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15
DEC
2023
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Hay produced in South Africa are traditionally sun-dried whilst leading hay manufacturers such as Newhay and Bunny Nature are using the latest developments in technology to produce high quality feeding hay.
Newhay timothy hay has earned the well-deserved reputation as the gold standard for feeding rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. After all, it’s high in fiber with the perfect ratio of nutrients for maintenance. Newhay timothy hay boasts a protein content of 12% compared to regular timothy hay (7% protein) from other producers. Timothy is also not the only grass hay on the block.
Bunny Nature meadow hay from nature conservation areas in Germany are also becoming very popular to feed small pets in South Africa because it contains a wide diversity of plants. Even the best drying method cannot significantly improve hay quality if the basis is not right.
A good meadow with grasses, clover and meadow herbs is, in addition to the optimal cutting time, t.. [More]
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Tags :
Why Is Machine Dried Imported Hay More Nutritious And Palatable Than Local Hay in South Africa? Rabbit Food South Africa , Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa
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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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Tags :
What Is Best Feeding Hay For Rabbits In South Africa? , Rabbit Hay South Africa , Rabbit Food 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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17
MAR
2023
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Newhay is the leading grower and producer of timothy hay in the UK, supplying a wide range of products to many well-known pet food brands (such as Burgess Excel) in the UK and Europe. Newhay timothy hay is now available at selected pet retailers in South Africa.
Newhay specializes in growing and drying Timothy Hay, a quality grass known for its high fibre and palatability, making it a perfect option for all types of small herbivores, including rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small furry friends.
At Newhay farm they are proud to work to the highest standards, using only the purest certified seed and simple and respectful farming methods to produce premium quality timothy hay that is as tasty and healthy as nature intended.
Having won awards over the past 15 years for their nutritionally robust feeding hay their family-run business now focuses on producing premium quality nutritious Timothy feeding hay specifically for small domestic animals. At Newhay farm.. [More]
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Tags :
Newhay Premium Timothy Hay Soon Available in 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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19
MAR
2017
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Degus are not common household pets so there is a misconception that they are hard to look after, or they have special dietary needs. This could not be further from the truth, degus are very easy to care for and feed.
The only special consideration revolves around their susceptibility to health problems related to high sugar foods. Degus are very sensitive to sugar in the same way humans are with diabetes. Sugary foods should be avoided. But with some care on your part, it’s not hard to make sure they are receiving a healthy balance of nutrients from their food.
The degu diet in the wild consists of grasses, seeds and roots. It is nutrient poor so they spend a great deal of time foraging and eating. Degus need to keep their digestive systems busy with a mix of two kinds of fibre moving through their gut at all times (these types of fibre are called digestible fibre and indigestible fibre).
The majority of the degus diet should be high in indigestib.. [More]
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Tags :
Degus Need A High Fibre Diet South Africa , Feeding Your Degus Healthy Food South Africa , What Do Degus Eat South Africa , Degus Food South Africa , Degus Diet South Africa
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12
FEB
2017
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We would like to urge all rabbit and guinea pig owners to stop feeding their pets muesli-based foods in an effort to improve their diets. Please dump the junk. There is no such thing as a healthy muesli food. Muesli-style foods, which can contain flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains and seeds, are extremely low in fibre and have been shown to increase the risk of serious illness in rabbits and guinea pigs, with the PDSA PAW Report 2013 stating they are the cause of deadly dental and digestive problems.
We think pet owners should ditch plain grains in favour of nutritionally rich pellets that aid digestion and dental health. Any changes to your pet’s diet should be done over time though so not to upset their digestion.
Why stop, why now?
Even if your pet has been fed a muesli-based diet all their lives, they will still benefit from a swap to hay, leafy greens and nuggets. Just introduce it gradually and in small quantities to reduce the likelihood of stomach .. [More]
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Tags :
Stop Feeding Muesli To Rabbits & Guinea Pigs
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15
JAN
2017
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Did you know that rabbits and guinea pigs need different types of hay to sleep on and to eat? While grass and herb based foods, such as pellets, will provide a good portion of your pet’s fibre needs, grass is what they would naturally nibble all day long in the wild.
Providing enough fresh grass every day to meet your rabbit or guinea pigs’s needs is difficult, hay has just the same health and digestive benefits as fresh grass – but is much easier to store.
In fact, studies have shown that feeding hay should make up to 85-90 per cent of your small furry’s daily diet, that’s around 1kg of hay per week, to maintain a healthy gut and weight and keep teeth healthy.
However research has shown that the majority of rabbits and guinea pigs are not fed the correct hay, and instead are forced to chew on bedding hay, which, while comfortable to sleep on, is often unpalatable and has an unknown nutritional value.
So what’s the alternati.. [More]
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Difference Between Bedding & Feeding Hay For Rabbits Guinea Pigs Chinchillas South Africa
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27
MAY
2016
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There is a major problem in South Africa where so many pet stores, breeders and pet owners don’t realize that feeding muesli foods can kill pet rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, according to latest scientific research.
Their attitude is that they have been feeding these foods for many years and their pets seem to be okay. They seem to turn a blind eye to any new scientific studies or recent changes in feeding guidelines announced by animal welfare organizations or FEDIAF.
The two year scientific study on the 200 rabbits by Professor Anne Meredith from University of Edinburgh made headline news all over the world in June 2013. The results from this study proved to the pet industry that feeding any type of muesli food (dry mixes) including pellets can have fatal consequences. This research is supported by every animal welfare organization thoughout the world including the RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross, Wood Green, RWAF and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Fede.. [More]
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Tags :
Muesli Can Kill Pet Rabbits & Guinea Pigs , Dangers of Feeding Muesli To Rabbits & Guinea Pigs , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa
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