This is my hammock setup: Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) Double Nest Hammock. Homemade Hammock Underquilt - insulation and fabric sourced from Walmart. Homemade 11' x 12" Silnylon Tarp. Black Diamond Treking Poles hold up one side. The other side is staked to the ground. The hammock is hung using ENO adjustable slap straps. Mont-Bell Super Stretch 800 Down #3 sleeping bag used as an overquilt. I do wear a knit hat and a fleece jacket while I sleep. This system sleeps warm down to 30 F. At temps below that you freeze your buns off, literally.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Caring For Your Baby Ferret
Baby ferrets are cute and cuddly, like most baby pets, but it is important to remember that they require lots of care and attention. Before you purchase a baby ferret, you should have prior knowledge as to what to expect in terms of care - housing, diet, and toys. This knowledge will help both you and your ferret to get the most out of your companionship.
Pet ferrets should always be neutered and de-scented as soon as possible. When ferrets go into heat, it can last for months. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can have a devastating effect on the female ferret and can ultimately lead to death. If a ferret does get impregnated, gestation will last for about 42 days. During this time, the female - or jill - will sleep longer than usual. When the jill goes into labor, never touch her or her kits unless it is an emergency. Doing so will risk the lives of the kits and she may end up attacking you as well. The jill can become quite hostile as she may think that you are attempting to harm her kits.
Ferrets will begin to open their eyes and develop their color by the time they are 20 days old. When they reach the age of 6 weeks, they are ready to leave their mothers. At this time, you should start to prepare them for their first veterinarian visit to have them vaccinated, de-scented, and neutered. They can be weaned onto adult food at this age as well. Like their adult counterparts, baby ferrets require a diet high in animal proteins and fats, and low in carbohydrates and fiber. The levels of protein should be approximately 35% and the fat should be about 20%. The animal protein and fat should mostly be in the form of eggs and poultry. Do not give your baby ferrets any treats until you are ready to begin house-training. And when you do start, avoid giving your ferret any dairy items or sugary foods. Dairy does not agree with a ferret's digestive system and can cause diarrhea. Too much sugar can permanently damage a ferret's pancreas. Definitely stay away from raisins as they are extremely high in sugar content.
When it comes to choosing a house for your baby ferret, the same requirements apply as with adult ferrets. Ferrets need plenty of room to sleep, play, and defacate. A dark and comfortable corner should be designated as a sleeping area. Line the bottom with layers of soft towels or clothing. Do not line the cage with wood chips as these are dangerous to your ferret's health and can cause respiratory problems. Avoid putting anything in the cage that your ferret can chew on and swallow. This will lead to severe health problems, such as intestinal blockages, that will eventually require surgery. You will need to ferret proof your home as well. Ferrets are very curious and adventurous animals. If there is something that can be chewed, shredded, or investigated, you can be sure that your ferret will find it. You should always allow your pet to roam around, play, and exercise, but make sure to remove anything that can pose a potential hazard.
Now you are ready to bring your new addition home. With lots of love and attention, your ferret will be sure to thrive and give you years of entertainment and companionship.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Ferret Hammocks
As any ferret owner can attest, ferrets love to nap and are particularly fond of cozy, somewhat enclosed spots for sleeping. Ferret hammocks provide the perfect sleeping spot, as relaxing as any human hammock, and can also serve as one more climbing toy for ferrets to play on.
Ferret hammocks are readily available, both online and in local pet stores, and come in a variety of sizes, price ranges, and materials. A basic ferret hammock can cost as little as $5, while more complicated ones run closer to $20. Some have simple clips to hook to the top of the cage, while others have their own standing frames, much like some human hammocks. While different ferrets have distinct preferences for materials, in general ferret hammocks made from fleece seem to be the most popular.
The most basic ferret hammocks are a single layer of material that is clipped or tied to the top of the cage. Since ferrets like to sleep in dark, enclosed space, though, sleep sacks, which are like hammocks crossed with sleeping bags, are quite popular. These sleep sacks have two layers of fabric, with the top layer folding over to form a sort of envelope or pouch in which the ferrets can nest.
