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Essentials 'n' Extras for Small Pet Owners 🐹🐇
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items Small pets have been a staple in my life: guinea pigs, fish (yes, those count, too), cockatiels, budgies, and dogs. Granted, my menagerie has not been as varied as that of some other animal lovers, but if it crawls, swims, or flies (that even include...
Having small pets taught me about LOADS about responsibility. In many ways, it's like taking care of kids who never grow up … but that said, it's been more rewarding, not to mention personally fulfilling! 😉
Pets need that intangible known as TLC, but my recs cover the tangibles that you need or should also consider when buying a pet.
Note #1: pets (of any size or lifespan) should DEFINITELY not be an impulse purchase, during the holiday season or otherwise -- some pets, like turtles and parrots/macaws can outlive their first and second owners!
Note #2: vitamins are no substitute for medical attention when your pet requires the latter (urgently!)
Note #3: this list covers my recommendations for most animals that are small and furry (excepting dogs and cats; they have their own lists here https://benable.com/whsimdesigns/fascinating-ancient-and-designer-dog-breeds and here, respectively https://benable.com/whsimdesigns/of-cars-and-cats).
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no extra charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Having small pets taught me about LOADS about responsibility. In many ways, it's like taking care of kids who never grow up … but that said, it's been more rewarding, not to mention personally fulfilling! 😉
Pets need that intangible known as TLC, but my recs cover the tangibles that you need or should also consider when buying a pet.
Note #1: pets (of any size or lifespan) should DEFINITELY not be an impulse purchase, during the holiday season or otherwise -- some pets, like turtles and parrots/macaws can outlive their first and second owners!
Note #2: vitamins are no substitute for medical attention when your pet requires the latter (urgently!)
Note #3: this list covers my recommendations for most animals that are small and furry (excepting dogs and cats; they have their own lists here https://benable.com/whsimdesigns/fascinating-ancient-and-designer-dog-breeds and here, respectively https://benable.com/whsimdesigns/of-cars-and-cats).
Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no extra charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Sections
9
Small Pets
Bedding & Transport
Feeding Stations & Storage Containers
Food & Supplements
Grooming & Toiletries
Toys
Small Pets
In captivity, ferrets and degus can live up to 8 years, dwarf rabbits up to 12 years, and chinchillas/sugar gliders up 10-15 years (that's almost long enough for them to get their driver's licence!) Other small pets have shorter lifespans, ranging fr...
Pet lifespan and their living space are two very important factors to consider in determining if you are suitable to be a small pet parent.
Note: pets (of any size or lifespan) should NEVER be an impulse purchase. Some pets, like turtles and parrots/macaws can outlive their first and second owners!
These adorable and long-lived Andean mountain-dwelling cuties love to hang out in cliques (best bought and kept in pairs), and their fur is Oh. So. Soft. (you'll want to cuddle them all the time … or, at least, daily). I had a family friend who raise...
Learn more about their care, diet, housing needs, preferred temperatures, and more at petmd.com/exotic/chinchilla-care-sheet
Learn more about their care, diet, housing needs, preferred temperatures, and more at petmd.com/exotic/chinchilla-care-sheet
Chinchillas
They may not have the same notoriety (or cachet) as hamsters or gerbils, but these Chilean rodents (who call guinea pigs and chinchillas their distant cousins twice removed 😉) are very social (and talkative) creatures with both their own kind as wel...
Discover how to care for and raise degus here: petmd.com/exotic/care/everything-you-need-know-about-caring-degu
Discover how to care for and raise degus here: petmd.com/exotic/care/everything-you-need-know-about-caring-degu
Degus
If the Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Britannia Petite, Mini Rex, or Lionhead warm the cockles of your heart, you've come to the right rec. Dwarf bunnies barely tip the scales, weighing anywhere from 2.5 to 4 lbs.
More about some of the more popular dwarf rabbits and their care can be found here:
petmd.com/search?keys=dwarf rabbit#search-results
More about some of the more popular dwarf rabbits and their care can be found here:
petmd.com/search?keys=dwarf rabbit#search-results
Dwarf Rabbits
These mink-like members of the Mustelidae family are as playful and affectionate as they look!
