In 2020, global pet care sales grew a whopping 8.7% (Petfoodprocessing, 2021). The reason? Many people are turning to pet ownership as a means to cope with the pandemic blues.
If you are one of these individuals, you may have recently discovered that the world of pet ownership is difficult and tiresome to navigate. Our pets are not verbal creatures (obviously) and hence require lots of time and attention in order to receive the care they deserve. This can come at the expense of your finances and efforts.
To better guide yourself through pet ownership, it is important to locate resources that can turn your rocky journey into a smooth-sailing one.
1. Learn from experienced pet owners
Many pet owners have experienced what you are currently going through. Locating an accessible resource to learn from these pet owners is a great way to aid you through the pet ownership journey. Their experience and insight may significantly speed up your knowledge on pet parenting, and help you hear tips and tricks from genuine pet owners.
2. Meet like-minded pet owners
A great way to further connect with your pet owner community is through social media! Many pet owners have resorted to platforms such as Instagram and Tiktok to reach out to fellow pet owners.
At times, these platforms can also be utilised to share products and brands that they love. Locate campaigns to seek out opportunities that can help you meet pet owners who share the same interests as you.
3. Get to know your pet
Many platforms offer sample sizes for pet products. Pets are just like us, they have preferences too! To avoid wasting money experimenting with products, check to see if your local pet store carries samples. Testing out your pet’s response with sample sizes is a great way to get to know your pet’s wants, as well as discover allergies or dislikes.
Overall, work hard to familiarise yourself with your pet. Lots of patience and care goes a long way in forming strong relationships with your animals.
Pawjourr works hard to create a platform that is easy to navigate and accessible for all pet owners. Locate campaigns, read our blog and redeem samples all in one place. Remember to explore our site here, and follow our Instagram account.
Grooming is essential for all pets actually, but more so for our doggos. These fluffballs became dirtballs after their daily walks or play. It can be frustrating trying to keep them clean each time.
Every day since I started the Instagram journey of @kikithemp in end June, many people had asked me about grooming items as I’ve been grooming Kiki by myself for a while.
A disclaimer, I am not a grooming expert or a professional groomer, I am self-taught by watching Youtube videos and trial and error.
As a first time dog owner, and adopting a dog with chronic scabies, I was totally clueless of what is needed. I remembered just following the instructions of the vet and trying out various ways and means to groom Kiki in a way she felt comfortable with. We did not bring her for professional grooming during this period as most groomers we asked said that they cannot accept dogs with infestations. Kiki has to be cleared by the vet before they would let in.
For a start, Kiki’s skin was raw and bloody, she will wince and jump in pain whenever her skin touches the water and worse, shampoo. Then the ultimate nail trimming process as she refused to let anyone touch her paws. It was a long and arduous journey trying to get her used to grooming. After much patience, we finally got Kiki to be used to grooming and could stay still and let me work on her for… 2 hours straight.
I still do occasionally bring Kiki to the groomers for Full Grooming once every 3 to 4 months, and the in-between, I do my own self grooming. I believe that as pawrents, we need to do some sort of very basic grooming everyday or at least once a week so as to maintain its hygiene. A hygienic dog is a healthy dog.
Here are some of the top few grooming essentials that I used on a daily to weekly basis, which I think all pawrents should try to do as well.
Daily
Brush – Any type of brush that your dog is comfortable with should be fine. I typically use both a grooming comb and a slicker brush. Brush their fur at least once a day to untangle unwanted knots and matting.
Sanitiser – Not any kind of sanitiser is pet friendly but one which is chemical free and 100% natural would do. I typically spray it on Kiki’s paws after walks and whole body before bedtime. This helps to keep her clean and odour free too! Do you know that bacteria growth on fur is very smelly? Not only do I use it on Kiki, I also use it on the mat, bed, playpen she uses often. I recommend Pets Activated Water Sanitiser by For Furry Friends SG. (Code KIKI5 at http://www.forfurryfriends.com.sg for 5% off with free gift.)
