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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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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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27
MAR
2016
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Why muesli mixes lead to health problems in rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas and should be avoided at all costs?
For many years muesli mixes have been popular as rabbit, guinea pig and chinchilla food but the health risks associated with feeding them have been recognized. In 1996 a paper was published that highlighted the problems of selective feeding from these mixtures. More recent research in 2013 has 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 tha.. [More]
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The problem with muesli mixes
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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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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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Pet Habitat attended the World of Dogs & Cats & Pet Exhibition (WODAC PET EXPO) from 18th -20th July 2015 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. We had hundreds of visitors at our exhibition stand where we displayed a large range of products from Aquael, Pet Inn, Comfy, Rotastak, MarinePure and Burgess.
South Africans discovered the possibilities, opportunities and rewards of pet ownership as they browsed through the Hall of Dogs, Hall of Cats, Hall of Reptiles and fell under the spell of the Magic of Horses. Also at the show were exotic pets, budgies and parrots, fish, koi, rabbits, pedigree rats to new breeds of imported guinea pigs.
WODAC had something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned pet parent or considering pet adoption for the first time. You could find everything from treats, toys and accessories to nutrition, health and wellness solutions at the show.
We also had a visitor from Poland at our stan.. [More]
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Pet Habitat At WODAC 2015 Pet Expo
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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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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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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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Floor Time With Your Guinea Pigs South Africa
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13
JUN
2015
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Rats are one of those magnificent animals that make incredible pets but were ignored for many years before their popularity really took hold. Part of the reasons for that is of course because wild rats are very different to the domesticated pets you can adopt. Another reason is that there was simply not a lot of information available on caring for these pets – early rat owners probably made a few mistakes. But we’ve learned a lot about rats over the years, including their need for companionship.
Does your rat need a friend?
Rats are very social creatures. They love living with friends and family. This makes them very different from some of the other small furries such as Syrian hamsters who prefer a solitary life, whereas Dwarf hamsters prefer company. Rats however don’t just enjoy the company, they thrive on it and need it to live a long and happy life.
If you have a lonely rat, it’s time to get your furry a friend. But be careful here, it&rs.. [More]
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Are rats happy when kept on their own?
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01
JUN
2015
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The dietary needs of any animal (including humans) are directly linked to the unique digestive processes of that animal. Fibrevores, as the name implies, need lots of fibre. Fibrevores have a unique digestive system with an appendix designed to deal with fibre exclusively. A complete fibrevore diet will provide for their dental, digestive and emotional health. The Excel 5-a-day Feeding Plan is an easy to follow guide to ensure your pet gets the right balance of fibre, nutrients, vitamins and minerals for their all-round health.
The benefits of Timothy hay on teeth
Rabbits have teeth that continually grow throughout their lifetime. If they’re not ground down through eating, they can form sharp points and spurs. By eating a high fibre diet, the healthy length and shape of the teeth are maintained.
Bedding
More than that, fibrevores love snuggling in piles of Timothy hay. They love playing with it and pushing it around their homes. It’s a great com.. [More]
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Tags :
importance of Timothy hay for fibrevores
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