Twisted Sketches

Category: Pets Tips

Pet Rat Care: The Top 10 Mistakes Of New Rat Owners

Being a dedicated rat owner can be very rewarding. All it takes is a little research and a lot of preparation.

 

If you’re getting ready to adopt a rat as a cherished pet, there are some pitfalls that you should be aware of beforehand. Here are 10 of the most common pet rat care mistakes that first-time rattie owners make:

 

1. Getting only one rat.

 

A person might think that getting two rats is too much extra work… or that a pet rat will bond with a human owner more readily if there is no other rat around to become friends with. The truth is that rats are highly social creatures. They need to have other rat-friends to play with and to “talk” to. Furthermore, taking care of two rats is not much more work than caring for one.

 

2. Getting the wrong kind of bedding.

 

Sometimes a rat owner will want to cut corners and use newspaper or cheap bedding. Rats are very sensitive to the chemicals in the ink and cheap bedding can often have dusty particles that will irritate their lungs. If you see a red discharge coming from their noses, chances are, there is an irritant present in the air. Pine wood chips are not safe!

 

3. Feeding the rats an imbalanced diet.

 

No, it’s not cute how your furry friends can eat almost as much pizza as you. Caring for pet rats means feeding them healthy food. Look, there’s no excuse. Fruits and veggies are not expensive items to buy; also, be sure they get their share of lab blocks, seeds, and a daily dab of a vitamin supplement.

 

4. Not cleaning the cage often or thoroughly enough.

 

Their urine will decompose and produce ammonia. This, along with the decomposing bedding can irritate their lungs. Yes, it’s a pain to do. But putting up with the unpleasant aspects will only help you to appreciate them more. Clean and disinfect with bleach-water once a week, or up to two weeks, maximum.

 

5. Not taking them out to play often enough.

 

Rats will eventually get depressed if they remain cooped up inside their limited cage environment. If you make play time fun and challenging, you will be looking forward to the bonding time as well!

 

6. Deciding to breed for the wrong reasons.

 

Breeding …

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Pets Tips

Why Can’t Every Animal Be a Pet?

Humans have been trying to domesticate animals for thousands of years. We’ve taught dogs how to fetch the paper, cats how to use litter boxes, and horses how to pull carts since ancient times. The efforts have paid off in many ways humans benefit from having well-trained workers, such as farmhands or soldiers, while pets provide companionship and entertainment.

However, there are still plenty of animals that people don’t want around them, like cockroaches or mosquitoes. And even those they do desire can be difficult to tame.
“Domestication is a complex trait,” says Dr. Steven M. Calle, professor emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences and director of the Center of Excellence for Aquatic Research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “It takes time and effort.”

Calle has studied the genetics of dog breeds extensively, but he also believes that all animals possess their own unique attributes that make them more or less suitable for domestication.

For example, he notes that wolves tend to be aggressive toward strangers but not toward members of their own pack. In contrast, dogs are very social and friendly with other dogs but often wary of everyone else. On top of these innate characteristics, however, human societies also play an important role in shaping which animals thrive best among us.

In this article, we’ll look at several types of animals that humans consider our friends and why some are easier to turn into household pets than others. First up: the most popular pet on Earth.

1. Dogs

The first thing that comes to mind when you think about getting a puppy or a new dog is love. But what kind of love? Some people prefer a playful pooch who will run through the house after balls or chase cars down the street, while others seek out a loyal friend who won’t leave their side no matter where they go. Regardless of your preferences, though, one thing is clear: It’s tough being a dog.

First, dogs need lots of exercises so they can burn off excess energy. They must also be exposed to sunlight (which helps regulate their body clock) and fresh air (to help control odors). This means spending time outside every day.

Next, they require a diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin D, as well as adequate water intake. Finally, they require constant attention from their owners, especially during playtime. All of these requirements put …

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Pets Benefit, Pets Tips

8 Simple Tips For Keeping Your Pet Birds Health.

1. Birds need to eat a nutrionally sound diet in order to live a long life. Improper feeding can lead to malnutrition and disease resulting in a shorter lifespan. Start off by feeding your bird right from the beginning.

 

2. Parrots and birds of the parrot family can eat a variety of different kinds of foods. Seeds should not be a parrot’s only food. This is a mistake many new bird owners make. Seeds contain mostly fat and not enough protein and very few vitamins.

 

3. Birds can eat most table foods but it is best to stick to healthy items including items containing whole grains, pretzels, and whole wheat pastas and bread. Foods high in fat should be avoided. Never feed them avocados as they are toxic to birds.

