Article #1
Can Ferrets Eat Dog Food?
Pet ferrets are still relatively fewer compared to other pets. This creates one problem: where do you get ferret food?
Worse yet, it can’t be mass-produced. This makes it more expensive to raise your pet.
You’re probably thinking: will dog food do? Is it healthy for your ferret?
Read this article to get the full scoop on feeding dog food to ferrets.
Why Should You Avoid Giving Dog Food To Your Ferret?
Food is food as long it’s balanced, yeah? It is but in our case, no.
You may give dog food to a ferret once in a while. But making it a regular thing is dangerous.
Why?
Dogs have a different biological makeup. You’ve probably seen them digest a variety of meals from avocados to meat. Your ferret, on the other hand, is another species entirely. Their stomachs are unable to absorb some of the ingredients in dog food.
And it doesn’t stop there since your little animal can develop health complications such as intestinal blockages or kidney issues. This is not only harmful to the ferret, but it may also cause premature death.
As you know, dogs are omnivores. And maybe you own one of those jovial, energetic and bouncy dogs.
That kind of energy will need lots of carbohydrates.
But ferrets being carnivores need animal fat and meat protein. That’s what their little stomachs can handle. Your ferret’s food should, therefore, contain high protein content and little to zero fibre.
As we said earlier, there are days you will search for ferret food. What do you do?
Quality dog food may do for the day. One thing though, cheap dog food brands are unsafe. As we shall see next, they do more harm than good.
What Happens When Ferrets Eat Dog Food?
Research has been done to determine if ferrets can live on dog food. And all ferrets in this study died prematurely.
It means your ferret gets little or nothing from dog food. Worse still, they end up eating more food to substitute this lack of nutrients.
Your problems only increase from here. Excess carbohydrate (sugar) leads to obesity. And sadly, your ferret won’t have long to live.
Dog food also lacks taurine. Your ferret needs this amino acid for its heart and eyes. Lack of taurine in the body leads to dilated cardiomyopathy, which leads to congestive heart failure and untimely death.
What Should Your Ferret Eat?
Your ferret needs food that is high in protein. But high fibre content is a no-no.
Lucky for you, most pet stores now have ferret food on their shelves. The best diet is a minimum of 33% fat and 21% amino acids. The maximum ash level should be 7%, and fibre content shouldn’t exceed 3%.
Note that ferrets have a high metabolic rate, and oh, do they burn calories!
If you supplement their two meals a day with a small snack every 4 hours, your little guy will be as active as ever (which is good).
Quality doesn’t mean quantity. Ferrets are small. Give them food servings that match their body size. That won’t make them cute pets obese.
Does Your Ferret Prefer Dry Food or Moist Food?
Most experts say dry food pellets are superb for your pet. First, they are longlasting. Next, they help in cleaning its teeth while eating (Like hard foods to humans).
What about moist foods?
It is still okay, but the ferret should finish it in 45 minutes. After that, the food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, and it should be thrown away.
What about Frozen Foods
Ferrets hate frozen fish or meat. Before you get one, many ferret owners will tell you one secret: once these cuties develop a dislike for certain foods, they would rather starve.
Closing Remarks
Planning a balanced diet is crucial for your ferret’s health and lifespan. Dog foods can only be served on rare occasions. Even when selecting ferret food, you must choose the highest quality.
And high meat content will keep the ferret healthy for longer.
Article #2
How Do Rabbits Communicate?
Rabbits use certain sounds and body postures to communicate. It’s fascinating how keen observation of your rabbit’s behaviour reveals a lot.
Isn’t it a joy to understand your pet’s language?
This article explains the nitty-gritty of rabbit’s language.
How Do Rabbits Communicate?
Rabbits communicate with other rabbits in a complicated yet exciting way.
Remember, they are used to live in groups. And pack animals usually have a communication structure that follows a chain of command. You will see this even with two rabbits (one tells the other what to do).
Their communication also depends on age, sex, or personality. And it may come as a surprise, but your rabbits have also included you in their communication hierarchy.
