We know that a balanced food is an important part of a pet's diet but did you know that it also supports their overall health and well-being?
We used to feed our bunnies pellets in a ceramic bowl until we discovered that they are happier and more engaged when we encourage their natural foraging instincts by scatter feeding on a mat or using an enrichment toy like stacking cups or a wobble toy.
More engaged meal feeding has other benefits like slowing down how much they have in their mouth at a time, helping a food aggressive pet share better with a bonded buddy and encouraging a less active pet to move around more - especially if you break up their daily rations into at least 2 meals a day.
Meal time also strengthens the human-animal bond and allows you to check in with your furry family member on a regular schedule. Small pets can be good at hiding pain so if they aren't hungry during meal time, it's a good sign that you should check in with your vet.
Are you thinking about changing your pellets or nuggets you're feeding? Let us know next time you're at the shop, message us or reply to this email with your questions; we're happy to help.
If you feed Selective Naturals or Science Selective or have been thinking of checking them out, take advantage of our sale through the end of this month; all Supreme nuggets, treats and supplements are 15% off through the end of September ๐
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New Recovery Food: Mint EmerAid ๐ฟ
Speaking of food, knowing which recovery food your pet prefers before an emergency comes up can help relieve a little bit of the stress of helping them eat after an injury or illness comes up.
โOxbow's Critical Care is the most well known recovery food and many pets have a preference on whether they like Anise, Apple-Banana, or Papaya flavor the best. Many exotic vets recommend Critical Care for supplemental feeding and it's the most commonly administered option at emergency vet clinics โ
If your pet eats Sherwood pellets or you're looking for a ready-to-go option, consider Sherwood's Emergency Kit for Rabbits. It's grain free, has natural fruit flavors like banana and pineapple that some pets prefer, and comes with individually-sealed packets so any unopened packets will maintain freshness longer than an open bag. It also includes feeding syringe so you don't have to remember to get one ๐
โEmerAid Sustain is an exciting new addition to our shop. We've been told it is a good option for picky pets and some of our local rescues and vets have actually switched over to it as their go-to recovery food.
We also love how Lafeber suggests a few ways to mix it up, including convenient and easy-to-make bites ๐
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Upcoming RHDV2 Clinic for WA Residents
If you are a Washington resident and have a bunny that has not had the initial RHDV2 series vaccinations or will be due for their annual booster before the end of this year, be sure to sign up for the Rabbit Advocates clinics taking place in Vancouver, WA this October.
The RHDV2 vaccine is recommended for all rabbits - even if they do not go outside - because the virus is highly contagious, can be spread by domesticated and wild rabbits, and can survive on contaminated materials that come inside, like plants from the garden or your shoes. RHDV2 clinics are a great way to support your local rescue and is a budget-friendly option for keeping your pet up-to-date on their vaccine schedule.
Is it still a couple months until your bunny is due for their booster? Now is a good time to sign up for an upcoming clinic or to book an appointment with your vet. It is safe for rabbits to get the vaccine a few months early and if you wait longer than 12 months, you will probably need to complete the initial 2-dose series again to get current.
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Save the Date:
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*Get added to the waitlist by replying to this email or texting us, (503) 332-5617.
Have a fun pet photo to share or a comment or suggestion for us? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a reply; we read every one.
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