And, as you might've guessed, I did get to play with a ferret (from the same family who had chinchillas!)
Curious to know more about ferret care? Visit petmd.com/search?keys=ferret#search-results
And, as you might've guessed, I did get to play with a ferret (from the same family who had chinchillas!)
Curious to know more about ferret care? Visit petmd.com/search?keys=ferret#search-results
Ferrets
These long-tailed rodents have adapted to the harsh and arid regions of Africa, Asia, and India. Most popular for their affectionate nature is the Mongolian gerbil.
Go ga-ga over the gerbil here
petmd.com/exotic/gerbil-care-sheet
Go ga-ga over the gerbil here
petmd.com/exotic/gerbil-care-sheet
Gerbils
Guinea pigs aren't actually porcine – they're more correctly known as cavies. As hirsute as cavies can be, they never have a bad hair day. In my youth, I preferred the short-haired variety, but I've grown to adore the Peruvians and the Silkies. :)
Learn about their history here
petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2015/march/have-you-considered-guinea-pigs-32543
Learn about their history here
petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2015/march/have-you-considered-guinea-pigs-32543
Guinea Pigs
Cherish your time with these affectionate little rodents, whose 2-year lifespan reminds me very much of the Ocampas of Star Trek Voyager fame!
Learn more about them by visiting
petmd.com/exotic/hamster-care-sheet
Learn more about them by visiting
petmd.com/exotic/hamster-care-sheet
Hamsters
Even if you didn't know what a sugar glider was, the very name should pique your interest! These big-eyed nocturnal marsupials from the Land of Oz will captivate you from the start! They love to socialize with their own kind as well as their human ow...
Get the 411 on these tree dwellers:
petmd.com/sugar-glider/exotic/all-about-sugar-gliders
Get the 411 on these tree dwellers:
petmd.com/sugar-glider/exotic/all-about-sugar-gliders
Sugar Gliders
Bedding & Transport
The basic amenities your small pet needs to feel right at home (even on the road).
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rats, mice, ferrets, and sugar gliders rejoice! Gone are the days of using the day's reads to line your small pet's abode. This solution offers odor control and softness (bet you couldn't say that about th...
carefresh® Small Pet Bedding
Exactly as it sounds. I wish I had a bed this comfy!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Cuddler Bed
Reminds me of those '60s egg-shaped chairs (which were before my time!)
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Cave Bed
If you like to wander and take your small pet with you, this is their version of Pet Hilton (or Pet Ritz).
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Top Entry Travel Carrier
Feeding Stations & Storage Containers
Have everything Fluffy needs every day for drink and eats in one centralized location.
Perfect for the hutch or cage that has a few residents, or isn't overly large. 2 feeding bowls, a no-drip water bottle, and a hay dispenser – now that's a dining establishment fit for a small pet!
Full Cheeks™ 3-in-1 Space Saver Feeding Station
Always make sure that your pet has easy access to water and their staple foods. You never know when they're going to have the munchies. 😉
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet 2-in-1 Drink & Dine Hay & Water Dispenser
I love the watercooler type design of this versatile, compact, and easy-to-replenish feeding station. Not only can Snuggles eat and drink here, but there's even a hideout for it on the other side, too!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet 3-in-1 Space Saver Food & Water Dispenser
Your small pet isn't likely to take their food with them (or knock the bowl over), but the design of this bowl makes sure it won't happen!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Small Easy-Lock Bowl
I do like to keep the dry food dry and organized to a tee (whether for indoor pets or outdoor wildlife).
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Store & Pour Food Container
Food & Supplements
The staples that you feed your small pet should be close to what they would eat in the wild – while the other snacks that they enjoy (in human company) should be doled out sparingly.
I love peas (but not pea soup!) and carrots.
