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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
MAY
2016
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There is a major problem in South Africa where so many pet stores, breeders and pet owners don’t realize that feeding muesli foods can kill pet rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, according to latest scientific research.
Their attitude is that they have been feeding these foods for many years and their pets seem to be okay. They seem to turn a blind eye to any new scientific studies or recent changes in feeding guidelines announced by animal welfare organizations or FEDIAF.
The two year scientific study on the 200 rabbits by Professor Anne Meredith from University of Edinburgh made headline news all over the world in June 2013. The results from this study proved to the pet industry that feeding any type of muesli food (dry mixes) including pellets can have fatal consequences. This research is supported by every animal welfare organization thoughout the world including the RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross, Wood Green, RWAF and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Fede.. [More]
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Muesli Can Kill Pet Rabbits & Guinea Pigs , Dangers of Feeding Muesli To Rabbits & Guinea Pigs , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food 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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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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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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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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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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29
MAR
2015
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Pellets are a smaller but important part of your guinea pig, chinchilla or rabbit's diet. They are designed to be concentrated sources of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals to help ensure that your pet is getting all the nutrients he or she needs.
When feeding pellets, it is important to remember that a rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla's natural diet contains a high volume of low nutrient food. They are grazers by nature and in the wild they spend much of their days munching on grass and grazing for food.
While pellets enable owners to protect their pet's health and give them the range of nutrients they need, they are ultimately a low volume of high nutrient food that runs contrary to the diet in the wild. Therefore, it is important to follow feeding guidelines closely to make sure that they receive as balanced a diet as possible.
Mixes vs Pellets
Mixes, also known as "muesli," are dry food mixes that are primarily cereal-base.. [More]
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Tags :
Choosing A Pellet Food For Guinea Pigs , Rabbits and Chinchillas in South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa , Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food 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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11
MAR
2015
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How Often Should You Clean Your Rabbits’ Home?
As with many pets that live in an enclosed area, your rabbits need a visit from housekeeping about once a week. This includes a thorough clean using a pet-safe sanitiser. Typically, you will need to restrict your pets’ movements in one area or another during this time so you can get to every nook and cranny during your cleaning process.
However, you can’t neglect daily chores. Your rabbits need a basic tidy every day. This includes cleaning out any soiled shavings or bedding (as these can lead to the spread of disease). You must also clear out any uneaten food during this time. Cleaning water and food bowls is important on a daily basis and should be done before refilling them.
What Else Do You Need to Know?
When cleaning your rabbits’ living areas, always check for signs of damp or standing water. These conditions make it easy for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes to breed. While these insect.. [More]
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Tags :
Cleaning Your Rabbits’ Living Areas in South Africa , Cleaning Rabbit Cage South Africa
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