What each small pet eats, the foods that are dangerous, and the diet rules that matter most.
8 questions, answered honestly and judgment-free.
It depends on the animal. Grazers (rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus) live mostly on unlimited hay plus a little pellet and greens. Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils) eat a species-specific pellet or mix as omnivores. Ferrets are obligate carnivores needing a meat-based ferret food; hedgehogs are insectivores; sugar gliders need a specialist nectar-and-insect diet. Never feed one species’ food to another.
Yes — for grazers, hay isn’t bedding or a snack, it’s the majority of the diet (around 80–90%) and must be available at all times. It keeps the gut moving (preventing life-threatening stasis) and wears down their continuously-growing teeth. A diet low in hay is behind most dental and gut disease in these species.
Yes — guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C and must get it from their diet every day (via fresh grass-based pellets and vitamin-C-rich vegetables), or they develop painful deficiency (scurvy). Because vitamin C degrades in air and water, give a fresh portion daily and don’t rely on drops in the water bottle.
It’s species-specific. Rabbits and guinea pigs enjoy daily leafy greens (kale, parsley, herbs) with fruit and root veg as occasional treats only. Rats and gerbils can have small amounts of many fruits and veg as part of their ration. But sugar-sensitive degus should get no fruit at all, and ferrets (carnivores) shouldn’t have fruit or veg. Introduce anything new gradually.
Common ones to avoid: grapes, raisins and rhubarb are toxic to rodents; onion, citrus, walnuts and chocolate are unsafe for rats; lettuce gives mice diarrhoea; muesli-style mixes harm rabbits and guinea pigs; and sugary or fatty foods are risky across the board (and outright dangerous for degus and ferrets). When unsure, leave it out and check the species guide.
Degus are highly prone to type 2 diabetes and can’t process sugar or rich carbohydrates. A sugary diet causes diabetes, whose signs include cloudy eyes (cataracts), excessive drinking and urinating, and weight gain. So degus get unlimited hay, molasses-free nuggets, no fruit, and only tiny occasional pieces of low-sugar vegetables.
Yes. Muesli-style mixes let the animal pick out the sweet, starchy bits and leave the fibre, which causes dental disease, obesity and gut problems. The modern standard is unlimited hay plus a small, measured amount of a single uniform pellet — not a colourful mix.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores needing a high-protein, high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate, meat-based diet — ideally a proper commercial ferret food. Cat food is a poor long-term substitute, and sugary foods (fruit, raisins) can worsen insulinoma. Keep treats to meat, egg or freeze-dried meat.
More small-pet Q&A
← All questions · Species care guides →
Short answers from the Hayfold team — kind, general guidance, not a diagnosis. When something looks wrong, watch your pet closely and see an exotic/small-animal vet for anything serious.
