Life-stage guide
Cage size, bedding, temperature and hideouts done right from day one.
The urge to cuddle a new hamster, guinea pig, chinchilla, ferret or hedgehog is strong — and resisting it for a week is the kindest thing you can do. Here is the quiet first week that turns a scared new arrival into a confident companion.
Guinea pigs are herd animals that suffer when kept alone. This guide explains why companionship matters, which pairings work, how to introduce two guinea pigs step by step on neutral ground, and how to tell normal squabbling from serious fighting.
Hamsters are natural burrowers, and shallow bedding stops them from digging the tunnels they need. This guide explains how deep bedding should be for Syrian and dwarf hamsters, which materials hold a burrow best, and how to set up depth without making a mess.
