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If you keep rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or backyard chickens, you know that good gear makes life easier—for you and your pet. The right hutch, coop, or cage is like a well-tailored coat: it keeps your animal safe, comfortable, and healthy. Choosing wisely saves time, prevents headaches, and avoids repeated purchases. In this guide I’ll walk you through the best stores to shop, the must-have products, and practical tips to help you pick items that match your budget, space, and animal’s needs.
There are two kinds of places you can shop: big-box retailers that carry everything, and specialty outlets focused on pets or farm supplies. Walmart is a go-to for budget-friendly hutches and large coops, while Chewy and Petco specialize in pet-specific gear and diet items. Tractor Supply Co. is ideal if you’re looking for sturdy farm-grade coops and hardware, and Amazon offers massive variety and fast shipping. For a different angle, Yuplay offers animal-themed games that connect hobbyists with virtual animal care and conservation—perfect for downtime and inspiration. Knowing which store does what helps you shop smarter instead of faster.
Walmart frequently lists large, ready-to-assemble options like the Costway walk-in chicken coop in sizes such as 9.5 x 12 feet and even 9.5 x 19 feet, plus wooden rabbit hutches and metal outdoor runs. These products tend to strike a balance between affordability and size—great if you need a lot of square footage without spending a small fortune. Look for water-resistant boards, removable pull-out trays, and predator-resistant locks on listings. If you want an expandable chicken house or a mobile coop with wheels (useful if you rotate pasture), Walmart’s selection can be surprisingly broad. Be sure to check the product dimensions in feet and inches, and plan for extra clearance for ramps and access doors.
Chewy is a pet-first store that's excellent for regular essentials—hay, bedding, pellets, and water bottles—and it often has smaller indoor enclosures geared to guinea pigs, hamsters, and dwarf rabbits. One of Chewy’s strengths is autoship: set up recurring deliveries for hay and litter and you’ll never run out. They also carry modular cage systems and starter kits that fit apartment life. If you want premium bedding blends, specialty toys, or vet-recommended diets, Chewy makes it easy to find and compare those items with user reviews to guide you.
Petco and PetSmart stock a mix of indoor cages, bedding, toys, grooming supplies, and small-animal furniture. These stores are great when you want to inspect items in person—leg height, ramp slope, and chew resistance are things you’ll appreciate touching before buying. Both chains also offer loyalty programs and occasional in-store coupons, which can add up on high-ticket purchases like hutch liners or specialized exercise pens. If your small animal needs a habitat upgrade with chew-proof materials or a safer litter pan, these are solid places to browse.
If you’re building out a backyard flock or need heavy-duty components, Tractor Supply is tailored for farm-level durability. Look here for metal hardware cloth, reinforced coop frames, and barn-style nesting boxes. Their products tend to be built for the weather: UV-resistant roofs, galvanized frames, and thicker lumber. Tractor Supply also stocks practical accessories like feeders and water fountains intended for multiple birds, which can be handy if you keep a small flock. For someone who wants a long-lasting setup that stands up to elements, Tractor Supply is a dependable choice.
Design matters as much as materials. Think of a hutch as a tiny house with zoning rules: sleeping quarters, a run for exercise, an elevated nesting area for chickens, and a waterproof spot for food and water. A well-designed coop has a solid roof, a pull-out tray for easy cleaning, and predator-proof latches. For rabbits and guinea pigs, look for a main enclosed house with an attached run for fresh-air time. When a listing mentions features like an openable main house, waterproof PVC boards, or multi-section nesting boxes, those are signs the manufacturer considered real-world use.
Rabbits need a balance of enclosure and freedom. A good outdoor rabbit hutch from brands like Ubesgoo or Pefilos often offers a weatherproof house and a separated run. Typical useful dimensions you’ll see in listings are around 61 inches long for multi-level hutches or footprint sizes that offer 8 to 10 square feet of run space. Look for a pull-out droppings tray, slatted floors that are gentle on paws, and a sheltered nest box for cold nights. If you keep rabbits indoors, consider modular plastic or wire cages with a playpen area that expands to several square feet so they can hop and stretch daily.
Chicken coops need ventilation without drafts, nest boxes sized for the breed, and secure runs to keep out foxes and raccoons. Products like the Costway or Enyopro metal and wood coops often advertise walk-in designs that measure 9.5 x 12 feet or larger—perfect if you want to enter the run to collect eggs or do maintenance. Smaller expandable coops are great for four to six birds, but if you plan to expand your flock, choose a coop with modular additions or an expandable run. Mobile coops on wheels are like portable chicken condos; you can move them for fresh grass and easier garden rotation.
Wood, metal, and PVC are the usual building blocks. Wood looks good and insulates, but it can rot if untreated; metal frames and hardware cloth offer durability and predator resistance but can get hot in direct sun. Waterproof PVC boards and UV-resistant roofing extend product life. For predator protection, use hardware cloth rather than chicken wire—hardware cloth has smaller openings and resists tearing. Locks should be predator-resistant: think carabiner-style clips or keyed latches rather than flimsy slide bolts. If you live in a cold climate, add insulation panels or a weatherproof cover to keep the footprint cozy during winter.
