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‘PETS’

Now that you have the pond you’ve always wanted, how do you keep it in good shape? The following are some common pond problems you may encounter and how you can solve them. Read the rest of this entry »

Plants are an important part of almost any pond because they add beauty to the pond and aid in maintaining a healthy environment for fish. They also provide food and shelter for the creatures that may reside in the pond. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets are among the most popular of household pets. They’re similar to cats in that they’re both friendly and curious, and, if you’re up to the challenge, they can be trained. Unlike cats, ferrets require a little more care to keep odors down and to keep them in optimal health. They’re also prone to several diseases if they don’t get the proper diet. Read the rest of this entry »

With so many different breeds of cats to choose from, it can be difficult to make the decision as to which breed is the right one for you and your family. Let’s take a look at various breeds of cats, some fairly well known and others that are more unique and somewhat rare. Read the rest of this entry »

Named after the Latin word for thief, furonem, Ferrets are among the most popular of household pets today. Like cats, they can be both curious and friendly, and with some effort can be trained. They’re very social animals and prefer to be in groups. Read the rest of this entry »

The history of one of our favorite domestic pets is still awhirl in controversy. Some points are generally agreed on, but much is still shrouded in mystery. Read the rest of this entry »

Choosing a ferret, of course, involves a certain emotional commitment. But there are a few objective factors that you can look at to help you decide. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets require more care than cats or dogs. Though they sleep about 18 hours per day, when they’re awake they’re very active. They’re also extremely curious and love to explore. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets have very high metabolisms. As a result, unlike dogs, they should have access to food at all times. Their digestive systems work quickly and they will typically process anything they’ve eaten within a few hours. For that, and other aspects, to function properly, they also need lots of water. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets are sometimes mistakenly put into the rodent family. But ferrets are mustelids – a member of the weasel family and cousins of otters, minks, badgers and others. The reason the difference is important to know is diet. Read the rest of this entry »

For the sake of your ferret’s safety and your sanity, it pays many times over to take a careful look at your home. Ferrets are active and highly exploratory animals. Read the rest of this entry »

Many people find themselves too busy to devote a lot of attention to their pet ferret. Yet, the ferret enjoys interaction. Apart from non-neutered males, they will generally seek the company of others and want to play and explore. Read the rest of this entry »

Like puppies and kittens, kits (baby ferrets) are very mouthy. They use their teeth to nip and explore. But since they’re so small and sharp, that can be a painful experience. Fortunately, with patience, most ferrets can be trained not to injure a person or another ferret. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets are more susceptible to some diseases that dog and cat owners might never have had to deal with. Some are worse than others. Read the rest of this entry »

Like dogs, cats and other mammals, ferrets can acquire dangerous viruses. Sometimes those are fatal. But that result can usually be avoided by a proper vaccination schedule, using the right vaccines. Read the rest of this entry »

How it is even possible to be a veterinarian is something of a mystery. Being a physician that treats humans is challenging enough. They spend years learning anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a dozen other major subjects. Yet medical doctors have only one species to study. Vets are expected to know a half-dozen or more. Read the rest of this entry »

Like any aging mammal, ferrets get tumors, cancers and the like. When they reach around age four or later, the odds increase. The average ferret lifespan is between 6-8 years. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrets, like many of the cousins in the weasel family, have a natural musky scent. Over time that can build up to an unpleasant level. That happens too often in pet stores and the homes of careless owners who don’t house and clean the cage properly. Read the rest of this entry »

Like cats and dogs, ferrets can be bitten by fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other potentially harmful parasites. Ctenocephalides felis, the most common cat flea, is the primary culprit. But since ferrets love to explore burrows, if they’re let outside, they can readily come into contact with others. Read the rest of this entry »

For one of the friendliest of domestic pets, ferrets have gotten a bad reputation among some. That reputation is almost entirely undeserved. Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping your ferret properly caged and supplied with toys isn’t just for its (or your) amusement. Though that’s not a bad reason! The proper cage and accessories will help keep it safe, healthy and out of trouble. Read the rest of this entry »

Training puppies requires patience, proper technique and tons of time. Ferrets are harder. They’re not unintelligent, but they’re less eager to please and not as socialized as dogs. Though domestic, they’re simply a different kind of animal. Read the rest of this entry »

When thinking about ferrets and the law, few have to think about what trouble their ferret got into. Though there has been a lawsuit or two involving bites and yard or toy damage. But when considering the choice to invite one of these fascinating creatures into your home, there are still a few things worth knowing. Read the rest of this entry »

The first tip anyone new to ferret breeding should hear is “Don’t.” It sounds rude, but breeding ferrets is much more difficult than breeding dogs. Read the rest of this entry »

So, you’ve decided that you want to have a pet cat. However, before you shop for your kitten, you may need to consider a few important things. Finding out that a cat is not for you after you’ve already grown attached can be heart breaking. Read the rest of this entry »

