New natural products for small mammals

Although it has been available from retailers in Europe since the autumn, the “Nature” line was officially unveiled to the speciality trade for the first time at the Anido show. All the products are premium blends of natural ingredients, which the manufacturer says contain all the requisite nutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids for small mammals. Dietary supplements are intended to ensure optimum digestion, good dental care, a lustrous coat and good health. All products in the range are complete foods tailored to the requirements of popular breeds of small mammals and rabbits. A product for ferrets is also included in the line. Tasty fare To offer small animals food that is not only healthy but also tasty, ingredients used in the “Nature” products include fruit (bananas, apricots, papaya), vegetables (including carrots, tomatoes, peas and peppers), different cereal varieties and nuts. A supply of important and essential vitamins, minerals, natural antioxidants and fibre is thus guaranteed. The products all contain extracts from the yucca plant, which is a natural agent used to control unpleasant faecal odours. To cater for the needs of rabbits and small herbivorous mammals, the foods contain long fibres. These are rich in silicates, which are an excellent aid to digestion and good for the dental and oral hygiene of the animals. For rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas, special “Re-Balance” blends have been developed for older, less active pets living predominantly indoors. These contain no cereals and have an anti-hairball system. They also aid in dietary control to prevent pets that spend a large part of their day eating from becoming obese. Versele Laga’s “Nature” line also features a wide range of treat products. To provide improved retail support for the speciality trade, the Belgian company has come up with a host of PoS materials. In addition to “Nature”, Versele Laga offers many other product lines for small mammals, including both multi- and mono-component foods. The small mammal segment is one of the company’s strongest sellers, accounting for 20 per cent of its sales. Download: New natural products for small mammals (PDF file)