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29
MAY
2016
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The latest feeding recommendation for rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas is a diet of 80% grass hay and/or fresh grass. But why are there so many pet owners reluctant to do this? Maybe there is a fear that their beloved pet will starve to death. Or how do we know if our hay in South Africa is good enough? It has been proven that only a diet of hay provides them with good digestive health as well as physical and mental stimulation.
Concentrated food such as pellets, nuggets or dry food mixtures (also called muesli) must constitute only 10% of the diet because they don’t contain the right type of fibre. Failing to provide adequate portions of the right kind of fibre can rapidly lead to illness or death.
Because grass/hay does not appeal to humans, we have decided to feed more concentrated foods. Many people today are becoming more and more conscious of what they putting into their bodies. This is why we always look at the nutritional information on the back of foo.. [More]
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Tags :
What Is Best Hay In South Africa? Which Is Best Hay In South Africa? , Review of Different Hay in South Africa
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29
JAN
2016
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Guinea pigs come from the lower slopes of the Andes Mountains in South America. They are naturally active little creatures that need space to run around, stand on their hind legs and stretch out. If you’re a guinea pig parent, you’ll know they are inquisitive, intelligent and love gnawing and exploring tunnels.
Guinea pigs are also sensitive, especially to extreme changes in temperature. They can become unwell if kept in really hot or really cold environments, and should be kept out of draughty, damp and dirty areas too.
Most small pets are happiest when their natural behaviour traits are encouraged.
Follow these 4 golden rules:
Access all areas – Let your pet have access to everything they need at all times including lots of space, the correct food, water, safe places, toys and an appropriate companion.
Hidey holes – Small pets that are naturally prey animals are easily startled and susceptible to stres.. [More]
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Tags :
Natural Guinea Pig Behaviour , Guinea Pig South Africa
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29
JAN
2016
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Hay can be as nutritious to small animals as turkey and all the trimmings are to us, but it also provides them with many other added benefits. Here’s three reasons why hay is not just for Christmas…
For fodder… Hay for eating, such as Timothy or meadow hay, is different from hay for bedding, as it is much better quality with little dust (great for pets with respiratory problems), and lower calories. Packed full of fibre, it’s also excellent for your small animal’s digestive system as it reduces blockages and keeps the gut moving, which is very important for rabbits and guinea pigs.
Ensure you buy good quality fresh hay that smells sweet, is slightly green and has long strands – if it doesn’t look appealing to you, chances are your pet won’t like it either, and always provide a good supply of water to wash it all down.
If your pet doesn’t seem interested in the hay, try out a different type. Rabbits have m.. [More]
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Tags :
Encouraging your pet to eat more hay , Rabbit Hay South Africa
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26
JUL
2015
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Any guinea pig owner knows that their pets can make a variety of noises. But how well do you know your wheeks from your rumbles?
Learning to understand the different noises your pets means that you can know what they need, as they need it. It’s a useful skill to have to result in even happier piggies. Prepare to become the piggy whisperer!
Wheek
Probably the most commonly known guinea pig noise, a wheek is a high pitched squeak that sounds exactly as it is spelt. This noise is often associated with excitement – and usually one that anticipates food is coming! If you have a regular time you feed your pigs, they are most likely to wheek the loudest at this time of day. If your pets see you walking over to them with food, or rustling with a bag that may contain their next tasty snack, a few wheeks will come in your direction! This sound is not exclusively related to food, and your guinea pigs may start wheeking when they are excited to see you.
.. [More]
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Tags :
Understanding Guinea Pig Sounds South Africa
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10
JUL
2015
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We always like to talk to you about making sure your rabbits aren’t alone. They are very social animals and should preferably be looked after in pairs or small groups. However, when you first foster rabbits and bring them to their new home, it’s important that you bond with them to have a good owner and pet relationship.
First-time owners may be tempted to cuddle their rabbits to try and bond straight away but this can result in frightening them. Imagine if someone you didn’t know tried to hug you! What you need to do first is build trust. Please do not pick up your rabbits until they are comfortable with it. As they are prey animals the action may seem threatening to them.
Take it slow
When building your rabbits’ trust let them choose the pace. Don’t rush the process and be prepared to take out time every day to repeat this.
They first need time to get used to their living area. Give your buns some space to get used to their ne.. [More]
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Tags :
How To Bond With Your Bunnies South Africa
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13
JUN
2015
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Everyone needs exercise to remain healthy. It’s simply the way bodies work. Your guinea pigs also need plenty of activity and exercise to stay healthy for the span of their lifetimes. While an extra-large cavy home is ideal, your pets still need some floor time every day to get all the benefits of an active life.
