{"id":267023,"date":"2024-12-24T22:56:57","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T12:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/?p=267023"},"modified":"2026-05-31T08:25:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T22:25:30","slug":"how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Understanding Your Small Mammal<\/h2>\n

When you bring home a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, it\u2019s not just about having a cute pet to watch. These little creatures have their own personalities, needs, and quirks that make them unique. For example, did you know that hamsters can run up to 8 miles on their wheels in a single night? That\u2019s a lot of energy packed into a tiny body! Understanding their behaviours and habits is the first step in providing the best care possible.<\/p>\n

Creating a Comfortable Home<\/h2>\n

Setting up a comfortable and safe habitat is crucial. A spacious cage with proper ventilation, bedding material that\u2019s safe (like aspen shavings or paper-based bedding), and plenty of hiding spots will make your small mammal feel secure. The Australian Veterinary Association recommends a cage of at least 60cm x 30cm for hamsters to allow them enough space to explore and exercise.<\/p>\n

Feeding Your Little Companion<\/h2>\n

Feeding small mammals might seem straightforward, but it\u2019s important to provide a balanced diet. A mix of high-quality pellets, fresh vegetables, and occasional treats like sunflower seeds can keep them healthy. Interestingly, studies show that a varied diet can improve their mood and behaviour. Just remember that some foods, like citrus fruits and chocolate, can be harmful to them.<\/p>\n

Socialisation and Handling<\/h2>\n

Small mammals are social creatures, and they thrive on interaction. Regular handling can help them become more comfortable with you. Start slowly, letting them sniff your hand before picking them up. Always be gentle and avoid sudden movements. This approach builds trust and ensures a happy relationship. Did you know that gerbils are known to bond closely with their owners, often recognising their voices and scents?<\/p>\n

Health Check-ups<\/h2>\n

Regular health check-ups are essential to catch any potential issues early. Small mammals can be prone to specific health problems, such as dental issues or respiratory infections. The Australian Companion Animal Council suggests that pet owners should be aware of any changes in behaviour, eating habits, or grooming. If something seems off, don\u2019t hesitate to consult a vet.<\/p>\n

Common Questions About Small Mammal Care<\/h2>\n

1. How often should I clean my pet’s cage?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s best to clean the cage at least once a week, removing old bedding and waste. A deep clean every month is also recommended to keep everything fresh.<\/p>\n

2. Can hamsters and gerbils live together?<\/h3>\n

Generally, hamsters are solitary creatures and should be housed alone, while gerbils can live in pairs or small groups. Always research the specific needs of each species.<\/p>\n

3. What should I do if my pet is not eating?<\/h3>\n

If your small mammal suddenly stops eating, it’s important to consult a vet. This could be a sign of stress or health issues.<\/p>\n

4. How much exercise do they need?<\/h3>\n

Small mammals need daily exercise. A hamster wheel, tunnels, and playtime outside their cage (under supervision) are great ways to keep them active.<\/p>\n

5. What are the signs of a happy pet?<\/h3>\n

A happy small mammal will be active, curious, and will engage with their environment. Look for signs like exploring their cage, running on their wheel, and interacting with you.<\/p>\n

Wrapping It Up<\/h2>\n

Caring for guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and other small mammals involves understanding their unique needs, providing a safe and stimulating environment, and ensuring regular health check-ups. These little companions can bring joy and laughter into your life, but they also require commitment and care. Are you ready to dive into the world of small mammals and discover their charming personalities?<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

At the heart of pet ownership is the desire to provide the best for our furry friends. That\u2019s where PetCloud<\/a> comes in. This pet management platform connects you with pet services, whether you need a sitter for a weekend getaway or someone to check in on your pet while you’re at work. With PetCloud, you can ensure your small mammal is well taken care of, even when you can\u2019t be there. Explore the options today and give your pet the love and attention they deserve!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Understanding Your Small Mammal When you bring home a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, it\u2019s not just about having a cute pet to watch. These little creatures have their own personalities, needs, and quirks that make them unique. For example, did you know that hamsters can run up to 8 miles on their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":207602,"featured_media":268969,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3788,4283],"tags":[4006,4287,4005,4286,4007],"class_list":["post-267023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-small-animal","tag-gerbil-care","tag-guinea-pig","tag-hamster-care","tag-small-animal","tag-small-mammal-care"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals - PetCloud<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PetCloud\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/petcloud\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"850\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"567\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Deb Webber\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Deb Webber\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Deb Webber\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0\"},\"headline\":\"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":686,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png\",\"keywords\":[\"gerbil care\",\"guinea pig\",\"hamster care\",\"small animal\",\"small mammal care\"],\"articleSection\":\"Small Animal\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"description\":\"Understanding Your Small Mammal When you bring home a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, it\u2019s not just about having a cute pet to watch. These little creatures have their own personalities, needs, and quirks that make them unique. For example, did you know that hamsters can run up to 8 miles on their […]\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals - PetCloud\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0\"},\"description\":\"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png\",\"width\":850,\"height\":567,\"caption\":\"A group of six guinea pigs, with brown and white fur, gather around a shallow red dish, drinking water. The dish is placed on straw-covered ground. Caring for guinea pigs includes ensuring fresh water like this in their rustic setting, complete with wooden planks in the background.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/blog\\\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/\",\"name\":\"PetCloud\",\"description\":\"Pet Care, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition and more\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0\",\"name\":\"Deb Webber\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.petcloud.com.au\\\/d\\\/author\\\/shaileshspuri\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals - PetCloud","description":"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals","og_description":"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!","og_url":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/","og_site_name":"PetCloud","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/petcloud","article_published_time":"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":850,"height":567,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Deb Webber","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Deb Webber","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/"},"author":{"name":"Deb Webber","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/#\/schema\/person\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0"},"headline":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals","datePublished":"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/"},"wordCount":686,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png","keywords":["gerbil care","guinea pig","hamster care","small animal","small mammal care"],"articleSection":"Small Animal","inLanguage":"en-AU","description":"Understanding Your Small Mammal When you bring home a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, it\u2019s not just about having a cute pet to watch. These little creatures have their own personalities, needs, and quirks that make them unique. For example, did you know that hamsters can run up to 8 miles on their […]"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/","url":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/","name":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals - PetCloud","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png","datePublished":"2024-12-24T12:56:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-30T22:25:30+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/#\/schema\/person\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0"},"description":"Learn simple tips on how to take care of hamsters, gerbils, and other small pets. Keep them happy and healthy with our easy guide!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/caring-for-guinea-pigs.png","width":850,"height":567,"caption":"A group of six guinea pigs, with brown and white fur, gather around a shallow red dish, drinking water. The dish is placed on straw-covered ground. Caring for guinea pigs includes ensuring fresh water like this in their rustic setting, complete with wooden planks in the background."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/how-to-care-for-guinea-pigs-hamsters-gerbils-and-other-small-mammals\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Care for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Other Small Mammals"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/","name":"PetCloud","description":"Pet Care, Pet Health, Pet Nutrition and more","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/#\/schema\/person\/30e1342d3192174129fd7e76eccf89f0","name":"Deb Webber","url":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/author\/shaileshspuri\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/207602"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267023"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267023\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":269559,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267023\/revisions\/269559"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}