Chinese Dwarf Hamsters and Their Special Considerations

Chinese dwarf hamsters, just like their name suggests, are from China. Mores specifically they are from the deserts of northern China and Mongolia (which borders China). Chinese dwarf hamsters are hard to find and I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't available at your local pet store. Not only are they hard to breed, but there are also certain places where it is illegal to have them as pets (one example is California).

The Chinese hamster is often confused with a mouse. These hamsters look more like mice than other hamsters. This is largely because of the existence of their tails. Yup, they have tails. Another interesting fact about The Chinese dwarf hamster is that they aren't truly dwarf hamsters. They are considered to be part of a separate family of hamsters but because they are so tiny, they are closely associated with the dwarf hamster family and it would be foolish not to bring up the Chinese hamster when categorizing dwarf hamsters. The Chinese dwarf hamster grows to about four to five inches in length and has a beautiful gray-brown coat with a black stripe along the spine and white bellies. There are also other color patterns that have been developed through breeding and those are one with a dominant spot and one called the black eyed white.

Although a general rule of thumb for dwarf hamsters is to house them in pairs, this is not necessarily true with the Chinese dwarf hamster. If you would like to house pairs of Chinese dwarf hamsters, one combination that you want to have is a pair of two females. Two females are more likely to get along than a male and a female, especially if they are housed together while they're still very young females. With Chinese dwarf hamsters, females are the dominant sex and are thus much more aggressive than the males. If you have a pair consisting of a male and a female Chinese hamster, the female hamster could harm and potentially kill the male hamster!

Things you can do if you would like to keep two opposite sex Chinese dwarf hamsters together is to have housing that is twice as roomy. Even better, have a home that has more than one level and has complexity to it with hiding places and such. This would allow the male hamster more opportunity and room to run and hide from the moody, angry, and aggressive female hamster. With regards to housing Chinese dwarf hamsters in general, plastic cages are typically what owners go with. With wire cages, sometimes the bars are too far apart and the Chinese hamsters squeeze their way out (or even worse, get stuck!).

The Chinese dwarf hamster's diet is the same as any dwarf hamster. This includes seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables. Other foods you can give your hamster (although not too much of) are Cheerios and pieces of wheat bread.

The lifespan of the Chinese dwarf hamster is between two and three years. Also it's not so simple to tame and train these animals. They are a bit on the skittish and aggressive side, are extremely agile and can jump and climb very quickly. These traits make them less ideal for children under the age of thirteen because they are so quick to escape and dart away. Every time you try to tame them and have them get familiar with you, they could potentially dart off so sometimes its best to not handle them at all.

George Grayson is an author and dwarf hamster expert. Learn more about Chinese dwarf hamsters and take the first step in giving your dwarf hamster a healthy and happy life by visiting http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com

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White Russian Dwarf Hamster

The Siberian hamster is often referred to as white Russian dwarf hamster as part of it's coat in the winter season changes from gray to white in color. Although not all of the coat changes to white and some gray color is maintained. The number of daylight hours prompts this color coat change along with temperature drop.

You can expect the color change to start about half way through September and is completely changed over by mid November. This dwarf has big eyes, a body that is compact and males at maturity are approximately 4 inches long, weighing in at 1 to 2 ounces.

This little dwarf has rather large cheek pouches for carrying food and bedding. When necessary it can fill these pouches with air and use them as a flotation device to assist in swimming!

Generally they are sociable and good natured hamsters, it is recommended however that mature males are not grouped together as often tempers will flare and tendency to fight. When comparing the Siberian hamster to all the other types of dwarf hamster they tend to be the slowest and sluggish. They tend to be less active in the evenings, don't mark scent as much and the father participates in raising the pups.

The life span of the Russian white can vary depending upon the care and nutrition it receives, however on average they span 1.5 to 2 years. They tend to be more active in November and less active from February to March based on the photo period of light.

A variety of exercise options is sought out by the Siberian, including sitting, standing, running, jumping, grooming, digging and climbing. Some types of activities you can provide to your hamster include solid wheel (strongly recommended), secure exercise area , ladders and even tube tunnels. When considering purchasing exercise equipments, consider the size of your dwarf hamster and purchase in size scale appropriate for them.

Kym Sutherland is an Author and pet hobbyist who enjoys raising and caring for pets. For more White Russian Dwarf Hamster info, go to the website, http://www.DwarfHamsterGuide.com/tips Sign up for the free mini ecourse about Dwarf Hamsters and see you soon!

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Baby Dwarf Hamsters - So You Have Decided to Breed

It is with a mixture of excitement and anxiousness that first time pet owners look forward to a mother dwarf hamster giving birth to baby dwarf hamsters. The thought of breeding this little bundle of joy can be quite nerve-wracking... to think that they are such delicate and frail looking little fellows. It is highly recommended that newbie pet owners do some research about taking care of the babies before starting any breeding.

