As many of you know, I support the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign that encourages people not to buy rabbits for Easter. However, rabbits make great companions and are fantastic pets in the right home. There are many homeless rabbits at a shelter near you and they are ready to be adopted! Rabbit personalites vary widely and like any animal, there may be behavioral issues you have to deal with. Take your time at the shelter to choose the right rabbit for you. Shelters are happy to answer your questions and let you play with the rabbits to get a feel for what they are like. If you already have a rabbit and are looking for a buddy, many shelters let you bring your rabbit in for play dates so that they can choose their own friend.
If you know me personally, you have heard me talk about how cute, sweet, and intelligent my rabbit is. Hershey has been a faithful companion for almost 8 years and she constantly amazes me. However, it hasn't aways been easy. Everytime I move, I have to litter train her again. Even though I am careful to make sure cords are tucked away, I have still had a few destroyed. Somehow, my phone charger ended up on the floor once and by the time I found it, the cord was chewed in half. When I first got Hershey, I had to train her not to dig up carpet. Landlords usually frown upon this. Speaking of landlords...many apartment complexes classify rabbits as farm animals so it can be difficult to find a complex that will allow them. They are out there if you do your research. Sometimes you can get people to write a letter of reference for your rabbit and convince a complex to make an exception. These are just a few of the troubles I have had thoughout the years. For the most part, Hershey has been very easy and she is definitely worth it.
I would like to share a list of questions to ask the rescue to help you choose your furry friend:
-Is the rabbit shy or friendly?
-Can the rabbit get along with other pets?
-Does the rabbit get along with children?
-Does the rabbit like to be picked up and cuddled?
-Does the rabbit get frightened easily?
-How old is the rabbit?
-What is the lifespan of the particular breed?
-Has the rabbit had any health problems?
-Is the rabbit already litter trained?
-Do you know of any behavioral problems?
-Does the rabbit shed a lot?
-What diet is the rabbit currently on? (If the rabbit is used to eating mostly pellets, veggies will have to be slowly added in)
These are just a few questions to get you started. I am happy to answer any questions you may have to help you find the right pet for your home. For more tips about animals, funny videos, and other valuable information, please check out my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PetPamperingPlus
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Homemade Diets to Ensure Healthy Cats and Dogs
Making your pets food at home can help to ensure that you know what your pets are eating and that it is not contaminated. Remember all of the recalls back in 2007? So many animals got sick from contaminated food. I am still hearing about recalls often so it scares me to feed commercialized pet food. Also, most pet foods have additives that the pets really don't need.
If you can't make your pets food at home, I suggest that you stick with a high quality, grain free canned food. I can help you to choose brands that I trust. That is not a guarantee that they are perfect, but it is definitely a start. My own cat gets a combination of raw food and canned. My ultimate goal would be to feed only raw. However, I want her to get a variety of meats.
Watch Doctor Karen Becker's video of why you should feed homemade pet food.
If you decide to go that route, I am happy to help you find resources on how to do it properly.
If you can't make your pets food at home, I suggest that you stick with a high quality, grain free canned food. I can help you to choose brands that I trust. That is not a guarantee that they are perfect, but it is definitely a start. My own cat gets a combination of raw food and canned. My ultimate goal would be to feed only raw. However, I want her to get a variety of meats.
Watch Doctor Karen Becker's video of why you should feed homemade pet food.
If you decide to go that route, I am happy to help you find resources on how to do it properly.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Small Dogs Need Constant Supervision- Even in Your Own Back Yard
Small dogs can be targets for several types of predators. An acquaintance learned that the hard way this week. She let her Pomeranian out to potty as she always did. She only left her unsupervised for a few minutes but when she got back, her dog was gone. Her yard backs up to land so it isn't a surprise that wild animals live nearby. Her sister and brother-in-law helped her search and they found several foxes living nearby.
I am sad to say, that this isn't the first story I have heard of dogs disappearing like this. Tiny dogs can be considered prey to fox, coyote, hawks, and owls. With the constant new construction in our area, we are running wild animals out of their natural habitats. They are getting braver around people and dogs can be easy targets. I know that I have personally seen all four predators in Lewisville and Flower Mound. In fact, I saw three grey fox in broad day light. I always thought they came out at dusk and dawn, but that isn't always the case. I saw them standing in a field by somebody's private fence. I found myself wondering if there was a dog on the other side.
We can coexist with our wild friends, but we have to be smart about it. Don't leave garbage out longer than you need to for trash pick up, keep you yard tidy, and supervise all small pets!!! If you have any concerns about wildlife in your area, please contact The DFW Wildlife Coalition http://www.dfwwildlife.org.
I am sad to say, that this isn't the first story I have heard of dogs disappearing like this. Tiny dogs can be considered prey to fox, coyote, hawks, and owls. With the constant new construction in our area, we are running wild animals out of their natural habitats. They are getting braver around people and dogs can be easy targets. I know that I have personally seen all four predators in Lewisville and Flower Mound. In fact, I saw three grey fox in broad day light. I always thought they came out at dusk and dawn, but that isn't always the case. I saw them standing in a field by somebody's private fence. I found myself wondering if there was a dog on the other side.
