6 Reasons Why Rabbits Make Great House Pets

Move over dogs and cats - rabbits make excellent indoor house pets and in many ways are easier to look after, especially if you have access to an easy to use rabbit litter to minimise the few problems associated with keeping a rabbit as an indoor pet.

Cats and dogs are two of the most popular choices of pet in the UK. According to the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association there were 8.6 million pet cats and 8.3 million pet dogs in the UK in 2011, coming second and third only to fish, which numbered over 40 million. Rabbits, on the other hand come in at a respectable 4th place with 1 million of them in UK homes, although not all of these will live inside the house.

While we can completely see why cats and dogs are so popular, we think rabbits are rather under-rated as pets - so here we will list the many ways in which rabbits can make excellent indoor house pets.

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They are Easier to Contain
While a dog or cat will generally be allowed the run of a house (with consequent problems when they want to be where you don't want them to be) a rabbit can be allowed to run free or put back in its hutch when it suits the owner. Many cat and dog owners have the perpetual fear of their pet running out of the house and getting lost, or worse. Similarly, many cat and dog owners are subject to all kinds of unwanted disturbances from their pets, especially during the night and especially from cats who are rather nocturnal creatures.

A rabbit, however, can be returned to its hutch at any time, either to protect it (e.g. when unknown dogs, cats or children visit, or when non-rabbit-friendly activities are going on such as cooking or vacuuming) or to fit in with the owner's routine (e.g. to get an undisturbed night's sleep, or simply to allow you to get on with the housework).

While restraining a dog or a cat inside a cage for any length of time would be seen as cruel, it is in a rabbit's nature to enjoy being in an enclosed space, for sleeping and for a feeling of safety. Provided your pet has a good sized hutch (so it can stretch out or sit up on its hind legs comfortably) which is kept clean and dry with an absorbent rabbit litter and a good supply of food, water and comfy rabbit bedding, your rabbit will not mind at all being placed in there whenever you want.

A Rabbit Can Be Litter Trained
Rabbits that live inside the house can be litter trained and this is essential if you want your rabbit to be free to run around the house for extended periods of time. Rabbit litter training should be done at a very early age, just as for puppies and kittens - it will be harder to house train an adult rabbit.

Even when they are inside their hutches, rabbits will naturally tend to urinate and do their droppings in the same place, usually choosing a spot well away from their food bowl and their sleeping area.

You will need a litter tray filled with suitable litter, which initially will be placed inside the hutch in the place that your rabbit has already shown a preference for. Once your rabbit is generally used to the tray itself, as well as the litter, you can start moving the tray outside of the hutch and then progressively further away until your rabbit becomes completely used to finding the tray wherever you have placed it.

They Are Less Likely to Cause Allergies
Allergy to rabbits is very rare compared to allergies to cats and dogs, making them an attractive choice for anyone who needs to avoid dogs and cats for allergic reasons but would like to have a pet around the house.

And for any owners for whom allergies are a factor in their choice of pet, it's just as important to use non-allergenic rabbit bedding and litter, so that cleaning out doesn't produce any irritating dust. SmartBedz rabbit bedding is sterilised and dust-extracted during manufacture, making it a virtually dust free product. It is also completely free of perfume or any other artificial chemicals that might cause allergy problems for owners or rabbits.

They Have Less Natural Odour
It is usually very obvious if you are entering a household which has dogs or cats present, because of the smell. Even a dog that is shampooed regularly (e.g. every month) will still start to be distinctly odorous in the week or two before its next wash is due. Cats don't smell quite so much, generally speaking, but an unneutered tom cat can create a quite powerful smell at times. Cats (especially those who have not been neutered or spayed) can also decide to "spray" around the house to mark their territory, and this can be hard to clean up thoroughly, especially from carpets and other soft furnishings, resulting in a continual background smell that can be hard to eradicate.

Rabbits, by contrast, generally don't have much natural odour. As well as making for a more pleasant atmosphere for you and your guests, this also means you don't have to worry about bathing your rabbit (except for localised cleaning if fur gets dirty or matted, especially on its underside).

They Don't Need Exercising
Most dogs need a daily walk, which can be an onerous task for owners, especially during bad weather. Cats are often preferred as pets by people who are not able to commit to this level of exercise - but rabbits offer just the same advantage. Within a house, the amount of space in an average sized living room is more than adequate for a rabbit to get all the exercise it needs. In good weather, providing an outside run (with adequate protection from predators) is ideal - but apart from taking your bunny outside and putting him in it, there is little time or effort needed from the owner.

The Cuddle Factor
Let's face it, as beautiful as pet fish may be, you can't cuddle a fish! And for many pet owners a big part of the appeal of a pet is having a creature that you can...well...pet. Regularly stroking and cuddling a furry animal has been proven to reduce stress in humans and it has even been linked to longevity in elderly pet owners.

While dogs can't get enough petting and love to be in physical contact with their owners, cats are notorious for coming and going as they please, and their fickleness applies to being petted also. Even when they do deign to cuddle up with you there is an ever present risk of them digging their claws into you as they settle down - some even dig their claws in and out in time to their purring, to let you know just how relaxed and comfy they are!

But rabbits can be great to stroke and cuddle, especially if they have been regularly handled from an early age and are very familiar with the person doing the cuddling. The cuddle factor does vary a bit by breed however. The Polish is quite skittish by nature and requires a lot of handling when very young to get them used to being cuddled. In contrast, breeds such as the New Zealand or Sussex are much more docile and are more likely to sit contentedly on your lap and have a doze while you stroke them.

However, even with all these attractive characteristics behind them, keeping rabbits as house pets, even if they are house trained, does pose the very real problem of how to control toileting odours coming from an indoor hutch. The answer is to use a super-absorbent form of rabbit litter such as SmartBedz which locks away liquid and prevents the formation of ammonia - the chief cause of those unwanted smells. Wet pellets can be quickly and easily scooped out daily, along with any solids, and topped up with a handful of fresh pellets. You will still need to do a complete clean out of all rabbit bedding and litter sometimes, of course, but not as frequently as you would with less absorbent litter.

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The Importance of Keeping Caged Pets Dry All Year Round

The primary purpose of mouse, rat, guinea pig, gerbil, hamster or rabbit litter is, of course, to absorb the urine of pets that are kept in cages. But it may surprise you to learn just how important this simple measure is in protecting caged pets from an array of illnesses.

While most owners understandably look to gerbil, hamster or rabbit litter etc to soak up liquid and stop unwanted smells getting out of hand, in fact this unassuming product - whatever type you may be using - is your pet's first line of defence against disease and can even, when you really think about it, be saving its life.

Rabbit Litter - visit our online shop to buy rat, ferret, mouse, hamster, chinchilla, gerbil and rabbit litter - a Universal Pet Litter suitable for just about all caged pets.

Here we take a look at the variety of diseases and ailments that can arise in caged pets simply from being kept in damp conditions.

Hock Burn
Hock burn is a condition that can arise in any animal including small mammals and birds. It arises when the animal's feet are in prolonged contact with urine or with litter which is soaked with urine and wet to the touch. Very simply, the urine causes irritation to the skin which, if the dampness is not dealt with, gets progressively worse and can lead to redness or even severe blisters. (This is much like the problem of nappy rash in children, which is also caused by the skin being in prolonged contact with urine.) As well as being extremely painful, it can also lead to infections if the skin is broken, which in turn can lead to serious illness and ultimately death.

SmartBedz litter pellets are super-absorbent, quickly soaking up urine before it has a chance to come into contact with your pets' feet. Liquid is sucked into the centre of the pellet, minimising any wetness on the surface, producing a dry surface to walk and lie on. As well as using it as a litter in the area that your rabbit habitually goes to the toilet (they will usually have a favourite corner) it is also a good idea to use it as rabbit bedding in the sleeping area, topped off with something soft and warm to nestle into, such as clean hay. Using it as the base for your rabbit bedding in this way ensures that when your rabbit is asleep it is always lying on something that is dry.

Hutch Burn
Hutch burn is similar to hock burn and is an irritation of the genital region caused by urinating in an area and then sitting on it. It is most likely to occur in pets that tend to sit still for periods of time, such as rabbits - it is less likely to occur with smaller pets that are constantly on the move.

Skin in the genital area tends to be more delicate than skin elsewhere and will more quickly become damaged, making the animal vulnerable to infection, as well as being extremely sore.

As for hock burn, the solution is to use a fast absorbing litter such as SmartBedz so that urine is quickly drawn away from the rabbit's skin. If your rabbit is prone to this type of behaviour, it is important to use SmartBedz as a base layer for your rabbit bedding, to prevent prolonged sitting or lying on a wet area should they decide to urinate in their sleeping area.

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Attracting Disease Carriers
Apart from the wetness, urine can get smelly very quickly once it is exposed to the air. This smell is a magnet for flies and other insects looking for food or somewhere to lay eggs.

In the case of rabbits, flies will target animals with wet or smelly fur and will burrow into the skin, laying their eggs there. This is known as Flystrike and, if not noticed and dealt with extremely promptly, can quickly overcome a rabbit, often with fatal consequences. A rabbit whose fur is kept clean, dry and non-smelly will be far less attractive to these flies.

Fungal Infections
Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist conditions, so keeping your pet's skin and fur dry is an essential preventative against any type of fungal problem.

