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15
AUG
2014
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Gut stasis is the number one motility disorder of rabbits and is a potentially deadly condition in which the digestive system slows down or stops completely. Bad bacteria then builds up in the intestines and releases gas into the system, causing very painful bloating and further decreasing a rabbit’s motivation to eat or drink. This compounds the problem because the rabbit will become more dehydrated and starved of essential nutrients and roughage.
The contents of the digestive tract will become more compact, and the rabbit will have an even more difficult time passing it through. The bacteria can also release toxins into the system which overtax the liver and can cause the organ to ultimately fail.
Motility Disorders - Some essential facts
A rabbit not eating will develop hypomotility
Reduced gut movements will cause anorexia
Gastric stasis causes dehydra.. [More]
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Tags :
Gut Stasis In Rabbits - The Big Challenge , Pet Rabbits South Africa , Rabbit Care South Africa , Rabbit Food South Africa , Online Pet Store South Africa , Online Pet Shop South Africa
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14
AUG
2014
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Clicker training your rabbits happens the same way it does for dogs and other animals. It is simply a matter of getting your rabbit to associate the clicker with a treat. From this point, it is possible to introduce the cue for a desired action (such as “come”, or “stand”) before clicking; this enables your rabbit to discern key words and the actions that go with them.
To begin with clicker training, you will need to have a supply of fresh, tasty treats available along with your clicker. With your rabbit nearby, make noise with the clicker, and then wait just a second, so the sound has a chance to register. Then, reward your rabbit with a treat. Wait until the treat is gone and repeat the action.
Once your bunny associates the click with a treat, you can be more discerning about how and when you offer it. If, for example, you want to get your rabbit to come on command, you should wait for your rabbit to approach. When she does, click and rewar.. [More]
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Clicker Training Your Rabbit
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01
AUG
2014
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So you’ve decided to adopt rabbits. Congratulations on your new, furry family members. Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in South Africa.
Introducing Rabbits to the People and Pets in Your Life
Whenever you introduce new members to your family, you’ve got to be sensitive. It’s true for baby humans, old dogs and young bunnies. Remember that although you know and love all the people (and pets) in your family, they are all strangers to your new rabbits. And, as they are prey animals, rabbits are often afraid of the unknown.
Most adults have the patience to wait until the new rabbits hop over to say hello. However, some children may find it difficult to wait. When making introductions, ask your children to remain seated on the floor without making any startling movements until the new bunnies make the first move. Children must also be reminded to stroke rabbits slowly, not to pull on their ears, and to keep away from sharp rabbit teeth.
Y.. [More]
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Tags :
Introducing New Rabbit To Your Family in South Africa , Online Pet shop South Africa , Online Pet Store South Africa
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23
JUL
2014
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Are you providing everything your rabbits need to be happy and healthy and live a long life? You may think you are, but do you know for sure? Your rabbits may have a lovely big hutch to live in, and spend their days in a large run with lots of space to exercise and explore, but what about rabbit food? Are your rabbits getting all the right nutrients in their meals? If you simply feed your rabbits a supermarket dry rabbit food mix, you could be neglecting to give your them everything they need. Supermarket mixes may well be deficient in fibre which is vital for rabbits and other small mammals.
Rabbits need a lot of fibre in their diet to keep them healthy. You may be surprised at exactly how much fibre they do need. Hay is a good source of fibre, but did you know that you should be feeding a pile of hay to your rabbit, roughly the same size as his body – each day? If your rabbit consumes this much hay, he isn’t over eating, so you shouldn’t cut down on .. [More]
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Tags :
Meeting The Needs of Rabbits In South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Rabbit Hay , Timothy Hay South Africa
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12
JUL
2014
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Got kids? There’s a fair chance that somewhere along the line you’ve had a snuggly soft bunny toy, or perhaps a rabbit costume of sorts. You may have read Peter The Rabbit to your young ones.
Kids are naturally fascinated by the playful hopping of young rabbits, and the silky softness of their long ears. If you have children at home, there are few things you need to consider before adding a bunny to your family.
Everyone Needs Their Space
Your kids want their own rooms, somewhere they can’t be disturbed as they play and relax. Even clingy children need their own space. The same goes for your rabbits. They need a space where they feel secure, it doesn’t need to be an entire room, or even an entire cage, but there must be somewhere that your rabbit, can retreat for some peace.
What You Should Do: Investing in a living space is only half the solution; you also need to spend time teaching your children about the importance of space .. [More]
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Tags :
Rabbits And Children , Few Things About Rabbits & Kids , Children And Rabbits
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05
JUL
2014
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Are you up to date with rabbit feeding requirements? The European Pet Food Industry Federation, also known as FEDIAF, publish animal feeding guidelines – so we’ve compiled a handy summary for you.