How Do They Communicate With Their Opposite Sex?
In the wild, rabbits live as couples but strictly follow the established chain of command. This behavior doesn’t change when you bring them home. You will notice the male and female rabbits usually retain the same bond at home.
But, why fight the new guy, aren’t they supposed to be close?
Most owners prefer to spay or neuter their cats and dogs to avoid courtship issues and territorial behaviors. You can do the same for your pet rabbit.
Aggression and conflicts among pet rabbits are mostly territorial. So, when you get a new rabbit, keep it in a separate pen for about a month. Even after being desexed, the hormones take time to subside, and this separation is necessary.
Desexing also prevents having too many unsustainable pets.
How Will Your New Rabbit Fit in?
Rabbits are quite good at imitating behavior. It’s do as the Romans do kind of thing.
And what a relief this is. Why?
You don’t have to train your new rabbit.
Through communication, your newcomer will know the eating patterns, sleeping patterns and where to litter. How cool is that!
How Do Rabbits Bond?
To rabbits, bonding equals affection. You will see them cleaning, eating, sleeping, and sometimes going to the litter together.
Interestingly, they are very competitive for attention. For example, if one sees you attending to another too much, it will come wanting a piece of that attention.
How Does the Chain of Command Work?
Rabbits in the wild have their hierarchy designed to reduce conflict. The same happens with domestic ones. Sometimes you may see who’s boss; sometimes, it is more subtle.
And remember when we said the owner is also part of this chain? Well, female rabbits, for instance, mostly stay close to you for food or attention. To them, maybe, you are the highest member in their pecking order.
Female rabbits are also more territorial than males. If a new male rabbit joins their home, they won’t be very accommodating. The male must first become submissive.
However, male rabbits are very accommodating to newcomer females.
Why Do Rabbits Grunt?
Rabbits display their anger by grunting. They may also bite and scratch. This may be aimed at other rabbits, pets, or their owners.
They mostly grunt when they sense danger, protect their food, or if they don’t want to be touched.
What Are They Showing When Mounting or spraying?
Sometimes hormones may get the better of your rabbit. If your rabbit is mounting other rabbits or spraying everything in their path, they are hormonal.
You have one solution: desexing.
Spaying or neutering stops this behavior. However, some desexed rabbits still spray to mark their territory or establish dominance.
Droppings Patterns Are Changing: Is This Part of Their Language?
Poop is a powerful weapon for rabbits.
How?
When a new rabbit is around, the host rabbit stops piling its poop in a single place. Instead, it drops them around its marked territory.
Fortunately, they bond fast, and this ends after some days.
Closing Remarks
Behavior change, body postures, and rabbit sounds convey a lot. The rabbit may also honk, tooth-click, nose-nudge, circle, chine, etc. as a means of communication. Only by observation will you learn what the rabbit is telling you or what little plans they have cooking amongst themselves.
Article #3
Can Hamsters Get Fleas?
You’ve probably seen a flea-infested pet before. If fleas can do that to, say, a dog, what will they do to your hamster?
Understanding the telltale signs of fleas can be the difference between health and illness. And while we are still at that, learn more about prevention and treatment strategies.
This article will help you identify and keep your hamster from these suckers.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are little hideous monsters that love crawling beneath your pet’s fur. Like most insects, fleas go through the egg-larvae-pupa-adult cycle. And after they hatch, fleas start feeding within a week.
Adult fleas are black. Some can grow to an astonishing 2-3mm. They usually hide beneath your hamster’s fur, and, little by little, they drain blood from your hamster.
Always check the hidden body parts like under the belly or beneath the ears.
One flea bite will cause sudden itchiness or pain on your pet’s skin. What will hundreds of these blood-suckers do?
If left untreated, your hamster may suffer from anemia.
What are the Symptoms?
Is your hammy shedding fur or scratching constantly? Do you see sore spots on its body? These are apparent signs of flea infestation.
