Vitamin D deficiency in indoor rabbits and guinea-pigs
Where do rabbits and guinea-pigs get Vitamin D from?
Vitamin D3 is only found in animal products so as herbivores, rabbits and guinea-pigs need the sun (specifically UVB rays) in order to synthesise Vitamin D3 which is needed to break down calcium.
Vitamin D enables the absorption of calcium from the intestine in small quantities which is then excreted by the kidneys. If this does not happen kidney stones and bladder stones can form. However, some of the calcium is always retained by the kidneys meaning that an overdose, (which can be found in pellets), of Vitamin D can act the same way as a deficiency, causing the kidneys to store more.
Window glass absorbs UVB which is essential for the formation of D3, this means that rabbits and guinea-pigs need direct sunlight with no glass in the way, for at least 10 minutes daily. However, they can store D3 for up to 6 months, so if your animals are only indoors during the winter, they can get by with only occasional direct sunlight (UVB rays). UVA rays travel through window glass so ensure that your animals get some sunlight into their enclosure, as UVA rays are important for the immune system and metabolism.
How does this work with indoor animals?
In the warmer months, if you have a garden or balcony, you should allow your animals time outside every day in a safe run. If you cannot do this, you have four options (these work in the winter too). The first is only possible if you have large windows that open wide so as to allow direct sunlight into the room where your animals are.
The second option is a UVB spotlight/basking lamp. This type of lamp gets very hot but they do not need to be on for a very long time, an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening should be enough, along with a special holder.
Good lamp examples include:
“AIICIOO UVB UVA Reptile Heat Lamp D3 Simulate Sunlight Self-Ballasted Basking Bulb for Amphibian Promote Pets Calcium Absorption E27 220-240V (100W, Bubble Surface)” which can be found on Amazon for £29.99.
The third option is a UVB bulb. These have a lower power consumption but do need to be on for a longer time period (seasonal daylight hours). They also do not get warm and can also be installed into normal light sockets such as a cheap desk lamp. Wires can be protected using a garden hose.
“Terra Exotica Compact Desert 10.0 UVB” found on Amazon for £17.82.
“Exo Terra Reptile UVB200 High Output Bulb 25 Watt” on Amazon for £21.34.
UVB lamps/bulbs can double the Vitamin D3 value in blood in just 14 days with no side effects. Choose lamps/bulbs recommended for animals from desert regions with a high UVB value. Make sure to look at the distances and the corresponding UVB levels. You should not go any higher than 270 μw / cm2 and the light should only be in part of the enclosure. Also they must be changed every 6 months to a year depending on the manufacturer.
The last option is artificial vitamin intake in the form of drops. This is only temporarily useful and should not be practiced long-term, as overdose can have severe health consequences as we talked about in the why pellets, nuggets & museli are not part of a healthy diet article. Additionally, UVB rays also fulfill other functions in the body and are much more valuable.
Sources:
Bourdeau, JE, Schwer-Dymerski, DA, Stern, PH, & Langman, CB (1985): Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in chronically vitamin D-deficient laboratory rabbits. Mineral and electrolyte metabolism , 12 (3), 176-185.
Brommage, R., Miller, SC, Langman, CB, Bouillon, R., Smith, R., & Bourdeau, JE (1988). The effects of chronic vitamin D deficiency on the skeleton in the adult rabbit. Bone , 9 (3), 131-139.
Fairham, J., & Harcourt-Brown, FM (1999): Preliminary investigation of the vitamin D status of pet rabbits. The Veterinary Record, 145 (16), 452-454.
Harcourt-Brown, FM (1996): Calcium deficiency, diet and dental disease in pet rabbits. The Veterinary Record, 139 (23), 567-571.
Harcourt-Brown, FM, & Baker, SJ (2001): Parathyroid hormone, haematological and biochemical parameters in relation to dental disease and husbandry in rabbits. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 42 (3), 130-136.
Jekl, V. (2013): Rabbit dental disease and calcium metabolism-the science behind opinions
Kamphues J., Carstensen P., Schroeder D., Meyer H., Schoon HA, Rosenbruch M., 1986. Effects of increasing calcium and vitamin D supply of calcium metabolism of rabbits. J. Anim. Physiol. a. Anim. Nutr ., 56, 191-208.
Lebas, F. (2000): Vitamins in rabbit nutrition Literature review and recommandations
Mitchel, A. et al (2014): Effects of ultraviolet radiation produced from artificial lights on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in captive domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi). American Journal of Veterinary Research or http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.75.4.380?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed& (as Dec. 2014)
Watson, M. (2014): Evaluating the clinical and physiological effects of long term ultraviolet B radiation on guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/50499 (as of: Dec. 2014)
https://www.kaninchenwiese.de
Dried Veggies are a great snack! Especially useful for taming and to add extra nutrients into the diet. Containing no preservatives, these snacks are completely natural.
Suitable for all small animals. Composition: Beetroot, parsnip, carrot, cabbage and sweet peppers.
Do not give to pets who are on a pelleted diet. For reasons not to feed pellets please click here
Pea Flakes are a great way to bond with your pet and are especially useful for taming. A healthy snack and great for those that have increased calorie requirements, they ensure a healthy and natural diet with essential minerals and amino acids.
Suitable for rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, degus & chinchillas .
Bunny Meadow Mouse Mix is a complete dried food for Mice.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Mouse.
Bunny Meadow Roborovski Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Roborovski Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Roborovski Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Syrian Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Syrian Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Syrian Hamster.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Dwarf Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Dwarf Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Dwarf Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Gerbil Mix is a complete dried food for Gerbils.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 heaped tsp per day for an adult gerbil.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Rat Mix is a complete dried food for rats.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1-2 tbsp per day for an adult rat.
Bunny Meadow Degu Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fresh herbs, branches, hay & vegetables. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Degu Seed Mix & Degu Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Degu.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Degus would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your degu will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy degu with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your degu has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your degu to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Bunny Meadow Chinchilla Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, branches & hay. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Chinchilla Seed Mix & Chinchilla Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Chinchilla.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Chinchillas would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your chinchilla will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy chinchilla with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your chinchilla has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your chinchilla to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Millet sprays are great as a treat or as enrichment. They are also great for adding to natural enclosures. Suitable for hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, degus, chinchillas, rabbits and guinea-pigs! Millet sprays are especially well digested as the millet is in its naturally more fibrous form.
Bunny Meadow Herbal Mix is suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.
Indoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for indoor or outdoor rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs during the summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Large Breed Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg indoors and outdoors during the summer. Also suitable for underweight or old animals and skinny pigs in summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, flowers & roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix Large Breed Rabbit contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept indoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals kept indoors over winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the winter. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in winter.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix Large Breed Rabbit Food contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for large breed rabbits (over 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in the winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Bunny Meadow Leaf and Flower Mix should be offered ad libitum (as much as they want). Suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.