Small Animal Care in Finchley

Updated August 2026

Calm home visits for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets

Small pets are sometimes described as easy to look after.

In reality, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals often rely on very precise routines.

A blocked water bottle, reduced appetite, sudden temperature change or small behaviour change can quickly become important.

I provide home visits for rabbits, guinea pigs and other suitable small pets in Finchley, North Finchley, Finchley Central, East Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby areas.

Your pets remain in their familiar home with their normal:

• Companion animals
• Enclosure
• Hiding places
• Food and hay
• Water bowls or bottles
• Bedding
• Temperature
• Household sounds
• Feeding and cleaning routine

Visits can include feeding, fresh water, hay, basic enclosure care, litter or bedding changes, medication support where appropriate, general welfare observations and updates.

I have provided professional pet care since 2011 and care for one household at a time.

Contact Del about small-animal care

View current small-animal care prices

Small-animal care at a glance

Service detail	Information
One standard home visit	£15
Two visits in one day	£25
Additional 15 minutes	£6
Additional 30 minutes	£12
Main animals cared for	Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and degus
Other animals	Some tortoises, caged birds and other suitable pets by prior agreement
Animals not accepted	Snakes and care outside my experience
Location	Your pets remain in their own home
Visit frequency	At least one thorough daily visit, with twice-daily care often preferable
Medication	Straightforward support may be possible by prior agreement
Updates	Photographs and messages where appropriate
Main areas	Finchley, Muswell Hill and selected nearby areas
First step	Initial enquiry followed by a meet-and-greet

Several pets do not automatically mean a separate charge for each animal.

Additional time may be required where the household has several enclosures, different diets, medication or a more involved cleaning routine.

Which small animals do I care for?

I mainly provide home visits for:

• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Gerbils
• Degus

I may also be able to care for:

• Tortoises
• Some caged birds
• Other suitable small pets whose routine falls within my experience

These bookings must be discussed individually.

I do not provide snake care.

I will also decline care where an animal requires specialist husbandry, medical treatment, handling or equipment management outside my competence.

Owning or liking animals does not automatically make someone experienced with every species.

I should be honest rather than accept a booking that I cannot provide safely.

Why home visits can suit small pets

Many rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals rely heavily on familiar surroundings.

Moving them to another property can introduce:

• Transport
• Different smells
• New noises
• A different enclosure
• Changed temperatures
• Unfamiliar animals
• Different feeding routines
• New handling
• Separation from bonded companions

Home visits allow them to remain in the environment they already understand.

They can keep:

• Their familiar companion
• Their usual enclosure
• Their existing feeding points
• Their normal hiding places
• Their regular bedding
• Their familiar room or garden
• Their established routine

Home care is not automatically the right choice in every situation.

An animal with complex medical needs, recent illness or very intensive care requirements may need veterinary boarding, specialist boarding or another appropriately experienced carer.

What happens during a small-animal visit?

Every visit follows the written routine agreed before you travel.

Depending on the species and setup, care may include:

• Providing fresh hay
• Feeding measured pellets or dry food
• Preparing familiar vegetables
• Refreshing drinking water
• Checking bowls and water bottles
• Removing old or spoiled food
• Cleaning litter trays
• Spot-cleaning wet or soiled bedding
• Checking the enclosure
• Checking doors, catches and lids
• Monitoring room or enclosure temperature
• Checking heating or lighting equipment where agreed
• Observing eating and toileting
• Observing normal movement and behaviour
• Providing straightforward medication
• Allowing agreed access to a secure exercise area
• Returning animals safely to their enclosure
• Sending a photograph and update

The visit is not simply about refilling bowls.

Observation is an important part of small-animal care.

Before changing anything, I will normally take a moment to look at the animals and their surroundings.

Are they moving as expected?

Have they eaten their hay?

Are there normal droppings?

Is the water supply working?

Has anything changed since the previous visit?

How often should small pets be visited?

