Five Great Small Pets

This is me when I was 21, with my guinea pig Gulliver. I can’t keep it a secret; guinea pigs are my favorite small pet! Gulliver would squeak whenever he heard me open the refrigerator door--he knew where I kept the lettuce! And he loved to snuggle up with my dalmatian.

Of course, there are many other great small pets. Are you looking for a starter pet for a child? Do you live in an apartment or smaller space? Do you lack the time to care for a cat or dog? One of these small pets may be just right for you.

1. Guinea Pig. I love guinea pigs because they’re cute and cuddly, and full of personality. They squeak, shriek and even purr. Guinea pigs come in long hair or short hair, and many different sizes and colors. I recommend the short haired, because the longer hair requires more care and cleaning.

2. Hamster. Small enough to fit in your pocket, hamsters only require a small cage or aquarium--although larger systems with bridges and penthouses are more fun! Hamsters like to keep busy exploring and chewing. Check out an adorable, long haired Teddy Bear Hamster. Because hamsters are so small, however, they’re not recommended for very young children.

3. Hermit Crab. Not into something cute and furry? Maybe this is the pet for you. A hermit crab won’t cuddle up in your arms, but it’s quiet, interesting and unusual. Plus, it is pretty cool to see a seashell suddenly get up and walk.

4. Rabbit. Rabbits can be very sweet. My rabbits lived in a large hutch outside, but frequently came inside to play. Some rabbits can be litter box trained, and will hop about a safe home environment. Sometimes they are skittish and nervous. Most rabbits require a larger cage than other small animals, and will need room to exercise.

5. Tetra Fish. These fish are a good choice for beginners. Tetra fish are hardy, active and fun to watch. Neon tetra are bright and colorful. Keep them in a school of 6 or more. They’re easy to care for. Also, aquariums are peaceful.

Check out Animal World for more information and help deciding which is right for you. What small pet do you like best?

This post first appeared on Guideposts.com, March 2009.

Monday Pet Roundup

Hi and welcome to Monday's Pet Roundup. Kelly and I are rounding up interesting pet news and websites for you.

* Want to help the efforts in Haiti? A Dog's Life blog alerts us to the Planet Dog Foundation Fundraiser for Haiti Rescue dogs. Great blog, and a great project.

* If your dog gets rock salt or other de-icing chemicals in its paws, be sure to wash them off with warm water, and remove any ice balls that may be stuck between the toes. Here are some more winter weather tips for your pet. Also, Donna McKinney on Suite101.c0m has tips from the ASPCA and reminds us not to use metal food and water dishes outside, as a dog's tongue could stick to the metal in extreme temperatures.

*The Shiba Inu puppy cam has returned! Beware, you won't get anything else done once you click on this!

* I love this blog with some great tips on riding in the car with your dog. A systematic approach to making your dog comfortable includes sitting in the car with the engine off, turning on the engine, and then making a short trip with plenty of praise and rewards for a job well done.

*Is there anything cuter than this wee little hamster in his wee little home, complete with pillows and placemats? You've got to see these pictures on adorable pet site, Cute Overload.

*If you missed this amazing dog rescue Friday, you've got to see this video, courtesy of Dogster for the love of dog blog. I couldn't believe how the fireman wrestled the large dog and held onto him while suspended in the air....am so thankful that "Lucky" is now safe.

* Does your pet have a blog? I'm reading blogs by a pug, a sheltie and a bunny! From Purina Petcentric, here's a listing of more pets who blog!

Fascinating Facts About Dogs and Cats

By Anna Lee

Dogs and cats are the most common pets that people own. There are, however, other pets out there sharing life with loving families. Although a snake would not be my first choice as a pet, there are many folks who own them. A pet is what you consider a pet to be, whether it is a pig, a cow, a horse, a hamster, a frog or a lizard. If you (or your children) take care of it, feed and interact with it, then it is a pet. Following are various pet facts for your reading pleasure.

Dogs bark to give a warning or an alarm. Dogs in the wild will bark as a means to send messages to the pack. Dogs bark when they are anxious, excited or when they are bored. They also bark to attract attention from humans. However, dogs do not bark when they attack. If you want a dog that does not bark, there is such a dog. It is the Basenji dog from the Congo. Although it doesn’t bark, it makes a yodeling sound that could possibly be more annoying than barking!

