Family Pets

Ferrets as Pets: A Cautionary Tale

By Clayton  |  2011/11/30 11:12 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

I’m a dog lover at heart.  Always have been.  A couple of months ago however, I almost succumbed to family pressure to add a ferret to our family dynamic.  I think they are cute and all, but it just didn’t seem like a good idea for us.  My brother however, did get a pet ferret at that time.  It seems that our kids had been in cahoots.  What follows is a bit of a cautionary tale that I hope some people will learn from before casually bringing home a new pet.

My brother John is also a dog lover, and his family includes a small terrier mix named “Sparky”.  When John said that they were going to go ahead with the idea of getting a ferret, warning bells went off in my head, but I kept my mouth shut.  To keep a long story a little bit shorter, when they brought the ferret home from the pet store, Sparky took one sniff and started  going nuts.  Now, some dogs do just fine with new pets being brought home.  Sparky, however, was filled with instincts that told him he should be getting his jaws on the fluffy new addition.

John and his family tried to deal with the situation rationally.  They put their new ferret in a separate room, safely in a cage.  Sparky wasn’t fooled however.  All he could think about was getting at the ferret.  Eventually, to keep Sparky sane, John gave the ferret to a friend who already had two ferrets as pets.  The furball seems to be living happily ever after.

The lesson to be learned here is that some pets just don’t mix.  Perhaps John could have had his friend visit with one of his ferrets to see how Sparky reacted.  At the very least, he might have thought about the fact that Sparky has a history of chasing almost anything that moves.  This isn’t meant to be an indictment of ferrets as pets.  Rather, it should serve as a warning to potential owners of these animals that they might be seen as prey by some existing pets.  Do a bit of research before getting a new pet.  You will be glad that you did and it will help to ensure a more peaceful existence for both of you.

How Do You Choose A Family Pet?

By Clinton H  |  2011/11/29 18:44 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

There comes a time when you are so fed up of the kids asking if they can have a real pet, instead of Fluffy go walkies, when you will eventually give in, and say yes. Then you have to consider what type of pet you are going to choose, after all if you are going to have a family pet, then it has to be one that all the family agree on, right?

Unfortunately this is always easier said than done. You will wan to get a fish, easy to keep and not very expensive. Your daughter will want a kitten, you know sweet, cuddly and fluffy. Then your son will want a puppy, after all boys do love dogs. You know that it will take some major negotiation for everyone to come out of this happy with the choice. After all, like top Christmas gifts, when do you agree on anything?

Now, depending on the age of your children, the things that will have to be taken into consideration before the choice is made are:

  • Who is going to feed it every day.
  • How much does the pet cost to buy?
  • Who is going to exercise it, especially important if you are getting a dog.
  • Which one of you gets to clean it out, perhaps a rota would work best.
  • Grooming may also be something that needs to be thought of.

Then comes the biggest argument of all, who gets to name it?

So if you can answer all these questions, you will have come some way to narrowing down your choice. Be firm though, because the chances are it will be Mum and Dad that end up doing most of the care and feeding. So get a family pet that you can both deal with equally, this should mean that you are all happy.

 

Caring for Your New Pet

By Christian Gladding  |  2011/09/28 23:55 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

Anyone who takes on a new pet should do plenty of research first to make sure they know what they are letting themselves in for, both in terms of expense and levels of care required. I get really frustrated when I see how many people fail to know the first thing about the pets they buy or adopt, often resulting in the pet in question paying with its life. Take for example a cat or kitten. You should look thoroughly into what is involved in caring for your cat or kitten. They are relying on you to give them the best possible care and protect their wellbeing. If you know you would not be able to afford to pay large vets bills, or cannot afford monthly pet insurance, then you cannot afford a cat or kitten.

Likewise if you want to take on a smaller pet like a Guinea-Pig, it is important you realise their very basic needs, for example a regular supply of Vitamin C in their diet as they cannot produce it themselves. Caring for your Guinea-Pig or Cavy (as they are also known) is fairly straight forward so long as you know their needs and what you should be aware of in terms of diet and companionship, suitable housing etc.

