Gear for small mammals
Homes, food, bedding, wheels and dust baths for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, ferrets and other small pets, checked against vet association and RSPCA care guidance.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. How we pick.
Pets this page covers
Rabbits
Our rabbit picks are Oxbow adult pellets, mixed grass hay, pelleted straw litter and a wire home base. RSPCA says a hutch-type home should never be a rabbit's only home.
Guinea pigs
Our guinea pig picks cover a habitat, vitamin C pellets, paper bedding and a washable fleece liner. The care sheets we found call for hay always available and a solid floor.
Hamsters and gerbils
Our picks cover a wheel, food, bedding and a wire cage. We have not verified a well-reviewed hamster or gerbil habitat that meets vet association space guidance, so that is still a gap.
Ferrets
Our ferret picks are a double-story cage and Oxbow ferret pellets. Check the cage dimensions and the food's grain content yourself, because the listings did not show them.
Chinchillas
Our chinchilla picks are a dust bath, timothy hay and a tall multi-level cage. We have not verified an adult chinchilla pellet yet.
Hedgehogs
We have one hedgehog pick, a dry hedgehog food, plus a food shared with sugar gliders. We have not verified a hedgehog cage or wheel that qualifies yet.
Sugar gliders
Our picks are a shared dry food and a tall double-story cage that the listing names for gliders. The only care source we found for gliders is a single vet association sheet.
Pet rats
Our rat picks are a double-story cage, rat-specific adult pellets and paper bedding. Choose solid floors and shelves over wire.
Pet mice
We have not verified picks for mice yet. Paper bedding is shared with rats and hamsters, and bar spacing on cages needs checking before you buy.
Degus
We have not verified picks made for degus yet. Timothy hay is listed as suitable for them, and we could not verify degu diet guidance.
What to look for
- A traditional hutch should never be a rabbit's only home. RSPCA gives a minimum of 3 m x 2 m x 1 m for two medium rabbits, with shelter and an attached exercise area. Source: RSPCA, rabbit environment
- Rabbit diet is about 85 percent hay or grass, about 10 percent greens and about 5 percent pellets. Avoid muesli-style mixes, which are linked to serious dental disease. Source: RSPCA, rabbit diet
- Guinea pigs need at least 2 ft x 3 ft of floor each, walls at least 12 in high and a solid floor. Hay should always be available. Source: AEMV, guinea pig sheet
- Guinea pigs need vitamin C from fresh pellets with stabilized vitamin C. It breaks down with age and light, so check dates and avoid clear bags. Source: AEMV, guinea pig sheet
- Hamsters need a solid floor, a secure lid and uniform pellets as the base diet rather than seed mixes. Use a sipper tube and change water daily. Source: AEMV, hamster sheet
- Gerbils dig. RSPCA recommends a glass enclosure with deep bedding mixed with hay, and an axle-free, large, solid wheel. Source: RSPCA, gerbil environment
- For rats, use a solid floor because wire floors cause foot problems, and avoid wire exercise wheels and wire-mesh ramps. Bars must be narrow enough that a rat cannot poke its head through. Source: AEMV, rat sheet
- Chinchillas need a fine pumice-containing dust bath and should never be bathed in water. Keep them cool, ideally 50 to 68 F. Source: AEMV, chinchilla sheet
- Ferrets need a cage that locks securely, recycled paper or pelleted litter, and never clumping cat litter, which can cause fatal intestinal damage if eaten. Ferrets overheat easily. Source: VCA, ferret housing
- Sugar gliders need a wire enclosure with a tamper-proof door lock, and should be kept with at least one other glider. This is a single-source sheet; we did not find a second authoritative source. Source: AEMV, sugar glider sheet
Research picks
These are research picks drawn from published ratings and expert care sources, not our own lab tests. Prices and ratings were seen on 2026-10-23 and can change.
Timothy-based pellets Rabbits Research pick
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food, 25-lb
Adult rabbits, as a measured daily pellet portion. RSPCA puts pellets at about 5 percent of the diet.
Pellets whose first listed ingredients, per the Oxbow site, are timothy grass meal, soybean hulls, soybean meal, cane molasses and wheat middlings. Crude fiber is guaranteed at 25 to 29 percent.
Skip it if: You have young, pregnant or nursing rabbits (they need a different life-stage food), or plan to free-feed a full bowl.
Price seen: $28.77 for 25 lb on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from 1,800 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy See it at Oxbow Chewy link is an affiliate link
Grass hay Rabbits, guinea pigs Research pick
Oxbow Hay Blends Western Timothy and Orchard, 90-oz
Rabbits, and also guinea pigs and chinchillas, for owners who want a mixed grass hay.
Bagged blend of western timothy and orchard grass hay.
Skip it if: Your rabbit is fussy about orchard grass, or someone in the household has hay allergies.
