Rodent: Reliable equipment for cage, food and daily care

Rodent: everything for life with small pets

Guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, degus, rats and mice share your home in a fairly small space. For that to work well you need suitable housing, absorbent bedding and food that matches the species you keep. In this section you will find everything from the cage and the water bottle through to treats, put together for the daily needs of your animals.

Housing, bedding and hygiene

A cage or hutch gives your animals structure and a place to withdraw to. What counts is enough floor space, sturdy bars and a house the animal can disappear into. Bedding soaks up liquid and holds down odour, while hay and straw on top add something to nibble and rummage through. With a scoop, a corner toilet and a fixed cleaning routine the enclosure stays fresh. Hamsters, mice and rats are active at dusk and during the night, so a quiet spot without draughts suits them well.

Food, gnawing material and enrichment

Rodent teeth keep growing throughout life. That is why these animals need food rich in crude fibre and something to gnaw on. For guinea pigs and chinchillas hay is the staple food and should be available at all times, while for hamsters, mice and rats a grain mix comes first. Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C themselves and take it in through their food. Add toys, tunnels and a mineral lick so that life in the enclosure stays interesting.

Frequently asked questions

Which rodents prefer to live in groups?
Guinea pigs and rats are sociable and feel far more comfortable with company. Golden hamsters, by contrast, live alone and need their own enclosure.

How often should the cage be cleaned?
Take out damp corners and the toilet every day. How often you swap all the bedding depends on the number of animals, the size of the cage and the type of bedding.

My animal is behaving differently, what now?
Loss of appetite, listlessness or changes to the coat should be looked at. In cases like these, please contact your vet.