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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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08
JUN
2014
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House rabbits make wonderful pets and can live happily indoors throughout the year, provided you meet all their welfare needs. There are a number of considerations you need to make before committing to owning house rabbits so you can be sure that this is the right pet for you, and vice versa.
Companionship
Rabbits are social creatures and thrive in the company of others. We would always advise owning more than one rabbit; neutered males and females usually make a great pairing, especially if they have been brought up together. If you own a rabbit and are adding a second rabbit take time to introduce them slowly. You may find that they are initially hostile towards each other so seek advice from your vet or local rescue so that you understand how to bond your rabbits successfully.
Exercise
You need to provide your house rabbits with the opportunity to dig, graze and exercise, just like they would do in the wild so why not grow trays of grass, and provide c.. [More]
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Tags :
Keeping House Rabbits Happy , Pet Rabbit South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Pet Rabbit Hutch , Pet Rabbit Cage , House Rabbits , Bunny Home , Bunny Food
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07
JUN
2014
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It’s important to feed your chinchilla the right food. Chinchillas like all animals have quite specific dietary requirements and shouldn’t be fed food meant for other animals. Food that is meant for rabbits, or a generic food designed for all small mammals will not have the right balance of nutrients for your chinchilla. Vets report that 80% of chinchillas 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 chinchillas should be eating and why.
Consider a day in the life of a wild chinchilla. He would spend 70% of his time 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! His diet would be mainly made up of grasses, .. [More]
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Tags :
Taking Care of Chinchillas South Africa , Choosing Right Chinchilla Food , Chinchilla Food South Africa , What Is Right Chinchilla Food , What Do Chinchillas Eat , Feeding Chinchillas , Chinchilla Food Sour
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06
JUN
2014
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Guinea pigs are more than just soft, adorable pets. They are smart animals that are good with kids and make a great addition to the family. They are normally very friendly and sometimes even squeak happily when their owners walk into the room.
If you’ve decided to adopt a guinea pig, you probably already know how important it is to provide a good home for him. Guinea pigs need proper care and the best home so they will be healthy and content. When guinea pigs are well looked after, their lifespan is usually between five and seven years.
So how do you make sure your guinea pig has the best home possible? Here are some guidelines to help you welcome your newest family member into the home.
What You Will Need
There are some supplies you will need from the day you pick up your guinea pig. These supplies need to be ready for your guinea pig in order for him to be safe and happy while he gets used to his new home.
When you purchase a guinea pig, make su.. [More]
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Tags :
Guinea Pigs Make Adorable Pets , How To Care For Guinea Pigs , Pet Guinea Pig South Africa , Guinea Pig Cage South Africa , Pet Guinea Pig food South Africa , Timothy Hay , Hay
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06
JUN
2014
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If you are a rabbit owner or are considering adopting a rabbit as a pet then there is something you need to know about these adorable creatures; they LOVE company!
Rabbits are naturally sociable animals and in the wild they co-exist happily with other rabbits. If they are kept in solitary confinement as pets they can become extremely lonely and this can have a negative impact on their emotional health and well being. If your rabbit growls at you when you go near him or if he kicks aggressively at you then it could be loneliness that it causing this behaviour.
With this in mind always seek to adopt rabbits in pairs at the very least and the best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female. It is worth noting that neutered males will often fight, which is why a mixed pairing more than likely will work best.
Neutering is important – without this you WILL get pregnancy and new rabbits and there are way too many rabbit rescues throughout South Africa s.. [More]
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Tags :
Rabbits Love Company , taking care of pet rabbits in South Africa , Pet Rabbits South Africa
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06
JUN
2014
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Fibre facts:
Fibre is the most important ingredient in rabbit food. It is essential for normal wear of teeth. So much so that FEDIAF state “For the health and well-being of a rabbit good quality hay should be fed at all times”.
Daily fibre intake is essential to the rabbit to maintain normal:
gut function
dental wear
fermentation in the caecum.
Fibre comes mainly from plant cell walls.
Plant cell walls containing lignin, cellulose and silicate phytoliths are also important for salivation and dental health.
Plant cell walls consist of polysaccharides associated with;
glycoproteins
phenolic compounds
acetic acid
lignin
Fibre definitions:
Digestible fibre – a young growing plant cell has primary cell walls, which contains fermentable or digestible fibre. This fibre supports caecal fermentation.
Indigestible fibre – older plants develop secondary cell walls, which cons.. [More]
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Tags :
Fibre Facts On Pet Food Labels , Fibre Facts & Definitions , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Chinchilla food South Africa , Pet Guinea Pig food South Africa , Timothy Hay South Africa , Teff Hay , Rabbit Hay ,
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05
JUN
2014
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Rabbits eat mainly carrots, right? Wrong! There are lots of misconceptions about what rabbits should eat. Find out what rabbits really should eat to stay healthy!
Myth #1 - Rabbits eat carrots
Carrots shouldn’t be main source of food. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables/fruit. Carrots/fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets.
Myth #2 - Hay is just bedding
Hay isn’t just bedding. Fresh, dust–free hay should be their main source of food available at all times. We recommend Timothy hay because it is high in protein and other nutrients and has lots of beneficial fibre.
Myth #3 - Rabbits eat lettuce
Diets shouldn’t be lettuce based. Rabbits shouldn’t eat some lettuces (e.g. iceberg) as they contain laudanum which can be harmful in large quantities. Some lettuce is "worse".. [More]
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Tags :
Common Rabbit Diet Myths , Pet Rabbits South Africa , Pet Rabbit Care South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Food for bunny , petfood for bunnies , buy Timothy Hay South Africa
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04
JUN
2014
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Hamster racing is a sport in which hamsters are placed in hamster wheels or hamster balls, often fitted to miniature racing vehicles, and raced down a straight 9 meter course. The hamster crossing the finish line in the shortest amount of time wins. According to a 2001 media report, the world-record time for this course setup is 38 seconds. Events may feature as few as two hamsters or many teams of hamsters and human pit crews. Hamster balls may be simple spheres or feature many design modifications purported to increase the performance and style of the race vehicle.
In the United Kingdom, gamblers can place bets on the outcome of hamster races through online bookmakers.
Professional racing
In 2001, an epidemic of foot and mouth disease caused the cancellation of some British horse races and other sporting events. To boost their lagging bookmaking incomes, betting agencies introduced and promoted the concept of professional hamster racing. Online bookmaker Blue Squa.. [More]
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Tags :
Hamster Ball Racing , Hamsters South Africa , Buy Hamster Cage Online South Africa , Hamster food
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02
JUN
2014
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Pets make a delightful addition to many families. But, furry friends, just like their human counterparts need daily care and a bit of affection too. It applies to rabbits as much as it does for some of the more persistent pets (did anyone say puppies?). Fortunately, bunnies tend to exercise themselves, given enough room to run, which takes that strain off owners who are not keen for a nightly walk. But, they do require veterinary care and immediate attention if they become ill or contract a disease. However, rabbits do not tend to let their owners know when they are suffering – you’ve just got to be alert. Not sure what you are looking for or need to know?
Illnesses Requiring Annual Vaccinations
Myxomatosis
What Is It? Myxomatosis is an extremely fatal virus. Most rabbits are unable to recover once they contract this disease. It is spread through biting insects like mosquitoes and fleas. Occasionally it is also spread through direct contact w.. [More]
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Tags :
Rabbit Health What Owners Need To Know , Know Your Rabbit Diseases in South Africa , Pet Rabbit Health
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