Meerkat

Metabolic bone disease (rickets)

SignsWobbly hind legs, unable to stand up, bone deformities, fractures easily

PreventionDaily direct sunlight or a UVB light; calcium supplements only as directed by the vet. Also offer bone-in food

Obesity / diabetes

SignsSagging belly, drinking and urinating more, weight gain, dull coat

PreventionLimit fruit and treats; base the diet on insects and low-fat meat. Weigh weekly

Periodontal disease / tooth fracture

SignsBad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, reduced appetite, facial swelling

PreventionAvoid overly hard bones; check the mouth regularly. Annual dental checkup

Intestinal parasites

SignsDiarrhea, soft stool, weight loss, poor coat, scooting or licking the anus

PreventionFecal exam at intake and 1–2 times a year. Replace all substrate regularly

Heatstroke / hypothermia

SignsOpen-mouth rapid breathing, limp / shivering, curled up and not moving

PreventionControl room temperature; on hot days sunbathe briefly in the morning or evening only. Use a heat lamp in winter

Dermatitis / hair loss

SignsHair loss at the tail base or back, itching, dandruff or red skin

PreventionKeep substrate clean; reduce stress (solo housing, cramped enclosure)

Fracture from a fall

PreventionKeep climbable heights under 30 cm; leave no footholds onto furniture

First aidDo not handle; wrap in a towel, place in a carrier, and rest. See the vet the same day; do not splint the painful area

Bite wounds from cagemates

PreventionIntroduce newcomers through a barrier first. Provide more feeding stations and hideouts than animals

First aidPress bleeding with clean gauze. Deep, infected, or swollen wounds: see the vet the same day. Separate the aggressor temporarily

Claw or toe caught in mesh

PreventionUse mesh fine enough that toes cannot pass through. Never use wire flooring

First aidDo not pull; cut or remove the mesh instead. Press bleeding; see the vet if a claw is torn off

Burns from heat sources

PreventionCover heat lamps and panel heaters and mount them out of direct reach

First aidCool for 10 minutes under running water or a cold towel. Red skin or blisters: see the vet the same day. Do not apply ointment

Salmonellosis

RouteFeces, handling raw meat, mouth-to-mouth feeding

PreventionAlways wash hands after care. Use a separate cutting board for raw meat

Parasites (roundworm, etc.)

RouteFeces, soiled substrate

PreventionRemove feces daily; wear gloves when changing substrate. Regular fecal exams

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteBites, scratches

PreventionWash wounds under running water; see a doctor if swelling or fever develops

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

RouteSkin contact, shed hair

PreventionSee the vet if there is hair loss. Wash hands after holding; people with skin lesions should see a doctor too

Food

• Mainly insects (crickets, mealworms), twice a day
• Small amounts of low-fat chicken, boiled egg, or a species-specific diet
• Vegetables and fruit only in tiny amounts. Adults: about 5–7% of body weight

Water

• Fresh water at all times, in a heavy ceramic bowl that won't tip
• Digging gets soil in it, so change at least twice a day

Toys & play

• Foraging toys that hide food (search and eat)
• A deep digging box of soil or sand (at least 30 cm deep)
• Rocks or stumps to climb and stand sentry on

Nest, bed & hideout

• Dark, narrow tunnel-style nest box (large enough for several animals)
• Mock burrow made of buried clay or PVC pipe

Bedding & litter

• Diggable soil, sand, or coconut husk, at least 30 cm deep
• Litter box filled with sand in a fixed corner
• Remove feces and urine daily; replace all substrate once a month

Cage / housing material

Metal frame with fine mesh. Wood gets dug through and chewed

Size & space

For two animals, at least 2 m wide x 1 m deep x 1 m high. Box-type base that can hold soil

Layout

• Deep diggable substrate over at least half the floor area
• Sentry post (under 30 cm high) and burrow placed in opposite corners
• Near a sunny window, or fit a UVB light

Placement notes

• A spot with direct sunlight and good ventilation. Heat in winter
• They dig through floors, so use a sturdy base. Check for escape holes daily

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Free roaming indoors 1–2 hours a day, always supervised
• No walks needed if digging and climbing needs are met. Outdoors carries a high escape risk
• Sunbathe at least 30 minutes daily. UVB does not pass through glass

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Heating required below 15°C

Humidity40–60%. Slightly dry is best

Summer & winter

• Summer: never leave in direct sun. Provide shade and airflow; sunbathe in the morning or evening
• Winter: keep the nest box around 25°C with a heat lamp or panel heater

Nail trimming

Digging wears them down naturally. If overgrown, trim only the tips with two people; if difficult, have the vet do it

Brushing, skin & coat care

During shedding, brush lightly with a soft brush. Check for red skin, hair loss, and dandruff at the same time

Other care

Scent-gland odor is normal. Annual dental checkup for tartar; wipe eye discharge and dirty ears with damp gauze

Protection from predators

• Never let them loose in the same room as dogs or cats; they become prey
• Outdoors, crows and birds of prey strike from above. Never leave outside unattended
• Mosquitoes: ask the vet about heartworm prevention. Fit insect screens

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows substrate, plastic, rubber bands, and small toys. Vomiting, no stool, or a bloated belly: go to the vet immediately. Do not induce vomiting

Being stepped on

They tend to cling around your feet. Watch where you step, and do not wear slippers indoors while they roam

Getting pinched

They squeeze into gaps in doors and drawers. Secure doors and keep drawers shut while they roam. If pinched, see the vet right away

Falls

They want to climb onto shoulders and tables but land poorly. Do not let them climb high. If limping after a fall, see the vet the same day

Escape

They dig out under fences. Check the gap between base and mesh daily. If one escapes, set out favorite insects and the nest box and search the area quietly. Notify the municipal office too

Safe release procedure

1. Freeze, bring your arm to your body, and let the biting animal's feet touch the floor
2. Drape a towel over its head to block its vision
3. Blow sharply on its nose or drip a little water on its mouth
4. The moment the jaw loosens, pull your hand forward, not upward

After the release

Wash under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Deep wounds, swelling, or fever: see a doctor. Isolate the animal and review the cause (food, territory)

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Line up an exotic-animal vet in advance. Bring weight, diet, sunbathing time, number of cagemates, and photos of stool

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and touch the body to check for a response. Check eye movement too
• Check breathing by chest rise and fall. Normal is 20–40 breaths per minute
• Place a finger on the left side of the chest to check the heartbeat. Normal is 150–250 beats per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5 minutes without letting go
• For a bleeding claw, press styptic powder or potato starch onto it
• If oozing continues past 10 minutes, keep pressing and go to the vet

Transport

• Wrap in a towel and place in a dark carrier. In winter, tape a hand warmer to the outside
• Leave cagemates at home; keep the car quiet and avoid jolting