If your dog bays at the moon don’t let it upset you, it is just the dog’s natural urge to call the pack together. If your dog howls when you leave it home alone, turn on the TV or radio to keep it company.

If you’ve seen a scared dog run, you know that he puts his tail between his legs. A dog’s anal glands carry “personal” scents that can identify him or her. By putting the tail between the legs it is similar to a human covering his or her face in an effort to hide it.

Dogs pant to cool their bodies; they do not sweat like a human. Dogs take anywhere from 10-30 breaths a minute and their hearts beat between 70 and 100 times a minute, much more often than a human heart beats per minute.

The average dog has 42 teeth, which is more than I have! Now I have an urge to count Abby’s teeth. She is 11-1/2 and still has not lost one of her teeth. If you brush your dog’s teeth on a regular schedule the dog will get used to it, or so they say. A dog’s mouth can exert 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch.

Did you know that two dogs survived the sinking Titanic? Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible. One in three households own at least one dog, and the Labrador Retriever is the number one dog in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

There are an estimated 5 million cats in the world. The largest cat is called a Ragdoll, with the male weighing up to 20 pounds. The domestic cat is the only feline species that can hold its tail vertical while walking. All wild cats hold their tails horizontal or tucked between their legs.

It is possible for one female cat to have up to 100 kittens in her lifetime. A cat’s normal body temperature is 101.5. Cats prefer their food to be room temperature. Do not feed dog food to your cat, but do change its water bowl at least once a day. Cats have either round, slanted or almond shaped eyes, and can see up to 120 feet away.

The biggest frog in the world is a Goliath from West Africa. It is about a foot long and can weigh as much as a house cat. That is one big frog. A frog can jump 20 times its own length, whereas a flea can jump 150 times its length.

If you want a pet that is small but multiplies fast, a hamster is the answer. A hamster can have 4 to 12 young at one time, and the word hamster is German for “storing food.”

Finally, a puppy will sleep up to 14 hours per day, which reminds me – it’s time for Abby and me to take our naps. Good night! Sleep tight!

Read more articles by Anna Lee

Could it be? Look Who's Running Agility!

I've been considering taking Kelly to agility training. She loves to jump, she's quick on her furry little feet, and I think she'd love the challenge. The main hurdle (pun intended!) for us to get over would be her disagreeable attitude toward some other dogs. There is a golden retriever up the street who she adores, though, so maybe there's hope.

Anyway, as I was contemplating Kelly's ability to perform in agility, I discovered this video. Okay, seriously. If THIS animal can run the agility course, then maybe there's hope for Kelly!

Is a Goldfish a Pet?

By Anna Lee

There are many people who do not want the responsibility of a dog or a cat, no matter how many times their children beg for one. When you bring a dog or cat into your home it is a huge commitment. Cats are a little easier to deal with, but they still require time, energy and love. A dog takes even more time, and typically, more money. If you’re not ready to add a dog or cat to your family, maybe you can slide by with a goldfish, or perhaps a hamster?

If you lead the type of life that would not allow you to take care of a dog in the proper way, then please do not get a dog because the kids want one. No matter how much they plead and cry it is a bad idea. I think it is very sad when the family gets a puppy and the poor dog is home alone in a crate all day with little to no attention. Then the pup spends most of the evening in a crate while the family is off running errands and attending sporting events.

So if you’ve told your children that there’s no way right now a dog or cat would fit in with your lifestyle, but they keep asking, maybe it’s time for a different approach. You need to instill in them that dogs and cats have many needs. They need to be fed, they need water, they need you to play with them, they need you to make sure they are healthy and have checkups at the vet. The list goes on and on.

Now is the time to say that perhaps in a year or so the family might be in a better position to get a dog. Try to explain what their responsibilities will be when that time comes. Suggest that they work their way up to a dog in stages. If they can prove to be a responsible pet owner with a smaller animal such as a fish or hamster, then you will consider getting a dog.

