Setting Up a Nursery at Home

Are you a mom-to-be who is setting up a nursery? Why not look online to help you shop for your baby's bedding and doctor? There are so many themes out there, you can find hundreds if not thousands of them online.

Instead of going to a store and being limited to what stock they can physically house, you can shop the world of baby bedding online. Literally, you can see more stock than would ever be possible for one store to contain. No store can have all designs and brands.

Online sites will have a huge selection to choose from. It can be tricky to narrow it down though, especially if you don't know what would be best for your needs. It's even harder to pick from a huge pool of possibilities than from a small pool, especially if there isn't much on the site to help you decide.

Bedding manufacturers are creating crib bedding collections more and more, with new collections being added seemingly daily. It is flooding the market. Plus there are so many accessories to match, you can be overwhelmed. Take full advantage of the widespread availability of things to choose from on the web. Not only will you have a great selection to view from the comfort of your home, but you'll find that prices are typically more competitive than they are in retail outlets.

Go online to buy a baby quilt and sheets, and you'll find you can also pick up the matching light switch cover, lamp, lampshade, mobile, music box, diaper stacker, curtains, rug, pillows, and so on. It's really amazing how integrated you can make a baby's room with a single theme, now that manufacturers are offering matching items. If you aren't sure if you are having a boy or girl, pick something that is in a neutral color scheme.

There are plenty of designers in the baby bedding market these days. You are sure to be able to find attractive, reasonably priced, high quality pieces that will make you happy if you look.

Some consumers want to buy retail directly from a store instead. Try a bedding retailer. Check to see if they offer crib bedding or have a children's section. You can also try in a baby store, in the linens and furniture section. You'll find something in your budget that is very cute.

Try the mall too. You never know what you may come across at the mall, and if one store doesn't work out there are plenty of others.

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Much a Do Hammock by Chaz

Make a great hammock for your backyard or hiking trip. Supplies: 3.5 yards of fabric 10 - 20 feet of rope 2 - 2.5 inch metal rings

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How to Train Your Ferret

Have you always wondered why for other ferret owners it is so easy to command their pets? Now, you can be one of them. Ferrets are smart creatures and instruction activities are not that hard, but you only need to have spare time and patience for your ferret. This is the reason why ferrets can be trained so easy. Here you have some more useful information about the easier ways to train your pet.

Tolerance and Reliability

Training an animal require stability. This is extremely true for those ferrets who are about to learn new actions from their individual friends. Always have in your mind the thing that training is not always a piece of cake. You need to provide your pet sufficient time and endurance for him to learn what you want it to teach him. Expect to be pushed until the limits but you do not have to shout at them or punish them in any way. Set yourself a limit and your pet some time off from the training if you feel like blowing up. Reliability is also a big prerequisite for them to retain the knowledge that you are imparting. Without giving them training patters, they will never remember what those commands are for. Positive reinforcement is an effective and easier tool. Like dogs, they need treats to assure them that they are behaving as they should do and to assure you that he is impelled to learn new things. By any means do not allow them to associate your commands from fear. Do not you ever shout at him.

Learning his Name

Repeating the pets name every time you call him is a vital step to educate him for other commands and tricks. If your ferret does not know his own name, it is more difficult for you to teach him new tricks. Once you see him, approach him, call him by name and give him a treat every time he responds. Continue doing this often so he can learn that you are calling him and especially if there are other ferrets in the family.

The More, the Merrier

If you have an army of other ferrets and your new ferret wants some introduction, set a time limit so he can get used to those other ferrets. Let the newcomer adjust to his ambiance and to his new friends. You will know when he starts to mingle with the rest of your ferrets and have fun with his newfound friends. They need guidance and regular monitoring especially for their first time together. It is usual for them to do a bit of hissing and quarreling as this is standard for all other creatures in the creature kingdom. Once they are used to it they are going to be playmates and further separation will cause them stress.

Clicker Teaching

An additional efficient way to teach your furry friend is the use of a clicker. This is a kind of toy used by animal trainers to obtain the desired reaction from their pets. Clickers make a variety of sounds and ferrets can easily connect to those noises. Clickers are available in pet stores and online stores.

