SMALL ANIMALS

We are very well known for our small furries which include hamsters, gerbils, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs.

We breed our own mice and the vast majority of our rabbits and guinea pigs. This section is looked after by a team of friendly staff led by Sarah, who has a great interest in the rabbits and guineas, having exhibited them for over 40 years.

We normally stock Syrian and Dwarf hamsters, gerbils and fancy exhibition type mice in chocolate, tan and tri-coloureds.

Our rabbits are always very popular; in general we stock Netherland Dwarfs, Mini Lops, Dwarf Lops, Mini Rex and Dutch.

Quite often you will be able to see the babies with Mum whilst they are growing on.

With the guinea pigs we have lots of different breeds normally available, such as Teddies, Rex, Alpacas, Peruvians, Crested, Self, and occasionally Dalmatians and Roans.

Our small furries are bred and raised in the UK - you won't find any that have been imported from abroad.

From Small Animals

Latest Posts

Read the latest updates, care tips and helpful advice from our Small Animals section.

Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much Water? UK Urgent Guide From 35 Years

Guinea pig at water bottle drinking excessively

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has sold and kept guinea pigs at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with one of the UK’s most popular small animals. In that time, he has spoken with many worried UK owners who have noticed their guinea pig drinking far more … Read more

Why Is My Rabbit Grinding Its Teeth? UK Owner’s Honest Guide From 35 Years

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has sold and kept rabbits at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with one of the UK’s most popular small animals. In that time, he has spoken with hundreds of worried UK owners whose rabbits have started grinding their teeth. This article … Read more

How To Tell If Your Hamster Is Happy — Signs UK Owners Often Miss

Happy hamster exploring cage in UK home

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with these animals. In that time, he has watched owners interpret their hamster’s behaviour in ways that are sometimes the opposite of what the animal is actually communicating. This … Read more

What Do Guinea Pigs Eat? Hay, Vegetables and Pellets

What do guinea pigs eat UK honest feeding diet guide

From Paradise Pets, by Neil A guinea pig’s food routine should be built around constant access to good feeding hay, with appropriate fresh vegetables, a small measured portion of guinea pig pellets and clean water. The challenge is keeping that routine consistent and noticing when one animal is not eating normally. Updated 24 September 2026: … Read more

Why Is My Rabbit Shedding So Much? UK Owner’s Honest Guide From 35 Years

rabbit shedding paradise pets swindon

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 Neil has run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of keeping, … Read more

Why Is My Hamster Sleeping All Day? UK Owner’s Guide From 35 Years

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with Syrian and dwarf hamsters. “Why does my hamster sleep all day?” is one of the questions he answers most often, usually from worried first-time owners. This article is … Read more

Why Is My Rabbit Sneezing? UK Owner’s Urgent Guide From 35 Years

Rabbit sneezing UK owner guide Paradise Pets

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold rabbits at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of watching these animals thrive with the right care and decline when problems are caught too late. A sneezing rabbit is one of the more common concerns he hears from owners. Sometimes … Read more

Why Is My Guinea Pig Sneezing? UK Owner’s Urgent Guide From 35 Years

Guinea pig sneezing UK owner urgent health guide concern

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold guinea pigs at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with these animals. A sneezing guinea pig is one of the calls he treats most seriously, because in guinea pigs a respiratory infection can turn dangerous fast. This … Read more

Why Is My Guinea Pig Not Eating? UK Owner’s Urgent Guide From 35 Years

Worried guinea pig not eating UK owner urgent vet guide

Updated 24 September 2026: corrected the appetite warning advice. Contact your vet immediately about reduced eating or droppings; do not wait for a fixed number of hours. See the supporting veterinary or welfare guidance. From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold guinea pigs at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — … Read more

Why Is My Rabbit Thumping? What It Really Means and When To Worry

Rabbit thumping back foot warning UK owner guide

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold rabbits at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with these animals. Thumping is one of the most common rabbit behaviours that owners misunderstand. This is his honest guide to what it means and when it matters. A … Read more