 

4. Good sources of nutrition for your bird include beans and legumes as well as various vegetables and fruits. Some birds resist new foods at first while others are open to trying many new things. Although it may take some time keep trying to introduce your bird to a variety of healthy foods.

 

5. Changes to a bird’s diet should be done slowly and progressively over time. Provide fresh foods twice per day for approximately an hour each time. Be careful not to leave fresh food in the bird’s cage too long as it will develop bacteria which can make your bird sick.

 

6. Your bird should be fed two times per day. This will result in your bird getting hungry which will make it more active. Also, a good appetite can make it more likely that your bird will try new foods. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If your bird is not eating well this can tell you that it is not feeling well or has a health problem.

 

7. If your bird is a picky eater and you cannot get it to eat a varied diet you can try warming or cooking the vegetables. Take away seeds except at meal time until your bird starts eating healthy foods on a regular basis.

 

8. Just as water is necessary for people it is also necessary for healthy birds. Keep your bird’s water dish filled with fresh, clean water at all times. Bird bowls can become …

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Love Birds, Pets Tips

The Difference Between a Hamster and a Rabbit: Which is Better for You?

Many people have pets that make a great companion in their life. Unfortunately, some people may not know the difference between these two animals, which can lead to confusion about which is better for you. A hamster is a type of rodent and a member of the subfamily Cricetinae of the family Cricetidae. It is not a true hamster, but a guinea pig or Syrian golden hamster instead.

 

A rabbit is any medium-sized mammal in the family Leporidae. There are over 40 species of rabbit that exist worldwide today, with around 20 known to be domesticated species. The main differentiator between these two animals is size as well as lifespan. Hamsters typically live anywhere from 2-3 years in captivity while rabbits live for up to 10 years on average.

 

What Makes These Two Animals Different?

 

There are two main differences between these two animals. The first is size, as hamsters are much smaller than rabbits. The other difference is lifespan. Rabbits typically live for up to 10 years in captivity while hamsters typically live for about 2-3 years.

The type of physical activity that you want your pet to be involved in also plays a role in the decision between these two animals. If you’re going to be doing activities with your pet and require their speed, endurance, or agility, then the rabbit would work better for you. Additionally, if you plan on using your pet as an assistant in hunting small game or as a companion on walks, then the rabbit may be better suited for you.

 

How Do Hamsters And Rabbits Live?

Hamsters live in burrows and can be kept in cages when they are not breeding. They need a wheel to run on, but they are able to exercise by wheel running. A hamster’s diet is primarily composed of hay, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes meat. A hamster eats up to 4 times its weight every day; this means that a female hamster would eat up to 250 grams a day and a male would eat up to 600 grams of the food.

 

Rabbits live in burrows or hutches and need plenty of food, water, and shelter. They love fresh vegetables, carrots especially! Rabbits typically live 10-12 years in captivity with larger breeds living longer. Their diet includes hay (50%), vegetables (30%), fruit (10%), seeds (5%), and occasional protein from commercial pellets …

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Hamester Tips, Pets Benefit, Pets Tips

Smart Nutrition Solution For Multi-Cat Households

Cats of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages often share the same space and the same dinner bowl. But cats have different dietary needs, and those with more than one cat often find that it becomes cumbersome to keep track of the amount and type of food each cat requires.

 

To make the process easier, The Iams Company recently introduced a food containing ingredients that the company says “work together to meet the individual needs of each cat in a household.”

 

“Feeding different foods to multiple cats living in the same home often is impractical, so Iams Multi-Cat is formulated with those needs and differences in mind,” said Dr. Dan Carey, a veterinarian with Iams. “Developing this food was a two-step process. First, cat owners described the ultimate food that would answer the needs of their cats. Iams nutritionists took that information and discovered the ideal combination of ingredients to accomplish the goals and fulfill the needs of these multi-cat households.”

 

The key ingredients in new Iams Multi-Cat are L-carnitine, which helps overweight cats burn fat; vitamin A, which is believed to help lower risk of weight gain; and protein for lean muscle mass.

 

According to industry research, 71 percent of all cats living in the U.S. live in a multi-cat home and 40 percent of those households make the extra effort to sequester each cat at mealtime.

 

But feeding is just one of many challenges multi-cat owners face. For those considering bringing an additional cat into their household, Iams offers the following tips:

 

* Give the new cat its own room with a bed, a scratching post, litter pan, food and water dishes and toys.

 

* Ease into it. Let the new cat explore the house while the other cat explores the new cat’s room. Also, let the new cat play with the first cat’s toys and then switch the toys. This will help them get used to each other’s scent.

