Entertaining Your Buns

Winter is fast approaching, and if you live in the northern areas like me, where it gets much to cold for your rabbit to play outside, it's high time to find some fun indoor activities to entertain your bun throughout these upcoming winter months. I have had my lionhead, Charlotte, for about 5 years now, so I'm going to share some if my favorite rabbit toys.

Crinckle Tunnels

Crinckle Tunnels are a huge hit with the buns. They are burrowing animals after all. But if you've caught on to the prices in the petstores, cat and dog products tend to run cheaper than those made exclusively for small pets. I buy toys of this stature from the cat department, as they run about 7 dollars cheaper.




Hay in a toiletpaper tube

Empty toilet paper tube + hay = lots of bunny fun! It makes feeding time more interesting, your pet will have to work a bit for their favorite treat, but they don't seem to mind.








Nut Knot Nibblers

This comes in large and small sizes. I love it, because my bun can roll it, toss it, and chew on it. There is even a wooden ball in the middle that makses noise to add to the effect. This toy not only entertains, bit it also provides esential gnawing material.









Treat Kabobs 

I have one of these for both my hamster and rabbit. There are several options on what you can do with these. They come with wood chews, but they also sell mineral chews, and they make a great snack holder for foods like carrots. Charlotte especially likes the bell on the bottom of this particular model. She adores anything that dangles.









A big, rabbit-proofed room

Though toys are lots of fun, I don't think anything can compare to having a big room for your bunny to spend a few hours frolicking about in. Buns are easy to litter train, and once they are, all sorts of fun possibilities open up! I give Charlotte about 2 hours of minimum run time every night.

Alternatives to Rawhide

Rawhide is made from slaughtered livestock. It is processed from the inner layer of the hide. It is then molded, shaped, and sometimes flavored to make for more appealing dog treats, and they do make good chew toys for most dogs. Chewing is a natural need and instinct for all dogs. Puppies especially feel the need to chew when they are losing their milk teeth and growing in their permanent set. The problem with rawhide is that it can cause problems in the digestion tract if too much is consumed. We had a dog that would devour a whole rawhide in one sitting. He would then start heaving, and eventually throw it up. This is better compared to what can happen, as stated on Web MD, it can be contaminated with chemicals, though rare, there is always a chance. There is also a choking risk and a risk for blockages. There are also cases where dogs can be allergic to rawhide. So if you're looking into some rawhide alternatives, here are a few options.


Antlers

Deer antlers can be bought at many pet retailers. They are less likely to splinter than normal processed bones, and they last a lot longer. Like all dog treats, they come on a variety of sizes. Another plus is that they are rich in minerals. To make them even more appealing, deer shed their antlers every year, and no deer need to be slaughtered in order to obtain them.










Raw Bones

Though they may be a bit gruesome for some owners, raw bones make an ideal chewing treat for any dog. They are all organic and include the bone marrow, and cartilage. Note that these are RAW bones. bones that have been cooked in your oven splinter easily, and can seriously harm your companion. Also it is advised to stay away from any type of bones from birds, as they are very brittle and prone to splintering.









Bully Sticks

My dog's personal favorite, the bully stick. Bully Sticks are made from dried and baked bull pizzles. It's a bit of a turn-off for some owners, and I can't say I blame them, but if you can push past the fact of where they came from, they make great chews. Ambitious chewers may demolish these quickly, and they can be pricey. But it all depends on the dog. A bully stick will last my dog a couple of weeks. They are completely edible, and digestible, as they are all muscle, and that means no risk of splintering.

Non-Edible Nylabone

Nylabones are great for strong chewers, they are durable and great for cleaning teeth. The reason behind the non-edible nylabone, is because some of their edible kinds, they are made of a gummy type of material, break off easily and cause serious health problems for your pet.  Read More about it HERE













Disclaimer: These are products chosen by this writer's personal opinion. Buying your pet any new toy poses risks. Know your pet, and do your research to find out what products are best suited for your furry friend. And as always, if you have any medical concerns regarding your pet, contact your veterinarian. 

Hamster Wheels: The Wonderful Wodent Wheel!

When I adopted my first hamster, Abigail, last year, I struggled to find a wheel that would be both sturdy and safe. I'd had gerbils before, so any wheel I got them had to be metal, or they'd chew right through it in a night. So I did some looking around. In the past I had used the mesh-bottom wheels like the one below, but after doing some reading online, it seemed that many experienced hamster owners did not like these types, which was surprising to me, since I had used them for years with the gerbils without a single incident. Some claimed that since the hamster's tail is so short, it is possible for it to get caught and broken in the tiny mesh holes. Dwarf breeds were recommended to never use any type of open-bottom wheels, as their paws were just too small.

