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29
MAR
2015
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For the last four years the PDSA in UK has published the PDSA Annual Well-being Report (PAW Report for short). It covers cats, dogs and rabbits and looks at welfare issues by asking pet owners and vets questions about care and welfare. It’s great to have these stats on things like how many rabbits are neutered and whether they get an appropriate diet because it helps welfare campaigners monitor how successful they are at implementing changes and also where to target change.
So, on to this years report. Here is a handy graphically summary (feel free to share):
One of the biggest changes is the rapid decline in muesli based dry foods. In the last four years it’s dropped from being eaten by 49% to 25% of rabbits in UK. Interestingly it’s been a sustained change, continuing this year, not just a short term reaction to media coverage.
On the other hand in the last year there hasn’t been much progress on hay eating; the percentage not .. [More]
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Tags :
Rapid Decline of Muesli Dry Foods , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Russel Rabbit South Africa
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15
MAR
2015
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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.
Feeding Your Rabbit Timothy Hay
Rabbits (and other small furries, including chinchillas and guine.. [More]
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Tags :
Why Is Timothy Hay Important For Rabbits In South Africa , Timothy Hay in South Africa , Rabbit Food South Africa
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12
SEP
2014
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Many homes are simply not complete without a few pets around. And, not every pet is a cat or a dog. There are many, many different pets that people can keep in their homes. Each one of them has special needs and dietary requirements. And, feeding your pets the right food – and the right amount of food is paramount to their continued health. Indeed, it is one of the things you’ll need to consider long before you bring home your pets. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of them falling ill – or worse.
Keep in mind, that with all the different needs that every pet has, they don’t all need dry food. While this may be the best bet for your dogs and cats, other animals require different foods. Sometimes, those foods may seem rather boring to you, such as Timothy Hay, but they are essential to some animals.
Who Eats Timothy Hay?
Some animals are carnivores (or rather, omnivores) and some that are strictly vegetarian. Within that latter group a.. [More]
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Tags :
Guide To Feeding Hay To Fibrevores , Pet Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa , Timothy Hay South Africa
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30
AUG
2014
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It’s funny how some of the most iconic stories and images we have in our minds of rabbits involve them eating vegetables (think Peter Rabbit or Bugs Bunny). They certainly do love treats like carrot tops, but these are treats only. Rabbits, like other fibrevores, need a great deal more than vegetables to survive. And mostly what they need are grasses and hay.
Who and What Are Fibrevores?
Fibrevores is a bit of a funny term isn’t it? And, it’s hardly one of the terms we learn in school; instead we’re treated to carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. So, let’s work with what we know. Fibrevores are herbivores – they don’t eat any meat. But, they’re a tad more specialised than that. They have developed a strong, overwhelming need for fibre.
Fibre, of course, is found in grains and grasses. Of course, we have it added to some of our foods to keep us moving, but for the most part, fibrevores get their daily intake of fibre .. [More]
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Tags :
A Quick Guide to Feeding Hay , Feeding Hay in South Africa , Timothy Hay South Africa , Rabbit Food South Africa , Guinea pig food south africa , chinchilla food south africa
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15
AUG
2014
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Gut stasis is the number one motility disorder of rabbits and is a potentially deadly condition in which the digestive system slows down or stops completely. Bad bacteria then builds up in the intestines and releases gas into the system, causing very painful bloating and further decreasing a rabbit’s motivation to eat or drink. This compounds the problem because the rabbit will become more dehydrated and starved of essential nutrients and roughage.
The contents of the digestive tract will become more compact, and the rabbit will have an even more difficult time passing it through. The bacteria can also release toxins into the system which overtax the liver and can cause the organ to ultimately fail.
Motility Disorders - Some essential facts
A rabbit not eating will develop hypomotility
Reduced gut movements will cause anorexia
Gastric stasis causes dehydra.. [More]
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Tags :
Gut Stasis In Rabbits - The Big Challenge , Pet Rabbits South Africa , Rabbit Care South Africa , Rabbit Food South Africa , Online Pet Store South Africa , Online Pet Shop South Africa
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23
JUL
2014
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Are you providing everything your rabbits need to be happy and healthy and live a long life? You may think you are, but do you know for sure? Your rabbits may have a lovely big hutch to live in, and spend their days in a large run with lots of space to exercise and explore, but what about rabbit food? Are your rabbits getting all the right nutrients in their meals? If you simply feed your rabbits a supermarket dry rabbit food mix, you could be neglecting to give your them everything they need. Supermarket mixes may well be deficient in fibre which is vital for rabbits and other small mammals.