Respiratory Disease
It has been found that the amount of respiratory problems (or Snuffles) experienced by rabbits is directly related to the amount of ammonia present in the air. It seems that while urine can irritate the skin, it can also irritate the lungs and nasal passages when it turns into ammonia and becomes airborne. The smaller the pet, the smaller and more delicate the nasal passages and lungs, so minimising the odour in your pet's cage (caused chiefly by the formation of ammonia) is not just a matter of making the environment more pleasant for the owner, but is also important for your pet's health. Controlling ammonia, of course, goes hand in hand with controlling wetness - a dry cage is also an ammonia-free cage.

SmartBedz tackles both wetness and ammonia very effectively, by locking away the urine inside the pellets, preventing contact with the air and thus minimising the formation of ammonia.

Cages with Multiple Pets
If you have multiple pets living together in one cage - as is common for pets such as mice, gerbils and guinea pigs - then keeping the cage dry becomes extra important. Many diseases and infections are transmitted from one animal to another via urine or faeces, so being able to quickly absorb and lock away urine will make it far harder for one animal to infect the others.

For super-absorbent and naturally odour-suppressing mouse, gerbil, ferret, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit litter and bedding layer designed to keep your pet dry and healthy, visit our online shop.

Rabbit Litter and Rabbit Bedding - How to Prevent Sore Hocks

Whether you have a house rabbit, or you keep your pet outdoors, rabbits can be prone to Sore Hocks, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent this including simply reviewing your choice of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.

Good nutrition and hygiene practice is at the heart of preventing most rabbit ailments and regular clean-outs of your rabbit’s hutch and supplying a fresh layer or rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is one of the easiest ways to ward off a whole range of illnesses, including Sore Hocks.

Here we shall take a look at what Sore Hocks is, how to prevent it and some of the things to think about when buying rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

What is Sore Hocks?

Sore Hocks mainly affects a rabbit’s back feet and it is very uncomfortable and painful for your pet. It is important that you see your veterinary surgeon at the first sign of Sore Hocks so it can be treated, as in extreme cases, if your rabbit is very badly infected, it may have to be put down.

What Does Sore Hocks Look Like?

Sore Hocks can be identified when a rabbit’s hocks (the joint in the hind leg similar to the ankle in humans) loses its fur and the feet become reddened, swollen and sometimes scabbed, making movement difficult. If left untreated, it can spread to the front feet and also become infected.

What Causes Sore Hocks?

The most common cause of Sore Hocks is damp or soiled hutches with dirty rabbit bedding or litter. However, certain breeds are more prone to this and elderly and overweight rabbits can get Sore Hocks. Other factors that can contribute to this are wire flooring, litter or bedding which is too hard or rough (or no bedding layer at all) and rabbits with toe nails that have grown too long.

How SmartBedz Can Prevent Sore Hocks

Prevention is always the best course of action and one of the best ways to stop your rabbit getting Sore Hocks is good hygiene practice.

To start with your rabbit’s hutch should have a soft, non abrasive surface to walk on. Definitely to be avoided are materials such as wood shavings or chips, or untreated straw or hemp which can contain sharp pieces. SmartBedz rabbit litter is made out of crushed straw which is pressed together into pellets and this breaks down to provide a soft layer for your pet. The sleeping quarters should also have a deep layer of hay on top of the SmartBedz rabbit bedding so it helps to reduce the pressure on the foot.

If your rabbit’s hutch has not been cleaned for a while, the bedding will become damp and soiled with droppings and this is not healthy for your pet. SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is extremely absorbent so it helps keep your rabbit clean and dry. As the soiled pellets swell on impact with urine, they are easily identifiable so you can spot clean the hutch daily in between thorough weekly clean outs. Highly absorbent rabbit litter is something to look out for when buying for your pet.

Other Ways to Prevent Sore Hocks

Giving your rabbit a daily run on a grassed area can also help prevent Sore Hocks as it helps ease the pressure off their hind feet. Also ensure that your rabbit's hutch and especially its sleeping area is large enough for your rabbit to lie down comfortably, so that it is not forced to keep its weight on its feet while sleeping or relaxing.

Another way to prevent Sore Hocks is to make sure your rabbit’s nails are kept short and clipped. If you find this hard to do yourself, take your rabbit to the vet who will charge a small fee for nail clipping.

Treating Sore Hocks

If your rabbit has Sore Hocks, in severe cases it may avoid eating as it is too painful to stand. This is why it is important to contact your local vet in the early stages so they can treat your pet and nurse it back to health.

There are a variety of ways your vet may treat Sore Hocks and this includes supplying antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain killing drugs, or providing topical treatments. Before you return your rabbit back to its hutch, take a good look at your pet’s living quarters and make sure your rabbit has enough room to exercise and the hutch is completely clean and dry with a fresh, deep layer of rabbit litter.

About SmartBedz

SmartBedz is a universal pet litter and bedding that is suitable for a wide range of animals including cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, gerbils and tortoises.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Five Ways to House Your Rabbit: From the Ordinary to the More Unusual

As well as rabbit litter and rabbit bedding, a hutch is one of the first things people buy when they decide on a rabbit as a pet. However, don’t just settle the first one you see, as there are all sorts of things to take into account in order to give your rabbit the best possible home.

Even if you spend lots of time cuddling and interacting with your rabbit, they do spend a fair amount of time in their hutches so it is important to provide them with a comfortable and healthy environment to live in.

While a wooden hutch with a felt roof is the most common form of rabbit accommodation, there are other ways to house your pet, from home made hutches to elaborate, multi-layered designs. We shall look at all the various options below.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

DIY Rabbit Hutches

If you have DIY skills you may prefer to make your own rabbit hutch. This gives you flexibility in design as your imagination’s the limit!

The most basic DIY hutches are made out of wood and wire and are rectangular in design. They have separate sleeping and living quarters - with a wire front for the living quarters - and are secure enough to keep your rabbit safe from predators. An outdoor hutch should be raised from the ground, to prevent the hutch getting damp and it is important to build a sloping roof to stop rain collecting at the top.

Obviously the more rabbits you have, the larger the hutch should be. However as a guide the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) recommend a rabbit’s hutch to be 6ft x 2ft x 2ft minimum, so your rabbit has enough room to move about and to stand on its hind legs comfortably - without touching the roof. Your rabbit would also need access to a secure run for exercise.

Whatever the design of your rabbit hutch, it must allow for easy access so you can provide regular cleanouts and replenish your rabbit’s hutch with a fresh layer of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.

Standard Rabbit Hutches

Again, the most common form of rabbit hutch you can buy are the wooden ones with felt roofing and you can either buy new or search the internet for a good quality second hand one.

When you are looking for accommodation for your rabbit, do bear in mind that rabbits live for a long time - as much as 12 years - so they need somewhere to live where they will be happy and comfortable. With this in mind, bigger is better, so look for the largest one that you can afford.

Some of the things to look out for in a good quality rabbit hutch are:

• Adequate protection from the weather to keep your rabbit warm and dry
• A secure fastening mechanism to ward off predators and to prevent your rabbit escaping.
• A solid floor to protect your rabbit’s feet.
• A sturdy hutch that will withstand your rabbit gnawing at it.
• Strong wiring
• High quality workmanship

Do bear in mind, however, that although the hutch plays a central part in the proper care of your rabbit, it is not just your choice of accommodation that is important, but all the other extras, such as providing clean rabbit litter and rabbit bedding, adequate food (including dried and fresh food) and a daily supply of fresh water.

Multi-Tiered Rabbit Hutches

Some rabbit owners feel a one-floor rabbit hutch is too limiting and their rabbit would be more comfortable in a multi-tiered hutch.

With this in mind do allow for the fact that the larger the hutch, the more rabbit litter and rabbit bedding you should provide to keep your rabbit clean, dry and healthy.

Certainly multi-tiered hutches are a great option for your rabbit, if you have the space, and these vary from multi-storey hutches with integrated runs, to two, three or even four tier hutches. You can either buy these ready-made or there are companies that will custom make a hutch for you.

Unusual Rabbit Hutches

Rabbit hutches can range in price from a few pounds for a second hand one to several hundred pounds for an intricate custom made design.

If you want to choose a hutch based on aesthetics or comfort, there are all sorts of options available to you, from one floor designs to hutches that are built to look like log cabins. Other examples of alternative rabbit accommodation are: sheds, coloured wooden pet houses, aviaries and children’s play houses. The type of hutch you buy depends on how much you are prepared to spend and the space you have available to site it but again, go for the biggest you can afford.

Whichever design you choose, do make sure the hutch is solid and sturdy as it should last the lifetime of your pet. Make sure it is accessible too, so you can provide a regular supply of fresh rabbit litter and rabbit bedding to keep your pet healthy.

Accommodation for House Bunnies

Some pet owners choose to keep their pet indoors either permanently or during the winter months.

A house rabbit requires a sheltered area to hide in and feel safe, and a spacious living area. Although some house bunnies have the run of the house, not all homes are bunny proof, so if yours isn’t it is a good idea to provide a rabbit playpen for unsupervised runs.

Indoor rabbit shelters need to be well ventilated and sited away from areas of extreme temperature (such as a radiator for instance). It is also a good idea to provide your pet with sufficient items of interest, such as tunnels or boxes to explore, ramps to hop up, or rabbit toys to keep them entertained.

