UK pet and bird welfare news explained by Paradise Pets Swindon, with practical advice for bird owners, small-pet keepers and families in Wiltshire.
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Guinea pig sounds are emotional for owners. A squeak during handling can be communication, fear or a sign something hurts. Guinea pigs are prey animals, so being lifted can be frightening even when the owner is kind. Some squeak because they dislike being picked up. Others … Read more
Updated 24 September 2026: clarified when to contact a vet and removed waiting-period advice that could delay care. Practical checks or notes must not delay help for an unwell animal. See the supporting welfare guidance. From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 A water bottle that empties faster than usual can worry guinea … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Guinea pigs and hay go together. When a guinea pig stops eating hay, owners should not treat it as simple pickiness. Hay is vital for guinea pigs because their teeth keep growing and their gut needs constant fibre. A guinea pig that stops eating hay may … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Recent UK pet heat warnings have focused on small animals because rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas can go downhill quickly when a room, hutch or shed gets too hot. The dangerous part of small-pet heat stress is that it does not always start with drama. A … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 The Met Office has said further hot weather and heatwaves are possible later in August, which makes cage and hutch position worth checking before the next hot spell arrives. A cage can be safe in spring and risky in August. The sun changes, rooms warm faster, … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Seasonal short-lead rules on Open Access land run from 1 March to 31 July, but the end of that period does not mean dogs can disturb wildlife or livestock. This is the kind of rule change that can confuse owners. One date ends, but responsibility does … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Recent reports of large rabbit rescues after uncontrolled breeding are a reminder that rabbit sexing, housing and separation are not small details. Rabbit breeding problems rarely start with someone planning a crisis. They often start with two young rabbits, one wrong guess, and a family that … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 UK vets and environmental experts have been discussing tighter controls on over-the-counter flea treatments, especially spot-on products used without advice. Flea treatment sounds simple: buy a product, apply it, job done. But the 2026 debate shows why pet owners need to be more careful than that. … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 New EU pet travel rules for GB residents came into effect in April 2026, and summer travellers can still be caught out by old passport assumptions. Pet travel paperwork is not exciting until it goes wrong. Then it can stop a trip at the border, upset … Read more
From the counter at Paradise Pets – August 2026 Summer ferry trips can sound simple, but pet access rules, car-deck restrictions and heat can turn a journey into a welfare problem. A ferry journey is not the same as a car journey. On some trips, owners may not be able to return to the vehicle … Read more