Swimming Guineapigs- Cute or Cruel?

Hi PetPals!

Over the weekend, a video of two Guineapigs swimming in a swimming pool went viral over social media.

The video (Click here) shows an owner placing his Guineapigs into a very big and deep swimming pool and letting them swim. Whilst the majority of people who have shared this video think it's ''cute'', in reality and when you think of Animal Welfare, it's not.

Guineapigs are not designed to swim. They are land animals and in the wild would live in groups on grassy plains. They would never choose to go swimming and often avoid rivers and lakes. They are not adapted for the water and nor do they have the strength to swim.

Guineapigs hold most of their weight in the bottom half of their body which means if you place them in water, they will just sink. The only reason they start ''swimming'' is because they have no choice. It's either sink or swim, death or life.

Placing your Guineapig in unnatural surroundings such as water will also cause them considerable stress. Their heart and lungs are small and located just under their front legs. Making them swim is putting major pressure on their breathing system.

Another thing that is significantly bad about making your guinea-pigs swim is the temperature of the water. What might feel warm to you will actually be freezing for your Guineapig. Again, it's not good to mess with your Guineapigs temperature as this can cause all kinds of illnesses.

I know a lot of you will be shouting at the screen ''What about baths?''. Well, Guineapigs should only be bathed when necessary AND the water should be very shallow and warm enough for your Guineapig.

The video make look ''cute'' but in actual fact, both Guineapigs are very stressed out. One is circling and the other is desperately looking for a way out but the sides are far too high for him to climb. In short, the water is way too deep, the sides are far too high and the Guineapigs are extremely stressed by it all.

And so is it Cute or Cruel? the verdict is...... Cruel.

Guineapigs are not designed to swim and should never be put in a situation where they are forced to. If you see this video on any social media, please do not share. Instead, share this post. The worst thing about the video going viral is the amount of owners who will try make their Guineapigs swim. Lets try and prevent that.

Guinea-Pigs Bedding and Enrichment

Hi PetPals!

Guinea-pigs are not as tough as what they were 10-15 years ago. There are a number of reasons why this is and these include breeding, genetics and owner knowledge.

Some breeders are not choosing wisely which guineapigs they mate. To get the 'perfect' guineapig, both the male and female need to be healthy and have good genetics so that their offspring will be as healthy too. Breeding a guineapig that has health problems is only passing on those genes to the offspring which means they too will get sick. Now of course, every animal will become ill at some point in their life but what you don't want is an animal that's constantly sick. This is not good for the animal or you as it's distressing on both parts. 

Owner knowledge is also something that could be a reason for them not being as hardy as they used to be. Not everyone knows their needs and signs/symptoms of illness etc. This is purely why I decided to set up this blog.

Anyway..

Bedding

The best bedding for guinea-pigs is a layer of newspaper with LOTS of HAY. 

You should never give a guinea-pig straw as it does not provide them any nutritional value. It can also irritate your guinea-pig too. Hay like vitamin C is essential in keeping guineapigs healthy.

Another thing you should never give guinea-pigs is sawdust. A lot of owners use sawdust to soak up the urine and the smell (especially if the guineapigs are kept indoors). Whilst, it does a good job at soaking up the urine and masking the smell, it's SUPER BAD for your guineapig. Sawdust gets stuck in their ears, eyes and paws which can cause infections and illnesses. It's also not very nice to lay on, just imagine sleeping on a bed of sawdust - sharp, smelly and rough. Vets do not recommend sawdust and blame most eye and ear infections on sawdust. 

If you want something to soak up the urine and the smell, I recommend you use carefresh. It's a little expensive but the benefits for both you and your guinea-pig are far greater than sawdust. You can get it at pets@home, amazon, ebay and most pet shops. 

Carefresh is soft and enables guineapigs  to make little nests and feel safe and comfortable. It soaks up urine and you wouldn't even notice the smell. For more info on carefresh, check out their website: http://www.carefresh.com/products/happy-habitat-system

Of course, if you use carefresh, make sure you add hay on top too. 

