(Part 3) Best small animalhabitat decor according to redditors

We give our bunny cardbox boxes from packages and all that, but one thing we do spend money on is this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Naturals-Carrot-Cottage-Rabbit/dp/B00D42I1R0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FWYN5VBZRF5Q&keywords=carrot+house+for+rabbit+large&qid=1554477475&s=gateway&sprefix=carrot+house+%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1

It's thick, multilayered cardboard and strong enough she can jump up on and eat away at the carrot-flavored top. We usually put it up against the radiator where she can jump up and likes to take a nap on it in the warmth. She does eventually eat most all of it, but it takes her a while.

>Angry buns just thump and act anti social.

I mean, to be fair, they do act like this sometimes when they're frustrated as well. Thumping is usually when they're scared/alarmed.

First off, do NOT buy them a wheel, cavies are not designed to run on wheels and can injure or even break their backs using wheels, balls, or harnesses. Second, you will want two if not three of everything (food dishes, water bottles, hides, etc) just to be on the safe side.

The cage is still a bit too small. A cage such as this (there is a lid they sell for it as well which I recommend) would be the minimum size for two; http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Interactive-Guinea-Habitat-Plus/dp/B001NJ0DQ8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373416057&sr=8-2

lid;http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Guinea-Habitat-Top-Panel/dp/B001NJ0DS6/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1373416110&sr=1-3&keywords=Midwest+guinea+pig+habitat

You could also make a cubes and coroplast style cage, you don't have to be extremely good at building to make one either for probably even cheaper. Here is some information on making your own cage and where to find materials (sign shops should have the coroplast, and the safe 9 x 9 1.5" spaced grids should be available at most Bed Bath and Beyond stores and Walmart's website); http://www.guineapigcages.com/

You want a hide that has two exits so fights do not occur. You can even use a soda or similar box with both ends cut out (as long as they do not flatten it out and potty on it). Me, I just use a couple of bent cage grids zip-tied to the back of the cage securely and then drape fleece over those to make tunnels.

For pellets, the absolute best one I've found is Kleenmama's Hayloft pellets if you are in the United States or Canada (you cannot have the hay shipped to Canada, only the pellets). Her hay is amazing too. http://www.kmshayloft.com/hay/ If you cannot get this for some reason, Oxbow is your next best bet. Cavies under 6 months to 1 year old will need alfalfa pellets, while adults over 6 months to one year need timothy based pellets.

Do not get anything you have to put into water, as it can put them off of drinking it. Oxbow makes a vitamin C tablet that is pretty popular with guinea pigs. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20255

You will want to have some sort of grass hay on hand at all times. Timothy, orchard grass, and blue grass are all common types to give guinea pigs. Second or third cutting is the softest and safest (not sharp at the ends). I buy it in large bales locally to save whenever they have good quality hay in. KM's hayloft sells hay as well on their website and is usually cheaper per pound than even Kaytee hay (which tends to be terrible quality) even after shipping. Oxbow also sells bagged hay, but sometimes I have found it to be harder hay. Another brand I have had some luck with bagged hay from is LM Farms hay (the pellets are not so good though).

You really need a larger cage to start, because as babies become adolescents and then go into puberty they will be more about dominance. Babies are also pretty hyper and need the space to run around. Adults like to be active on their own time as well but babies as I said are downright hyper and like to zoom around a good sized cage, so a minimum of 27" wide by 41" long is needed for a pair.

I got it from the pet shop, but I just found out they sell it on Amazon too!
https://www.amazon.com/Trixie-Natural-Playing-30x30x10-Centimetres/dp/B0057G0MZU/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?keywords=trixie+rodent&qid=1574625686&sr=8-14

I think it might be this one on Amazon. According to the name it's meant as a guinea pig habitat, but Peter's on the small side and it's only to contain his mess of hay. He does manage to fit in it and can turn around inside so he's happy to have it as a hideout/burrow as well.

