Search Results for: blog pet rat housing

Rare Pets: Axolotls

Usually in the Rare Pets column I cover animals that are uncommon pets, but still species of which most readers of heard. Today I’m going to look at a truly rare pet, one some of you might not have known existed until today: the axolotl. The axolotl is a type of salamander, native to Mexico, so in that it’s not an unheard-of pet. It certainly looks like a strange kind of salamander, however, which prompts its common nickname: water dragon. Despite its odd appearance and perhaps off-putting (or for some, encouraging) moniker, however, axolotls can make good pets. Here are … Continue reading →

iPhone App for Pet Adoption

I blogged recently about pet adoption. I truly believe that adopting a pet from a shelter is the best way to take home an animal companion. There are so many animals to choose form right now too. With the economy hurting, many families and individuals are finding that they can no longer afford to keep their pets. It’s sad, but true. Shelters are overwhelmed with animals. One of the local news networks here ran a story about an area shelter that suspended its adoption fees to help families adopt pets. I called the shelter to find out how well it … Continue reading →

Why Parents Should Say “NO” to the Real Life “Wonder Pets”

“Wonder Pets Wonder Pets We’re on our way To help a friend and save the day…” Parents with young children feel free to join in: “We’re not too big And we’re not too tough But when we work together We’ve got the right stuff… GOOOOOO Wonder Pets… YAY!!” I dare you to watch even half an episode of the popular animated Nickelodeon show about a determined guinea pig, an independent baby turtle, and an adventurous duckling without humming the theme song for the rest of the week. I should know. My preschooler has been a fan of the show for … Continue reading →

How Much Does Your Pet Influence Your Lifestyle?

A week or two ago, I saw a story on Today about people who take their pets to work. I didn’t catch the full story, however. I think it was really more about how much pets influence some people’s lives. All aspects of it. Work One of the men profiled in the Today piece explained how he had moved his workplace for his dog. Apparently he runs his own business and leases office space. When a landlord prohibited pets from being in the building, the man went and found more accommodating office space elsewhere. But other people who didn’t own … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Jun 18-24

Another week has passed, summer arrived, and there was no Moose, Lally, Murphy, Kitty or Tabby chaos to report. (Phew!) Which means it was a quiet, yet productive, week here in the Pets Blog. Here’s what Aimee and I covered on: Monday, June 18 Were you curious how Murphy, Tabby, and Kitty did for Father’s Day? If so, you’ll be happy to know all went well. Tuesday, June 19 Did you know the Queen of England is a royal dog lover? I didn’t, but of all the things to learn about her after watching the movie “The Queen” that was … Continue reading →

Pet Rat Housing

You decided a rat was the right pet for you and your family. You found a curious, healthy, happy rat from a breeder, store, or shelter. Now it’s time to set up your new pet’s new home! When it comes to cages, bigger is always better. Your rats will want to explore and play, and will need room to do it! Look for a tall cage with lots of ramps, platforms, and hammocks for the rats to play on. Wire cages are good for climbing, but make sure the flooring is solid. Spending time on wire flooring can cause foot … Continue reading →

Picking A Pet Rat

If you think a rat is the right pet for your family, how do you pick the right one? You have several options for where you get your rat. Pet stores may or may not be a good choice, depending on how knowledgeable the staff is about rat care in general. Check the housing — make sure males and females are housed separately, or you may get a surprise litter after you get your pet rat home. Young rats should be handled regularly. Breeders (also known as ratteries) are a great place to find a well socialized young rat. A … Continue reading →

Prevent Dehydration While Working Out

Maintaining your fitness in summertime includes preventing dehydration and the problems associated with it. We discuss water in the weight loss blog today and whether you can drink too much. The focus of this particular blog is keeping your hydration healthy when you are working, playing and otherwise enjoying the summer time fun this year. The American Water Works Association (Yes, that is actually the name of it) offers the following suggestions: Drink water before, during and after your exercise. Drink water every 20 minutes or so when you are engaged in a strenuous physical activity. Do not take salt … Continue reading →

The Noble Efforts of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

One thing I will never criticize Disney about is the good work done by the Animal Kingdom and its sometimes-partner the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.  The two might technically be separate entities – the Animal Kingdom is a part of Disney World, and the DWCF is a philanthropic branch of the Walt Disney Corporation – but they often work together. Work together, of course, being an operative word.  The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is what it’s called: a fund.  While some employees might actually go out and do something, the primary purpose of the division is to provide financial support for … Continue reading →

Travel Smart and Save

You don’t have to be a super sleuth in order to score big savings on travel expenses. Rather, a little common sense can go a long way when you are venturing away from home. The following tips illustrate how to stretch your dollar when you are on the road: Public Transportation: Don’t underestimate the power of public transportation when you are traveling to big cities. Buses, subways and other rapid transit systems can be huge money-savers, especially if you are exploring a major metropolitan area like Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C. One way to save is to purchase a … Continue reading →