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03
DEC
2023
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Vets report that four out of five rabbits or guinea pigs that come into their practice have a health problem that is directly related to poor diet. Common ailments are constipation, overgrown teeth, obesity and other problems related to these primary issues.
The good news is that many of these are easily prevented if owners understood a bit more about what their pet rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas should be eating and why.
A day in the life of a wild rabbit
Consider a day in the life of a wild rabbit. He would spend 70% of his time above ground searching out or 'foraging' for food while keeping a beady eye out for predators, to make sure he wasn't going to end up as someone else's dinner! As a ground feeder, his diet would be mainly made up of grasses, hay, herbs and bark - all high fibre foods! He couldn't climb trees to get fruit, and he wouldn't actually go around digging up carrots either. His territory would be the equivalent .. [More]
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Why Timothy Hay Is Best Food For Rabbits in South Africa
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21
OCT
2023
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Rabbit owners are delightful people. You know that they are rarely loud and obnoxious (their rabbits would never stand for it); they have plenty of patience (because getting to know a rabbit takes time); and you can be certain that they are full of love and laughter (because that is exactly what rabbits inspire).
So, if you have gotten yourself a pet rabbit, welcome to the club. Your new baby bunny is sure to hop his way into your heart (or thump, depending on how stubborn you are about it). Rabbits are truly easy to love, as long as you give them just a few basics. Bunnies of all ages can be skittish, so avoid loud noises when you can. They also love to keep their feet on the ground, so be prepared to build ramps up to the couch. And, above all, rabbits have a specific diet, which undoubtedly should not be altered as it will affect the health and happiness of your pet.
Rabbits (and other small furries, including chinchillas and guinea pigs) require an incredible need f.. [More]
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What Is Best Feeding Hay For Rabbits In South Africa? , Rabbit Hay South Africa , Rabbit Food South Africa
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21
OCT
2023
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Pellets are a complementary addition to your rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla's diet and can be a source of nutrition when fed correctly. Originally, pellets were developed as a cheap way to feed livestock and these earlier foods tended to be high in fat content and lacked the high quality nutrition needed to support long term health and wellbeing.
However, good-quality, high-fibre pellet diets are now more widely available. They often contain a base of grass (10-15%) with additional herbs and are supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Given properly, and in the correct amounts, high-quality pellets offer a variety of vitamins and minerals that can support good health. They should be provided as part of a balanced diet.
Bunny Nature, a manufacturer in Germany, makes pellets for small animals with unique recipe that contains an even higher content of grass, plants and herbs (50-60%) that originate from your pet's natural habitat.
Rabbits and guinea pigs need.. [More]
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Tags :
What Is The Best Pellet Small Animal Food In South Africa? , What Are The Best Quality Pellets To Feed Rabbits , Guinea Pigs , Chinchillas & Degus , What Is Best Pellets To Feed Your Rabbits , Guinea Pigs
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28
SEP
2023
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Did you know that pellets are not an essential food for pet rabbits and guinea pigs? Your pet can live without eating these pellets. When given in small amounts, pellets are still considered a healthy part of a balanced rabbit or guinea pig diet. It is crucial to provide your pets with plenty of high-fibre foods such as a variety of grass hays, leafy greens and vegetables.
Scientific studies have revealed that excessive amounts of pellet food may cause your rabbit or guinea pig to suffer from different health problems and to become overweight. The foundation of your pet’s diet begins with hay. They cannot get enough of it. Rabbits and guinea pigs need to eat a pile of hay as large as their body every single day.
A healthy rabbit should be slim and sleek. You should be able to feel the ribs just under the skin without a thick layer of fat. Obesity is a problem with rabbits that eat a diet too high in calories and do not get enough exercise.
High quality feeding .. [More]
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How To Feed Rabbits And Guinea Pigs A Natural Pellet Free Diet , Pet Rabbit Pellet Free Diet , Guinea Pig Pellet Free Diet , Chinchilla Pellet Free Diet
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11
AUG
2023
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Rabbits and guinea pigs are herbivores and need a plant-based diet with lots of fibre to keep their digestive system healthy. Along with their pellets and a few healthy treats make sure your small pets have unlimited access to good quality, dust extracted feeding hay and fresh grass to graze on.
In the wild, their eating habits include grass, tree bark and twigs. Our pets need a similar fibre-filled diet from a range of sources. Treats must only be provided in moderation, but you don’t have to go down the route of a sugary, unhealthy snack.
Treats should be packed full of fibre and should include ingredients they would find in the wild. You can find delicious snacks made from natural ingredients such as variety of wild grass, herbs and flowers such as the Bunny Nature Botanicals mixes.
