How To Guide

Hamsters are small and easy to take care of – they make great pets, and quite entertaining as well.

Belonging to the rodent family, hamsters are often used as test animals in labs, which a lot of people are against. However, they make good pets as well and are easy to tame. They also manage to have a good bond with their owners. They are known as pocket pets because they are so small that they fit in your pocket and in your hand.

Different hamsters

There are many diverse species of hamsters which make good pets. They look different and have dissimilar characteristics.

Syrian hamsters are usually golden brown in color with different markings. They are the largest of all the hamsters, being six to eight inches long. They are extremely territorial and do not like other hamsters. They are also more nocturnal animals, so if you are a morning person, you should think twice before opting for a hamster as a pet.

Dwarf hamsters are a little smaller than Syrian hamsters. They are quick and agile and are… Read More

Ferrets are small animals, fairly easy to take care of and need to be housed in cages, indoors or outdoors.

Even though ferrets are really small animals, they look very cute and make great pets. They are playful and need interaction with humans or other ferrets. In fact it is good idea to buy ferrets in pairs, so that they have company. Ferrets can actually get depressed if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Ferrets have a distinctive smell, so if you find it unpleasant, it not a good idea to get it as a pet. You may think that ferrets will not take so much of your time – in fact, they require a great deal of care and time. Ferrets have traditionally used for ‘ferreting’ – flushing out rabbits for hunting and also for vermin.

What to look for when buying or getting a ferret

You can buy a male or female ferret from a pet shop or get one via ads in paper or the internet or from animal shelters. You should look for… Read More

Parakeets make amusing and entertaining pets. They do not need a lot of space and are easy to maintain.

Also known as budgerigars or budgies, parakeets originated in Australia. They are available in a variety of colors, so you can actually have parakeets of different colors, usually blues and greens with heads in a contrasting color.  They belong to the parrot family of birds but are not parrots.

Buying a parakeet

Parakeets will be available in pet shops or in shops which specialize in birds. It is better to buy a young one rather than and older bird, because young birds can be easily trained. It is better to go in for a hand raised parakeet, though it will be a little more expensive.

Ideally you should buy them in a pair so that they can give each other company, particularly if you are away at work the whole day. However, one parakeet can also stay alone. But it needs to be around people, so don’t keep it alone the whole day as parakeets can get depressed and moody.

Parakeet… Read More

An aquarium adds to the décor of a house and also provides peaceful and entertaining viewing pleasure.

Most people are fascinated by aquariums, watching various species of colorful fish in a natural type of habitat. It is not difficult to keep an aquarium in your own house. An aquarium is so relaxing that it is supposed to actually reduce stress levels and blood pressure.

Size of aquarium

You can buy fish tanks or aquariums of various sizes depending on how much space you want to devote to the aquarium. As the combination of glass and water is heavy, it needs to be placed on something solid and heavy, which can bear the weight. However, you can opt for plexiglass which lighter in weight, but more expensive initially. These fish tanks are usually available in gallon sizes.

Whichever size of aquarium you decide on, you will have to get the number of compatible fish accordingly.

Types of fish

There are two basic types of aquariums for freshwater fish and saltwater fish. You should take a call on which one you want.… Read More

Snakes are normally feared and even shunned, particularly the poisonous and constrictor varieties, but this reptile also finds favor as a pet.

It needs a very different type of person to keep a snake as a pet. If you are considering the idea, you should put your research in place as snakes are not easy to take care of. They require a long term commitment as they live long lives – as much as twenty-forty years or more.

Choosing a snake

When selecting a snake to keep as a pet, keep away from the dangerous poisonous varieties as snake bites are often fatal. The same goes for constricting species as snakes are not easy to handle. The common beginner species which are good as pets are

• Corn snake
• King snake
• Ball python
• Milk snake

These are the more docile species of snakes. It is best to buy from a reputable snake breeder and do avoid catching wild snakes and keeping them as pets.

