We can’t stress enough how important a good quality hay is for your guinea pigs. It’s sad that this is not the well known fact that it should be. Some guinea pig owners even think that the hay is for their guinea pigs bedding and become distressed when their guinea pig eats it! Straw is for bedding, but hay, which is dried grass, is a vital part of a guinea pigs’ diet. However they will probably also love to sleep on it, and sit on it while they eat, which is no problem, just change it regularly.

Timothy Hay is the ideal food for your guinea pigs!

All guinea pigs should be allowed to eat an unlimited amount of hay. Timothy hay is ideal guinea pig food.

• It’s high in fibre
• low in calcium
• low in calories

Hay is perfect for the nutritional needs of a guinea pig. It is the high fibre content of the hay that is very important. A pellet only diet will not contain the high levels of fibre that a guinea pig needs in his diet. You can and should add fibre to your guinea pigs diet with fresh vegetables daily, but he will still need more and Timothy hay will provide this, as well as keeping him occupied. Chewing hay seems to keep guinea pigs happy as well as healthy!

It’s also very good for their teeth. Like rabbits, guinea pig teeth keep growing throughout their life. They chew other foods in an up and down motion, which doesn’t help to wear their teeth down. Hay they chew with a sideways motion which does wear their teeth down and keep them trim. Overgrown teeth can be a real problem, they can even grow into the skin of their mouth and be very painful for them. Of course this can also result in some high vets bills!

Make sure your guinea pig gets a good big handful of hay every day. You can buy it in bulk and if you buy it fresh it will last for several months if you store it correctly. It can go mouldy if stored in a sealed plastic container, so instead store it in a wooden or cardboard box where it will be dry but well ventilated. If you buy a bale of hay then break it up as little as you can, just break off what you need when you need it and it will stay fresher.

-       Two-year study links muesli-style foods to life-threatening dental and digestive problems in rabbits¹

-       Welfare charities and industry experts unite during Rabbit Awareness Week to ‘stop the clock’ and encourage retailers and manufacturers to remove muesli from the pet aisle, with 86% of owners in support²

Rabbit Awareness Week, hopped into action on May 4, and called for muesli-style rabbit food to be removed from supermarket and pet store shelves, following the results of a new academic study that has proved it is dangerous to the health and welfare of Britain’s 1.7 million bunnies.

The announcement of the findings from the two year academic study conducted by The University of Edinburgh¹, coincides with Rabbit Awareness Week, an annual event which highlights the health and welfare needs of Britain’s third most popular pet. The research confirms the link between muesli-style rabbit foods, fed with or without hay, and potentially deadly dental and digestive problems that lead to costly veterinary treatment and in some cases can be fatal².

Rabbit Awareness Week is backed by major UK animal welfare charities and pet experts including Burgess Excel, RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross, MSD Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Practice Plan for Vets, Wood Green The Animals Charity and RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund).

Professor Anna Meredith, who conducted the research at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, said: “Vets have suspected for a number of years that feeding muesli-style foods could lead to health issues in rabbits, and now we have the proof.”

This research is welcomed by a number of animal welfare charities including the RSPCA. Rachel Roxburgh, Rabbit Scientific Officer at the charity, commented: “Although muesli is healthy for humans, these findings confirm that muesli-style food is not good for rabbits’ health. Feeding rabbits’ muesli-style food can increase the risk of them developing serious teeth and tummy problems, which can cause terrible suffering. The RSPCA, along with all the animal welfare charities supporting RAW, are urging owners to feed their rabbits a diet of mainly hay and/or grass, with some leafy green vegetables/herbs and a small, measured ration of good quality pellets/nuggets daily.”

A survey of rabbit owners³ was carried out by the team behind Rabbit Awareness Week to gauge their response to these alarming academic findings. Over half of owners (55%) said they will now remove muesli from their rabbits’ diets to improve their bunnies’ health.  In addition, nearly a third (31%) who currently feed a correct diet stated they would help support a move to withdraw this product from sale – that’s a collective 86 per cent in support of the cause!

