Give your pet a safe, happy, and healthy home. The Tommy K line has a large hopper feeder, pet-safe epoxy coated wire top with two access doors, and a deep, easy-to-clean plastic base that helps keep the litter inside.

31″ x 19″x 20″     $64.99         

Essential kits include: Cage, treat ball, timothy hay, Carefresh bedding, large (rabbit) or medium (guinea pig) corner litter tray, and 5 lb bag rabbit or guinea pig Oxbow food.

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This post, New Years specials on small animal cages, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on January 9, 2014. Tweet This Post!

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We spend a lot of time in our emails talking about your cat and dog’s diet. As we should; it’s an important part of your pet’s life. Today we’re going to talk about the diets of rabbits and guinea pig’s diets, and introduce a few new product to help promote overall wellness.

Rabbits and guinea pigs need fiber in their diets. they do not have muscles to push food through the digestive system. We understand the nutritional needs of these animals and they are living longer, healthier lives! Their diet breaks down to a few simple parts: pellets (limited amounts), a variety of dark, leafy greens (a large handful every day), fresh water, and hay (unlimited amounts.) You can check out our caresheets on feeding rabbits and guinea pigs, and on feeding vegetarians on our website here.

To help you with your pet’s nutrition, we’ve brought in some new foods and supplements, all from Oxbow, one of the leaders in small pet nutrition:

Natural Science Adult Rabbit and Adult Guinea Pig foods include: 

* Unique, novel ingredients such as yellow pea, tomato pomace, and canola offer variety while maintaining proper nutrition
* Long-strand fiber from timothy, orchard and oat hay sources supports digestive health and function
* All-natural antioxidants and Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids promote overall wellness and body systems support
* Prebiotics support a healthy gastrointestinal (GI) system

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This post, New diets and supplements for your small pet!, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on February 22, 2013. Tweet This Post!

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Pellets: What most people to consider the staple of a rabbit or guinea pig’s diet is, in fact, the most minor part. Pellet food was first created for breeders, to save them time. Instead of a bowl full of pellets, they only need one to two tablespoons per day. Many veterinarians are even suggesting that they only be offered as treats.

Hay: Rabbits and guinea pigs absolutely must have hay. Offer unlimited amounts of hay for your pet. It is vital for their digestion; they must have the fiber to move their food through their digestive tract. Keep hay in the cage at all times, topping it up with fresh when they eat it down. Timothy hay is the main staple hay. Alfalfa hay should only be offered to young animals as it is high in the fat, protein, and minerals need for growth. For animals older than a year, it can be offered occasionally as a treat (they love the taste of it), but excessive alfalfa can cause obesity.

Greens: The bulk of a rabbit or guinea pig’s diet should be dark, leafy greens. Smaller rabbits and guinea pigs should get 1 – 2 cups per day, and larger rabbits should get 3-4 cups. Offer a wide variety, as no one vegetable has all the required nutrients. Besides, wouldn’t you get bored with the same diet day in and day out? Generally try to have 3-5 vegetables in each feeding. The basis of your mix should include: Romaine, red or green leaf lettuce, butter or Boston lettuce, or spring mix of greens. Add one or two other things: arugula, basil, beet greens—green leaves on the top, not beets themselves, carrot greens, cilantro, dandelion greens—not from the yard as it can be covered in pesticides or pollution, dill, endive, escarole, fennel, chopped finely, kale—use sparingly, if at all—high in calcium, mint, mustard or collard greens, parsley, radicchio, radish greens, sage, sorrel , and watercress. Small pieces of apple, oranges, bananas, or bell peppers are an added treat. Check out our article “Your Herbivore and You” here.

Offer spinach occasionally, as it contains compounds that inhibit the absorption of calcium into their bones. Offer carrots rarely (maybe one small peeled baby carrot a week); carrots are very high in sugar, something not easily digested by rabbits or guinea pigs (only Bugs Bunny eats carrots every day). Avoid cilantro, as it is thought to contribute to bacterial infections. Never feed your rabbit or guinea pig chocolate, cookies, crackers, bread or breadsticks, nuts, pasta or other human treats. Also don’t give them corn, potatoes or onions. And don’t feed them birdseed, yogurt or cat or dog food. These items can be poisonous or cause serious health problems
Guinea pigs have one special need that rabbits don’t: vitamin C. Most mammals, except for guinea pigs and humans, produce their own vitamin C, so we must supplement this. Vitamin C tablets are the easiest way to do this. It takes just one tablet a day, and many guinea pigs take it from their hand as if it’s a treat.