For the first ten days after birth, the pet owner should leave the mother dwarf hamster alone with her babies. DON'T TOUCH THE BABIES DURING THIS IMPORTANT TIME! The mother usually gives birth to a litter of up to ten baby dwarf hamsters; however, on the average it is 5 or 6 babies per litter. A lot of development among the babies will occur during their first week after birth-pigment will appear after four days and fur will show after one week. After ten days, their eyes will begin to open as they are starting to crawl. At this stage, you can now handle them. However, you should be careful not to upset the mother, because some dwarf hamster mothers are quite protective of their young and might not appreciate you touching her babies.

Touching the baby dwarf hamsters can help in taming them. Just be careful of their frail bodies when handling. After two weeks baby dwarf hamsters are ready to eat small amounts of solid food such as oats, bird seeds, and wheat germ. Lab blocks should be given in small amounts once the babies have reached three weeks old. Sliced apples and cucumbers are also a great alternative for nutrients; give the baby dwarf hamsters these only in small amount. Once they are able to reach the water bottle it is a sign that they ready to wean away from their mother.

After four weeks, baby dwarf hamsters can be separated from their mothers. You can now move them to a separate cage. If the father stays with the mother hamster while she is still nursing the litter, there is a big chance that she will get pregnant again. If this happens, separate the baby dwarf hamsters immediately, as long as they have already reached 18 to 20 days old. Separate and classify them by gender to prevent unnecessary inbred pregnancies.

Caring for your baby dwarf hamsters is the same as it is for adult hamsters. Regular cleaning of their cage at least once a week is important to prevent any sickness. Frequent cleaning may be required if you notice that their cage turns dirty faster than the usual. Fresh water and food should be given once daily, together with regular observation of each animal. There will always be an active baby dwarf hamster and the less agile one, check if all are getting enough food and nourishment and ensure that they are not being injured if they are fighting.

After four weeks, they can be safely separated from their mother, and you can wean them, sell them or, give them away as pets. Providing care to baby dwarf hamsters is an enjoyable and simple task. All you need is patience and love for the animal. Just follow the above guidelines and refrain from touching them too soon.

Russ Fleederman is a dwarf hamster expert. For more great information on baby dwarf hamsters and a FREE dwarf hamster mini-course, visit http://www.dwarf-hamster.com.

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Baby Dwarf Hamsters - Look Don't Touch!

If you think everyday dwarf hamsters are small, wait till you the babies! They are so tiny and delicate it is an amazing thing to see. But because they are so delicate, bringing up baby dwarf hamsters from birth and caring for these newborns is very different from caring for dwarf hamsters after they've reached the one month mark (at this point they are able to live without a mother's nursing and can be cared for the same as an adult).

The first stage of caring for a newborn is the leave-it-to-the-mom stage. When a baby dwarf hamster has just been born, you can look, but don't touch! They are so small and delicate that you should leave them alone. Don't even change the cage. This don't touch policy isn't solely because of the babies though. Once a dwarf hamster mother has given birth, she is in a very protective and, to be frank, crazy state of mind. So you just want to leave her alone and let her do her thing.

Dwarf hamster mothers are so confused from the birthing process they'll sometimes go as far as to eat their babies so you don't want to disturb her any further, not even by cleaning the cage. Although you won't be able to handle the babies just yet, you can still enjoy looking at these beautiful creatures. The cool part about brand new dwarf hamster babies is that they are actually see-through! They don't gain color until after a few days and after about a week they will begin to grow fur. A couple more days after that (about ten days from birth) they will start to open their eyes and crawling around and at this point the leave-it-to-the-mom stage is over and you can finally start to handle the babies.

When you start handling the babies, you should handle them very delicately and only for very short periods of time. Handling baby hamsters is important because it will help tame them and get them used to you but it is just as important to start out slowly. Pay close attention to the mother, she might be overly protective and get angry if her babies are handled. If this happens you may want to back off for a bit. Also, when handling the babies, watch out, because they could be very skittish and you definitely don't want to drop them, especially as fragile newborns. Another characteristic to note about the ten day mark is that at this age, baby dwarf hamsters will be old enough start to drinking from the water bottle. They'll still be going through the nursing process but it marks the first step of independence from the mother.

The next landmark in the growth of baby dwarf hamsters is the point at which they begin eating regular portions of food. This happens around the age of fourteen days. At this point they should be given regular portions of food such as oats, oatmeal, wheat germ, or small bird seeds. You must feed baby dwarf hamsters fresh and healthy foods for healthy growth. Small grains are best to get them growing quickly and healthily. Over time the mother will nurse the baby dwarf hamsters less and less and eventually they will get all their food on their own, no longer nursing, and drinking solely from the water bottle.