 

* When introducing the cats, open the door just wide enough so that they can see and smell each other and stay close by to supervise. Repeat these short introductions as often as necessary until they are able to stay comfortably in the same room, with supervision.

 

* Give your first cat lots of extra attention and affection during this period of adjustment.…

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Household Cats, Pets Tips

Raising A Healthy Bird.

1. If you want your bird to live a long life it is important to feed it in a nutritionally sound way. Birds often die too young because they are malnourished or they pick up a disease because they were not being fed correctly.

 

2. Birds who are part of the parrot family should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds are used by most as the only part of the bird’s diet and this is a mistake. Seeds have too much fat, not enough protein and almost no vitamins. Seeds should not make up more than 50 percent of your bird’s diet.

 

3. Try healthy table foods like items that contain whole grains and pretzels, pasta and whole wheat bread. Many birds can be persuaded, given time and encouragement, to eat dairy and poultry products. Try serving your bird low-fat cheese, yogurt and chicken. Avoid any food that is high in fat and stay away from avocados, they are toxic to

birds!

 

4. Beans and legumes as well as fruits and vegetables are good sources of nutrition for the pet bird. It may take quite awhile to get your fine-feathered friend to except these changes, (up to a year) but it will be the best thing for your bird.

 

5. When you get ready to make these changes do it slowly. Offer the fresh foods twice a day for about an hour at each feeding. Don’t leave the fresh food in the cage longer than that. It becomes unappealing and can develop bacteria.

 

6. Feeding your bird twice a day is a good idea. Your bird will become hungry between feedings and this practice produces a more active bird. With a healthy appetite the bird is more likely to try new foods. You will also be able to keep a closer watch on how much your bird is eating. (If your bird is sick,laying eggs, caring for young, or nesting they should always have food available.) When food consumption drops, a bird is usually not feeling well.

 

7. If your bird is having a hard time getting used to the new diet, try warming the food or cooking the vegetables. It will take a little time to discover what works for your bird. Offer seeds only at meal time and along with other foods until you see that your bird is eating enough …

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Pets Benefit, Pets Tips

Poor Genetics And Weak Nerves

Dear Mr. Katz:

 

I recently purchased your book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!” and have tried very hard to curb my dog Honey’s aggressions, which I have now recognized as both fear and food aggression… after reading your book.

 

But instead of better, I fear it is getting worse.

 

We adopted her from the age of 2-3 months, and she was fine in the beginning. Very loving and extremely hyperactive. The hyperactivity continues, and she still jumps up at anyone coming near the house. She seems to fear tall men, especially if they have anything in their hands, like a garden rake or spade, and she backs away from strangers, even small children. She is afraid. She gets aggressive with anyone she senses is afraid of dogs, and she has gone for them, making it worse for them, of course! She becomes aggressive with anyone who passes her by when any food is around, and she will growl and snarl at them, telling them in effect that the food is hers, so hands off!

 

To crown it all off, she snarled and growled at me today when I went up to stroke her, which she has not done before. I have always tried to correct her, either by the leash, or we have a muzzle which we correct her with, and failing that, I will put her in her crate as a punishment. I am not a novice with a dog. Before Honey, we had the most wonderful shepherd/husky dog, who was similarly abandoned, and I never had one problem with him – he was wonderful. I have taken honey to obedience classes – She does sit and stay, also goes down when she is instructed to.

 

I feel that I have done everything possible to alleviate her aggression, but it doesn’t seem to work. I have two daughters who both pour love on her too, and quite frankly, I am afraid one day that she will become vicious – Can you please give me some advice, because I do not want to have to have her put down.

 

I have tried everything you recommend in your book, including spitting in her food, and making her wait to eat last. But I must be doing something wrong! I know mixed breeds aren’t your favorite, but please make an exception in my case. I …

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Pets Tips

How A Pet Parakeet Would Survive Living In The City

You might think that living in the city is a great place for your parakeet. However, this may not be the case if you want to ensure your pet’s safety and happiness. Here are some tips on how to make sure your pet parakeet can survive living in the city.

 

First of all, you need to get them a proper cage. A large cage will be more comfortable for your pet and it will allow them plenty of room to play and fly around. You should also provide plenty of places for them to escape from predators or even just a safe spot in case they feel threatened by something in their cage.

 

Parakeets In The City

Parakeets are some of the most popular pets in North America. This is because they’re both fun and social. They can be good pets for people who live in apartments or townhouses, are on the go, or even just want to have a bird around the house.

