Top questions
Housing & Bedding Questions
Read these housing questions before you buy or change a cage.
The right setup depends on the animal's body, habits, and sleep.
A small mammal cage should be sized for the adult species' main behavior, not the animal's body length.
Safe bedding is low dust, unscented, absorbent, and matched to the species.
Yes. Hamsters need deep bedding because burrowing and nesting are central behaviors.
No. Guinea pigs should not use exercise wheels.
The best rat cage gives compatible rats room to climb, rest, forage, avoid each other.
Tank-style habitats can work with ventilation, security, and enrichment.
Stop escaping by matching gaps, doors, lids, water mounts, tubes, and play areas to the smallest or strongest animal in the home.
Put a small mammal cage in a stable room away from direct sun, drafts, smoke, dampness, loud sleep disruption, and predator stress.
Deep-clean timing depends on species, habitat size, bedding, and mess.
Wire floors are a poor default for small mammals.