Small Pet Anxiety & Calming — Hide, Settle, Feel Safe

Help rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and chinchillas cope with noise, travel, new spaces and routine changes. Curated by Canine & Co for South African homes, this collection focuses on secure hideouts, carrier comforts, foraging enrichment and low-stress habitat tweaks—so little companions can relax and recover confidently.

What you’ll find

• Hides & dens: Multi-entrance shelters, snuggle sacks and grass huts for instant “safe zones”.
• Tunnels & covers: Fabric/cork tunnels and breathable covers to reduce visual stress.
• Carriers & travel pads: Ventilated carriers, non-slip liners and blackout covers for calm trips.
• Playpens & dividers: Manage introductions, cleaning and quiet time without conflict.
• Foraging & puzzle toys: Snuffle/forage mats, scatter trays and rollers to channel nervous energy.
• Comfort add-ons: Washable blankets, cooling/heat pads (species-appropriate) and soft bedding.
• Cleaners & loo gear: Unscented, pet-safe sprays; low-dust bedding and paper/plant-based pellets.

Pick by situation

• Loud noises (storms/fireworks): Partially cover the habitat (2–3 sides), add a hide per pet, offer a foraging mat.
• New home/introductions: Start with a smaller, well-set-up area; add duplicates of key resources to prevent guarding.
• Travel & vet days: Solid-floor carrier with a non-slip pad and a familiar hide; anchor with a seat belt; keep it cool and shaded.
• Cleaning or guests: Use a playpen/divider to create a quiet zone; offer a tunnel circuit + tiny forage scatter.

Build a calm routine

• Predictability: Feed, clean and play at similar times daily; avoid sudden layout changes.
• Choice of hides: At least one multi-entrance hide per pet; more for groups to reduce tension.
• Forage, then rest: 5–10 minutes of gentle foraging or puzzle play → lights lower → quiet time.
• Low-dust environment: Paper/aspen bedding; unscented, pet-safe cleaners; steady airflow (no drafts).

Quick tips by pet

• Rabbits & Guinea Pigs: Large hide + hay near a high-back loo; soft mats for traction; keep bonded pairs together.
• Hamsters: Deep, diggable bedding; solid wheel; sand bath; multiple small hides to reduce exposure.
• Rats & Mice: Hammocks and upper dens; add ladders/ropes for confident movement; provide group-size hides.
• Chinchillas: Cool, ventilated setup; dust bath (10–15 min) for self-soothing; stable ledges and dark hides.

Safety & use

• Species-specific only: Avoid dog/cat or human calming products unless an exotics vet advises.
• No exercise balls: Use playpens for floor time—better airflow and posture.
• Temperature: Keep habitats away from heaters and direct sun; use cooling/heat pads appropriately.
• Travel: Secure the carrier with a seat belt; open only in a closed, escape-proof area.

When to see an exotics vet

• Not eating/drinking, sudden weight loss or very small/dry stools.
• Laboured breathing, nasal/eye discharge, persistent hunching or refusal to move.
• Self-injury (fur pulling, sores) or escalating aggression despite a calm setup.

Use filters to choose by species, calming gear and price. Order online for fast delivery anywhere in South Africa— and create a predictable, comforting environment that helps small pets settle and thrive.