FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for small pets

A rabbit needs a roomy rack that holds a large daily portion of hay, as it should have unlimited hay. If the rack is small, add an extra pile of hay in the litter tray.

A medium rack hung low suits a guinea pig, so it can reach the hay standing on all four feet. Several guinea pigs should have several racks or one long one.

Yes, hay is a chinchilla’s main food, and a rack keeps it away from droppings and urine. Hang it on the bars at a comfortable height for the animal, for example next to a shelf.

Hamsters and mice use hay more for nesting and bedding than as a main food, so a rack is not essential. A little hay can simply be placed in the cage or a small holder.

Yes, hay is very important in a degu’s diet, and a rack helps keep it clean and dry. As degus gnaw, a metal rack is better, or replace a wooden one once it is chewed.

A lid protects the hay from droppings falling from above and stops the animal climbing into the rack. On some racks the lid also serves as a shelf for the animal to sit on.

Hay is soft and cosy, so guinea pigs, rabbits or chinchillas sometimes settle right in the rack and soil it. A rack with a lid or narrower opening and a separate comfy resting spot help.

Most racks hang from the bars on hooks or screw onto wooden walls. Fix it firmly so the animal cannot knock it down while pulling hay.

The rack should be at a height where the animal reaches the hay on all fours or with just a slight stretch. A rack hung too high is tiring, especially for older animals.

A rack with narrower gaps or a lid, a tray underneath and smaller portions several times a day help. A little scattered hay is still normal, as animals pick out the best stems.

Refill the hay rack at least once a day so hay is always available. A fresh portion encourages the animal to eat more, so it is often worth adding hay morning and evening.

Yes, especially if it gets wet from the bottle or urine, it can go mouldy. Remove damp, dirty or musty-smelling hay daily and refill the rack with fresh hay.

The rack may be too high, the hay packed too tightly to pull out, or the animal dislikes its position. Try hanging it differently, filling it more loosely or putting hay on the floor too; if the animal eats little overall, see a vet.

Fill the rack generously but not too tightly: compressed hay is hard for the animal to pull out, so it eats less. It is better to fill it loosely and top it up more often.

Hang the rack away from the water bottle and bowl so drips and splashes do not reach the hay. In an outdoor hutch keep it under cover, protected from rain.

Usually yes: several racks in different places reduce competition and let everyone eat at the same time. This matters especially if one animal is dominant and chases the others away.

It is a feeder with a hopper from which pellets gradually drop into a tray as the animal eats them. It is convenient, but a constant supply of pellets encourages overeating, so measured portions in a bowl suit most small pets better.

An automatic feeder can dispense pellets at set times, for example when you are briefly away. But it does not replace hay, fresh vegetables, water checks and daily care.

No. With unlimited pellets rabbits and guinea pigs eat less hay and more often become obese and develop dental and digestive problems. Give pellets in measured portions and hay without limit.

It is a feeder that can be filled from outside the cage without opening the door. It suits shy animals and outdoor hutches, and the food stays raised off the bedding and cleaner.