Treats can also be a good way of knowing if your pet is sick. If you know their favourite food and they always come running out to get their daily treat, you’ll know there .. [More]
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Tags :
What Is Best Healthy Treats For Rabbits & Guinea Pigs That Is Rich In Fibre , Pet Rabbit Food Snacks South Africa , Guinea Pig Food Treats South Africa , Chinchilla Food Treats South Africa
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04
AUG
2023
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A scientific study on rabbits, conducted by The University of Edinburgh in 2013 has shown that feeding muesli or any dry food mixtures, with or without hay, is linked to abnormalities that can lead to painful dental and digestive problems that require expensive veterinary treatment.
The excuse by some pet owners to explain why they still feeding muesli type food is that the research does not apply to guinea pigs and chinchillas because the research was conducted on rabbits. Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas may have different vitamin and mineral requirements for their daily maintenance, but they all have the same, unique dental physiology and digestive system due to an evolutionary adaptation to a plant-rich diet.
One of the main reasons we feed hay is because it is high in fiber and low in fats and proteins. This is critical due to their unique digestive systems. The research revealed the importance of fibre in their diet. The more concentrated foods you feed .. [More]
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Tags :
Why Is Timothy Hay Important For Health Of Rabbits And Guinea Pigs in South Africa , Why Is Timothy Hay Important For Rabbits & Guinea Pigs In South Africa?
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31
MAY
2022
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Rabbit pellets are a complementary addition to your rabbits’ diet and can be a source of nutrition when fed correctly. Originally, pellets were developed as a cheap way to feed livestock and these earlier foods tended to be high in fat content and lacked the high quality nutrition needed to support long term health and wellbeing.
However, good-quality, high-fibre rabbit pellets are now more widely available. They often contain a base of grass with additional herbs and are supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Functional ingredients such as prebiotics may also be added to help support a healthy digestion.
Do Rabbits Need Pellets?
Given properly, and in the correct amounts, high-quality rabbit pellets offer a variety of vitamins and minerals that can support good health. They should be provided as part of a balanced diet. Rabbits need a high fibre diet made up of 85-90% high quality feeding hay or fresh grass, 10% rabbit safe fresh greens, 5% rabbit nuggets, .. [More]
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Tags :
What Are The Best Pellets To Feed Rabbits? Rabbit Food South Africa , Rabbit Pellets South Africa
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21
NOV
2020
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Muesli diets lead to health problems in rabbits and should be avoided. For many years muesli mixes have been popular as rabbit food but the health risks associated with feeding them have been recognised.
In 1996 a paper was published that highlighted the problems of selective feeding from these mixtures. More recent research in 2013 confirmed that selective feeding is a problem and that obesity and inactivity can be induced by feeding muesli mixes as well as dental disease.
What are muesli mixes?
Muesli mixes are a mixture of cereals, legumes, pellets, extrusions and, in some cases, other ingredients such as locust beans or alfalfa. The mixtures are cheap to produce, easy to store and heavily marketed by the food manufacturers.
Cereals are the staple ingredients of these mixes and they are high in starch and low in fibre, so they are fattening, which is acceptable for short-lived rabbits that are reared for meat, but unacceptable for pet rabbits that can li.. [More]
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Tags :
Why Rabbit Muesli Diets Are Harmful To Rabbits? South Africa , Why Rabbit Muesli Diets Should Be Avoided South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa
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15
DEC
2019
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While they may roam your lounge rather than the great outdoors, indoor bunnies still need all the things that wild rabbits enjoy – from company of their own kind and opportunities to exhibit their natural bunny behaviours to providing them with the right nutrition.
Indoor bunnies are popular pets – the recent PDSA Animal Welfare (PAW) report reveals that 44% of UK pet rabbits live predominately inside – but are they given everything they need to live their best (indoor) bunny life?
If you’re a devoted bunny owner, you’ll want to ensure you’re providing the five welfare needs for your pets, as outlined by the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006:
Health – protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and treated if they become ill or injured.
Behaviour – the ability to behave naturally for their species – for example: play, run, dig, jump etc.
Companionship – to be housed with, or apart from, other .. [More]
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Tags :
How To Care For Indoor Rabbits in South Africa , How To Be A 5-Star Indoor Bunny Owner South Africa
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16
SEP
2018
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There are cat people and there are dog people – there are also rabbit people who open up their homes for free ranging bunnies to enjoy their life as house pets. As rabbits are clever, clean creatures who can be litter-trained, why not have bunnies as part of the family?
Having indoor rabbits means bunny-proofing your home. These chewy little pets will get their teeth into anything they can – furniture, curtains, electric cables, slippers, plants and practically anything else. So, when you’re not able to keep a very close eye on them, they’ll need to have a safe area to spend time in that’s equipped with cosy beds, hiding places, litter tray, safe toys to chew and plenty of good quality feeding hay to nibble on.
To coax your rabbits into their safe space, try some irresistible treats such as Bunny Nature Crunchy Crackers, which are perfect for hand feeding.
Meeting The Nutritional.. [More]
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Tags :
Caring For Rabbits In The Home South Africa , Indoor Rabbits South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa
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