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Pet Tips
In this section I will be nerding out on my favourite pet care knowledge!
Basic Hamster Care
I am a self proclaimed hamster nerd! I love to talk about the new standards of hamster care and making sure everyone gives their hamster the best life possible!
Habitat
This biggest misconception about hamsters is they only need a tiny cage to live in. This is completely untrue! All hamsters (including dwarfs) have a minimum cage requirement of 100cm x 50cm x 50cm. This is universal across the RSPCA, Blue Cross and other small animal charities. A hamster in the wild will run about 8 miles a day so they need lots of space to run around freely, rather than kept in a cage that will give them no enrichment.
A few cages I recommend:
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Bucatstate 2.0 or 3.0 (I have the 120cm 3.0!)
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Pawhut (115 x 57 version)
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Savic plaza 100 or 120 with screen replacements
They ideally want cages without bars as bar climbing can be a stress sign for hamsters. But if you have a barred cage, you can cover this up with seagrass matts or even cardboard!
Now onto their bedding. You want to have at least 8 inches of uninterrupted compact bedding in their cage. I prefer paper based bedding (carefresh) but there are lots of options that avoid shavings!
Cage enrichment
There are lots of things that a hamster needs as basic care in their cage. This includes:
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A wheel (at least 28cm for syrian's or 21cm for dwarf's)
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Sand bath (I use desert reptile sand)
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Dig box (reptile coco soil)
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Sprays (millet, flax seed etc)
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3 different textures (beach chips etc.)
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Hides (you can find alot in b&m)
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A multi chamber hide
While this seems like a lot of things for such a small animal, you have to remember that their whole life is in this cage so you want to make them as comfortable as possible!
Things to avoid and alternatives
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Hamster balls - they can get very stressed in balls and typically they make their backs bend too much. I recommend getting a pet paddling pool and setting up some toys in there for them.
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Dyed chews - a lot of dyed products contain ingredients that are harmful to hamsters. I recommend giving small amounts of veg or twiggy treats like apple or willow wood
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Waking them up - This can really break the bond you have with your hamster as they are nocturnal creatures that sleep during the day. Instead, wait for them to wake up in the evening and offer them a treat before asking for playtime.
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Letting young children handle them - while every child is different, I have seen a lot of children bitten by a stressed/uncomfortable hamster. Instead, always have an adult handle the hamster and put them in a play pen with the child on the floor. Make sure the child makes no sudden movements as hamsters have very limited sight.
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Funding pet mills/unethical breeding - Avoid buying your hamsters from Pet shops as these hamsters are over bred for profit. Instead look at adopting a hamster or looking for ethical breeders in your area
This has just been a crash course in hamster care. I'm more than happy for you to message me over on instagram or Facebook if you'd like any more help or pictures of my set up :)
Basic rabbit care
Rabbits are arguably one of the hardest small animals to look after. Over 100,000 rabbits each year end up in rescues. Over easter, 80% of rabbits bought, within a year are either in a rescue or die due to the lack of knowledge.
Habitat
Rabbits require a lot of space, at least 3mx 2m. This is why we suggest staying away from hutches from pet stores as these never meet minimum standards. I personally have an indoor bunny as this is how he's most comfortable. He free roams my bedroom and sometimes gets access to the whole house when we are home. However, a few people make sheds into suitable rabbit enclosures.
What a lot of people don't know about rabbits is they can be fully litter trained like cats! There's lots of different methods you can do, so find the one that works best for you! I use paper based cat litter for my rabbit.
Food
Rabbits diet is mostly made up of hay. I personally have a subscription with HayDay which has always been a good quality and easily delivered to my house.
Rabbits shouldn't have a muesli as this typically isn't a good choice for them. Pellets are a much better option, I use excel burgess nuggets.
Greens are also an important part of a rabbits diet. I mostly use romaine hearts lettuce, parsley, coriander and mint. But there are other good options for them to have.
Fruits and veggies are typically very high in sugar so these should only be given in small amounts as treats. Always google what you're giving them before just to double check its safe.
Company
Rabbits are social animals so they want another bun to keep them company at all times. It's easier to get rabbits that are already bonded as the bonding process can be difficult. However if you do want to bond a bunny you already have, the best pairing is a neutered male/female duo. Neutering not only stops unwanted babies, but it also helps reduce cancer risk, reduce unwanted behaviours and overall is worth it!
Overall
To conclude, rabbits are such rewarding pets that are a great addition to the household. But they do require a lot more research and care that I haven't covered.
I'm more than happy for you to message me over on instagram or Facebook if you'd like any more help or pictures of my set up :)