Enrichment

For those that don't know, enrichment means to make your animals life fuller and happier. Guineapigs are very sociable animals and so you should always keep them in pairs or small groups (preferably the same sex). 

Guineapigs love exploring and 'tunnelling' - it's something they would do in the wild. Add tunnels to your guineapigs enclosure, even stuff the tunnels with hay, they will love exploring them. 

Guineapigs need things to chew to keep their teeth trim and in good health. Lots of pet shops have toys your guineapig can chew but most guineapigs are happy with one of these:

Yep, toilet roll tubes are guineapigs favourite toys. They love to pick them up, chew them and are lots more fun when you hide fruit in. They're also extremely cheap for you too, everyone has toilet roll so there's no reason why you can't give your guineapig the toilet roll tube when it's empty.

Recently, I noticed my guineapigs love the sound of bells and chimes. So, off I went to Asda for some kitten bell balls. They were super cheap and strong enough that I knew they wouldn't break and cause a choking hazard. As soon as I put them in their cage, they were intrigued and were soon picking the me up by their teeth and shaking them. Guineapigs LOVE them and they're super cute to watch them playing with them. 

It's extremely important you provide your guineapig with something to do. How would you feel being stuck in an empty room ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Make sure you let them out of their cage too, guineapigs need exericise every day. Just because the weather is bad outside does not mean you cannot bring them inside and let them on the floor (Make sure you get rid of wires, block holes, no dogs/cats around and it's safe to let them out). 

Perhaps even buy your guineapig a play run so that you can feel reassured your guineapigs are safe during floor time in your house.

Well, I hope this has helped some of you. Please check out the following links for places to buy enrichment, bedding and for more information

http://www.carefresh.com/petcare/guinea-pigs

http://www.cavyhaven.org.uk/bedding.html

http://www.northeastguineapigrescue.co.uk/Bedding/

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/small-pet/guinea-pig

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toys-Guinea-Pig-Small-Animals/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A471575031%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A1452929031

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/category.asp?dept_id=396

Staffie Saturday || 2

Hi PetPals,

Woodgreen Animal Shelter are running a campaign on changing the perception of staffies. On their website (link below) they have explained why staffies make good pets and what they need from their owners. 

Please check the website out and make sure you share to your friends so together we can change the perspective of these friendly dogs. 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/what_we_do/animal_welfare/give_staffies_a_chance

Help Find Tess

Hi PetPals,

You may have heard through the media about Tess, the guide dog who has gone missing.

The six-year-old black curly coated retriever disappeared while walking off-lead with her owner in Nairn, a seaside town about 16 miles east of Inverness. 
The Guide Dog society are doing everything they can to locate Tess and reunite her with her owner. We can all do our bit by sharing this poster and putting it in shop windows/on lamposts. 

Although she went missing in Scotland, Tess could now be in any part of the UK, so we really do need everyone’s help to find her. If you see a dog who looks like Tess for sale in your local area, or notice that someone has recently acquired a black curly coated retriever, or if you have any other concrete information which may help us, please get in touch with us immediately on 0800 688 8409. 
The more people that are aware of missing Tess, the more likely we are to find her.


PLEASE SHARE THIS POSTER ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA AND AROUND YOUR LOCAL AREA. BRING TESS HOME. 
You can download the poster here: http://emails-guidedogs.org.uk/LDK-2OXMJ-651EON-17EY6U-1/c.aspx

Rain + Dog Walking = Frizzy Hair and Smelling Like a Wet Dog

Hi PetPals!

After months of lovely, hot weather, the rain has returned to the UK and boy is it making up for its absence. As I write this it's pouring it down and there are lots of people running into their houses having just gone out for a walk with their dogs.

It got me thinking, what do you wear to walk the dog that makes you feel good and keeps you dry? 

