Your pets are our babies, too. When we say this, it goes for all pets, great and small. Visit any of our four locations in Hampton Roads and Moyock and you will find quality products for the proper care of all your lovable small companions -- rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils. Pet parents can provide fun, nutritionally appropriate foraging opportunities for their small cage-dwelling pets, and we are here to help!

Care-A-Lot Pet Supply is proud to offer products from Oxbow Animal Health. Here are a few tips from Oxbow to make the most of your care and well-being of small indoor pets.

Hay Foraging

Hay-based foraging is one of the easiest go-to forms of enrichment. It’s good to provide more than one variety of hay to create the perfect forage opportunity, while also promoting the fiber intake essential to the diet of a small herbivore. Oxbow Alfalfa Hay, Meadow Hay and Botanical Hay are favorites.

If your pet has had only one type of hay feeder, it might be time to invest in a new one. A new feeder may also arouse your pet’s interest and encourage them to try something new. Oxbow Enriched Life Forage Pot, Hay Forager and Hay House are great additions to your pet’s living space.

Playtime With Hay

Hide your pet's favorite treat in their hay and create an enticing rooting and digging game. Break or cut the treat into small pieces and hide the pieces throughout a pile of hay. Hide multiple pieces to lengthen the entertainment time for this foraging activity. Oxbow Simple Rewards is the perfect treat to use for this activity. They come in different flavors, making it easy to provide variety.

Fortified Pet Food

Fortified food is an essential part of your rabbit or hamster's daily diet, but that doesn't mean you need to present your pet's food the same way every day. Encouraging your pet to forage for fortified food can help ensure that your pet's mind stays active, and senses stay sharp. Sprinkle their daily pellets throughout their habitat or in their hay. This will make your pet use their sense of smell to find tasty food, while also not overdoing it on calories through treat-based enrichment. 

The Oxbow Enriched Life products offer many great techniques to provide natural behavior opportunities, but as prey animals too much change can quickly become overwhelming. Only make one or two changes to your pets’ habitat or feeding technique at a time to avoid stress and anxiety. As they get more familiar with change it will be easier to introduce new things! If you have more questions about proper health and nutritional care for your rabbit, gerbil, or other small caged pet, visit your nearest Care-A-Lot Pet Supply store or speak with an online customer service representative.