Benefits of sunlight in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
Natural sunlight is a key component to ensure strong bones and good dental health in rabbits and guinea pigs. When kept indoors, our domesticated pets lack exposure to sunlight and might have a higher risk of developing metabolic bone disease or dental diseases.
Sunlight has different wavelengths of UV rays and the most crucial one for rabbits and guinea pigs is UVB. When absorbed into the skin, animals convert UVB into vitamin D, which is important for calcium metabolism. This process helps to store calcium into their bones and teeth, thus strengthening them. Animals are less likely to experience pathological fractures, bone infection, teeth infection and more.
Increasing oral consumption of calcium does not work the same because rabbits and guinea pigs naturally excrete more calcium into their urine. This may inverse cause other issues such as bladder stones or urine sludge. UVB can increase the calcium in beneficial areas, such as teeth and bones, while reducing the amount of calcium excreted in their urine.
It is important to note that UVB is filtered out by glass. For pet owners looking to introduce natural sunlight to their rabbits and guinea pigs, they should ensure there are no glass windows or doors between the pet and source of sunlight. Placing them under afternoon sun may cause overheating and stress to some pets. It is recommended to give them sunlight on cooler times of the day, such as mornings or evenings.
In households where natural sunlight is not available, pet owners can opt to purchase UVB light bulbs instead. These bulbs will provide artificial UVB supplementation for fixed hours in the day so rabbits and guinea pigs can still reap the benefits indoors. UVB bulbs do not produce heat, so pet owners will not have to worry about overheating.
UVB bulbs have a fixed lifespan, usually losing effect after 6-12 months. It is recommended to test your bulbs every 6-12 months and replace them if they are too weak. At Vet Central, we provide UVB bulb testing to ensure that your pet continues to get sufficient levels of UVB. Please speak to our veterinarians if you are interested in purchasing a UVB bulb for your rabbits or guinea pigs.