FEDIAF strives to ensure high standards for all pet food products manufactured and sold in Europe, through consideration of safety, nutrition and palatability.
Last year, the organisation teamed up with the UK-PFMA (Pet Food Manufacturing Association) and a panel of renowned experts, including Professor Anna Meredith , to produce new guidelines for responsible rabbit ownership and feeding.
So, here’s our run-down of the most important points:
Rabbits must have a high-fibre diet
Fibre is needed to maintain gut movement and normal fermentation, prevent GIT (gastrointestinal tract) stasis and help wear down teeth.
Hay and grass are ideal sources of fibre for rabbits.
Amounts of different fibres must be monitored, includin.. [More]
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FEDIAF’s Rabbit Feeding Advice
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28
JUN
2014
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It has been thought that rabbits and guinea pigs make the ideal companions, but it is actually not recommended.
Previously it was not easy to neuter rabbits and so most people didn’t opt for this, and so they would choose a guinea pig for a companion for their rabbit so as to avoid any possible breeding issues. These days however, neutering a rabbit is a straightforward procedure and so this is no longer an issue.
There are several reasons why it is not desirable to keep these two species together…
Rabbits and guinea pigs have very different dietary requirements. You simply cannot buy a generic food to feed them without neglecting the dietary needs of one or even both of them. Feeding them both a different diet while they share their living space would be practically impossible. Guinea Pigs need a diet high in vitamin C as they cannot produce their own like rabbits do. That’s why Excel guinea pig nuggets are enriched with this particular vitamin. W.. [More]
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Keeping Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Together , Can Rabbits & Guinea Pigs Live Together South Africa
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24
JUN
2014
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Veterinarians claim that as many as 75% of the rabbits that they treat have signs of dental disease. Although rabbit teeth seem to have a mind of their own, you can take action that will avoid your pet becoming one of the statistics. Here a quick guide to rabbit health care – starting with their teeth.
Understanding Rabbit Health Concerns
Just like humans, rabbits are very susceptible to health issues caused by diet. Generally, these concerns are due to a lack of fibre in their diet. Primary concerns often show up first in rabbit teeth; these include:
Teeth that are not worn down – rabbits wear down their teeth when eating Timothy Hay and other grasses. The normal grinding motion of the cheek teeth when eating hay, such as Timothy, is crucial to oral health, as overgrown teeth may be painful – or even fatal if a rabbit can no longer eat properly.
Obesity is another issue; rabbits need a lot of digestible and indigesti.. [More]
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Tags :
Basic Healthcare For Rabbits , Timothy Hay South Africa , Rabbit Hay , Rabbit Cages South Africa , Feeding Rabbits
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24
JUN
2014
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Rabbits are great pets when cared for correctly. It is, however, almost impossible to care for all the litters that your rabbits and their rabbits could have in just a few short years. But, that’s not the only reason to have your rabbits neutered; there are plenty of additional health benefits for your rabbit.
What Is Neutering and How Does It Help?
In male rabbits, neutering is the removal of the testes, which obviously prevents pregnancy. The process is slightly more advanced for female rabbits as it involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries during surgery. This procedure is often called spaying.
Rabbit medicine and surgery has advanced in recent years, and these procedures are now performed much more commonly. General anaesthetics have also advanced and have become safer for rabbits. Modern medicines also mean any post operation pain can be controlled.
Surgeries are now recommended for health reasons.
Neutering helps with:
Preventing pr.. [More]
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Tags :
Why You Should Spay Or Neuter Rabbits South Africa , Caring for Your Rabbit What Is Neutering
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21
JUN
2014
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Rabbits make fantastic pets, they love quiet spaces and require only a bit of affection from their generous owners. Ideally rabbits have at least one bunny friend to spend their days with, so they are ready for your affection when you come home in the evening. Give them this, plenty of timothy hay, and there is only one thing left to do – provide your bunnies with the perfect home. Unfortunately, that is not simply a hutch… That is only the beginning.
The Rabbit Hutch
Whether you call it a hutch or a cage and whether it is indoors or out, this is the beginning of your rabbit’s home. Consider the hutch to be a bedroom. It is a comfortable and secure space to sleep. Ideally you would have one hutch per rabbit to hide and rest in, and another larger one that all your bunnies can sleep in together (if they are in the mood for that). These should all be connected in some way, though rabbits should not have to go through each other’s be.. [More]
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Tags :
Become A Responsible Rabbit Owner , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Rabbit Pellets South Africa , Rabbit Hutch , Rabbit Cages
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