Patterns are even available online, for knitting, crocheting, or sewing a ferret hammock. It's not unusual to make a basic homemade ferret hammock from an old shirt or towel, with no sewing whatsoever.
Whatever type of ferret hammock you choose, your ferret is sure to enjoy this new addition to its cage.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Secrets You Wish Steve Irwin Had Told You About Pet Cages
Ok, if Steve Irwin had offered you advice about pets cages, what do you think it would have been? In the first instance, I think he would have told you to consider the specific animal, because they all have different characteristics and they all have different requirements.
Obviously a pets cage needs to fit in your house ok, so that always needs to be a consideration. By the same token though, the animal the pets cage houses also needs to be comfortable as well. Beyond the aspects of comfort, the animal needs to have enough to keep it occupied. Some animals need more stimulus than others, but the critical think hear is understanding. Do some research before you get the pet and find out what it's ideal requirements are, then go from there.
You might have restrictions on room perhaps, but that doesn't mean that you cannot use some imagination to make the pets habitat as interesting as possible. Some animals like to run around a lot, so exercise facilities would be great. Others are just plain inquisitive and like to chew and gnaw, so their requirements would be a little different. Remember that chewing animals sometimes need to be protected from themselves, so make sure that whatever they do chew is safe for them.
You also want to ensure that your pets are prevented from escaping. Fun though it might be for them initially, they are in peril if people do not realise that they are out and about. Sometimes, smaller pets can have more than one in a cage. So how many should you have? It depends on the size of the cage of course, but the answer again is to do some research and find out what the animal's requirements are.
I have heard, for example, that you can access software that tells you how many rats you should house per square foot! I expect that if you looked hard enough, you could find similar assistance for other creatures. Don't forget cleaning either. Pets cages will need rigorous cleaning, so please make sure that the cage you get is up to rough treatment from you as well as the animal in question.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Why Ferrets Make Good Pets, Even If They Stink!
Yes, ferrets reek! But ferrets make good pets and I would still recommend owning one of these fascinating animals. There is a reason why they are fast becoming a popular pet and I'm here to tell you why. But first, I want to address the "reek" factor of ferrets. They do come from the weasel family and carry a musk that might not be to everyone's liking. But, unless you're planning to breed ferrets, a quick spay or neuter by your veterinarian will control the odor. On a side note, spaying or neutering your ferret is done mostly for health reasons, not odor control. So whether you like the smell or not, get your pet spayed or neutered.
Ferrets are good looking creatures, and that's why you first noticed them right? They're cute - especially the ones that have a raccoon mask. But what sets ferrets apart from other animals is their infectious, and I mean infectious, personalities. Ferrets are quintessential charmers. They're playful, curious, and intelligent. But don't be fooled by their charms. They are also professional thieves, conmen, and hold multiple violations, such as breaking and entering and destruction of property. Don't worry, they mean all good.
Besides having all the fun, ferrets do need to be taken care of properly. They need a big airy ferret cage, ferret food, litter box, play toys, playtime and a little bit of firm discipline. You should also be prepared to clean the litter box daily and provide fresh food and water everyday. Your home needs to be fully "ferret proofed", meaning your home needs to be checked for escape routes, dangerous wires and chewable objects.
Luckily, ferrets are fairly simple to care for. Ferrets are professional sleepers and can snooze up to 20 hours a day; which is perfect for anyone with a busy schedule. You do need to set up some playtime everyday though. Ferrets need daily mental and physical stimulation.
If you have kids or other pets, please use caution. Ferrets tend to play rough. They'll jump, claw and nip at you to entice you to play a game of hide and seek and this maybe a little too much for a toddler. Ferrets are natural born hunters. Actually, they're natural born rodent killers. All the way to present time, ferrets are used for hunting vermin. They have an amazing ability to smell and go into the smallest holes to get what they want. So if you do have any pet rats, birds, mice, hamsters, or rabbits, I would use caution when introducing them to your ferret. I have seen many times that they can be friends, but if your rodent ends up missing one day, don't say that I didn't warn you.