There are so many cat breeds. How can you decide which breed is right for you and your family? Follow this handy guide to select the perfect cat breed. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you interested in finding a purebred cat? As you shop for your cat, you may notice the initials CFA in some advertisements. What exactly does this mean? Read the rest of this entry »

For many people, a single cat is the ideal situation. However, for others, cats seem to be like potato chips. They can’t stop with just one. This is partly because there are so many wonderful cat breeds and partly because most cats enjoy the companionship of other cats. Read the rest of this entry »

While almost everyone walks their dog, few people walk their cats. However, cats can learn to walk on a leash. In fact, there are collars, harnesses, and leashes designed just for cats. Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone knows that cats absolutely hate water, so why on earth would someone want to bathe their cat? Well, although cats don’t enjoy paddling in the swimming pool with their doggie pals, they still can get just as dirty or flea infested as dogs. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you tired of cat hair on the counters, footprints on the windowsills, and rumpled pillows? If so, you may want to consider giving your cat his own resting spot. In fact, to truly make your cat happy, you may need to provide him with several cat beds in different areas. Read the rest of this entry »

So, you have a new kitten. You can just dump some cat food in a bowl and get on with your life, right? Well, there’s a bit more to the process than this. To keep your kitten healthy, you will need to be sure that you meet all of his nutritional needs. Read the rest of this entry »

While cats do have a reputation as finicky eaters, few cats really insist on dining from fine crystal bowls. However, that doesn’t mean you should feed your cat straight from the can, either. Cats should have their own sturdy feeders or bowls that are easy to clean. Read the rest of this entry »

For most cat owners, one of the biggest drawbacks of owning a cat is the dreaded cat litter box. Few people like to clean litter boxes. After all, they aren’t just smelly. Read the rest of this entry »

Has your cat become infested with fleas or ticks? If his buggy skin has been keeping you up all night, it is time for you to get those fleas or ticks under control. Read the rest of this entry »

Cats do not like to be dirty. Most cats spend a good part of their day licking their paws and face to stay clean and tidy. However, despite this, few cat owners think about grooming their cats. Read the rest of this entry »

Has your cat been coughing and hacking? If so, he may have hairballs. If you see disgusting skinny oval blobs on the floor, you will know that your cat has managed to dislodge one of his hairballs. Read the rest of this entry »

When a kitten is born, it is hard to believe that one of these helpless little pink things will become a graceful and powerful hunter. However, within a year, that tiny kitten will be a mature cat. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most important things you can do for your cat is to be sure its health is protected. Cat vaccinations can protect your cat from many common cat ailments. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve never owned a cat before, you may not realize that cats can suffer from quite a few different health problems. Some of these problems are easily preventable, while others are hereditary. Read the rest of this entry »

Are your chairs, window screens, and rugs all turning to confetti beneath your cat’s lethal claws? If so, you may be wondering how you can stop this behavior. Of course, it may be easier to stop your cat from destroying your home if you understand why he scratches first. Read the rest of this entry »

With the large number of homeless and feral cats in the world, it is no wonder that people are beginning to realize the importance of neutering their cats. After all, since cats can reproduce several times a year and mature quickly, just two feral cats can quickly become twenty. Read the rest of this entry »

Many people are under the mistaken impression that cats are arrogant, moody creatures that will ignore their owners’ attempts to train them. They think that cats could obey and choose not to. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve always thought cats were too snooty and unaffectionate, you haven’t met an Abyssinian. These cats are very personable and affectionate animals that love to interact with their families. Read the rest of this entry »

If you want a friendly cat and don’t mind that the breed you’ve chosen is a bit of an upstart in the cat world, since it only has existed since the nineteen sixties, you may want to consider the American Bobtail. Read the rest of this entry »

The first time you see an American Curl, you may think that the cat has a deformity. After all, cats don’t usually have ears that curve back toward the back of their heads. Read the rest of this entry »

If you aren’t familiar with pedigreed cats, you may be under the impression that the American Shorthair is a fancy name for an alley cat. However, the American Shorthair, which was called the Domestic Shorthair until the nineteen sixties, is a pedigreed cat that meets a specific standard. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want a cat that has a distinctive and unusual looking appearance? If so, you may want to consider the American Wirehair. This breed has hair that looks like colored steel wool, although it doesn’t feel quite so coarse to the touch. Read the rest of this entry »

When people first see a Balinese cat, they often think that this elegant looking cat must be haughty and unsociable. However, nothing could be further from the truth. This breed may look refined, but it is actually incredibly friendly and fun loving. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want a cat that is considered to be a sacred animal? Many people think that the beautiful Birman cat breed originated from cats that guarded the Burman temples. This breed is even rumored to have helped the Burmese monks fight off attackers when a Birman’s coat turned the golden color of the goddess the monks worshiped, except for his paws which stayed pure white. Of course, less fanciful cat lovers say the Birman is simply a French relative of the Himalayan cat breed. Read the rest of this entry »