Suggest that each child can pick out one or two goldfish at the local pet store. Take the kids with you for the purchase, and let them help you pick out a nice size bowl and the accessories. Then approach the large fish tanks and let them each choose the fish. The movement and color will fascinate the kids and hopefully get them interested in having a goldfish as a pet.

Make a big deal out of picking out the fish. The more you play it up the easier it will be for them to accept. Have the salesperson at the store explain to all of you how to care for the fish, and emphasize that they should not overfeed the fish, that the water needs to changed and that they need to pick out names for their fish.

Fish not your thing? Maybe a furry little hamster would do. You can buy a nice big cage and all the accessories and watch the critter run around and play for hours. Hamsters love exercise wheels and can stay inside a wheel for hours on end. You just need to make sure you (or your children) clean the cage weekly and feed it the appropriate food. Pet stores sell hamster food and all the supplies you need. Again, let the store employee give the kids the run down on what is required to take care of a hamster.

A goldfish or a hamster will probably not put an end to your child’s desire to have a dog or a cat. However, these low maintenance pets can be a stepping stone in the learning curve of responsible pet ownership.

Read more articles by Anna Lee

Monday Rufferences and Resources

Thanks for coming back to another Monday Rufferences and Resources.

So it's September, back to school time for the kids and even some moms and dads. Now ol' Bowser or playful Casey's schedule is in for some changes too. After a summer of having family members close at hand during the day (maybe even going on vacation or camping with the family too), many dogs and cats now return to waiting by the front door for that school bus to come down the road. Here's some suggestions to help when separation anxiety in pets is a problem.

Image from stock xchg (tatertot10)
Think reading is just for the two-legged members of your family? In many communities dogs are getting into the act, as reading buddies for kids.

When you're away, a home pet sitter seems like an ideal solution. But how do you know they are doing their job? A new business PETZCheckIn lets you know. The service sends you an email, text or phone call to let you know when the pet sitter arrives and leaves. If the sitter doesn't arrive as scheduled, the service activates your back up plan. What do you think?

Proud you own a rescued pet? Then show it off with these special collars and leashes.
Here are some more designs.

Get your vote in now for the Monroe LA News-Star's 2009 Pet Idol contest. You can choose from more than 170 cats, dogs and a few other pets. Voting ends September 25. View pets here.

Ragdoll. Bombay. American Curl. These are not hairstyles, but breeds of cats. Which one is best for your family?

While you're at it, why not take this quiz: What kind of cat are you?

Is a hamster a good pet for you? Oh My Apartment blogs about hamsters as apartment pets. One point to keep in mind: they're nocturnal. (ie: squeak, squeak, scratch, scamper all night!)

Please check back next Monday for more Rufferences and Rescources!

Monday Rufferences & Resources

Welcome to Monday Rufferences and Resources, a round-up of pet news and tips this week.

My daughter Kate brought this to my attention, and I must admit I'm having fun feeding and watching Googley, my new pet "hamster." Try out this fun new google app!

Looking for a good read? Here are some more new dog (and other pet!) books:
Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz (Villard Books) This inspiring book joins the others books by Jon Katz, including Izzy and Lenore, Dog Days, A Dog Year, and A Good Dog.

A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean Koontz (Hyperion Books) about his 3 yr old golden retriever Trixie, a retired service dog.

Horses With a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service by Allen and Linda Anderson (New Orld Library) collection of true stories.

Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell (New World Library). McDonnell is the creator of Mutts comic strip. books shows you how interaction with animals can make us better people.

Read this article for more comments about favorite dog books.

Most people have certain preconceptions about different breeds of dogs. But these biases don't hold true for every dog. Many good, sweet dogs are left out of a loving home because their breed has a reputation. Are you worried that pitbulls are aggressive? Greyhounds need too much exercise? Find out more facts here.

Looking for a new dog blog to read? Check out dexter speaks. Dexter is a 4 yr old golden doodle. Maybe he has something to say to you!

Here's a way you can help. Donations of pet food are being sought to help California fire victims.

There's still time to travel, and you might want to visit these pet-themed fall festivals, including the dachshund races in Findlay OH, and dog-owner look alike contest in silver spring MD.

Have a great week. And please check back next Monday for more Rufferences & Resources. And let us know what's going on with your pets this week! We'd love to hear!