Every animal must receive an appropriate physical welfare check every day.

I do not offer every-other-day holiday visits.

The correct frequency depends on:

• Species
• Age
• Health
• Medication
• Feeding routine
• Weather
• Enclosure
• Water setup
• Number of animals
• Length of the holiday
• How quickly a problem could develop

One visit each day

One thorough daily visit may be considered for some stable, healthy small pets with a straightforward routine.

The visit must allow enough time to:

• Check every animal
• Replace food and water
• Clean as agreed
• Check the enclosure
• Observe eating, toileting and behaviour

Two visits each day

Two daily visits may be more appropriate where:

• Rabbits are involved
• The weather is hot or very cold
• Water bottles could leak or block
• Fresh food is divided between morning and evening
• Medication is required
• An animal is older
• An animal is recovering from illness
• Closer observation has been recommended
• The animals live outdoors
• You will be away for an extended period
• The routine is more involved

Two standard visits in one day cost £25 in total.

For rabbits, twice-daily checks are often the safer starting point, particularly during warm weather and the flystrike season.

Rabbit holiday care

Rabbit care involves much more than topping up a food bowl.

A rabbit visit may include:

• Providing unlimited fresh hay
• Feeding measured pellets
• Preparing familiar greens
• Refreshing water
• Checking bowls and bottles
• Cleaning the litter tray
• Spot-cleaning bedding
• Checking droppings
• Checking appetite
• Looking at posture and movement
• Checking the rabbit’s rear where this is part of the agreed routine
• Monitoring temperature
• Checking predator protection
• Providing agreed exercise access
• Returning the rabbit securely
• Medication support where appropriate
• Sending an update

Rabbits are prey animals and can hide signs of illness.

A rabbit who is quieter than normal, sitting differently, grinding their teeth or reluctant to move may be unwell or in pain.

Read the Rabbit Welfare Association’s rabbit health-check guidance

Eating and droppings matter

Please tell me what normal eating and toileting look like for your rabbits.

Important changes can include:

• Refusing food
• Eating less hay
• Fewer droppings
• Smaller droppings
• Diarrhoea
• Sitting hunched
• Unusual quietness
• Teeth grinding
• A swollen appearance
• Reluctance to move

A rabbit who stops eating or appears seriously unwell needs prompt veterinary advice.

I do not diagnose gastrointestinal stasis or another condition. My role is to recognise that something has changed and follow the emergency plan.

Flystrike precautions

Flystrike can develop quickly during warmer weather.

The Rabbit Welfare Association advises checking rabbits every day and more than once daily during summer, particularly where a rabbit has a dirty rear, a wound, a mobility problem, or another increased risk.

Read the Rabbit Welfare Association’s flystrike guidance.

Before travelling in warmer weather, please provide:

• Clear checking instructions
• Suitable cleaning supplies
• Veterinary details
• Information about any preventative treatment
• A plan for increased visit frequency
• Details of previous flystrike or soiling
• Instructions for an urgent concern

Suspected flystrike is a veterinary emergency.

Keeping bonded rabbits together

Bonded rabbits should normally remain together unless your vet has advised otherwise.

Separating bonded companions can create unnecessary distress.

Please explain:

• Which rabbits are bonded
• Their normal relationship
• Which rabbit usually eats first
• Whether there is occasional chasing
• Where they sleep
• Whether they share food
• Signs of genuine conflict
• Circumstances requiring separation
• How a safe temporary separation would be managed

There should be enough:

• Space
• Hay
• Water
• Feeding points
• Hiding places
• Litter facilities

for the animals to move away from one another when needed.

Read about my Rabbit Holiday care

Guinea-pig holiday care

Guinea pigs also rely on consistent feeding, water, companionship and close observation.

