Best small animal treats according to redditors
We found 34 Reddit comments discussing the best small animal treats. We ranked the 22 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 34 Reddit comments discussing the best small animal treats. We ranked the 22 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Penny isn't alone is she? Unless she's aggressive or special needs, she needs to have at least 1 cage mate of the same gender. It can be detrimental to their mental and physical health, causing depression which weakens their already fragile immune system and can cause behavioral issues such as aggression, fear, or clinginess. Also, you should cover the ramps/floors of the cage. Her toes/feet can get caught and hurt her, or it can cause bumblefoot which won't be fun.
A huge favorite amongst rats for treats are yogies and Cheerios. I like to string up Cheerios in a hard to reach spot and make them work or figure out how to get them. They seem to be some of the few that all my rats accept. This site has a lot of good toy ideas. I like taking empty toilet paper rolls and stuffing them with treats and closing them up so they have to figure out how to get them. I also buy willow branch balls and stuff treats in them that they have to work to get out. They also like to chew on these. Some rats like ping pong balls or the little jingly cat balls. My rats personally destroy ping pong balls in a matter of minutes so those don't work for me. Cardboard boxes, tissue paper, or a box of tissues are always a big hit. If you give them a box of tissues, just make sure to remove the plastic around the opening. They'll love decorating their house, then they'll have a new place to hide/sleep in after they take all the tissues out.
These!
If you happen to live in the UK, Wilkos occasionally has them in much cheaper.
Does she have a wooden chew toy? I have a wood chew that hangs from my hamster's cage bars and she chomped on it pretty regularly. Also some apple wood sticks from the pet store. Mine eventually stopped chewing them as well and started biting the bars of his cage. I did research and learned that Hamsters can get bored with their old things.
When he got bored with the wood chews he had, I bought him this log from the pet store. He chewed it like crazy down to almost nothing and seemed to love it. When the old one was almost used up I bought him another one and to my surprise he has not touched the new one. They like to change up their things from time to time.
Try a different chew or some new toys for a change of pace for your hamster. Here are the links to things that my Syrian has enjoyed in the past:
Applewood Sticks
Seed Log
Colored Wood Sticks
Hanging Wood Chew
The links are just to where I found them on the Internet most quickly. You can find these things at most local pet stores or order them from wherever.
Love her color makes her look like a teeny Syrian! She’s a dwarf so I don’t think I need to say anything about a wheel just don’t go super tiny. Make sure she has a proper size cage. Big cages are the best make sure its atleast 24” length 12” width and 12” height. Clear bins are good for you too see her I’d recommend! Cut holes in her lit so she can breath and can’t escape, either cut 60+ half an inch holes or cut a big square off the lid (if you have a cat or curious dog do the hole lid) do not use pine or cedar bedding. Any paper bedding is good I recommend carefresh (Cheaper on Amazon) do not use mesh wheels!!! Your ham will get hurt and get bumble feet not good. No bathing in water. It’s not necessary but it’s highly recommend to get sand for your hamster to bathe in, she’ll either roll around in it herself or you can hold her and give her a sand bath. I like most plastic wheels, wouldn’t recommend wooden wheels for a dwarf since my friend has a wooden wheel for her ham and he can’t even move it so she had to pay for a plastic one. Chews are good for her teeth so they don’t grow too long. Clip her nails if you can, if you can’t go to a vet when you notice them getting long. Plastic tubes and empty paper tubes are good boredom breakers. Clean the cage fully once a month with a one part water one part vinegar solution and change the bedding monthly. Lastly a hideout so she can scurry away. I’ll leave some links, good luck!
hamster care video
bin cage tutorial
If she’s not tame here’s a taming vid
hamster dont’s
bedding
chews
sand
hideout
boredom breaker/hideout
wheel
bin for bin cage
mesh top for bin cage
zip ties for bin cage
tube
I've only ever tried raw which is the only reason I am able to give my bun his medicine when needed. (by mashing up a small amount and mixing it in with medicine.) I have read/seen others say their buns like the chips but I would look at the ingredients and make sure they don't have salt (preferable) or a lot of salt. Here is my go to list for what fruits/vegetables are rabbit safe from House Rabbit Society: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/
Fun fact: According to my vet if you give a rabbit too much sugar it can ferment in their stomach which is why they advice against it. House Rabbit Society recommends a very small amount of fruit. (see in link.)
Also: Buns eat wood! To be on the safe side I only give my bun apple sticks. :) He LOVES them. I found them in Walmart, Target, Stop and Shop, Amazon, etc.
We always have at least one of these http://smile.amazon.com/Hamster-Gerbil-Activity-Treat-Small/dp/B000FTEQA6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449448859&sr=8-2&keywords=Snak+Shak for our buns. They are great for their teeth and our buns like to move them from one end of their area to the other. As soon as one seem to be low I make sure we order another.
