If the Power Goes Off: A Backup Plan for Birds and Small Pets
Build a household power-cut plan for birds and small pets, with an electricity-dependency checklist, backup care arrangements and a copyable contact sheet.
Small Animals
Small animal care guides from Paradise Pets Swindon, covering rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils with practical welfare advice from our Swindon shop.
Before the Cold Nights: Planning Your Guinea Pigs’ Move Indoors
A practical winter move plan for guinea-pig owners: assess the room, measure the full setup, prepare moving day and agree on a care routine before cold nights arrive.
A Bigger Cage Is Not Always A Safer Cage: What Owners Forget To Check
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 After a cheap cage mistake, many owners jump to the opposite idea: just buy the biggest cage possible. Bigger can be better, but only when it is also safe. A bigger cage with poor bar spacing, risky shelves, bad doors, sharp joins, unstable platforms or awkward … Read more
Buying A Hamster Cage? The Tiny Gap That Can Turn Into An Escape Problem
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Hamster cages are often bought in a rush. The problem is that a tiny gap does not look important until the hamster finds it first. Hamsters are small, curious and surprisingly determined. A loose door, a wide bar gap, a weak clip or a badly fitted … Read more
Hamster Scratching And Losing Hair? The Bedding Clue Owners Miss
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 This guide explains what to notice when your hamster is scratching and losing hair, and when to contact a vet. A hamster scratching and losing hair may be reacting to bedding, parasites, rubbing, stress, age, skin disease or another health problem. The owner should not guess … Read more
Hamster Drinking More Water Than Usual? The Bottle Check To Do First
Updated 24 September 2026: clarified when to contact a vet and removed waiting-period advice that could delay care. Practical checks or notes must not delay help for an unwell animal. See the supporting welfare guidance. From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Owners often panic when a small pet drinks more. With hamsters, … Read more
Hamster Clicking Or Wheezing? The Sound Owners Should Not Ignore
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Clicking or wheezing can be different from a hamster’s normal squeaks. Breathing changes need prompt veterinary advice. Hamsters make small sounds, but breathing-related sounds are different. Clicking, wheezing, crackling, repeated sneezing or noisy breathing should make owners check the environment and consider veterinary advice. This guide … Read more
Hamster Sleeping Outside Its Nest? Heat, Stress Or Illness?
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 A hamster sleeping in the open can surprise owners because hamsters usually like secure nesting areas. Sleeping outside the nest can be linked to heat, damp bedding, poor nesting material, stress, cage cleaning, age, illness or simply a new habit. The owner needs to look at … Read more
Hamster Bar Chewing At Night? The Setup Problem Owners Miss
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Bar chewing is one of the signs owners may notice after lights out. It is worth checking your hamster’s enclosure and routine. Hamsters may chew bars because of boredom, stress, unsuitable cage size, lack of enrichment, escape attempts, habit or attention. It can also damage teeth … Read more
Guinea Pig Squeaking When Picked Up? Fear, Pain Or Habit?
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Guinea pig sounds are emotional for owners. A squeak during handling can be communication, fear or a sign something hurts. Guinea pigs are prey animals, so being lifted can be frightening even when the owner is kind. Some squeak because they dislike being picked up. Others … Read more