Rabbits can be litter trained, so a tray lined with an absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding with a natural odour suppressant such as SmartBedz will keep your home environment free of smells.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

How to Keep Your Rabbit in Tip Top Shape - And Signs of a Poorly Rabbit

As a rabbit owner, keeping your pet healthy and happy is a priority. While there are many things you can do to keep your pet in tip top shape - such as providing fresh food, water, and clean rabbit bedding and rabbit litter - unfortunately there are times that your rabbit may feel under the weather.

One thing that is vital to the health of your rabbit is making sure the hutch is dry and odour free. If your rabbit’s cage is dirty and neglected, this will affect your rabbit’s immune system and make your pet more susceptible to disease. You can help ward off illness with regular clean outs and replenishing your rabbit’s hutch with a fresh layer of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to clean out the hutch is with SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter. All you have to do is to scoop out the wet pellets daily, along with any solids, and replace these with new ones in between more intensive weekly clean outs.

Here’s the SmartBedz guide to some of the common rabbit illnesses, or causes of illnesses, and how to spot when your bunny is poorly.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Common Problems in Rabbits

Overgrown Teeth

Rabbit’s teeth can grow very long - in fact they never stop growing - so they need chews or toys that they can nibble on to keep their teeth trim. If a rabbit’s teeth grow too long this can interfere with eating and means your pet can’t groom itself. If you provide your rabbit with things to chew on - such a cardboard Rabbit Castle - this will not only give it something to much on, but also provides stimulation for your pet as they will enjoy exploring it and climbing the floors.

Long Nails

It is important to keep checking your rabbit’s nails to make sure that they don’t grow too long. If your rabbit’s nails are too long they can snag or start to curl into the foot making walking difficult or painful. You can check your rabbit’s nails when you cuddle your pet, or when you refresh the cage with a new layer of rabbit bedding. If your rabbit’s nails do need cutting, you can either do this yourself, or take it to the vet to clip (they will charge a fee for this).

Fur Balls

Fur or hairballs are quite common in rabbits and occurs when they swallow a large quantity of hair during self-grooming. The fur can ball up in the stomach and prevent your pet from eating. One way to stop this happening is to provide your rabbit with a high fibre diet such as a good supply of hay and SmartBedz rabbit litter. If you have a long-haired breed, daily brushing will help prevent this.

Sore Hocks

Sore hocks is a condition where a rabbit’s feet become inflamed making walking painful and difficult. There are a number of reasons for this including wire floor cages, or damp or soiled hutches with dirty rabbit bedding. However, a well cared for rabbit may also get sore hocks and overweight, aged and immobile rabbits may also be prone to this. The vet can treat sore hocks in a variety of ways including supplying antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain killing drugs, or providing topical treatments. 

Mites

Indoor and outdoor rabbits are prone to fleas, ticks and mites. If you think your rabbit has mites, your vet will be able to provide the best course of treatment. During treatment it is vital to ensure your rabbit’s hutch is thoroughly cleaned to prevent any further outbreaks. Some of the signs to look out for are: itchy ears, frequent shaking of the head, scratching, dandruff, abrasions and crusty skin. It is important to avoid inadvertently introducing mites and other creatures into your rabbit's hutch via untreated bedding such as hay or straw. One way to avoid this is by choosing SmartBedz rabbit bedding which is heat treated to get rid of mites and bacteria.

Snuffles

This is another common infectious disease and is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella. Signs to look out for if your rabbit has this are: watery eyes, nose and sneezing and the bacteria can also cause an ear infection. The vet can prescribe antibiotics for this and may also supply eye and nose drops.  It is also advisable to change the rabbit litter often as this will prevent an unhealthy build up of ammonia. Disease spreading bacteria flourish in a soiled and damp environment.

Flystrike

Flystrike is common in both indoor and outdoor bunnies and if left untreated it can be fatal. This condition occurs when the flies lay their eggs on live rabbits and the eggs hatch into maggots which feed on the rabbit’s skin. Even well-cared for rabbits can get flystrike. Signs to look out for include broken skin and sores. Again, cleaning the hutch regularly and supplying your rabbit with a fresh layer of rabbit litter can help prevent this.

Myxomatosis

This is a highly contagious disease and it is fatal to a rabbit as there is no cure. Myxomatosis is spread by insects such as fleas and mosquitoes and can be caught by direct contact with an infected rabbit. The most notable telltale signs are fever and swelling of the eyelids.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop

Safe Care of Rabbits in Autumn/Winter

Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK (after dogs and cats) and one of the best ways to make sure that your pet has a long and happy life is to keep your rabbit bedding clean and sanitary.

Rabbit Awareness week took place in September, an annual event held together with a number of official organisations and individuals such as vets and the RSPCA. The idea was to raise awareness about how best to look after your pet rabbit to keep it healthy all year round.

Whereas dogs and cats seem to be well cared for whatever the season, rabbits are often neglected in winter. Rabbit bedding is not replaced as frequently and there is less physical contact between rabbits and their owners.

In summer, especially during the school holidays, rabbits are frequently petted by their young owners. They are also given more freedom to use their outdoor run which means rabbit bedding stays fresher for longer.

However, this all changes in autumn and winter. From September onwards rabbits are generally left in their hutches more as the kids go back to school and have less time to look after their pets. Children are also reluctant to go outside when it is cold and dark in the evenings.

As rabbits spend more time in their cages, it is even more important for your pet to have regular clean outs to replace soiled rabbit bedding and rabbit litter.

Your rabbit can live as long as 10-12 years (in some cases even longer) and they need just as much love, care and attention as a dog or cat. To give your pet the best care all year round, there are some steps you can take to make it easier for you - and your rabbit - during the winter months.

The right choice of rabbit bedding and rabbit litter can go a long way to making your pet feel cosy and comfortable whatever the temperature outside. Here we shall look at SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter and how it can help you, and your pet, this winter.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

The Best Choice of Autumn and Winter Rabbit Bedding

Your rabbit is not a seasonal pet, in autumn and winter it needs just the same care that it had during the summer.

To make it easier to care for your rabbit, it is important to choose the right rabbit bedding and rabbit litter and perhaps switch over to something that is more winter friendly, such as SmartBedz.

SmartBedz rabbit litter is made of pulped straw, so it is a good insulator for the winter months. In addition to this, it keeps your pet dry as it soaks up urine at a rapid rate and can absorb up to four times its volume in moisture, so your rabbit stays comfortable.

Using SmartBedz rabbit litter makes it quicker and easier for you to clean your rabbit’s cage as you can spot clean the hutch in between more thorough weekly clean outs. Just scoop out any solids and wet pellets - which are easily identifiable - and add a few more dry ones.

The best way to make your rabbit snug is to add a layer of SmartBedz rabbit litter/rabbit bedding on the base of the hutch. Make this thicker than you would normally in the summer (around 2cm). Do the same to the sleeping quarters, but also include lots of hay for your rabbit to make a nest out of, so it can be warm and cosy when it is cold outside. At night, put a blanket over the cage for insulation but do make sure that you leave a wide enough gap at the front of the cage to give your rabbit adequate air to breathe.

SmartBedz not only helps keep your pet’s hutch clean and sanitary, it also brings a number of other benefits. If your pet does happen to nibble on it, the rabbit bedding is full of fibre, which allows for healthy digestion and is good for their teeth. However, it is important to note, SmartBedz is not a food supplement so do make sure that your rabbit has access to clean water every day, as well as dried food and fresh greens.

Another way SmartBedz makes life easier for you and your pet, is that it is a universal pet litter, so you can not only use it for your rabbits but also for your guinea pigs, cats, tortoises, chickens and other animals.

SmartBedz is a completely natural product that is biodegradable, so you can dispose of it on your compost heap. So not only does it help keep your pet healthy - but your garden too!

If you do feel you are pushed for time in winter, one option is to move your rabbit’s hutch indoors when the temperature drops. Another solution is to call for outside help. There are some individuals and organisations that not only offer house sitting for dogs and cats, but can also come round during the day to feed and pet your rabbit. This means you can rest assured that your rabbit is well cared for all year round and your family pet never gets bored or neglected.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Chicken Bedding to Keep Your Livestock Odour Free this Summer

Chickens are a joy to keep and with the right chicken bedding and care you can ensure your coop stays fresh all year round.

There is something magical about keeping chickens; there is nothing better than having fresh free range eggs whenever you need them and seeing your chickens roam free in your back garden or yard.

There’s no doubt that fresh eggs certainly taste better. And if you have children, keeping chickens will teach them about caring for livestock, help to develop responsibility and will also help them learn about where their food comes from.

However, one of the most off-putting things about keeping chickens is the smell in summer as the chicken coop can quickly fill up with droppings, feathers and rotten food. However, with the right care and chicken bedding you can make your chicken coop virtually odour free, regardless of the outdoor temperatures.

Chicken Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Chicken Bedding - How to Use It

If you want to avoid your chicken coop smelling in the summer, the chickens must first have enough space to roam around the coop.

The recommended space is four square feet per bird if they have an outdoor pen and are just kept in the coop overnight, and ten square feet per bird if they are kept in the coop all the time.

This is because levels of ammonia will build up in the air of a coop that’s too small and can make your chickens susceptible to disease.

