Happy Habitats

Safe Hamster Bedding & Habitat: Protect Your Pet's Health & Happiness

Learn about hamster habitats, bedding and nesting which will help your hamster to live a long and happy life.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

First-Time Hamster Owner? Essential Supplies & Care Checklist

Congratulations on deciding to bring a hamster into your family! Make sure you have their new home set up before their arrival with this essential hamster shopping supply list.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Beginner Hamster Care: Essential Tips for a Happy, Healthy Pet

Learn everything you need to know about caring for your hamster, including habitat setup, diet, and tips for keeping them happy and healthy.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Chinchilla Care: Your Guide to Food, Habitat & Health Success

Chinchillas have an inquisitive and gentle nature, but also have a lot of energy. Learn about the care and supply needs for pet chinchillas.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Ultimate Pet Rat Care Guide: Food, Habitat, Health & Happy Rat Tips

Learn how to care for pet rat, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.

Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Got pet care questions? Bird bonding, cage size, heating, and litter?

Thanks for reaching out. Sound like you have a full house. 1. Birds will often bond together but continue to work with them in a quiet environ, offering treats to win and re-enforce trust. Toys, the radio or tv, can all assist with boredom. Setting up foraging toys so birds need to spend time looking for food. 2. There is no such thing as too big a cage. 3. Heating rocks are rarely approved for use, as they will eventually become faulty and get too hot, potentially damaging the animal. A heat lamp is recommended. 4. The bunny's litter box should be spot cleaned daily and full clean weekly. If you can smell it you waited too long. Good luck.

Do Petco stores sell safe and fun toys for my pet rabbit?

Yes, most pet stores have a small animal section with a variety of toys. Look for chew toys with safe woods such as willow, apple, birch, spruce and aspen. Soft toys and exercise wheels are also good options.

What are the best sleeping spaces for a new hedgehog's cage?

Congrats on your new hedgehog, and thanks for using Boop by Petco! As hedgehogs love burrowing, if you aren't providing a deep layer of bedding for her to burrow in, a small enclosure would be the next most ideal. There are many commercially available huts, sleep shacks, and bags that ST.Hedgie would love, and it will really depend on your needs and her likes. Some hedgehogs prefer the plastic, dome-type huts, and some prefer soft sacks. Cleaning will be easiest with plastic, but she may prefer a fabric house, so be prepared to appropriately clean the house of her choosing on a regular basis. Here are some options: Soft, hanging hut: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/small-animal/small-animal-sleepers-hideaways/multipet-pineapple-house-small-animal-hideaway-in-yellow Plastic castle hut: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/small-animal/small-animal-sleepers-hideaways/you-and-me-small-animal-hideaway Grassy hut: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/prod

First-time rabbit owner: What do I need before bringing my bunny home?

Congrats on your new addition! It looks like you have everything you need. A water bottle wasn't listed, so if you don't have one be sure to pick one up at the local Petco. Rabbit safe chew toys can also be found at the store. Melo can eat as much timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses as he wants. Do not feed him any alfalfa and limit pellets to about 1/8 cup daily. he can get a cup or two of fresh greens daily as well. If you have any additional questions, you can post them here.

First-time dwarf hamster owner? What advice do you recommend?

Hi! Hamsters can make great pets if they are socialized and handled gently. A standard hamster cage with a wheel, tunnels, a hide box, some soft bedding in which to burrow (like carefresh), fresh food and water are the basic needs of any pet hamster. If you want, you can add a network of tunnels to provide more exercise and enrichment opportunities. Hamsters can get sick and should only be fed hamster specific food items to decrease the chances of tooth and gastrointestinal problems. It’s also a good idea to take your new pet to the vet shortly after you get them so you have a baseline of health and have an established relationship with a vet in the event your hamster does become ill. Good luck!