The leading specialist retailers are clearing their shelves of this problem food and manufacturers are now looking to offer advice and healthy alternatives to owners. Burgess Excel, experts in small animal nutrition, is the first rabbit food manufacturer to cease production of muesli.

Paul Miley, Managing Director at Burgess Excel, said: “Once we saw the results of this new study, as a responsible pet food manufacturer, we ended muesli production for these pets. RAW will provide pet owners with the support and information they need to provide the correct diet and care for their pets and all good stores will have advice about how to safely transition rabbits onto a healthy alternative diet⁴.”

The survey³ also found that 71 per cent of rabbit owners are unaware of the correct diet for their pet: a whole 48 per cent of rabbit owners currently feed muesli-style foods, as they have been led to believe it’s the appropriate diet for their rabbits. Further adding to the confusion, many muesli-style products carry the labelling ‘nutritionally complete’, missing the important element of hay in a rabbit’s diet.

A third of rabbit owners (33%) were also unaware their rabbit should visit a vet roughly every six months for preventative check-ups and regular vaccinations. Luckily for Britain’s rabbits, many vets and rescue centres across the UK are offering FREE HEALTH CHECKS throughout May in celebration of RAW and to ensure Britain’s bunnies are healthy and happy. Visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/eventlocator to find the nearest participating vet practice or rescue centre, together with details of retailers hosting events in support of RAW. The website also houses information about all aspects of rabbit health, welfare and care.

THE RESEARCH EXPLAINED

1. The research was conducted by The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, under the Knowledge Transfer Partnership co-funded by B.I.S (Department for Business, Innovations and Skills) and Burgess Pet Care. It was subjected to rigorous controls by the University of Edinburgh Veterinary Ethical Review Committee, and during the trial the rabbits were monitored by a Home Office Inspector and at all points by a vet. The welfare of the rabbits was of paramount importance to all involved in the trial. Further information about the research findings is available on the Rabbit Awareness Week website: www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/diet/the-research

The study is currently under peer review awaiting publication.

1. The key findings from The University of Edinburgh study were as follows. Feeding muesli-style foods, with or without hay, is linked with abnormalities that can lead to painful dental and digestive problems that require veterinary treatment, such as;

-       Slower gut motility, which can put rabbits at a high risk of gut stasis, a condition which is often fatal as rabbits depend on a constantly moving digestive process which is maintained through a high fibre diet.

-       Eating less hay, which can lead to abnormal growth of teeth. This often develops into painful dental disease, or in extreme cases ‘roots’ so large they penetrate the jaw or eye sockets.

-       Urinary tract problems, as eating muesli reduces the animal’s water intake.

-       Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) and flystrike as muesli leads to rabbits not eating their caecotrophs – soft moist droppings that they eat directly from their bottom and which are an essential part of their diet. This can in turn lead to flies laying their eggs in the soiled and matted fur under the tail. Maggots hatch out 12-24 hours later and then burrow into the living flesh. This is known as flystrike.

-       an imbalanced diet lacking in vital vitamins and minerals, due to selective feeding (rabbits picking their favourite parts of the muesli mix) and not eating all their caecotrophs.

-       eating muesli-style foods without hay causes rabbits to become overweight or obese

1. Research conducted by Censuswide on 26.04.13 among 200 UK rabbit owners.

WHAT TO DO AS AN OWNER

1. Most importantly, owners currently feeding their rabbits a muesli-style food should speak to their vet for advice about how to safely transfer their pets onto a hay and nugget/pellet based feeding plan (with leafy greens). This transition must be done very slowly, over a period of between 14-28 days, by gradually reducing the amount of muesli and increasing the proportion of hay and nuggets until they have completely replaced the mix. Good quality hay and/or grass should make up the majority of a rabbit’s diet and water and hay/grass should be available at all times.

1. Owners should contact their vet for advice about how to provide the best diet for their pet. Advice for rabbit owners is available on the Rabbit Awareness Week website www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/diet

1. Will these findings affect other ‘fibrevores’ – small animals that require diets high in fibre? Yes. The study’s findings also have implications for guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus, as these animals have similar dental and digestive physiology to rabbits. Owners should speak to their vet about how to provide the best diet for their pet, and how to safely transition them onto a healthier diet if required.

