We tried ice in zip-top baggies, cooler ice packs (which were often large and bulky), and even froze wet cloths to stick underneath the cage itself so the rats couldn’t nibble on it.

I wish we’d had one of these IcePods by Scratch & Newton available! Simply keep the reusable disc in your freezer and then tuck it into your pet’s cage or hutch when the heat kicks in and you’re good to go.

It’s slim and small enough that it won’t take up the whole cage, yet it still puts off enough cooling to keep your small pet comfortable during the hot months. The IcePod is ideal for rats, mice, rabbits and ferrets.

The IcePod can be found online for around $10.

[image: scratch & newton]

Post from: Blisstree

Keep Your Small Pets Cool This Summer

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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Post from: Blisstree

Submit Your Pets for Pet of the Week

Sugar gliders are noctural marsupials native to Australia and Indonesia. In the wild they live in trees in big family bunches of 15-30 other gliders. They get their name from the sweet foods they like to eat and their ability to “glide” from tree top to tree top, much like a flying squirrel.

Sugar gliders are extremely social animals and should ideally be kept with at least one other glider – a lot of experts will tell you that human interaction and love just isn’t enough, though they bond easily and fast to their owners. They do well in captivity, often living in bird cages or aviaries and mating pairs can produce up to three litters of 1-2 babies a year. Regular handling of new babies is essential for taming!

Sugar gliders make excellent – if not high maintenance – pets and can live up to 15 years!

Sugar Glider Resources:

• SugarGlider.com
• Sugar Gliders on Wikipedia
• The Drawbacks of Sugar Glider Ownership
• Glider Central Message Boards

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

What Was It? A Sugar Glider!

This sweet little mug belongs to a small nocturnal marsupial native to Australia. It’s gained popularity as a domesticated pet over the last several years.

Do you know what it is?

[image: flickr. no peeking!]

Post from: Blisstree

Pet Photo of the Week: What Is It?

Dopey the hamster must have a bored owner – he got his very own motorized Lego elevator in his cage!

It’s hard not to go “aww!” each time he falls when reaching for his house, but he he seems to really get into it and finally makes it! (That being said, criticisms and comments can be left at the Youtube page – I didn’t make it!)

Post from: Blisstree

Dopey’s Lego Elevator

Summer is in full swing which means it’s vacation time! If you have a pet, though, you’ve got a lot of extra preparation to consider before you even pack your bags: Where will the dog stay? Who will take care of the cats? Why not take them with you!

Many hotels and resorts around the world are realizing how important pets are to their guests and have become accommodating by not only allowing supervised pets on the properties but some even go so far as to provide special outdoor areas for them as well.

My friend and fellow pet lover Alicia helped me find a few of the links below – they’ll definitely help make life easier the next time you need a weekend away!

BringYourPet.com lets you search worldwide for pet-friendly hotels, chalets, bed and breakfasts, resorts, lodges, and motels.

PetsWelcome.com offers pet-friendly listings (use the menu on the left), as well as emergency vet locations and kennels nationwide. They even have a section just for cat-friendly spots!

PetTravel.com lets you search by city, country or region, and even has informative articles on pets and timeshares and immigration and quaratine.

DogFriendly.com provides travel guides specifically for dog owners.

PetFriendlyTravel not only lists hotels, motels, B&Bs, etc, but also restaurants and recreation areas.

1ClickPetHotels lists only pet-friendly hotels and motels by state or province.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Pet-Friendly Lodgings

I love ferrets. We’ve had the opportunity to pet-sit them a couple of times for friends and they’re such sweet little things. What keeps us from getting any of our own is the age-old issue of scent. My husband had two ferrets at two separate times before we met and he said that even though they were “de-scented” they were still pretty odorous.

Oh well. I can now get my fix from the Smithsonian’s Ferret Cam! Georgia, a black-footed ferret, gave birth on June 20th. This is a big deal because The National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia have been breeding the ferrets for the last 20 years in an effort to keep the animals off the brink of extinction. Black-footed ferrets are actually considered extinct in the wild because they currently survive only in captivity. This year alone 21 females were bred at CRC, four by artificial insemination and 17 by natural pairings. So far four ferrets have given birth!

In the screenshot above you can see what a good mom Georgia is as she gives her little kit a bath. It won’t develop its markings for a while yet.

[image: screenshot]

Post from: Blisstree

Smithsonian Ferret Cam

Image details: Piglet served by picapp.com

Her owners noticed that Cinderella, as she’s been dubbed, would sit off to the side of the pen shaking while the rest of the pigs were being, well, pigs and came to realize that she was having a problem with the mud. They grabbed some small wellies (rain boots) that were being used as pencil holders and slipped them on Cinderella’s feet. She now joins her littermates doing what pigs do best!

She’s so used to them now that she runs over to have them put on as soon as she sees the owner enter the pen!

Post from: Blisstree

This Little Piggy is Afraid of Mud

Image details: Lop-eared rabbit served by picapp.com

I seem to be on a bunny kick this week (do not tell my husband!) and came across this recipe for “bunny cookies:”

- 1 cup of your bunny’s favorite fruits and veggies, chopped (bunny-friendly only!)
- 1/4 cup yogurt or banana (plus a little bit of water if using banana)

1. Cut up fruits and vegetables and place in a bowl
2. Mix water and banana until creamy (skip this step if you are using yogurt)
3. Place a small amount of yogurt or banana mixture on a plate
4. Place small amount of fruits and vegetables onto the mixture and put into the freezer for 30 minutes

Make the cookies a bit smaller and these would be great for rats too!

Post from: Blisstree

Bunny Cookies