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29
SEP
2019
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Degus are sociable, speedy rodents have very different needs from other small furries and providing the correct diet is an essential part of keeping them healthy and happy.
In the wild, degus – who are native to northern and central Chile and live high up in the Andes mountain range – survive on grass and other green vegetation, bark and seeds. In fact, compared to other rodents, degus need to consume large amounts of fibre – at Burgess, they refer to them as ‘fibrevores’.
That’s why hay should make up a large part of their diet. Each day, you need to provide a minimum of their body size in high quality feeding hay to enable their digestive systems to function properly. Chomping on plenty of fresh, tasty hay will also help your degus’ dental health by keeping their continuously growing teeth at the correct length and shape.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wild degus live in groups of up to 100, where they dig complex burrows to hide from pr.. [More]
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Tags :
Take A Closer Look At Your Degus Diet South Africa , Degus Food South Africa
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22
APR
2019
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Pet mice are epic explorers and there’s hours of fun to be had watching them as they nimbly scale ropes, pause and scent the air, nibble on tasty treats that they hold delicately in their front paws and dash recklessly through tunnels. However, these compact pets have quite a long list of requirements when it comes to helping them lead their best mouse life.
On the run
The first thing you need to know about having mice as pets is that they need plenty of space to exercise, forage, play, climb, investigate and interact with their cage mates. In the wild, mice are extremely active animals, travelling many hundreds of metres in one day. Their ideal enclosure needs to be a large, narrow-spaced barred cage, with gaps no more than 9mm so they can’t squeeze through them. Glass or plastic enclosures aren’t suitable for mice because they don’t have very good ventilation, which can cause breathing problems. The accommodation needs to be lined with lino an.. [More]
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Why Mice Are Really Nice Pets
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02
DEC
2018
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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) are fibrevores. They are not.. [More]
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Tags :
What Is Best Hay For Rabbits In South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Best Grass Hay Rabbits South Africa , Timothy Hay South Africa
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01
DEC
2018
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Nobody enjoys cleaning their cat’s litter box—but this chore is extremely important for helping reduce the chances of your healthy cat contracting a disease. Not only will eliminating waste buildup in your cat’s litter box prevent a sick cat, but it will keep you from being exposed to potential diseases as well.
But doing the minimal scooping might not be enough. If you don’t clean the litter box properly, you can end up with a sick cat, as well as put yourself at risk for contracting certain diseases. When caring for cats it is imperative to take specific precautions to avoid any health-related issues that may arise from incorrect cleaning methods. If you are just starting out with a litter box, or need a refresher course, here are some tips to make sure your cat litter box cleaning processes are safe for your healthy cat.
The Center for Disease Control recommends you wear gloves while cleaning your cat’s litter box, and to thoroughly wash.. [More]
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Tags :
Best Cat Litter Box South Africa , How To Keep Cat Litter Box From Smelling In South Africa , How To Prevent Cat Litter Box Smell , Cleaning Your Cat Litter Box , Cat Litter Box South Africa
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02
NOV
2018
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Incubators are a vital component in caring for neonatal mammals, hatchling birds and other orphaned wildlife. Most young animals need supplemental heat in order to survive, especially babies that have no fur yet and their eyes are still closed. Incubators are useful in situations where animals are unable to adequately control their own body temperature, such as in neonates (new born animals) and when injured and diseased.
In some cases, incubators can also be used to control the humidity (moisture content) of the animal’s environment, provide animals with increased levels of oxygen and allow nebulization. Where wild animals are sick or injured, incubators can only be of benefit alongside veterinary care. For abandoned baby squirrels for example, an incubator to keep them warm can be the difference between life and death – just one incubator can save the lives of hundreds of animals.
How To Choose An Incubator?
Incubators are slowly becoming ava.. [More]
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Tags :
Why Use Incubators For Wildlife Care South Africa , Orphaned Squirrels , Baby Squirrels South Africa , Orphaned Wildlife Care South Africa , Care Of Sick Injured Animals South Africa
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06
JUL
2018
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Most dogs love chasing and fetching a ball, but could too much of this classic canine game have negative consequences? Some experts believe that repetitive high-energy exercise boosts a dog’s adrenaline levels to the point where powerful chemicals, such as cortisol, are released.