It's one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natural-Living-Burrow-Tower/dp/B000RZHQ6E turned on it's side as this little lady isn't quite athletic enough to climb all the way to the top otherwise :')

Niteangel Natural Living Tunnel System, Small Animal House https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW6ZO9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jpFACbCZ0ZTQE

I bought this for my boy Eli for Xmas...he lost his marbles...he loves it soooo much...he has a 20 gal long tank so you can fit the whole thing inside but it doesn't leave room for his wheel. I took the houses apart so each week I change out the houses so they can air out and I gave the connecting tunnel log to his baby brother leif in a separate tank...I first bought Eli this...Niteangel Natural Wooden Hamster Mouse Tunnel Tube Toy Forest Hollow Tree Trunk https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW44P56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4sFACbT7F5QKX

they have tons of real wood mouse safe toys...I like this company the best...we also have a pineapple hammock and a strawberry one. I wanna get Eli and leif this Activity Assault Course - Hamster & Small Animal Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HRLM1E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_azFACb2XNVKE5

Beds:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-sloth-small-animal-hanging-bed

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-ape-small-animal-hanging-bed

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/you-and-me-racecar-small-animal-hanging-bed

Marshall Pet Banana Hammock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058NRQMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X1aGDbS900SYS

Marshall Pirate Ship Cage Accessory for Small Animals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TG7Z4E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_h2aGDbHMDFHXX

Pet Cage Hammock, Nonstick Hair Fabric Cat Ferret Hammock Bed for Bunny/Rabbit/Rat/Small Animals, Durable and Comfortable Soft Hanging Bed Handmade Unicorn Sleepy Pad, 15.7 x15.7 in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHTSKW1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_42aGDbXXVN5WB

Niteangel Luxury Double Bunkbed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077RYRC8S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Cat Hammocks Bed Use with Cage or... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071X87VQP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Shopping GD Portable Simple... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY4GO8D?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Marshall Pet High Roller Fuzzy Dice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WSA0MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_i5aGDbG91AMWR

FULUE Small Animal Ferret Rat Guinea Pig Degu Gerbil Mice Hamster Chincilla Hammock Sleeper Cage Accessories (Blue 13.8x13.8inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2SXZXR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_L5aGDbFMRPAZY

Ferret Nation Accessory Kit 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ZOC1R4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_75aGDb8ZW543W

Ferret Cat Hammock Bed for Cage 100% Handmade Pet Canvas Hammocks for Small Animals, Kitten, Guinea Pig, Bunny, Rabbit, Rat Comfortable Hanging Bed, Soft Sleepy Mat Pad for Sleeping and Resting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RRKHZN7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_A6aGDbESA3WEZ

Barelove Square Large Dog Bed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZF7T2Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Watch out for diggers and chewers with the stuffed beds!

I got from amazon! :) http://www.amazon.com/Alfie-Lifestyle-Small-Animal-Hideout/dp/B007FLMANW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416505540&sr=8-3&keywords=hamster+mushroom

Shannon loves it, it's hard to get her out of it sometimes :)

It’s a compartmentalized hide. I bought it off amazon. He absolutely loves it.
Trixie 6201 Natural Living Leif... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OLZIWU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Yes! I bought them from amazon here but I don't think it would be big enough for an adult rat. Effie is about 2 months old :)

Maybe you could do something easy for her to climb on with these- http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Creations-SCC1029-7-Piece-Traditional/dp/B00BUFUWBQ/ref=sr_1_39?ie=UTF8&qid=1411524382&sr=8-39&keywords=reptile+basking+rock.

Hiya! Stacked bins won’t do her much good, especially if she is a chewer, Syrians are notorious for chewing through bin cages. I highly recommend switching to a detolf if you have the space, they are about 5 foot long and 16 inches wide by 16 inches tall. I had my male Syrian in a 40 gallon breeder and he was so bored even with all the toys he had. It was as if he had no real reason to walk around. Now, the length of his detolf makes him so much more active. I highly recommend you refrain from the plastic tunnel since your girl is a biter. If you have a play pen and supervise her it will be safe, just don’t leave it unsupervised in her cage.