Another way to avoid smells in summer is to check your coop to make sure there are no leaks and this will prevent a build-up of dampness. If a coop is wet for long period of time it can start to smell and cause disease.

SmartBedz chicken bedding and chicken litter is advisable for use on the floor of the coop and this can also be used in nesting boxes. Used on the coop floor, it will absorb moisture and prevent odour. A good layer of chicken bedding in the nesting boxes will help keep your chickens cosy and warm while they are nesting and will protect the eggs so that they don’t break.

SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is highly absorbent as the pellets can swell to up to four times their size on contact with moisture. It is also a natural odour suppressant so it will keep your coop fresh.

The coop should be cleaned at least once a week. However, if you use SmartBedz you can cut down on this task by spot cleaning the coop daily. It is the most cost-effective way too. By using specially designed scoop with holes in, all you have to do is just trowel out the dirty chicken litter pellets (which can be identified by their size) and the clean pellets will drop right through and back onto the floor of the coop.

Chicken coops need regular clean outs as the chicken droppings can contain harmful bacteria and if this is left lying on the coop floor and eaten by other chickens, it can cause illness.

Another way of cutting down on smells is to put the food in a container instead of on the floor and clean this container regularly so the food is not left to rot. Clean, fresh water and food will help keep your chickens healthy.

Chicken Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Benefits of SmartBedz Chicken Bedding and Chicken Litter

There are many benefits to using SmartBedz chicken bedding and chicken litter, especially during summer months.

It works to keep odours at bay, which not only provides a comfortable environment for your chickens to live in, but it is also more pleasant for the owner too, especially when they have to clean out the coop.

SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is safe to use as there are no sharp stalks that can cause injuries and as your chickens are likely to peck at it, it is completely safe for them to ingest.

Another benefit of SmartBedz chicken litter and chicken bedding is that it has been heat treated to get rid of mites that can affect the health of your chickens. In addition, it has had the dust extracted during the manufacturing process so it is virtually dust free which is not only healthier for the chickens, but their owners too.

SmartBedz is eco-friendly too as you can easily get rid of the dirty chicken litter by putting it on your compost heap.

Chicken Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Is It Safe to Let My House Rabbit Run Free in the Garden?

You have got your house rabbit safely housed and comfortable with good, absorbent rabbit litter and a sufficient supply of comfy rabbit bedding, but when the sun starts to shine, many pet owners are tempted to let their rabbit have a run in the garden.

Making sure your rabbit gets regular exercise is vital to their health and well-being. However, with this in mind, there are certain safety factors and precautions that you should make when you let your rabbit out to play in your back garden and we shall examine some if these here.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Pests

Flystrike is deadly to a rabbit and can affect not only outdoor rabbits, but indoor bunnies too. This is caused by the green bottle fly, and other fly types, which lay eggs on live rabbits.

These flies are attracted to damp fur and a wet or dirty groin area. Overweight, elderly or long-haired rabbits are particularly at risk because they are unable to clean themselves properly.

It helps if you regularly check your rabbit to make sure your pet is dry and clean when it is let free. You can also cut down the risk of flystrike by using super-absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz. This soaks up urine and helps keep your rabbit dry and comfortable.

Another benefit of SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is that it is a natural odour suppressant - and suppressing odour helps make your rabbit less attractive to flies. Make sure you spot clean your rabbit’s cage daily and replace the dirty rabbit litter with a clean layer of SmartBedz at least once a week.

Before you set your rabbit loose in the garden, be sure to inspect your rabbit’s skin and fur, especially the behind area, and again before you bring your pet in. If your rabbit has any pre-existing skin problems such as wounds or sores, it is best to keep your bunny inside until these are healed.

There are also other insects can put your rabbits are risk. Fleas can cause disease and the deadly virus myxomatosis is transmitted via biting insects such as mosquitoes, mites and lice.  Some inspects can also be transmitted via dust from hay. However, SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding has been heat treated to help eliminate pests and to keep your rabbit healthy.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Escape

Younger rabbits and more inquisitive species will want to explore and can easily burrow, dig, or squeeze their way under fences. They can also make small holes in mesh fencing.

Carefully examine your garden or courtyard area and actively look for any escape routes and block them. If it is impossible to make sure your garden is completely secure, you will need to provide an enclosed run of some kind.  

The minimum recommended size of an enclosed run is 6 ft x 4 ft and there are various runs available - or you could even make your own. Make sure the rabbit run has a roof to keep predators out and to stop your rabbit escaping. This should be tall enough so your rabbit can stand on its hind legs.

Ideally you should attach the run to your rabbit’s sleeping quarters, so it has a shaded area and somewhere to hide. If you do this, make sure its sleeping quarters has a layer of rabbit litter or rabbit bedding to keep your pet cosy and comfortable.

Rabbit pens can come in many forms, some of these are: apex runs (which can be folded flat when not in use), wire runs (best used under supervision), metal runs, wood and mesh runs, and aviaries.

Rabbit Litter -  click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Attack

Rabbits are prey animals and will be of great interest to predators such as foxes, cats and dogs. Remember that foxes do not only roam the countryside, but can also be found in urban areas too. You will need to provide a run with a roof on to protect your rabbit from attack.

Make sure that the roof and sides of the run are firmly fixed so the rabbit can’t push them open or they do not get blown away. The wire mesh should also be small enough to prevent predatory animals putting their paws through.

Rabbit Bedding -  (link to http://www.smartbedz.co.uk/index.cfm/fa/Rabbit) click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Stress

Even if they are not actually under threat, rabbits can get very stressed if they sense other animals nearby. You can spot signs of stress in your pet if they are trying to hide, thump the ground with their back feet, and are constantly upright, sniffing and listening with upright ears. On the other hand, a relaxed rabbit is one that is feeding, lying down or sitting with its ears flat.

Again, the solution to a stressed bunny is to provide an enclosed run and or temporary hutch for your rabbit to hide in. Otherwise it may well try to escape and a frightened rabbit is extremely hard to catch!

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Where to Keep Your House Rabbit

Many rabbit owners choose to keep their pet inside the house for a number of reasons. It  could be so you can interact with your rabbit more, it is easier change the rabbit litter whatever the weather, and you want to ensure your pet is warm and dry inside.  But once you have made the decision to keep your rabbit indoors, where is the best place to keep it within your home? The answer may be different depending on the layout of your home and your preferences - but here are a few key factors to consider.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Hygiene

Rabbits are easily house trained and many pet owners provide a rabbit litter tray for this in addition to the appropriate rabbit bedding for its sleeping quarters.

For hygiene reasons, the rabbit litter tray and sleeping area needs to be kept well away from food preparation and eating areas. The smell of urine can be addressed with natural odour suppressing rabbit litter, such as SmartBedz, which gives you more options when it comes to siting your pet.

Cleaning out your pet can involve rabbit litter, rabbit bedding and other debris falling on to the floor, so it is best to avoid carpeted areas. If you do keep your rabbit on a carpeted area, lay down a rug, waterproof mat or other protective layer.

Using SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding will reduce the amount of cleaning out you have to do because SmartBedz rabbit litter pellets are extremely absorbent and soak up to four times their size in moisture.

This rabbit bedding is ideal for both rabbit litter trays and sleeping quarters as it will keep your pet clean and dry. It is also a dust-free rabbit bedding which is not only important for rabbits, but it also makes the cleaning out process easier for the owners, especially if they are prone to allergies.

Crepuscular Habits

Crepuscular pets are animals that are most active during dawn and dusk. So avoid the bedroom unless you are happy with an early alarm call. Likewise your rabbit will want a dark and quiet area to sleep, so avoid rooms or locations which are very noisy, such as next to washing machines or TV sets, or rooms that are likely to have lights kept on all night.

For safety reasons, do make sure that your rabbit is kept away from electrical wires as they are likely to chew on these, which is deadly. To avoid this, rabbit proof your home. Conceal cables and make sure you use cable protectors.

It is also natural for your rabbits to have a go at gnawing furniture, curtains, wallpaper and household plants - and some of these plants can be toxic to a rabbit. Make sure you give your pet lots of attention, as well as toys and alternative things to chew on as this will help prevent this. Meanwhile remove all household plants that can be harmful to your pet.

Wherever you choose to keep your house rabbit, it should have an appropriate place to sleep and hide with a soft layer of rabbit bedding.  One option is to keep a hutch indoors with the door open, so your rabbit can come and go as they please, particularly during the daytime when they are supervised.
Temperature

Rabbits are designed to withstand a certain amount of cold and should not get overheated. Avoid rooms which get too hot, either due to central heating (so keep your rabbit away from radiators), or very sunny rooms.

Also avoid draughts and sudden changes in temperature. So if you can, try to position your indoor hutch away from the front or back door.

Other Pets

Depending on what other pets you have, rabbits can find it stressful being around other animals, especially cats and dogs. While many rabbits can successfully live alongside other pets, leaving them alone together with a cat or dog can be deadly in some circumstances.

