Guinea Pigs, rabbits, rats, mice & even ferrets are among a growing number of popular pets in Australia. It’s easy to get the basics sorted for your small pet but what should pet owners do about maintaining the mental & physical enrichment of these little guys?
It helps us as pet owners to understand the natural behaviours of these creatures to know why it is important to supply them with the correct enrichment experiences. For example, in nature rabbits love to burrow, this allows them to nest, feel safe & protected. Physically, allowing your rabbit to burrow supports muscle growth & development as well as maintaining some basic health principles such as keeping their claws short from digging!
Number 10 – The Hay and Pellet feeder
What you feed your small animal is just as important as how you do it. This manger allows you to keep a constant supply of oaten hay as well as a nutrient dense pellet to your rabbit or guinea pig. You can even add fresh hard vegetables to the bottom of this feeder.
Hay is vital for the high fiber demands these pets have. By placing it in the hay feeder, your pet will have to work hard to pull it out, a process that much like in nature, these animals spend much of their time doing.
Number 9 - Sea Grass Tunnel
Ferrets, rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs love hiding, sleeping & playing in a tunn
el. The Sea grass tunnel is made from natural sea grass, these tunnels are 100% safe & non toxic, no staples or glues or wire used. You will find these tunnels in three sizes to suit pocket pets such as mice & rats through to larger size small animals such as guinea pigs. This range is an affordable way of making a simple lifestyle improvement to your pet!
Number 8 - Pet One Tunnel and Burrow
Allowing small animals to play roam through burrows allows them to use their whiskers to gauge the width & dimensions of spaces. A natural behaviour that our domesticated friends have missed out on until now.
The Pet One Tunnel is available in two different sizes depending on the type of small animal and the large size is known as the Pet One Rabbit Burrow.
All of the tunnels are suitable for other small animals & can be twisted into a range of different configurations. They have the ability to join together for the ultimate maze type burrow too!
Number 7 - Pet One Small Animal Hide Plastic Igloo
As a prey animal, guinea pigs, rabbits & ferrets feel safe & secure when they have a hide to retreat into. The Pet One Small Animal Igloo is the ideal hiding den for your pet. The igloo has no base, allowing you to place it over a bed of hay to evoke the natural instinctive behaviour of nesting. This behaviour will allow your pet to settle in their den feeling content, safe, warm & secure.
Another considerable feature of these Pet One Small Animal Igloo's is that they are easy to clean (made from non toxic plastic) & are available in two sizes medium & large.
Number 6 - Small Animal Log Hide
The Pet One Small Animal log hide is the ideal hiding den for your pet.
Made with edible wood, vegetable extracts and alfalfa. - No artificial colours.
Number 5 - Edible Play Log
Another 100% edible Product. The log acts as a safe hide for your pet to rest or have a chew on! Ideal for encouraging the natural behaviour of gnawing & a great way to help keep those teeth trimmed. It also provides them with a sense of security as although our small animals have been domesticated, they are still hard wired as a prey animal & will seek out a safe den when feeling threatened.
Important to note, only ever provide your pet with toys for chewing on that are made with edible wood. Like the play shack, this hide log is edible & includes vegetable extracts and alfalfa. No artificial colours.
Number 4 – Maze A Log Treat Challenge
A relatively new product on the market, this puzzle toy for small animals, features assorted sizes of corrugated cardboard logs mounted on a thick 30 x 30cm board. Created to occupy small animals, this toy will become a popular ‘boredom breaking’ feeding challenge for rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and even ferrets.
Fill the empty hollows with treats or fresh fruit or vegetables.
Number 3 - Loofa Hoola
Coloured with safe edible food based dyes, this toy is a lot of fun! Think of this toy as the total gym for small animals! Again, this one serves 2 purposes. Great for fitness as well as the dental care of your pet. It provides a tactile experience for your pet through the use of natural loofahs – great for dental health keeping those growing teeth in check! It is designed to hang in your pet's enclosure so that they need to jump or stand on their hind legs to use it. As it moves about, your pet will be forced to balance & turn on muscles they may not have used before!
Number 2 – Banana Leaf Carrot Stuffer
This fun carrot shaped toy is designed for small animals to play with as well as chew.
Once the natural corn leaf stuffing has been removed you can fill the carrot with your pet's favourite treats for an added challenge!
Made from only 100% natural materials, this toy is an easy one to add to your pet's enclosure & is made from tough woven banana leaf.
Suitable for rats, mice, guinea pigs & rabbits.
Number 1 - Veggie Patch Tool Box Hay Feeder
Worthy of the most popular small animal toy and feeding is the Veggie Patch Tool
For further information about the best toys for your pet, call in & see us in the store, or email us: admin@weknowpets.com.au
4/72-76 Station St Bowral NSW 2576
PH: 024862 1175
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