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but here are practical guidelines to help you plan space in imperial units. For a single rabbit, aim for at least 8 to 10 square feet of living area plus an exercise run of 24 to 32 square feet when possible. Guinea pigs do well in cages that are 7.5 to 10 square feet for two animals, with additional floor time. Chickens require roughly 3 to 4 square feet in the coop per bird and 8 to 10 square feet in the run per bird for healthy exercise. Hamsters thrive in vertically oriented cages with 12 to 16 inches of floor space for dwarfs and larger footprints for Syrian hamsters. These are living guidelines; if your animals are active or you have social groups, bump the space up like turning a cozy studio into a roomy loft.
Bedding, feeders, hay racks, water bottles, and hideouts make the difference between “adequate” and “thriving.” For bedding, natural options like paper-based or kiln-dried wood shavings are popular; avoid cedar for small mammals. Hay is both food and enrichment for rabbits and guinea pigs—store a month’s supply if you can. For chickens, nesting boxes with soft lining help keep eggs clean; a standard nesting box is about 12 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches. Don’t forget chew-resistant water bottles for rabbits and heavy ceramic bowls for food to prevent tipping. Add tunnels, platforms, and chew toys to stimulate natural behaviors—think of them as the toys and furniture that keep boredom away.
Buying smart is part value hunting and part planning. If you’re setting up from scratch, prioritize shelter and predator protection first, then complement with toys and upgrades. Walmart and Tractor Supply often have seasonal discounts on large items like coops and hutches, while Chewy’s autoship can cut monthly costs on bedding and hay. Buying used from local classifieds or community groups can also save money, especially for large items that are hard to ship. If you go used, inspect for rot, rust, and missing hardware. Think in terms of long-term cost per year—sometimes a pricier, durable item costs less over five years than a cheap replacement bought twice.
It might seem odd to include games in a small animal guide, but animal-themed games like the Planet Zoo packs or Goat Simulator available from retailers like Yuplay can spark ideas about habitat design, behavior, and enrichment. Playing a game that lets you design an enclosure or tend to animals is like a low-stakes rehearsal: you can experiment with layouts, population sizes, and enrichment items and bring those concepts into the real world. Plus, it’s a fun way to involve kids and new hobbyists without risking animal welfare. Use virtual design as a sketchpad before buying—then measure your real space in feet and inches to make the dream a reality.
Installation should be a two-person job for larger coops—one to hold parts steady and one to fasten. Anchor outdoor coops to the ground or add predator skirts to stop digging. Weekly maintenance typically includes spot-cleaning droppings, refilling food and water, and checking for damage; a full clean with disinfectant every few months is a good rhythm. In winter, add insulating bedding and check that water lines or bowls are heated or replaced with anti-freeze-safe options; in hot months, ensure ventilation and shaded areas to prevent overheating. Keep a simple maintenance checklist taped to the inside of the coop door so nothing gets missed—think of it as your animal’s health logbook.
Hardware stores and farm-supply retailers are goldmines for replacement screws, latches, and roofing panels. If your coop uses standardized parts, you can often find replacements at Tractor Supply, Walmart, or Amazon. For specialty pieces like nest box liners or custom-sized trays, check pet-specific suppliers or manufacturer websites. Upgrades such as predator-proof hinges, metal corner braces, or UV-resistant tarps are inexpensive ways to extend a structure’s life. Keep spare parts on hand—hinges and latches are small, cheap, and can save a messy emergency run to the hardware store at 7 p.m.
Shopping for small animal supplies is part practicality, part personality. Measure your space in feet and inches, think about how many animals you’ll eventually have, and prioritize safety and ease of cleaning. Use Walmart and Tractor Supply for big durable structures, Chewy and Petco for consumables and small-cage items, and Amazon for variety and accessories. And if you love a little imagination mixed with your hobby, sprinkle in a game pack from Yuplay to get creative about designs and enrichment. With the right planning, your animals will have a comfortable home and you’ll have fewer headaches—win-win.
Whether you’re outfitting a backyard coop, upgrading a rabbit hutch, or setting up a snug cage for a guinea pig, the right supplies make all the difference. Focus on solid materials, appropriate square footage in imperial measurements, predator-proofing, and easy-maintenance features. Shop strategically: big-box stores for size and price, pet specialists for consumables and expertise, and farm retailers for rugged components. Mix in thoughtful accessories and regular maintenance, and you’ll have a safe, happy environment for your animals that lasts. Ready to get started? Measure your space in feet and inches, make a shopping list, and pick one reliable retailer to get the ball rolling.
| Small Animal Supplies | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Zoo Europe Pack | $ 3,70 | |
| Planet Zoo Tropical Pack | $ 3,79 | |
| Marshall Bandits Premium Ferret Treats - Chicken Flavor | $ 8,99 | |
| Wee Nibble 8 Bunny - Cream | $ 20,- | |
| Costway Large Walk In Chicken Coop Run House Shade Cage 9.5 X 19 With Roof Cover | $ 259,99 |
