RABBIT, REPTILE & SMALL-MAMMAL CARE
Explore veterinarian-reviewed care guides for rabbits, bearded dragons, desert tortoises, chinchillas and guinea pigs.
RABBIT, REPTILE & SMALL-MAMMAL CARE
Exotic pets have highly specialized nutritional, environmental and preventive-care needs. Advice that is appropriate for a dog or cat—or even for another exotic species—may be ineffective or dangerous for your animal.
Explore Aliso Beach Animal Clinic’s veterinarian-reviewed care guides for rabbits, bearded dragons, desert tortoises, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Each guide explains species-specific diet, housing, preventive care, common medical conditions and warning signs that require veterinary attention.
These guides provide educational information but do not replace an examination or an individualized treatment plan. Call us promptly when your exotic pet stops eating, produces fewer stools, has difficulty breathing or shows another meaningful change in health.
Medical review: Reviewed for medical accuracy by Bryan Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director. Last reviewed July 2026.
Species Care Guides
Explore veterinarian-reviewed care guides for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, reptiles, tortoises, hamsters, hermit crabs, and other exotic companion animals seen at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic in Laguna Beach.
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Warning signs for sick rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, reptiles, tortoises, backyard chickens, and selected birds, including when to call and when to go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Read urgent exotic care guideRabbit Care
Learn about rabbit nutrition, hay, dental health, GI stasis, housing, spaying and neutering, RHDV2 risk, and urgent warning signs.
Read rabbit care guideGuinea Pig Care
Explore daily vitamin C needs, unlimited hay, dental health, GI stasis, respiratory signs, cage cleanliness, bumblefoot, and urgent-care warning signs.
Read guinea pig care guideChinchilla Care
Learn about safe temperatures, overheating risk, chilla pads, hay, dental disease, respiratory infections, dust baths, and appetite-loss warning signs.
Read chinchilla care guideReptile Care
Explore proper UVB lighting, basking temperatures, calcium supplementation, diet, hydration, brumation, and warning signs that need veterinary care.
Read bearded dragon guideGecko Care
Veterinarian-reviewed guidance on leopard gecko housing, temperature, UVB, diet, shedding, tail injuries, appetite loss, and when to call a vet.
Read leopard gecko guideTortoise Care
Review outdoor housing, natural sunlight, edible yard plants, hydration, shell health, hibernation concerns, and signs of illness in tortoises.
Read tortoise care guideSmall Mammal Care
Veterinarian-reviewed hamster care guidance, including housing, bedding, diet, exercise wheels, cheek pouches, respiratory signs, and urgent concerns.
Read hamster care guideHermit Crab Care
Explore habitat setup, temperature and humidity, fresh and saltwater access, molting safety, shell selection, and signs of husbandry-related stress.
Read hermit crab guideCONTACT ALISO BEACH ANIMAL CLINIC
Whether your pet needs preventive care, same-day urgent care, holistic treatment or help managing an ongoing medical condition, our team is ready to help.
For routine care, complete our appointment request form. For an urgent medical concern, call us directly before arriving.
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Urgent-care note:
If your pet is experiencing difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, collapse, repeated seizures, severe trauma or another life-threatening emergency, seek immediate emergency veterinary care. Call us for guidance during regular clinic hours.