In this case, it is best not to force them to share a space, although house rabbits can get along with non-aggressive dogs or cats. Before you decide to do this, consider the temperaments of the animals involved.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

What to Do with Your Rabbit When You Go Away

Britain has long been a nation of animal lovers and almost half of UK householders own a pet, such as a rabbit. While we all love our pets, who are very much a part of the family, some rabbits live up to 12 years so it is almost certain that you will want to go away on holiday or for a weekend break away during this time. Choosing the right person to feed and care for your rabbit, and replace your rabbit’s bedding, will be very much on your mind before you go.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Caring For Your Rabbit While You Are Away

If you are going on a week long holiday it is best to ensure that a responsible family friend or trusted neighbour looks after your pet. This is ideally someone who is well used to looking after rabbits. You can either take your pet and rabbit bedding to their house or they can drop by each day to feed your rabbit and give it a run.

The first step is to clean out the hutch thoroughly and provide a fresh layer of rabbit bedding before handing your pet over to someone else’s care. In addition to this, make sure that you provide the carer with dust-free rabbit bedding, and rabbit litter to use while you are away. If they are using SmartBedz rabbit bedding, or rabbit litter, advise them to spot clean the hutch daily to ensure your pet is clean and comfortable in your absence. Also provide adequate food for your rabbit and ask that fresh water is given daily.

One of the benefits of SmartBedz universal pet litter is that the appointed carer can use SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter for all your pets - including cats, gerbils, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards and ferrets. This is a great space saver and is less time consuming as there is no need for the carer search your home to find the appropriate litter or bedding for the right animal.

Rabbits need regular clean outs because if they are housed in a dirty environment it can cause your pet to suffer and fall ill. This is why SmartBedz rabbit bedding is ideal for temporary carers because they can spot clean the hutch before your return. This is easy to do using a SmartBedz scoop with holes in as they just shovel out the dirty, swollen pellets, and the clean ones drop back into the cage.

If you decide to board your pets during your break, it will make the move easier for them by keeping grouped rabbits together. It will also help them adjust if they have a familiar environment, so bring along their toys, and dust free rabbit litter and rabbit bedding such as SmartBedz (although boarding facilities generally provide their own bedding). There are rabbit boarding facilities all over the UK - just search the internet to find one near you.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding litter from our online shop

Caring for Your Rabbit on Weekends Away

While it is best that your rabbit is kept in the care of a friend, family member, or responsible neighbour when you go away, if you are absent for a night or a short weekend there are measures you can take if you leave your rabbit unattended.

Again make sure that you give your rabbit a thorough clean out before you go away so your rabbit is kept clean, healthy and happy. SmartBedz rabbit litter is a good option for this because it is highly absorbent and can soak up to four times its size in moisture. SmartBedz rabbit litter is also odour free so your rabbit should remain comfortable and contented while you are away.

Make sure that you give your rabbit fresh water just before you go, and that their water bottle is clean. One of the options for feeding your rabbit is to give them a Smart food block as a solution, which can last for up to four days.

While you won’t want to leave your rabbit for this long, a food block is a good option for a short break away if you can’t call on the services of a friend or neighbour during this time. SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is a convenient, hygienic and natural product for your rabbit to nibble on.

A single bar of SmartFoodz Meadow Delight is adequate for your rabbit, as long as they also have access to good quality hay. It has all the nutrients they need for a healthy balanced diet and gives your bunny something to gnaw on - it is also good for their teeth. Just hang it from the ceiling in your rabbit’s hutch to keep your pet content.

SmartFoodz Meadow Delight -  click here to buy our new rabbit weekend food bar.

Pet Rabbit Litter – Does Your Choice Really Matter?

Selecting the right rabbit litter for your pet may seem like a difficult task and the options can seem overwhelming. However, do give it some thought as the wrong type of rabbit litter can put your pet’s health at risk.  Luckily these potential pitfalls can be easily avoided by making the correct choice of rabbit litter.  Choosing the right litter also makes a good foundation for pet rabbit bedding.

Pet rabbit bedding or litter is available in many forms from pet shops, on the internet and even home-made ones such as paper or fabric. Here we will look at the benefits of rabbit litter and how to pick the right one.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop

Why is Rabbit Litter Needed at All?

A good rabbit litter works to soak up urine, dispel odours and provides a gentle surface for your rabbit to walk on.

Without litter or bedding a rabbit’s hutch can get dirty and smelly very quickly. With nothing to absorb the urine this will cause an unhealthy build up of ammonia and the hutch will soon start to smell.

Also, urine that is not soaked up will make the hutch and your rabbit wet and put your pet at risk from illness or disease.

A hutch without adequate pet rabbit bedding is cold and uncomfortable, especially if your rabbit is kept outdoors. This is because rabbit litter and bedding is also used as a hutch insulator. Lining your pet’s hutch with newspaper and a generous layer of rabbit litter and soft bedding will help keep your pet cosy and warm.

Rabbit Litter - What Harm Can it Do?

The right rabbit litter makes a big difference to your pet’s welfare as, believe it or not, some types can actually harm your pet. Traditional bedding such as sawdust, for example, is far too dusty as the small particles can affect your rabbit’s tiny nasal passages and irritate your pet’s eyes.

Another popular form of rabbit bedding is straw, but the ends are too sharp for your pet and can hurt your rabbit’s eyes. Chopped wood or hemp can also pose difficulties as it can splinter and cause injury or get trapped in your rabbit’s teeth.

It is not just your pet’s health that can suffer from the wrong form of rabbit litter, but it can also cause discomfort to pet owners. Non-absorbent rabbit litter, such as straw, can allow the build-up of odours which is unpleasant for you and your pet, especially if you keep your rabbit indoors.

Also, dust from pet rabbit bedding will not only affect your animal but the small particles can upset humans too. Sawdust can irritate some pet owners during the cleaning out process so it is not advisable for people with allergies. 

SmartBedz is an organic, non toxic form of pet rabbit bedding/litter with no added chemicals.  It is made from straw with the dust extracted and resulting product compressed into pellets.

Rabbits can munch on almost anything in their cage. However, as it is an agricultural by-product, SmartBedz is completely natural and safe for your rabbit to chew on. If eaten as part of a healthy diet of fresh and dried food, it is actually beneficial for your pet as it is high in fibre.

What About Using Free or Homemade Rabbit Litter?

Several different types of home-made materials can act as an economical alternative to commercial litter. This includes newspaper, shredded paper and cut up pieces of cardboard, cloth or material. However, these have limited absorbency and odour control and means the hutch will still need daily cleaning. Busy families, especially parents with young children, will usually find a frequent cleaning regime impractical and the smell will be a constant problem.

There are other cheap alternative pet rabbit bedding materials which can be sourced outside the home. Hay is readily available and you can obtain this in bulk by purchasing a hay bale from a local farm to cut costs. However, as the hay is untreated it is dusty and may bring bacteria or mould into the cage.

SmartBedz is highly absorbent and swells on contact with urine so it works to suppress odour and keep your pet dry. SmartBedz is also heat-treated to kill harmful bacteria and also mould, which is actually toxic to your pet.

A further benefit of SmartBedz over home-made products is that it allows for a less arduous cleaning regime. This is because the cage can be spot-cleaned daily by scooping out the soiled areas and replacing them with clean rabbit litter. The hutch will still need a more thorough scrub-out once a week.

Rabbit Litter - How Much Do You Need to Spend?

Buying a good quality rabbit litter proves cost-effective as it protects the overall health of your pet. This will save money in the long run as it avoids pricey veterinary bills from animals that fall ill. It can also work to prolong the life of your rabbit so it keeps the whole family happy.

Rabbit and other pet owners are always on the lookout for ways to cut costs and rightly don’t want to spend more than they need. SmartBedz is a very economical form of bedding as one bag can go a long way.

Comments from pet owners have shown that it requires lower usage compared with some other products because it is so absorbent and effective in odour control. As the cage can be spot-cleaned, it does not need a more intensive cleanse as often, so it means a pack of SmartBedz will last a long time.

Although a bag of SmartBedz may seem a bit more expensive than some other products at first, it is a highly effective form of pet litter so a bag of SmartBedz can work out cheaper over a period of time.

How Your Choice Affects You

We’ve considered the impact rabbit litter has on your pet, but what about the effect on the owner?

SmartBedz is a great timesaver as the swollen soiled pellets are easy to spot and they can be scooped out and replaced between more thorough cleanouts.

SmartBedz is virtually dust free so it does not cause discomfort during the cleaning process that other bedding materials provide - such as sawdust. This makes it safer for children who suffer from respiratory problems.

As it is so effective in keeping odour under control, it makes the whole cleaning process a lot more pleasant. It is also organic, so it can also be easily disposed of by flushing it down the toilet (in small quantities) or by putting it on the compost heap.

Pet lovers are often those most concerned about minimising environmental damage and SmartBedz does just that. As a natural agricultural by-product, it is also an ethical choice of rabbit bedding.

Cost-effective and safe for rabbits and pet owners, SmartBedz is the obvious choice of rabbit litter and shows choice really does matter.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

Indoors or Outdoors? Where Should You Keep Your Rabbits in Winter?

It is that time of year again when you think about where best to keep your rabbit: indoors or outdoors? Having a rabbit indoors or outdoors, especially during chilly winters, is the subject of ongoing debate.

Wherever you decide to keep your rabbit this season, you will need to keep them well fed, warm and dry. A vital part of their care is keeping a good supply of rabbit litter. If you do choose to keep your pet indoors, you will need rabbit litter for the litter tray. If you have an outdoor pet, you will need rabbit litter to line the bottom of the hutch to keep it well insulated.