Rabbits need a lot of fibre in their diet to keep them healthy. You may be surprised at exactly how much fibre they do need. Hay is a good source of fibre, but did you know that you should be feeding a pile of hay to your rabbit, roughly the same size as his body – each day? If your rabbit consumes this much hay, he isn’t over eating, so you shouldn’t cut down on .. [More]
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Tags :
Meeting The Needs of Rabbits In South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Rabbit Hay , Timothy Hay South Africa
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26
JUN
2014
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Just as people are becoming increasingly aware of how many preservatives, hormones, synthetic dyes and chemicals are present in many conventional food sources, and how detrimental they can be to human health, so are they realizing that synthetic chemicals are not good for their beloved pets, either. The health craze that has been sweeping the modern world hasn’t stopped at human food. Your veterinary technician will agree: high quality pet food is worth the price.
People need healthful, nutrient-rich food with plenty of vitamins and minerals and as few chemicals and “fillers” as possible for long life and an overall sense of well-being. So does your pet. High quality pet food usually costs a bit more because rather than using cheap, empty ingredients, quality pet food is packed with protein-rich nutrition, with natural rather than chemical preservation. If you can afford it, buying high quality types of pet food is altogether worth the money for the benef.. [More]
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Tags :
Avoiding Bad Ingredients In Small Animal Petfood , Dangerous Preservatives in Guinea Pig Food , Bad Ingredients in Chinchilla Food , Ingredients To Avoid In Rabbit Food , Avoiding Bad Pet Food Ingredients
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21
JUN
2014
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Rabbits make fantastic pets, they love quiet spaces and require only a bit of affection from their generous owners. Ideally rabbits have at least one bunny friend to spend their days with, so they are ready for your affection when you come home in the evening. Give them this, plenty of timothy hay, and there is only one thing left to do – provide your bunnies with the perfect home. Unfortunately, that is not simply a hutch… That is only the beginning.
The Rabbit Hutch
Whether you call it a hutch or a cage and whether it is indoors or out, this is the beginning of your rabbit’s home. Consider the hutch to be a bedroom. It is a comfortable and secure space to sleep. Ideally you would have one hutch per rabbit to hide and rest in, and another larger one that all your bunnies can sleep in together (if they are in the mood for that). These should all be connected in some way, though rabbits should not have to go through each other’s be.. [More]
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Tags :
Become A Responsible Rabbit Owner , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Rabbit Pellets South Africa , Rabbit Hutch , Rabbit Cages
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12
JUN
2014
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Hay should form the foundation of a rabbit’s, guinea pig’s and chinchilla’s diet and you need to make sure you are feeding a plentiful supply each and every day. There are a number of different types of hay available and certain things you should look out for before feeding, so in this post we aim to walk you through them…
timothy grass
Pay Close Attention…
Before offering the hay to your pets make sure it is clean, free of dust and smelling fresh. To keep it at its peak you need to store the hay in a sealed bag in an area free from damp because it can quickly spoil. Keep it tightly packed because air helps it to become dry and brittle, which needs to be avoided. Hay retains a wonderful aroma, so have a smell – you should be able to smell the aroma of a grassy meadow.
Be consistent…
Fibrevores have a sensitive digestive system which does not cope well with frequent or rapid change. You should try and stick to a .. [More]
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Tags :
Hay For Health And Happiness , Timothy Hay South Africa , Hay supplier , feeding timothy hay , rabbit food , guinea pig food , chinchilla food
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12
JUN
2014
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Like all domestic pets, rabbits need their fair share of attention and care. As one of the most popular pets in South Africa, these animals are coming ever closer to our hearts. And, we are learning increasingly more about the proper way to love these pets so they can live long, healthy and happy lives.
A great deal of media attention has been paid to proper housing of domesticated rabbits, and every year around Easter, the public is urged not to adopt bunnies arbitrarily as gifts as this leads to a surge in rescue efforts annually.
One area that receives exceedingly little attention, unless tied to overall digestion is oral health and hygiene. Fortunately, rabbits do not need to brush their teeth, but they do have terribly specific concerns. Rabbit owners should know the main concerns, how to spot them – and more importantly, how to prevent them.
What Big Teeth You Have!
Unlike humans, rabbit teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime. On a.. [More]
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Tags :
Caring For Rabbit's Oral Health , Maintaining Good Rabbit Teeth , Rabbit Food South Africa , Pet Rabbit Dental Care
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