Food

The key to choosing small-pet food is recognising that each species has a different digestive system and set of teeth. Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are herbivores whose teeth grow throughout life and only wear down naturally through long periods of chewing fibrous hay. That is why roughly 80% of their diet should be unlimited, good-quality hay (timothy or meadow hay). Pellets and fresh vegetables are supplements: an adult rabbit needs only about one tablespoon of pellets per kilo of body weight a day.

Species-specific points

• Guinea pigs: cannot make their own vitamin C, so vitamin C-enriched pellets and daily fresh sources such as pepper and parsley are essential.
• Rabbits: colourful muesli mixes encourage selective feeding; choose uniform extruded pellets instead.
• Hamsters and gerbils: eat mixes of seeds, grains and a little animal protein; 1–2 teaspoons a day is enough.
• Chinchillas: have sensitive digestion, so use dedicated pellets without fruit or nuts.

Alfalfa hay is high in calcium and protein. It suits youngsters and pregnant animals but can raise the risk of bladder stones in adults, who should be kept on timothy hay.

Change food gradually over 1–2 weeks by mixing it with the old one. Sudden switches can cause serious digestive upsets, particularly in rabbits and guinea pigs. Store hay somewhere dry and well ventilated, and never feed hay that is mouldy or dusty.