My Favorites for Small Animals

Favorite Products and Tips for Your Small Furry Friends!

Are you looking for the best products and tips to care for your beloved small animals like guinea pigs, skinny pigs, and gerbils? Here are some of the things I have learned.

Guinea Pigs and Skinny Pigs:

1. Spacious Cages: Ensure your guinea pigs have plenty of room to roam and explore, and ensure you have a proper cage, both in size and material. Consider a large exercise area that is safe.

2. Nutritious Food: Provide pellets and a variety of appropriate vegetables daily (I feed mine twice). Appropriate fruits can be provided as treats once in a while. Provide high-quality hay for your guinea pigs to munch on throughout the day, this should be their staple.

3. Water: Ensure clean water is always available. I use one that can attach to the side of the cage, but check frequently for any chewing and clean it regularly.

4. Cozy Hideouts: Offer cozy hideouts for your skinny pigs to snuggle up and feel secure.

5. A Rotation of Toys: Toys are necessary to prevent boredom and keep your piggy happy. You can make your own with paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes with holes cut out, or purchase suitable toys. Mine love grass and wooden tunnels/mats. Do not use exercise wheels.

6. Attention: My piggies love to have me rub gently on their nose, under their chin or on their sides. I avoid petting them on their backs. They also love to be held and snuggle, but ensure your hand is always securely under their bum.

7. Clean Regularly: Piggies poop a lot! Their cages need to be kept clean for their health. I have tried putting guinea pig disposable liners down (like dog training pee pads) with bedding, and it works, but it is hard to get the daily poop out, and when you clean you are throwing everything away (can be more costly). I have tried the Cage Liners (see below), and prefer these. I can sweep and remove the poop daily, and these can be washed in your machine (hand dry recommended). Have a few on hand and you can easily swap them out.

8. Trim Nails: Get a nail trimmer suited for guinea pigs. I clip monthly but monitor in case it needs to be done more often. I just take a bit off of the end, ensuring not to hit the quick.

Gerbils:

1. Exercise Wheels: Keep your gerbils active and entertained with a safe exercise wheel.

2. Chew Toys: Provide a variety of chew toys to keep your gerbils' teeth healthy and prevent boredom.

3. Sand Bath: Set up a sand bath area for your gerbils to roll around and keep their fur clean.

4. Fresh food and water: I use both Extrusion and Gerbil food and keep some in their food bowls at all times.

5. Ensure a suitable cage: I love the 2-tiered cages that have a plastic bucket in the bottom where you can put the bedding and some toys (mine re-arrange), and an upper cage section with ladders/levels for their food, water and wheel.

6. Clean: Clean their cage regularly and replace bedding.

I hope my favorite products and tips will help you keep your small furry friends happy and healthy! Embrace the joy of pet ownership and inspire others to do the same. Live each day to the fullest with your adorable companions by your side.

Disclaimer:  I only share products that I have personally used.  As an Amazon associate, I earn commissions from some of the products listed on this site that take you to Amazon.  Products will open in new windows.