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.
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
Vetiq Healthy Bites Odour Care Small Animal Treats
VETIQ Healthy Bites Odour Care Small Animal Treats: small-animal treats with wheat flour — 30G
£1.87
Vetiq Healthy Bites Immunity Care Small Animal Treats
An immunity-support treat for small animals, with echinacea and inulin added
£1.87
Vetiq Healthy Bites Dental Care Small Animal Treats
A dental-support treat for small animals, with species-specific daily feeding limits
£1.87
Supa Small Animal Banana Chips
Honey-coated banana chips for small animals, an occasional treat only
£3.75
Vitakraft Small Animal Drops - Yoghurt
Vitakraft Small Animal Drops - Yoghurt: small-animal yoghurt drops with sugar — 75G
£2.70
Supa Small Animal Pineapple Melange
A dried pineapple and papaya treat for rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters
£5.39
Vitakraft Small Animal Drops - Wildberry
Small bite-sized berry drops for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, no added sugar.
£2.70
Vitakraft Small Animal Drops Carrot
Carrot-flavour drops for small animals, a low-sugar treat fed a few at a time
£2.70
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
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.