Jun 25th, 2007 | Unusual Pets | Comments Off
Skunks are very special animals. They are extremely intelligent. They are extremely hardheaded. This makes for an incredible combination. It is a challenge to own a skunk and take care of it on a daily basis. It takes an amazing amount of patience to live with these animals. Most people do not realize how loveable, devoted and fun skunks are as pets.
Skunks are extremely strong for their size. They are also very curious. When you put these things together you will learn that skunks can move and get behind nearly any piece of furniture. They will dump out your purse, book bags, baskets, toy chests and potted plants just to name a few. These are the elements that make skunks fun and loveable, though. They want to play and love to play with their owner’s belongings. Skunks will steal anything soft to make their beds warm and snuggly. They will also pull the blankets off of your bed and use it to make their own bed. Your skunk will want to play in particular with you and your things. They also prefer to sleep with you at night. Skunks will come when they are called and are very eager to please their owner. They are extremely food and snack motivated as well. Skunks make wonderful pets, but before you buy one there are a few things you need to know first.
Skunks must have careful diets. They need a lot of vegetables, a little fruit, some fresh cooked meats, low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese and one vanilla wafer or sugar cookie daily. Just like with dogs, chocolate will kill a skunk as will cat food of any kind and sunflower seeds. They need a well-balance diet just like humans do and do not enjoy eating the same things everyday.
Skunks are very sensitive. They can be allergic to pollens, dust and hair spray. Pesticides can be deadly to skunks. Lysol and glade products contain a chemical that will make a skunk very sick.
Skunks are natural born diggers and climbers. These habits can be broken to a certain extent but they will always enjoy these things. They are not by nature destructive animals. They may steal your things but not to destroy them - just to cuddle with them.
Skunks do not chew or slobber, they do not shed and they cannot be de-clawed. A skunk uses his claws the same way people use their toes. Without claws the skunk cannot walk or hold their food properly.
They can be litter box trained and are very clean animals that are shy about their bathroom habits and prefer that their litter boxes be away from their living area in a corner. Given a situation where the skunk does not have an available litter box he will instinctively find a corner to use.
Skunks must have shots the same as your dog but the vaccines must be chicken based.
In order to be great household pets, the skunks have been de-scented. They are de-scented at the age of about 4 weeks before the leave the breeding farm. Because this is their main defense mechanism, they can never be let outside again. They will be easily killed.
Skunk ownership is a long-term commitment. With the proper diet and veterinary care, the average lifespan of a skunk in captivity is 17-22 years old.
Skunks are virtually silent animals. They do make soft bird-like whistles when they are happy and to show affection but if angry or scared they can screech loudly like a Macaw.
Skunks are not all black and white. They come in every color except green and blue. There is every shade of brown, black, gray and blonde. There are albino skunks that have pink eyes and there are white skunks that have dark eyes. There are even lavender skunks. They can have 2-6 stripes and can have spots and swirls mixed in with the stripes.
Skunks are just as different as any other species of animal. They make great pets for families and single people alike. As with any pet it takes dedication and commitment to take care of a skunk but the rewards are endless. Skunks are said to give back 100 times the love, affection and fun that you give to them.
Jun 18th, 2007 | Cats, Pets | Comments Off
Feral cats are different from stray cats. Stray cats are usually the product of a person’s irresponsibility. Irresponsibility could be defined in two ways when it comes to strays: dumping a cat to fend for itself and/or neglecting to spay and neuter their cats. Stray cats can be timid, but are often easily tamed. Feral cats are cats that were probably born to wild parents and are wild themselves. Feral cats have had no human interaction and are very difficult to tame.
Because feral cats are difficult to tame, thus making them undesirable indoor pets, there are many rescue organizations that are dedicated to the trapping and spaying and neutering of feral cat colonies. Many times, these organizations trap the cats, have them spayed and neutered and then release them near where they were originally found. Then, they dedicate themselves to providing food to these colonies.
Feral cats are everywhere. You can find feral cats in rural or farm areas, abandoned buildings and even parks and alleyways. You might catch a glimpse of them, but chances are that you would not be able to catch them easily. After all, they have not been around humans so any contact would make them shy away from you. If you have feral cats in your neighborhood, you may wonder whether these animals can be kept as pets.
Taming a feral cat can be a difficult proposition simply because they are not accustomed to humans. Depending on the level of their interactions with humans, some cats might be classified as semi-feral, total feral or even a converted feral cat. Depending on what your cat is classified dictates your potential success in socializing it. In addition, it takes a lot of time, love and patience to tame these cats.
If you find a cat that is has been feral for a years, chances are that there is little to no chance of socializing it. With no human contact at all, these cats are overly independent and would never depend on a human for food or companionship. You might have better success with a cat that is semi-feral. In these instances, they have had some limited human contact. A converted feral cat would probably have the best chance at a normal life as someone’s pet. These cats were once domesticated, meaning that they probably started life as a pet and then was abandoned. The converted feral cat will more than likely eventually respond to human interactions such as love and affection.
