DIY Treats for Small Pets

by | General Pet Care |

guinea pigs eating
Photo Credit:

While our idea of a treat often involves sweets or junk food (who can resist that bag of oreos in the cupboard?!), small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters love a good healthy snack. Vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, kale, and dandelion greens make for a great snack. Just remember that like us, pets should be given treats in moderation. While fruits are high in nutrients, they’re also high in sugar.

For a fun twist on your pet’s favourite foods, here are some quick and easy homemade treats you can make for your small pet.

 Hamster treat sticks

What youll need:

  • Peanut butter (organic or natural peanut butter is best)
  • Small chew stick
  • Seeds
  • Your hamster’s regular food


  1. Take a small chew stick, cover it in a thin layer of peanut butter and roll it in your hamster’s favourite seeds and food.
  2. Repeat applying peanut butter and the seed mixture until the stick becomes a thick treat stick.
  3. Place the treat stick in the freezer for a few minutes, just until firm.
  4. Serve by attaching a string to both ends of the treat stick and hanging it from above so it sits slightly off the ground.

Banana carrot bunny treats

What youll need:

  • 2 carrots
  • 1 banana
  • Your rabbit’s regular food


  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grind your bunny’s kibble until it forms a powder.
  3. In a food processor, take the carrots and banana and blend until smooth. Combine with the kibble and mix well.
  4. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it into a 1-inch ball and flatten slightly so it doesn’t roll away. Place the ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue this process until all the mixture is used.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes until hard. Let treats cool completely before feeding.

Frozen guinea pig treats

What youll need:

  • 2 carrots
  • 3 cucumbers or 2 kale leaves
  • 1 slice of apple
  • 1 cup of water


  1. Blend all ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.
  2. Pour into an ice cube tray and cover with plastic wrap. Place tray in freezer until solid.

Before serving, make sure you soften the treat first to avoid damage to your guinea pig’s teeth. Thaw treats at room temperature or run under warm water.