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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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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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importance of Timothy hay for fibrevores
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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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Choosing The Right Hamster South Africa
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28
MAY
2015
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What type of home does your rabbit need?
Rabbits love a warm and snuggly hutch to sleep in, but that’s just their bedroom. It should never be the extent of their home. Rabbits need to run and hop far more than you could imagine. In the wild, they graze and move over an extensive territory of hundreds of square metres.
The ideal home for your pet rabbit consists of one house for every rabbit in your group plus one that all your rabbits can sleep in together. These should be attached to a central area where they are fed and do most of their eating. They also need a run that’s a few meters square and tall enough that even the tallest rabbit can sit on his hind quarters and not touch the top with his ears. Taller and bigger is always better, and your rabbits must have constant access to the run.
What else does your rabbit want in a home?
Whilst housing may be the biggest concern in creating the perfect environment for your pet rabbits, it’s not .. [More]
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How To Create The Right Rabbit Home
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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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14
APR
2015
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Did you know that it can be pretty easy to train your guinea pigs to do tricks? Guinea pigs can’t really be trained in the same way as a dog can but, with a bit of patience, time and a couple of treats your guinea pig will be able to carry out tricks at a basic level. It may take you a little while to teach your guinea pig to jump through a hoop but the important thing is to make sure you have fun with it! You’ll probably be better sticking to one trick at a time to avoid any confusion.
Repetition and consistency is the key! So make sure you show your guinea pig the same way every time – even your body language needs to stay the same! You may need to show your guinea pigs 3 times or 15 times or even 30 times, but, once your guinea pig has mastered it you’ll both feel great! The key is not to lose your patience, try to relax and enjoy bonding process with your pet.
If you’re struggling to teach your guinea pig new tricks then this could be.. [More]
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Tags :
Training Your Guinea Pigs , Guinea Pigs South Africa
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