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New Small Pet Guide
Need help figuring out what you need to care for your new hamster, rabbit, gerbil, guinea pig or other small pet? We’ve got you covered. Our expert tips and shopping guide will help you navigate pet parenthood.
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Habitat Space: The Bigger the Better
Your small pet’s habitat is their entire living space. Giving them enough space to rest, run, eat, play and use the restroom will help your new pet thrive!
- Select a habitat designed specifically for your new pet. Set it up in a temperature-controlled environment away from drafts.
- Provide at least one hideout per animal so they have a safe space to rest.
- Provide two sources of water, refreshed daily. Offering both a sipper bottle and tip-proof bowl will help keep track of your pet’s daily water intake.
- Provide an adequate layer of bedding or small pet-specific litter. Did you know rabbits and other small pets can be trained to use a litter pan?
- Offer herbivores unlimited hay using a hay manger or feeder along with loose piles of hay to encourage foraging behavior.
TIP: In addition to having a large living space, your pet will greatly benefit from regular access to a pet-proofed area outside of their enclosure. Allow them to safely explore by keeping potentially harmful household items (cords, plants, upholstery) out of reach.
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Nutrition: What’s on the menu for my small pet?
Nutrition: What’s on the menu for my small pet?
Small pet nutrition will vary based on species and age. It’s important to choose a species-specific diet, as each species have different nutritional requirements. Life stage diets can help support nutritional needs through your new pet’s developmental stages.
- Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are herbivores, which means they only eat plant material. Offer them unlimited hay along with appropriate amounts of species-specific fortified foods.
- Hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal material. Their diet will mainly consist of fortified food.
- Ferrets are carnivores, which means they get their essential nutrients from animal-based diets. Their diet should consist mainly of high protein from meat sources.
- Young, growing, pregnant or lactating animals have higher nutrient requirements and need an alfalfa-based pellet. Adult herbivores need a grass hay-based food to provide nutrients while preventing obesity.
TIP: In addition to food, your pet should have two sources of water in their habitat, refreshed daily. Offer both a sipper bottle and tip-proof bowl and monitor your pet’s water intake each day.
TIP: Your new ferret must remain on Marshall Premium Diet to keep their 1 year guarantee valid, refer to your Marshall Ferret Pamphlet given to you at time of purchase for more details.
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Nutrition: Fortified Foods
Offer a high-quality, species-specific food to ensure your pet receives essential protein and energy sources in every bite. Food also offers micronutrients not found in hay, even though hay plays a vital role in the herbivore diet. Uniform diets help to discourage selective eating while decreasing the risk of obesity and nutrition imbalances.
TIP: When transitioning your small pet to a new food, especially a uniform diet, follow the recommended guidelines on the bag and allow four weeks to make the transition.
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- Rabbit Diets
- Guinea Pig Diets
- Chinchilla Diets
- Hamster & Gerbil Diets
- Mouse & Rat Diets
- Ferret Diets
Nutrition - The Importance of Hay
Hay is vital to your herbivore’s health and should make up at least 70% of every rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla’s diet. Feed a variety of hays in unlimited quantities to promote:
- Digestive health – Fiber and gut motility along with a healthy weight
- Dental health – Proper dental wear for “open-rooted” teeth
- Mental health – Encourages natural foraging behavior
Just like proper life stage foods, Alfalfa Hay is recommended for certain stages in your pet’s life. It’s a legume, making it higher in protein and calcium, which is ideal for young, nursing or pregnant animals.
TIP: All grass hays are nutritionally similar. You can spice up your pet’s mealtime by mixing in a different type of grass hay than they normally eat.
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Nutrition: Tempt them with treats
Whether you’re rewarding your pet for being adorable or you need an incentive for training, treats (including species-appropriate fruits and veggies) can be a great way to strengthen your bond and encourage physical and mental enrichment. Keep in mind they don’t provide essential nutrients and should be fed in moderation.
- Offer treats only after basic daily foods have been eaten since too many treats can cause pets to refuse healthy, essential food and hay.
- Fresh greens are an important part of the daily diet of herbivores, contributing to hydration and providing important vitamins and minerals. Ask your veterinarian for a list of appropriate fresh foods to feed your pet.
TIP: Try hiding your pet’s treat in their habitat to encourage natural foraging behavior. Underneath their hay pile is a perfect spot!
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Nutrition - Understanding Supplements
Even with a balanced diet, some pets require a little extra support. While never a substitute for veterinary care, supplements can assist with common ailments or special dietary needs.
Why feed supplements?
- Aid with diet-related health conditions
- Aid with chronic health conditions that need long-term support
- Improve quality of life
TIP: Guinea Pigs cannot produce Vitamin C and require it daily from their food or as a tablet supplement.
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Providing Playtime Enrichment
Enrich your pet's daily life by supporting natural behaviors such as exploring, playing, hiding and chewing. Encouraging activity can improve your bond with your pet and promote physical activity. Shop toys and more to entertain your hamster, guinea pig, chinchilla or other small pet.
- Chewing: Most small pets will chew on almost anything, so it’s important to provide safe, enriching options. Rotating natural chews and providing an assortment can help prevent unhealthy, boredom-based behaviors.
- Playing: In addition to the fun that play provides, there are numerous health benefits associated with daily play. Chews that make noise are fun for interactive play.
- Hiding: As prey species by nature, small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are wired to hide from predators. It’s important to support this instinct by providing safe hideouts for your pet.
- Exploring: Meeting your pet’s instinctual exploration behaviors starts with providing a variety of fun challenges in the form of natural toys, play centers and structures. Place these items throughout your pet’s living space to encourage exploration.
TIP: The more space your pet has for play, the better! Pets with access to large play areas will be more likely to be physically active and less prone to obesity. Set up your pet’s space with obstacle courses involving toys, play centers and more.
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Small Pet Dental Health
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small herbivores are expert chewers with teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Dental disease is common in these species, but often preventable through proper diet and care.
- Grass hay is the ideal, high fiber material to provide healthy dental wear. Always follow feeding recommendations on pellets, as overfeeding can limit your pet’s interest in hay.
- Providing ample materials to satisfy instinctual chewing behavior can help prevent dental overgrowth. Chews made with woven hay, untreated wood, apple sticks and other natural materials are great for helping keep your pet’s teeth healthy.
TIP: Other small pet health concerns include obesity and Gastrointestinal Stasis, a serious condition that occurs when the digestive system slows down or stops completely. Observe your pet every day, making note of any changes to his or her
Daily Small Pet Care
Maintaining a daily routine is a great way to decrease stress on your small pet and promote healthy habits.
Making a pet care checklist is an easy way to provide a visual reminder of your daily routine. It can help you be a more informed pet parent, tracking health and behavior trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. Daily care checklists can be especially helpful if you have children or multiple people sharing in caring for your pet.
TIP: Tasks such as deep cleaning your pet’s enclosure and washing water bottles should be completed weekly, while nail trims and more thorough at-home wellness exams should be completed monthly.
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