Pocket Pets
What is pocket pet veterinary care?
Small mammals — often called pocket pets — have care needs very different from cats and dogs. Their teeth, digestion, and temperament all require a specialized approach.
Our team understands these little patients and provides gentle, knowledgeable care to keep your rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or other small companion healthy and happy.
Caring for your small companion
Dental care for growing teeth
Unlike cats and dogs, these pets have hypsodont teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. When teeth wear unevenly, painful overgrowth and malocclusion can follow. We offer dental trims and malocclusion checks for guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rabbits.
Spay & neuter for exotics
Spaying and neutering offers major health and behaviour benefits for small mammals. In female rabbits especially, spaying prevents uterine cancer — a disease that is extremely common in unspayed does as they age. We’re happy to discuss the right timing for your pet.
The power of hay
Hay isn’t just food — it’s the cornerstone of digestive health for rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. We’ll make sure your pet is getting the right kind and amount to keep their gut and teeth working as they should.
Low-stress handling
Small mammals are prey species, so a stressful exam can be genuinely harmful to them. We use calm, low-stress handling techniques designed specifically for prey animals to keep your pet relaxed and safe during every visit.
Why fiber matters: the power of hay
For rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, a constant supply of fresh, high-quality hay is the single most important part of their diet. Long-strand fiber keeps the digestive system moving, helps prevent dangerous slowdowns like GI stasis, and wears down those constantly growing teeth naturally.
Grass hays such as timothy should make up the bulk of the diet, with pellets and fresh greens as supporting players rather than the main course. If you’re unsure whether your pet is getting enough of the right hay, we’re glad to help you build a feeding plan.
Small companions we welcome
Our team is experienced with a wide range of pocket pets, including:
From overgrown teeth to the perfect hay, we’re here to help your little companion live a long, healthy life.
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A Fear Free approach for exotics
Exotic pets have completely different stress triggers than dogs and cats — many are prey species for whom handling, noise, and new environments are genuinely frightening. We tailor our Fear Free techniques to each species, working calmly and patiently to keep your pet as relaxed as possible from the moment they arrive.
Transporting a small mammal to Paradise Animal Hospital
Pocket pets travel best warm, secure, and quiet:
- Use a secure carrier lined with familiar bedding
- Add a cloth-wrapped heat pack in cold weather
- Cover the carrier partway to reduce stress
- Bring a little of their usual hay or food