Try this recipe for homemade bunny biscuits. Offer these treats sparingly.

1 small carrot, pureed
1/2 banana, mashed until really creamy
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup rabbit pellets, ground finely in a coffee grinder
1/4 cup ground oats, ground finely in a coffee grinder

Mix pureed carrot, banana and honey in a medium bowl. Add pellet powder and ground oats. Mix until blended. Knead in your hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the “dough” in 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick layers between sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into small cookies (about 3/4 inch across). Place cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes (check to make sure they are not browning too much). Turn off the heat and let the cookies sit in the warm oven for an hour or so.

Providing the proper diet for your new little pet is not hard. It can take a little bit of time to get into the swing of it, but it is well worth it. Keep in mind a few things: variety is important, and feed them the healthy greens that you’d eat. As people better understand the digestion and nutritional needs of rabbits and guinea pigs, they are living longer, much healthier and happier lives.

Download the care sheet (pdf)

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This post, Feeding Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on November 18, 2011. Tweet This Post!

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Guinea Pig

Download the Guinea Pig Care Sheet (pdf)

Adult Size
1 – 2.5 lbs, 8 – 10 inches

Life Span
4 – 5 Years

Male/Female Differences
Sexing can be difficult when young. Invert the urethra to check for a penis. There is no difference in external appearance. Genitals can be obvious on males.

Compatibility
Females get along with each other, and a male can even be added. Males usually get along, after some settling of hierarchy, but will fight over a single female. 2 males together are not recommended.

Origin
Native to the Andes mountains of South America.

Climate
Local climate is ideal. Avoid extremes of heat and cold.

Day Cycle
No cycle, wake and sleep 27/7

Temperature
Room temperature works best.

Lighting
No special lighting required except a natural day and night schedule.

Humidity
Ambient humidity is fine.

Habitat/Territory
They make their homes in the cool and dry areas of the Andes. This terrain is void of large vegetation and so they exist on grass.

Substrate/Bedding
Provide a safe and soft bedding, the less dusty the better. Cedar bedding can be toxic and pine too dusty, and corn cob can harbor mold spores. Good litters are shredded or pelleted aspen or recycled paper products. Supply nesting materials and dry hays.

Hiding Place/Den
Wooden huts provide a safe sleeping place. Edible home can provide a treat in addition to a hiding place.

Cage Type
Wire cages are proof against nibbling. The larger the cage the better, although a guinea pig still needs daily exercise outside of his home.
Diet Pelleted guinea pig food provides the basic diet, 2 tbls pelleted with ¼ cup chopped vegetables, such as dark leafy greens and carrots. Timothy hay is an important addition as it provides fiber to keep their digestive system working properly. Small amounts of yoghurt help maintain intestinal florae.

Supplements
Vitamin C should be added to the food of guinea pigs to help prevent vitamin deficiency. Digestive enzymes help guinea pigs get more nutrition from their food.

Diet Precautions
Excessive alfalfa hay has been known to cause obesity. Always have timothy hay available as a source of fiber. Nuts and seeds should never be given.

Feeding
Feed fresh pellets daily, as vitamin C content can deteriorate. Treats can include fruits such as apples and small amounts of yoghurt.

Water Source
A water bottle, cleaned and filled daily, is preferable to a water dish. Guinea pigs can kick substrate into and foul water dishes.

Grooming
Guinea pigs groom themselves to keep clean. Occasional cleanings with pet safe wipes and once monthly baths with mild pet shampoo can help keep their coat smelling fresh and free of debris. Long-haired, or Angora, breeds should be brushed frequently.

Oral and Foot Care
A guinea pig’s nails grow continuously, and need to be clipped monthly. Long nails can cause a condition called “bumblefoot.” This can be done at home with proper instruction. Your vet or Wilmette Pet can also perform this service. A wooden chewing block or pumice stone, or hard, crunchy treats will help keep their teeth trimmed.

Proper Handling
Scoop a guinea pig from underneath, rather than grabbing from above. Keeping them next to your chest at first calms them and makes them feel safe. Avoid grabbing around middle as it can damage internal organs.

Habitat Maintenance
Guinea pigs have a natural urge to keep their homes clean and often can be trained to potty boxes in their cages. These and other wet areas should be cleaned daily, and the entire substrate replaced once a week.

Health Concerns
Common ailments in domestic guinea pigs include the above mentioned bumblefoot, respiratory infections, diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency, typically characterized by sluggishness), and abscesses due to infection.

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This post, Guinea Pig Care, originally appeared on Wilmette Pet Center on November 16, 2011. Tweet This Post!

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