To confirm, wipe its fur with a white paper towel or shine a torch on the skin. The tiny dark spots that you see moving on its coat are usually fleas. So, take immediate action or seek help from an expert.
How do you treat Your Hamster?
Prevention is better than cure they say. To do this you must ask yourself, how does your hamster get fleas?
A hamster may get fleas from its playmates, breeding partners, other pets, or people. Plus, shared pet foods and dirty beddings are perfect breeding grounds for fleas.
If you notice any flea signs, the nesting materials should be changed immediately. But always clean the hamster’s cage first. Fleas mostly lay their eggs in the corners of these cages.
Also, wash the feeding container regularly, get food from trusted sources, and avoid sharing food from pet to pet.
Are these primary measures enough?
In mild cases, yeah, but extreme ones need a vet. The expert will suggest several flea repellent sprays or some special shampoos for your hamster.
Remember, some smaller pets can’t handle aggressive chemicals. Avoid flea spray or shampoo that is not meant for rodents’ skins. And always follow the given directions.
What’s the Treatment for other Pets?
To avoid doing zero work, include your other pets in your treatment regimen. If, say, your dog shows the symptoms before the hamster, wash it immediately.
Also, uncontaminated beddings, food bowls, and toys prevent the spread of fleas to your hamster.
What is the Feeding pattern of Fleas?
Your hamster can’t handle fleas. Period. Fleas draw more blood from their smaller skin, and that’s why they are more vulnerable to anemia.
Larger animals, like cats and dogs, have a thicker skin. Fleas don’t suck as much blood in bigger animals. Not that they should be left untreated, but they do not succumb as fast as hamsters.
It is, therefore, advisable to track your hamster’s health regularly by checking for fleas.
Closing Remarks
You may also learn treatment and grooming skills from this online tutorial. A hamster’s immune system is quite weak. Only early interventions will save your hamsters.
Article #4
Can Hamsters Eat Bananas?
Hamsters do go bananas for bananas. It is in their genes. Like most rodents, hamsters love fruits and vegetables.
But you must learn to feed them right. Yes, there are right and wrong ways to feed bananas to your pet.
Read this article to get the full insight on feeding bananas to your hamster.
Do Hamsters Like Bananas?
Your hammy loves bananas. Serve fresh bananas 2-3 times a week, and you will enjoy the excellent health effects on your pet.
But bananas should be served just how your pet loves it: chopped into smaller pieces and served while fresh.
Rotten bananas may upset your hamster’s stomach leading to diarrhea. And banana slices are better because the pet may struggle to eat larger pieces. This leads to wastage.
Hamsters also eat banana peels, but you should also cut these peels into smaller pieces.
Cool Facts about Bananas: How Do Bananas Help Your Body?
Bananas are fantastic. They are sweet, they are common, and they also have great health benefits. Here are some benefits of bananas to humans and animals alike:
- Heart Health– Bananas optimize your hamster’s heart wellbeing by reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases. They have potassium, fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
They also neutralize some toxic elements in the body.
- Cancer Prevention– The fruit may also reduce the risks of getting colorectal cancer or leukemia. Vitamin C from bananas can help eliminate cancer-causing radicals from your hamster’s body.
Also, fibre intake reduces the number of toxins.
- Blood Pressure– Increased sodium levels may increase blood pressure, and bananas serve as a prevention remedy by reducing these excessive levels.
- Diarrhea Cure– During diarrhea, animals, and people lose excessive amounts of potassium. And your guess is right. Bananas are rich in this mineral, which replenishes your pet’s body.
- Memory Enhancement and Mood Boosters– Do you become elated after eating a banana? That is Tryptophan, an amino acid in bananas doing its thing. It also boosts the memory of animals and humans.
How Should You Store Bananas?
Have you ever given your pet its favorite treat only for it to refuse? It’s not uncommon. There are excellent ways to store bananas.
Always use a plastic container if you keep your bananas in the fridge. This prevents the escape of ethylene gas, which makes the fruit to ripen faster.