A guinea-pig visit may include:

• Providing unlimited hay or suitable grass
• Feeding measured guinea-pig pellets
• Preparing familiar vegetables
• Refreshing drinking water
• Checking that bottles are flowing
• Removing spoiled fresh food
• Spot-cleaning wet bedding
• Checking droppings and urine
• Checking each guinea pig’s behaviour
• Checking hides, tunnels and enclosure security
• Monitoring temperature
• Sending an update

PDSA recommends daily monitoring because guinea pigs may hide signs of illness. Learning what is normal for each guinea pig makes changes easier to recognise.

Read PDSA guidance on guinea-pig health.

Hay, food and vitamin C

Guinea pigs need constant access to suitable hay or grass and require vitamin C from their diet.

Please leave:

• More hay than you expect will be needed
• The normal pellet brand
• A labelled measuring scoop
• Written pellet quantities
• A list of familiar vegetables
• Instructions for storing fresh food
• Any veterinary supplement instructions
• Extra supplies for a delayed return

Do not change pellet brands or introduce unfamiliar vegetables immediately before travelling.

Read PDSA guidance about feeding guinea pigs

Water-bottle checks

A water bottle can appear full while the nozzle is blocked.

During visits, I may check:

• Whether water is flowing
• Whether the bottle has leaked
• Whether the nozzle is blocked
• Whether it is securely attached
• Whether the water remains clean
• Whether the animals appear to be drinking

Please leave a clean spare bottle or bowl where practical.

Hamsters, gerbils and degus

Small rodents have species-specific routines and should not all be treated in the same way.

Care may include:

• Providing measured food
• Refreshing drinking water
• Checking a bottle
• Removing spoiled fresh food
• Spot-cleaning where appropriate
• Checking enclosure security
• Checking wheels and accessories
• Checking room temperature
• Observing normal activity
• Following handling instructions
• Providing agreed enrichment

Please tell me:

• Whether the animal is normally active during visit times
• Whether handling is expected
• Whether they are likely to escape
• Which equipment must not be moved
• Whether they store food
• What normal behaviour looks like
• How cleaning is normally managed
• Whether several animals live together

I will not wake or repeatedly handle a nocturnal animal merely to create a photograph where indirect signs confirm that their routine appears normal.

Read about my Guinea pig service

Tortoises, birds and other agreed animals

Some tortoise, bird and other small-pet routines may be possible by prior agreement.

I will need clear information about:

• Species
• Feeding
• Water
• Temperature
• Heating
• Lighting
• Timers
• Humidity where relevant
• Cleaning
• Handling
• Escape risks
• Emergency arrangements
• Specialist veterinary contacts

Electrical, heating and lighting equipment should be tested before you travel.

Please leave a backup plan for:

• Failed bulbs
• Broken timers
• Power cuts
• Heating failure
• Unexpected hot or cold weather

I will only accept the booking where the routine is within my experience and can be provided safely.

Handling small animals

Not every small animal enjoys being picked up.

Handling may be stressful and can also create a risk of injury or escape.

Before the booking, please explain:

• Whether handling is normally required
• Whether the animal is comfortable being handled
• How you normally lift them
• Whether they jump or struggle
• Whether handling is needed for medication
• Previous injuries
• Escape behaviour
• Any handling instructions from your vet

I do not force animals to be held for companionship or photographs.

Calm observation is often more useful.

Where handling is required, it must be within my competence and safe for both the animal and me.

Enclosure care and cleaning

The amount of cleaning required varies considerably.

A standard visit may include:

• Removing wet bedding
• Cleaning a litter tray
• Removing spoiled food
• Spot-cleaning heavily soiled areas
• Cleaning bowls
• Replacing agreed bedding
• Sweeping around the enclosure
• Checking catches and doors

A full enclosure clean may require additional booked time.

Please leave:

• Correct bedding
• Litter
• Bin bags
• Pet-safe cleaning products
• Brushes or scoops
• Written cleaning instructions
• Waste-disposal instructions
• Spare enclosure items where needed

Do not expect me to introduce an unfamiliar bedding or cleaning product while you are away.

