Rowan Pike
Small pets and exotics — rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, aquariums
Albuquerque, NM
Rowan Pike writes the small-pet and exotic content for PawsGuides — rabbits, guinea pigs, parakeets, geckos, betta fish, the whole long tail of pets that don't get enough good information online. Rowan has kept some combination of fish, reptiles, and small mammals since childhood and has spent years correcting their own early misconceptions (and watching the internet spread the same ones). Their work is careful, detail-oriented, and protective of small animals that often suffer from outdated care information. Based in Albuquerque.
What Rowan covers
- Aquarium care (freshwater focus; saltwater referenced not deep-covered)
- Reptile husbandry (lighting, heating, diet — the stuff that goes wrong)
- Small mammals — rabbits, guinea pigs (much-misunderstood category)
- Bird care (smaller birds; pet shop budgies, cockatiels)
- Debunking widespread bad pet advice
Articles by Rowan
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Bearded Dragon Diet and Feeding Schedule by Age
Learn age-specific feeding ratios and schedules that prevent metabolic bone disease—juveniles need high protein, adults transition to herbivory.
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Do Guinea Pigs Need Companions? What Vets Say About Social Needs
Guinea pigs are herd animals that need companionship to thrive. Learn why solitary housing causes stress, how to introduce pairs safely, and what vets recommend.
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How to Crate Train a Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to crate train your dog with positive reinforcement. Age-specific timelines, common mistakes to avoid, and when crate training isn't the answer.
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Bearded Dragon Temperature and Humidity Guide
Set up proper temperature zones and humidity for bearded dragons. Learn basking temps, heating requirements, and why thermostats aren't optional.
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Signs of Stress in Cats: What Vets Want You to Notice Early
Learn to recognize subtle cat stress signs vets say owners miss—jaw tension, slow blinks, pacing—and when stress requires immediate vet attention.
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Signs Your Rabbit Needs Veterinary Care
Rabbits hide illness until critical. Learn to recognize emergency signs like GI stasis, when to find an exotic vet, and why waiting 24 hours can be fatal.
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Guinea Pig Lifespan and Aging Care: What to Expect Year by Year
Guinea pig lifespan and aging care guide: expect 5-7 years with proper care. Learn when to adapt housing, recognize senior guinea pig signs, and manage guinea pig health
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How to Choose the Right Bird Species for Beginners
How to choose the right bird species for beginners: compare budgies, cockatiels, and canaries by lifespan, noise, time commitment, and realistic care needs.
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Hamster Cage Size Requirements: The Real Minimums by Species
Hamster cage size requirements guide: Syrian hamsters need 600+ sq in of floor space with 6-8 inches of substrate; dwarf hamsters need 450+ sq in with 4-6 inches.
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Why Does My Dog Constantly Lick Their Paws? Causes Explained
Dog paw licking ranges from normal grooming to medical emergency. Learn how to distinguish allergies, parasites, infections, and pain—and when to see a vet.
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Why Do Cats Purr? Reasons Explained (It's Not Just Happiness)
Cats purr when content, injured, stressed, or ill. Learn what purring actually means, how to read the context, and when a purring cat needs a vet.
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How Long Can a Hamster Live Without Food or Water?
Hamsters can survive 3-5 days without food but only 24-48 hours without water. Learn the species-specific timelines and when 'not eating' is an emergency.
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Why Does My Dog Bark Excessively?
Why does my dog bark excessively? Barking is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Learn to identify medical, anxiety, and learned causes—and when to call a vet vs. trainer.
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Should You Crate Train Your Dog?
Vet-backed guidance on crate training: real benefits, puppy timelines by age, the myths worth ignoring, and the cases where you should skip the crate.
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How to Train a Cat to Use the Toilet (And Why Your Vet May Say No)
Cat toilet training takes 2-4 months and isn't right for every cat. Learn the 6-step protocol, health monitoring risks, and when vets recommend against it.
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Best Supplements for Senior Dogs: What the Evidence Shows
Veterinary evidence on senior dog supplements: which work, which don't, and why bioavailability matters more than the ingredient list.
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Why Do Rabbits Thump? Understanding Your Rabbit's Alarm Signal
Why do rabbits thump their hind feet? It's an alarm behavior inherited from wild rabbits, but chronic thumping may signal stress. Learn what your rabbit is telling you.
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How to Assess If Your Cat Is Overweight
Learn to body condition score your cat at home using vet-approved palpation and visual checks. Most owners miss overweight status—here's how to assess accurately.
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Best Dog Water Bowls: Stainless Steel vs Plastic
Stainless steel resists bacteria but costs more. Plastic is budget-friendly but scratches harbor biofilm. Here's how to choose the right dog water bowl.
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Why Rabbits Thump Their Feet (And What It Means)
Rabbits thump their feet to signal alarm, frustration, or territorial warnings. Learn to decode thumping in context and when chronic thumping signals stress.
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Signs of Ear Mites in Cats: What the Discharge Actually Tells You
Learn to recognize ear mites in cats by discharge type, behavior changes, and when dark waxy debris means mites versus bacterial or yeast infection.
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How to Cycle a Fish Tank Before Adding Fish
Learn the fishless tank cycling method step-by-step. Establish beneficial bacteria safely in 4-8 weeks without killing fish. Includes ammonia dosing and testing.