Well....

Firstly, it's important you're wearing sensible shoes. There's nothing worst than getting wet feet! These Chelsea boot Wellies from Asda are the perfect thing to wear. They're a lot more stylish than ordinary wellies, cut just above the ankle too so you don't have to struggle getting them on/off. They're a patent black which means they're not too in your face and can be paired with pretty much anything. These are £12, so are super affordable. 

Pair these with skinny jeans, leggings, shorts and dresses and you'll look super stylish walking your pooch.

Another important thing to wear is a coat or jacket of some sort. Asos have this super cute Daisy Print Mac which  can be worn anytime really. It's quite pricy at £45 but it's a great investment as it's high quality, thicker than most macs and will never go out of fashion. It's a great way to jazz up your outfit.

If you don't really want to pay that much for a mac, Asda do their own. This one is £20 and is a plain dark grey which you can dress up or down. It's great quality and the reviews speak for themselves.

Finally, we can't forget your beloved pet pal! As much as they love walks, they don't like getting caught in the rain either.

This coat is from Pets at Home and comes in a range of sizes. It costs between £20-£25 pounds depending on the size you get. It's waterproof which means your dog won't get soaked and keeps them warm in the colder months. It's called Repels-It Nano Proof and comes in blue or red. 

If you would prefer your dog to be bone dry and not muddy, I recommend you purchase this. It's from PetPlanet and it like a tracksuit for your dog. It's got 5 star reviews and starting at £15 it's a bargain! It's called Cosipet Trouser/ Tracksuit and comes in a range of sizes. The coat covers your dogs body and legs leaving only it's head and tail exposed. The fact it covers your dogs legs means your dog won't come home with muddy legs. 

So there you have it, items for you to look stylish and keep dry in the UKs wet summers and so,etching for your pet pal too! 

Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this post or have any tips on how to look stylish yet stay dry when walking your dog in the rain.

Staffie Saturday

Hi PetPals,

Staffies are always getting bad press. Everyday in the newspaper or online, there are stories about these 'Monster' 'Killer' dogs. The truth is, Staffies are good, soppy, gentle dogs if the owner trains them correctly. Of course, every dog poses a threat/risk but with the right training and common sense, all dogs can live side by side with humans. If we educate ourselves on better care for our dogs than the dogs will be a lot better. 

Anyway,  I found these pictures which I totally agree with and I'm sure you will too.

If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, I would love to feature your pet on my blog. Please leave a comment below detailing life with your Staffie. Let's change peoples perception of this lovely breed together. 

Save an Animal Sunday || 7

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal Sunday is Prince from the Woodgreen Animal Shelter.

Prince is a 4 year old American Bulldog who would love a home with children above 11 years old and the company of a female companion. He doesn't like cats but is a kind-hearted obedient soppy dog.

If you would like to give Prince a loving new home, please contact the Woodgreen Animal Shelter on tel:084420248208181 and state Prince's reference number 16569-Dog. 

Alternatively, you can donate to the shelter to help them care for the animals they have in care. You can do this by going on their website: 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/how_to_help/donate/make_a_donation

Save an Animal Sunday || 5

Hi PetPals!

This weeks 'Save an Animal Sunday' is the gorgeous 'Dasher'. 

Dasher has been in the care of the RSPCA for two years and has watched many of his friends find new homes. It's about time he found himself a loving home too!

Dasher is a male and would need to be housed indoors and alone. He is a very clean rabbit and does his business in the same place hence why he would make a excellent house rabbit. Dasher is a friendly, loving rabbit who is very happy playing and chucking his balls around. 

If you think you could give Dasher a loving home or know someone who could, please get in touch with the RSPCA Suffolk East and Ipswich branch or give them a call on 0300 999 7321.

For more animals up for rehoming please check out www.rspca.org.

Save an Animal Sunday || 4

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal is the lovely Rizzler from London's Battersea Dog Rescue. 