When baby dwarf hamsters are about a month old, they should be fully weaned and ready to live on their own. It is important, as always, to separate the males from the females. From here on out, you no longer need to treat these babies as babies and you can care for them as you would an adult.

George Grayson

Don't wait until the last minute to find out what you'll need to do. Give your dwarf hamster the care he or she deserves and learn more about baby dwarf hamsters as well as breeding guidelines by visiting http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com right now!

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Amazing Ferret Facts - 5 Very Unique & Interesting Facts About Ferrets

What makes ferrets fascinating? What makes them popular among pet owners? What's so unique about them? Here are some facts that make ferrets stand out among the rest.

Personality Having a bad day? Your ferrets can change that. Their different personalities can make you smile despite the frowns. If you have four ferrets, expect that you'll have five different personalities. Paint them in different colors and you would still be able to distinguish which is who. They are playful and loving- so playful that they need to be caged when you're not around or whenever they are unsupervised. When playing, watch out for toys that may cause them harm.

Warm or Cold? Would you put a coat on when it's warm? I didn't think so. This is why ferrets love to be in cool places. A warm environment can cause an irritated skin, a dry coat, and dehydrate easily. They're happier in cooler temperatures! What's the ideal temp? 70 degrees Fahrenheit would do just fine. Don't let it go above 78 degrees Fahrenheit because they would not be able to stand the heat anymore. This could cause a heatstroke which can be proved to be fatal if not treated properly.

Circle of Friends Who is a ferret's favorite playmate? You, of course! Ferrets prefer to play with humans compared to other pets. However, this doesn't mean that they cannot co-exist with other pets. Ferrets can interact with dogs and cats. But during their first few introductions, always be there to supervise. Observe any personality clashes or wars being waged against each other. Most of the time, everything goes well. Some play with one another, some will simply co-exist and ignore each other. Either way, it's fun watching them interact with other pets. 3 It is not recommended, though, for ferrets to be acquainted with "birds, rodents (hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs) or reptiles."

Sleeping When they hit the sack, they literally sleep longer than the human's average sleeping hours. How long, you ask? They sleep an average of 18-20 hours per day and they are not nocturnal beings. What if you want to play with them? No worries here. They can and will "adjust their schedule to you and be eager to play when you are." 5 When they awaken from their long slumber, it might take a few moments to adjust before they go hyperactive all over again.

When Kits Come Excited to have your own baby ferrets? It is good to know that ferrets "are able to breed when they are only 5-6 month old. In the US, most owners prefer to have their pets neutered." Gestation lasts for " weeks and mother ferrets have between 6-12 babies at a time. "

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Ferret Facts please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

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A Duck For a Pet, in the House, Wears Diapers - Yes!

It is surprising to hear and not many people have heard of this but; yes there are ducks that live in human homes. It is very rare but, seems to be occurring more often these days. Ducks are becoming domesticated in several areas of the country. Believe it or not, Ducks make great pets.

There is a lot involved in the care of having a Duck for a Pet. There is also a lot of learning to be done. Most families receive their ducks for Easter as gifts. Then families have no idea what to do with their duck. Families start to realize that their new duck is not around her/his mom and other ducklings that they need to grow and survive. Right after Easter many families (if they care) have to start researching about Duck Care. Most families decide to give away their precious duck after they get them and bond with them. It is important for families to know that, within a few days of having their duck he/she has already "imprinted" with them. The family becomes his/her pack. What most families should do is learn how to care for this precious Duck without the neglect of leaving her outside, in a pen all day, and with no attention. This duck they have will need the love, affection, care, and attention that our other pets in their family always receive.

Now a days, most duck owners start with the internet. The search can be started by searching for information on house training a duck, duck diapers, what to feed a duck, duck as pets, and much more. Pet Duck Care and Duck Diapers are easy to find in the search engines. More people are raising Ducks for Pets. But, some advice to be taken; there are all sorts of different opinions and advice for Domestic Duck and Goose Care. Pet duck owners will have to do some studying of on the different duck care sites and services that are now easier to find on the internet.

In the beginning it will be very hard to care for this Duck. You see, ducks are very clean creatures in one way but, very messy in another. The messy part of a duck is the "Poop". It will be all over if you do not control it. If you are thinking of a way to "litter train" your duck...that will Never happen. The only thing that will control the duck poop is "The Miracle Duck Diapers". What a life saver and difference they will make. The diapers will allow your duck baby to be in the house anytime that he/she has the harness and diaper on. There are also Duck Outfits that are adorable and fun to sport ducks around in.