Housing the snake

You can keep the snake in a terrarium, vivarium, a fish tank… Read More

Raccoons are known for their black eyes, which make their faces look like masks. While you may have seen them in the wild they are curious and entertaining as pets.

Raccoons are mammals which are commonly found. A fully grown raccoon is about 30 inches long, with a long tail. They have very endearing habits are very mischievous by nature. You have to make sure that it is legal to keep them as pets, because many areas have laws prohibiting the keeping of raccoons as pets. The most common raccoon which is kept as a pet is the common or ring-tailed raccoon, though there are many other species.

Housing the raccoon

In the wild the raccoon lives in a den usually in a tree hollow. As a pet, you should keep it in a secure box with holes for breathing, particularly when it is a baby. When it is big it needs space to move around so a four foot square secure space is necessary. It will also need a place exclusively to sleep. Make sure that you have a… Read More

Rabbits are tame and make good pets as they require little care. They are affectionate and can be trained.

Rabbits are active and curious. Once around humans, they can form strong bonds with the family members. Rabbits live to a long age (about 12 years), so be prepared to have them around for a long period of time. They are not aggressive, in fact, they are quite mild mannered. However, if they are not handled properly, they can become aggressive and destructive.

Choosing a rabbit

While white is the commonest color, rabbits come in a range of sizes and colors. They may be single colored or even striped. When you are choosing a rabbit, look for one which seems healthy. Younger rabbits are easier to train and you can train them to use the litter box.

It is also a good idea to buy more than one rabbit as they are social animals and welcome company. You should make sure that they are neutered, otherwise you will be stuck with litters of babies.

The common rabbit species are:

• American

… Read More

The solitary goldfish swimming in a fish bowl is a quintessential part of many movies and cartoons.

A goldfish looks attractive, being gold in color and adds to the décor of the room. Taking care of a goldfish is not difficult, provided you are willing to spend some time and put in some effort to do so. A goldfish makes a good beginner’s pet. Some types of goldfish, when taken good care of, can live from 20 to 50 years.

Species of goldfish

There are actually many varieties of goldfish available – over a hundred. Among them are:

• Ryukin
• Black Moor
• Pompom
• Fantail
• Veiltail
• Comet
• Bubble Eye
• Pearlscale
• Oranda
• Shubukin
• Telescope Eye
• Celestial Eye
• Ranchu
• Lionhead

It is well nigh impossible to list all of them – you have to select one which you like. They are not all gold in color, but they usually have some gold on them. In fact, the black moor goldfish is actually black.

Your goldfish tank

While the common concept of housing a goldfish is a round bowl, this is good only… Read More

Gerbils are cute furry creatures, much smaller than cats. They are playful and make endearing pets.

Gerbils are friendly and sociable animals. Belonging to the rodent family, they are available in many species, though the Mongolian gerbil is the commonest. They are easy to look after, but need to be in groups so it is a good idea to get at least two of the same sex if need be, otherwise they will proliferate.

While they are not exactly nocturnal, they are more active during the evening and night hours. They need human contact on a daily basis if they are kept as pets, otherwise they will become asocial and return to their wild ways. However, as a breed they are more timid.

Buying your gerbil

It is best to buy a gerbil when it is about five weeks old as older gerbils may be difficult to train. When looking at gerbils see that they are healthy and playful. If they are lethargic, not clean and do not look wide awake and inquisitive, there may be something wrong with them.… Read More

Parrots are very intelligent and provide companionship to their owners. Many species can even be trained to talk.

There are more than 350 species of parrots available in different colors. The traditional color of parrots is green with a red beak, but they are available in many brilliant color combinations as well. Parrots are easy to take care of and don’t require too much space, but they do need regular stimulation.

Selecting a parrot

You can buy a parrot from a pet shop, a breeder or adopt one, which will be the cheapest option. A breeder or previous owner will be able to give you lots of advice on caring for your bird. However, you have to be ready to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of and training your parrot. In fact before you decide to keep a parrot as a pet, you should talk to owners and see how much work it entails.