Rizzler is a 3-5 year old Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is a very playful and energetic dog. He was finding it quite hard and stressful in the rehoming centre and so is currently in a foster home.

His foster family speak highly of Rizzler and how loving he is. Rizzler can be quite hyper at times and so needs a good routine and some ground rules.

He loves playing fetch with his favourite tennis balls, being with people and getting lots of cuddles.

Due to not being socialised properly as a puppy, Rizzler needs a little training with other dogs just so that he can learn how to play with other dogs correctly. This also means that Rizzler needs to be the only dog in the house and can only live with sensible children from the age of 13 years old and upwards.

Rizzler is an adorable dog who with a little bit of love, time and extra training will make a suitable and loving addition to any family. 

If you can provide a new home for Rizzler please contact Battersea on:

Telephone:

0843 509 4444 (Cost 5p per minute from a BT landline, mobile charges may vary)

Email:

rehoming@battersea.org.uk

Additionally to this you can find out more about Rizzler and fill out an online rehoming form found here: http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/rizzler_1300483.html

Save an Animal Sunday || 2

Hi PetPals!

Following on from my last Save an Animal Sunday I would like you to meet another gorgeous animal in need of a home. So meet Belinda..

Belinda is currently in the care of the RSPCA Goole centre and is a 1 year old female. The RSPCA Goole centre does not have an animal shelter on site so Belinda has been living with the volunteers of the centre in their homes.

Belinda was actually brought in just before Christmas 2012 and was heavily pregnant at the time. Belinda nursed her six kittens and was a fantastic mum to them. Now they have all found loving homes, it's her turn to have a chance and find a loving forever home.

She is an adorable cat who loves to be stroked and picked up. She knows her name and comes when called. She is very playful and very inquisitive. Anyone who meets her will be smitten and she truly would make a lovely addition to any family.

If you would like more information about Belinda or would like to offer her a new home, please contact the RSPCA Goole & District Branch:

Tel: 07599087527

Email: debbierspca@gamil.com 

Save an Animal Sunday || 1

Hi PetPals!

I thought it would be a great idea if I did a weekly 'Save an Animal' post to highlight animals across the UK in need of rehoming.

It's SO important that we give these animals a second chance at life, the animals that are in the care of rehoming centres are often there through no fault of their own and have come from horrible situations.

Too often, rehoming centres are overlooked because people want a 'brand new' puppy/kitten/small animal. The animals in rehoming centres are loveable, friendly and are just as cute as 'brand new' animals. Believe it or not, the rehoming process is really quick and easy too!  (I will do a post on this soon).

So for my first 'Save an Animal' meet Wally...

Wally is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has been at the South Godstone RSPCA centre since August 2012, that's a whole year!! He was brought into the centre by an inspector after being abandoned by his previous owner.

Wally is a loveable dog who is very responsive to training and enjoys going for walks. He can be quite exciteable and would need a routine. He doesn't want to be locked up all day so is looking for an owner who would be around most of the day to give him the attention he needs.

Wally would also need to be rehomed with older children and without other pets simply because he needs reassurance and requires help with settling into a new home.

Unfortunately, Wally is overlooked because of the bad press Staffies get. Staffies are NOT aggressive dogs! They are loveable, friendly, obedient family pets who require a good start in life.

Wally is an affectionate, caring dog who would make an excellent addition to any family.

If you would like to give Wally a second chance at life, please get in contact with the staff at RSPCA South Godstone on 0300 123 0741 or email: southgodstone@rspca.org.uk

If you can't offer a home then please share his RSPCA profile (link below) and help him on his way to his forever home!

Please visit the RSPCA blog too where you can find out more info on Wally and other animals in need of homes:

http://blogs.rspca.org.uk/specialappeals/2013/05/24/wheres-wally/

Thanks for reading, if you have any post suggestions then please leave a comment below.