The Earlier, the Better

It is given rule that the younger the animal is the easier is for him to learn new tricks. You can keep repeating the tricks and rewarding them with treats if they behave how you have thought them, make sure that they keep in mind your command every time you say it. Do not be indolent because that wood not help you in any way and it will erase whatever reliability is required for your pet to learn new things. 10 minutes of daily education is fine as long as it is repetitive and constant than an hour of training once a week. You will only discard your energy, time and effort if you prolong the practice sessions for more than 10 minutes.

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Ferret Care - A 3-Step Guide For Beginners

One of the main concerns of ferret owners is ferret care. In fact, browsing online would bring you sites and resources that have something to do with ferret owning and ferret care sheets. It has been proven that some ferret owners tend to seek advice not from professionals but through other owners and friends. This may not be such a bad idea but an expert's opinion is definitely advised for starting owners. So, how do we really care for our ferrets? Here's a list of pointers:

1. Ferret nutrition and diets. These are considered basics. In feeding your pets, what matters is the type of foods as well as the nutrients that come with it. For baby ferrets, you can opt to give them special kit or growth foods. On the other hand, once they reached their sixth week, you may also try giving them foods that are similar to the ones you give to adult ferrets.

Cat food is often utilized in terms of ferret care and nutrition. However it is best not to compare your ferret's needs with that of kittens or dogs. Surely, these commercially-prepared items consist of vitamins and nutrients meant for animal needs. On the other hand, cats and ferrets have different dietary requirements.

2. Ferret shelters and cages are also part of total ferret care. If choosing for diamonds bring us the top C's which are clarity, carat and color, ferret cages have the following elements. We have the space, security and sanitation.

Go for cages that are spacious and have large doors. Think of giving your pets the easiest access to their nest boxes or litter trays. Provide additional support by placing tiles or cabinet liners to your ferret's cage floors.

Cleaning your ferret's cage is definitely a must. Besides, ferret care is all about the general condition and maintenance of everything that would help our pets lead better lives. Make sure that litter trays and basins are clean. You may also need to teach your pets how to use the litter box.

3. Toys and accessories are truly secondary items, but ferret care also includes these provisions in general. Be cautious when shopping for these supplies. Consider the toy's materials and small parts. Specialty stores usually have an array of items good for ferrets, which is why checking out these shops is greatly advised.

The given list is often referred to by beginners, with hopes of increasing their knowledge about ferrets. Ferret care may be an overwhelming idea but making time to learn them is beneficial in the process. There are other resource sites where you can get great tips, all you need to do is constantly search and digest what's best for your ferret.

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Guinea Pig Cage Ideas For Cubes & Coroplast

Guinea pig cage ideas can be both fun to create, and tedious at the same time. Making sure your cavy has the right amount space to run, sleep, eat is an important aspect of designing a cage. With the famous Cubes & Coroplast (C&C) cages you can customize your desired cage to your available space and still meet the needs of your guinea pigs. C&C cages are of equal or lesser cost of most store-bought cages and hutches, and usually several times more spacious.

Cubes & Coroplast are the best foundation when it comes to creating guinea pig cage ideas. The endless possibilities even with limited space is what makes C&C cages such a great cage idea and choice. Below are few quick ideas for you to consider when building your cavy's cage.

Make a Separate Litter Box
Many C&C cage owners build a separate litter box with the left over coroplast, and place a hay rack over it. This is an excellent guinea pig cage idea because hay gets everywhere very easily. Placing a litter box with your choice of wood bedding or carefresh below hay will keep the cage much cleaner.

If you are patient and really want to challenge your little buddies, try litter training. This can make clean up much easier and make the cage look much cleaner than without this training.

Storage Below The Cage
Make a two-story C&C cage and place the cage part on the 2nd story it the first story on the ground. This way you can store all the food, and other important items you use for or with taking care of your cavy. It's a fast and easy way to grab and go when you're caring for your cavies. Storing hay, food, grooming items, and nearly anything you can consider is a good idea.

Two-Story Cage
Running out of space horizontally? Then a two-story guinea pig cage is for you. Adding a second level adds excellent exercise to your cavy's day. However, be sure that your still offer a clear path around the perimeter of the first floor of the cage. A cavy requires a clear, uninterrupted path when they choose to do laps in the cage for exercise. That is why it is suggested to have a ramp that begins in the middle of the cage that leads upwards, rather than a ramp that is located on the perimeter. Just a guinea pig cage idea you should consider. Placing a small hand-held vacuum cleaner can help to quickly pickup your pet's waste.