So with snow forecast for the early part of 2012, you will need to consider the options. Here we shall look at all sides of the argument to help you make up your mind. We shall first examine the rabbit’s natural habitat, whether they are adapted for the cold, then look at the implications to the owners of having an indoor or outdoor pet.

Whatever you decide, this will affect the care of your pet including hutch design, choice of rabbit litter and bedding.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

What is a Rabbit’s Natural Environment?

In the wild rabbits live in draught-free underground burrows which retain some heat during winter. As they live among other rabbits they frequently huddle up together to keep warm. Although they live underground, rabbits need to take frequent trips to the surface to get food, even in freezing conditions.

How Well Can Rabbits Deal With the Cold?

Rabbits grow thicker fur coats as winter approaches and also have fur pads on their feet, so they naturally adapt to winter weather. However, they generally keep out of the cold by snuggling up in sheltered burrows.

This means although they cope with frosty weather quite well, they do need shelter from draughts and extreme conditions. Avoiding the cold is vital for very young rabbits who have not yet grown a winter coat.

Individual Adaptation

There are more than five dozen types of domestic rabbits and variations between the breeds. As a general rule, rabbits will get used to living either indoors or outdoors. However, pay close attention to whether your rabbit seems happy and avoid exposing them to sudden changes in temperature. For example a cold-adapted rabbit may find being indoors uncomfortably hot and vice versa.

Owner Preferences

Where you keep your rabbit is mainly down to owner preference. An owner may want to keep their rabbit indoors for convenience so they can clean, water and feed the rabbit with ease all year round.

Keeping your pet indoors prevents owners worrying about their rabbit’s water freezing over or if they have enough rabbit litter/bedding in freezing conditions. Others prefer to keep their rabbit outside for hygiene reasons; because odour is an issue or they are affected by dust from bedding materials. You may also decide to keep pets outdoors if there are space limitations, especially if you keep a lot of rabbits.

Many of these potential problems can be overcome by SmartBedz. For example, if you have a pet outdoors in the winter, SmartBedz makes cleaning out easier. This is because the cage can be cleaned daily quickly and easily by replacing the dirty pellets with new ones. If you spot clean the cage, it makes a more thorough cleaning job less frequent. SmartBedz is organic so once you have made the cage spotless, you can dispose of any soiled waste on the compost heap.

However, if you prefer to keep your pet indoors, SmartBedz can keep allergies at bay as it is virtually dust free. This is because it has had its dust extracted during the manufacturing process. It is also odour free as it quickly soaks up urine and prevents it coming into contact with air and creating ammonia, the main cause of smells.

Indoor Care Regime

If you do decide to keep your rabbit indoors this winter, you may want to think about house training. Introducing them to a litter tray is much easier than you think as rabbits tend to use the same places for toileting. Make sure you have a layer of SmartBedz to keep the tray odour free.

A rabbit pen, cage or hutch is suitable for rabbits kept indoors. Rabbits like to have a sleeping and eating area but make sure it is large enough for the comfort of your pet - so buy the biggest you can afford. Line the bottom of the cage or hutch with SmartBedz to keep odours at bay. Also make sure your rabbit has a sufficient supply of food and to keep your pet healthy.

Outdoor Care Regime

If you are going to keep your rabbits outdoors in winter, there are lots of steps you can take to keep them warm.

Layer the bottom of the cage with a thick layer of newspaper before adding a layer of rabbit litter. You should then top up sleeping areas with soft hay or similar material for them to burrow into. Their sleeping quarters should have enough bedding to keep them cosy. If you are worried about draughts (especially caused by high winds) you can bring your rabbit’s hutch into a shed or garage. If you do this, make sure you are not using your car in the garage as the exhaust fumes will harm or potentially kill your rabbit.

Many rabbit owners drape a blanket or a waterproof cover over the hutch for extra insulation. You can also put a water proof cover over your rabbit’s run. Keep two water bottles handy, one for use in the cage and the other on stand-by as your rabbit’s water bottle can freeze over. You can also give your rabbit an extra bowl of water just in case this happens.

Cages need a regular clean out in winter because wet areas will freeze. This is what makes SmartBedz an ideal rabbit litter because it immediately soaks up any wet patches and keeps the moisture inside the pellet to keep your pet dry.

Made entirely from straw compressed into pellets, it also works as an insulator to keep your pet snug.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop

Dust Free Cat Litter

Some cat litters describe themselves as dust free cat litter, distinguishing themselves from the more dusty varieties. But why is a dust free cat litter better than a dusty one? And who actually benefits from a dust free cat litter - the cat or the owner?

Here we discuss the problems associated with a dusty cat litter and show how using a virtually dust free cat litter such as SmartBedz can avoid a variety of problems for cats and owners alike.

About Dusty Cat Litters
Most conventional cat litter is clay-based, consisting of clay such as bentonite. Although the clay is compressed into pellets, it is of course dry - a necessary part of its absorbency. The clay granules rub together during transit or while being poured in and out of a litter tray, or while being kicked by a cat attempting to bury its stools (a natural toileting behaviour of all cats). This generates significant quantities of dust which can cause the following problems:

1. Respiratory Problems
The lungs of both cats and humans are not designed to deal with large quantities of dust over a long period. This is well known problem for humans in occupations which expose them to regular inhalation of dust (e.g. Farmer’s Lung, Miner’s Lung).
Dustiness is a problem even for those with no prior respiratory problems, especially clay dust which cannot be processed out of the lungs. But for cats or owners with asthma or any other type of breathing limitation, the extra load placed on the lungs by using a dusty cat litter should be definitely avoided.

In addition, many types of clay carry additional risk of toxicity, especially those which contain silicon particles. Silicon particles are a known human carcinogen, and case studies have shown that cats with respiratory illnesses have six times the amount of silica in their lungs compared to healthy cats. However tempting it may be to use a cheap clay cat litter, you will be helping to extend the health or even the life of your cat - and perhaps human family members too - by using a dust free cat litter which is not made from clay.

2. Ingestion Problems
When cats use their litter tray they stand on the litter, and may also scratch and kick vigorously following defecation. A dust cat litter will inevitably attach itself to paws and legs, and get in between the cat’s toes. The cat will later on clean itself by licking, resulting in a small quantity of the litter being ingested into the stomach and intestine.

If the litter is of a clumping variety, there can be problems arising from clumped litter dust causing intestinal blockage. But even non clumping dusty litter is a problem, as the intestine cannot break down the clay or easily process it out of the system. For larger, mature cats, this may not be too much of a problem. But for kittens and smaller cats, ingestion of indigestible clay dust on a regular basis should be avoided.

3. Cleaning Problems
Apart from the positional health problems mentioned above dusty cat litter is, well, dusty! A cat exiting a dusty litter tray will leave a trail of dusty footprints after it, and wherever it decides to lie down next - bed, sofa or rug - will have some dust rubbed off its legs. This can create a cleaning nightmare for owners, especially if there are multiple cats in the household.

SmartBedz - A Virtually Dust Free Cat Litter
For all these reasons it is recommended to use a dust free cat litter such as SmartBedz. SmartBedz is made of straw which is processed and formed into super absorbent pellets. During production the dust is extracted, resulting in a virtually dust free cat litter.

It is therefore completely safe for very young kittens to explore with their noses or even nibble at, as it breaks down fast and can easily be processed through the gut.

It can also be easily poured and scooped by adults or children without generating any dust, making cleaning out a much more pleasant, as a well as safer, task.

Can I Afford SmartBedz Dust Free Cat Litter?
Many owners will worry that using a non-clay based cat litter will be too expensive. However using SmartBedz dust free cat litter has been shown to be highly cost effective.
A 5kg bag of SmartBedz dust free cat litter, used in the recommended way, will last one adult cat around 50 days. A similar sized cat will need approximately 35kg of a non clumping clay litter over the same time period, since a clay based litter requires complete emptying far more frequently compared to SmartBedz. Since less SmartBedz is required, this also means less weight to carry home from the shops.

Is SmartBedz Dust Free Cat Litter Difficult to Use?
Conventional clay based litter, especially clumping varieties, are designed with ease of use for the owner in mind. If you are used to using these litters, the prospect of changing to a different type of litter may raise questions about how easy it is to use and keep clean. Using SmartBedz dust free cat litter could not be easier - and in fact may even reduce the amount of cleaning out you need to do.

When SmartBedz pellets come into contact with liquids they swell up, making it easy to see and remove just the wet pellets. Using a scoop with holes allows the smaller dry pellets to fall back into the litter tray. This reduces wastage to an absolute minimum and allows daily spot cleaning to be carried out quickly and easily, along with removal of solids of course.

One of the key features of SmartBedz is its excellent odour control, which is achieved naturally by absorbing and locking away urine from the air, preventing the formation of ammonia which is the main source of unpleasant smells. Provided daily spot cleaning is carried out, as described above, the rest of the litter tray will remain fresh for a long time and may only need a complete change every month - although this will obviously vary according to the number of cats using the tray.

SmartBedz is also easy to dispose of - easier than clay based litter in fact. Since it is an organic product it is fully biodegradable. This means it does not need to be sent to landfill like clay based litter. And because complete clean outs are infrequent, you will have less lifting of heavy rubbish sacks to do. Used SmartBedz can be composted, it can be flushed in small quantities or it can even be burned.

