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Small Furries
Health
R
abbits and Guinea
Pigs are increasing in
popularity as domestic
pets in the UK, and while
they make fulfilling pets,
it is often the case that
owners remain unaware
of the specific husbandry
requirements of these
domesticated prey animals.
For instance, during colder
periods of the year, these
animals can struggle to
maintain their body heat as
they are both afflicted by a
high surface area to volume
ratio. Unfortunately it is often
the case that these small pets
are kept outside all year round,
and are therefore at the mercy
of the elements when we are
safely tucked up inside our
insulated houses.
Ensuring that their building
(often the shed or garage), as
well as their hutch, is a suitable
place for ‘Small Furries’ is key
to preparing for the winter
months. If possible, bringing
the hutch into the warmer
confines of the house makes
this task much easier, whilst
offering a greater relationship
with your pets, and providing
easier, more attentive care.
If this is not possible, an
assessment of the shed for
draughts should be performed,
and the hutch moved away
from these areas to reduce
wind chill. Lagging the shed
with insulating material can
make it significantly warmer,
although care must be taken
to ensure that light is not
occluded, as even the short
hours of sunlight can still have
a positive warming effect. It
is also important to monitor
drinking water to ensure it does
not freeze, particularly at night.
Feed provision should be
tailored to the fact that these
animals will use their large
digestive tracts to generate
internal heat and warm
By
Thaddeus Clifton
MA VetMB MRCVS
PAWS Veterinary Health Centre
themselves. Providing more hay
will also provide a warm and
insulating bedding. If additional
sources of heat are required
then heat pads warmed in
a microwave are a safer
alternative to electric heaters.
Above all, ensuring that these
pets are not forgotten about
during the cold weather is the
greatest single factor in
preserving their good welfare.
A pre-winter check with your
veterinarian will allow their
general health to be assessed.
Uneven tooth wear (a common
issue, particularly in rabbits)
can result in reduced appetite,
which has a knock-on effect on
fat stores for insulation, as well
as energy intake for heat
production. Early diagnosis
of these conditions, can be
lifesaving.
So don’t delay,
book today.