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Small Animal Advice and Guides
Dogs
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Read MoreWhat Every Small Animal Owner Needs
Small animals are often underestimated as pets. Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and their kin are genuinely complex animals with real welfare needs that go well beyond a basic cage and a bowl of pellets. Getting the essentials right from the start makes an enormous difference to your animal’s health, happiness and behaviour.
Housing and environment
The right housing is the foundation of good small animal welfare, and for many species the standard options sold in supermarkets and toy shops fall well short of what is actually needed.
- The right cage or hutch must provide adequate space for your specific species: rabbits in particular need far more room than traditional hutches allow, with a minimum recommended floor area of 3 metres by 2 metres
- Enrichment within the enclosure is just as important as its size: tunnels, hideouts and foraging opportunities support natural behaviours and prevent the boredom that leads to stress and health problems
- Bedding must be appropriate to the species and replaced regularly to maintain hygiene and comfort throughout the enclosure
Accessories and everyday essentials
Beyond housing, a few everyday accessories make a significant practical difference to how easy your small animal is to care for and how comfortable they are day to day.
- Food bowls, water bottles and hay racks keep the enclosure tidy and make feeding more hygienic and straightforward
- Exercise equipment such as wheels for hamsters and gerbils, and play tunnels for rabbits and guinea pigs, provides essential physical activity that cage space alone cannot replace
- Healthcare and grooming products support ongoing health, coat condition and hygiene between veterinary visits
Small Animal Essentials in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle Pets stocks a full range of small animal essentials for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas and more in our Newcastle-under-Lyme store and online. As an independent shop, we give genuine, species-specific guidance rather than pointing you at whatever happens to be on the shelf.
- Our in-store team can advise on the right products for your specific animal and enclosure setup
- We stock a full range of housing, bedding, toys, accessories and healthcare products
- Free local delivery is available for Newcastle-under-Lyme customers
Frequently Asked Questions
For a new rabbit you will need appropriate housing with a minimum floor area of 3 metres by 2 metres, bedding and unlimited hay, a food bowl, water bottle, hay rack, enrichment toys and rabbit-appropriate pellet food. Our team can help you build the right setup for your space and budget.
Hamsters need a cage with a deep base for burrowing of at least 30cm depth, paper-based bedding at least 15cm deep, a solid-surface exercise wheel, a food bowl, a water bottle, at least one hideout and hamster-specific food. Our team can advise on appropriate setups in store.
Yes, we stock a wide range of small animal essentials and accessories in our Newcastle-under-Lyme store and online. Free local delivery is available for Newcastle-under-Lyme customers.