Welcome Your New Small Friend: A Complete Guide to Guinea Pigs, Kittens, Puppies, Rabbits, and Birds
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Bringing a new small friend into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you’ve welcomed a guinea pig, kitten, puppy, rabbit, or bird, providing the right care from day one is essential for their health, happiness, and development. This guide covers the essentials for feeding, housing, healthcare, socialisation, and enrichment for your new companion.
1. New Guinea Pigs
Diet and Feeding
A healthy guinea pig diet consists of:
Pellets: Choose high-fibre pellets (≥15% fibre, ≤3% fat). Offer about 1/8 cup per adult guinea pig daily. Avoid traditional mixes with grains and seeds.
Grass Hay: Provide unlimited hay such as timothy or meadow hay. Avoid legume hays like lucerne.
Fresh Greens: Offer at least three types of vegetables daily (e.g., spinach, cabbage, broccoli leaves, Chinese greens). These supply vitamin C, essential to prevent scurvy.
Treats: Fruits are occasional treats only.
Water: Fresh water should always be available.
Housing
Minimum hutch size: 0.5 m x 1.0 m per guinea pig.
Provide solid flooring, bedding, hidey holes, and daily cleaning.
Health and Care
Annual veterinary check-ups are recommended; no vaccinations exist for guinea pigs.
Exercise: Daily time outside the hutch in a secure area.
Socialisation: Guinea pigs should never be kept alone; at least two are recommended.
Toys: Provide enrichment such as cardboard boxes, tunnels, and chew toys.
2. New Kittens
Diet and Feeding
Feed a complete and balanced premium dry food (e.g., Royal Canin, Science Diet).
Adjust quantity based on age, size, and whether your kitten is desexed.
Always provide fresh water.
Essential Kitten Items
Collar, pet tag, and microchip for identification.
Grooming equipment: Daily brushing, nail trimming, and occasional baths.
Bedding: Washable and comfortable bed.
Toys and scratching posts to encourage play and prevent furniture damage.
Health and Veterinary Care
Ensure vaccinations and worming schedules are underway.
First vet appointment: full health check and vaccinations.
Training: Kittens can learn to walk on a harness and lead.
Socialisation and Enrichment
Supervised playtime daily.
Safe spaces to explore and hide.
Positive reinforcement and treats for good behaviour.
3. New Puppies
Diet and Feeding
Feed a complete and balanced premium puppy food (dry preferred).
Adjust portions based on breed, size, and age.
Fresh water should always be available.
Essential Puppy Items
Collar, lead, pet tag, microchip, and poo bags for walks.
Car harness for safe travel.
Grooming tools: Daily brushing, baths with puppy shampoo, and nail trimming.
Bedding: Washable, comfortable bed.
Toys: Safe chew toys and enrichment items.
Health and Veterinary Care
Follow vaccination and worming schedules.
Socialisation: Introduce your puppy to other healthy, vaccinated dogs between 8–16 weeks.
Puppy classes: Recommended for training and socialisation.
Safety and Enrichment
Keep your yard secure.
Lead walks on clean, hard surfaces until vaccinations are complete.
Supervised play and positive reinforcement.
4. New Rabbits
Diet and Feeding
Pellets: High-fibre (≥18%), low-fat (≤2.5%), moderate protein (≤16%), low calcium (≤1%). Offer ~¼ cup per 2 kg body weight.
Grass hay: Unlimited supply daily (meadow or timothy hay).
Fresh greens: Offer at least three types daily (spinach, Chinese greens, broccoli leaves).
Treats: Fruit occasionally; no starch or sugary foods.
Water: Fresh at all times.
Housing
Minimum hutch: 1.0 m x 1.5 m with retreat areas and outdoor run.
Solid flooring, bedding, litter tray, and daily cleaning.
Health and Veterinary Care
Vaccinate against Rabbit Calicivirus.
Desexing: Recommended for both males and females.
Exercise and Enrichment
Minimum 4 hours of supervised outdoor play daily.
Toys: Hidey holes, tunnels, chew toys, and vitamin blocks.
Socialisation: Rabbits enjoy companions, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.
5. New Birds
Housing
Cage or aviary must be spacious, ventilated, and safe from predators.
Indoor birds: smoke-free area, away from toxic kitchen fumes, preferably in a busy family area.
Provide perches of varying diameter; avoid placing perches above food or water bowls.
Diet and Feeding
Offer variety: seeds, leafy greens, fruits, and occasional insects depending on species.
Fresh food encourages natural foraging behaviour and reduces boredom.
Consult a vet about safe foods and weeds.
Health and Care
Worm birds as needed; frequency depends on species, housing, and climate.
Quarantine new birds for ~1 month before introducing to existing flock.
Regular baths or shallow water trays encourage preening and mental stimulation.
Socialisation and Enrichment
Most birds prefer companions, especially flock species (finches, quails, pigeons, small parrots).
Toys and foraging puzzles prevent boredom and antisocial behaviour.
Daily interaction enhances bonding.
Final Tips for All Small Friends
Regular Vet Visits – Early check-ups ensure health and vaccination schedules are on track.
Safe and Enriching Environment – Toys, playtime, and socialisation are vital.
Balanced Diet – Fresh water and species-appropriate food maintain optimal health.
Identification – Microchips and tags help return lost pets safely.
Companionship – Most small friends benefit from a buddy, especially social species.
Raising a new small friend is a joy, and with the right care, you’ll ensure a happy, healthy, and long life together.
For any questions about raising your new guinea pig, kitten, puppy, rabbit, or bird, contact Small Friends Veterinary Hospital at 02 6262 2233. Our team are here to help you and your small friend every step of the way.