Finally, SmartBedz can also be used as litter for many other animals including dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chickens and more - which may help to simplify your life if you own other types of pets.

Dust Free Cat Litter  - click here to buy Smartbedz organic, natural biodegradable cat litter in our online shop

Choosing a Rabbit Part 3: Compatibility with Your Home

Many rabbit owners like to keep their rabbit inside the home and even let it run around outside its hutch on a regular basis. This certainly allows the rabbit to get plenty of exercise and it also means more interaction with your rabbit, which children can especially enjoy. But sharing your home with a rabbit does require some thought. And if children and other pets are also present you need to consider the safety of the rabbit and children as well as other pets.

Hutch Location
You will need to think carefully about the best place to locate your rabbit’s hutch within the home. It needs to be in a place free from draughts, but which does not get overheated or suffer from big fluctuations in temperature. Wherever it is in the home you will want to pay close attention to hygiene and especially odour. A good layer of SmartBedz rabbit litter will absorb urine and suppress unpleasant odours. Spot cleaning solids daily will reduce odour from droppings, as well as being a good idea for your rabbit too (see Part 2 on Health Problems). A layer of SmartBedz also makes a good base layer for your rabbit bedding. The sleeping box especially needs plenty of rabbit litter and a good amount of soft rabbit bedding material on top - hay is ideal, but keep it well topped up as your rabbit will enjoy eating it.

Within a home, choice of rabbit bedding is important to the other human occupants as it is to the rabbit. Human owners, especially children, should avoid rabbit bedding which is dusty, as they are likely to be exposed to it during cleaning out. Both rabbit litter and bedding layer should be as dust free as possible.

Toilet Training
Rabbits of all breeds will show a preference for urinating, and to a lesser degree defecating, in a particular place and this can be further encouraged both within a hutch or outside it by noticing where it likes to go and providing rabbit litter in that area. If you want your rabbit to be able to run free you will need to provide a litter tray for it to use. As this litter tray will be permanently in your house, odour and liquid need to be well controlled, by using a highly absorbent rabbit litter such as SmartBedz. In adult rabbits, some urination will be territorial (known as spraying) so it is a good idea to have house rabbits spayed or neutered to minimise this type of urination.

Even if you don’t want your rabbit to run free, but are simply keeping your rabbit’s hutch indoors, you will want to minimise odour by using SmartBedz rabbit litter. As well as controlling odour, SmartBedz natural rabbit litter pellets will help keep your rabbit dry and comfortable when used as a base for rabbit bedding.

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Temperament
If your rabbit is to be handled by people, especially children, you will want to choose a breed which is naturally even tempered and happy to be picked up and stroked. Regardless of breed, unsprayed or unneutered rabbits will be generally more aggressive and more likely to bite or attempt to “mate” with feet, shoes, toys or even other pets! Neutering is therefore recommended for rabbits intended for children to play with.

Neutering apart, some breeds are more docile than others. The Sussex is especially friendly, as are the Dwarf Lop, the New Zealand and the English Spot. Some breeds, such as the Polish, can be trained to be friendly provided they receive plenty of handling when young. Others, such as the Netherland Dwarf are known to be a bit of a handful and are not recommended for children.

Size
Bigger bunnies are more likely to cope with being around other pets such as cats and dogs - a small rabbit is likely to be in significant danger of being attacked by a cat. And larger rabbits are less likely to squeeze themselves into small spaces behind freezers etc - which they are likely to do if frightened or on a foraging mission. Bigger rabbits are easier to keep sight of and more able to withstand rougher handling by children. On the other hand, a bigger rabbit means more urine and droppings to deal with if they don’t make it to the litter tray - and it also means a bigger hutch - which could be a space issue depending on your home.

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Hair
All rabbits moult, sometimes more than once a year. A rabbit which is running free in the house will therefore deposit significant quantities of rabbit hair on carpets and sofas, which creates work for you. White haired rabbits such as the New Zealand will create the most noticeable amount of mess, which can be hard to keep under control.

Other Pets
We’ve already noted that larger rabbits will be better able to hold their own in the presence of other pets such as dogs and cats. You should bear in mind that rabbits are prey in the wild and are programmed to respond with fear and be on the alert for potential predators. So even if your cat or dog is not actually attacking your rabbit, you should be aware of placing it under undue stress by letting it out of its hutch. Watch carefully for signs of stress such as trying to hide under or behind furniture, "freezing" or thumping the ground with its hind legs (meaning "go away" and a warning to other rabbits). If your rabbit is ambling about happily, feeding and showing curiosity about other things, it is probably happy enough.

Taking care to think about how your choice of rabbit will fit in to your home will help both you and your rabbit enjoy being in your home together.

Choosing a Rabbit Part 2: Health and Longevity

If you are looking for a pet as a companion it is a good idea to choose a breed which has generally good health and which has a long life span. Health problems will be as stressful for you as they are to the rabbit, and it is easier to form a strong emotional bond with your pet if you can expect it to live a good length of time. And if your rabbit is a pet for a child, then you will want to minimise the distress caused by a pet dying from either natural or unnatural causes. Here we look at the types of health problems that can affect rabbits, and differences in life span.

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Hygiene Related Problems
Many rabbit ailments stem from poor hygiene or inappropriate or insufficient rabbit bedding. You will avoid the vast majority of these illnesses by maintaining a clean, dry hutch. This means choosing a highly absorbent rabbit litter such as SmartBedz, and spot cleaning on a regular basis to remove solids and any wet patches.

For example, Sore Hocks is produced in rabbits which have insufficient rabbit bedding, resulting in too much contact with a hard hutch floor. A generous layer of SmartBedz rabbit litter, topped off with a soft layer of rabbit bedding such as fresh hay, is all that is required to prevent this painful condition.

For an indoor rabbit, infestation by lice, mites, ticks and fleas is almost always introduced into the hutch by inappropriate rabbit bedding, especially untreated straw and hay, although they can also be passed around between rabbits sharing a hutch, or from other household pets. Outdoor rabbits, especially those permitted to run outside, can obviously pick up these infestations from external sources, and makes managing and eliminating them more difficult. But using a sterile rabbit litter, such as SmartBedz which has been heat treated, will ensure that you are not inadvertently introducing mites or other creatures into your rabbit’s hutch, and will help prevent the proliferation of any that are introduced from outside.

Rabbits are somewhat susceptible to eye infections if there is dust present. Avoid using untreated straw and hay, and of course sawdust, as a rabbit litter or rabbit bedding, as these will usually contain dust. As rabbits like to burrow into a mound of hay or straw, any dust present will very easily get into the eyes. SmartBedz has dust extracted during manufacture and makes an excellent dust free bedding base for your rabbit. Any hay used as a bedding should also have been specially prepared to remove dust and be free of mites, lice etc.

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Dental Problems
Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lifetime and are kept to a manageable length by regular chewing of fibrous foods such as grass and hay. Without a suitably fibrous diet rabbit teeth can get too long and require burring down by a vet. A gnawing block is also advisable so that rabbits can keep their own teeth in trim.

But some breeds have additional dental problems brought about by the selections made by breeders. Any breed which has been selected for a shorter head, such as the Dwarf and Lop varieties, are prone to problems such as jaw misalignment. Misaligned incisors can cause a range of problems which cause pain to the rabbit and can even prevent it eating properly. Often teeth have to be removed - which then requires the rabbit to need assistance feeding. In Lop varieties upper teeth roots can grow up into the eye cavity causing visual problems initially, and significant pain later.

Life Span
Longevity is, of course, related to health - and all the problems noted already will tend to shorten a rabbit’s life. However, health issues aside, some rabbit varieties will tend to live longer than others even if well cared for.

The longest lived rabbits - such as the Himalayan, Polish and European rabbits, tend to live around 8-10 years on average, but have been known to live even longer.
The Netherland Dwarf and Dwarf Lop can both live to around 8 years, provided the dental problems mentioned above do not prematurely shorten their lives. The Sussex has a life expectancy of 6-8 years while the New Zealand can expect just 5-7 years and the English Spot lives around 5 years or so.

Giant breeds tend to have much curtailed life spans due to the significant strain that being large places on various part of the rabbit’s body. A giant breed will have no larger a heart than a medium sized rabbit, which means the heart and circulation are under constant strain. Rabbit skeletons are also light and fragile, making a giant body hard to support. Giant breeds often suffer from joint problems and lameness.

As a rough guide, the less "artificial" the variety the fewer health problems and better longevity you can expect. Most breeds are based, however distantly, on the common European rabbit - the type you will see in the wild in field and hedgerows. These are medium sized rabbits with ears that stick up (as opposed to the floppy ears of the Lop varieties), short to medium length coats and long snouts giving plenty of room for jaws and teeth. The closer your rabbit is to this general form, the fewer health problems it is likely to have.

Choosing a Rabbit Part 1: Low and High Maintenance Bunnies

Welcome to our short series of articles devoted to the subject of choosing a rabbit. Choosing a rabbit is one of the most important stages of owning a pet rabbit and will have implications for your experience as an owner. In this first article we consider the very practical question of how much work you need to put into looking after your rabbit. Different species have different care needs which will affect how much work you need to put in as an owner - so it’s useful to know which types of rabbit require more or less maintenance before you make your choice.