Full Cheeks™ Peas & Carrots Mix Small Pet Treat
The exercise that is its own rewards!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet 3-In-1 Hay Ball
This reminds me of the suet logs that I used to suspend from the apple tree branch in the backyard for the woodpeckers/bushtits/chickadees to enjoy.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Birch Bowl with Fruit Treats
Oh, my! They have Rice Krispies for small pets? 😉
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Flavored Rice Puff - Strawberry & Spirulina
It's not just kids who don't like to take their vitamins and minerals … pets, too. So disguising those necessaries as delectable treats is a darned good idea!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Mineral Desserts - Treats & Chews
This tassle chew could make a good tug-of-war rope, too.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Multi Color Tassel Chew
These are almost the right size for me to nibble on!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Papaya Bites
You know those teeth of your small pets (rabbits and rodents) don't stop growing – so might as well make it fun to keep them trimmed!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Roll-A-Round Willow Ball Chew
It's great when food can double as a fun toy – and since it's natural for rabbits to chew, this is the perfect choice for them!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Timothy Hay Hoop Rabbit Chew
A mentally engaged pet is a happy pet! If my food was this fun to eat, I would have always finished all the veggies on my plate!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Veggie Lovin' Kabob - Treat & Chew
Unless you feed your small pet oranges, bell peppers, or spinach (and assuming that their diet even includes these veggies), you'll need this timothy hay-infused supplement.
Oxbow Natural Science Vitamin C Small Pet Supplement
These fiber-rich snack-sized treats are perfect for your small pet – combining timothy hay with real tasty apple and banana.
Oxbow Simple Rewards Baked Small Pet Treats (Apple & Banana)
Oh, these nom noms look so good!! What small pet could not resist them?
Oxbow Enriched Life Small Pet Chews - Timothy Party Pack
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Make finding food fun with this colorful garden-themed dig box, which features six chews to encourage your small pet's natural tendencies to chew, forage, and explore!
Oxbow Enriched Life Small Pet Garden Dig Box
The expression “eating me out of house and home” was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this edible abode. That said, I was kerflummoxed and didn't know whether to stick it in Bedding or Food & Toys.
Oxbow Enriched Life Small Pet Timothy Hay Hut
Grooming & Toiletries
Because even small pets need to be well cared for, even if they're not being exhibited.
Even small pets need the mani and pedi treatment.
Andis Cordless 2-Speed Dog, Cat & Small Pet Nail Grinder
Make cleanup just a little easier and faster with these hutch/cage liners.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Absorbent Habitat Liners (5 count)
And you thought the litter box was just for cats!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Dry Paws Litter Pan
You didn't think dust magically appeared, once you got a dust bath receptacle, did you?
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Dust Bath Powder
It's important to keep your small pet's coat maintained and nails and trimmed. This is where regular physical engagement between pet and human can help make this something that they can tolerate (if not look forward to).
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Grooming Essentials Kit
Don't swipe right – just swipe! 😉
Make it quick and easy to clean the inside and outside of your small pet's cage with these fragrance-free cleaning wipes.
Make it quick and easy to clean the inside and outside of your small pet's cage with these fragrance-free cleaning wipes.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Habitat Cleaning Wipes
Small pets are actually quite capable of training themselves to go in the right place. After all, no one wants dirty paws at dinner!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Litter Training Kit
For rodents who like to indulge in dust baths (I'm looking at you, chinchillas, hamsters, and gerbils!), this is the perfect way to do it.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Sifting Dust Bath (Large)
Toys
Fun and mental stimulation go hand in hand in making a small pet healthy and happy – so consider the ways to keep Cuddles engaged and active.
Maybe zorbing is not in your wheelhouse, but watching your pets do it lets you live their adventures vicariously!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Adventure 7" Exercise Ball
So Fluffy isn't going to be entered into the agility or speed trials this year – that's fine. A little privacy is still nice to have!
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Crinkle & Hide Tunnel
The elliptical trainer/personal home gym for your small pets. Whenever they feel like working off a few ounces, or impressing the opposite sex.
Full Cheeks™ Small Pet Silent Exercise Wheel
The fun way to keep your furry charges (and yourself) entertained in an indoors or outdoors setting, with zippable sides and top to prevent unintended great escapes!