Another pet that often gets a rough ride from ignorant owners is the Ferret. It is again very important you find out how to keep a pet ferret before you take it on. For a start you should always make sure they constantly have access to food and never run out. They have to be mated, even if by a vasectomised male every time they come into season or they risk major womb infections that can kill them.

The bottom line is that all pets should be carefully considered before you take them home. If you aren’t willing to do this do not take on a pet. If your children are pestering you to get a pet, promising they will look after it, you can always ‘test’ them out by getting them a novelty pet like ‘Sea Monkeys, the easiest pets of all‘. These are funny little creature that are basically a glorified Brine Shrimp. They are very cheap to buy and come as dried eggs that your children can have fun hatching out at home. If your child can’t even look after these basic little lifeforms, then they probably aren’t ready for a larger pet yet.

Caring for Your New Pet

By Clayton  |  2011/09/28 23:54 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

Anyone who takes on a new pet should do plenty of research first to make sure they know what they are letting themselves in for, both in terms of expense and levels of care required. I get really frustrated when I see how many people fail to know the first thing about the pets they buy or adopt, often resulting in the pet in question paying with its life. Take for example a cat or kitten. You should look thoroughly into what is involved in caring for your cat or kitten. They are relying on you to give them the best possible care and protect their wellbeing. If you know you would not be able to afford to pay large vets bills, or cannot afford monthly pet insurance, then you cannot afford a cat or kitten.

Likewise if you want to take on a smaller pet like a Guinea-Pig, it is important you realise their very basic needs, for example a regular supply of Vitamin C in their diet as they cannot produce it themselves. Caring for your Guinea-Pig or Cavy (as they are also known) is fairly straight forward so long as you know their needs and what you should be aware of in terms of diet and companionship, suitable housing etc.

Another pet that often gets a rough ride from ignorant owners is the Ferret. It is again very important you find out how to keep a pet ferret before you take it on. For a start you should always make sure they constantly have access to food and never run out. They have to be mated, even if by a vasectomised male every time they come into season or they risk major womb infections that can kill them.

The bottom line is that all pets should be carefully considered before you take them home. If you aren’t willing to do this do not take on a pet. If your children are pestering you to get a pet, promising they will look after it, you can always ‘test’ them out by getting them a novelty pet like ‘Sea Monkeys, the easiest pets of all‘. These are funny little creature that are basically a glorified Brine Shrimp. They are very cheap to buy and come as dried eggs that your children can have fun hatching out at home. If your child can’t even look after these basic little lifeforms, then they probably aren’t ready for a larger pet yet.

Caring for Your New Pet

By Clinton H  |  2011/09/28 23:53 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

Anyone who takes on a new pet should do plenty of research first to make sure they know what they are letting themselves in for, both in terms of expense and levels of care required. I get really frustrated when I see how many people fail to know the first thing about the pets they buy or adopt, often resulting in the pet in question paying with its life. Take for example a cat or kitten. You should look thoroughly into what is involved in caring for your cat or kitten. They are relying on you to give them the best possible care and protect their wellbeing. If you know you would not be able to afford to pay large vets bills, or cannot afford monthly pet insurance, then you cannot afford a cat or kitten.

Likewise if you want to take on a smaller pet like a Guinea-Pig, it is important you realise their very basic needs, for example a regular supply of Vitamin C in their diet as they cannot produce it themselves. Caring for your Guinea-Pig or Cavy (as they are also known) is fairly straight forward so long as you know their needs and what you should be aware of in terms of diet and companionship, suitable housing etc.

Another pet that often gets a rough ride from ignorant owners is the Ferret. It is again very important you find out how to keep a pet ferret before you take it on. For a start you should always make sure they constantly have access to food and never run out. They have to be mated, even if by a vasectomised male every time they come into season or they risk major womb infections that can kill them.