Dental Chew – All kind of chews is good as long as the ingredients used is natural. Some people gives natural chews like antlers, pizzle, tendons. That works well. For me, I usually go for Absolute Holistic ones as it is not as smelly and Kiki goes crazy for it. However with all form of food, give in moderation. Kiki usually have 1 every night. It has been ingrained in her nightly routine. (Get dental chew here: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/6lPGOkY)
Tooth brush and toothpaste – I highly recommend brushing their teeth at least once a day to keep plague and tartar at bay. This helps to eliminate bad breathe and also with good dental hygiene they do not have to go through frequent dental scaling which may need them to go under anesthesia which can be quite scary for older dogs. I have been using Virbac toothpaste since Day 1 and Kiki loves it. She can even hold the toothbrush and brush it herself. (Get your 360 Toothbrush: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/KM0P2bp, toothpaste: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/70vGyZY)
Weekly / As when necessary
Ear Cleaner – This one is something I highly highly recommend to do once a week. We do not need to wait for the groomer to do it for us okay! Maintaining a good ear hygiene makes the dog a happier one. Try to go for non oily ones. I’ve gone through quite a few different brands and found that Kiki tolerate well with the Ear Cleaner from For Furry Friends SG. Also, after ear cleaning, you can also try to use a tweezer to pluck out ear fur at the outer ear canal. This helps to reduce ear irritants. This helps to reduce and prevent unwanted bacteria growth causing yeast infection and smell. (Code KIKI5 at http://www.forfurryfriends.com.sg for 5% off with free gift.)
Tear Stain Remover – I do this as and when I find tear stains on Kiki’s eyes using a cotton pad to soak up the stain. Kiki tend to have eye gunk every now and then and they will stick to fur near her eyes. This helps to unclump the fur and also keep their eye area clean, which makes them cuter too!
Pet Dryer – I cannot stress enough about this. If you do home grooming enough times, you’ll realise how ineffective our own human hairdryer is. They take ages to dry their fur and then because of the long drying process, it makes their skin so dry too?! Always go for a pet dryer if you can! I use a 2-in-1 pet dryer that has a brush attachment on it. It saved up so much of my time! A typical 20 minutes drying process is cut to 5mins! (Get it here: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/KNqJX2P)
Electric Pet Nail Grinder – This is another must-have item in your grooming kit. Yes, you may bring your dog to the groomer monthly, but nail maintenance is something I personally feel is a must-know. The conventional way of nail maintenance is using a pet nail clipper which many owners I know are fearful of. Like how do you know if you’re hitting the quick? What if I have shaky hands? That’s where the nail grinder comes into play. Due to Kiki’s past experience, she hates the clipper and will attempt to bite us whenever she sees it. So that’s when I researched and found out about the Grinder. It is a tool that files away the nail bit by bit. Yes, it takes longer than a traditional clipper but it is less scary and you do not need to worry about hitting the quick! No need to second guess yourself and don’t need to worry about shaky hands. Just grind away and monitor accordingly! This is one of the best grooming devices in my opinion. (Get it here: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/rpJPLxq)
Pet Shaver – Since we’re at the topic of nail grinder, I highly recommend pairing it with a pet shaver. Even if you are not going to shave much, get one with attachment for paw pads. Do you know that the paw pads are areas best for bacteria growth especially when the fur is covering the pads? In addition, if there’s too much fur covering, our dogs will have walking issues too! I typically will shave Kiki’s fur to a poodle feet style as I really prefer the cleanliness and effortless maintenance. (Get it here: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/7BnODJ0)
Pet Shampoo and Conditioner – In the humidity of Singapore, I prefer showering Kiki weekly. However it is up to personal preference, some does it bi-weekly or monthly. If your dog sleeps with you on the same bed, maybe you might want to shower it more frequently. As Kiki has sensitive skin, I normally goes for 100% natural unscented shampoo / conditioner so as to reduce any skin irritation. I uses the Gentle range from The Blep Club and it has been my favourite shampoo thus far. Best of all, it is a conditioner shampoo. So I don’t have to rinse twice!
Optional Items
Grooming Scissors Kit – I personally use it when I trim Kiki’s fur to give her a cute face and pretty paws but I do not recommend it if you have shaking hands. When I first started this grooming journey, I feared for both Kiki’s and my life when the scissors is very near her eyes. I was so scared of poking her eyes unintentionally you know! But with much practice and also curved scissors (inside the kit), it helps a lot! (Get it here: https://shopee.prf.hn/l/6149wWZ)
Items like the pet grinder, pet shaver, brush, dental chews, toothpaste and so on, can be easily bought from Shopee SG. You can use KIKI12 for 12% off (capped at $6) on all pet-related food and items! (If you’ve already used it, feel free to DM me on Instagram at @kikithemp for more codes. I have a long list of it!)
