Small Pets — Destructive Chewing Solutions

Redirect nibbling from cables and furniture to safe, satisfying chew options for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and chinchillas. Curated by Canine & Co, this collection pairs species-appropriate chew textures, foraging enrichment and smart habitat tweaks to meet natural gnaw needs and protect your home.

What you’ll find

• Safe chew toys: Untreated woods (willow/apple), seagrass, loofah, cardboard and coconut shells.
• Foraging & puzzle gear: Snuffle mats, scatter trays, treat rollers and refillable toys that make eating take time.
• Hay & forage (herbivores): Timothy/meadow/oat hay and dried herbs/flowers to keep mouths busy for longer.
• Chinchilla pumice/stone chews: Appropriate hardness for natural wear.
• Habitat add-ons: Hides, tunnels, ramps and hammocks to reduce boredom and stress-chew cycles.
• Cable & corner protectors: Practical barriers for supervised floor time.

Quick picks by pet

• Rabbits & Guinea Pigs: Unlimited hay + willow/apple sticks, seagrass mats and cardboard houses; rotate textures weekly.
• Chinchillas: Pumice blocks, apple wood and ledge chews; provide dust baths for stress relief.
• Hamsters: Loofah, softer woods, cardboard tunnels and small puzzle rollers; solid-surface wheel for extra outlet.
• Rats & Mice: Hardwood chews, coconut shells, cardboard and rope bridges; add hammocks and climbing routes.

Set up chew-friendly zones

• Chew stations: Place 2–3 chew options in different habitat areas (feeding, hide, play) to catch the urge.
• Forage first: Scatter part of the daily ration in a mat/box so eating = work.
• Block & protect: Use cable sleeves, pen panels and corner guards during supervised floor time.
• Rotate weekly: Swap materials (wood ↔ seagrass ↔ loofah) to keep novelty and interest high.

Training & routine

• Redirect + reward: When you catch chewing the “no”, offer a chew toy and praise when used.
• Daily enrichment: 5–10 minutes of foraging or gentle play reduces boredom-driven chewing.
• Right sizes: Choose chews your pet can lift/hold; mount some at head height for comfortable gnawing.

Safety notes

• Materials: Prefer untreated woods, seagrass and food-safe dyes; avoid painted/treated woods and aromatic softwoods.
• No exercise balls: Use playpens for floor time—better airflow and posture.
• Check wear: Remove frayed cords/cracked plastics; replace heavily chewed items promptly.
• Solid surfaces: Habitat floors/ramps should be solid (no bars) to protect feet and teeth.

When to see an exotics vet

• Drooling/wet chin, dropping food, weight loss, facial swelling or eye/nasal discharge.
• Sudden increase in destructive chewing combined with lethargy or appetite change.

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 protects your home and keeps small pets happily occupied.