Medication support

I may be able to provide straightforward medication support where:

• It has been discussed before booking
• Written veterinary instructions are provided
• The medication is clearly labelled
• The correct dose and timing are clear
• The method is within my experience
• The animal can be handled safely

Please provide:

• Medication in original packaging where possible
• Written instructions
• The prescribed dose
• Administration times
• Known side effects
• Instructions for a refused dose
• Instructions if the animal spits out medication
• Enough medication for a delayed return
• Your veterinary practice details

I do not:

• Diagnose illness
• Prescribe treatment
• Change a veterinary dose
• Decide when an unprescribed treatment should be used
• Automatically repeat a partly swallowed dose
• Carry out invasive procedures
• Use restraint I consider unsafe
• Replace veterinary care

A trial visit may be required before medication support is accepted.

Warm-weather care

Small animals can be particularly vulnerable during hot weather.

Before travelling, consider:

• Direct sunlight
• Conservatories
• Sheds
• Poorly ventilated rooms
• Water supplies
• Curtains and blinds
• Safe airflow
• Cooling items
• Enclosure position
• A second daily visit
• What should happen during a heatwave

A room or enclosure that feels comfortable in the morning can become much warmer later.

Do not rely on one frozen bottle or cooling item as the entire plan.

Visits may include checking:

• Temperature
• Water
• Appetite
• Activity
• Breathing
• Posture
• Whether cooling equipment remains safe

Read my guide to Keeping Rabbits Cool in Summer

Cold-weather and outdoor care

Outdoor animals need a clear cold-weather routine.

Their accommodation should remain:

• Dry
• Secure
• Sheltered
• Draught-free
• Protected from predators
• Supplied with appropriate bedding
• Accessible in bad weather
• Safe if water freezes

Please explain:

• Covers
• Heating equipment
• Insulation
• Water arrangements
• Feeding changes
• Access to indoor accommodation
• Storm precautions
• What should happen during snow or freezing conditions

Any seasonal move should be planned and tested before your holiday rather than made immediately before you leave.

What should you leave for the pet sitter?

Keep the supplies together and make them easy to identify.

Please leave:

• Sufficient hay
• Pellets or dry food
• Familiar vegetables
• Bedding
• Litter
• Clean bowls
• Spare water bottles
• Cleaning supplies
• Bin bags
• Medication
• Written medication instructions
• Feeding measurements
• Routine notes
• Veterinary details
• Emergency-vet details
• A local emergency contact
• Carriers
• Spare keys where agreed
• Your travel information
• Expected return details
• Additional supplies for a possible delay

Do not leave essential equipment inside a locked garage, cupboard or shed that I cannot access.

The carrier, medication and emergency information should be easy to find.

Create a written care sheet

Clear written instructions remove guesswork.

Your care sheet should include:

Pet information

• Names
• Species
• Ages
• Sex
• Photographs where animals look similar
• Health conditions
• Previous illnesses
• Medication
• Relevant weights where known

Feeding

• Food types
• Quantities
• Feeding times
• Hay arrangements
• Fresh-food list
• Foods to avoid
• Supplements
• Storage instructions

Normal behaviour

• Which animal is most confident
• Who normally eats first
• Normal sleeping places
• Normal droppings
• Expected activity
• Handling preferences
• Normal social behaviour
• Hiding places

Enclosure care

• Daily spot cleaning
• Full-clean schedule
• Bedding
• Litter
• Waste disposal
• Bowl and bottle cleaning
• Temperature equipment
• Security checks

Emergency information

• Normal vet
• Emergency vet
• Backup contact
• Treatment authority
• Payment arrangements
• Carrier location
• How to contact you

The more clearly you describe what is normal, the easier it is to recognise something unusual.

Photographs and updates

I normally provide an update where appropriate.