Not only will the new duck love being in the house with you but, he/she will just love to be in the duck bath more. Do not let them have baths for a few weeks though. They can get very ill and die is they are put into a cold bath with in the first few weeks of their lives. They can also drown. The favorite thing for most ducks is bath time, rather it be by sprinkler, hose, or a special bath. They love outside kiddie pools so much and will literally swim, splash, and have a great time. Most ducks love to be out in the yard, graze the grass, and eat bugs. Their favorite bugs are meal worms. You can even raise your own meal worms. There are instructions for that on You Tube. Meal worms are getting pretty costly. If you raise them, not only will it be more economical, but there will also be more of an abundance of the worms.

If you do have or get a duck, it is important to know Exactly what their most favorite thing to do is. Their most favorite thing in the entire world is To Be With You or their Family. If you raise your duck from a little bitty baby, they "imprint" on you. You and the family become their "pack". If you put your "imprinted" duck with other ducks...your duck will not know what to do. Many people get and give ducks for Easter Gifts. Then they keep them until they are tired of them and then they dump them off where other ducks live. Big mistake! Those folks are setting their duck up for Death. A "Human Imprinted Duck" does not know how to survive with other ducks. Other ducks will not accept her/him either, and the "human imprinted duck" will not survive. Most often getting or giving a Duck for Easter is a Big Mistake. If you get or give a Duck for Easter, then you better be Serious about having one.

Did you know that Ducks have a lifespan of 20 years? It is true. It is all depends on the care that they receive and the ailments that they endure.

If you are one who does have a duck or is serious about getting one, then you are more then likely looking for the right care. Experienced advice is to trust The "Gooses Mother and Father" site. You will be able to learn: the proper feeding for a duck, training, how to maintain good health for your duck, how to treat ailments or infections, and much, much more.

Just learn all that you can and the journey with your duck will be a great and a rewarding success.

Kami is an avid pet lover. She is a pet sitter and focuses on pet care. She is a strong supporter for Animal Rights and Animal Organizations. Kami's main objective is on Pet Care Advice and Tactics. She promotes the Best Pet Care Practices. She loves opinions, comments, and discussions.

You can contact Me by going to my Blog. Leave your comment and share your views. It's Fun! Learn more on Duck Care too. http://www.XpectMorePetCare.com

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Loving All Pets - What You Need to Know

With the concept of Loving All Pets being the main topic of this article, you need to keep in mind that different people have their own idea of what a pet is. This leads to a short explanation of what different kinds of pets there are.

Normal pets can come under the heading of small pets such as a dog or a cat although some dogs would be considered large. Small pets can be anything from a hamster to a lizard. Small pets are a great way for kids to get involved with pet ownership. Another group of small pets that people should consider are aquatic pets that can be kept in a small aquarium or a full blown aquatic tank. Aquatic pets can be as simple as a goldfish to very exotic marine life. They can be freshwater or saltwater, fish or other types of marine life such as shellfish, seahorses and the like. No matter what type of aquatic pets you have or want, each requires their own special type of care. The main point is that small pets are a great way to have a pet in a small area or room. They require minimal care when compared to larger pets and are great for people that live in an apartment or room.

Another type of small pet that is great for apartment or room living is a bird. Birds come in a large variety of species, sizes and temperaments. Birds require a small amount of space but, they can give a large amount of satisfaction when it comes to pet ownership. There are an infinite number of color variations as well as sizes that will be sure to please a large number of people.

Another group of pets would be considered large pets. These pets could vary from a pot bellied pig to a horse. Of course these types of pets will need a large amount of room to get the exercise they need to maintain their health. Even with that in mind, many people have these types of pets and are very happy with them. One thought about owning a large pet is the cost of taking care of them. Besides the cost of housing them, you have to consider the costs involved with the supplies they will need. The cost of food is of course higher, any equipment they or you may need (things like saddles, tack for a horse, etc.). There will be a lot more time required to take of larger pets, not just for their care but, you have to be ready to devote time to keep them happy. A lot of thought needs to go into the acquiring and caring for a larger type pet.

So, besides the types of pets talked about above, small pets, large pets, aquatic pets, we have one more type of pet that has a very large following. That would be exotic pets. exotic pets have gained popularity in an increasing number. Exotic pets can range from lizards, snakes, terrapins to ferrets and exotic breeds of dogs and cats. People have monkeys and llamas, spiders and insects. Each one of these types of pets will require it's own habitat, special foods and special care. Most exotic pets can be considered small but, their housing, care and feeding may involve quite a bit more than you are willing to apply. One of the main considerations of owning an exotic pet is the laws that may apply for the state or locality you want to have your pet in. The laws vary as to what types of exotic pets can be legally kept. Before you get an exotic pet (especially an unusual one), you will have to check on your laws. You really do not want to get a pet only to find out that it cannot be kept in your local. That would cause hardships on you as well as the animal. Remember, the idea here is Loving All Pets, not Harming ANY Pet!

