|  |
Exotic Nutrition Archive Page
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
A common misconception is that sugar gliders only eat
sweet foods, but actually they are omnivores (plant and animal eaters). In the
wild, sugar gliders eat a variety of foods. In captivity, sugar gliders should
be provided a balanced, varied and fresh diet to keep them healthy. Sugar
gliders often overeat sweets and fattening foods, then can become overweight - leading to medical complications related to obesity. Fruits have a lot of
natural sugars, which is why you must limit the amount you feed to your
glider(s). Treats include mealworms and other insects, nuts, yogurt drops and
dried fruit. Treats are not necessary in maintaining sugar glider health, but
they are a great tool to use with bonding! Treats, fruits and vegetables should
make up no more than 20% of your pets diet while the rest is filled with a
staple dry/wet food. Freshness is key to a healthy diet; because we don't use preservatives, follow these guidelines indefinitely:
Moist Foods:
unopened- 12 months
opened- (refrigerated) 7-10 days
in cage- 24 hours
Dry Foods:
unopened- (refrigerated/frozen) 12 months
opened- 4-6 months
in cage- free choice (as long as your pet is eating)
by: Exotic Nutrition
 
Monday, July 28, 2014
Our NEW CATALOGS are in! 40 pages, full color, displaying all our products from foods & treats to cage accessories & toys. Descriptions, prices, and pictures are provided to give you a better selection. Our newest products, just released, are also included.
You will receive one FREE with your next order or select "Catalog Request" from the left panel on our home screen and we will ship one out to you!
by: Exotic Nutrition
Friday, July 25, 2014
A high quality commercial hedgehog diet should make up
the main part of your hedgehog's diet. It should be high in protein (22%), low
in fat, contain adequate fiber (15%), and be low in iron content. The diet
should contain high-quality poultry or meat protein (but not fish) as the main
ingredient. Avoid diets that consist primarily of grain, corn, nuts, or seeds.
Fresh fruits and vegetables add the fiber your pet's need in their diet.
Because hedgehog's are omnivores, fruits and veggies should only make up a
small part of the diet. Cut the fruits and vegetables into small pieces to make
them easier for your pet to eat. While other pet foods (ferret food) are okay
for temporary feeding, they should not be your hedgehog's main long-term diet
because they do not have the right overall balance (high protein, low fat, high
fiber). You're much better off finding a food, like Hedgehog Complete, that
will make up the main diet while adding your own variety of fruit, veggies, and
insects. Each hedgehog has different taste preferences. If your hedgehog
doesn't take to a traditional hard food, we suggest trying one of our soft foods
like Insect-Eater Diet or Insectivore-Fare. Some researchers say taurine, an
amino acid that aids in digestion, is a beneficial ingredient for hedgehog food.
Depending on their size and activity level, most hedgehogs will eat two meals a
day of about 1 to 3 teaspoons of food. Hedgehogs should not need free-choice
(always available) food except for unusual circumstances (pregnancy, illness).
by: Exotic Nutrition
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
If you don't want your female to become pregnant, it's best to keep her separate from males after she is 4 months old unless the male is neutered. Sexual maturity lasts until a female is about 8 years old. Males reach sexual maturity around the age of 3-12 months old and continue for their entire lifespan. Scent glands (discussed in a previous post) and the scrotal sac will become visible.
The decision to become a breeder should not be made without extensive research and preparation (well beyond this brief post). Sugar Glider's alone are a big commitment and breeding them should not be taken lightly. You are in charge of the health and well-being of the new joeys, and responsible for them getting to a safe home with an educated owner.
A high protein diet is essential for a female that is pregnant or lactating and can be provided with an added supplement. A milk replacer supplement may be necessary if the mother is not producing enough milk or if the joey is rejected and needs to be hand-fed. Waiting longer for sexual maturity (10-12 months for females) will decrease the chance of this happening. If the mother rejects a joey, hand-raising is possible but very difficult.
Keeping your Sugar Glider in a stress-free environment, away from noise and commotion, is key to remember. The gestation, birthing, and weaning process can be very stressful on a mother so keeping her happy and comfortable is important.
Becoming a breeder is a big decision and should not be seen as a business opportunity. Don't rely on your practice to become a profitable business, you may never get a return on your money. The time and energy you put into your Gliders should be out of love and not commercial gain.
by: Exotic Nutrition
Monday, July 21, 2014
Living from 12 to 15 years, chinchilla's are
long-term pets that enjoy the company of others. While they are slow to warm up
to strangers, time and patience will bring out their curious and playful nature
that make them great pets.
