Advice Service

ONE OF PET-TACULAR'S MAIN AIMS IS TO ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. THIS MEANS IF THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE HEALTH, CARE OR BEHAVIOUR OF YOUR PET YOU WANT TO KNOW, WE WILL TRY AND HELP YOU.

IF YOUR PET IS SICK OR INJURED DO NOT WASTE TIME E.MAILING US. PHONE YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY, THEY WILL BE LISTED IN YELLOW PAGES.

THE AIM OF THIS PAGE IS TO POST ANSWERS TO PEOPLE'S QUESTIONS SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN LEARN TOO, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR PET, E.MAIL IT TO www.pet.tacular.rescue@googlemail.com AND WE WILL TRY TO FIND THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM.

 IF YOU HAVE AN URGENT QUERY, (BUT YOUR PET IS NOT IN DANGER) PLEASE PHONE THE CENTRE ON 01463 870 115.

WHY CAN'T MY GUINEA-PIG EAT RABBIT FOOD? - Guinea-pigs are one of the few animals (along with humans and pigs) who can't manufacture their own vitamin C. Rabbits can do this and so their food does not have vitamin C in it. If you keep a rabbit and guinea-pig together you can feed them both guinea-pig food which has enough vitamin C for the guinea-pig and won't do your rabbit any harm. Remember both rabbits and guinea-pigs need a daily supply of hay and vegetables.

WHY SHOULDN'T I GIVE MY HAMSTER LETTUCE? - lettuce has hardly any nutritional value and it causes wet-tail (or diarrhoea) in most small pets, therefore it is wise to avoid giving it as food to any small furry pet. (Budgies and cockatiels like a little lettuce occasionally but don't give too much.) You could try giving your hamster (or any small furry) small amounts of washed chickweed or dandelion which is much better for them and free!

WHY DOES MY RAT GO SKITTISH EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS? - female rats come into season every 5 days, if your rat is a girl this is probably what's happening. When a female rat is is season she will be very affectionate one minute and then run wild the next. If you hold her shoulders she will wiggle her ears in a comical fashion, this is a sure sign she is in season. Male rats do not have seasons and are always ready to mate.