Rabbits and guinea pigs require a very specific diet to thrive, and common issues like “sludge” (excessive calcium), dental disease, and gut stasis are often direct results of improper feeding.

Here’s a breakdown of the problems and the solutions offered by modern pet food brands.

• Sludge (Excessive Calcium): Unlike other mammals, rabbits excrete excess calcium through their urine. A diet too high in calcium—often from alfalfa hay (for adult rabbits), certain pellets, or greens like kale and spinach—can lead to a buildup of calcium carbonate in the bladder, causing “sludge” or painful bladder stones.
• Dental Issues: Rabbits and guinea pigs have open-rooted, continuously growing teeth. The most crucial factor for wearing them down is the side-to-side chewing motion required to grind long-strand, high-fiber hay. Poor-quality or stale hay, or a diet heavy on soft foods and low-fiber pellets, doesn’t provide the necessary abrasion, leading to overgrown teeth, sharp points (spurs), pain, and an inability to eat.
• Gut Stasis and Dysbiosis: Their gastrointestinal tract is incredibly sensitive and relies on a constant, high-fiber intake. Low-quality pellet brands often use fillers like grains, corn, and sugary molasses. These are high in starch and sugar, which disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria (dysbiosis), leading to a slowdown or complete shutdown of the digestive system (stasis), bloat, and diarrhea.

Modern, high-quality brands like Oxbow, Versele‑Laga (especially the Cuni Sensitive range), and Sherwood Pet Health are “vet approved” because they are formulated to prevent these common illnesses.

• Pellets aren’t evil; the type you feed can be. These brands use uniform pellets to prevent selective feeding, prioritise high fiber (timothy hay), and avoid cheap, low‑nutrient fillers found in muesli mixes.
• Grain‑Free & Nutritionally Balanced: Sherwood Pet Health is known for grain‑free options aligned to a rabbit’s natural diet, directly addressing dysbiosis and gut issues caused by starchy foods.
• Targeted Formulas: Versele‑Laga’s Cuni Sensitive range is designed for rabbits with digestive sensitivities—specialised products that address specific health concerns.

Choosing these brands supports natural dental wear, a healthy gut microbiome, and managed calcium intake, helping prevent many painful and life‑threatening issues common in these pets.

A bird’s diet is the foundation of its health, but many commercial brands fail to provide the necessary nutrition, leading to a host of health problems. While seed‑based diets are common, they are a major culprit in avian malnutrition.

Why a Seed Diet is Harmful?

• Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease: Seeds are high in fat and can lead to excessive fat accumulation in the liver.
• Vitamin Deficiencies: Especially Vitamin A, crucial for respiratory, digestive, and reproductive health; deficiency compromises immunity and increases risk of infections like aspergillosis.
• Calcium and Iodine Deficiencies: Lead to brittle bones, seizures (notably in African Greys), and thyroid issues.
• Feather and Skin Issues: Poor nutrition results in dull, brittle feathers and behaviours like feather plucking.
• Loose Stools: Imbalanced nutrients upset gut flora, causing digestive issues.

Pellets are a crucial component of a balanced avian diet. Each pellet contains a complete and balanced mix of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This prevents selective eating and ensures birds receive a full range of nutrients in every bite.

• USDA Organic: Ingredients are free from harmful pesticides and GMOs.
• No Unnecessary Fillers: Avoids corn, soy, and peanuts—often high in sugar and fat and linked to behavioural issues and obesity.
• Cold‑Pressed: Preserves natural enzymes, vitamins, and nutrients that can be destroyed by heat.
• Trusted by Professionals: Recommended by bird owners, avian veterinarians, and hobbyists for species‑appropriate quality.

While pellets should form the minority of a bird’s diet (often ~10% per vet guidance, with ~85% fresh chop and a small amount of seeds as treats), premium brands like TOP’s provide the nutritional backbone for a long, healthy, vibrant life.