Updated for 2026 | Reading time: 8 minutes
Small pets are fantastic companions — they're adorable, full of personality, and perfect for families, apartments, and people who want the joy of pet ownership without the commitment of a dog or cat. But don't let their size fool you — hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits all have specific care needs that are important to get right.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about caring for Australia's most popular small pets.
Hamster Care Guide
About Hamsters
Hamsters are nocturnal, solitary creatures with big personalities packed into tiny bodies. The most common pet hamster in Australia is the Syrian hamster (also called Golden hamsters), though Dwarf hamsters (Roborovski, Campbell's, and Winter White) are also popular.
Lifespan: 2-3 years | Activity: Nocturnal | Social: Solitary (Syrians must live alone)
Housing
- Minimum cage size: 80cm x 50cm floor space (bigger is always better)
- Bedding: Paper-based or aspen shavings (NEVER cedar or pine — toxic fumes)
- Bedding depth: At least 15-20cm so they can burrow (this is essential for their wellbeing)
- Exercise wheel: Mandatory! At least 20cm diameter for Syrians, 16cm for dwarfs. Must have a solid surface (no wire wheels — they cause bumblefoot)
- Hide houses: At least 2 hiding spots so they feel secure
- Temperature: 18-24C (Australian summers can be dangerous — keep them in an air-conditioned room)
Diet
- Main food: Quality hamster seed mix or pellets
- Fresh veggies: Small amounts of broccoli, cucumber, carrot, spinach (introduce slowly)
- Protein: Small amounts of boiled egg, mealworms, or plain cooked chicken (2-3 times per week)
- Treats: Tiny pieces of fruit (apple, banana, blueberry) — sparingly, as hamsters are prone to diabetes
- Fresh water: Water bottle (changed daily)
- AVOID: Citrus fruits, onion, garlic, chocolate, sugary foods
Enrichment
Hamsters are surprisingly intelligent and need mental stimulation:
- Chew toys (wooden, untreated)
- Tunnels and tubes
- Sand bath (chinchilla sand — NOT dust)
- Scatter feeding (hide food in bedding to encourage foraging)
- DIY mazes from cardboard
Guinea Pig Care Guide
About Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs (cavies) are social, vocal, and wonderfully expressive. They're one of the best small pets for families because they rarely bite, enjoy handling, and have charming personalities. They're also known for popcorning — happy jumping when excited!
Lifespan: 5-8 years | Activity: Diurnal (active during the day) | Social: Must live in pairs or groups
Important: Guinea pigs should NEVER live alone. They are highly social animals and need at least one companion of the same species. Two females or two neutered males are ideal pairings.
Housing
- Minimum size: 120cm x 60cm for two guinea pigs (C and C cages are the gold standard)
- Bedding: Fleece liners (washable, economical) or paper-based bedding
- Location: Indoors or in a protected outdoor area. Australian heat is dangerous — guinea pigs can suffer heatstroke above 26C
- Hide houses: One per guinea pig, plus extras
- No wire floors — causes sore hocks (bumblefoot)
Diet
Guinea pigs have unique dietary needs:
- Unlimited hay: Timothy hay should make up 80% of their diet. Essential for dental health and digestion
- Fresh vegetables: 1 cup per guinea pig daily — capsicum (bell pepper), lettuce (not iceberg), cucumber, herbs
- Vitamin C: Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C (like humans!). Capsicum is the best natural source. Supplement if needed
- Pellets: Small amount of timothy-based pellets daily (1/8 cup per pig)
- Fruit: Small amounts as treats (high sugar)
- AVOID: Iceberg lettuce, potatoes, onion, garlic, avocado, chocolate
Health
- Nail trimming: Every 4-6 weeks
- Dental checks: Watch for drooling, weight loss, or difficulty eating (signs of dental problems)
- Vitamin C deficiency: Watch for rough coat, lethargy, joint swelling
- Find an exotic vet: Not all vets are experienced with guinea pigs. Find one BEFORE you need one
Rabbit Care Guide
About Rabbits
Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate, and full of character. They can be litter-trained, learn their names, and form deep bonds with their humans. However, they're more complex pets than many people realise.
Lifespan: 8-12 years | Activity: Crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk) | Social: Should live in bonded pairs
Housing
- Space: Rabbits need MUCH more space than traditional hutches provide. Minimum 3m x 2m living area, with additional exercise space
- Indoor vs outdoor: Indoor rabbits are increasingly common in Australia (and safer from predators and heat)
- Free-roaming: Many Aussie rabbit owners free-roam their rabbits indoors (like a cat), with a home base area
- Bunny-proofing: Rabbits WILL chew electrical cords. Cover all cables with split tubing
- Litter box: Rabbits can be litter-trained. Use paper-based litter (not clumping cat litter)
- Temperature: Rabbits are very sensitive to heat. Keep below 28C. Australian summers require air conditioning or frozen water bottles for cooling
Diet
- Unlimited hay: Timothy, oaten, or meadow hay should be 80-85% of their diet
- Fresh greens: 2 packed cups per kg of body weight daily — bok choy, herbs (parsley, coriander, basil), endive, kale
- Pellets: Small amount only (1/4 cup per 2kg rabbit). High-fibre, timothy-based pellets
- Water: Both a water bottle AND a bowl (rabbits prefer bowls but bottles are backup)
- AVOID: Lettuce (limited), bread, pasta, seeds, nuts, chocolate, avocado, onion
Health and Desexing
- Desexing: Essential for both males and females. Prevents reproductive cancers (up to 80% of undesexed female rabbits develop uterine cancer by age 5), reduces hormonal behaviour, and allows bonding
- Vaccinations: Calicivirus (RHDV) vaccination is essential in Australia. Discuss with your vet
- Dental care: Unlimited hay keeps teeth worn down naturally
- GI stasis: A potentially fatal condition. If your rabbit stops eating or pooping, see a vet immediately
Enrichment for All Small Pets
Enrichment is crucial for preventing boredom and keeping your small pet physically and mentally healthy:
- Tunnels and hideouts — All small pets love having places to explore and hide
- Chew toys — Essential for dental health (their teeth grow continuously)
- Foraging activities — Hide food in paper bags, toilet rolls, or scatter in hay
- Digging boxes — Fill a box with shredded paper or child-safe soil for digging enrichment
- Supervised floor time — Let them explore a pet-proofed room
- Variety — Rotate toys and rearrange their space regularly
Australian Climate Considerations
Australia's climate presents unique challenges for small pet owners:
- Heat is the biggest threat — All three species are vulnerable to heatstroke. Keep them in air-conditioned rooms during summer
- Frozen water bottles wrapped in a towel provide emergency cooling
- Ceramic tiles in the fridge, then placed in their enclosure, give a cool surface to lie on
- Never house outdoors in direct sun without adequate shade and ventilation
- Bushfire smoke — Bring small pets indoors during poor air quality days
Where to Get Small Pets in Australia
- Rescue organisations — Always check rescues first! Many guinea pigs and rabbits need homes
- Ethical breeders — If going through a breeder, ensure they're reputable and the animals are healthy
- Avoid pet shops when possible — animals may come from breeding mills
- Note: Hamsters are legal in all Australian states. Guinea pigs and rabbits are legal in all states except Queensland (where rabbits are banned as pets)
Shop Small Pet Supplies at DeservePetGo
At DeservePetGo, we stock a range of supplies for small pets including bedding, toys, feeding accessories, and enrichment items. As a proudly Australian-owned pet store, we understand the unique needs of Aussie small pet owners.
Free shipping on every order, Australia-wide. Got questions about caring for your small pet? We'd love to hear from you — drop us a message anytime!