There are many internet forums, too, from where you can seek advice. You should buy the size and species of parrot which is right for… Read More

The hermit crab is often kept as a pet – it is unusual and exotic, yet is easy to take care of.

All kinds of exotic and unusual animals are finding growing popularity as pets as many people move away from the more common cats and dogs. The hermit crab is one such pet. It is easy to take care, does not require too much interaction and yet it is a nice pet to have around.

Types of hermit crabs

Basically there are two types of hermit crabs, the land crab and the water crab. This is about the land hermit crab. There are two common species in the US, the Caribbean or Soldier crab and the Ecuadorian or E crab. Other species are kept in other parts of the world where they are commonly available.

These crabs are not true crabs which come with their own shells. They are small and soft and need an outside shell to go into to protect them. As they are sociable animals, it is a good idea to keep two or more together… Read More

Guinea pigs are used not only in scientific research, but also kept as pets.

Guinea pigs are not really from the pig family – they actually are a type of rodent. They are larger than hamsters. They are very docile and tame and can be handled by older kids. They bond well with humans and do not bite. The total cost of keeping a guinea pig as a pet is not high, and is very affordable. The only thing is that it better to buy or adopt them in pairs or more (of the same sex, otherwise they breed very fast).

Breeds of guinea pigs

There are many different types of guinea pigs but the commonest ones are the Smooth Coated ones, with glossy fur, the Abyssinian which has short hair which grows in tufts and the Peruvian which has long silky hair. There are many others as well like textel, dutch, coronet, sheltie and if you go to a shelter or a pet shop, you may find others. They are available in different colors.

Housing guinea pigs

Guinea pigs… Read More

Fennec foxes are exotic pets and small in size unlike a regular fox.

Fennec foxes, also knows as dessert foxes, are from the desert regions of North Africa. They are from the canine family and look a bit like miniature foxes but they are small in size, only 14-16 inches in length. When fully grown they weigh only two to four pounds. They have small sharp features and large pointy ears – in fact this animal is identified by its ears. They are basically wild animals and need to be trained to be tamed.

Housing and training your pet

Your fennec fox can be put in an escape proof kennel outdoors. If you are bringing it indoors, you can house it in a dog crate. Once it is house broken and tamed, you can allow it to roam around your house.

You can keep a litter box and train it to use it. When it does the needful, you should praise it and soon it will learn. If you take it out, it should be on a leash. This animal… Read More

The chinchilla is a soft, furry, small animal, which makes an exotic pet.

Chinchillas are members of the rodent family, native to South America. They are cute and furry, but they are also high maintenance, particularly in terms of expense. They are also not suitable for children below 10 years. It is important to put in some research and see if keeping a chinchilla is the right decision for you.

Housing the chinchilla

Chinchillas need lots of space to move around in, so they need a two or three level cage. They are jumpers and need their exercise. The cage should have place for the pet to sleep and to play. A wire cage does well, though it should not have more than half an inch of space in between the wires. It is also better to have one with a removable bottom which will make cleaning a whole lot easier.

Some people keep chinchillas in aquariums, which are bigger, but may not offer different levels. Also it is important to line the floor very well with bedding which may… Read More

A canary is so called because it originated in the Canary Islands – it actually belongs to the finch family.

A canary is an extremely entertaining pet to have around, because it will fill your house with song. That is where the phrase ‘sing like a canary’ comes from, though it does have an unsavory feel. Actually singing canaries bring joy and satisfaction to the hearer, because the bird can sing well, in a range of tones and sounds.

The canary is a small bird, often yellow in color when wild, but available in a vast array of colors as a domesticated bird. It is cheerful and provides company to different people of all age groups. It can live between six and ten years.

Housing the canary

You should but a large flight cage for the canary, which is wide, rather than tall, so that it can fly within the cage. The gap between the bars should not be more than half an inch, otherwise the canary can pop its head out and even strangulate itself.

The cage should ideally… Read More