Cortisol has many functions including working with certain parts of the brain to control mood, motivation, and fear. It’s best known as the stress hormone, helping fuel the ‘fight or flight’ instinct in a crisis. While very useful in times of danger, prolonged exposure to cortisol can lead to a number of health problems.
According to canine behaviourist Sindhoor Pangal , there are cases where adrenaline in dogs is known to have remained in circulation for seven days and cortisol for up to as much as 40 days. Pangal explains it like this: “When an animal hunts in the wild, after that adrenaline rush, he sits down to eat his meal and lets the hormones wear off. But w.. [More]
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Tags :
Is Too Much Ball Throwing Stressing Your Dog
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27
MAY
2018
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According to the annual PDSA Animal Welfare (PAW) Report, inappropriate diet has been consistently cited by veterinary professionals as the top issue that needs to be addressed for rabbits. During Rabbit Awareness Week in UK, they’re on a mission to turn things around for Britain’s bunnies. Muesli has the reputation of being a healthy, nutritious food for humans and the same approach has been used when marketing muesli-type foods for small pets. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. While pet owners may think they’re buying a nutritious mix of tasty nibbles, feeding a muesli mix to small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs can result in all sorts of health problems.
Research undertaken by The University of Edinburgh reveals that muesli-based diets encourage selective feeding, where rabbits eat some (high starch/sugar) components of the muesli diet, while rejecting the more fibrous pellets. Selective feeding in this way increases the risk of:
Dental .. [More]
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Tags :
Why It’s Time To Move Away From Muesli , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa
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19
MAY
2018
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There are cat people and there are dog people – but there are also some who believe that small pets are where it’s at. Whether you cherish your chinchillas, have a passion for bunnies, adore guinea pigs, or have a soft spot for rats, hamsters, gerbils or degus, as a committed and responsible owner you want your small furries have the best life they can. Building a closer bond with your little pets will enhance and enrich your relationship with them.
A great way to build this special bond is by hand-feeding. This is something that will take time and patience, but once your small pal happily accepts a tasty treat from your hand, is incredibly rewarding. The key is to take things slowly, so that your little chums learn to associate you with good things and begin to place their trust in you.
Am I in danger?
Small pets are prey animals, which means they think anything approaching is a potential predator – even you. Don’t loom over them (as a pred.. [More]
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Tags :
Bonding With Your Small Pets , Guinea Pigs , Rabbits , Hamsters , Chinchillas , Degus , Rats
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10
MAR
2018
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With anxiety in humans on the rise, it is hardly surprising that anxiety is now a huge issue for many pets. Dogs, in particular, are often afflicted. This can be triggered by loud noises e.g. fireworks or thunderstorms, being alone and also by social interactions with other dogs. Depending on each individual dog, they may be affected by one or more triggers.
When feeling anxious dogs often bark, pace, pant, and lick excessively. In addition, they can exhibit destructive or aggressive behaviour. One treatment that often helps break the trigger/reaction cycle is the use of calming sprays and wipes or plug-in diffusers which can alter the brain’s neuro-transmitters thereby deflecting the anxiety state.
Super hearing, super pets
The amazing hearing capabilities of dogs and cats, where sound is perceived as 5 times louder than for humans, may well account for the fact that.. [More]
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Tags :
Anxiety Issues In Today’s Pets
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03
MAR
2018
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Selective feeding occurs when rabbits choose some components of the muesli diet in preference to others. Rabbits will naturally select the higher energy (high sugar or starch elements) and reject the pellets. This results in an unbalanced diet, as the pellets are often supplemented with minerals and vitamins as well as often being high in fibre.
Selective feeding increases the risk of the problems below:
- dental disease
- gut stasis and other digestive problems
- fly strike
- reduced fibre intake
- reduced water intake
Rabbits fed muesli style diets eat less hay leading to a reduced fibre intake. These issues have been highlighted in research supported by Burgess Pet Care. The results have been published in peer reviewed journals. As a result of this research Burgess stopped producing muesli style diets in 2013 and we have continued to educate vets, retailers and rabbit owners on the importance of correct nutrition for rabbits and guinea pigs.. [More]
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Tags :
Muesli Style Diets are Unhealthy For Pet Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
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