I know after reading this, some of you may be thinking…
“Wow, that’s a lot of things to do for grooming. I will just let the groomer do it.”
My question to you will be…
Yes, sure you can wait and let the groomer do it. But remember Circuit Breaker? Everything is closed. What if a second wave or third happens? What if it was extended for several months? No one knows what will happen. But one thing we know for sure is that our fluffballs might become dirtballs, ungroomed and prone to all sorts of problems.
So what you’re waiting for? Go get your basic grooming supply now! What’s more, all the year end sales is upcoming! Go Go Go!
Wood shavings are the subject of many a passionate debate among guinea pig lovers in Singapore. Before we get into the contentious bits, let’s start with the cold, hard, facts. Wood shavings come in the following common varieties: aspen, cedar, pine, rubber, and a mixture of wood types. Some are safe, some are not.
Cedar and pine naturally contain phenols that smell great to humans but are harmful to the delicate respiratory systems of the beloved guinea pig. The consensus seems to be that cedar, whether heat treated or not, are toxic to guinea pigs. Thus, only heat treated or kiln dried pine shavings are safe options for guinea pig bedding. Aspen shavings, on the other hand, do not contain harmful phenols and is commonly marketed adjacent to small animal paper bedding in pet stores. No information currently exists on the safety levels of rubber tree shavings for guinea pigs, so steer clear to stay safe. In summary, only aspen or heat treated pine shavings are appropriate bedding types for guinea pigs.
Pro tip: Wooden hideys and chew toys should also only be made from guinea pig friendly, pesticide-free wood.
Instagram: Mapetitemenagerie
Where can I get wood shavings in Singapore?
The easiest option would be to purchase it at your local pet store, but those shavings come in small bags and are often similar in pricing to small animal paper bedding.The more cost effective option would be to buy wood shavings from companies that sell bedding to horses. That being said, be prepared to buy a comparatively large amounts at one go. The Equine Sanctuary caters to small animal owners and are able to sell a minimum of approximately 18kg of compressed wood shavings at a time (a lot less than a horse owner would need). This is still a significant amount for guinea pigs and can last for a few weeks depending on the size of your enclosure. My favourite brand is Bluefrog as it is comprised of heat treated pine shavings that are absorbent and almost dust-free.
Factors to take into consideration when selecting wood shavings…
Do the shavings contain a mix of potentially dangerous wood types?
Are the shavings dusty?
Do I have an appropriate place to store the bedding?
Make sure the wood-shavings you select is indeed safe for guinea pigs as many brands contain a mixture of different types of wood. Many pet stores also sell wood pellets or compressed wood bedding products marketed for small animals. These tend to come from unknown wood-origins and break down into dust when they come into contact with liquids. This concept also applies to wood-based cat litter — steer clear. It goes without saying that sawdust is also an absolute no go.
Pro tip: Create an easy to clean “kitchen area” for hay to keep the rest of the guinea pig enclosure relatively hay-free.
I love using heat treated pine shavings as, in my opinion, they are immensely more absorbent, odour friendly, and cost effective than the bedding types we have explored thus far. That being said, guinea pigs “popcorn” and do “zoomies” when they are happy. This can kick up bedding, so ensure that the sides of your enclosure are high enough to contain their adorable antics. Build or purchase a C&C (cube and chloroplast) cage with a height of at least 20cm. You can try your hand at DIY-ing or contact The Modern Guinea with your preferred cage specifications.
Don’t skimp on the amount of wood shavings you provide, I would recommend a minimum depth of 10cm of bedding. Many youtube videos filmed overseas proclaim that with enough depth, wood shavings only need to be changed out once a week. However, in Singapore, no bedding is likely to stay clean without daily maintenance — remove soiled areas regularly and do a full change every 7-10 days.
Pro tip: Guinea pigs tend to pee and poop under their hideys, corners of their cage, and where they eat. Spot clean those areas daily!