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Cleaning Out
The main work required of a rabbit owner is cleaning out soiled rabbit litter and making sure there is plenty of rabbit bedding in your rabbit’s hutch.

The bigger your rabbit, the bigger hutch it will need - and this multiplies if you have more than one rabbit. The bigger the hutch, the more rabbit litter and bedding will be required to keep  the hutch hygienic and dry - and the more rabbit litter and rabbit bedding you will need to buy and dispose of. And of a course a larger rabbit means larger quantities of droppings and urine to deal with.

The largest breeds are the New Zealand and Sussex, closely followed by the Dwarf Lop. The New Zealand is the classic "white bunny" as they most commonly have white fur with pink eyes, and can be up to 12lbs in size. They also have a propensity to grow fat if diet is not controlled properly. A Sussex will weigh in at around 8.5lbs, and a Dwarf Lop at around 6lbs.

By contrast, smaller breeds such as the Netherland Dwarf or the Polish will typically weigh around 2lbs each and will obviously require much less space. This means less rabbit litter and rabbit bedding required, and cleaning out will be that much quicker.

However, if you simply love larger size rabbits for other reasons (many of them have the best temperaments and are safer to have around children, for instance) then SmartBedz rabbit litter can significantly help to keep the cleaning out issue manageable. Because SmartBedz pellets swell up on contact with moisture, it makes it easy to spot clean wet areas rather than cleaning out the whole hutch - simply top up the rabbit litter layer with new pellets. A complete clean out will be needed from time to time of course - but much less frequently than otherwise.

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Grooming
The length of your rabbit’s fur will determine how much grooming is needed to keep it in good condition and stop it getting matted. As well as looking unattractive, matted fur can contribute to a variety of health problems so it in important to take care of your rabbit’s coat. Both length and thickness of fur will increase the amount of grooming required.

Shorter hair breeds such as the Netherland Dwarf, Polish or Himalayan need almost no grooming except occasionally during moulting to help remove the hair that is shedding naturally. A breed with a medium length but thick coat such as the New Zealand or Sussex will require a weekly groom, rising to daily during moulting, while A Dwarf Lop needs grooming at least twice a week and daily while moulting. A long haired breed such as the Angora or Cashmere Lop will require almost daily grooming.

Grooming not only takes time, it takes care to avoid hurting the rabbit or even damaging its delicate skin, so can’t easily be left to young children. So if you’re looking for a low maintenance pet for your children to take responsibility for, a short coat breed will be the best option.

If you are keen on a longer haired rabbit, it’s especially important to ensure the rabbit isn’t sitting around in wet or damp hutches, as this encourages matting on the underside of the rabbit, or on the main coat if the rabbit spends time lying down. Using SmartBedz rabbit litter will greatly help to hold moisture away from the rabbit’s fur and skin until such time as you can remove the wet pellets.

Health Problems
Health problems in rabbits means discomfort for your rabbit and time and effort for you - either in visiting vets, applying treatments or remembering to check your rabbit for particular problems. We look at health problems in more detail in Part 2, but in general, you are more likely to reduce your workload by choosing a breed which is not known to be susceptible to particular health problems.

Attention and Stimulation
Hopefully, if you’re considering buying a rabbit it is because you are looking forward to interacting with it on a regular basis. Rabbits in general like human contact and stimulation, and require some level of stimulation to keep them happy - but some breeds are more demanding than others. Some breeds, such as the Polish, require lots of handling while young in order to get them used to human handling, so you will need to make time for this while they are still kittens. Other breeds such as the Sussex and New Zealand are more docile and will be happy to be handled or left alone, within reason.

To summarise - a short haired, smaller rabbit with no congenital health problems will provide a lower maintenance pet. A large, long haired rabbit that is extra prone to various health issues will require a great deal of time and attention.

Caring For Your Guinea Pig From the Ground Up - The Importance of Using the Right Guinea Pig Bedding

Guinea pigs are one of the easiest pets to look after, provided you get a few simple foundations in place: the right guinea pig bedding, a suitable cage and the right diet. Once these factors are in place you can look forward to enjoying these gentle and playful creatures for up to eight years. In this quick guide we provide an overview of how to go about choosing a suitable cage, food and bedding for your guinea pig.

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Why Does Guinea Pig Bedding Matter?
Guinea pig bedding may not seem like the most important thing to worry about compared to food, cage design and so on, but what you choose to put on the floor of your guinea pig’s cage can have a significant impact on your pet’s health and happiness. Guinea pig bedding/litter is generally used to cover the entire floor area of your guinea pig’s cage. This means that your guinea pig’s feet will be in constant contact with it.
In addition, your guinea pig, being the rodent it is, will naturally forage around for food almost constantly. This means digging around in whatever is on the ground, sniffing and nibbling just about anything it finds. So what does mean for your choice of guinea pig bedding?

Above all, it needs to be non-harmful when in prolonged contact with your pet’s feet and skin,
and it needs to cause no irritation to delicate eyes and noses as a result of dust. It should go without saying that your guinea pig bedding should not contain any toxic ingredients. With these requirements, most owners will automatically start to look for a natural bedding, but is this sufficient?

Will Any Natural Guinea Pig Bedding Do?
Unfortunately there are many bedding and litter products on the market which, despite being comprised of natural materials, can cause harm to your guinea pig.

For instance, some products based on wood containing natural oils such as cedar and pine may smell good to you, but they are toxic to small rodents and many other pets too.

Other "natural" products have sharp points and edges (such as is found in untreated straw bedding, wood shavings or even worse in hemp bedding) which can cause discomfort or even serious injury to feet, eyes and other delicate skin.

And some "natural" products (e.g. sawdust and untreated hay) contain high levels of dust which is unhealthy for ground dwelling rodents to be breathing in on a regular basis.

In short, your guinea pig bedding should be safe for your guinea pig: comfortable to walk on or lie down on, dust free and non-toxic. SmartBedz pellets are rounded in shape and made from pulverised straw, so there are no sharp points or edges. Dust is extracted as part of the manufacturing process, resulting in a virtually dust-free product. And there are no chemicals, perfumes or additives of any kind added to SmartBedz, so it is completely non-toxic and is even safe for your pet to eat.

Guinea Pig Litter
But your guinea pig bedding also needs to work well as a litter. It is essential to your guinea pig’s health that its cage should be kept as dry and clean as possible - but guinea pigs cannot be toilet trained. Although they may show a preference for toileting in a specific area of the cage, this cannot be guaranteed and they may decide to urinate anywhere.

This creates two problems - the first is dampness, the second is odour, especially if your guinea pigs are kept indoors. So whatever bedding/litter you choose also needs to be absorbent and naturally odour suppressing.
SmartBedz can absorb 400 percent its volume in liquid, quickly pulling liquid away from the surface and into the centre of the pellet. This action also drastically reduces the contact time with oxygen, which is involved in the formation of ammonia, the main cause of unpleasant smells. This results in naturally low levels of odour, which can be further minimised through daily spot cleaning. Simply take out the wet pellets (easily spotted since they swell up) and replace with a few fresh pellets as necessary. You should also remove solids daily to keep down odour and for hygiene purposes.

Because spot cleaning is so quick to do, there is minimal disruption to your pet, as well as less work for you. And because you are only replacing small amounts of litter, a bag of SmartBedz will last a good while. A thorough cleanout will be needed sometimes, of course, but far less often than with other less absorbent types of litter.

Disposing of SmartBedz is easy, since it is organic and fully biodegradable. This means it can be added to compost or can even be flushed down the toilet in small quantities.

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What Sort of Cage Does My Guinea Pig Need?
Guinea pigs like to move around a great deal, and they will be spending a great deal of time in their cage, so it is important to choose one which will give them plenty of space. Guinea pigs like company, so it is best to keep at least two and buy a cage which has enough space for them all.

If you are keeping your guinea pig indoors choose either a traditional wire cage or an aquarium type cage with solid sides. However, wire cages are often too small, so it is better to opt for the aquarium variety.
If you are keeping your guinea pig outside, choose a hutch design with separate living and sleeping quarters. Split level designs provide guinea pigs with additional space and a more interesting environment. It should ideally include a run to allow exercise, but it must be fully enclosed, to give protection from predators such as cats, dogs and foxes. Outside hutches need to include some insulation from the cold, especially on the floor surface. SmartBedz provides good insulation compared to, say, paper, which is too thin, or hay which can be too easily pulled away to leave a bare floor.

Your cage should contain the following:

• Fresh water and food (see below)
• A layer of guinea pig bedding throughout, including the sleeping area
• Additional soft nesting material, especially in the sleeping area
• A variety of play objects such as cardboard tubes or commercial toys
• Something to gnaw on, such as wood, to help keep teeth from getting overgrown.

What Should a Guinea Pig Eat?
Grass and hay are the mainstay of a guinea pig’s diet in the wild and can be provided either fresh, dried or in pellet form. Commercially available guinea pig pellets are also suitable. However, if you use mostly pellets, you should still provide some fresh hay.

Your guinea pig will also benefit from fresh fruit and vegetables in order to get necessary levels of Vitamin C. Apples, carrots, celery, broccoli, and other green vegetables are all ideal.

Take care to avoid processed wheat based foods such as biscuits, bread, pasta which can be harmful. Chocolate should never be given to a guinea pig as it is poisonous to them.

With these foundations in place, your guinea pig can look forward to a long and healthy life.

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