We can coexist with our wild friends, but we have to be smart about it. Don't leave garbage out longer than you need to for trash pick up, keep you yard tidy, and supervise all small pets!!! If you have any concerns about wildlife in your area, please contact The DFW Wildlife Coalition http://www.dfwwildlife.org.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Make Mine Chocolate Campaign
Every Easter many children get pet store rabbits as Easter gifts. Soon after, the shelters are flooded with calls because the children don't play with the rabbits and they don't want them anymore. Make Mine Chocolate is a campaign reminding people not to give rabbits as gifts and buy chocolate rabbits instead. You can "like" them on Facebook and spread the word here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-Mine-Chocolate/342712376109?ref=ts&sk=wall.
If you have older children who are able to be gentle with animals and understand that most rabbits don't enjoy being picked up, a rabbit may be a great pet. There are several rabbit rescues in DFW area that are at full capacity and could use your help. They would love to adopt out rabbits to good homes and are happy to teach you what caring for a pet rabbit entails. Even though they are small, they are just as much work as a dog or cat. With proper care, rabbits can be affectionate loving friends!
If you have older children who are able to be gentle with animals and understand that most rabbits don't enjoy being picked up, a rabbit may be a great pet. There are several rabbit rescues in DFW area that are at full capacity and could use your help. They would love to adopt out rabbits to good homes and are happy to teach you what caring for a pet rabbit entails. Even though they are small, they are just as much work as a dog or cat. With proper care, rabbits can be affectionate loving friends!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wild animals need care too!
With constant weather changes and the continued destruction of land, mother nature needs help from you to care for her wild critters! This winter was hard for even many of the southern states so there was less growth of food for animals in the area. Even if you have a small space, you can help. My mom has an average house in the middle of the city but her back yard is a peaceful haven for many wild critters. She tells me that they are her pets too. Because of all the new construction in the area, animals are being run out of their natural homes. Rabbits, hawks, squirrels, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even ducks are showing up in areas they wouldn't normally. Setting up your yard for the animals is pretty simple and even better, is that when you plant the native plants for the wildlife, you save on water bills too!
Even Florida got hit hard this year. If you go to the store, you may notice that sunflower seed has almost doubled in price. This may mean that people who normally feed the birds, can't afford to feed them anymore. However, growing sunflowers in your yard is easy. Pick a small space in your yard to grow the sunflowers. Once they finally grow seed, they may hang down and not look as pretty, but it is a lot of fun to watch the birds hang upside down and eat from the flowers. You could also harvest the seed and put it in a feeder.
There has been a reduction in butterfly populations because of construction and also because of chemicals used on our lawns. Butterflies need host plants to feed on as caterpillars and nectar plants to feed from as adults. Each species prefers different kinds of plants. The Dallas discover gardens is always offering classes about how to fix your yard up to attract the butterflies and not use poisons. Check out a list of events here: http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/upcoming_events.php. You can also download an app for your smart phone to take a garden tour here: http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/index.php
The DFW Wildlife Coalition offers presentations to groups on how to coexist with animals in the city. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for a group that you are a part of, check them out here: http://www.dfwwildlife.org/wildspeak.html
Just a reminder: Even though animals are coming to our yards to feed, we must remember that they are wild and should stay that way. The more natural we make their food sources, the better. We should not feed them by hand. We don't want them to become too comfortable with humans as there are still people who will hurt them.
If you have any questions about setting up your yard, let me know. If I don't know the answer, I will find out!
Even Florida got hit hard this year. If you go to the store, you may notice that sunflower seed has almost doubled in price. This may mean that people who normally feed the birds, can't afford to feed them anymore. However, growing sunflowers in your yard is easy. Pick a small space in your yard to grow the sunflowers. Once they finally grow seed, they may hang down and not look as pretty, but it is a lot of fun to watch the birds hang upside down and eat from the flowers. You could also harvest the seed and put it in a feeder.
There has been a reduction in butterfly populations because of construction and also because of chemicals used on our lawns. Butterflies need host plants to feed on as caterpillars and nectar plants to feed from as adults. Each species prefers different kinds of plants. The Dallas discover gardens is always offering classes about how to fix your yard up to attract the butterflies and not use poisons. Check out a list of events here: http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/upcoming_events.php. You can also download an app for your smart phone to take a garden tour here: http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/index.php
The DFW Wildlife Coalition offers presentations to groups on how to coexist with animals in the city. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for a group that you are a part of, check them out here: http://www.dfwwildlife.org/wildspeak.html
Just a reminder: Even though animals are coming to our yards to feed, we must remember that they are wild and should stay that way. The more natural we make their food sources, the better. We should not feed them by hand. We don't want them to become too comfortable with humans as there are still people who will hurt them.
If you have any questions about setting up your yard, let me know. If I don't know the answer, I will find out!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Good Vs Bad Dog Play
Sometimes dogs can get a little too rough and the slightest move while playing can break out into a fight. There are signs to be aware of in order to prevent a fight before it starts. Do you know the difference between good and bad dog play? Sometimes the signs are subtle. Check out this video to learn more!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Do you know how to read your dog's body language?
Do you know how to read your dog's body language? What about your kids? Learning how to read a dog not only helps you with dog training, but it also keeps you and your children safe!
Many times, warning signs are subtle and you need to know how to recognize them. Did you know that not all dogs who wag their tail are happy? Once your learn the warning signs, you can use them to make decisions on how to act. There are many calming signals that you can use.
Check out this video on dog body language and stay safe!
Many times, warning signs are subtle and you need to know how to recognize them. Did you know that not all dogs who wag their tail are happy? Once your learn the warning signs, you can use them to make decisions on how to act. There are many calming signals that you can use.
Check out this video on dog body language and stay safe!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)