Setting up a floor time area for your piggies
The point of floor time is exercise. And for guinea pigs, that means plenty of room to scamper across an expanse of floor. Even if your pets have an exceptionally large housing area, floor time helps to stimulate them mentally, so don’t discount its importance.
To create a floor space playground choose a room, hallway or corner without wires or tight spots where cavies can become stuck. Guinea pigs tend to prefer dimly lit corners, so having one or two is a bonus. Next, protect the area. Many recommend laying bathmats to protect your floor because they are washable. An extra layer of protection in.. [More]
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Tags :
Floor Time With Your Guinea Pigs South Africa
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30
MAY
2015
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As a chinchilla owner, it’s common knowledge that your playful pets need to be treated to a dust bath to keep their fur in tip top condition.
So why do chinchillas need dust baths?
The natural habitat of a chinchilla is in the Andes Mountains. In the wild, volcanic ash gets into Chinchilla’s fur and absorbs all the oil and dirt. This process keeps their fur thick and soft. Dust baths for domesticated chinchillas are our way of replicating this natural behaviour.
Everyone who has felt the fur of these pets knows that their coat is luxurious and soft. Chinchillas have around 60 hairs to each hair follicle, meaning that their fur is very dense. Due to this fact it is important that a chinchilla is never bathed in water. The thickness of the fur means that a wet chinchilla cannot air-dry, and having damp skin can cause fur rot or other health problems.
How often should they have a dust bath?
Regular dust baths are a necessity for your chinchill.. [More]
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Tags :
Why do chinchillas take dust baths South Africa
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28
MAY
2015
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There are several different types of hamster. In South Africa, there are generally two types of hamsters available for adoption, these being Syrian and Dwarf hamsters. Here are some differences between these breeds:
Syrian Hamsters – These animals are the larger of the hamsters you will find. They’re both inquisitive and gentle, and because of their slightly larger size, make a better option for smaller children. Syrian hamsters usually reach over six inches (15 cm) in length and live up to three years. Syrian hamsters however tend to prefer life alone in their home.
Dwarf Hamsters (Russian, Chinese and Roborovski breeds)– With an average length of four inches (10 cm), these are some of the smallest pets you can get. They don’t usually live as long, often between one-and-a-half to two years, but they are busy during their short lives. Being smaller, they do tend to squirm out of your hand easily. They are typically a.. [More]
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Tags :
Choosing The Right Hamster South Africa
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27
APR
2015
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Comfy is a brand owned by the Polish company AQUAEL and will be available end of June 2015 in South Africa. The Comfy product line includes high-quality accessories for dogs and cats designed to ensure that your pet spends every single day of its life in comfort and luxury. They are manufactured of first-class materials in Poland ensuring long-term usage with no signs of damage or wear, and are resistant to teeth and claw marks. Many of the products e.g. beddings, kennels and bags are washable. Comfy products meet high safety standards and are made of non toxic, natural materials.
The Comfy brand includes:
APPETIT dog food
Thanks to the Comfy APPETIT line of dog foods, your pet will enjoy a properly balanced diet. COMFY APPETIT dog food and snacks are made of all-natural ingredients favoured by dogs and will be relished even by the most fussy eaters.
Pet Bedding
Comfy offer a wide range of Comfy beddings and mattresses made of natural skin-friendly .. [More]
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Tags :
South Africa Get Ready For Comfy Brand , Dog Toys South Africa , Dog Collars & Leashes South Africa
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24
APR
2015
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For years, small pets were only provided with food, water and bedding, and they spent the majority of their days in their cages. However, today's small animal pet owners are more apt to recognize the importance of offering plenty of out-of-cage time mixed with positive social interaction and a variety of challenging toys to keep their pets happily occupied throughout the day.
Whether it’s called a toy or a treat, having something to chew on is top priority for small animals. These pets have teeth that grow continuously, and gnawing is a natural way for them to keep their teeth at the proper level to provide healthy eating habits and good dentition. But chew toys aren’t just a necessity, they’re also fun.
Interactive Toys
An increasing number of small animal pet owners seek interactive toys. Similar to dog owners who wish to play catch with their pets, small pet owners also crave one-on-one interactions with their pets. There is no need to ke.. [More]
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Tags :
Benefits of Small Animal Chew Toys South Africa , Boredom Breakers South Africa , Hamster Toys South Africa , Guinea Pig Toys South Africa , Chinchilla Toys South Africa , Rabbit Toys South Africa ,
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