Small Mammal Care Guide
Everything a first-time small mammal owner needs to know — from setting up the cage to daily care, feeding, behaviour, and common mistakes to avoid. Covers hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, and mice.
18–24°C
Ideal temperature
80%
Hay for grazers
Daily
Spot clean cage
1–7 yrs
Lifespan varies
Setting Up Your Pet's Home
Cage Size
For a single small mammal (hamster, gerbil, mouse), a minimum of 60×40cm floor space. For guinea pigs, aim for at least 120×60cm for a pair. Floor space matters more than height.
Solid Flooring
Wire-bottom floors cause sore feet (bumblefoot). Always use solid flooring — deep enough for burrowing bedding.
Bedding
Use paper-based bedding, aspen shavings, or hay. Never use cedar or pine shavings — the oils are toxic to small mammals' respiratory systems.
Hideaways
Small mammals are prey animals — they need at least one enclosed hide where they feel safe. Provide multiple hides if you have more than one pet.
Exercise Wheel
A solid-surface wheel (not wire) is essential for hamsters and mice. Size matters: a hamster wheel should be at least 20cm diameter to prevent back arching.
Placement
Keep the cage in a quiet, draught-free room at 18–24°C. Avoid direct sunlight and damp areas. Keep away from other pets like cats and dogs.
Feeding Your Small Mammal
Hamsters & Gerbils
A quality commercial seed/grain mix or pellet food as the base. Supplement with small amounts of fresh veg (cucumber, carrot, broccoli) and occasional protein (mealworms, boiled egg).
Guinea Pigs
Unlimited Timothy hay (80% of diet), a small daily portion of guinea pig pellets, and a cup of fresh leafy greens daily. Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C — include bell peppers, kale, or broccoli.
Rats & Mice
A quality lab block or pellet as the base. Supplement with small amounts of fresh fruit, veg, and occasional protein. Rats are omnivores and enjoy variety.
Rabbits (if included)
Unlimited grass hay (80% of diet), a small handful of pellets daily, and a variety of fresh leafy greens. Limit sugary fruits and root vegetables.
Fresh Water
Provide fresh water daily in a sipper bottle and/or heavy ceramic bowl. Check the bottle daily that it's not blocked — small mammals dehydrate quickly.
Never Feed These
Chocolate, onion, garlic, avocado, raw beans, citrus (for some species), and sugary or salty human snacks are harmful. Research your specific species carefully.
Understanding Small Mammal Behaviour
Nocturnal Activity
Hamsters, gerbils, and rats are most active at night. Don't be alarmed if your pet sleeps all day — this is normal. Respect their sleep schedule.
Chewing Everything
Rodents' teeth never stop growing — they must chew to wear them down. Provide safe chew toys (wood, cardboard, mineral blocks) to prevent dental problems.
Barbering (Fur Chewing)
If a small mammal chews its own or another's fur, it may indicate stress, boredom, or overcrowding. Review cage size, enrichment, and social needs.
Squeaking & Vocalising
Guinea pigs are very vocal — wheeks, purrs, and rumbles are normal communication. Hamsters are usually quiet — sudden vocalising can mean distress.
Hiding & Freezing
Small mammals may freeze when scared — this is a prey instinct. Give them time to settle and approach gently. Never grab a frightened pet from above.
Bar Chewing
Persistent bar chewing indicates boredom or a too-small cage. Provide more enrichment, a larger cage, or more out-of-cage exercise time.
Daily Care Routine
- Refill food dish and change water every day.
- Remove soiled bedding and spot-clean the cage daily.
- Provide fresh hay for grazing species (guinea pigs, rabbits).
- Offer supervised out-of-cage time in a safe, enclosed area.
- Spend time near the cage talking gently to build trust.
- Check your pet visually: bright eyes, clean coat, active behaviour = healthy.
Weekly Maintenance
- Do a full cage clean — wash the base with pet-safe disinfectant, rinse and dry.
- Replace all bedding with fresh substrate.
- Wash food bowls, water bottles, and hides with hot soapy water.
- Inspect chew toys — replace worn-out ones to keep teeth healthy.
- Check nails — trim if overgrown, or consult a vet if unsure.
- Weigh your pet weekly — sudden weight loss can be an early health warning.
Great Small Mammals for Beginners
Syrian Hamster
Largest and friendliest hamster — strictly solitary. Must live alone. Great for beginners. Lives 2–3 years.
Guinea Pig
Social and gentle — must live in pairs or groups. Talkative and interactive. Lives 5–7 years.
Gerbil
Active and curious — best kept in same-sex pairs. Very clean and produces little odour. Lives 3–4 years.
Rat
Highly intelligent and affectionate — they bond closely with owners. Must live in pairs. Lives 2–3 years.
Mouse
Small and active — best in same-sex groups. Can be skittish but tame down with patience. Lives 1.5–2.5 years.
Dwarf Hamster
Smaller and faster than Syrians — some can live in pairs if introduced early. Lives 1.5–2 years.
Things to Do
- Research your chosen species — each has very different needs.
- Provide the largest cage you have space for.
- Offer species-appropriate bedding — never cedar or pine shavings.
- Provide plenty of chew toys to keep teeth healthy.
- Handle your pet gently and regularly to build trust.
- Find an exotic-savvy vet before you need one.
Things to Avoid
- Don't house Syrian hamsters together — they will fight seriously.
- Don't use cedar or pine shavings — the oils cause respiratory damage.
- Don't use cotton wool or fluffy bedding — it can cause intestinal blockages.
- Don't pick up small mammals from above — it mimics a predator attack.
- Don't bathe small mammals in water — they can catch cold easily. Use sand baths for species that need them.
- Don't ignore changes in eating, drinking, or activity — small mammals go downhill fast when ill.
When Something's Wrong
Small mammals hide illness instinctively — by the time symptoms are visible, they're often very unwell. If your pet is not eating or drinking, lethargic, hunched, has diarrhoea, a wet bottom, discharge from eyes or nose, or difficulty breathing, contact an exotic-savvy vet immediately. These are emergency signs and delays can be fatal.
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