Hay Feeders
Place two grids together and create a hay feeder that can be placed anywhere in the cage. This a guinea pig cage idea that is typical for most owners as you can make a hay feeder out of left over grids from your initial C&C materials purchase.

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Duo Aerial Fabric Hammock

Duo Fabric Hammock Act performed by Alex Walker & Cathy Gauch of Aircat Aerial Arts www.aircat.net

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Understanding Your Chinchilla's Habitat

Chinchillas originated from South America, more particularly in the Andes Mountains. In their natural habitat, these rodents can jump high, even reaching more than a meter. Their agility serves them well in the mountains as it allows them to survive threats present in the environment. Some of the animals that prey on them in the natural Chinchilla habitat are snakes, birds of prey, and canine. To protect themselves against these predators, Chins have the ability to release fur. They also spray urine in order to ward off any attacks.

In their natural habitat, Chins feed on plants and at times, small insects. This is the primary reason why most captive Chins are given diet based on hay. Giving other foods may cause irritation on the digestive system of these animals. Also, groups of Chins are referred to as 'herds' in their natural habitats.

Since Chinchillas have become popular pets in past years, the cage has also been considered as a Chinchilla habitat. When choosing a cage, the height and width should be prioritized. A spacious cage is ideal for Chins due to their hyperactive nature. Cages that have ledges and shelves are also recommended since these items can enable the creatures to play, jump, and run around the cage. The ledges and shelves should also be sturdy enough to carry the weight of the animals. The wires of the cages should not be made out of plastic, since Chins are fond of chewing on them. Plastic can be poisonous and potentially harm or kill Chins who chomp on them.

A bedroom should never be considered as a Chinchilla habitat. Chins are usually asleep during the day and active at night. Their nocturnal disposition will only cause troubles to their pet owners who insist on keeping them on their bedrooms. Chins usually run around their cages at night, and any person will have a hard time sleeping when they have these active animals running and jumping throughout the night.

Playtime is important to Chins. Once a day, pet owners should take them out of their cages and allow them to roam around. This should be done at night, when they have the energy to perform their hyperactive stunts. The Chinchilla habitat should have ramps where these creatures can run around and climb.

Chins are very hyperactive that they are difficult to control when they are in their cages. These rodents are very curious, which makes them easy to teach with various tricks. Chins learn through habits. The more frequent that they perform a task, the more likely that they will learn a trick. Giving treats such as wooden toys and raisins will also increase the likelihood that they will learn whatever tricks taught to them.

Aside from enough food, there should also be enough water in the Chinchilla habitat. The food bowl should be sturdy enough since Chins may run over them. Pet owners should also look closely into the eating habits of their Chins since the food they eat may have an effect o on their digestive system.

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Tips to Bring Your Ferret Home

Now that you have decided that you want to keep a ferret as a pet, there are several important tips to remember before you take your new friend home. Your ferret will need a suitable home to live in. Although ferrets love to run, play, and explore, it will spend most of the day inside its cage. You need to ensure that the cage provides three essential things for your ferret: a comfortable place to sleep, a private place to do its 'business', and ample room to play.

An ideal ferret cage will consist of multiple levels, with shelves and ladders to climb. You should purchase a cage with a wood bottom, not mesh as this will hurt your ferret's feet. Under no circumstances should you house your ferret in a glass aquarium as this does not provide enough circulation and moisture will build up. Too much moisture can cause bacterial and fungal infections on the skin and can affect the respiratory system. This can ultimately lead to death.

When you are lining the cage, do not use wood chips as, again, this could lead to respiratory problems. Instead, use a clean towel or old clothing; something that is soft and comfortable to sleep on. Ferrets also love to sleep in suspended hammocks. Make the sleeping area as comfortable and dark as possible as ferrets sleep a majority of the day; on average from 15 to 20 hours.

Be extremely cautious when you are choosing toys for your ferret. Avoid anything that is made from soft, spongy, or easily ripped material. If your ferret manages to shred materials and swallow them, this can seriously harm the intestines, resulting in the need for surgery. Some great suggestions for toys include long tubes, slides, and wheels. Anything that is stimulating and fun will keep your ferret entertained for long periods of time. Such things as balls with bells or rattles are also good suggestions.

Ferrets are members of the weasel family, which means that they are carnivores and require a diet that is high in animal protein and fat. They should not eat a lot of foods that are high in carbohydrates and fiber. Ferrets have extremely high metabolisms and must eat every 3 to 4 hours. Keep a constant supply of food and fresh water available. A water dish is preferable to a water bottle as ferrets like to wash their faces in the dish as well. Hard food is preferable to soft food as the soft food will go bad if left out for too long.

