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25
SEP
2014
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The story of how chinchillas made it into our homes as pets is rather an interesting one. They were initially used as laboratory animals, but it appears that researchers simply couldn’t get enough of them. So, a few were secreted out as pets and from there, the popularity of these animals grew. And, it’s easy to see why. Chinchillas are wonderfully inquisitive and active creatures. They simply love playing. And they don’t ask for a lot to make this playtime special. But, more than anything, what they need is a balanced diet. Once they have this, they’ll do most of the work themselves.
Chinchillas Are Fibrevores
There is a small group of animals known as fibrevores. This group includes rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Unlike other vegetarian animals, fibrevores don’t just eat fruits, vegetables and grasses. These animals need such an incredible amount of fibre in their diet to survive that it is almost unbelievable.
As such.. [More]
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Tags :
What Does Your Chinchilla Eat? , Chinchilla Food South Africa
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24
SEP
2014
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Successful aquariums depend greatly on research and preparation. Just as you research the care requirements of the fish you are interested in, you will also need to think about fundamental aspects such as aquarium placement. Before you install your new aquarium, consider aquarium placement and size to avoid laborious and costly mistakes.
Location
An aquarium placed in a back room or basement may not receive the care or attention it needs. Oftentimes a poorly located aquarium can result in neglect, increasing risk of fish disease or equipment malfunction that remains unnoticed. Set up your aquarium where you spend most of your time. By doing so, you can fully enjoy the results of your endeavour. Choose a room where you will be able to view and take pleasure in your aquatic system. But more importantly, place the aquarium where it is easily accessible for regular and convenient maintenance.
Keep in mind, once fully set up, aquariums weigh 1 kilogram per 1 litre of wate.. [More]
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Tags :
Choosing The Right Aquarium , Tropical Aquarium South Africa , Fish tank south africa , aquascape south africa
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23
SEP
2014
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It is easy to fall in love with a hamster, isn’t it? Sure, they’re not the most social creatures, especially when it comes to interacting with their human owners (though you can overcome this with enough contact with your pets). But, hamsters are just so little, adorable, inquisitive and busy. And that makes them a bundle of fun to watch. If only they shared more waking hours with us, right?
But, no matter how small these pets are, they still need regular care just as any larger animal would do. And, once you’ve filled their cage with plenty of interesting activities and snuggly places to sleep, then it’s time to worry about what your wonderful little hamsters need to eat.
So, Just What Do Hamsters Eat?
Hamsters eat the food that comes in packets with their name on it, right? Well, yes, though you should probably get a little more specific than that if you want to be the best hamster owner possible. For a start, it’s essential to not.. [More]
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Tags :
What Time Is Breakfast For Your Hamsters , Hamsters South Africa , Hamster Food South Africa , Hamster Cage South Africa
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20
SEP
2014
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Some animals will do just fine as the only one of their kind in your home (though most do better in a pair or more). Dogs, for example, typically don’t mind being the only one as long as there is plenty of attention and the delicious smells of other dogs on their evening walk.
However, rabbits specifically do not do well when they’re the only one in your family. Indeed they crave the love and attention of other rabbits. And, believe it or not, for such quiet animals, they spend an awful lot of time communicating with their rabbit friends. So, even though you may be tempted to get yourself a single rabbit to “test the waters,” it really should be all or nothing (and you should be fully committed to any pet you bring home before finalising an adoption).
Rabbits Live in Large Groups in the Wild
Although it may seem like it has been ages since you spotted a wild rabbit, it takes a long time for domestication to wear down the habits and norms .. [More]
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Tags :
Your Rabbit Needs A Friend , Pet Rabbits in South Africa
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20
SEP
2014
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We all know that rats have had a bad rep since they were discovered to carry the plague with them. But, that’s hardly their fault. Indeed, if we had domesticated these animals before then, we might not have had that problem. However, there is no point in rehashing the past. It’s important to know that the rats we keep as pets today don’t carry these diseases with them. Well, not domesticated rats, at any rate. It is still unwise to attempt to capture and keep a wild rat as a pet. Though this has happened in the past; you will need sincere intervention from a veterinarian.
But, before you head out to adopt your first rat, it’s vitally important to consider a few things. Understanding the needs of your potential pets before you get them will help you to care for them better when they’re snuggly established in your home.