They are nocturnal by nature, but you can interact
with them during their most playful hours, around sunset and sunrise. These fun
pets can go from sleeping to fanatic within minutes, ricocheting off walls and
bouncing around their cage at incredible speeds. Although they may get upset or
scared, chinchillas will rarely bite, choosing instead to make warning sounds.
These animals have simple dietary needs, consisting mostly of fiber-based pellets and hay. Supplementary vitamins can be provided but are not necessary
for their health. Chinchillas are known to be professional beggars but treats
must not be overdone, so you must learn to resist their adoring look.
Housing
your pet is simple, but important for their well-being. When picking a cage
follow the rule: "get as large a cage as you can afford and have room
for" (at least 30 x 16 x 16). It should have painted wire and multiple
levels for climbing.
The only sanitary care chinchillas need are a dust bath
about twice a week, which they handle themselves if you provide some dust in a
bowl or container. Your chin will enjoy thrashing around while you'll enjoying
watching the show. Chinchillas rarely have medical problems but they don't
handle heat well, they must be kept around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Other than
those few basic needs, chins are easy to care for and a joy to have as a pet,
as long as you have the time to dedicate to them.
by: Exotic Nutrition
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
 Male sugar gliders are territorial and have multiple scent glands, which they use to mark their territory and other sugar gliders. When male sugar gliders reach sexual maturity (around 12-15 months of age), two visible scent glands appear. One scent gland is located on the top of the head; it is normal for it to appear crusty and bald. It's commonly called a bald spot. Another scent gland is located on the chest and it may have a pink center, look crusty and also have minimal hair. Scent glands produce a faint sweet smell, however, the scent produced from a breeding male is much stronger but will only last a few days. In addition, sugar gliders have an anal gland which will produce a foul smelling odor if the glider is afraid. Females also have scent glands and mark, but theirs are not as visible or as strongly scented. Overfeeding vitamin supplements can cause their urine to carry a very strong odor. Decreasing the amount of supplements will solve this problem. Cleaning the cage regularly with an all purpose cage cleaner will take care of any urine smells while our product, Elimina, works internally to prevent feces odors. Overall, gliders are some of the least smelly small-pets you can have and any scents that carry with them are faint and usually unnoticeable.
by: Exotic Nutrition
Monday, July 7, 2014
The most important issue is to make sure everything you supply for your Degu is made of nontoxic materials. Chewing is an important Degu activity, therefore, wood and plastic cages are not suitable for them. A multilevel wire cage is the best option for this animal because it provides opportunity to climb up and down walls/ramps while an aquarium topper gives your pet another area to explore. Because they are excellent climbers and jumpers, the cage should have a secure door/lid to prevent escape. Essential cage accessories for the Degu are an exercise wheel, nest box, ( chew) toys, and dishes. Bedding, preferably wood shavings, should be placed directly on the floor pan or another solid surface to prevent foot sores. Grass or hay can also be provided as a chewing/nesting material. A dust bath is a nice addition to provide to your pet when necessary for them. Your Degu's cage should be well-ventilated but not drafty, they will be comfortable around room temperature. The cage should be placed in an area where it will be well lit during the day and dark at night.
by: Exotic Nutrition
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Hedgehogs keep themselves mostly clean, so you should only have to groom them once every 3-6 months unless they get noticeable dirty more often. Foot baths can be given more frequently if the feet are evidently soiled. The more social and comfortable your pet is with you, the easier and more enjoyable the process will be! If the process is a struggle, try talking to him/her in a soothing voice and offering treats.
The easiest way to manage your pet's nails are by using one of our Sandy Trimmer Wheels, so their nails are filed down automatically as they run. The other option is to gently clean his feet and toes with a damp cloth then trim just the ends of the nails with a small nail clipper. Note that the second nail on each hind foot is longer than the others, this is normal so adjust your trimming length.
Oral care is also an important issue when caring for your Hedgehog. If your pet is not comfortable enough to let you nears it's mouth, at least try to observe any dental problems that might need veterinarian attention. If they are comfortable enough, use pet-safe toothpaste on a cotton swap to gentle dab onto it's teeth.
Cleaning your Hedgehog can be the more pleasant part of this process if you are gentle and careful, paying attention to your pet's responses. Remove debris from between the quills using tweezers. Place your pet in the sink (or a similar basin) with up to one inch of water. Spray or pour warm water onto the quills and gently clean with pet-safe shampoo and a soft toothbrush. Rinse your Hedgehog, being careful to avoid the entire head-region. Gently dry him/her with a warm towel in a draft-free location, making sure it never gets cold.
*Get more tips and detailed explanations in the Barron's Hedgehog Book*
by: Exotic Nutrition
|
Previous Posts
Archives
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]
|