The bottom line is that all pets should be carefully considered before you take them home. If you aren’t willing to do this do not take on a pet. If your children are pestering you to get a pet, promising they will look after it, you can always ‘test’ them out by getting them a novelty pet like ‘Sea Monkeys, the easiest pets of all‘. These are funny little creature that are basically a glorified Brine Shrimp. They are very cheap to buy and come as dried eggs that your children can have fun hatching out at home. If your child can’t even look after these basic little lifeforms, then they probably aren’t ready for a larger pet yet.

Caring for Your New Pet

By Clayton  |  2011/09/28 23:52 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

Anyone who takes on a new pet should do plenty of research first to make sure they know what they are letting themselves in for, both in terms of expense and levels of care required. I get really frustrated when I see how many people fail to know the first thing about the pets they buy or adopt, often resulting in the pet in question paying with its life. Take for example a cat or kitten. You should look thoroughly into what is involved in caring for your cat or kitten. They are relying on you to give them the best possible care and protect their wellbeing. If you know you would not be able to afford to pay large vets bills, or cannot afford monthly pet insurance, then you cannot afford a cat or kitten.

Likewise if you want to take on a smaller pet like a Guinea-Pig, it is important you realise their very basic needs, for example a regular supply of Vitamin C in their diet as they cannot produce it themselves. Caring for your Guinea-Pig or Cavy (as they are also known) is fairly straight forward so long as you know their needs and what you should be aware of in terms of diet and companionship, suitable housing etc.

Another pet that often gets a rough ride from ignorant owners is the Ferret. It is again very important you find out how to keep a pet ferret before you take it on. For a start you should always make sure they constantly have access to food and never run out. They have to be mated, even if by a vasectomised male every time they come into season or they risk major womb infections that can kill them.

The bottom line is that all pets should be carefully considered before you take them home. If you aren’t willing to do this do not take on a pet. If your children are pestering you to get a pet, promising they will look after it, you can always ‘test’ them out by getting them a novelty pet like ‘Sea Monkeys, the easiest pets of all‘. These are funny little creature that are basically a glorified Brine Shrimp. They are very cheap to buy and come as dried eggs that your children can have fun hatching out at home. If your child can’t even look after these basic little lifeforms, then they probably aren’t ready for a larger pet yet.

Animated Skull Props, Black Cats, Halloween Fun and Spells

By R Wareham  |  2011/09/15 16:09 Posted in Family Pets  |  Comments Off

I love the Jim Butcher series that features a private dectective in Chicago that’s also a wizard. Obviously this is a fantasy series. To help him remember spells and make them stronger, he doesn’t use a black cat the way witches often do. Instead this wizard has an animated skull that’s inhabited by a hexed being. It’s a very opinionated being as well and he often has to cut deals to get his spell recipe. (The skull persona likes a night on the town once in a while!)

You can easily find an animated skull prop and incorporate this into your Halloween fun. You might consider placing the skull near your candy bowl. When trick-or-treaters come in, you can ask if the skull thinks they should get a big or small piece of candy. Of course you don’t have to ignore black cats altogether. A beautiful black cat figurine would look stunning beside your skull prop. The white and black of the decorations would look great together.

But don’t be afraid to use animated skulls and skull decor in your home throughout the year. You don’t have to be a Goth to love the look of skulls in your home accessories. As I said I’m using it to add a bit of humor, just like Jim Butcher does. I’ve put a skull in the kitchen fruit bowl. It’s fun to watch the reaction of visitors as they take an apple and see the skull! I have to admit that when I’m trying to come up with an idea for dinner, I’ve been known to talk to him. Somehow it doesn’t feel as flaky as just talking to thin air.  He hasn’t been named yet. The children have been tasked with the job of selecting a name.

I do have two black cats named Busy Body and Chaos, and I have found them on the kitchen island staring at the skull. It’s sort of fun to watch!