TRIXIE Soft Sided Mobile Small Pet Play Pen
In Film
Our small furry charges have been immortalized on the big screen … and it appears as if mice and rats have had top billing for years!
The heartwarming story of Russian mice emigrés to the U.S. The duet “Somewhere Out There”, as sung by the separated Mousekewitz siblings, is one of the most beautiful and touching highlights of this 1986 animated film.
An American Tail [DVD]
Just when you thought every animated movie had mice or rats as the main characters, along comes Disney's G-Force to prove you wrong, with not one but four guinea pigs as the saviors of the world. Released in 2009,
G-Force (DVD)
Behind every great French chef's ratatouille is a rat responsible for crafting the recipe and running the show.
Ratatouille (DVD)
Have you ever wondered what pets do when their humans are not around? Wonder no more with this 2018 animated hit.
I have never wondered – I know. Every time I went to school, my dog would always leap up and out of his cordoned off living space (which was quite a big area, especially given that he was a small dog).
I have never wondered – I know. Every time I went to school, my dog would always leap up and out of his cordoned off living space (which was quite a big area, especially given that he was a small dog).
The Secret Life of Pets (DVD)
A widowed field mouse must find the courage and means to move her family before the land on which their home sits is plowed by the farmer. She discovers some unexpected allies and adversaries along the way, and the viewer discovers what the NIMH in t...
The Secret of NIMH [DVD]
In Literature
Beloved books and children's classics that celebrate the small creatures.
This one stands out clearly in my memory, because it was the first book I ever read! This is the murine adaptation of Sherlock Holmes (and his colleague Watson).
Great Mouse Detective Basil of Baker Street, Book 1 (Hardcover)
The (mis)adventures of the eponymous protagonist, and the lessons he learns from his many and various transgressions.
Peter Rabbit The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Book 1 (Hardcover)
Margery Williams' enchanting children's classic that still has me misty-eyed after all these years. You could almost think of it as a more modern-day (and much furrier!) re-telling of Pinocchio.
The Velveteen Rabbit
This British novel chronicles the escape of a bunch (yes, that's the proper term of venery for a group of them) of rabbits from their home and their search for a new one amid many challenges that test their freedom and loyalty.
Watership Down by Richard Adams (Hardcover)
Whimsical Designs
Celebrating small pets as told through the imaginations and artistry of creatives.
Who knew that cavies could be such romantic creatures?
W2A Guinea Pigs in Love Exchange a Red Rose Trinket Tray
Now you’re bookin’! Talk about being engrossed in what you’re doing. Guinea pigs reading books under big red mushrooms … oh Alice, we've really fallen down the rabbit hole!
W2A Guinea Pigs Reading Under Red Mushrooms Drawstring Bag
If you're not acquainted with famous painting “The Scream”, well, let this panicking hamster educate you.
W2A Hamster Screams in the Style of Edvard Munch Mouse Pad
With a party-ready hamster lifting a tasty cupcake that's almost as big as itself and wishing the celebrant a Hamsterrific Birthday, this collection is the punny way to celebrate your little one's birthday!
W2A Kids' Birthdays: Cute Have a Hamsterrific Birthday! Party Collection
My humorous homage to an iconic 80s rapper who had a penchant for shiny golden floodpants.
W2A MC Hamster Rapper with Golden Baggy Pants Tri-Blend Shirt
An homage to the 60s and 70s, done with hamsters in groovy threads and striking dramatic poses. The ABBA of their day? ;)
W2A Peace. Love. Bellbottoms. Hamster Supergroup Throw Pillow
Celebrate a magically unforgettable birthday and put your little one in the spotlight with this spectacular design, which features a pair of bunny magicians dressed in top hats and tuxedoes and casting spells on a star-studded stage.
W2A Kids' Birthdays: Magical Rabbits on Stage Party Collection
If you're somebunny who wants to rock it at the bowling alley (and you're tired of seeing designs with pins being hit by a bowling ball), then this is the shirt for you.
KD Bowling Bunny Rabbit Bowler T-Shirt