Some of the vital products for the smaller animal

Pets obviously come in all shapes and sizes, and there's certainly plenty of charm to be found in the pocket-sized pet like a hamster, rabbit or guinea pig. Such pets provide for an extremely rewarding ownership experience, but of course, they do also desire and require maximum love and attention. That can be partly provided through such products as hamster, rabbit or guinea pig food, bedding, bottles, bowls, cages, hutches, runs, toys and treats, as should be stocked by any complete and reputable pet store.

Certainly, rabbit, hamster and guinea pig food is among the best-selling food of such online pet stores as Broadfeed in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the lovers of small animals have plenty of choice in this area, with represented brands including Allen & Page, Burgess Excel, Chudleys, Dodson & Horrell and James Wellbeloved. Among Broadfeed's highly regarded guinea pig food, for example, is Spillers Guinea Pig Muesli, which has been formulated for guinea pigs with added vitamin C, pure dried grass and herbs. Meanwhile, owners of rats seeking food suitable for all ages may appreciate Reggie Rat Premium Complete food for Rats, which contains chicken as a low fat source of protein. It also doesn't contain the nuts and seeds that can cause skin and coat problems.

If there is one other extremely important purchase for the care of a smaller animal alongside hamster, rabbit, rat or guinea pig food, it is surely an appropriate bowl, accompanied by a water bottle. A good pet store will offer a sound choice of both, with ceramic, plastic and stainless steel bowls all widely available. There are many health and hygiene products that are also routinely vital for the smaller animal, including the likes of Johnsons Eye & Ear Wipes and Beaphar Rabbit/Guinea Pig Shampoo, the latter perfect for pre-show preparation or simply for keeping flies and fly-strike at bay.

Another obvious buy for the smaller animal is the right cage, hutch or run. That could take the form of an especially premium, tongue and groove timber clad rabbit hutch, complete with a removable ladder and trap door. The option to close such a door to shut off an under-run could be the ideal security measure at night against predators. Potential features of a good rabbit or guinea pig cage, meanwhile, could include a door in the top for easy access, a hay feeder and an easy to clean plastic base.

But no blog on the essential investments for smaller animals can be complete without reference to the most appropriate bedding, which could take the form of shredded waste paper, part of a hale bay or even fluff, to name just some of the options. Toys and treats, too, are available to keep your smaller animal happy and occupied, from Beaphar's Exotic Nibbly Bitz to Rosewood's Corn on the Cob and Johnsons Fruity Sticks. Such treats can add real variety to a smaller animal's life and help to give them an even more fulfilling life.

Editor’s Note: Broadfeed (http://www.broadfeed.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.