Now, I’ve always liked the idea of having a lizard or snake as a pet, but I know they wouldn’t be a good fit for our family. I know that the bigger a snake gets, the bigger their meals need to get, and though I’m not squeamish about feeding them what they need (my first job at a pet store involved culling baby mice to feed to the snake population) and I don’t take offense to the circle of life and all that, I do know that it’s just not feasible for us to have to be running down to the pet store every so often for a fresh supply, and I don’t like the thought of keeping any in the freezer, either!

Feeding issues aside, there are some animals that just don’t make great pets, period, especially beginner pets for kids (experienced adults are on their own ). The video above from CBS talks about some of these pets, and how people buy them thinking they’re so cute and small, but get a big surprise within a short time!

Post from: Blisstree

Reptiles That Don’t Make Good Pets

My friend Sherry has sent me another amusing link, and this one I had to visit a few times because it’s the kind that’ll make your day just a little bit better.

A turtle (or tortoise, technically) defends its space in someone’s backyard against invading cats who seems to just watch to catch a little sun. The thing can move and its eyesight is probably better than mine — watch how it homes in on the poor kitties!

Post from: Blisstree

Attack Turtle!

I admit it, I love the idea of buying things for my pets for the holidays but I don’t actually do it!

By the time I’ve bought for family and friends my poor head is drained and as cute as it would be to have the cats and dogs “unwrap” something with us on Christmas morning, it just doesn’t happen (I don’t think they mind too much anyway — isn’t that what the wrapping paper is for?).

This year I decided to put together a fun guide full of ideas for pets and their people. From treats and toys to books and calendars, you’ll be sure to find something for everyone — two-legged and four-legged! — without a whole lot of effort!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Buy Holiday Gifts For Your Pets?

Would you like your pet(s) to be Pet of the Week? Then send them on in! It doesn’t matter if your pet is canine, feline, rodent, amphibian, reptile, avian, or anything in between, come show them off!

Snap some pictures and include your pet’s name, his/her favorite food, treats, toy, bed, etc., how old he/she is, how you acquired him/her, personality quirks, and anything else you’d like to share, and don’t forget the URL to your own blog or website.

Email them to me here, that’s it!

See who’s already been pet of the week!

[image: flickr]

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This is a Blogtoberfest Sponsored Post. (Yes, the second in two days. You can enter them both!) If you would like to enter for a chance to win the surprise gift behind this blog post, please leave a comment. Prize and Winner will be announced within a week. Check back to see if you’re the lucky winner and what you’ve won!

You also have lots of chances to win great Blogtoberfest prizes! Today, October 17, your chances (and prizes) are hiding at the following blogs: Career & Kids; Chocolate Bytes; Cooking Gadgets; Foodie Obsessed; Inside Motherhood; Layers Upon Layers; Mad Cropper; Marriage Actually; Momgadget; Solomother; The Food Bowl; Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Blisstree

Submit Your Pets for Pet of the Week

It’s been a while since I’ve done Pet of the Week, so I thought I’d put out a call for submissions. Do you want your cat, dog, bird, fish, rodent, lizard – you get the idea – featured on the Food Bowl for a full week? Send them on in!

Snap some pictures and include your pet’s name, his/her favorite food, treats, toy, bed, etc., how old he/she is, how you acquired him/her, personality quirks, and anything else you’d like to share, and don’t forget the URL to your own blog or website. Email them to me at heather.raw@b5media.com!

See who’s already been pet of the week!

[blue bird at flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Submit Your Pets for Pet of the Week!

It’s been many years since I’ve had hands-on experience with snakes and I’ve never actually owned one (though I’ve wanted to!), so I found this neat series of videos by Holli Friedland, Reptile Rescue Coordinator at the Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show.

The videos walk you through every step of set-up, care, maintenance and even troubleshooting in corn snake ownership!

I love snakes and the only thing that’s kept me from having one myself is that I’m squeamish about feeding time. Though I’ve (live- and dead-) fed many snakes (my first job was at a small pet store, and I was at the bottom of the totem pole!) and I know that snakes need to eat too, I also love rats and mice, so I just don’t have a snake!

