needed for small rodents to hide and nest. Rabbits should be housed on wire floors.
Wood is a poor material for animal houses because it is susceptible to chewing and rot.
If wood is used, it should be painted and not used on cage floors. Restraint Rabbits and guinea pigs should be lifted with two hands, one on the loose neck skin and the other under the heavy rear quarters. These animals, if improperly held, may struggle and break their backs. Small rodents can be picked up in cupped hand or by a grip over the back. If a rodent's tail is grasped beyond the point of attachment, the tail skin may slip off.