Instagram: Mapetitemenagerie
Another important consideration to make before choosing to go with wood shavings is whether you have adequate and appropriate indoor space to safely store wood shavings without it growing mold or harbouring insects. In most countries, buying in bulk is the way to go, but in Singapore, this increases the chances of mite infestations and fungal growth. I, unfortunately, learned this the hard way and now never buy more than a month’s worth of bedding or hay in one go. If you ever do face infestations, diatomaceous earth is a natural and effective way of deterring insects from multiplying. You can purchase diatomaceous earth locally at https://denutrients.com/ Please avoid letting your guinea pigs inhale diatomaceous earth.
Why do so many youtube videos feature guinea pigs overseas using sawdust and other “unsafe” bedding products?
Guinea pigs were first domesticated by the Incas 3000 years ago, but animal husbandry practices have continually evolved and improved as information becomes more readily available. We learn and adapt! Secondly, guinea pigs in Singapore tend to have weaker respiratory systems than their overseas counterparts, thus ensuring that their environment is relatively dust-free is paramount to keeping them healthy. I can only hypothesize that much like other common domestic animals in our compact city-state, our pets tend to have a narrow lineage and are consequently more genetically prone to certain illnesses.
Some guinea pig owners in Singapore argue that all wood shavings are harmful and can cause respiratory issues. Given that our local furry friends are prone to such issues, you may choose to be extra cautious. However, I am of the opinion that if you do your research and ensure that the wood shavings you select do follow the above criteria, you’re in the green.
Ammonia buildup on fleece can cause issues, pee pads run the risk of being ingested, all materials have their pros and cons. Needless to say, wood shavings have their flaws too — some guinea pigs may develop allergies or be extra sensitive to certain types of wood. Observe, adapt, and don’t be afraid to mix it up!
Instagram: Mapetitemenagerie
I hope these articles help you and your guinea pigs find the perfect bedding combination. Stay tuned for the next article where I will cover a few more alternative bedding options before moving on to our next topic — Everything You Need to Know about Guinea Pigs in Singapore Part 3/6: Environment.
So you want a guinea pig. Hamsters, rabbits, cats, dogs, and humans are not your thing (or you already have them), and you’d like to add guinea pig to your list of dependents. Let me introduce, horrify, and enlighten you to the joys and challenges of owning guinea pigs in Singapore.
With temperatures soaring over 30°C and humidity levels averaging at 85%, we humans have learned to adapt pretty well to the tropical weather in our bustling city-state. Guinea pigs, however, are native to the Andes Mountains of South America and thrive in climates of 18-24°C.
An easy search of basic guinea pig care provides endless information on how to provide for these cute little rodents, but most of this material come from owners in Europe or the U.S. Owning guinea pigs in Singapore come with a unique set of challenges. In this series of articles, we will explore the following topics:
The Basics — a quick summary
Bedding — how popular options perform in Singapore’s humidity
Sourcing Food & Products — buy stuff without breaking the bank
Vegetables — local produce that guinea pigs love
Health — common illnesses in Singapore and how to deal with them
First and foremost, let’s review the basics. A plethora of information about guinea pig care is a click away online, so here’s a quick summary:
Guinea pigs…
must have hay at all times to keep their teeth and gut in tip-top condition
should be given timothy hay based pellets
are sociable animals and must live in pairs or more
do not produce Vitamin C and need vegetables or supplements daily
require adequate space (i.e. 2×4 grids/70cm x 140cm for 2 guinea pigs)
cannot be toilet trained and require a lot of cleaning
require a cavy savvy vet when sick
Other topics will be more thoroughly explored, meanwhile, take a look at these videos and other videos on these channels for more information on basic guinea pig care:
A final note for now…
Guinea pigs are not easy pets, especially given the specialized care they require in Singapore. They are more work than a well trained dog and are expensive to upkeep as their food requirements are not native to Asia. Plus, veterinarians who are well-versed in guinea pig medicine are rare in Singapore, and those medical bills add up!
Pet stores typically do not carry adequate caging requirements nor are they well-versed in cavy husbandry. In other words, don’t trust anyone who’s trying to sell a guinea pig to you — do your research! Do not be fooled by their adorable faces; guinea pigs are actually poop machines in disguise. Be prepared to clean up after them every. single. day.
