Exotic Pet Resources
A growing collection of exotic pet resources from House of Guineas — care guides, Bay Area vet directories, and the products we trust. Everything here is written or curated by Alexandria, an exotic veterinary assistant who’s worked at Bay Area Bird and Exotics Hospital and volunteers with the House Rabbit Society. Use this as your jumping-off point.
Species Care Guides
In-depth guides for the exotics we care for most often:
- Complete Guinea Pig Care Guide — housing, diet, health signs, bedding, and socialization. Start here if you’re new to guinea pigs.
- Guinea Pig Cage Setup — minimum sizes, C&C cage assembly, bedding, accessories, layout.
- Guinea Pig Diet & Nutrition — what to feed, how much, safe vegetables, vitamin C requirements.
- Guinea Pig Adoption Guide — where to adopt, costs, supplies checklist, first-week tips.
- Rabbit Care Essentials — diet, housing, health signs, RHDV vaccinations.
- Bird Care Guide — cockatiels, parakeets, conures, parrotlets, lovebirds, finches.
- Reptile & Amphibian Care Guide — bearded dragons, snakes, geckos, turtles, axolotls.
- Bearded Dragon Temperature & Humidity Guide — basking temps, humidity ranges, setup tips for SF homes.
Health & Emergency Resources
What to watch for, and when to act:
- Exotic Pet Emergency Signs — emergency warning signs for reptiles, birds, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
- 5 Warning Signs Your Guinea Pig Needs a Vet — URI, GI stasis, bumblefoot, and dental issues.
- How to Prepare Your Reptile for Pet Sitting — what your sitter needs to know before you leave.
Bay Area Exotic Vet Directories
Curated lists of exotic-savvy veterinarians, organized by region:
- San Francisco & Bay Area Exotic Vets — exotic-friendly hospitals across SF and the broader Bay Area.
- Peninsula Exotic Vets — San Mateo County Directory — Burlingame, San Mateo, Redwood City, Los Altos, and surrounding cities.
- Why Choose an Exotic Vet Assistant? — what specialized exotic veterinary training means for the care your pet receives.
Comparison Guides
Help making decisions:
- Guinea Pig Fleece Liners vs Disposable Bedding — cost, hygiene, respiratory safety compared.
- Guinea Pig vs Rabbit vs Hamster — lifespan, cost, space, handling, personality, care level.
Products & Recommended Resources
What we use and recommend:
- Clinical Series Fleece Cage Liners — our patent-pending all-in-one antimicrobial guinea pig liner. Medical-grade, silver ion technology, handmade in SF.
- Small Pet Resources — recommended C&C cages, premium hay, and other trusted products for small mammal care.
Need exotic pet care that goes beyond reading? See our in-home pet sitting and boarding services across San Francisco and the Peninsula. Call or text 415-484-6493 to set up a free meet-and-greet.