This may include:

• A photograph
• Confirmation of food and water
• Information about droppings
• Medication confirmation
• Enclosure observations
• Behaviour changes
• Temperature concerns
• Anything that needs your attention

I will not repeatedly handle or disturb an animal purely to obtain a photograph.

A useful update may confirm that:

• Both rabbits ate their greens
• Hay consumption appears normal
• Water is flowing
• Droppings look normal
• The guinea pigs greeted me as expected
• The enclosure is secure
• Nothing concerning was observed

Simple household tasks

A few basic household tasks may fit within the visit where they do not reduce the care available for your pets.

These may include:

• Bringing in post
• Moving a small delivery indoors
• Managing one household bin
• Opening or closing agreed curtains
• Switching agreed lights on or off
• Watering a few suitable indoor plants
• Carrying out a simple visual check

More involved tasks may require additional time.

Pet care remains the priority.

Read about Pet Care Add-ons and Holiday Home Help

Meet-and-greet process

A meet-and-greet is normally required for a new small-animal client.

This allows me to:

• Meet you and your animals
• See the enclosure
• Learn the feeding routine
• Check water arrangements
• Discuss cleaning
• Review medication
• Discuss handling
• Identify escape risks
• Review heating and lighting
• Check keys and access
• Discuss cameras
• Review veterinary and emergency arrangements
• Agree the visit frequency

The meeting also allows me to decide whether the routine falls within my experience.

A meet-and-greet does not automatically guarantee that I will accept the booking.

Emergency arrangements

Before care begins, I will normally need:

• Your veterinary practice
• An emergency veterinary provider
• A practice experienced with the species where possible
• Your contact details
• A local emergency contact
• Relevant medical history
• Medication details
• Treatment authority
• Veterinary payment arrangements
• A suitable carrier
• Instructions for a delayed return

If an animal appears unwell, I will:

1. Assess the immediate situation without attempting to diagnose it.
2. Contact you where reasonably possible.
3. Follow the emergency instructions you have provided.
4. Contact your vet or emergency provider where necessary.
5. Contact your local emergency person where appropriate.
6. Prioritise the animal’s welfare where urgent action is required.

You remain responsible for veterinary and related costs.

Small-animal care prices

One standard visit: £15

A standard visit may include feeding, fresh water, hay, basic cleaning, enclosure checks, welfare observations and an update.

Two visits in one day: £25

The £25 charge is the total standard cost for two visits on the same day.

Additional time

Where a routine requires longer:

• Additional 15 minutes: £6
• Additional 30 minutes: £12

Additional time may be needed for:

• Several enclosures
• Several species
• Different feeding routines
• More involved cleaning
• Medication
• Outdoor accommodation
• Longer welfare checks
• Additional agreed household tasks

Any additional charge will be discussed before booking.

View the complete pet-care price list

Areas covered

Small-animal visits are mainly available in:

• North Finchley, N12
• Finchley Central, N3
• East Finchley, N2
• Muswell Hill, N10
• Selected nearby areas

Availability in Whetstone, Highgate, Friern Barnet and other nearby locations depends on:

• Dates
• Number of daily visits
• Visit times
• Travel
• Care complexity
• My existing local route

Please send me your postcode so I can confirm whether I can help.

Check the Finchley Dog Walker service area

Availability and booking

Small-animal holiday care can become busy during:

• School holidays
• Easter
• Summer
• Bank holidays
• Christmas
• New Year

Please get in touch with me as soon as you know your likely dates.

To enquire, include:

• Your postcode
• Your travel dates
• Species and number of animals
• Number of visits required
• Feeding routine
• Enclosure type
• Indoor or outdoor location
• Medication
• Health concerns
• Cleaning requirements
• Temperature equipment
• Any specialist needs

An enquiry does not automatically reserve the dates.

The booking is confirmed only after I have accepted the arrangement and received the information needed to provide the care.