Ferrets make the ultimate pets, but they are a reflection of what owners can provide for them. It is no coincidence that there are many ferrets in shelters looking for a good home, so please make it your responsibility to prepare yourself before bringing home one of these fascinating creatures into your world.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Large Metal Chinchilla Cages Are Best, Avoid Plastic Ones - Here's Why!
Large Metal Chinchilla Cages are superior to plastic ones for several reasons:
You Pet likes to Chew
Plastic can be gnawed away at. This is undesirable for two main reasons. Aesthetically, it will spoil the cage. More seriously for your pet, it can be a health hazard. Your pet may swallow a chunk of plastic. It may also gnaw away the plastic such that a sharp edge is formed, which your pet may one day cut itself against. It's really not worth the risk to your pet's health to take a chance on a plastic cage. And do you really want to have a cage with bits and pieces gnawed away on display?
Hygiene
Large Metal Chinchilla Cages are much more easier to clean as waste tends not to stick to metal like it does with plastic. If you can't properly clean your pet's cage then it provides fertile breeding ground for bacteria, which can harm both your pet and even yourself. Not good, especially if you have children around who may pick up the bacteria when they next approach your pet's cage for entertainment from their furry friend. It's far more easier to wipe down and clean metal cages. And metal doesn't stain like plastic can either, again providing another aesthetic benefit on top of a health benefit.
Why a Large Cage?
The only thing not covered above is why the cage should be large. The answer to that is because in their natural mountain habitat, chinchillas love to run around and climb, therefore they need a cage that enables them to replicate their natural habitat as far as possible. To this end you should select a cage that is both long and high to accommodate your pet's need to run and climb. Also, to provide companionship, people often buy a pair of chinchillas together, or introduce one later one. Large metal chinchilla cages also allow for this scenario, and are the superior choice for your pet over their plastic counterparts.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Chinchilla Habitat
If you're planning to purchase chinchillas, you should be sure that you create the right habitat for your pets. It's important that, before you do go out and purchase one of your own chinchillas as a pet, you learn more details about what they like and dislike. Invest some time researching a chinchilla's habitat in the wild. This will help to set-up a home for your pet where they'll be comfortable living.
A good number of domestic chinchillas' forefathers resided within the Andes Mountain area of Chile and South America. If in the rough outdoors these critters tend to create their homes in burrows on rocky crevices around the sides of mountains. Which means it is important that you produce this sort of home for them.
When you do bring a chinchilla into your home, just remember to get a proper house (cage) in which it should be kept. It is very important that you decide on a cage with a good amount of height to it, furnishing them with plenty of space to climb around and play when in the cage.
You may think that its possible to save money by purchasing a good sized bird cage, that would normally house a parrot, is a good idea. It just is not because there will not plenty of living space allowing this wonderful pet the ability to maneuver and jump inside of. Although it is difficult to think, these types of pets are capable at jumping as much as 1.5 meters straight into mid-air. Therefore, you are generally far better off spending a bit more on a caged surrounding made to develop an ideal habitat for your chinchilla.
Besides making sure that you have a home wherein they have got risers which they will be able to climb, chinchillas need to have alternative activities that will keep them content. Consider integrating some types of toys except for those composed of plastic material to keep them amused. You will need to keep in mind that chinchillas like to gnaw stuff and typically the plastic-type toys may contain chemicals that may turn out to be toxic and hazardous to their health. Alternatively there are numerous other objects like wooden toys (all-natural ones are usually better) and also paper tubes should be well suited for your chinchilla play around with. And don't forget, have a look at supplying chew sticks for them.
In terms of just what ones own pet chinchilla needs to eat, the process of understanding additional information about how this animal lives in the wild will let you to make the decision what should be included in their diet regime. When out in their wild habitat most chinchillas are likely to ingest various plants, seeds and insects. For that reason if you want your pet to remain in good health and not have potential digestive tract infections then a hay based diet should be used. Also, make certain you supply them with plenty of water each day.
Another thing you have to think about when creating an ideal chinchilla habitat for one's pet is to bear in mind that these types of pets tend to be most active at night. So make sure that you house them in a location that they cannot disturb you or other members of your family while trying to sleep.
Charlie Carson
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