Price seen: $22.09 for 90 oz on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.6 of 5 from 1,383 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Rabbit home base Rabbits Research pick
MidWest Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home, 47.1-in
A home base that is paired with a large exercise area.
Wire rabbit home with a plastic base. Floor area and wire details are not verified.
Skip it if: It would be the rabbit's only space, because RSPCA says a hutch-type home should never be the only home.
Price seen: $104.99 on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.1 of 5 from 668 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Litter Rabbits, guinea pigs Research pick
Oxbow Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter, 20-lb
Rabbit and guinea pig litter trays, for owners wanting a pelleted straw litter.
Pelleted wheat straw litter. Dust and absorbency claims are not verified.
Skip it if: You want a lightweight loose bedding for burrowing.
Price seen: $24.99 on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.5 of 5 from 675 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Habitat Guinea pigs Research pick
MidWest Guinea Habitat Guinea Pig Home, Regular
One or two guinea pigs in a first home.
Listing gives 47 x 24 x 14 in, 1 in bar spacing, and a leak-proof washable PVC-lined canvas bottom. It folds flat with no tools.
Skip it if: You keep two pigs and want AEMV-level space (the listing says 8 sq ft for up to two, and AEMV suggests at least 2 x 3 ft per pig), or you need a divider (the Plus version is needed).
Price seen: $62.99 on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23); Plus version $72.99 | Chewy: 4.4 of 5 from 814 ratings and 731 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Vitamin C pellets Guinea pigs Research pick
Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food, 25-lb
Adult guinea pigs.
Hay-based pellet described as fortified with stabilized vitamin C and lower in protein, calories and calcium than alfalfa-based pellets. The ingredient list was not shown on the page.
Skip it if: You have juveniles or pregnant sows (they need other formulations), or you would buy 25 lb for one pig, because vitamin C degrades with age.
Price seen: $36.99 for 25 lb on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from 1,100 ratings and 523 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy See the 5-lb bag at Chewy Affiliate links
Paper bedding Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats Research pick
Carefresh Small Animal Bedding, Natural, 60-L
Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and general small-animal cages. AEMV and RSPCA both accept shredded or recycled paper bedding and say to avoid pine, cedar and corn cob.
Soft paper bedding sold in 14-L and 60-L bags.
Skip it if: You keep gerbils or other species needing deep burrowing substrate. Dust sensitivity is not verified.
Price seen: $18.99 for 60 L on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.4 of 5 from 1,496 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Washable fleece liner Guinea pigs Research pick
Paw Inspired PopCorner Washable Fleece Guinea Pig Cage Liner, C&C 2×3
Guinea pigs in a C&C cage of the matching 2×3 grid size.
Reusable fleece liner sized for a 2×3 C&C cage. You wash it rather than replace bedding.
Skip it if: Your cage is a different size (this is size-specific), or you do not want to do laundry.
Price seen: $37.95 on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.6 of 5 from 246 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Exercise wheel Hamsters, mice Research pick Limited reviews
Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner Wheel, 9-in
Robo, teddy bear and dwarf hamsters and mice, per the listing. AEMV says wheels should have a solid running surface.
Dual ball-bearing wheel with a textured track and no axle per the listing. Material is not stated on the page.
Skip it if: You have Russian dwarf hamsters (one reviewer said theirs could not turn it), Syrian or larger hamsters needing a bigger wheel, or any chewing species.
Price seen: $26.99 on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from only 8 ratings, 5 written reviews (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Complete diet Hamsters, gerbils Research pick
Oxbow Essentials Healthy Handfuls Gerbil and Hamster Food, 1-lb
Hamsters and gerbils.
Complete diet for hamsters and gerbils.
Skip it if: You want a plain seed mix. Pellet versus mix format is not verified on the page, so confirm it is a uniform pellet, because AEMV says to avoid seed mixes.
Price seen: $5.99 for 1 lb on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.5 of 5 from 289 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Paper bedding Hamsters, gerbils Research pick
Kaytee Clean and Cozy Small Animal Bedding, 85-L
Hamsters and gerbils (mixed with hay for gerbil burrows), and other small animals.
Paper-based small animal bedding in an 85 L bag.
Skip it if: You would keep gerbils on only this bedding. RSPCA wants deep bedding with hay and chips for burrow structure.
Price seen: $23.95 for 85 L on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.4 of 5 from 1,673 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Wire cage Hamsters, gerbils Research pick
Prevue Pet Products Deluxe Hamster Home
A hamster or gerbil owner who has already checked that the floor area meets AEMV minimums.
Powder-coated steel mesh with a plastic tray. Most Chewy hamster cages we looked at scored below 4.0, and we have not verified a vet-aligned hamster home.
Skip it if: You keep mice (one reviewer said a mouse squeezed through the bars), or want a solid-floor aquarium style. Floor area and dimensions are not stated on the page.