As for toys, I highly recommend puzzle toys, boredom’s breakers, anything that can hold treats (wicker balls are great examples. Just stuff them with a few sunflower seeds and she will be entertained for hours. Here are some toys I have for my male Syrian along with a YouTube link to some easy DIY boredom breakers.

https://youtu.be/qAi-lcrI5Yw (the corrugated cardboard will come with an Ikea (or target) cube base to put the detolf on, so win win.

Hamster Toys,Wooden Scaling Ladder Rainbow Seesaw Swing Hanging Ladder Bridge for Hamsters,Fun Play Toy for Pet (Pack of 2) (Hamster Toy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTS1YID/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kteEDbYHHSN5B

Habitrail OVO Tree House Carboad Hamster Maze https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XG0DJO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LteEDb62DJMXZ

Hkim Hamster Maze, Meago Natural Wood Toy with Acrylic Cover Dwarf Mouse Cage Tubes Gerbil Maze for Small Furry Animals (Wood Maze) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773LKHSD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xueEDbD9YMDGW

(I have this for my Syrian because he is super slim. If your girl is chonky don’t buy it)
Dwarf Hamster House Durable Odorless Non-Toxic Deluxe Two Layers Wooden Hut for Hamster Toys Hamster House Natural Living Wooden Castle, Small Animal Playground Chew Toy (1castle Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G73GF5B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yveEDb6G58466

Sleep 'n' Play Cheese - Hamster & Small Animal Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J2CRAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CweEDb56C14E5

(Put a small pile of hay in this and she will go nuts) Kaytee Nut Knot Knibbler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DJEYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lxeEDbY2X1JX1

Hamster Toys,Wooden Scaling Ladder Rainbow Seesaw Swing Hanging Ladder Bridge for Hamsters,Fun Play Toy for Small Animals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078C6MDW3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WAeEDbQC5WKTV

Kaytee Carousel Chew Toy Carrot, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BV0W9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kBeEDbABER5SH

TeDUnaxxme Toy Cute Small Animal Pet Hamster Sleeping House Cabin Cage Ladder Nest Castle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9XLRR6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OBeEDb5PNMB46

https://www.amazon.de/Kerbl-82852-Nagerhaus-45-32/dp/B00DDC3FE0/ref=sr_1_3?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=kerbel+kaninchen&qid=1563299314&s=gateway&sr=8-3

​

it's on german amazon.

not clue if they ship to you.

company who manufactures stuff like that is called "Kerble".

​

I have a 2 storage one on balcony too.

Destroying is the whole point of a gerbil's existence! Also never underestimate the power of a toilet paper roll. Good for both chewing and tunneling. The best tunnel is one that he's made himself, so lots of materials for digging and such is good. Here's a few links to some tunnels my gerbil has enjoyed.

https://www.amazon.ca/Living-World-Chew-nels-Alfalfa-Medium/dp/B004ZP9SB8

https://www.amazon.ca/Living-World-Tree-House-Large/dp/B00CE8SOIQ/

https://www.amazon.ca/eCotrition-Large-Activity-Guinea-Rabbits/dp/B000FTEQA6/

Oh my goodness, that's great progress already! Keep at it, they will be uncomfortable but it's something where, if you never did it, they wouldn't be able to get used to it. So you do have to push them a little bit outside their comfort zone. It can be very discouraging at first but keep at it for a couple weeks and they may surprise you. They will also get accustomed to whatever you're doing. So at first you might need to be extra slow and careful, but as time goes by you'll notice they are more comfortable. I forget sometimes that rats are actually prey animals.

I should also mention that they also like lots of choices for sleeping places - usually the recommendation is one for every rat plus one extra. So, lots of baskets, one of those sputnik things, etc. It won't make them hide from you more.

Is this the type of cage you have? Does the whole top come off? That's how I used to interact with my rats at first when I was taming them. I had a cage like that and I would either take the top off and then they would be accessible in the bottom tray, or if they were sitting in a basket/hammock, I would just carry the top to the playpen and then open the door and they would usually be curious to come out.

