Pimp my cardboard

Any furry pet owner will tell you that everything from a mouse to a dog loves a cardboard box! With small pets they can look unsightly in their cage so i will have a video up on Youtube very soon about dong up your cardboard tubes, boxes and any other items. 

This super cute hidey house will be featured in my videos very soon.

 You can find my youtube channel by clicking here :)

Youtube

Don't forget you can find regular videos and updates on my New Youtube channel. Please subscribe and comment. :) 

FIND MY YOUTUBE BY CLICKING HERE

Repairing a Veg Patch Toy

I recently bought a veg patch toy for my rabbit. Paying £10 for it i expected it to last more than 3 days! Anyway Bambi destroyed it so i decided to repair it. 

All you will need to repair this is PVA wood glue and willow sticks. 

This is what it looked like, Bambi had ripped off the straw and paper. All that was left was the sisal string sides and the chipboard!

 This part you can do how you want. I glued the willow sticks 3 in each row. I then cut the straw to size and stuck that on.

 I then added some of the green paper Bambi had shredded of the play veg that go inside and the left over brown paper.

 Then let it dry overnight, I always let wooden toys dry for 24 hours. This is the finished product. It should last much longer now Bambi has wood on it.

Remember, don't worry about using wood glue. When you buy toys many have glue on already. This kind of toy for my rabbit is fine as she doesn't eat any of it she will simply shred it helping her teeth to wear down.

I would NOT recommend doing this for chinchillas or degus as they eat the bark of this type of item. 

Fresh Food

It is vital that you feed fresh food daily in order to keep your rabbit, rodent or bird healthy. Here you will find a list of safe vegetables, fruit, herbs and wild plants. The list is aimed at rabbits but it is suitable for all small pets. 

Click here to view the list of safe foods

Jumble Some Jenga!

Get creative with Jenga and wood glue. Here is Jenga bridge i made for my gerbils who have kindly demonstrated how much they like it!

Jenga can be picked up at car boot sales, second hand shops or even ask around your family and friends for sets that don't have all there pieces :)

NEW FACEBOOK!

HELLO! You can know find me on Facebook. Please message me telling me you find me via my blog. CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE

And remember you can find me on Youtube by CLICKING HERE

Very soon i will be adding a step by step on how to make an edible cardboard house :)  Bye for now!

DIY Pet Shelf

It's August! Can you belive how fast this year has gone by? Any way if your like me and have found it hard to find a decent shelf for your pets cage or hate those expensive, flimsy plastic ones then i have a solution. . .

You will need;

PVA wood glue

4 childrens playing blocks of the same height and size.

1 wooden chopping board (untreated)

Before starting this will need several hours to dry so i always do things like this before bed and let them dry overnight. 

Add some glue to each brick and space evenly on each corner. Remember the glue will dry clear white and you won't see any excess. You can always wipe away the glue from the edges with a clothe. 

 Put a weight onto the bricks to make sure they dry firmly to the chopping board. I used a book as it fit perfectly.

I would then allow a further day for the shelf to fully dry. Your then left with a lovely shelf for your hamster, gerbil, mouse or similar pet. I have never had problems with wood glue if your rodent does chew it they will normally avoid the glue. This is what i have found to be the case with all my pets.

Here is what you will be left with!

Summer Fun!

Remember your pets enjoy the sunshine too. Providing an outdoor pen is a safe way for them to get exercise, forage for weeds and provides hours of entertainment. It can get very hot though, always provide a shaded area and you could always add an ice cool bottle for them to lie next too. 

Here is Bambi enjoying her daily run. 

Youtube!

Hi! I've started my new youtube channel and you can find my first video below. I'm excited to share more info with you, videos of my pets and hauls. I hope to get some subscribers very soon too

Click here to watch my new youtube video

Get picking

All this hot weather has made weeds shoot up everywhere, i've been pulling them out of my flower beds for weeks now! Make the most of them and feed them to your small pets. I always give them a wash in some cold water and get rod of any with bites out of them. Make sure to always pick where pesticides haven't been used. Avoid road sides too as exhaust fumes tend to stick to them here. Weeds contain lots of vitamins and minerals that are good for your pet and they are totally free! 

Here is a list of safe British weeds;
Borage
Calendula
Camomile
Chickweed
Clover
Coltsfood
Comfrey
Dandelion
Goosegrass
Lavender
Mallow
Nettle
Nasturtium
Shepherds purse
Sow thistle
Plantain
Yarrow

* Remember the roots and flowers are all ok to feed, my gerbils love Dandelion roots. 

Wild Roborovski Hamsters

This clip is short but gives a fantastic insight into their natural habitat and foraging behaviour. I would recommend all owners look into what country their pets originate from and how they live in the wild. It will help you to provide the best diet and environment, making for happy pets!

watch the wild roborovski hamsters here

Hamsters in the wild

I have been doing lots of research into hamsters, mainly Roborovski's as i plan on getting one very soon. I have just come across this article and have found it fascinating. It is brief but has some great information on hamsters behaviour in the wild. 

Take the Syrian for example that burrows up to 10 meters! I think this shows that most peoples cages aren't ideal and they should provide a deep layer of bedding for them. This would explain why most of them kick their bedding out of the cage bars too, they are just trying to replicate their natural environment.

Click here to read about hamsters in the wild

In with the new

I've been phasing out my old pet shop bought food for my gerbils as they pick out the higher reward parts such as all the sunflower seeds and leave the rest. I've done research and compared most of the gerbil/hamster mixes available. 