Price seen: $111.37 on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.6 of 5 from 71 ratings and 55 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Multi-level wire cage Rats, chinchillas, ferrets Research pick
MidWest Critter Nation Deluxe Small Animal Cage, Double Story
Pet rats. The Chewy listing also names chinchillas, guinea pigs, ferrets and sugar gliders.
Listing gives 36 in L x 24 in W x 63 in H, double story on a stand. Use solid shelves or covers over wire, since RSPCA and AEMV both favor solid floors.
Skip it if: You keep mice (bar spacing is not stated, only half-inch wire), have a tight budget or a small room (36 x 24 x 63 in), or need it in stock now (out of stock on the product page).
Price seen: $311.99 on the Chewy product page (list $391.99); single story $194.99 (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.4 of 5 from 591 ratings and 493 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See double story at Chewy See single story at Chewy Affiliate links
Rat pellets Rats Research pick
Oxbow Essentials Regal Rat Adult Rat Food, 3-lb
Adult pet rats. RSPCA says to feed rat-specific pellets, not herbivore pellets.
Rat-specific adult pellet described as lower fat. Ingredients and analysis were not on the page.
Skip it if: You keep mice (not stated for mice), or have young rats.
Price seen: $12.74 for 3 lb on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from 652 ratings and 436 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Paper bedding Rats, mice, hamsters Research pick
Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding, White, 72-L
Rats, mice, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Paper-based small animal bedding in a 72 L bag.
Skip it if: You want deep burrowing for gerbils.
Price seen: $17.99 on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.3 of 5 from 737 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Dust bath Chinchillas Research pick
Oxbow Poof! Chinchilla Dust Bath, 2.5-lb jar
Chinchillas. The listing also says safe for degus, gerbils and hamsters, but a Chewy Q&A answer says chinchillas only, so degu use is not verified.
Additive-free volcanic-ash style dust. Chewy notes the source changed from Blue Cloud to Blue Beauty ash.
Skip it if: Someone at home has respiratory issues, or you want a reusable sand (this is a dust).
Price seen: $11.49 on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.9 of 5 from 314 ratings and 114 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Timothy hay Chinchillas, degus, rabbits Research pick
Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay, 6-lb
Chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs and degus.
Natural timothy hay in a 6 lb bag.
Skip it if: You want a second-cut, softer hay.
Price seen: $17.95 on the Chewy list page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.4 of 5 from 2,374 reviews on the list page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Multi-level ferret cage Ferrets Research pick
MidWest Ferret Nation Deluxe Ferret Cage, Double Story
One to three ferrets, and households that cannot supervise free-roam all day.
Includes stand, pan, shelf and ramp with cover, double doors with dual-locking latches, four locking casters and tool-free assembly. VCA says to choose an escape-proof locking cage.
Skip it if: You need a compact cage (dimensions, bar spacing and floor area were not listed on the page), or your budget is under about $300.
Price seen: $309.99 on the Chewy product page (list $386.99) (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.5 of 5 from 179 ratings and 117 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Ferret pellets Ferrets Research pick
Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Natural Pellets Ferret Food, 4-lb
Adult ferrets.
Natural ferret pellets in a 4 lb bag. Grain-free best sellers are not recommended here, because AEMV cautions that grain-free diets may be linked to bladder stones.
Skip it if: You need to verify grain content. Ingredients and analysis are not listed on the page, so check the bag. AEMV advises meat in the first three or more ingredients and least grain.
Price seen: $26.34 for 4 lb on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from 169 ratings and 42 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Dry hedgehog diet Hedgehogs Research pick
Mazuri Hedgehog Food, 8-oz
Adult hedgehogs, as a base diet. VCA says the base diet is mostly hedgehog food mixed with low-fat cat food, plus insects.
Dry hedgehog diet in an 8 oz bag.
Skip it if: You want a published analysis (not shown on the page), since life stage is not specified.
Price seen: $10.39 for 8 oz on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5 from 89 ratings and 41 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Dry insectivore-style food Hedgehogs, sugar gliders Research pick
Exotic Nutrition Berries and Bugs Sugar Glider and Hedgehog Food, 1.5-lb
Hedgehogs and sugar gliders, as part of a vet-guided diet.
Dry food containing insect larvae, grains and berries. The ingredient list was not on the page.
Skip it if: Your gliders are on a kibble-based plan (AEMV prefers glider kibble for up to 75 percent of intake), or your glider is fussy (one owner said theirs barely ate it).
Price seen: $15.99 for 1.5 lb on the Chewy product page (seen 2026-10-23) | Chewy: 4.6 of 5 from 121 ratings and 43 reviews on the product page (seen 2026-10-23)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Check current price and availability before you buy. Links go to retailers and brands, and none are affiliate links yet. We have not checked recall databases for every item, so look up recalls before you buy.
Get the weekly gear picks for your pets
One short email a week. Tell us which pets you have and we only send picks that fit them.
Some links in our emails are Amazon affiliate links. Affiliate disclosure