If you want to attempt to tame a feral cat, remember that it can be hard work reaching out to the feral cat and getting them to trust you after being on their own. Sometimes, your efforts will not pay off for months, especially with older cats. If your attempts are a success, the rewards are well worth it because a strong bond can develop and loyalty and love is the reward.
If you believe you have the time and the love to attempt to tame a feral, there are some things to remember. First, these cats see you as an intruder and are very likely to spit, hiss, bite and claw. This is a normal response as they are defending themselves against a perceived predator – you. If they manage to get in a few bites or scratches, you should apply first aid immediately. After you have successfully trapped a feral cat, your very first step is to get it to the vet for spay or neuter and to check for any diseases it may carry. This is a necessary step and an absolute must if you have other pets in the house. After you have arrived home with your cat, you need to let it adjust to you and the surroundings by giving it a small, safe place to stay. Allow the cat to stay in a small bathroom or laundry room, where it does not feel overwhelmed. You will need to take time every day to spend time with the cat and allow the cat to adjust to you.
Remember, not all feral cats can be socialized; however with love and patience, your time and efforts may be worthwhile.
Jun 11th, 2007 | Cats, Pets | Comments Off
Introducing a new pet to the family can be one of life’s sweetest experiences, especially when it’s a new kitten. Regardless if you are a child or an adult, we all melt when that new furry little friend becomes part of the family.
It should be quite obvious then, that your family would all like your new cat to live a long healthy life and bond tightly with the members of the household. You should expect to spend every day conditioning your cat with mild behavior training and direction, especially during the first few months as a kitten. You must lay the groundwork early on so that your new pet will be trained for a lifetime of good behavior.
For example, if you want your new kitten to use the litter box, scratch at his own scratching post instead of your furniture, or not get into the habit of nipping your fingers, then you need to establish the rules on the very first day of homecoming. Do not feel bad about disciplining your little kitty. This is a mistake that many new kitten owners make. They feel guilty and end up not training their pets appropriately. Going this route will ensure your frustration in the future when he is an adult cat that is giving your problems.
Keeping Your New Kitten Safe
In addition to behavior training, the first few months of having a new kitten in the house involves detailed attention to the safety of the animal. You must ensure that the surrounding areas in your home is safe for the little guy. All too often, cats can get seriously injured or even die because of household dangers that could have been avoided.
For example, look around each room and check all objects and low lying shelf units within at least the first 3-4 feet high. Is there anything that a kitten could paw into which could fall on top of him? Is there any electronic wiring within the kitten’s reach that could cause him to be electrocuted? Do you see any small areas that a kitten can squeeze into and possibly get trapped?
Many new pet owners underestimate these dangers. But as you can see by the examples above, it doesn’t take much for your kitten to get himself into danger around the house. In fact, it is best to create a checklist of all of the possibilities that may be harmful to your cat before you even bring him home. Once you have secured all dangers, you can rest assure that your kitten’s new home is safe and sound.
Jun 4th, 2007 | Iguanas, Pets | No Comments
Before you decide to buy an iguana, you have to know the necessary requirements in order to be successful in owning one of nature’s exotic species. Being familiar with the animal’s basic needs should be enough to keep an iguana alive. However, having the proper knowledge of how to raise a happy iguana, one that you can live with for the next 15 to 25 years, will require more than simple feeding and caring.
It would be inaccurate and unfair to imply that iguanas are simple pets to care for and that everyone should have one. Iguanas are special animals with special needs that may or may not be suitable to a potential owner. An iguana requires a lot from its owner, especially during the first few months of obtaining one.
Iguanas are not like many urban pets. If having an adaptable pet that is easy to care for is what you have in mind, then you’re better off getting a cat or a fish. If you are buying an iguana just to look at or show to your friends, just go to the zoo or watch the National Geographic channel because you will soon regret your reason for getting one. Last but not the least, if you don’t have the time, patience, money, and commitment to raise an unusual and challenging pet, an iguana is not right for you.
On the other hand, if you are prepared to take on the challenge of raising a unique animal, an iguana can be the perfect match. Ask yourself the following six questions before you buy an iguana:
1. Can I give my iguana the proper care, feeding, and habitat necessary for its survival?
2. Can I provide the medical care and expense in order for it to stay healthy?
3. Do I have a real interest in these animals or is it more a phase that I am going through?
4. Do I have the time, energy, and patience to train a special animal?
5. As a responsible pet owner, am I willing to educate myself of the animal’s special needs and concerns?
6. If the iguana is for my child, will I be willing and able to take over the responsibility of caring for it if my child loses interest?