Walt Goodin
An Advocate of Loving All Pets Responsibility
http://www.lovingallpets.net

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Training Ferrets - 7 Tips That Will Stop His Biting and Nipping

"Ow!" If you're someone who has a ferret, this can be a common sound you'll hear in the household. Ferrets like to bite or nip playfully when they want to have some friendly fun. Though it really hurts sometimes, remember that they do this because their skin is much thicker than ours. But before you change your mind in keeping the ferret you have, here are some tips that can help you in training your ferrets not to bite.

Avoid Punishments When your ferret accidentally, or intentionally, bites you, do not punish him by thumping, flicking, scruffing him with force. Violence, even in this way, can never be the answer in trying to instill discipline in your ferret's mind. Just place the tip of your finger in his nose and say a forceful "NO".

Encourage good behavior Positive reinforcement will always do result to something good. Reward your ferret for good behavior so it will know how to distinguish bad from good. Focus more on its non-biting behavior rather than reacting stressfully to biting or nipping. They might get this as a clue to bite you more so they can get your attention. Give them treats (but not too much) or praise them when they did a good behavior.

Let them know you're hurt Make a noise in a high-pitched, shrill voice of "ooooww" or "aiiiiyyy". This way, they will know that they have hurt you. Most of the time, they do not mean to cause you pain but they will immediately know if you show them. Again, a firm, loud NO would also help in getting your point across.

Get a breather If a certain time comes when your pet just keeps on nipping for no apparent reason, give her a timeout. It is best that a special cage is used so that the ferret can identify this as his "punishment". He will associate this with bad behavior. Let it stay there for a couple of minutes just so it will understand the impact of the behavior.

Just Like the Mother Do what a mother ferret does-shake the ferret gently by the scruff or drag him along the floor while you hiss. These are the natural ways on how a mother ferret disciplines her kits. But again, don't be rough. You may end up hurting him. Don't forget the usual, forceful "NO."

Push it This isn't about pushing the ferret away. After your ferret bites you, immediately push a finger into the ferret's mouth (sideways, behind the back teeth) or hold the mouth open from behind. Be careful not to choke your pet. They will find this really uncomfortable because of the unpleasant feeling plus the taste of the finger.

Distractions You can also try spraying him with a water bottle when he's playing rough. Making his face wet usually brings him back to his senses. You can also blow in his face to distract him. One recommended way is by using a bitter apple spray on your hands. This tastes gross so your ferret will stop biting. Covering his face with your hand may also work.

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Ferret Training please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

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Ferret FAQ - 10 Questions and Answers That Every Ferret Owner Would Like to Know

Do you have a question that keeps on bothering you? Do you want to know more about your pet ferret? Would you like to have some information before purchasing your own ferret? Here are 10 quick answers for the questions you have about your pet ferret.

Question 1: Are ferrets related to rats or other rodents?

No. Ferrets are small domestic animals related to weasels, skunks and otters. They are not rats or rodents. In taxonomy, they are in between cats and dogs, but leaning more towards dogs.

Question 2: Can I breed the ferrets?

Unless you're a professional, no. Breeding ferrets are not as easy as breeding cats or dogs. Instead of breeding your own, why not visit your local ferret shelter. There are ferrets and other pets that are in need of a home and a responsible owner.

Question 3: Is it okay to give a child a ferret as a gift?

It is important to remember that ferrets require attention and care because they get easily get depressed. If you think that your child is responsible, careful and not too young, perhaps a ferret as a pet can be negotiable. Make sure, though, that you will always be willing to supervise and help out with care. If this will cause you a lot of hassle and stress, get a pet which doesn't require as much attention and care.

Question 4: My ferret is losing hair! What should I do?

First, let me tell you that they shed their coats during fall and in winter. However, if there is serious hair shedding, you need to take your ferret to an experienced ferret veterinarian. Don't look for solutions from your neighbors or from other people who you think knows something. Be sure by consulting a doctor that specializes on ferrets and not other self-proclaimed ferret gurus.

Question 5: What are some toys I can make for my ferrets?

Make her enjoy indoor camping by providing her a small tent made from old pieces of cloth. You can also look for a pair of old sweatpants or outgrown jeans. Cut off the legs and give them to your pet. Make use of your old shoe boxes or a cardboard box and turn it into a wagon. She'll definitely enjoy this! (Note: No plastic bags, please.)

Question 6: Do ferrets also have hiccups?