Check how pet-care availability works

When I may not be the right person

I may decline a booking where:

• The species falls outside my experience
• Specialist husbandry is required
• Complex medical treatment is needed
• Safe handling is not possible
• The visit frequency is insufficient
• The animal is currently medically unstable
• Essential equipment is unreliable
• The accommodation is unsafe
• There is no workable emergency plan
• Access cannot be arranged reliably
• Care instructions are incomplete
• The property is outside my practical service area

A different arrangement may be safer, including:

• Specialist boarding
• Veterinary boarding
• An exotics veterinary professional
• A registered veterinary nurse
• A species-specific pet sitter
• Care shared with an experienced family member

I would rather decline than accept a routine I cannot provide safely.

Frequently asked questions

How much does small-animal care cost?

One standard visit costs £15.

Two standard visits in one day cost £25 in total.

Additional time can be added where the care routine needs longer.

Which animals do you care for?

I mainly care for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and degus.

Some tortoises, caged birds and other suitable pets may be accepted by prior agreement.

I do not provide snake care.

How often should rabbits be visited?

At least one thorough visit must take place every day.

Twice-daily visits are often preferable, especially during warmer weather, for outdoor rabbits, older rabbits, medication routines or where closer monitoring is needed.

Will you visit every other day?

No.

Small pets need appropriate physical welfare checks every day.

Can you care for bonded rabbits or guinea pigs?

Yes.

Bonded companions should normally remain together unless your vet has advised otherwise.

Can you give medication?

Straightforward medication support may be possible where it is agreed beforehand and falls within my competence.

Complex or invasive care may require a veterinary professional.

Do you clean hutches and enclosures?

Basic litter care and spot cleaning can be included.

A full enclosure clean or more involved routine may require additional booked time.

Can you care for outdoor rabbits?

Possibly.

The accommodation, weather arrangements, predator protection, visit frequency and emergency plan must be discussed beforehand.

Will you handle my pets?

Only where appropriate and agreed.

Many small animals prefer minimal handling. I will not repeatedly pick them up simply for photographs or companionship.

Will I receive updates?

Yes, where appropriate.

Updates may include photographs, food and water information, enclosure observations and anything unusual.

Can you care for several species in one home?

Possibly.

Additional time may be required where several pets have different routines or enclosures.

Do you provide house sitting for small animals?

Yes, small animals may be included in a broader house-sitting booking where dogs, cats or a more involved household routine are also present.

Read about House Sitting and Overnight Pet Care

Do I need a meet-and-greet?

Yes, a suitable initial meeting is normally required for a new client.

Related small-animal guides and resources

Continue with:

• Small Animal Care Advice Hub
• Rabbit Holiday Care FAQs
• Rabbit Holiday Care Essentials
• Guinea-Pig Holiday Care Guide
• Keeping Rabbits Cool in Summer
• Pet Visits and Evening Sitting
• House Sitting for Multi-Pet Households
• Dog and Cat Care Guides Hub

Looking for rabbit or small-animal care in Finchley?

Your pets may not need to travel simply because you are going away.

For many rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, remaining in their familiar home with consistent visits is the calmer option.

Send me:

• Your postcode
• Your travel dates
• The species and number of animals
• How often they need visiting
• Their normal feeding and cleaning routine
• Any medication
• Whether they live indoors or outdoors
• Any health or handling concerns

I will tell you honestly whether I cover your location and whether the proposed routine is suitable.

Contact Del about small-animal care

WhatsApp: 07707 763344

Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

View small-animal care prices

Check current availability

Find out about my other services

Important information

I provide routine small-animal care, agreed medication support within my competence and general welfare observations.

I am not a veterinary surgeon and do not diagnose illness, prescribe treatment, alter medication or replace veterinary care.

Small animals can hide signs of illness and may deteriorate quickly. Significant changes in appetite, droppings, breathing, posture, movement or behaviour should receive prompt veterinary advice.

All bookings are subject to location, availability, suitable visit frequency, safe access, clear written instructions and my assessment that the care can be provided safely.

Read my Policies and Professional Standards