You might want to consider getting a different cage. I have the Critter Nation here in the US, which has doors that open up completely. I think the Savic or Aventura cages are similar - although unfortunately I don't think you can just buy one level (the CN you can get a single or double). Maybe something like this would be good. It looks like it has a pretty big door and the cage part looks to come off entirely.

I use this one. They make far less mess as it's more enclosed than the old one I had. One of them does have a bad habit of perching on the rim and kicking all the dust out of the entrance though. She's strange.

Sure!

I buy practically everything on Amazon and these would be my top recommendations:

Hidey Hut - this is large enough to fit two grown gerbils and my first survived the chewing for close to 4 years.

Small Animal Pet Playpen/Exercise Pen - this is just tall enough for the jumpers. I've still had some be able to reach the top but it is a struggle and you'd be able to catch them in time. Really sturdy as well.

Kordon/Oasis (Novalek) SOA80304 Bell Bottle and Hold Guard Small Animal Value Set, 4-Ounce - this is by far my favorite recommendation of the bunch. I cannot tell you how many water bottles were just destroyed and I would come home to an empty bottle and a very wet gerbil. This thing is impenetrable!

Kaytee Hamster Silent Spinner, 6 1/2 inch Exercise Wheel - although I've had to buy a couple of these (they will chew the yellow part holding the bottom part to the wheel) I find that this is the sturdiest of them all. It becomes less silent the more they chew on it and push it around but it's never been loud enough to be considered especially annoying.

Great for cleaning cage and is safe

As far as dust baths go, I've tried several different kinds and find them all to be equivalent.

Would not recommend:

Ware Manufacturing Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel for Small Pet - the quality is fine here but if you are using carefresh, it gets buried and doesn't allow any give for it to spin.

Kaytee Woodland Get-A-Way Medium Hamster House - quality here is also fine and it's pretty thick so it would take a while to get them to chew. Since it is wood, it absorbs liquids. My gerbils would pee on it and it got to the point that it looked moldy and unhealthy so I just threw it out.

Alfie Pet by Petoga Couture - GARI Wood Hut for Small Animals like Dwarf Hamster and Mouse - Size: Large - this is the cutest little home I've ever seen. I had to eventually throw out though because the wood was so thin that the back wall collapsed due to their chewing and would no longer stand up.

Prevue Pet Products Multi-Color Small Pet Playpen 40090 - I think the quality is here too. It's just too short. My gerbils were easily able to escape this.

GreatChoice Water Bottle - chewed through in a week and Same

Tootsie is 2 years and 3 months old. I've had her since she was 4 weeks old and she actually picked me which I thought was super adorable.

Nood is super cute! The bald spot suits him but I know what you mean by being scared that they will fall. I've had 2 younger rats who got super sick but no matter what I did they would still climb and it freaked me out. I have my cage set up so no matter where they climb if they do fall there is something soft to catch them.

I recommend buying a few of these if you can. My rats LOVE them!

He's probably just settling in and getting used to the area and new set up, so I wouldn't worry. Once he gets totally used to everything he'll need probably 4 hours a day at the minimum, more if possible, for exercise and free roam time. Is that achievable for you? If no, you may want to size up his area - it is a reasonable amount of space but they need more than that for their zoomies, binkies and overall playful energy :)

Yep, I think rabbits arent generally associated with playfulness and a lot of the pet store toys aren't fantastic either, so DIY is often best in these scenarios. Although, I do like things like these willow tubes, these seagrass hide and chews, stuffed balls like these and apple branches as well as the plastic cup things I mentioned before.


Yeah the rubber isnt great if he chews on those. I always prefer a carpeted surface because they dont have natural pads on their feet, it's just fur, so to run around they do need a surface with grip. That being said, some rabbits also chew on carpet (including one of my own) and so that needs to be monitored too. They are pretty tricky creatures. You can also use a sheet of lino and cover it tightly with blankets.