Yes. Hiccups are common to them especially to the baby ferrets. Give them a drink of water or a small treat. These would be able to help your pet in stopping the hiccups.

Question 7: How much do they cost?

Prices vary in different places and it also depends on where you're purchasing one. Stores and breeders price them from US$ 75-250, usually it's around $100. Don't forget to also include within your budget your cage and supplies (at around $100-$250) plus initial vaccinations ($75). Keep in mind that other costs may include food, treats, remedies, annual checkups and vaccinations. Have an emergency stash, too, for vet visits and other medical emergencies.

Question 8: Is it okay to bring my ferret along when going outside?

With the right accessories, why not? Ferrets love to travel. When it's just around the town, a shoulder bag with a litter pan, water bottle and food dish will suffice. Just check if the establishment you'll be entering welcomes pets to avoid embarrassment.

Question 9: Can I bring them when I'm traveling in a car or an airplane?

When traveling by car, plane or any other means, carefully weigh the consequences when planning your trip. Remember that not anyone is educated about ferrets. In some places, it's even illegal to have a ferret. In case you really want to take your pet with you, bring his medical records, health certificates, medications, travel carrier, food, water and other essentials to make the trip as comfortable as possible to you and your ferret. And please, do not let a stranger handle your ferrets!

Question 10: How should I know if my ferret is a male or female?

Turn over your ferret on his back and locate the anus just under the tail. If the ferret has a little round bump that looks like a bellybutton, which in actuality, is the penis. Girls have vulvas which are immediately forward of their anus.

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Ferret FAQ, please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

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Pet Housing Matters - Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right place for your pet is very important. For a lot of people, their pet is like another family member. When looking for pet housing, taking the time to find something great and spending a little extra money to get pet housing that's special is recommended if you want to keep your pet happy. While normal pet housing might be okay for some people, if you care about your pet, getting the very best place for them to sleep is important.

Whether you're looking for a dog house, a dog kennel, a cattery or even a chicken coop, making sure your animal has the best available will go a long way in making them happy. And when your pets are happy, they're better at making you happy. For every ounce of love you give them, they give back a pound of love. This is what makes getting them great pet housing such a good idea.

While some people will be satisfied with throwing a few pieces of wood together and nailing them will do the trick for a dog house. Even if you don't have a pampered pet, though, they surely deserve a little more effort for something that is going to house them from the elements. For the price, getting something a little above average for you pet just makes sense.

There are other thing to think about when it comes to pet housing For example, sustainable pet housing. If you care about the environment and are eco-friendly, why not make sure the housing for your pet is also environmentally friendly? There are a lot of sustainable pet housing options available if you search around. Even if you don't go with a recycled wood dog house, there are a lot of things you should take into consideration before you rush out and buy the first pet house you find. Your pet will thank you.

To find an appropriate housing solution for your pet, access Pets UK, or do you need a general list of Pet Services?

Mark Esho

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Choosing a Veterinarian For Your Pets

It is inevitable that you have to seek the services of a vet if you have even just one sorrowful eyed puppy, more so if you have a dozen adoring dogs and cats. The choice for a good and reliable veterinarian is critical because in his hands lay the health and life of your pets.

Choosing a vet among so many is difficult especially if each vet says that he is an expert in treating this illness or a specialist or trained at this Vet school with experience somewhere.

First rule, is he or she really a vet? Of course, it would be difficult to be a fake one, but there may be instances where a paramedical person may misrepresent himself. The best way is to check the veracity of diplomas or licenses that are often displayed in a vet's clinic. If the vet college is familiar to you, chances are he is a genuine one.

Ask around your neighborhood, friends or relatives if they can recommend a good vet for you. They can relate to you how their vet had treated their pets, what sound advice he has dispensed, how caring their vet is and who they think is the best. You can always locate vets in the yellow pages, but a real vet story from friends and people is much better than just a name in the yellow pages.

One good factor in choosing a vet is one who ardently and passionately loves his profession as much as he loves his animal clients and patients. You can tell a vet that he is passionate about animals if he has pets of his own. So ask, "How many pets do you have?" Otherwise, it would be like receiving advice from one who has not experienced it firsthand from his pets. You can identify a caring and compassionate vet through their thorough care of animals and give advice even if it is not paid for. Of course, they have to earn too but at times it's not only the money that they are practice but a genuine care and love for creatures that cannot take care of themselves on their own.

If you have a lot of pets, choose multiple vets who are familiar with all your pets. Sometimes vets band together and have just one clinic where they all practice. This is sound advice since if there had been an emergency and your favorite vet is busy elsewhere treating a patient then you can always go to another vet who is familiar with your pet.

