We’ve Sold Thousands of Hamsters. Here’s the One Thing That Surprises Every Single New Owner

Syrian and dwarf hamsters available at UK pet shop

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of first-hand experience with Syrian and dwarf hamsters. In that time, he has seen the same surprises play out with new owners again and again. This article is his attempt to make … Read more

Canaries Are Not Just Decorative Birds. After 35 Years, Here Is What Most New Owners Get Wrong

Yellow canary singing in cage at UK pet shop

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold canaries at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of first-hand experience with these birds. In that time, he has watched the same misunderstandings repeat themselves, year after year. This article is his attempt to set the record straight before you … Read more

I’ve Sold Budgies for 35 Years β€” Here Are 5 Mistakes UK Owners Still Make in 2026

Healthy budgie at Paradise Pets Swindon

From Neil at Paradise Pets I’ll let you in on something. After 35 years of running Paradise Pets here in Swindon, I genuinely thought UK budgie owners would have moved on from the same old mistakes by now. The information is everywhere β€” better than it’s ever been. And yet, week after week in 2026, … Read more

Cockatiels Are Not Beginner Birds. I’ve Been Saying This for 35 Years β€” Nobody Listens

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold cockatiels at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of first-hand experience with these birds. In that time, he has seen the same misunderstanding play out hundreds of times. This article is his attempt to set the record straight. I have … Read more

Why Your Budgie Sleeps Too Much: 7 Hidden Health Signs Every UK Owner Should Know

From Neil at Paradise Pets Last Tuesday, a lady came into the shop holding a little carrier, properly worried. Her budgie Charlie had been sleeping nearly all day for nearly a week. I’ve seen this exact scene play out hundreds of times in 35 years of running Paradise Pets β€” and I want to share … Read more

The Guinea Pig Mistake I See Every Single Week β€” And Why It Breaks My Heart

guinea pig care UK

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has owned and run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of selling, keeping, and advising on small animals and birds. In that time, he has sold more guinea pigs than he can count, and seen the same mistake made more times than he would like. … Read more

The Budgie Question I Get Asked Every Single Week β€” And Why My Answer Always Surprises People

Budgies at paradise pets swidon store

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold cage and aviary birds at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of first-hand experience with budgerigars, cockatiels, canaries, and dozens of other species. This article is based on what he sees and hears from customers every single week. Someone comes … Read more

Rabbits Are Not Low-Maintenance Pets. I’ve Been Telling Parents This for 30 Years

rabbits at paradise pets store

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has owned and run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 β€” over 35 years of selling, keeping, and advising on small animals and birds. This article reflects what he has observed at first hand, in store, over three decades. Every spring, usually in the weeks around Easter, I have … Read more

Why We’ve Never Imported an Animal β€” And What We Found

Imported an Animal

Early on, when I was still finding my feet in this business, someone suggested I look into importing birds from Europe. The prices were lower. The variety was broader. On paper, it made sense. I looked into it. And then I decided, quite firmly, that we wouldn’t do it. That decision has shaped everything about … Read more