All pets require regular visits to the local veterinarian as well as regular vaccinations, and ferrets are no different. When they mature and reach adulthood, ferrets will begin to emit a strong odor. It is recommended that you bring them to the vet to have them de-scented and neutered. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding ferret care. This will ensure that your pet will live a long and healthy life.

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The Habitat of Chinchillas

Chinchilla Habitat

If you try to trace the origin of the chinchillas, you will most probably get the results of the Andes Mountain region, South America, and Chile. Burrows and rock crevices serve as the natural habitat of these creatures who can jump as high as 1.5 meters. Their agility serves as their weapon in surviving in elevated areas.

Threats from predators including birds of prey, skunks, felines, canines and snakes are often encountered by chinchillas. Various defense mechanisms are employed by chinchillas as a means of protecting themselves from potential predators. Spraying urine and releasing fur are some of the protective strategies.

Chinchillas who live in their natural habitat often feed on small insects, seeds and plants. Chinchillas who have had domesticated training are advised to apply a hay-based diet. Other types of diet may cause the chinchilla's digestive system to be irritated.

The groups that chinchillas form in their natural habitat are called 'herds'. Chinchillas are also known for their ability to reproduce at any part of the year.

Chinchillas that are domesticated should be kept in a cage. Height is the primary factor that should be considered in choosing a cage for the chinchilla. So your chinchilla can play and climb, you may also consider choosing cages with shelves and ledges. It is also advisable to construct the sides out of wires. Aside from their poisonous nature, wood bases are also not advisable because they might give the chinchilla an opportunity to chew out and escape.

Keeping your chinchilla near or inside your bedroom is also not advisable. Their nocturnal nature makes the chinchillas active and alert during nighttime. Their alertness and energy during nighttime may hinder you and your family from getting a good night's sleep.

The exercise and supervised run of the chinchillas should be neglected. At least once a day, bring your chinchillas outside of their cages for such purpose. Since they are nocturnal, they would still have the energy to play even during nighttime. Running and jumping between several ramps are natural and expected tendencies of chinchillas. You should also ensure the strength and stability of the wheels because the tiny feet of the chinchillas may get caught in the mesh.

You should prepare yourself that even when they are already in their cage, chinchillas cannot be totally controlled or contained. They are naturally inquisitive and curious. You can provide them with various activities and toys to gratify their curiosity and to keep them busy in their cages.

An ideal habitat for a chinchilla would not be complete without toys. However, plastic toys are not recommended. Your chinchillas may end up chewing on these toys, which would be harmful for your pets. In addition, it is also difficult to stop your chinchillas from chewing. Instead of plastic toys, you may provide your pet with wooden toys, paper tubes, and chew sticks.

Plenty of drinking water should also be provided in the cage of the chinchilla. A food bowl should also be placed. You should also carefully monitor the eating habits of your chinchilla because of the possible infections on their digestive tract.

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Sugar Glider Care

You need to keep your Sugar Gliders cage area clean for the both of you. Numerous things cause odors that you may smell, and the most common is from the break down of urine & feces. When the fecal matter breaks down, ammonia is created. Another odor is caused by toys or other objects that you have in the cage area. The final odor would be that of a typical Sugar Glider marking odor.

To control odor, you can do several things. The most obvious is to change the bedding frequently. Some types of bedding will not require changing as often as others. The best way to maintain bedding is to completely change the bedding at least one a week while spot cleaning on a daily basis, more often if you have more than one Sugar Glider. It helps to use bedding that absorbs the scent. DO NOT use chemically treated materials since the Sugar Glider may chew or carry these items in their mouth and can ingest the toxins into their system.

There are different types of air freshener on the market to help keep your air clean. Some just make the air smell better by adding a fragrance to the air thus covering up the odor. Some actually neutralize the smell in the air. An Enzymatic odor remover from your local pet store will neutralize any odors in the cage. You can spray this on the cage, branches, or anything else that your pet might come in contact with.

Try different things, but the best way to make sure that everyone is happy is to make sure there is adequate air flow, change their bedding often, and use something to neutralize the odors. Check to see if what you buy is harmful or toxic to animals before you spray it in the air you and yours Sugar Glider will breathe.

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