I don't need a lot of maintenance. When necessary, I can go for days at a time in my cage. I love it. It's just as much fun as having the run of the entire apartment or an outdoor deck. Why? Because I get a little 'me' time. A little time to kick back and get re-acquainted with myself. Find out who I really am. So, no matter how desperate I look, no matter how many physical indications I give that I'd like to be free, it's not necessary. Really.

Food

Ok, on to food. I am not a very good judge of when and how much I should eat. If you ask me, I should eat all of the time and I act like I haven't eaten in a month. It's best to stick to a schedule.

Morning	(when you get up)	1 vegetable*, 1 grain**
Night	(when you eat dinner)	1 vegetable*, 1 grain**
Evening	(when you go to bed)	1/4 - 1/3 bowl vittles

*vegetable means anything that's not iceberg lettuce or banana. If I'm not eating it, try something else. I generally take longer to eat carrots because I'm waiting for something candy-ish, like grapes or apples, to show up. I eat lettuce gladly, but it should be a medium green. Dark green has a lot of calcium, which I'm horrible at processing. Light green has too much water, which I'm also horrible at processing. A leaf will do. For carrots or apples, a piece about the size of your thumb will do. Reduce if I'm fussy.

**grain means anything crunchy, preferably with seeds and a surface that makes it easy to make an entire apartment aware that I'm eating. Loud is good. Bread is manna from heaven, but I shouldn't get too much of that. In this new country, there are these nice Blevita crackers that I'm fond of. Blue ones only please. I will easily be able to outlast your patience if you try to feed my green (Leinsam) ones.

If at any feeding time, I've finished all of my hay (or scattered it to the corners of my cage into obviously unconsumable piles), a handful will do me just fine. If you want to give me a treat, you can drop in some lettuce or parsley. Do not give me iceberg lettuce. That will make cleaning a necessity rather than something that can be overlooked until my owners get back.

I am forced to note that my meals can be postponed. I won't starve to death. I'll be grumpy, but only until you produce some food. So don't worry if you're late or miss.

If I don't eat a lot, don't worry about it. Give me a little less the next time (reduce to 1 carrot, perhaps). Clear away older food so I don't eat bad food.

Water

I prefer fresh water every night, but it's not absolutely necessary. Always dump all of the water out and then refill. You don't have to rinse the bottle. Once you fill it, turn it upside down over the sink, so the nozzle has a chance to seal and stop dripping. Give it a shake if it won't stop.

Cleaning

For a stay of a few nights, it's not necessary to clean my cage. The litter box should easily last those few days. However, I sometimes make a mess in my cage when I feel that the world has wronged me. I am forced to admit that since this is my own fault, you are under no obligation to clean it up for me. If I miss my litter box, it's nice if you can get it for me so I don't step on it or make further messes.

Exercise

For a stay of a few days, I will not atrophy if I stay in the cage the entire time. I really should not be let out of the cage at all (especially by amateurs who will cause themselves severe head injuries when attempting to catch me). No matter how much I beg, don't give in.

I will stand up inside the cage when you've opened it, but I will not make any attempts to get out if there is someone in the room. Do not leave the top open when leaving the room. If I get out, I will show no mercy to any power cords and I love to chew old things. Like books. Especially old, dusty ones.

Housing

I come with my own house and should be stored somewhere cool. 80°F is not too hot, it's fine. Do not store me in direct sunlight. Again, a few days is no big deal, so don't feel like you have to put me outside or anything.

Brushing

This is totally optional, but sometimes I shed. Especially when I'm nervous. If I look a little scruffy, just run a brush down each side. That should take care of it for a bit. Just the back and sides, and maybe the forehead. No belly. No armpits. I won't find that amusing at all.

Attention

I like as much as I can get. I won't suffer if I don't get it, but I will get cranky.