Don’t let their stature fool you: pocket pets require just as much care as our larger animal friends, meaning it is essential for carers to learn as much as they can about their animal’s needs. From feeding, housing, and enrichment to socialisation and general care, RSPCA NSW is here to help you support your forever friend.
Any changes in behaviour, weight, defecation, eating habits, drinking patterns, or urination should be checked out with a visit to a veterinarian. RSPCA NSW Veterinary Hospitals can help you provide your animal companions with high quality care. From routine health checks to specialised veterinary treatment, our teams can provide your beloved pocket pet with critical support.
As some of nature’s friendliest, quiet animals, many animal guardians find caring for a guinea pig to be an incredibly fulfilling experience. Guinea pigs are highly sociable animals and, while they enjoy the company of humans, the bonds they form with other guinea pigs means they should rarely be kept alone.
It is strongly recommended that you adopt at least two guinea pigs. Consequently, their cage should be as large as possible, padded with soft bedding materials such as shredded paper or straw. Remember to regularly change this bedding to keep their living space cosy and clean. A guinea pig enclosure must be well ventilated and safe from predators. We also recommend providing them with overturned boxes to hide in, taking care to set up at least two dripper-type water bottles per pet.
Guinea pigs’ teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down by constant chewing. You’ll need to provide your guinea pig with a constant source of grass or grass hay (e.g., Timothy, oaten, or wheaten). Guinea pigs require a dietary source of vitamin C, which is usually found in chewy leafy greens (e.g., Asian greens, celery, and cabbage). Guinea pigs are naturally coprophagic, meaning they will also be able to eat some of their own droppings.
Some guinea pigs’ coats need regular grooming and the occasional nail-clipping. Guinea pigs do not tolerate heat very well and are vulnerable to heat stress, so be careful where you place your pet’s hutch. Other common health problems for guinea pigs include bladder stones, overgrown cheek teeth and respiratory disease, so be sure to familiarise yourself with any relevant warning signs.
Many rabbits enjoy being patted and handled, especially if they were introduced it to the feeling at a young age. Rabbits are sociable animals, so consider keeping more than one, but ensure they are both are desexed to avoid any unwanted litters.
A rabbit’s hutch should be large, mosquito-proof, secure, and safe from extreme weather conditions and predators. At home, you should also provide them with an enclosed burrow-like space that they can hide and feel secure in (e.g., an overturned box). Your rabbit will also need daily exercise outside of their hutch for a few hours.
All rabbits need regular health checks and up-to-date vaccinations for Calicivirus. You’ll also need to regularly treat them at home for fleas and worms. Rabbits are also susceptible to heatstroke, so ensure you monitor them closely when warmer weather strikes. Some rabbits will also need some assistance maintaining their coats and nails. You should also check her teeth, as rabbits’ teeth grow continuously and are worn down by constant chewing.
Rabbits thrive on a diet with a fibre content greater than 18 per cent. Make sure you give your rabbit a constant supply of good quality fresh grass or grass hay (e.g., Timothy, oaten and wheaten). They’ll also need two packed cups of leafy greens of at least three different varieties per kilogram of her body weight every day. This could include Asian greens, celery, and cabbage. Always ensure your rabbit has easy access to fresh, clean water in a dripper-type water bottle.
Surprising many animal lovers with their intelligence and inquisitive nature, ferrets are clean, social animals who often enjoy human companionship.
When not under direct supervision, ferrets should be kept confined for their safety. It’s also important to remember that they prefer to sleep in a small, cosy area. Regardless, ferrets require daily play and enrichment, especially if can get around to exploring and chewing things. Putting enrichment objects in their cage and around their home will encourage their natural behaviours and stimulate their body and mind.
There are some good-quality commercial ferret foods or, alternatively, high-quality commercial dry kitten food which is suitable for your ferret friend. Offering human-grade raw meaty bones on a weekly basis will also allow them to clean their teeth.
If you decide to care for a ferret of your own, remember that ferrets require regular health checks to keep their vaccinations up to date. You’ll also need to treat him at home regularly for heartworm, fleas, and worms. Please speak to your veterinarian about everything you need to know before adopting a ferret.
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of adorable animals, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more! We can help you find a pint-sized companion at one of our shelters and adoption centres.
Though we update our online lists of adoptable pocket pets every day, there is always a chance that the animal you’re eyeing will find a home before your visit.
By adopting a pocket pet, you can give the gift of love to an animal in need. Every one of our animals has the capacity to be someone’s forever friend; all they need is a kind-hearted animal lover to open their heart and home.
Animal welfare organisations care for thousands of animals a year, including pocket pets waiting for new families and homes. If you can care for a smaller animal, consider adopting a pocket pet from RSPCA NSW.
Our pocket pets have undergone a series of comprehensive checks to ensure they are ready to begin their search for a loving home. They have all been desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, and treated for worms and parasites to ensure that adopters can focus on forming a bond with their new companions.
We strive to provide the very best support throughout the post-adoption process. Our dedicated staff and volunteers are always ready to assist new adopters, offering guidance on everything from general advice to exercise, nutrition, and housing tips.
Emergency preparedness is an essential part of being a responsible animal guardian. Including your beloved pocket pets in your emergency and evacuation plans is essential to ensuring the safety of your beloved forever friends. Taking the time to prepare inclusive, comprehensive plans can make all the difference in the world.
RSPCA NSW’s Ready Pet Go Emergency Pack includes a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for crisis situations with your animals’ safety in mind. Having an emergency kit prepared will greatly increase the likelihood of safely evacuating your animals during crisis situations. Your emergency kit should include any items that will help you transport and care for your pocket pet should the need to evacuate arise. This includes:
As the leading animal welfare organisation in the state, RSPCA NSW helps keep communities and animals safe during times of crisis. Our Emergency Response Team is central to our mission, ensuring the safety of people and animals in flood and fire-affected areas.
During emergency situations, access to veterinary care may be severely limited. That’s why preparing an animal first aid kit to accompany your evacuation kit is essential to ensuring you’re ready for any injuries or health emergencies that may arise.
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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