Giving a cat a good home is very rewarding. Cats make great pets, whether you are a big family or live alone, a cat can be a good companion. If you’ve never had a cat before you’ll need to prepare your home for your new arrival.

Your cat will need a safe and cosy place to sleep. All pet shops will sell a wide range of cat beds. It’s probably a good idea to pick a cheap one to start with to see if your cat likes sleeping in a bed; cats can be funny creatures and you may find he ignores the fluffy comfortable cat bed and prefers to sleep on a chair or windowsill instead.  Place the bed in a quiet place where he will feel safe and secure.

You’ll need food and water bowls too. Cats need plenty of water so make sure they always have a constant supply of fresh drinking water. You can get water fountains for cats too, but some cats don’t like them as they do make a bit of noise.

The food you feed them is very important. You need to make sure you pick a high quality complete cat food to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need in their diet. You will probably want to change the food they have been eating if they’ve come from a rescue centre as you will want to feed them a higher quality food, however, you should always change over from one food to another gradually as an immediate change can cause stomach upsets. If he suffers from prolonged tummy toubles then consider moving him on to hypoallergenic cat food, which is forumlated to be gentler on tummies. If you’re feeding a dry food to your cat, it’s especially important that they have plenty of fresh water to drink.

Your cat will need a litter tray. Many cats will choose to go to the toilet outdoors, but if you keep your cat indoors at all, perhaps overnight, then they will need a litter tray. You can buy a tray with a lid and a door on which will give your pet some privacy, some cats can be self conscious being watched as they go to the toilet! It will also help contain smells, especially if you pick one with a carbon filter in the lid which will absorb odour.

You may want to put a cat flap in your door too so kitty can come and go as he pleases. If you have trouble with other cats coming into your home, then a cat flap that recognises your cats chip is a good idea. It will only open for your cats and will remain shut tight for any others that try to get in.

Other than these essentials, all they will need is a few toys, an occasional treat and lots of love.

It’s important to feed your guinea pig the right food. Guinea pigs, like all animals have quite specific dietary requirements and shouldn’t be fed food meant for other animals.

Food that is meant for rabbits, or a generic food designed for all small mammals will not have the right balance of nutrients for your guinea pig. Poor nutrition can lead to various illnesses and ailments and so picking the right food for your pet is very important. Pick a food that is specially formulated for guinea pigs. Make sure it actually states on the pack that it is guinea pig food.

Choose a high quality food such as Burgess Excel and you’ll be sure that it has been developed with your guinea pigs’ needs in mind and will contain all the nutrients, and all the vitamins and minerals that your pet needs to grow up healthy and happy. A top quality food will have more natural ingredients than a cheaper food and it will be tastier for you pet too. Guinea pigs need a high level of folic acid and vitamin C, so check the packaging for these too. If you food is a good one, and it’s been specially made for guinea pigs, then you should find that these extra requirements of folic acid and vitamin C have been taken care of. The developers of your new food will be experts in guinea pig nutrition so it gives you peace of mind that you’re giving your pets the very best.

When you choose a new food for you pet, especially one that is going to be a lot better for them than that which they’ve been used to, it can be tempting to throw away the old food and get them straight onto the new one, but it’s always wise to introduce a new food gradually to allow them to get used to it. Doing this will eliminate the chances of any digestive issues that can be associated with a sudden change of food.

You can also add to your guinea pigs’ vitamin C intake by giving them fresh fruit and vegetables. They also really enjoy them so it’s a great treat too. Giving them tasty and healthy treats keeps your guinea pig and entertained and reduces stress and boredom which can cause various ailments.

You guinea pig will love dandelion leaves, cabbage leaves, orange, strawberries, spinach and much more. Don’t forget to give them plenty of fresh water too and change it regularly, even if they haven’t emptied their water bottle.

Feed them in a sturdy ceramic bowl. This will help prevent them tipping it over and they won’t be able to chew it either.

Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets are enriched with Vitamin C

A cat can have different dietary requirement depending on several factors. An overweight, elderly indoor cat, for example will need feeding differently to a young slender cat who is very active. Choosing the right food can seem complicated when there is so much choice but there will be the perfect cat food for your pet available.

A good quality cat food is very important.

A high quality food will have just the right balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to suit your pet and to ensure they are getting everything they need in their diet. A cheap cat food may have a lot of additives, these can cause issues for your cat,  many cats suffer allergic reactions to the additives in food. If your cat appears to be scratching, or you notice bald patches appear, especially on the ears, this could be the result of a food allergy and it may be worth switching to hypoallergenic cat food, such as Burgess Sensitive.

There are specially formulated cat food products for various types of cat. Take a look at what is available and pick the one that best matches the needs of your cat. Growing kittens have quite specific dietary requirements and so you should give them a food made especially for kittens while they are young, changing over to an adult food as they grow up. Young cats need a lot of energy, they’re not likely to put on weight as their food is converted to energy for growing and for running around and exploring. As cats grow up they tend to slow down a lot, preferring to sleep rather than play and run around so much. This needs to be reflected in their food or else they can become obese.

Like humans, all cats are different. While many cats will happily just eat the right amount of food that they need, some can be rather gluttonous. If your cat has a tendency to overeat and put on weight, getting their weight down can be difficult. If you just have one cat, and you’re in the house often enough to feed them at specific meal times, then helping your cat to lose weight is fairly simple, but if you have several cats, or you’re often away and need to leave food down for them it can be almost impossible. There are lighter, lower calories cat foods available that can really help a tubby cat to slim down. They’re eating the same quantity of food as normal, but they’re not taking on as many calories. Encouraging a fat cat to play will also have a beneficial effect and is well worth the effort as they’ll really enjoy the interaction too.

There are also special food blends for the needs of older cats. As cats age their vitamin and mineral requirements change and these foods for more elderly cats will be just right for them.

Ferrets have fairly unique digestive systems and so you need to really think about this with regards to feeding them. If you’ve had other pets, you’ll find the dietary requirements of a ferret are quite different from any other animal.

The main thing to bear in mind is that ferrets have a short digestive system, a fast metabolism and they’re very active so they burn off energy very quickly. Because of this they need to eat very regularly, usually around every three or four hours. It’s important they get their regular feed so you should make sure they have food available at all times. It’s worth checking their bowl on a regular basis to make sure they haven’t run out of food. If you’re worried that constant access to food will encourage your ferret to overeat, then don’t be, ferrets rarely eat more than they need to and seldom become obese. If your ferret does appear to be gaining too much weight and he’s getting plenty of exercise, then it’s a good idea to take him to the vets to be checked over as it could be due to a problem with their health rather than simply from over eating.

As you’re leaving food out all the time, a dry ferret food is the most convenient way to feed them as it won’t go off or rot. There are many ferret foods on the market of differing qualities, including our own Supaferret.  Make sure you pick a food that is made especially for ferrets as they do have dietary needs that differ from those of other small mammals. You’ll need a food that is high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates.

Ferrets can be fussy eaters so if you’re changing over their food to a new type, do it gradually and try to make the change when they are young rather than leaving it till they get older as the older they get, the more they like the change! The occasional treat will also be much appreciated. They will enjoy a hard boiled egg or a small portion of scrambled egg, or a little cooked meat.

Also ensure that your ferret also has constant access to fresh clean water and change the water frequently.

A good diet will go a long way to keeping your ferret fit and healthy.  A bad diet can make your pet ill and can also bring about behavioural problems. If your ferret has issues that appear to be unrelated to diet, it’s always worth giving a thought to their diet as there could be a link. Having a chat will you vet should help you to work out if changing your ferrets diet could be beneficial.

If you’re thinking of getting a dog, stop for a minute and consider a rescue greyhound.

You can pay a lot of money for a pedigree dog from a breeder yet a dog from a rescue centre will be much cheaper and just as loyal and loving a companion.

