We know that our Gerbils and Hamsters come from reputable breeders in the UK... and a lot of pet shops can't say that. Some are shipped from Eastern Europe and may not be able to cope with the journey.
At Paradise Pets, all our Gerbils and Hamsters are bred in the UK and will be in the best possible health when you get them.
From Gerbils and Hamsters
Read the latest updates, care tips and helpful advice from our Gerbils and Hamsters section.
Expert guides and care tips for small pets including Hamsters. Learn everything from feeding to habitat setup.
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
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
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
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
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
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
From the counter at Paradise Pets – July 2026 Neil has advised hamster owners at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988. In summer, the hamster I worry about most is not always the noisy one – it is the one that suddenly goes quiet in a warm bedroom. A quiet hamster is not always a relaxed … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold small animals at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, and the wider small animal section. The first two weeks with a new hamster are the most important two weeks in the entire … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has been keeping, breeding, and selling hamsters at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of daily first-hand experience with these animals and the owners who keep them. Bald patches and fur loss are among the more common concerns owners bring to the counter, and the … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold small animals at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, and the rest of the small animal section. Sneezing in hamsters worries owners more than almost any other small symptom, and rightly so … Read more