Every morning ensure that you separate the bananas from its bunch to keep them fresh. Placing unripe fruits next to the bananas also helps slow down the ripening process.
What Happens When Your Hamster Eats Bananas in Excess?
Bananas are super healthy, right? Where is the harm in a little indulgence?
Your hamster’s love for bananas is good, no doubt. But bananas are also super sugary. Keeping in mind your hamster’s size, too much body sugar won’t be good for the pet’s health.
Obesity and diabetes are as real in pets as they are in humans. These diseases pose a mortal danger. Obesity also limits physical movements and exercising abilities. And a sedentary lifestyle isn’t ideal for hamsters.
That said, try limiting your treats to 2-3 times a week.
What Other Harmful Foods Should You Avoid?
The inner parts of your hamster’s mouth are quite delicate. Avoid feeding fruits with jagged ends to the hamster. Also, do not give them sticky or excessively dry foods.
Conclusion
Your hamster needs banana treats once in a while. However, too much of it is harmful. Avoid giving your hamster excess sugar. Also, never give junk food or chocolate to your pet hamster. These are poisonous to many pets.
Article #5
How Long Do Hamsters Live?
Your pet hamster has an average lifespan of about 1-3 years. For you, this is probably just too short.
One question disturbs every pet owner: is there something you can do to hold them a little longer? Can you extend their lifespan?
Read this article to find exclusive ways to extend your hamster’s life.
What Factors determine the lifespan of your hamster?
It is not the rule of thumb, but the care you give your hamster plays a significant role. Sadly, not everything is in your hands. Some hamsters may live well past the three-year mark. Others won’t see their first birthday. That’s life.
Factors that influence its lifespan include:
- Species
- Genetics
- Diet
- Exercise
- Susceptibility to diseases
Species: How Long Do Different Species Live?
This is the average lifespan depending on species:
- Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster: 1.5-2 years
- Chinese Hamster: 1.5-2 years
- Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster: 2 years
- Syrian Hamster: 2-2.5 years
- Roborovski Hamster: 3-3.5 years
Remember, every hamster is different, even those from the same species. A Roborovski hamster, for example, may not live long if you ignore basic factors.
How Do You Increase Your Hamster’s Longevity?
You can increase your hamster’s lifespan by getting excellent housing, nesting materials, exercise accessories and the most favorable temperature.
Cages
The best dimensions for your enclosure should be 19*19*6cm (length*width*height). The bottom should also be solid.
Avoid wired mesh for the floor even when the meshes seem to be closely warped. Your hamster’s feet are delicate, and a slip into the mesh may severely harm their feet.
You will notice that most cages are either plastic, glass, or meshed (sides).
Let’s see their pro and cons.
- Plastic Pens- With their tunneled designs and in-built toys, these pens are perfect for exercise. However, plastic is difficult to clean, and aeration will be relatively poor even with the in-built ventilation holes.
- Glass Cage- Very easy to clean, but aeration is also poor. It is also tricky for the hamster to exercise freely.
- Mesh Cage- The ideal distance between the mesh should be ¾ to ½ inches. With wire cages, aeration is superb, and hamsters can further use the meshes for climbing exercises. Just ensure that the bottom is solid and removable for cleaning.
Bedding
For beddings, find some wood shavings or recycled paper pellets. Your hamster will ask for nothing more. Change this litter every week. And when cleaning, concentrate on its toilet.
Nesting Materials
Lovers of day naps that they are, hamsters also need a suitable nesting house. The nest should be made of soft materials such as light paper towels, cotton, among others. And these materials should be replaced or cleaned every month.
Temperature
Hamsters are also quite quick to respond to hibernators. When the temperature slips to about 60 Degrees Fahrenheit, they become sluggish. If you turn the heat any lower, they will start showing signs of respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing.
If your hamster can’t breathe properly, increase the temperature gradually to 68-75 degrees Fahrenheit every night for 6-8 hours.