Racing greyhounds have a short career, after which many of them end up in rescue centres to be re-homed. If you have any qualms about greyhounds as a breed, then let me put your fears aside…

Greyhounds of course are known for being fast and high energy, but the reality is that this speed and energy is only present in very short bursts. A greyhound will not spend its time running round and round your home. They don’t have endless energy and they won’t need any more exercise than any other breed of dog. In fact, greyhounds are one of the most laid back types of dogs you’ll ever meet, liking nothing better than spending their days snoozing on their bed. Take them out for a run as you would any other dog and they’ll be more than happy.

Greyhounds are very loyal and affectionate, they make great family pets although check with the rescue if you have cats or other small animals, as some greyhounds are inclined to chase them.

There’s just one aspect of their life with you that you may need to put a little extra thought into, and that is their diet. A racing greyhound is fed on a very specific food. This food will usually have been made just for them, for high energy, a diet specially made for a racing life. As this food has been specially prepared, it will have been free from the additives normally found in dog food. Because they will have had this diet all their lives, they may well not have developed the tolerance for additives that other dogs gain as they grow. Ex-racing greyhounds can therefore have a very delicate constitution.  They can easily suffer from stomach upsets. The best food for your new pet would be a food  formulated for greyhounds such as Supadog Greyhound and Lurcher Food

You should also put some extra thought into the times at which your feed a greyhound. Due to their great speed, feeding them before you take them out and allow them to run around can actually be quite dangerous for your greyhound. Never let them run on a full stomach, instead, let them rest for an hour after each meal before taking them out. Likewise, their digestive system can be upset if they are fed immediately after a run, so another rest for an hour after your trip out will help their system to relax and the food to be digested in the proper manner. They will also need plenty of water, all that running around at high speed can make a greyhound very thirsty!

To find out more about Supadog Greyhound and Lurcher Food please visit our main website.

FANTASTIC NEWS!

New research conducted by The University of Edinburgh & Burgess Pet Care has shown that rabbits fed on a muesli diet are more likely to suffer more likely to suffer from dental and digestive problems. Pets at Home have taken a HUGE step by announcing the following: “We’re phasing out rabbit muesli in our stores & advising all our rabbit customers to transition onto rabbit nuggets and hay.”

Why are Pets at Home discontinuing rabbit muesli?

Pets at Home support the latest thinking in pet welfare standards and this decision has been taken in light of the weight of feeling amongst the veterinary community towards the feeding of muesli based diets, and their potential negative effects on the health of rabbits.

What is selective feeding?

A muesli diet consists of lots of different ingredients that make up the mix. A rabbit fed on muesli may pick out their favourite bits and ignore the rest, which can mean your rabbit isn’t getting the crucial vitamins and minerals they need to stay happy and healthy.

Why are nuggets ok?

A nugget diet contains all the ingredients, vitamins and minerals in one kibble; this means they cannot pick and choose which bits they prefer. These kibbles also contain longer strands of hay which will help to keep their teeth nice and healthy.

Do I still need to feed hay?

Yes! Rabbits are herbivores and good quality hay should always make up 80% of their diet. It’s important that there is always a fresh supply of hay available for your bunnies.

Why are Pets at Home not doing this for guinea pigs?

As the studies were performed on rabbits Pets at Home are advising the change for rabbits only at this time. This may change in the future.

How do I transition my rabbit from muesli to nuggets?

Changing a rabbit’s diet suddenly can upset their digestive system, so always introduce nuggets gradually over at least a week, unless your vet tells you otherwise.

Please read the info leaflet ‘Muesli and your rabbit’s diet’ which is currently available in-store or online at http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Info_10601_rabbit-muesli_-1_10551 for more details.

For more information on the research and to find out more about a rabbits diet, please visit www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk

An Afghan dog’s life is not one of comfort at the best of times; hunting for scraps of food or hiding from the hot sun during the summer and the freezing cold of an Afghan winter night. Sadly, many animals in Afghanistan are mistreated and abused by locals, with children often not knowing any better and thinking they are just playing.

In November 2006, 42 Commando Royal Marines (Kilo Company) arrived in the war torn town of Now Zad in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Their mission was to provide stability for the local people during a period of ever decreasing security.

