Knowing the Market

Certain websites on the internet have been known to tell sugar glider owners like yourself that your glider will die if it does not have another sugar glider companion. This question has been looked into cautiously, and I think we have an answer. Although, in rare cases, people owning just one glider have had mishaps with death, the truth is; we really do not know what causes this. It could be loneliness, or it could be some other reason unknown. Lucky for you, there are things you can watch for to make sure your sugar glider stays healthy and happy.

Sugar gliders are very sociable pets and love attention. Being the lone sugar glider in the house can be lonely, and they will become dependant on your attention. However, as an adult, life changes always arrive unexpectedly, and you may not always be there to attend to your sugar glider hand and foot. When lacking the natural love and attention your glider may get depressed, and signs to look for are inactivity and lack of eating. If you notice these signs, you will want to call attention to them because your sugar glider is depressed. In all cases, the only good glider is a happy glider. If this situation arrives and you have other responsibilities to take care of, it just might be time for another family member to step up. As long as someone takes the sugar glider out to play, they will be satisfied with the attention.

Of course, the safest way to make sure your little pocket pet never becomes lonely is to get him a friend. Sugar gliders are small and are inexpensive to take care of. Having more than one will take the pressure off you and your family to be there at all times, and your sugar glider will always have someone to keep him happy.

Tired of hearing your child whine about wanting a pet? All parents seem to have this problem at one time or another. Many children want a pet, and it’s a perfect way to teach children responsibility. If you’ve decided to give your children the opportunity to have a pet of their own, you just have to figure out which pet is the right pet! There are a few smaller, easier to care for animals that make great first pets. These are typically a bit more affordable than bigger animals such as dogs or cats. However, with any pet, the owner’s personality affects the decision.

Gerbils make great pets for smaller children, as they are active during the day and are extremely curious and friendly. Gerbils are actually desert animals. They are very clean animals, which makes cleaning up after them a lot simpler. For a young child’s first pet, these are perfect! Gerbils are very social animals, so a pair is definitely the way to go with these animals. However, be sure they are not mates; otherwise you’d better be prepared to take care of lots of little gerbils! A large aquarium-style tank with a deep layer of wood shavings makes for a perfect home for these little creatures, as they love to tunnel and dig. To keep them (as well as your child) entertained, tunnel-type toys are great! Gerbil food is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any pet store. They also enjoy the occasional bit of lettuce or cheese. Gerbils usually live up to three years.

Guinea pigs are good first pets, as they don’t scratch and can be gently handled. Like gerbils, they’re social creatures, so a pair is preferred. Guinea pigs are very timid, so they need lots of places to hide in their cage. An aquarium-style tank works well for guinea pigs as well, as long as they have a grazing area and places to burrow. Guinea pigs need a daily diet that his high in fiber and vitamin C. Guinea pigs live up to six years.

Most people aren’t entirely keen on the idea of keeping mice, but if you’re looking to get one as a first pet, you should keep in mind that, like the others, they are social. Two to three female mice are the best way to go as males tend to fight and produce a much stronger smell. Cages must be cleaned two to three times a week. A wire-mesh cage works best for mice, as they need a well-ventilated living space, with tunnels and other toys. Mice need a lot of things to gnaw on, such as dog biscuits.

Though they generally have a shorter life span than gerbils or guinea pigs, mice are by far the highest maintenance. However, any of these pets are perfect for a child’s first pet, and what better way to give your child a lesson in responsibility?

Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered: www.allthingspondered.com and for To Be Informed: www.tobeinformed.com

Rabbits have been popularly kept as pets in Western nations since the 1800s. Rabbits can adjust well to indoor life, and can even be litter box trained. Like all pets, rabbits need a considerable amount of care and attention.

Often people purchase rabbits from a breeder. Many people prefer breeders under suspicion that some pet stores sell cross bred rabbits. Such a breeder who has a litter of young rabbits available for sale can be found in the newspaper classified ads listed under “Pets” or “Livestock.” Some can be found through rabbit breeders’ club publications or through rabbit-related magazines, which often include a breeder listing. With the advent of the Internet, many breeders advertise their stock online.

Finding a local rabbit breeder is generally preferred to shipping rabbits for long distances, as it can be stressful for the animal. Many pet shops nearly always carry smaller breeds of rabbit such as the Netherland dwarf, the Holland lop, and the Mini-Rex. These breeds, although smaller than ‘normal’ rabbits, still live long and healthy lives. A point to note is that often smaller breeds of rabbits are prone to tooth problems such as malocclusion.

Rabbit rescue organizations or a local humane society are increasingly common places to find adult rabbits, who may already be spayed or neutered and docile from handling. Though most rescued rabbits are healthy, some may require special care for health conditions or behavioral problems resulting from prior abuse.

Training and Play

Pet rabbits can be trained to urinate and defecate in a litter box or on a newspaper in a specific corner of a room. The litter box may also be placed inside the rabbit’s cage or the rabbit can be trained to treat the cage itself as the litter box. Litter training becomes much easier once a rabbit is spayed or neutered.