Treats I use: Rice Krispies, Yogies, Small bits of pasta, rice paper, pet malt paste, small bits of fruit, cheerios, etc...
Note: these are all small enough to be used for clicker training, but should be used in moderation, else you'll get fat ratties.
Sounds like your approach is pretty good. I tamed my Syrian by offering him a treat from my hand at about the same time every evening. It became kind of a routine. I would leave the cage alone until treat time and then bring him his tribute offering. After that he equated my approach with a treat and started to come toward my hand when he saw it. Also don't reach down over them. I put my hand in the cage on the far side and then move it toward him at his level where he can see it coming.
 
As far as treats, my guys go crazy for pumpkin seeds, banana chips, dried cranberries, greens and about once a week, the tiniest little corner of a graham cracker. They also like a boxed treat called Hamster Lovelies. I break the treats into tiny bits so that they don't harm their cheek pouches and switch them up so that they don't get the same thing more frequently than every couple of days. I don't want to give them too much of any one thing.
 
Just keep being gentle and patient with your ham and before long you will have a fast friend!
I don't have any overdue library books, but I do have overdue chores.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPJ7JK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_T5pcBb27QW6MV
Something for him to chew on, because rodents teeth don’t stop growing, so he has to file them down somehow. Some wooden chews from the pet store work perfectly. Also occasional treats, such as dried fruits/veggies or yogurt drops will help him be happier.
I'm back!:
My guess is that the reason your bunny is quite as grumpy as she is is because rabbits do not make good classroom pets. It is a scary experience for them because it's noisy, they can't bond with people, they usually do not get the care they need, and they are being picked up by little ones who aren't necessarily holding them well (and most bunnies don't ENJOY being picked up at all). Basically, your bun needs to learn that people are safe and friendly and helpful. Rabbits are a little different than cats and dogs, as prey animals, but it's definitely not expecting too much to want a bunny who will snuggle and play with you. They're different from dogs who will go I IMMEDIATELY LOVE YOU, but they will love you once they know you're not scary! All bunnies, even ones with tougher backgrounds, are able to bond with their humans.
I'm assuming you already have your hay, pellets, and veggies as a staple of your bunny's diet. It might be worth looking into some treats! Oxbow makes the best treats (and the best pellets, for the record!). My bunnies love the [Oxbow Papaya Tablets](Papaya Fruit Plus Tablets) and the Barley Biscuits, but they have a whole series called "Simple Rewards" that are worth checking out.
What I did when I first got each of my bunnies was I hung out on the floor with my laptop and just did my own thing and waited for them to get curious. When she starts to come over, you can give her a treat. If she loves her veggies, you can feed her veggies this way, as well (or even just put them on your belly or lap). I originally pet them when they were eating and thus already pretty happy, but now they love attention all the time. (I was actually cleaning their litter boxes last night and they wouldn't leave me along because they wanted pets so badly!) Try to spend time with her every day for as long as you can. She will warm up to you. Promise! It's best if she is the one to decide to interact with YOU instead of you going for her.
Other things you can do include spaying her, if she is not spayed. Spayed rabbits will always be more friendly and better behaved and it will prevent the RIDICULOUSLY HIGH levels of uterine cancer in adult bunnies (80% of unspayed female rabbits). You can also get her a bunny friend. Rabbits do best in pairs, save for the occasional antisocial bunny who gets too aggressive. Neutered male/spayed female pairs are usually the easiest. You can bring your bunny on "bunny dates" at a rabbit rescue and find a bunny that your friend likes (preferably of a comparable age, so they will live the same length of time). If the second bunny is very friendly towards humans, your bunny will naturally become more friendly too. Rabbits are social, so your rabbit will also be generally happier with a buddy. As someone who did this recently, bonding sounds a lot scarier than it actually is.
For more info:
How to Get My Bunny To Like Me
My bunny never wants to come to me. I can never pet him/her. What can I do?
I would also recommend reading this New Rabbit Owner Primer.
And, since it sounds like you are already providing her with some toys, here's a big list of more ideas!
Of course, /r/rabbits is also a great resource if you have more questions.
The fact that she's a female syrian means she's going to need a LOT of space. I'd get something along the lines of an Ikea detolf or a Christmas tree bin. Like you said this hits the bare minimum of floorspace for syrian hamsters.
as for toys, i'll send some links of toys i got for my syrian! this first one will be great for your girl since she loves burrowing.
---- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LUMU9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AGdEDbPQKTZ2J
----- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MK1BY27/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DHdEDbBDEFDWS
---- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VIYAH4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DJdEDb1GQJEFR
It’s a brand of yogurt treats for rats, gerbils, and hamsters 🐀
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPH20G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CJ92AbVSY4K3X
Are you in the UK? Rosewood also has a Hay 'n' Hide tunnel.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Naturals-Hay-Hide-Large/dp/B003II221G
Her cage looks great! It really shows that you put effort into research before buying her, so let's get her feeling a bit more comfortable in her new surroundings. If you've only had her for a few days, she could still be adjusting to scents and her new enclosure. My hamsters were really sweet the first few days and then realized that they were in my house for keeps and started to lash out, so have patience.
Can she get on/off the wheel with the green ceramic house there? She might be having trouble accessing it. I would also maybe get another wheel (as in two wheels in her enclosure) in case that is not her favorite - I am a fan of flying saucers as well. The one I linked should be the right one for her.
It doesn't look like she has any chew toys. The big log bundle she could use, but that could be too big for her to comfortably bite. When I adopted my dwarf hamster, the rescue suggested walnuts in shell as a boredom buster. You use a screwdriver to break a couple of small holes and then she'll be able to work her way through to get to the meat. You can also invest in some sweet potato sticks - our little guy LOVES his potatoes.
As for her bedding, I love that you included hay and aspen bedding but our vet recommended we use some natural paper bedding, like this one. She said there's a risk of skin or eye irritation and we didn't want to risk that.
May I ask what food you have for her? Any other treats? Just make sure there is NO molasses or sugar in what you are feeding her because dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes. I'm also asking about treats because I really loved to spoil my little ones and encourage them into my hand/not to bite by rewarding them with little seeds or millet.
Here's a video of mummy rabbit's babies. Mummy rabbit is massive, as you can see, and posing with Xant, my best friend.
Mum item, and one for baby
those meddling kids.
Ok, watch for the size though, you don't want one that is huge and made for rabbits and guinea pigs. Hopefully the seller will disclose the size, but prices should also give you an idea. This looks right : https://www.amazon.com/Ecotrition-Stuffer-Peanut-Flavored-EC-84221/dp/B00JR8K7EU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1487216460&sr=8-4-fkmr1&keywords=8in1+ecotrition+snak+shak+treats
No - just meant to say he was eating hard types of treats as well, which sometimes contain seeds. I just wanted to make clear that he is eating things that are hard (not just soft foods)
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Treats that are like this:
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NC3LY0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WW4EDTQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Natural-Timothy-Rabbits-Animals/dp/B0002DK8OI/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=hay+rabbit+traet&qid=1555517252&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-3-spell-spons&psc=1
There are these oxbow simple rewards treats that Petco and PetSmart both have. You can break then into pieces and just give a little nibble at a time. The first ingredient is Timothy hay they have flavor so theyre delicious without being too high in sugar or calories. My rabbits get very excited for these. Oxbow Simple Rewards Baked Treats - Apple and Banana - 2 Ounces https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00TT6VJJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lW29BbG5JG77W
Here ya go!
These herby ones have apple purée and my rabbit loves both flavors
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Harvest-Glazed-2-2-Ounce-Wh-83524/dp/B00GUGVCMS you could prob find them at your local pet shop.
Not the regular liquid ferretone, but the ferretone treats, as well as the daily spritz (with tea tree oil, not daily but maybe weekly), and vitamin paste.
4 years old
Cheddar
This is Biscuit and he loves these things.
Here is the mobile version of your link
See if you can find one of these.
My hamster would kind of chew tubes, but ignored most of the commercial things I bought. Got one of these more to crawl through and he devoured it instead. Sometimes it's just finding what peeks your hamsters interest is all.
Destroying is the whole point of a gerbil's existence! Also never underestimate the power of a toilet paper roll. Good for both chewing and tunneling. The best tunnel is one that he's made himself, so lots of materials for digging and such is good. Here's a few links to some tunnels my gerbil has enjoyed.
https://www.amazon.ca/Living-World-Chew-nels-Alfalfa-Medium/dp/B004ZP9SB8
https://www.amazon.ca/Living-World-Tree-House-Large/dp/B00CE8SOIQ/
https://www.amazon.ca/eCotrition-Large-Activity-Guinea-Rabbits/dp/B000FTEQA6/
Here you go.
I have the solution for you. Rats in general are really smart and good at regulating their food intake, but certain rat treats are irresistible to them. One rat treat, called yogis, will actually lead them to eat themselves to death because rats find it so delicious. All you have to do is buy a couple bags of these yogis and put them in your attic. Problem solved. https://www.amazon.com/eCOTRITION-Yogies-Hamster-Gerbil-3-5-Ounce/dp/B000FPH20G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519068149&sr=8-1&keywords=yogis+rat+treat