Hamster & Small Rodent Care Guide: Hamsters, Gerbils, Mice & Rats

Hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats look similar but have very different needs: who can live together, how deep to dig, what size of wheel. This 12-page guide compares them side by side and covers setup, diet, gentle handling and health checks.

What's inside

• Enclosure and setup by species: floor space, bedding depth, wheel size, who lives alone and who needs company
• Feeding small rodents
• Safe foods, toxic foods and hazards list
• Taming, handling and enrichment
• Daily, weekly and monthly care
• Health checks and emergency signs
• Finding an exotics vet, first-visit questions and a visit record
• Weekly weight and health log and a two-week care checklist
• Sources page

Good to know

• Instant digital download: PDF in US Letter, plus A4 and low-ink versions (12 pages). Nothing is shipped.
• Print as many copies of the trackers and checklists as you need. The vet contact page has fillable fields.
• General education for owners, based on published guidance from the RSPCA, the German Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), Merck Veterinary Manual and exotic-animal veterinary texts (sources page included). We're independent: not affiliated with or endorsed by these organizations. It is not veterinary advice and not a substitute for a veterinarian experienced with small rodents.
• All text and art are original. Personal, household use; please don't resell or share the file.