January 10, 2013
Most people likely realize that the digestive systems of rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals are quite different from dogs and cats. We feed them different food and know that they have different digestive requirements. Proper nutrition is always important, but not always for the reasons people may think.
One of the most critical parts of nutrition in rabbits and guinea pigs is hay. There is hay and fiber in their pellets, but not at sufficient levels to be the only source. These pets need to have supplemental hay. Besides something to chew on, this is essential to their digestive system. These species have bacteria in their intestines that aid in digesting other foods as well as helping to provide some nutrients. Those bacteria need certain kinds of fiber as their food source. Without that fiber they will not thrive, and digestive disorders can happen.
The earliest symptom is usually diarrhea. Instead of the normal firm pellets, they have loose stools, often with mucus. If the diarrhea persists they can become dehydrated. As the imbalance continues, we can also see that the change in intestinal bacteria allows ?bad? bacteria to grow more rapidly and in larger amounts, leading to serious infections. The pet may also begin losing weight and acting lethargic. In the worst cases they can actually die. All from a lack of hay!
PetSmart and any other pet supplier carry packages of hay in their small pet department. There are several different kinds of hay, but timothy hay is most recommended. Alfalfa has a higher calcium content and this can lead to a higher risk of bladder stones. The hay should be kept continually in their cage. Give fresh hay daily, and if they run out during the day, put some more in. You can?t give them too much!
Hamsters, rats, and gerbils don?t actually need supplemental hay. It doesn?t hurt them and many like it, but their pellets are sufficient. Hay should always be given to rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
This is a very simple but extremely important part of caring for these small mammals. With minor effort you can improve their health and prevent potentially serious disease.
About Christopher Bern, DVM
Dr. Bern has been with the practice since 1999 and currently works as the Chief of Staff for the Woodstock, GA hospital. View all posts by Christopher Bern, DVM ? ? Can Cats Be Trained?Share this.
Source: http://sitandstay.banfield.net/2013/01/10/hay-isnt-just-for-horses/
james farentino somali pirates navy seals navy seal team 6 tim gunn tim gunn built to last
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.