small & Exotic Pets Care Guide
Hamster
Exercise:
Minimum 80x50cm floor space — larger is always better. Syrian hamsters must be kept alone. Use deep substrate (15-20cm minimum) for burrowing. Provide a wheel of at least 28cm diameter to prevent spinal issues.
Grooming:
Short-haired hamsters are self-grooming. Long-haired (Teddy Bear) hamsters may need gentle brushing. Never bathe in water — use chinchilla sand for dust baths instead. Check teeth and nails monthly.
Diet:
High-quality hamster mix with seeds, grains, and pellets. Supplement with small amounts of fresh vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, and carrot. Avoid citrus, onion, and sugary fruits. Fresh water must always be available.
Guinea Pig
Exercise:
Minimum 120x60cm for a pair — guinea pigs must never be kept alone. They are social animals and will develop depression in isolation. Provide hay at all times as it should make up 80% of their diet and keeps their gut moving.
Grooming:
Brush short-haired breeds weekly, long-haired breeds daily. Trim nails every 4-6 weeks. Check ears and eyes regularly. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own Vitamin C — deficiency is a leading cause of illness.
Diet:
Unlimited timothy hay, fresh leafy greens daily (romaine, kale, parsley), and a small amount of quality pellets. Provide fresh bell pepper or other Vitamin C-rich food daily. Avoid iceberg lettuce, potatoes, and dairy.
Rabbit
Exercise:
Minimum 180x60cm enclosure or free-roam a bunny-proofed room. Rabbits need several hours of exercise daily outside their enclosure. Provide a litter box — rabbits can be litter trained. Keep away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
Grooming:
Brush weekly (daily during moulting season). Never bathe rabbits — they can go into shock. Trim nails every 6-8 weeks. Check teeth regularly — overgrown teeth (malocclusion) are common and require vet attention.
Diet:
Unlimited timothy hay is the foundation of their diet. Fresh leafy greens daily — romaine, parsley, cilantro, and basil. Pellets in small amounts only. Avoid sugary fruits, starchy vegetables, and muesli-style mixes.
Chinchilla
Exercise:
Minimum 100x60x120cm tall cage — chinchillas are agile jumpers and need vertical space. Temperature must be kept below 25°C; they are extremely prone to heatstroke, making a cool environment critical in the UAE. Never expose to humidity above 50%.
Grooming:
Provide chinchilla dust baths 2-3 times a week for 10-15 minutes — this is essential for coat health. Never use water. Brush gently if needed. Chinchillas have extremely dense fur — check for fur rings around the genitals in males.
Diet:
Unlimited timothy hay as the dietary base. Small amounts of quality chinchilla pellets daily. Occasional treats like dried rose hips or a small piece of dried fruit — no more than once or twice a week. Avoid sugary, fatty, or moist foods.
Hedgehog
Exercise:
Minimum 90x60cm enclosure. Hedgehogs are solitary and must be kept alone. Provide a solid-surface wheel (no mesh) of at least 30cm — they run up to 5km per night. Maintain temperature at 22-26°C; below 20°C can trigger hibernation attempts which are dangerous in African Pygmy hedgehogs.
Grooming:
Bathe in shallow warm water monthly or when dirty using a soft toothbrush to clean quills. Dry thoroughly after bathing. Trim nails every 4-6 weeks. Check for dry skin — coconut oil applied sparingly can help.
Diet:
High-quality, low-fat cat kibble as a base (look for chicken as the first ingredient, under 15% fat). Supplement with insects like mealworms and crickets as treats. Offer small amounts of cooked chicken or vegetables. Avoid dairy, grapes, raisins, and citrus.
Sugar Glider
Exercise:
Minimum 60x60x90cm tall cage with bar spacing no more than 1.2cm. Sugar gliders are nocturnal and social — must be kept in pairs or groups. Provide a nest pouch for sleeping. They need significant out-of-cage bonding time daily with their owner.
Grooming:
Self-grooming animals — minimal intervention needed. Trim nails every 4-6 weeks as they can get caught in cage bars. Males have a scent gland on the forehead that is normal and should not be cleaned excessively.
Diet:
The BML (Bourbon's Modified Leadbeater's) diet or a commercially prepared sugar glider diet is recommended. Supplement with 50% fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, chocolate, caffeine, and anything high in oxalates like spinach in large quantities.