Small animal food
Hay should make up the largest part of most small animals' diets, particularly rabbits and guinea pigs, with a measured amount of a complementary mix and occasional fresh treats making up the rest. The range here covers all three, along with the specific care items some small pets need.
Hay as the foundation
Burgess Excel Long Stem Feeding Hay is built to be the bulk of a rabbit or guinea pig's daily diet, and unlimited access to good quality hay matters more for their digestive and dental health than almost anything else in the range.
Hay wears down continuously growing teeth naturally through the chewing action, which is one of the main reasons vets recommend it makes up the majority of the diet rather than a smaller supporting role.
Complementary food and mixes
A measured portion of a complementary food, such as Best Furry Friend's small animal fruit mix or Natural Nibbles Flower Forage Mix, adds variety and nutrients that hay alone does not fully cover, but it should stay a smaller part of the diet than hay itself.
Muesli-style mixes allow selective eating, where an animal picks out the tastiest bits and leaves the rest, so a uniform pelleted food is sometimes recommended instead if your pet is prone to this.
Fresh treats and care
Fresh treats should be occasional rather than daily, and introduced gradually, since a sudden change in diet can upset a small animal's digestion more noticeably than it would a dog or cat, so patience matters here more than variety.
Species-specific supplements, like Komodo's calcium supplement for herbivorous reptiles or a salt lick for rabbits and guinea pigs, cover specific nutritional gaps that a general diet does not always meet on its own, particularly for an animal kept mostly indoors.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Adjustable Tortoise Harness and Lead
An adjustable harness and lead set sized for tortoises and turtles, for safe garden adventures.
£7.99
Four Flags Quick Ferret Muzzle — Grooming & Handling Aid
A temporary, reliable muzzle designed specifically for ferrets — useful for grooming, medicating, and routine handling.
£14.99
Hamster Exercise Ball
A clear rolling exercise ball that lets your hamster roam and stay active safely around the home, with ventilation slots and a secure lid. Supplied in a random colour.
£7.99
Rabbit No-Rinse Dry-Cleaning Foam
A no-rinse foam that gently cleans and freshens your rabbit's coat between full washes, no water needed.
£7.99
PawHut 12-Panel Small Animal Playpen for Guinea Pigs, 105cm, White
Twelve 45 x 35cm panels and multi-angle connectors that build a 105 x 105cm open pen at 45cm high, for evening floor time with guinea pigs or hedgehogs.
£35.99
Poultry Nappy Harness for Chickens, Ducks & Geese
A washable fabric nappy harness for house poultry, catching droppings to keep your home clean.
From£7.99
Hanging Cage Hammock for Small Pets
A soft sherpa-lined cage hammock that gives small pets a warm, lofted spot to curl up.
From£8.99
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Selective Naturals Woodland Loops
Dandelion and rosehip flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Orchard Loops
Apple-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Meadow Loops
Pea-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Common questions
- How much hay should a rabbit or guinea pig eat?
- Roughly their own body size in hay, available at all times, should make up the largest part of their diet. It supports digestion and continuously wears down their teeth, which is why unlimited access matters more than a measured daily amount.
- Is muesli-style food bad for rabbits?
- It allows selective eating, where an animal picks out favourite pieces and leaves the rest, which can lead to an unbalanced diet over time. A uniform pelleted food is often recommended instead, alongside plenty of hay.
- How often should I give fresh treats to a small pet?
- Occasionally rather than daily, and introduced gradually, since a sudden change can upset a small animal's digestion more than it might a dog or cat. Treat them as an addition, not a replacement for hay and their main food.
- Do small pets need supplements?
- Some do — for example, certain reptiles need a calcium supplement that a general diet does not fully provide. Check what is specifically recommended for your species rather than assuming every small pet needs the same additions.
Related
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.