So after much Internet surfing, I found the only hamster wheel that is certified as safe by the SPCA: The Wodent Wheel. They are hard to find in some areas. None of the stores in my city carried them, so I had to order it overseas from the UK. The Wodent Wheel is built from durable plastic and has a solid bottom with grips for traction. It comes with a heavy metal frame, as to not move around and make noise at night. And I will tell you this, folks, this thing is SILENT! Even with the hamster cage in my room, not once did the wheel ever wake me up or keep me from sleep. If you order online, they come in a wide variety of color combinations, and you can request a wheel in your favorite colors. The company will do its best to fit it to your specifications. If they are out of the wheel you ordered, expect a personal email from a representative, asking if you would prefer to wait for the color combo to come back into stock. or if you would like to change your order to one that is in stock.

As shown in the picture above, they come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, one for nearly any sized pocket pet, from chinchilla to tiny mouse. 

http://www.transoniq.com/

Disproving Betta Fish Myths: Proper Betta Care

The Betta, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish, is often recommended as a beginner fish. According to many pet stores and supply companies, these fish can live in "Betta Cubes", small tanks, some as little as a quarter of a gallon. Though it is possible for them to live in such small conditions, it is frowned upon by fish enthusiasts, some going as far as calling it inhumane. Of course, most fishkeepers do not intentionally keep their Bettas in unsuitable environments, it is encouraged, even by some of the most reputable vendors. So here we go, folks! Let's get down to disproving those myths!


Myth #1

Bettas can live perfectly happy lives in small "betta bowls." This is false. Though even among enthusiasts, the tank size for a betta is constantly under dispute, I feel that at least a 3 gallon tank would be a minimum tank size.

Example:

Myth #2

Bettas do not require a filtration system. Any fish should have a proper filter. There are filters for any size tank, and they come at a wade verity of prices. So there really is no excuse not to have one. Filters clear out toxins that build up in the water from waste products and leftover food. It also helps to maintain a proper PH level. 

Myth #3

Bettas do not require a heater. This is one of the biggest myths out there. Bettas come from hot environments in Asia. They are also cold-blooded, which means they will have less energy and a lower immune system, prone to more illnesses if they are not kept at the proper temperature. The proper temperature for a betta should be 78-81 degrees F. As with filters, heaters come in a wide variety of models and sizes, depending on what your needs are and the size of your tank. 

Below is a picture of my own betta, Hermes. He is a double-tail, and he lives in a 5 gallon tank with a heater set at 80 F and filter. Here are some pictures!

And Here's a Video of a Happy Betta!

What to Bring (and not to bring) to the Dog Park

Dog lovers from all over just love to bring their dogs to play at the dog park. Dog parks can rage from the  paid-membership parks, to the parks that are free and community-run. Whichever you choose, you ought to know what to bring on your doggy adventures.

What to Bring:

A small bag to carry your things in. Probably best if it’s one you don’t mind getting dirty.

A leash

A ‘Drool Rag’ – Any old rag will do. Even if your dog is not the kind that is prone to drooling, all the new dog scents can cause any dog to drool with excitement. I learned this the hard way with my Chihuahua/ Dachsund mix.

Band-Aids and Anti-biotic cream, not for your dog, but for you. Dogs get excited, and it’s not uncommon for an excited pooch to accidentally scratch you while he’s riled up.

Poop bags for well, you know.

Water for your dog. Though some parks provide public dishes for all dogs, not all dogs will drink from them, that’s why I always bring a small dish and a refillable waterbottle for my pup, Rockie.

And Finally, Water for you!

Also, don’t forget a camera!!!

We’ve covered what to bring, now comes the other side of the stick, what Not to bring.

Things NOT to bring

• Food – this includes dog treats of anykind. Bringing anything edible into the park will attract all of the canine patrons to you. You don’t know what the other dogs are being fed or if they have any allergies.
• Your dog’s toys from home – Some dogs can be territorial over their things, and he may not be happy if another dog takes his favorite squeaky toy. Another reason not to bring your dog’s toys is that you may not get them back in one piece.
• Flip-flops or sandles – Ever have a dog with long nails step on your foot? It hurts. Wear closed-toe shoes to the park to minimize risk of personal injury. And though hopefully most atendees clean up after their dogs, a tennis shoe is going to keep your feet a lot cleaner if the unspeakable happens.
• Young Children - I know you want to bring your little one to see the doggies at the park, but many dog parks do not allow young children in off-leash areas. There are good reasons for this. Dogs play rough, and they often like to jump up on small children, knocking them down, even if it’s playful, it can still cause injury. A more important reason is that some dogs, usually small breeds, are afraid of young kids. A dog, like any other animal,  has a fight or flight response. If he’s afraid and cand flee, his next instinct will be to fight, and no dog owner or child’s parent wants to have to go through the situation of the dog nipping a child, because of a misunderstanding.