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.

My Hamster Has A Bald Spot — UK Urgent 35-Year Health Diagnostic Guide

Hamster bald spot health guide Paradise Pets Swindon

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters and small animals at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, and every breed in between. “My hamster has a bald spot — what does it mean?” is one of the questions … Read more

UK Hamster Welfare Standards Are Quietly Changing — 35-Year Honest Take

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of watching UK hamster welfare standards evolve. Over the past two years, something significant has been quietly happening in the UK hamster welfare landscape. Major British charities have updated their guidance. Major … Read more

Why Your Rabbit Licks You — UK Owner’s 35-Year Honest Bonding Guide

Why does my rabbit lick me

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold rabbits and small animals at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with rabbits of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. “Why does my rabbit keep licking me?” is a question that makes him smile every time he hears … Read more

My Hamster Keeps Throwing Food — UK Owner’s 35-Year Honest Answer

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has kept, bred, and sold hamsters and small animals at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, and every breed in between. “Why does my hamster stuff its cheeks and then just throw the food out?” is one … Read more

Why Your Guinea Pig Squeaks Loudly — UK Honest 35-Year Communication Guide

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 guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, and dozens of other small pets. “Why does my guinea pig squeak so loudly?” is a question he hears at the counter more … Read more

What Rabbit Thumping Actually Means — UK Owner’s 35-Year Truth

why does my rabbit thump its foot UK 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. Foot thumping is one of the most universal rabbit behaviours, and also one of the most consistently misunderstood. This is his honest guide to why it … Read more

The Hidden Reason Hamsters Stuff Their Cheeks — UK 35-Year Truth

hamster cheek pouches paradise pets swindon

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. Cheek pouches are one of the most asked-about features of hamster anatomy, and one of the most misunderstood. This is his honest guide to … Read more

UK Guinea Pig Welfare Crisis — Why Single Guinea Pigs Are A Growing Problem

Lonely single guinea pig in UK hutch welfare 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. The single guinea pig problem is one he sees walk through the door almost weekly, and it troubles him more than almost anything else in … Read more

UK Rabbit RHD Vaccination Warning 2026 — Every Owner Must Know This

rabbit RHD vaccination warning UK 2026 paradise pets

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has been keeping, breeding, and selling rabbits at Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of daily first-hand experience with these animals and the people who keep them. RHD has been the disease he has had to explain most urgently to owners in recent years, and … Read more

The UK Hedgehog Question — Why Paradise Pets Won’t Sell You One (35-Year Honest Answer)

african pygmy hedgehog pet UK

From the counter at Paradise Pets Neil has run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of deciding what we will and will not sell, and why. The hedgehog question comes up regularly, usually from someone who has seen one online or heard that they are legal to keep. This is the honest … Read more