One thing that you must consider before adopting a parakeet, however, is whether or not your city will allow them as a pet. If you find out that your city doesn’t allow parakeets as pets, then this might not be the best option for you.

 

The Cage

You should also provide a comfortable, safe cage for your pet. This can be anything from a large cage with plenty of places for them to escape to a small, safe enclosure. A large cage will allow more room for your parakeet to fly around and play and will be more comfortable for them. With a small enclosure, the space is divided into smaller zones that the parakeet can escape to if it feels threatened by anything in its surroundings. It should also have enough food and water bowls so that it can always have access to what it needs.

 

More About Cages

Another important thing to keep in mind is that you should make sure your parakeet’s cage is properly ventilated and has plenty of fresh air. Your pet will also need a water bottle so they can stay hydrated. If you’re going to be gone longer than expected, you should put food and water outside of their cage so they don’t forget where it is and struggle to find it when you come back.

 

You should also purchase a few toys for …

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Pets Tips

What Kind of Habitat is Suitable for a Pet Chinchilla?

If you have a pet chinchilla, chances are that eventually, you’re going to want to get them a home of their own. A habitat is a perfect place for a pet chinchilla, but what kind of habitat should you give it? Be sure to consider your budget and the size of your room when deciding on an environment for your pet.

If you’re interested in getting into breeding, then you’ll need to provide it with proper conditions. You can look at this checklist for some tips before purchasing a habitat or checking out some examples of homes online.

The Habitat You Should Consider
In order to make your pet chinchilla happy, you need to consider the size of the room. If you can’t provide adequate space for your chinchilla, it will be stressed and may even get sick.

You’ll also want to determine if this is a permanent or temporary habitat. A temporary home will last until you’ve found a permanent one, while a permanent home might be more expensive initially but will save you time in the long run.

When deciding on what kind of habitat you should create for your pet chinchilla, consider their needs and make sure it’s something that fits your budget. Consider what kind of bedding they would like as well as the type of food they’ll need to eat.

How To Choose A Room For Your Pet Chinchilla

Choose a room that has high ceilings, plenty of windows for natural light, and a ventilated area for the chinchilla to have fresh air. It should also be in a place where you can monitor the temperature and humidity levels with relative ease. This will ensure that your chinchilla is comfortable in its environment.

A room with an area heater or air conditioner is ideal because it will provide your pet with a consistent temperature throughout the day.

The size of your home will determine what type of habitat you need to put together for your pet chinchilla. For example, if you want to breed your own chinchillas then you’ll need a bigger habitat than if you just want to keep one pet on hand. Consider the size of your home before purchasing anything for your pet, as well as its age and gender before shopping for any furniture or accessories.

Tips On Choosing A Cage For Your Pet Chinchilla

– If you are going to …

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Pets Tips

How Clean Are Pet Rats: Do They Carry Diseases?

Rats aren’t generally thought of as pets unless you own one of those really cute little house rats, that is! When you begin looking into owning your very own pet rat, though, you may find yourself wondering if these rodents can be kept in good health. And while most people think of them as pests, rats can actually make great pets.

 

But before you go ahead with buying a rat, there are some important questions you should ask yourself first. These include things like how often do you feed your pet, how much exercise does he get and what kind of housing will you provide him/her? The answers to these questions will help determine whether or not your pet rat needs special care.

 

In addition, if you’re interested in keeping a pet rat as a companion animal rather than just pest control, you’ll also want to consider your lifestyle and any other factors that could impact his overall health.

 

In this article, we’ll explain how to tell if your new rat friend is healthy enough to live indoors without becoming an indoor pest. We’ll discuss how to keep your pet rodent hygienic and safe from diseases. And at the end of our discussion on rat health, we’ll give you tips on how to tell if your pet is ready to come home with you.

 

What Is the Hygiene Level for Rat Ownership?

One of the biggest questions many prospective rat owners have when considering adding one of these creatures to their family is how clean rats are. After all, rats are known for their filthy habits. Rodents tend to gnaw through anything that isn’t nailed down, including household objects, furniture, clothing, bedding, and paper products. Not only do these activities cause unsightly damage to homes, but they can also spread disease by contaminating food, water, and surfaces.

But don’t worry although rats’ natural instincts are disgusting, they’re still domesticated animals who require proper care. That said, it’s up to their owners to ensure that their pet rats stay clean and pest-free. To start, you’ll need to understand what makes rats dirty and where your pet gets its filth.

 

Rodents shed small amounts of fur daily because they have no hair follicles (like humans). Their teeth grow constantly throughout life, so they continually grind away at old bones and dead skin cells. Because of this constant …

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Pets Tips
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