The festive period is a wonderful time to give our small animals extra love. Having brought us so much joy throughout the year, those extra little treats seem well deserved for our furry friends, including guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and rats.
All our loved small animals have their own personalities, some are playful and boisterous, others like to relax. So whatever the personality of your small pet, there is always the perfect gift for them!
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Christmas presents for rabbits
So, if you are thinking of treating your rabbit this Christmas, then the ideal gift will be one or (if they are nice and not naughty this Christmas) all the following things:
- Be fun for the small animal to play with
- Improve the animals health and wellbeing.
- Be natural and safe.
- Encourage natural behaviours (digging, chewing, burrowing, hiding)
Often, rabbits can be prone to boredom, so a gift that can be prevent this solves the problem. You can now buy toys that beat the boredom and is a fun way to treat them this Christmas. but they will also get to enjoy the gift throughout the year.
It is extra-important to buy boredom toys that are well-made and non-toxic to keep your rabbit safe. There are lots of gift ideas for your furry friend, both homemade and shop bought all of which your pet will love this Christmas.
Sustainable Christmas gifts for pet rabbits
Rabbits love to gnaw and chew, so why not gift them with something they can chew on?
You can give them treats such as nettles, raspberries, and a dandelion salad bowl – all made from natural ingredients – or a gnawing chew toy to help maintain their teeth.
It is even possible to give your rabbit a natural willow twist ball, or you could even add some hay to it for extra festive fun and frolics!
If you want to give your bunny a homemade gift, you can use the inner cardboard tube from a toilet roll. Fold in the ends and hide treats inside, then dangle from the roof of your rabbit’s enclosure to keep them entertained.
These are all great treats for your bunny to enjoy, but also do not harm the environment – or your bank balance!
Christmas gifts for your rabbit to spoil them.
There are times for homemade gifts and times to really spoil your rabbit. If you want to really splash out on a special gift, your rabbit might like a Rabbit Hideaway. This will give your rabbit the opportunity to hide, relax and snuggle up in. This is made of wood, is sustainable and is also suitable for inside rabbit enclosures and gardens.
If you do not have the space for a hideaway, spoil your bunny with new grooming tools so you can keep their coat healthy and keep them happy too.
Indoor (and outdoor) rabbit presents.
It is natural for rabbits to burrow and dig. This is much easier if your bunny has access to grass, but trickier in courtyards or inside.
If your rabbit lives outside, create a digging pit. Dig a hole to make sure the rabbit cannot dig out of their enclosure and fill it with child-safe sand or soil. Bury apple branches or hazel twigs to mimic tree roots in the wild or even bury toys for them to find.
If your rabbit lives indoors, try a toy sandpit or a cardboard box with shredded paper and watch them enjoy the sensation of digging.
You can take your rabbit outside for walks without the worry of them dashing away from danger by a harness and lead.
This is a great form of exercise for rabbits since they have space to hop around. Exploring the outdoors is also a form of mental stimulation that can help a bored rabbit become happy and curious about their surrounding environment.
Rabbits who are normally very anxious or excitable should not be brought out for walks since they are likely to become incredibly stressed or to injure themselves on a collar and lead. This should be introduced gradually. However, walks are still a fun option for the more calm and confident rabbits out there.
Christmas presents for guinea pigs
Guinea pigs are well known to be playful animals that love to explore and interact with their environment. Christmas gifts for our guinea pigs that are interactive, stimulating, and safe are ideal for them. When choosing a gift for your guinea pig, it is important to have a think about the type of product and its features. The main criteria when making a purchase is the safety and suitability of the product. The product should be made of safe and non-toxic materials that will not harm your guinea pig. Also, the size and design of the product should be appropriate for your guinea pig’s size and age.
Tunnels and toys for your guinea pig
If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to keep your guinea pig active during the Christmas period, there is an assortment of tunnel structures that you can purchase for your guinea pig. Many tunnels include lots of little runways and toys which can provide lots of exercise and self-amusement for your guinea pig
If you’re looking for a fun and stimulating way to keep your guinea pig entertained there are interactive toys on the market. These are brilliant for guinea pigs because:
- The wooden puzzle toy provides mental stimulation for a guinea pig, supporting instinctual behaviours such as exploring, playing, and sniffing, and helping to keep them mentally and physically healthy.
- The challenging-to-find food in the toys can help to beat boredom and keep them occupied, expending their excess energy and avoiding destructive behaviour.
Treats for your guinea pig
And not forgetting to get your guinea pig a little treat for them to enjoy. Many treats can have a lot of sugar in them which could cause obesity in guinea pigs. But making sure the treats are natural and healthy will help with this. Examples are apple wood sticks and timothy hay sticks and cakes are perfect for molar care and teeth grinding.
Christmas presents for hamsters
If you have a hamster who deserves some spoiling, then Christmas is a time to do it!
A new hamster wheel is a must for any hamster cage, it will give your hamster an opportunity to exercise and enjoy some stimulation in their cage. Quite often the wheel you originally bought them as babies is no longer suitable for a full-grown hamster. There are also hamster mazes which can keep your hamster entertained.
There are lots of festive treats for hamsters on the market. If you are going to be buying some festive treats, it is advisable to limit how much they have at a time due to the potential sugar content; you certainly could make your own! Treats which are good for hamsters are:
- Fresh veggies such as cucumbers (avoid tomatoes and anything spicy)
- A few pieces of fruit such as apples and pears – without the seeds
- Nuts and seeds – in very small amounts
You could hide them in his sawdust or hang them from the lid. These delicious and nutritious snacks are perfect for nibbling on in between your hamsters usual bowls of food.
Christmas presents for rats
Many people will want to treat their pet rat or mouse this Christmas. These intelligent animals would appreciate any form of interaction. They need toys to help them stay happy and active, and to keep them from getting bored.
Toys for your rat
Rats love to play, and toys are a great way to keep them entertained. Toys can be made from anything, and there are many different types of toys available for rats.
Ropes are often a favourite toy of rats because they can be used to play tug-of-war, build towers, and more. Balls are another popular toy for rats because they are easy to grab and they bounce. Boxes can be filled with food or other toys, and rats love to explore them.
There are many different types of toys available so it is important to find one that is both fun and challenging for your rat. Rats love to chew on things, and toys they can chew are a great way to keep them entertained. Chew toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, rubber, or plastic.
Treats perfect for christmas for your rat
There are edible treats on the market too that can be delicious for your rat. The following is a list of treats you may wish to try, keeping in mind that feeding a wide variety of foods is the best way to ensure optimum nutrition and health:
- Fruit: apples, cherries, grapes, bananas, strawberries and other berries, melons, plums.
- Vegetables: broccoli, potatoes, peas, carrot, cooked sweet potato, kale, parsley and squash.
It is important to keep in mind though that serving sizes are pretty small (as in a teaspoon or half-inch cube) for a rat. So avoid giving large amounts of fruits or vegetables in each meal or diarrhoea may result.
Enjoy the festive period with your furry friend!
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