A good vet is usually updated on his profession to be competent. You can recognize his competency when he can intelligently discuss different modes or techniques of therapy where he gives you option to choose. Also, he dispenses preventive and promotional advice. Additionally, his license is never expired, which means he currently attends training courses to renew his license as well as improve his competence.

Choose a vet who can do home visits especially in the event of an emergency. This would save your cat or dog a nasty trip to a vet's office or an animal hospital where other ill pets might be waiting in line and may infect each other with different ailments. Also, a home visit by the vet would familiarize the vet the living conditions of your pet that can help him in advising the best home care for your pet instead of a more expensive hospital care.

A good vet charges reasonable fees and he can discuss them with you. In case of accidents, he can tell you that he has a payment plan on how you can pay that unplanned event.

The best advice is still to meet the vet, ask questions and experience how he treats.

Brent McNutt enjoys talking about landau uniforms and landau scrub jackets and networking with healthcare professionals online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brent_McNutt

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Frontline Medicine Applications

Many of us use frontline medicine for our Dogs and Cats but there seems to be a real lack of knowledge about applying frontline to larger sized Dogs. While it is recommended that the capsule treatment for our pets is applied in one place on our Dogs, this is not always the best way.

If you have ever tried to empty the contents of a large capsule on to one spot you will probably have had the same experiences as me. Some of it goes where it should (on the animals skin), but a lot simply saturates the fur. This is not how it works at its most beneficial. For it to work effectively it needs to come in to contact with the skin. The larger capsules simply have too much in them to apply it to a single place.

The best way to treat a larger animal is to apply have the capsule in one spot and the other half in another. This means that you are comprehensively treating the whole animal. All of the treatment will now come in to contact with the skin, increasing its effectiveness and meaning that your pet will totally protected from ticks and fleas for the minimum amount of time stated, which is a month. We pay too much for our flea and tick treatments to not use them to their full capacity.

When using frontline medicine always ensure that you apply in two distinct spots to larger Dogs to ensure that the animal will get maximum benefit and coverage.

Use frontline medicine safely and efficiently. Frontline medicine will be most effective when used properly. Frontline for Dogs must always be used as instructed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Tee

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Dwarf Hamster Breeding - What You Should Know

Dwarf hamster breeding is definitely something to consider if you're a serious dwarf hamster enthusiast. It is a fun and rewarding process and it's not a simple matter either. In fact, first time breeders may be surprised at how complex this process actually is. You don't just put a boy and girl together and let them handle the rest, there's certain groundwork that must be done before facilitating dwarf hamster breeding and the first step is to become more familiar with the process. You might be thinking, "But what is there to be familiar with? They mate and give birth, what more is there?" Well, the things you should be more familiar with are the details. This includes the age at which dwarf hamsters begin to breed, how long pregnancies last, and post-birth care.

Learning the details about the breeding process isn't just important for dwarf hamster breeding. Being educated about breeding can help you prevent surprise pregnancies as well as help you deal with one if it happens to occur. An interesting aspect of dwarf hamster breeding is that these details are slightly different with each species. The overall process is the same but with each species, whether it's the Campbell's, Roborovski's, Winter White, or Chinese dwarf hamster, it's slightly unique.

The first thing you'll want to know is the age at which breeding occurs. Well this may surprise you but dwarf hamsters sometimes reach sexual maturity as early as one month in age (this is the age they finish weaning!). This usually isn't the case though and the Campbell's, Winter White, and Chinese dwarf hamsters usually start to breed when they're about two to three months in age. Roborovski's on the other hand have been known to breed at four months in age to as late as eighteen months in age. One interesting thing that has been known to happen is after the pregnant mother has given birth, the mother and father sometimes mate again as soon as twenty four hours later! Other times the father and mother wait until the babies have grown before mating again.

Once you have a pregnant dwarf hamster, it's important to know how long the pregnancy will last and when you can expect the birth to happen. Pregnancies usually last an average of three weeks. This is true for all species except for the Roborovski. The Roborovski dwarf hamsters usually have pregnancies that last about a month.

The final aspect of dwarf hamster breeding that we will be going over is an interesting one, the role of the father. The father is an important part of the pregnancy process (obviously) but the father's role isn't just as a mate. After birth the father helps with the raising of the young. With the Chinese, Winter White, and Roborovski dwarf hamsters, the father is usually chased out of the nest and forced to sleep elsewhere right before birth. This is only for a few days though and although he may miss the birth of the babies he does return to help raise them. This is different with the Campbell's dwarf hamsters where the father is usually with the babies from the moment they are born. In fact, with Campbell's dwarf hamsters, the father has a very close relationship with the mother throughout the birthing process. It is believed that this is a trait that has developed due to the harsher environment the Campbell's dwarf hamsters are from. For the Campbell's hamsters, it's important for the father to remain close with the family during and after the birth process to provide much needed warmth in the cold environment they experience in the wild.

