5 Ways to Keep Your Nibbler Happy This Christmas
Christmas is nearly here, Nibble Squad! The fairy lights are twinkling, the festive treats are coming out, and there's a definite winter chill in the air. But while we're busy getting into the Christmas spirit, let's not forget about our smallest family members!
For rabbits and guinea pigs, December can bring unfamiliar decorations, extra visitors and changes to their usual routine. With a little preparation, you can make sure your Nibbler enjoys a happy, comfortable and stress-free festive season.Here are seven simple ways to make this Christmas a very merry Nibblemas!
1. Keep Their Little Home Warm & Cosy
December brings some seriously chilly days, and your Nibbler needs a comfortable place to escape the cold.Make sure their enclosure is clean, dry and protected from draughts. Outdoor rabbits need suitable weatherproof shelter, plenty of dry bedding and a safe place to retreat.
Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to cold, so ensure they have a properly sheltered, temperature-appropriate living space.For indoor Nibblers, avoid placing enclosures directly beside radiators or heaters. A stable, comfortable temperature is much better than sudden changes between hot and cold.And don't forget those cosy hiding spots! A suitable tunnel or hideaway can give your little friend somewhere peaceful to relax.
2. Don't Let the Hay Rack Run Empty!
Christmas shopping, decorating, family gatherings... December gets busy!But there's one thing that should never be forgotten: fresh Timothy hay.Hay should make up the majority of a rabbit or guinea pig's daily diet. It helps support healthy digestion, encourages natural chewing and plays an important role in keeping their teeth worn down.
Make sure your Nibbler has unlimited access to fresh, good-quality hay throughout the f
estive season.Our ultra-premium Timothy hay is 100% natural, carefully hand-sorted and dust-extracted, making it a lovely everyday choice for those hungry little munchers.Whether your Nibbler prefers crunchy First Cut, softer Second Cut or Best of Both, keeping their favourite hay stocked is one Christmas essential you won't want to forget!
3. Keep Christmas Decorations Out of Reach
Christmas trees, fairy lights, shiny baubles... they're lovely to look at, but not everything festive is suitable for curious little paws!Rabbits and guinea pigs naturally love exploring and investigating new things, so it's important to make sure your decorations don't become tempting chew toys.
Keep electrical cables, tinsel, ribbons and breakable decorations well away from their enclosure and exercise areas. Christmas plants should also be kept out of reach, as some can be harmful if eaten.If your Nibbler enjoys supervised time outside their enclosure, make sure their play area is properly pet-proofed before letting them explore.A curious Nibbler and a dangling Christmas decoration aren't always the best combination!
4. Stick to Their Favourite Foods
It's important for your Nibbler to stick to their diet.
- Chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding and other sugary human treats aren't suitable for rabbits or guinea pigs.
- Instead, stick with their usual balanced diet, plenty of fresh hay and appropriate portions of familiar, pet-safe vegetables.
- If you want to make feeding time feel a little more special, try hiding some of their usual hay inside a safe cardboard tube or foraging toy.
It's a simple way to add some festive fun without upsetting their normal diet.
5. Get Your Hay Deliveries Sorted Before Christmas
With Christmas celebrations, winter weather and busy delivery networks, December is the perfect time to get organised.Take a moment to check how much hay your Nibbler has left and make sure you've got enough to see them through the festive period.
Our 4.4kg and 8.8kg Timothy hay boxes make it easy to stock up, whether you've got one hungry little Nibbler or a whole squad to feed!
And if remembering to reorder always slips your mind, why not make life a little easier with Subscribe & Save? You'll enjoy 15% off subscription orders, with automatic deliveries, flexible schedules and the freedom to pause or cancel whenever you need.That means less time worrying about running out of hay and more time enjoying Christmas with your favourite little munchers.Just be sure to check any seasonal delivery information before placing your order.
A Happy Nibbler This Festive Season
Christmas doesn't have to be complicated for rabbits and guinea pigs. Familiar routines, a comfortable home, safe enrichment and plenty of fresh hay are some of the best gifts you can give your little friend.
And while they're unlikely to appreciate the Christmas decorations quite as much as we do, we're pretty sure they'll appreciate a fresh box of delicious Timothy hay! One final reminder: if your rabbit or guinea pig stops eating, produces fewer droppings or shows unusual changes in behaviour, seek veterinary advice urgently, even during the festive period.
From all of us at Nibble & Gnaw, here's to a December filled with cosy hideaways, twitching noses and lots of happy munching!Merry Nibblemas, Nibble Squad!