Remember, hotter temperatures are equally harmful, so keep it at the optimal temperature. In summer months, place the cage in a cooler room, but it should not be excessively chilly.
Exercise and Toys
Your hamster is a chewer and burrower by nature. Find a DIY video for toys and accessories.
A wooden 4*4 piece of wood, for example, is perfect. Drill large holes in it and your playful pet will thank you for these tunnels.
They also enjoy chewing cardboards or toilet paper rolls.
Pet stores also have hamsters’ chewing and playing toys. The hamster wheel, for example, works wonders. And, worry not you will get used to the sharp noise the moving wheel makes at night.
What if you release it in the wild?
A pet hamster shouldn’t be released into the wild. You will be giving predators a free meal ticket (At least this is quick). Otherwise, the hamster will experience a slow, painful death from dirt, harsh temperature, unhygienic environment, or digestive problems.
It won’t even have the ability to dig a shelter with its softened paws.
Conclusion
Hamsters live a very short life when compared to humans. However, with good care, you may live with it a little longer. If you can no longer sustain one, find a shelter for it.
Article #6
Can Hamsters Swim?
Like many animals, hamsters are natural swimmers. But the bigger question with hamsters is, should they swim? And, no, they shouldn’t.
Why?
Read this article to see the full danger of water exposure and how to help your hamster in such cases.
What is the Effect of Water on Hamsters?
Researchers who have observed them in their natural habitats noticed something interesting. Wild hamsters prefer drier patches. They rarely swim or visit wet spots. Naturally, your pet hamster isn’t so different.
It is understandable that you want some fun with your pet in the pool or tub. Who doesn’t?
But with hamsters, this is a no-no. They are prone to stress, and their immune system becomes more vulnerable. Resist the urge to give them a regular bath and only wash them when too dirty or parasite-infested.
Hamsters don’t like water, and they only swim when their life depends on it. They are also very susceptible to cold-related diseases like pneumonia.
Avoid cold water altogether. With their susceptible immune system, you will have a sickly or a dead hamster in your hands. Stress and fear of drowning also lead to injuries in their hearts and severe breathing problems.
How Should You Clean Your Hammy?
It is not easy to find a dirty hamster. Hamsters groom themselves naturally. Like cats, they use their special saliva to clean themselves and other hamsters.
Also, if you wash them a tad too often, you risk removing essential oils, which poses more risks.
If you must wash your pet, you should do it right. Use the following techniques for a thorough non-harmful wash.
- Fill the basin with two cups of lukewarm water.
- Add one drop of animal shampoo.
- Soak a clean cloth in the water.
- Swab the hamster with the cloth, but do not move your cloth against the direction of the fur.
- After cleaning it, use a dry towel to remove dampness from its fur.
How Do you Keep Your Hamster Cool During Summer?
You’ve probably noticed its discomfort in the warm, humid weather. Most of them suffer from heat strokes.
But in your enthusiasm to protect it from the summer heat, try not to overdo some things. Bathing them or keeping them in cold water is still harmful even in these high temperatures.
You can find better ways to keep them cool.
One way is moving to a cooler room. However, don’t put them too close to the source of cold/aeration or in an excessively chilled place. Ideal room temperature will do (65-73 degrees Fahrenheit).
Like humans, the best solution is to keep your hamster hydrated. Nothing beats fluid replenishment in the long summer weather.
How do You Protect a Wet Hamster?
Your hamster’s mischievous ways may land it in water. Or it may accidentally suffer a heavy downpour outdoors. You need to take immediate action.
First, get lukewarm water, and soak your towel in it. Then wrap the towel around your pet to comfort it.
While doing this, track its breathing process and its heart rate. If it seems abnormal, it is easy for your hamster to get further inflammation. You should visit a veterinary clinic for further check-up.
Closing Remarks
Hamsters dislike water. It makes them jumpy and stressed. It may also take a while to get out of shock, which is dangerous for its immunity and heart.
Even in the hottest of days, swimming with your hamster is one huge problem in the making.