Rats Don’t Like to Be Alone
Rats, like many other animals, don’t like to be alone. Many domesticated ani.. [More]
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Tags :
Caring For Your Pet Rats
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20
SEP
2014
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The Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa (PFI) has vowed to eliminate petfood fraud and protect South African pet owners from "rogue petfood manufacturers." Consumers can do their part by only buying commercial petfood that has a "V" number followed by "Act 36 of 1947" on its packaging. This indicates that the food has been registered by its manufacturer or distributor. “It is absolutely critical for pet owners to ensure that the food they purchase is registered with the department, as this is the only way to ensure that the minimum nutritional standards are met and that the food has been examined to ensure this, and, further, that your pet is getting the best possible and safe food for them,” said PFI Executive Director Barry Hundley.
Pet Habitat is pleased to announce that all Burgess Excel Nuggets and Roudybush bird pellets have been approved and are registered with Department of Agriculture. It was not easy since w.. [More]
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Tags :
Buy Only Registered Pet Food In South Africa
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12
SEP
2014
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Many homes are simply not complete without a few pets around. And, not every pet is a cat or a dog. There are many, many different pets that people can keep in their homes. Each one of them has special needs and dietary requirements. And, feeding your pets the right food – and the right amount of food is paramount to their continued health. Indeed, it is one of the things you’ll need to consider long before you bring home your pets. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of them falling ill – or worse.
Keep in mind, that with all the different needs that every pet has, they don’t all need dry food. While this may be the best bet for your dogs and cats, other animals require different foods. Sometimes, those foods may seem rather boring to you, such as Timothy Hay, but they are essential to some animals.
Who Eats Timothy Hay?
Some animals are carnivores (or rather, omnivores) and some that are strictly vegetarian. Within that latter group a.. [More]
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Tags :
Guide To Feeding Hay To Fibrevores , Pet Guinea Pig Food South Africa , Pet Rabbit Food South Africa , Chinchilla Food South Africa , Timothy Hay South Africa
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08
SEP
2014
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You should never feed rolled oats, wheat, crackers, weetbix or any breakfast cereals to chinchillas, rabbits or guinea pigs as it affects their calcium and phosphorus ratio and reduces the absorption of essential nutrients from hay, depleting calcium in their bodies and causing digestive, dental and bone problems.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas should have a diet high in fibre, and fairly low in calories (especially fats and starches). And we not referring to Crude fibre because it is poor measure of plant lignin and cellulose, but rather digestive and indigestible fibre, which is only present in high quantities in hay. Over time pellet diets have been sold as the mainstay of their diet, but pellets was originally formulated for non household pets (i.e. laboratory or farmed rabbits and chinchillas).
Some of the problems associated with feeding too much lucerne based pellets are:
Obesity
Dental disease
Soft stools (with norm st.. [More]
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Tags :
Feeding Rabbits , Guinea Pigs & Chinchillas Dry Food in South Africa , Dangers of Feeding Dry Food To Guinea Pigs , Rabbits & Chinchillas in South Africa
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07
SEP
2014
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Made all the more famous by the animated blockbuster Finding Nemo about 10 years ago, the Clownfish is a firm favourite with marine aquarists the world over, and with plenty of good reason.
Endemic to the Indian and South Pacific Oceans, the Clownfish lives in shallow waters, primarily among other reef fish and they often form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones, which they effectively use as a home. The clownfish is immune to the anemone’s poison, and so takes advantage of the extra stinging-protection of the anemone as well as the scraps left over from the anemone’s meal. The anemone benefits from the faecal nutrients from the clownfish and from its’ grooming action (the clownfish eats it’s dead tentacles).
In a group of clownfish (usually living in the surrounding reef anemones), the most aggressive and largest female is dominant, and there is only one mating couple at any one time. The group is usually tended to by a small number.. [More]
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Clownfish In Your Aquarium
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05
SEP
2014
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Sludge in rabbits is a frustrating urinary problem affecting rabbits of all breeds, ages, and both sexes. As a vet it can be difficult to treat, and sadly despite intervention, frequently recurs. Get our 3 essential treatments and 4 ways to prevent.
Signs – rabbits can be presented with sludge in a number of ways, and not all of them together. Check our list to see how many you would spot.
Thick urine – rabbit urine is high in calcium carbonate, and in rabbits suffering from sludge, the sediment is thick and ‘sludgy’. The urine can take on the appearance and texture of thick smooth toothpaste.
Frequent urination – affected rabbits will often attempt to urinate more often, and not always in the same place.
Straining to urinate – the obstruction of the urine outflow from the bladder by the thick creamy deposit can make for difficulty in expression. Constant attempts akin to an animal with cons.. [More]
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Tags :
Preventing Sludge In Rabbits
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