Anyway, more videos below the cut!

How to Decide if a Corn Snake is Right for You:

Setting Up the Corn Snake Cage:

Corn Snakes – Temperature, Humidity & Lighting:

Choosing a Corn Snake:

Corn Snake Handling:

Corn Snake Feeding:

How to Trouble Shoot Problems with your Corn Snake:

Post from: Blisstree

How To Care For A Corn Snake

With spring upon us many people are either thinking about or starting to get their gardens and planting underway. If you have pets – especially pets that spend part of their time outside – you’ve probably given some thought to what plants and flowers will be ok if your dog or cat takes a nibble.

The ASPCA has recently released a list of plants that are non-toxic to animals:

This list contains plants that have not been reported as having systemic effects on animals or as having intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Any plant material ingested by an animal (as when dogs and cats ingest yard grass) may produce signs of vomiting, depression, or diarrhea. These signs are generally mild and self-limiting and often do not require any treatment.

Please note that the information contained in our plant lists is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants.

Make sure you also check out their list of the 17 Most Common Poisonous Plants, as well as their more comprehensive list.

[image: stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Non-Toxic Plants for Pets

Growing up, if you weren’t wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day you got pinched. As I got older and explained this to acquaintances or coworkers, I was met with questioning looks. I’ve always assumed this is common knowledge but apparently I was wrong! Is it standard where you’re at to pinch someone if they’re not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day too?

Anyway, today I figured whether or not it’s something done everywhere that we can’t leave our four-legged friends out! Now, you know I’m not advocating pinching a pet if it doesn’t have green on! But even though they have no idea why, why not dress them up too?

Some animals are naturally green, like anoles, parrots, iguanas, and parakeets.

Dress up non-naturally green pets with a cute little green raincoat, hoodie, or t-shirt.

There are also green things your pet won’t mind as much, like a green leash, green bedding, green collars, or a green aquarium.

[image: petco.com]

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t Let Your Pets Get Pinched!

2007 was a big year for pets and pet news!

Arguably the biggest and most popular issue was the pet food recalls that started in March and still seems to be ongoing (although on a much smaller scale) and affected thousands of pets and their families. Were you affected by the pet food recalls?

…

Celebrities had their fair share of pet drama:

~ Michael Vick was tried for and convicted of funding illegal dog fighting and participating in the killing of some of the dogs, and sentenced to 23 months in prison.

~ Iggygate and Ellen Degeneres. Ugh.

~ Leona Helmsley leaves $12M to her dog.

…

Three pets you don’t want to see at your bedside:

~ Oscar the cat predicts death at a nursing home.

~ Scamp the dog gives Oscar a run for his money.

~ Libby the poodle gets in on the action as well. I’m surprised that more of these stories didn’t come out of the woodwork as these three gained attention.

…

Scientists can’t leave well enough alone:

~ Glow in the dark cats.

~ Fluorescent fish.

~ Cat DNA is decoded.

…

Pet videos are always a hit and draw a lot of attention:

~ The Mean Kitty Song

~ The two talking cats

~ Good morning

~ Playing dead

~ Falcor the Urinator

~ Crazy cats

…

What were your favorite Food Bowl posts of 2007? What would you like to see in 2008?

Post from: Blisstree

Fuzziest Pet Posts of 2007

Dani writes:

This is Riddick. He’s an albino leopard gecko. His favorite food is crickets (and lots of them). His favorite treats are mealworms (especially when I feed them to him from my hand!).

He enjoys sleeping in his little cave, and digging in his sand. He’s kinda silly, too — most people tell me geckos don’t like to climb/jump, but he’s constantly climbing on the top of his cave and jumping down. Or trying to climb the side of his tank. He especially likes to chase his own reflection.

And in case you’re wondering, he’s named Riddick after Vin Diesel’s character “Riddick” from the movie Pitch Black, because his eyes are light-colored and insanely awesome just like the character’s!

Post from: Blisstree

Pet of the Week: Riddick