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02
APR
2015
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Chinchillas have dense fur. Over time, oils and moisture collect in their fur. In the wild, chinchillas have no way to clean their fur other than to roll around in volcanic ash which acts as an absorbent. You should never bathe your chinchilla in water. Doing so would remove the natural oils which protect their skin and helps them regulate their body temperature. Instead, it is best to give them a bowl or container filled with "special" dust for them to roll around in. The finer the dust, the better.
A regular dust bath is an absolute necessity for chinchillas. Taking a vigorous dust bath is one of their natural behaviors, and is how chinchillas keep their lush coats clean and healthy. Not only does this dust bath help to keep their thick fur smooth and silky, it is thought to be relaxing and fun for chinchillas.
Blue Cloud is the best chinchilla dust you can use. This ultra-fine aluminum silicate powder contains no limestone, glass, or sand and shakes comple.. [More]
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Tags :
Chinchillas And Blue Cloud Bath Dust in South Africa , Chinchilla Bath Sand South Africa , Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Bath South Africa , Why Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Bath Is Best South Africa
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29
MAR
2015
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For the last four years the PDSA in UK has published the PDSA Annual Well-being Report (PAW Report for short). It covers cats, dogs and rabbits and looks at welfare issues by asking pet owners and vets questions about care and welfare. It’s great to have these stats on things like how many rabbits are neutered and whether they get an appropriate diet because it helps welfare campaigners monitor how successful they are at implementing changes and also where to target change.
So, on to this years report. Here is a handy graphically summary (feel free to share):
One of the biggest changes is the rapid decline in muesli based dry foods. In the last four years it’s dropped from being eaten by 49% to 25% of rabbits in UK. Interestingly it’s been a sustained change, continuing this year, not just a short term reaction to media coverage.
On the other hand in the last year there hasn’t been much progress on hay eating; the percentage not .. [More]
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Tags :
Rapid Decline of Muesli Dry Foods , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Russel Rabbit South Africa
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22
MAR
2015
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You want to take good care of your little friend with the finest fur. Part of caring for chinchillas requires regular inspection of the state of his mouth and teeth. Unlike human teeth, a chinchilla's teeth grow throughout his lifetime. If they don't wear properly, malocclusion or misalignment results. Simple proper chinchilla husbandry prevents malocclusion except in cases in which the condition is hereditary.
Malocclusion
Chinchillas are rodents, which translated from Latin means "to gnaw." Your pet's incisors grow at the rate of 2 to 3 inches annually, and his molars can be responsible for misalignment. Not only do they make it difficult for your chinchilla to eat, wayward teeth can penetrate his nasal cavity. Malocclusion can cause infections in his teeth that spread into other parts of his body, particularly the sinuses. Untreated, your pet will eventually die from a severe malocclusion. As always, prevention is your best bet.
Symptoms
Slobbers .. [More]
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Preventing Malocclusion In Chinchillas In South Africa
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22
MAR
2015
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Guinea pigs' teeth grow continuously throughout their life, so they need to chew regularly to keep their teeth down to a healthy size. Chewing on their cage bars could mean they do not have enough things to chew on, but most likely they simply enjoy the feeling of the metal bars.
Why Guinea Pigs Chew
Guinea pigs are born with a natural instinct to chew. Their teeth grow continually throughout their life and chewing keeps them at a healthy length. If guinea pigs are not given enough things to chew on, they will begin chewing on items like their cage bars. If your guinea pig is chewing on her cage bars, there is no need to be alarmed. It could mean that she simply enjoys the sensation that it provides. As long as she has plenty of other chew toys designed for chewing and gnawing, your guinea pig is probably very content.
Chewing, Treats and Interaction
One fun way to get some interaction in with your guinea pigs in addition to satisfying their need to chew and p.. [More]
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Tags :
Why Do Guinea Pigs Chew Their Cage South Africa? , Gunea Pig Cages South Africa , Guinea Pig Care South Africa
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18
MAR
2015
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Hamsters are naturally energetic and inquisitive animals who benefit from exercise and play. A bored hamster with no way to burn calories may become lethargic, irritable or destructive. Supplying your hamster with toys and exercise equipment is an essential part of keeping him healthy.
Benefits of Exercise
Running around helps alleviate boredom, preventing your hamster from developing bad behavior such as excessive or destructive chewing. A bored hamster is going to be more likely to chew on his cage and destroy various toys and items within the living enclosure. A hamster who is not getting adequate exercise may be irritable or difficult to handle. If your hamster cannot exercise for extended periods of time, he may gain a significant amount of weight, which can cause other health problems to develop.
Exercise Wheel
An exercise wheel is an essential piece of equipment for your hamster's quality of life. Hamsters get in their wheels and run in place. Every hams.. [More]
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Tags :
Keeping Your Hamsters Fit & Healthy in South Africa , Hamster Exercise Wheel South Africa , Hamster Ball South Africa , Hamster Cage South Africa , Hamster 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 Do You Need to Clean Your Hamster’s Home?
Most pets, just like most people, need their homes cleaned about once a week. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore your hamster’s home the other six days of the week.
You should take a moment to spot clean the bathroom and do the dishes every day. When you feed your pets, remove the food bowl from you hamster’s home and empty it of leftovers. This is especially important if you’ve given them any fresh treats. Wipe the bowl with a tissue or paper towel before refilling it. And, while you’re there, you may want to scoop out visible debris in the bathroom area. Don’t forget to refresh the shavings here if you take some out.
What Goes into a Weekly Clean?
The most important part of cleaning your pet’s home is making sure your hamster (or hamsters, as they prefer) is secured. Exercise balls are a great way to do this, but as long as your hamster can’t escape.. [More]
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Tags :
Cleaning Your Hamster’s Cage in South Africa , Cleaning Hamster Cage 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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21
FEB
2015
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Gone are the days when you could pick up a simple cage for your gerbils and call it home. Indeed, those homes were never fit for your pets. Your pets deserve a gerbilarium, which is a lot closer to penthouse living than a simple cage could ever be.
A gerbilarium consists of a wire cage-like structure on top of a plastic tub filled with wood shavings. So, it may look ordinary until you factor in the different internal levels and areas in this home. Gerbils love to dig, so the lower layer can (and should) be quite deep, and filled with shavings. On top of that, a couple of different levels, joined with fun climbing ramps and ladders and some snuggly areas to hang out make a gerbilarium home. Finally, gerbils are super fast. Make sure you can secure your pets’ home, or they’ll make a dash to discover what else you’ve got hiding in your house.
What Else Makes a Gerbilarium Home?
Having a gerbilarium is just the first step to health and happiness. N.. [More]
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Tags :
Gerbils Love to Live It up in Style , Gerbil Home South Africa , Hamster Cage South Africa , Pet Rat Cage South Africa , Gerbil Cage South Africa
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18
JAN
2015
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Our pets really are our best friends. They are loyal, pass no judgement, and they are there in times of need, so it’s no surprise that some of us feel closer to our pets than we do human beings. This is why it isn’t strange for people to experience intense grief at the loss of a pet, often rivalling the loss of friend or family member, please be assured that these feelings are completely normal.
What makes it difficult to cope with the loss of a terminally ill animal is that they are unable to understand the process of dying, we are only able to communicate with them to a certain extent. When humans fall terminally ill they are able to have conversations with friends and family and this is a form of closure for their loved ones.
Losing a pet is truly a heart breaking thing to happen so here are a few ways in which pet owners can help themselves, and others, to carry on after the death of a family pet.
1. Stick to your routine as much as possible .. [More]
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Tags :
Coping With The Loss Of A Pet
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