Small Pet Dental Maintenance — Gnaw, Forage, Stay Comfortable

Support healthy teeth for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and chinchillas with chew-friendly gear and fibre-first foods. Curated by Canine & Co for South African homes, this collection focuses on unlimited hay (for herbivores), safe chew textures and smart habitat add-ons—so teeth wear naturally and mealtimes stay easy.

What you’ll find

• Grass hay & forage: Timothy, meadow and oat hays; dried herb/flower mixes to encourage long, slow chewing.
• Safe chew toys: Untreated woods (willow/apple), seagrass, loofah and cardboard gnaw toys.
• Chinchilla pumice blocks: Species-appropriate stone chews for steady wear.
• Hay racks & holders: Keep hay clean and accessible to promote constant nibbling.
• Foraging tools: Snuffle mats, scatter trays and rollers that turn eating into tooth-friendly work.
• Pellets by species: Balanced formulas to complement hay (Vitamin C for guinea pigs).

Pick by pet

• Rabbits & Guinea Pigs: Unlimited grass hay + species pellets; add willow/apple sticks and seagrass mats; avoid salt/mineral blocks.
• Chinchillas: Unlimited hay + pumice/wood blocks; regular dust baths (separate from food areas).
• Hamsters: Wooden chews, loofah and cardboard tunnels; offer a small scatter of pellets/seeds for foraging.
• Rats & Mice: Hardwood chews, cardboard and coconut shells; rotate textures to keep interest high.

Daily dental routine

• Hay first (herbivores): Refill hay racks morning and evening; mix in a little coarse forage for variety.
• Chew stations: Place 2–3 gnaw options in different habitat zones; rotate weekly.
• Forage time: Scatter a portion of pellets in a mat or box to extend chewing time.
• Quick check: Watch eating speed, drool/wet chin, and interest in hard foods; weigh weekly.

Materials & sizing tips

• Choose safe textures: Untreated woods, seagrass, loofah; avoid painted/treated woods and strongly scented softwoods.
• Right hardness: Provide firm but not rock-hard items (except chinchilla pumice) to avoid tooth fractures.
• Solid surfaces: Habitat floors/ramps should be solid (no bars) to protect teeth and feet.

Habitat add-ons that help

• Mount a hay rack above a loo corner for rabbits/guinea pigs—grazing naturally extends chew time.
• Add tunnels and hides so shy pets can gnaw while feeling secure.
• Use bowls that don’t tip and keep water fresh to support steady eating and saliva flow.

When to see an exotics vet

• Drooling/wet chin, pawing at the mouth, food dropping, weight loss or reluctance to eat hard foods.
• Overgrown/incisor misalignment, facial swelling, eye or nasal discharge.

Use filters to choose by species, chew material and price. Order online for fast delivery anywhere in South Africa— and build a chew-positive routine that keeps small-pet teeth wearing naturally.