Small Pets & Fish

Rabbits: think hutch and run together

Rabbits are active animals. They need room to hop, run, dig and stand up on their back legs. A hutch gives them a safe place to sleep and shelter, but it shouldn't be the only space they have. Rabbit welfare charities recommend giving rabbits a hutch that opens onto a large run, with access through the day. For that reason, many of our hutches come with a run already attached. If yours doesn't, you can add a separate run or a pet playpen to give them more room.

Rabbits are also social animals and are usually happier living in pairs. Keep that in mind when you choose a size. A hutch that looks roomy for one rabbit can quickly feel cramped for two.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs need a dry, draught-free home with space to move about and somewhere to hide. They don't cope well with the cold. Many owners keep them indoors or move them into a shed or garage over winter, which is where our indoor hutches on wheels come in handy. Guinea pigs and rabbits should not share a hutch, as they have different needs and rabbits can hurt a guinea pig by accident.

Fish: setting up your first tank

A larger tank is often easier to look after than a small one. The water stays more stable, and there's more room for your fish to grow. Before you add any fish, the tank needs to "cycle". This is the process where helpful bacteria build up in the filter, and it usually takes a few weeks. Your local aquatic shop can test your water and tell you when the tank is ready. After that, add fish a few at a time rather than all at once.

A full 300-litre tank is very heavy. Place it on a solid, level floor, ideally close to a wall, and keep it away from radiators and direct sunlight.

Keeping housing clean

For hutches, remove wet bedding and droppings every day, and give the whole hutch a full clean once a week. Slide-out trays make this much quicker. Treat outdoor hutches with a pet-safe wood treatment once a year to help them cope with the weather. For aquariums, change part of the water on a regular basis, and rinse the filter sponge in old tank water, not tap water.

Delivery and returns

All orders are delivered free to UK mainland addresses, usually within 3 to 5 working days, with no hidden fees. You can return unused items in their original packaging within 30 days. For change of mind returns, the return postage is paid by you. If anything arrives damaged or faulty, contact us and we will put it right at no cost to you.