Rabbits cannot learn voice commands like a dog, but can recognize different patterns of the voice. For instance, If a rabbit is disobeying, for example biting, simply make a high pitched noise, or an extremely bass noise and the message will be conveyed. Rabbits can be taught their names, although they recognize the pattern of the noises more then the words. Rabbits are intelligent, and enjoy games and toys.

It is possible to permit a rabbit to run loose in the home if rooms have been rabbit-proofed (i.e. dangerous chewable items such as electric cords are removed from the pet’s reach). Rabbits have a tendency to chew on items in their space, particularly wires, although they can be trained not to chew.

It is important that if a rabbit is allowed to roam in a house that it be impossible for the rabbit to chew or get into dangerous or valuable items. They do not possess the same comprehension as a dog or a cat, and often don’t understand if punished physically; rather they will become scared or confused if some kind of punishment is used, as they do not see the damage they have done. If all this is taken into consideration, rabbits make excellent house pets.

Companionship

Other rabbits

Unneutered rabbits frequently fight when paired with another rabbit of the same gender. Generally fighting is a result of sexual mounting, which is engaged in by rabbits of both sexes upon other rabbits of either sex; this behavior stresses the rabbit being mounted and can make it aggressive toward its cagemate. Unneutered rabbits of opposite sexes will breed rapidly, so a pet owner should not leave them together, even if they do not fight.

Because of these problems, it used to be preferred to keep rabbits caged individually. However, it is becoming common to spay and neuter pet rabbits allowing male and female rabbits to live together. Fighting can result even from pairing altered rabbits. Keeping rabbits in pairs can limit behavioral problems (such as general aggression, biting or withdrawal) which may arise if rabbits are kept single.

Pairs of bonded and desexed rabbits, usually one of each gender to a pair, can often be adopted from animal shelters. These have usually already had all their major expenses taken care of (desexing) and they will rarely fight or harass each other, taking the trouble out of bonding two separate rabbits.

Guinea pigs

Some books recommend keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together to meet their social needs. While some people have seen success with this technique, the current consensus is that rabbits should never be kept in the same cage with guinea pigs. A rabbit can easily harass or injure a guinea pig; this can lead to severe distress or even death for the guinea pig. It may be unintentional or due to being startled, since the rabbit is larger and stronger so can seriously injure a guinea pig. They also have differing nutritional requirements, so it is therefore preferable that rabbits and guinea pigs are fed separately. Guinea pigs require additional Vitamin C in their diets that rabbits don’t. Lack of Vitamin C may lead to scurvy.

Additionally, guinea pigs typically show very little interest in social activities necessary for the rabbit’s well-being, such as grooming; this limits the intended benefit of housing the guinea pig and rabbit together in the first place.

Dogs and cats

It is generally recommended that dogs should never be left alone with rabbits as their predatory instincts (or overenthusiastic play) can lead to the dog attacking the rabbit spontaneously. Cats, on the other hand, can become close and safe potential companions if properly introduced to the rabbit and they are of at least roughly equivalent size. In fact, when the cat is introduced in a home with a resident rabbit, the rabbit sometimes will act aggressively to establish his territory and the cat, which does not have such concerns, will typically cede the point to the resident.

Hagar lagarto is a long time Pet lover with many articles and websites on the subject.You can get much more info at pet.freehostia.com

Having more control over your dog is what most dog owners would like to have. When it comes to dog training collars, you are in fact going to get that, more comfort and more control, and be able to lead your dog more effectively. There are essentially two main types of head halters available for dogs. One is called the gentle leader and the other one is called the Halti. Both dog training collars are effective with the gentle leader coming out in front by having a better design and more control. It has a much simpler design, which sits behind the dog’s ears, then comes around the muzzle. It is connected under the chin with nylon straps. This device is not a muzzle. You will gain control over your dog by controlling his nose with using the gentle leader, and the dog is sure to follow.

Second in line when it comes to dog training collars, is the Halti. It is made along the same basic principles as the gentle leader. It is a much more complicated design and can actually interfere with its intended purpose. This type of dog training collar has been known to cause neck and spinal injuries to a struggling dog.

There is another type of dog training collar that tends to look scary. The prong collar is extremely effective for controlling large, thick-necked dogs, but not for the dog who is going to yank your arm. This device almost looks like some medieval torture device where the prong’s purpose is to pinch the dog’s neck by applying mild pressure. It will not do your dog any harm as the pressure is mild and does not hurt. It merely urges your dog in the right direction. This type of device is not recommended for dogs that pull on the leash steadily as it is merely a correction device and not a constant collar. You must have it fitted properly, but like any tools, it can harm your pet if not used correctly. If you are a new dog owner, this type of dog training collar is not recommended unless extensive studying is done on its use. You should also consult a veterinarian prior to fitting it to your pet. Finally, an old standby called the choke chain is not for the novice as this type of device comes in dead last. When it comes to selecting the right dog training collar for your pet, there have been numerous studies that have shown extensive neck injuries to dogs with this type of collar. It is not recommended unless you are an experienced trainer. When it comes to dog training collars, use a little bit of common sense and gain some knowledge on their proper use. You and your pet will be a lot happier for it!

By Terry Price- Remember to visit http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/pet-lover-gift.html for a great resource on all kinds of pet supply products, dog training collars and more