Cat Baskets

Cats sleep most of the day, and they usually find a cozy spot to sleep. It may be your bed, favorite chair, stack of papers and books, fresh pile of linen, on top of a piece of furniture, or in an isolated corner.

For my cat Mittens, those were all preferred spots at one time or the other, that is until I got her a cat basket. I placed it in her favorite corner, added an old towel for cushioning, and at first she ignored it. So two days later I added her favorite toy to the cat basket, watched from afar, and waited patiently. As curious as a cat, as the saying goes, she stepped in the basket and got hooked. Since that day it has been her preferred, cozy spot.

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Do Dogs and Cats Need Their Teeth Cleaned?

One of the more frequent conversations I have with pet owners before or during a teeth cleaning procedure (or dental treatment procedure) is about having to extract teeth. Usually it goes something like this:

Doctor: "Pet owner, your pet has multiple teeth with end stage periodontal disease. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix this, so I need to extract X number of teeth"
Pet Owner: "Oh no! Why so many? Do you have to? How is he going to eat? Will he be in pain?"
Doctor: "Yes, there may be some discomfort, but actually the teeth that are diseased are already causing pain. We will treat the discomfort of extractions with medicine at home after the procedure. He will eat fine, but you may need to soften the food for a week or two. We have to take out the teeth because the disease has progressed too far and there's nothing else we can do."

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Chinchilla Care

Now that you have a cute little Chinchilla in your home, make sure that you take good care of it. These little animals are very active and need extra attention, unlike the case of other pets like cats or dogs. Chinchilla care should begin with providing your new guest with proper accommodation. A good cage should be therefore, your topmost priority. Best thing is to go in for a cage with multiple levels, since these Chinchillas are known to jump around a lot and need ample space to play. Remember, to ensure that the cage is kept cool enough for Chinchillas hate heat. A nice, cozy bed is another thing that your little pet will need. It is always advisable that you use pine or cedar shavings as bedding, as they are a healthy option and won't cause skin problems.

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How should rats be housed?

Rats do well in wire cages because they take pleasure in climbing. Wire cages also offer great ventilation. The floor has to be solid, and a bedding composed of aspen or pelleted recycled paper should be provided. Some rats like to make nests, so when you observe this behavior in your pets, add shredded paper towels in the cage. A bored rat is an unhappy one, so offer things where they can run or play around. Rats need a quiet area to which they can retire, so offer little boxes or pots where they are able to hide. Rats don't thrive in cold temperature and also direct sunlight. A place kept at 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is suitable. Keep in mind that rats are quite social to other members of their species, and for that reason should be kept in pairs. It is usually better to obtain same-sex pairs. That way, you will not end up with many rat pups.

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