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Signs of Food Allergies in Dogs: What Most Owners Miss
Most dog itching isn't from food allergies. Learn the actual signs of food allergies in dogs, why diagnosis takes months, and what vets check first.
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Hamster Lifespan and Common Health Issues: What Owners Need to Know
Most hamsters live 2-3 years, but many die young from preventable causes. Learn about hamster average lifespan, respiratory disease, and wet tail — and how to spot the
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Indoor Dog Exercise Ideas for Apartments That Actually Work
Apartment dogs need 30-60+ minutes of daily exercise regardless of space. These proven indoor ideas combine physical play and mental games to meet their needs.
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Axolotl Care for Beginners: What You Need to Know
Axolotl care for beginners requires cool water (60-64°F), a cycled 20-gallon tank, and a carnivorous diet. Learn the setup mistakes that shorten their 15-year lifespan.
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Signs Your Rabbit Is Stressed (And Why It Matters)
Signs your rabbit is stressed include thumping, tooth grinding, loss of appetite, and withdrawal. Learn to recognize stress symptoms before they become dangerous.
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Why Pet Microchip Registration Matters More Than the Chip Itself
A microchip without registration returns only 52% of lost pets. With registration, that jumps to 93%. Here's why registration is the critical step most owners skip.
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Bearded Dragon Lighting Requirements: UVB and Heat Explained
Bearded dragons need two separate lighting systems: UVB for vitamin D3 synthesis and basking heat for thermoregulation. Here's how to set both up correctly.
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Rabbit vs Guinea Pig: Which Pet Is Right for You?
Choosing between a rabbit or guinea pig as a pet? Learn the critical differences in social needs, lifespan, and care requirements to make the right decision.
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Signs Your Cat Is Stressed or Anxious
Learn to recognize stressed cat behavior and cat anxiety symptoms. From hiding to over-grooming, these signs can signal both distress and underlying health issues.
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Indoor Enrichment Activities for Cats: A Science-Backed Guide
Discover proven indoor enrichment activities for cats that prevent boredom, reduce stress, and satisfy natural hunting instincts with vet-backed methods.
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Why Do Cats Knock Things Off Tables?
Why do cats knock things off tables? It's normal predatory and exploratory behavior—not spite. Learn what your cat is communicating and how to redirect it.
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How to Trim Bird Toenails Safely in 6 Steps
Learn when and how to trim bird toenails safely at home — including when not to DIY, what tools you need, and how to stop bleeding if it happens.
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Signs Your Cat Is Stressed: 10 Body Language & Behavior Clues
Learn to recognize the 10 key signs your cat is stressed, from body language to behavior changes. Know when stress needs a vet visit and how to help your cat feel safe.
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Best Temperature for Bearded Dragon Tank: Setup Guide
Learn the exact temperature ranges bearded dragons need to thrive, how to create proper heat zones, and how to verify your setup works with the right equipment.
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How to Choose and Feed Timothy Hay for Rabbits
Timothy hay should make up 70% of your rabbit's diet. Learn why timothy hay matters, how much to feed, and how it compares to pellets and other hay types.
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Why Does My Cat Overgroom?
Why does my cat overgroom? Cats groom excessively due to medical issues like fleas, allergies, or pain, or behavioral stress. Learn the causes and when to see a vet.
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How to Prevent Cat Dental Disease in 5 Steps
Prevent cat dental disease with daily brushing, vet cleanings, and early detection. Veterinary-backed steps to avoid $2000 surgeries and keep your cat healthy.
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Best Budget Dog Food Brands in 2026
Budget dog food can be nutritionally complete. We compare five AAFCO-certified brands under $2/lb, debunk myths, and show what vets actually look for.
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Chinchilla Dust Bath Requirements: What You Need to Know
Chinchilla dust baths aren't optional—they're critical for health. Learn proper frequency, setup, and respiratory safety from veterinary sources.
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How to Treat Dog Separation Anxiety: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn evidence-based methods to treat separation anxiety in dogs, from desensitization training to environmental changes and when medication helps.
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Best Parakeet Cage Size: Minimum Dimensions That Actually Work
The minimum parakeet cage size is 18×18×24 inches for one bird—but that's a floor, not a goal. Here's what avian vets recommend and why bar spacing matters.
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Guinea Pig Diet Guide: What to Feed and What to Avoid
What guinea pigs actually need to eat: unlimited hay, vitamin C every day, and the surprisingly long list of common foods that can hurt them.
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How to Set Up a 10 Gallon Aquarium (and Cycle It Properly)
A start-to-stocking guide for your first 10 gallon aquarium, including the nitrogen cycle the pet store probably didn't mention. Six weeks to a healthy tank.
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Best Rabbit Breeds for Beginners: 7 Calm, Friendly Picks
There is no truly easy rabbit breed for beginners, but a few are commonly calmer and more forgiving of first-time owners. Here are seven worth considering.
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Betta Fish Tank Size: Why 5 Gallons Is the Real Minimum
Betta fish can survive in a bowl—they shouldn't. Science-backed guidance on why 5 gallons heated and filtered is the real minimum for betta health and lifespan.
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Why Is My Fish Dying? Diagnosis, Action, and When It's Too Late
Your fish is showing signs of distress. This guide walks you through water quality checks, visible symptoms, and realistic next steps — most fish deaths are.