Small Animal Saturday

I get asked this question quite frequently at the pet store so I'm posting it here.

Which Bedding is better the paper or the wood?

We use both types in the small animal habitats and I find that it depends on the type of animal you have. If you have a gerbil or dwarf hamster the wood bedding works fine the amount of urine these animals produce is minimal so there is no problem. But with the larger animals I feel the paper bedding is better since it is more absorbent. Wood bedding doesn't suck up as much of the moisture it just floats on top.

Now there are several different styles of bedding even in the paper style but something to remember is never use PINE or CEDAR wood as your pets bedding. They give off toxic fumes that can cause respiratory problems in your small animal.

Is Your Dog Ready For Summer?

The heat is on! Time for long summer days playing in the sun, basking, jumping in the pool, digging holes and chasing those pesky birds and squirrels.

That's right summer is just around the corner and its time to get your furry friend ready!

Watch out for those hot, humid summer days, veterinarians recommend against leaving animals outside all day -- even in the shade. Unless your pet has a cool breezy outdoor area that is shaded throughout the day, he's safer indoors - especially during midday heat. It's important to remember that the shadows that your dog might take refuge in will move throughout the day and your best friend can become ill quickly if left in the sun to overheat.

It is especially important to bring in dogs that are elderly, very young or ill that have a tougher time keeping their body temperature constant.

Exercise is an important part of keeping your dog. However, overdoing it on hot day can cause your pet to overheat and put him at risk for heat exhaustion. It can also cause your dog sever pain as those hot sidewalks can burn his tender paw pads, especially in southern desert climates such as Arizona New Mexico and Texas.

The best time to get your buddy exercise is early in the morning or in the evening. Make sure you bring plenty of water and if he seems to be panting a lot or seems exhusted then take a nice break in the shade.

Make sure all his shots are up to date and if you haven't been using it, then its time to pull out the frontline, advantix or other flea preventative to keep your dog and you itch free.

Now for a nice summer treat to help keep your hot dog COOL:

Puppy Popsicle

Needed

Plastic Wrap
Paper Cups
Chicken Broth
Rawhide Sticks or other stiff stick like treat.

Pour Chicken broth into the paper cups and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Gently push the Rawhide stick through the plastic wrap. Place in freezer and leave there until frozen solid. Give to you HOT Dog to enjoy.

Cute Pics From The Pet Store

Ok It's been a little while since I posted some cutties so here ya go.
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Small Animal Saturdays

Can old newspapers be used for bedding material for my gerbils?

Newspapers are not a good choice for bedding for any small pets. When they pee on it the ink will run and get all over them. Not only will this be extremely messy but they may contain potentially toxic chemicals in the ink residues. They may also contain ingredients other than paper which can cause intestinal blockages or other problems. This goes for magazines as well, the 'glossy' finish can be highly toxic when chewed but your small pet.

Happy National Ferrets Day

Yes its National Ferret Day. Come and join the fuzzy celebration. Here are a few Facts about these little bundles of joy.

Life Span

5 – 8 years

Gestation

42 days

Average Litter Size

8

Hearing

Born deaf. Begin to hear at around 34 days.

Sight

Born with eyes closed. Eyes begin to open at around 34 days.

Weaning

6 – 8 weeks

Color at Birth

All kits are born white, approximate adult color at 3 weeks of age.

Sexual Maturity

Reached at 5 to 6 months of age.

Weight (Female)

1.5 – 2.25lbs {.75 – 2.5lbs}

Weight (Male)

1.75 – 6 lbs {2 – 5 lbs}

Total Length

Female: 18 inches, Male: 24 inches (including tail)

An unspayed female ferret is called a Jill while a spayed female is a sprite. An intact male is a hob and a neutered male is called a gib. Baby ferrets are called kits

Ferrets can sleep so soundly that they cannot be woken up even when picked up and jostled. (see the second picture I picked that guy up today to put him in the carrier while I cleaned there house and he didn't wake up until one of the others jumped on him and bit his ear LOL)

A small ferret may be able to squeeze through a hole just over an inch in diameter.

Ferrets are members of the mink family.

Turtle Bank... A Product Review

We bought this Turtle Bank for our turtle Rex to bask on. It was definitely large enough. Its a floating dock that uses magnets to hold it in place. It is suppose to sink a little to allow the turtle to climb up.

Unfortunately it doesn't work. It may work for a baby turtle but for our large Red Eared Slider Rex it was rubbish. He tried to climb up on it and as the edge he was climbing up began to sink under his weight the edge that was connected to the magnet on the outside of the glass started to pull away from the glass. Then it the magnet came lose and the floating bank flipped over taking Rex with it. We tried several time even trying to support the edge with the rock that is in there as decoration but to no avail.

If it had much stronger magnets it might work... Maybe not. But I'll be taking it back and will not be recommending it to any turtle owners I know.

$450 Dollers For A MUTT?

There was a cute dog in the store today the owner said it was a Cockapoo. This is of course a cute name for a mutt breed from a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Out of curiosity I googled the Cockapoo and found you can spend any where from $450 - $1000 for one of these dogs.


This is so ridiculous I can't even believe it. Some one told me that its because they are new breed of dog but if that is true then why aren't they listed on the American Kennel Club list of Pure Breed dogs? Of course they aren't the only new Designer Mutts apparently anything you mix with a Poodle and give a cute name too is worth a fortune. Now There is the Snoodle, the Airedoodle, Boxerdoodle, Cavepoo, Eskipoo, Foodle, Laberadoodle.....etc.

Why would you spend so much money for a mutt when you can go to the pound and find the same type of mixed up doggies for about $70 for the adoption fee.

Maybe I should come up with a cute name for my mutt. He's a Chesapeake Bay Retriever/ Chow Mix...

Hummm Maybe a Chow Retriever.... His breed job could be to bring me snacks from the kitchen.