Within a few days of arrival, Royal Marine Sergeant Pen Farthing, broke up a dog fight that was taking place outside their compound. So grateful of the lifesaving act, one of the dogs befriended him. “I couldn’t say no to those big sad eyes,” said Sergeant Farthing,”The now, very former, fighting dog, became my buddy and found himself a name – Nowzad.”

It transpired that it wasn’t only the local people that needed their help. Sergeant Farthing went on to rescue another two undernourished strays, ‘RPG and ‘Jena’, from the onslaught of the extreme Afghan winter. Shortly after, ‘Tali’ crept in under the gate carrying six puppies followed by an injured ‘AK’.

In the Marines’ compound, Pen Farthing and two fellow Marines built the dogs a modest run and a mortar shelter for safety and warmth. The dogs went from scavenging food to eating two meals a day courtesy of the left over military rations that the Royal Marines didn’t eat.

At the end of the deployment, there was no way that Pen could leave the dogs behind so a plan was hatched to transport them to an animal rescue centre in the north of the country. Dog owners globally heard of the determination and compassion that the marines had shown in their attempts to rescue the dogs and so the charity Nowzad Dogs was formed during May 2007.

Sadly, many animals in Afghanistan are mistreated and abused by locals, with children often not knowing any better. It is vital as part of Nowzad Dogs work and overall mission to educate children on animal welfare.

In 2013, Nowzad and Wetnose launched an education campaign that will send 250 footballs, retired footballer Duncan Ferguson and a TV crew to Afghanistan to film Duncan and children playing with footballs saying ‘kick a ball not a puppy.’

The aim is to educate young Afghan children that animals feel pain and are not inanimate objects. They will provide footballs, clothing and shoes enabling the children to play football properly while also raising awareness of the problem back in the UK.

As a result of their tireless work, Nowzad Dogs has been shortlisted in the Hero Award category of the 2013 Burgess Wetnose Animal Rescue Awards, which took place in Knightsbridge on Monday 11^th March.

To find out more about the Wetnose Awards 2013 check out our ‘Wetnose Winners’ blog post http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/blog/wetnose-awards-winners-2013

Henry is a loyal English Springer Spaniel who was abandoned by his previous owner, but went on to save his current owner’s life.

Left alone in a house for several weeks by his first owner who worked at the other end of the country, his noisy pleas when food and water ran out successfully caught the attention of neighbours. Henry was put in boarding kennels next time his owner went away for work. He was never collected.

Here, Henry was diagnosed and almost died from a severe stomach virus, but managed to fight through it. He was extremely underweight, his coat was matted and stained with urine, he had infected ears and his skin and nose were very sore. The biggest challenge was overcoming the problems with his mental health – he was scared of everything, hated closed doors, was obsessed with food and couldn’t be left alone.

In the summer of 2008, Henry was lucky enough to be adopted by Julie who had also been going through a challenging time in the last few years herself, after being diagnosed with ME Fibromyalgia and diabetes in 2004. They bonded instantly and Julie helped to nurse him back to full health as the loving and happy dog he once was.

They became inseparable and, in return for her kindness, Henry offered his owner support through her illnesses. Henry forced her to focus her attention on him when she suffered a panic attack, he gradually helped her to regain her confidence around people, he warned her when her blood sugar levels were low just from the smell of her breath, he helped her through mourning after her father passed away and, most amazingly, saved Julie’s life in August 2010.

Suffering with, what was thought to be, general ill-health, Julie was asleep on the sofa sleeping off the pain while her mother was doing housework. Henry started acting very strangely pulling her mother over to the sofa, while barking and pawing at Julie. It was then that her mother realised she was burning up unconscious. It turned out to be septicaemia and an operation was performed to remove some infected tissue from her leg. If Julie had been left any longer then she wouldn’t have survived.

Despite everything he went through, Henry is a truly man’s best friend and gives his owner,  Julie, continuous support and hope that she too can overcome anything.

To find out more about the Wetnose Awards 2013 check out our ‘Wetnose Winners’ blog post http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/blog/wetnose-awards-winners-2013