Dwarf hamster breeding is an amazing but complex process. Familiarization with this birthing process is important if one of your hamsters ever get pregnant. Basic things you should know are the breeding age of your hamsters and duration of the pregnancy. Each species is different so it is also important to know what to expect for your specific hamster.

George Grayson is an author and dwarf hamster expert. Learn more about dwarf hamster breeding by visiting http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Grayson

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Russian Dwarf Hamster "Jewels" - Fur Coat Colors and Textures

The Russian hamster is a very tiny creature that is known by a few other big names, such as Siberian Hamster, the Russian winter white or the striped hairy-footed hamster. This dwarf hamster full grown weighs in at 1 to 2 ounces and tends to be about 4 inches in length generally good natured and sociable.

Their basic colors are dark gray, lilac blue or purple gray with a predominately white head. One reason this hamster is also called the Russian winter white is because their coats prominently turn white in response to reduced levels of sunlight. In the wild, where breeding of color is natural, they are commonly dark gray, with a black dorsal strip, prominent white belly and striking black eyes.

Hamster "jewels" colors are obtained when breeding for coat colors and texture of their hair. Sapphire Siberian dwarf hamsters are blue-gray or purple-gray, once again with a dark dorsal strip on it's back, The belly color is ivory with striking black eyes.

The other "jewels" color is Pearl. Their whole coat is pearl - almost all pearl white in color, with black or purple hairs scattered randomly about their coat. On the head and their spine is a bit of color and where there is black hairs on the back one can notice the bit's and pieces of the dorsal stripe and is called the Siberian Pearl.

If your interested in showing off your pet hamsters colors, try contacting your local pet store to find out about local breeders and hamster clubs that facilitate Hamster shows. At most pet shows, the hamster is judged in a class of members of it's own type and sex. Then the categories are split from there into age and coat color. Each hamster is given points for how closely they match the ideal standard, with the condition of it's fur, ears and eyes are all part of the judging. Perhaps you might need to make some room at home for your turn to bring home the trophy!

Kym Sutherland is an Author and pet hobbyist who enjoys raising and caring for pets. For more Russian Dwarf Hamster information, go to the website, http://www.DwarfhamsterGuide.com/tips Sign up for the free mini ecourse and see you soon!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Sutherland

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Hamster Chinese - Dwarfish But Not a Dwarf

The Chinese hamster - otherwise known as the striped hamster - is not really a true dwarf hamster but simply a tiny hamster. Their life span is normally two to three years, and they have a slim body that reaches about 4 inches in length. The tiny frame of their body will enable them to squeeze through the small openings of a wire cage, which is why it is recommended that Chinese hamsters be kept in glass aquariums that are escape proof.

Like all hamsters, the Chinese hamster is nocturnal; however, there is a short period during the day when they may be active and awake. Chinese hamsters rarely nip and are generally timid and good natured. Their small size can be a bit challenging to handle, especially for children. Because they are so active, they require a big cage; they move a lot and should be provided with ample space.

Females may become quite aggressive and assertive as they grow older and they should be separated from the males. However, some pet owners manage to curb this poor attitude and keep them in groups. It is advisable to keep your Chinese hamsters in separately when they are very young, only putting them together when you are certain there will be no aggression at all.

The Chinese hamster's hair is banded with dark and light colors, dark brown in the back and black on the dorsal spine, and sometimes a spot in their white fur appears. They have one-inch long hairless tails, which makes them rather rat-like or mouse-like in appearance and sets them apart from ordinary hamsters. Chinese hamsters often have no control over their bladder, and can urinate everywhere, including your hands when you are holding them.

Chinese hamsters require no special care; treat them as you would any other ordinary hamster. However, pay particular attention to their size in relation to the possibility of escaping a wired cage. As with the other breeds of hamsters, their cage should always be kept clean and dry. As much as possible avoid pine wood or cedar shavings. These types of shavings contain harmful oils and minerals that may pose a danger to your pet. Accumulated hamster urine may produce an ammonia build-up and may cause disease among your pets.

Years ago, Chinese hamsters were used as laboratory animals for experiments and medical use until rats and mice replaced them for the purpose. However, there are still biotech companies who are using Chinese hamsters for their experiments. The state of California regards the Chinese hamsters as a pest and therefore they require a permit to own and breed them. On the other hand, the state of New Jersey considers the Chinese hamsters an exotic animal, and requires the owner to acquire a special permit to keep them.

Russ Fleederman is a dwarf hamster expert. For more great information on the hamster Chinese and a FREE dwarf hamster mini-course, visit http://www.dwarf-hamster.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Fleederman

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