For one of the friendliest of domestic pets, ferrets have gotten a bad reputation among some. That reputation is almost entirely undeserved. There are a surprisingly large number of persistent myths and errors about ferrets, especially considering how relatively few people actually have any first-hand knowledge of them. But, then, perhaps that’s why. Origins Some…
Adrenal Disease One of the most common conditions to occur in ferrets is adrenal disease. Growths or enlargement of the adrenal gland typically requires surgery. External signs are a loss of hair, usually starting at the tail and working forward. Sometimes the back of the neck loses hair. In some cases, the vulva of females…
Choosing a ferret, of course, involves a certain emotional commitment. But there are a few objective factors that you can look at to help you decide. Age is among the first factors a prospective ferret buddy will want to consider. Older ferrets may be already litter or bite trained. If they are, that can be…
Many people get a rabbit for a pet, thinking they can just put it in a cage. They take it out on the rare occasions they feel like it. But that isn’t very beneficial for the rabbit and provides the pet owner with more problems in the long run. Rabbits are not mechanical toys. They…
What is ‘proper’ in a rabbit’s diet depends on what kind of creature it is. And since rabbits are herbivores, they need to be fed exclusively plant material – grains, vegetables and the occasional fruit. Rabbits need substantial grassy fiber and a good deal of vegetable protein. They have fairly delicate digestive systems and they…
Rabbits reach sexual maturity at about age six months. It varies somewhat by breed. Spaying is the surgical procedure carried out on females in which their mature organs are removed, neutering involves removing the testes of the male but not the penis – neutering is not the same as full castration. There are pros and…
RHD or Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease is a condition that may occur in domestic rabbits. Some signs are easy to detect, such as a foamy, bloody nasal discharge or flipping excitedly inside their cage. Symptoms do vary and include lethargy, rapid and substantial weight loss, and others. Regrettably, it’s often the case that by the time…
Domestic rabbits spend most of their lives in a cage. That sometimes strike people as sad, but the rabbits don’t seem to mind too much. Unlike dogs or other pets, they don’t rebel at the cage, so much as see it as a safe haven. Rabbits like warrens. But there is one difference between a…
Parents will often get a rabbit specifically as a pet for their child. Your child looks at you with those big eyes and says ‘please’ and the rabbit comes home. But rabbits are unlike cats or dogs and don’t react the same way to child behavior. Rabbits have abilities that evolved in the species over…
Trimming your rabbit’s nails can be a trial. Rabbits are akin to small dogs in that they tend to be fairly high strung. As prey for so many larger species, they evolved to be on a constant look out for danger. Even though they’re safe and well protected in your home, those instincts are still…