The path to optimal care and wellbeing for your pet varies by pet type, with unique factors to consider for each. Herbivores such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits require specific dietary needs that contrast greatly from the needs of carnivores, such as ferrets and cats. Meanwhile, omnivores offer a bit more flexibility, while reptilian creatures require specifically-balanced diets depending on the species. Building a balanced diet tailored to your pet's needs will allow them to lead healthy, nutritionally fulfilled lives, supporting their quality of life long-term.

Herbivores

Small herbivores like hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits depend on grasses, seeds, and fruits & vegetables for their diet. To help facilitate a herbivore's diet and keep their teeth healthy, multipurpose items such as the Ecotrition Snak Shak are great tools to help stimulate small animals' natural chewing instincts, while being a great-tasting treat and hideaway spot. Since herbivores rely heavily on grasses and herbage in their diet, hay rolls are a great staple for small pets.

PUUR’s Pauze Hay Roll is an excellent snack crafted with natural hay with dried herbs, fruit, and vegetables to ease digestion, coming in four enjoyable combinations like Celery & Bell Pepper or Hibiscus & Mint. Snack sticks are another great tool for supporting a herbivore's diet, while also being a convenient option for an on-the-go treat. Easily clipped to the enclosure for convenient snacking, PUUR’s snack sticks are made with healthy seeds and grains in a variety of nut, fruit, vegetable, and herb combinations. These types of wholesome snacks are great for a nutritional boost, support healthy teeth and gums, and can keep your pet engaged and entertained.

Omnivores

Small pets such as rats, mice and dogs offer more flexibility in their diets as they are able to eat a variety of different plant and animal matter. Because omnivores’ digestive systems are suited for a wide variety of meats, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, developing a balanced diet for these pets allows for higher flexibility in mixed quantities of either type of food. For dogs, snacks such as Icelandic+ Combo Sticks - simply made of Cod & Blueberries or Cod & Spinach - offer both plant fibre and marine protein. Dog Treat Naturals Beef Sliders are another healthy snack providing your pet the fulfillment of a great-tasting protein. Meanwhile, additional options such as Dog Treat Naturals Superfood Sticks provide a mixed variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to keep the omnivore in your life nutritionally balanced and satisfied. 

Omnivorous small animals, like rats and mice, typically prefer seeds, grains, and fruits over meat, so they may enjoy all of the recommendations we made above for Herbivores. Typically, rats are more likely to explore animal-based proteins than mice, so you may also consider letting your rat try any of the natural sticks we mentioned above for dogs.

Carnivores

Carnivores, such as ferrets and cats, are pets whose diet rely completely on meat proteins to stay nutritionally fulfilled, and often find it difficult to digest most plant-based food. For cats, options such as PureBites Freeze Dried Treats are a great tasting snack that contains simple, natural ingredients such as wild-caught salmon, duck liver, whitefish, and ocean minnow. These snacks are also an ideal option for ferrets.

If you can't keep your feline companion away from your plants, we recommend our SmartCat’s Kitty's Garden kit: grow healthy, cat-safe oat grass, wheatgrass, rye grass, and barley grass for their snacking.

Reptiles

Reptile lovers know that their pets require a thoughtfully balanced diet, and that different species can have vastly different needs for both diet and environment. Because of the diversity of reptiles, their diets can include a wide variety of live protein, insects, fruits and vegetables, and nuts - and in many cases, specially formulated snacks & supplements to support their wellness. Products such as Omega One Turtle Sticks are great for aquatic turtles, providing rich levels of Omega 3 and 6 with Alaskan salmon and whole seafood, plus salmon skins for vibrant colors to entice your turtle.

For carnivorous reptiles,  Komodo’s Calcium Supplement is a pure calcium boost with no added phosphorus or D3, and is especially formulated for maximum adhesion to insects and pre-killed rodents. Komodo’s Calcium Supplement for herbivores is a great choice for pet tortoises and is enhanced with calcium and phosphorus at an ideal ratio of 2:1.

For geckos, Komodo’s Advanced Crested Gecko Diet is a complete food supplement containing Calcium, D3, and a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, designed for maximum absorption and easy digestion. A great option for a wide variety of lizards and tortoises is Komodo’s Nutri-Cal supplement, including essential nutrients like Calcium and Vitamins A, B, C, D & E. This supplement is specifically formulated to prevent metabolic bone disease and comes in an easy-to-administer powder format.

Taking the time to understand what your pet needs - whether they’re herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, or reptiles - makes a great difference in their lives. Each species has its own specific diet and care requirements, and meeting those needs can help your pet live a long, healthy life. By researching and adjusting their food, supplements, environment, and enrichment, you can give your pet the best chance at thriving, setting them up for a happy life.