How often should I clean a small pet's cage?

A full clean and bedding change is generally needed weekly, with spot-cleaning of soiled areas in between. A damp or dirty base can encourage bacteria and become uncomfortable faster than it might look at first glance.

Do rabbits and guinea pigs need chew toys?

Yes, genuinely. Many small animals have teeth that grow continuously throughout their life, and regular gnawing on safe items like willow sticks helps wear them down naturally, alongside a good diet of hay.

Is a water bottle better than a bowl for small pets?

Generally yes, since a bottle keeps water cleaner for longer and is harder to tip over or foul with bedding. Check it daily to make sure the ball or nozzle is still working properly.

What bedding is best for a small pet with a sensitive nose?

Paper-based bedding is generally less dusty than traditional wood shavings and tends to suit animals with more sensitive respiratory systems better, though every animal is a little different in what it tolerates.

Small animal accessories

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets need more setting up than their size suggests — a secure water bottle, comfortable bedding and something to chew or explore all matter for day-to-day welfare, not just appearance in the cage or hutch.

Water and feeding

A gravity water bottle, such as the Classic Crystal Deluxe Bottle, keeps water cleaner for longer than an open bowl, which small animals can tip over or foul with bedding, and is worth checking daily to make sure it is still dripping freely.

A dish like the Classic Colortone Midi suits dry food and treats, and having separate containers for water and food reduces the chance of one contaminating the other.

Bedding and comfort

Paper-based bedding, such as Safe Bed Paper Shavings or Back 2 Nature Animal Bedding, is generally more absorbent and less dusty than traditional wood shavings, which matters for animals with sensitive respiratory systems living in an enclosed hutch or cage.

Bedding needs changing regularly rather than topped up, since a damp or soiled base is uncomfortable and can encourage bacteria to build up faster than most owners expect, particularly in warmer months.

Toys and enrichment

Something to chew, like Happy Pet's Willow Sticks, is not just entertainment — many small animals, particularly rabbits and guinea pigs, have teeth that grow continuously and need regular gnawing to wear down naturally, alongside a hay-rich diet.

A Zorb N Orb or similar foraging toy encourages natural behaviours like digging and exploring, which helps prevent boredom in an animal that would naturally spend much of its day foraging in the wild rather than sitting in one spot.

In this section

Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.

Ancol Small Animal Nail Clipper

12cm nail clippers for small pets, with a groove in the blade to judge how much to cut

£7.49

Ancol Ergo Small Animal Double Comb

A double-sided comb for small pets, with coarse and fine teeth for detangling and smoothing

£6.79

Ancol Small Animal Food Ball

A hanging ball that turns hay or chopped veg into a small foraging game

£3.79

FURminator Undercoat DeShedding Tool for Small Animal

A stainless steel deShedding tool for small animals, for 10-20 minutes of use a week

£30.03

Ancol Small Animal Slicker

A slicker brush sized and pinned for small pets such as rabbits, not scaled from a dog brush

£7.99

Ancol Small Animal Bristle Brush

A bristle grooming brush sized for rabbits and other small pets, in recyclable cardboard packaging

£6.79

Supa Bird Small Animal Carry Box

Supa standard flat-pack card carry-home box for small pets

£0.85

Ancol Burrow & Squeak Small Animal Acorn Hide

A ceramic hide for small pets, around 12 x 15cm, for a naturally cool retreat

£7.49

Little Friends Small Animal Castle

Little Friends plywood small-animal castle, 20 x 8 x 7CM

£6.59

Small Animal Grooming Kit

Small animal nail clippers, Johnson's small animal shampoo and tea tree cream for routine grooming of rabbits and guinea pigs.

£13.99

Country Values Bedding Hay for Small Animals

Country Values dust-extracted bedding hay for small animals, 1KG

£3.42

Vetiq Healthy Bites Nutri Booster Small Animal Treats

VETIQ Healthy Bites Nutri Booster Small animal Treats: small-animal treats with wheat flour — 30G

£1.87

Browse all of Small Pet Accessories →

Common questions

How often should I clean a small pet's cage?: A full clean and bedding change is generally needed weekly, with spot-cleaning of soiled areas in between. A damp or dirty base can encourage bacteria and become uncomfortable faster than it might look at first glance.
Do rabbits and guinea pigs need chew toys?: Yes, genuinely. Many small animals have teeth that grow continuously throughout their life, and regular gnawing on safe items like willow sticks helps wear them down naturally, alongside a good diet of hay.
Is a water bottle better than a bowl for small pets?: Generally yes, since a bottle keeps water cleaner for longer and is harder to tip over or foul with bedding. Check it daily to make sure the ball or nozzle is still working properly.
What bedding is best for a small pet with a sensitive nose?: Paper-based bedding is generally less dusty than traditional wood shavings and tends to suit animals with more sensitive respiratory systems better, though every animal is a little different in what it tolerates.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.