Here is what i feed my 3 month old gerbils. The main part is oats, wheat, barley, corn and rice. I do pumpkin, sunflower and grass seed. I also give them a peanut and monkey nut each day. I will lower these as they grow but right now they are both very lean and need the higher fat content. I also give them around 3-4 dried meal worms daily as they are omnivores and do require the variety.

They have responded to this mix really well and almost clear their bowls. I give a thin layer in the base of their bowl and provide two bowls to avoid fighting. I can also see what is being eaten.

I am working on my diet page but as well as their mix i provide hay, grass, weeds, vegetables, fruit and other ingredients to maintain a healthy balanced pet.

Natural diet for rodents

Hi all, im working on a care sheet which will have its own page and will feature info on what to feed your rodent and what foods to avoid. I make my own food for my gerbils but buy rabbit complete pellets so some food out there is very good! I will hopefully have this up very soon and some pics of toys i've been making. 

For now, here is Bambi. Shes finding all this hot weather for tiring. . .

Using pumice stone

 Pumice stones can be bought very cheaply, i picked this one up for 19p from a Home Bargains store. Pumice is a natural material it is safe for animals to digest and promotes healthy teeth. It can keep a pet entertained for a long time so is an ideal bordom breaker too.

 I have bought several but was unsure how to give it to my pets. My gerbils tend to burry everything under their bedding and forget about it so i decided to see what it would look like as a hanging toy. 

Here is the finished result. I'm very happy with it and the gerbils have been nimbling away at it since i put it intop their tank. I used a wire and hole punched palm leaf shredders, bamboo traps and then added wood and coconut shell. Its a perfect shredding toy and looks very nice in the cage.

Ideal for Chinchillas, Degus and birds too!

 

Activity mat for my new bird

I have seen a similar perch  but at £15 i thought it was steap for a simple wooden perch and wicker basket. I decided to make my own for my furute love bird or parrot as i haven't quite decided which i want yet.
Anyway i got a sea grass placemat i already had and attached two small perches to it. I then used various toys such as a bamboo shredder, loofah, rope, a wicker garland and attached them. Each toy is for shredding and i have got them all really cheap. This cost me around £3 to make in all.

I will upload some pictures of how it looks in the cage but for now, here is it.

New Page

Check out my new page. I've added my top websites for pet supplies and all of them are the cheapest around. I'm always searching for new sites that offer the best deals and products for my pets. I have ordered from all of them and know many pet owners who are happy with the services they offer so please go and check them out. . .

And before i go here is a picture of Bambi my Netherland dwarf rabbit saying a big bunny hello! 

Great website 

I've found this great website for bird owners however alot of the stuff on their rodent owners could use to. They have some very cheap wooden perches and ledges. They also have a toy parts making section. 

It's called Scarletts Parrot Essentials, check it out by clicking here

I'll be adding my top 5 online pet shops very soon so keep a look out.

Sprouting. . .why have i just heard of this?

I'm very excited about a new way of feeding my gerbils well i say new but it's been around for quite sometime, i've only just come across it I'm always looking for ways to feed natural feed to my pets and i hope sharing this with you guys, some of you will too. Sprouting is the name given to the early stages of seed growth. Basically it's a seed that has a 1 inch shoot. These  are excellent for your rodents and birds. Many bird owners do this but its something rodent owners are just doing. Although many rat owners seem to be doing this after investigating it further. 

Sprouts are great for lowering the fat content of a seed. It also releases enzymes that wouldn't have been present with a dry seed.  There are many videos on it on Youtube and i have started my own with a budgie seed mix so i'm looking forward to seeing how my gerbils like it. I think sprouting is such a basic, cheap way of aiding your pets healthy diet. 

click here for how to sprout and seeds to use!

Little tip when making toys or before throwing your recycling bin out, check what you have in there. I put all my odd pieces of sisal rope, cardboard, paper and anything else into an egg box. I tie it up and watch my gerbils destroy it.

 I put monkey nuts, seeds and other treats in there too. They really enjoy it. (another tip, do it before clean out day, that way the cage won't look too messy!)

I am working on a list of toys you can give your pet that you won't find in the pet shops and ways of saving money so look out for that soon. . .

Here are a few ideas when using the shredders. First off I've woven one into a sea grass mat, this will be hung in a cage for a pet bird but would be ideal for a rabbit or guinea pig too. 

I've used some pieces on a chew toy which i just cut to size and hole punched. I've also used it on my gerbils play stand in their tank. It's gone down really well and i can say its real value for money. 

The possibilities are endless!

These are Shredders from Pleasure Planet. They are an american based company but i sourced these from Northern Parrots. They are made of palm and are for parrots and pet birds however they are great for rabbits and rodents! It may be a tad pricey, the large rainbow variety is around £10 but the smaller plain ones are on amazon for £3.99 and with 30ft in one pack they will last a long time.

I hole punch strips and use them on my k-bob chew toys and i also make my own toys with them.They can be used on their own, you can weave them through cage bars, roll them around tubes or hides to keep brighten up their cage. They help keep teeth down, it encourages exercise and will keep your pet entertained.

I will add pics of some of the things i have done with these. I think its only a matter of time before they really take off and a company does their own version for small pets.

The best product for making toys!

I'm very exciting about the product i finally managed to get hold of to make some toys with. It's top secret at the minute and i haven't seen furry owners use this before so i'm excited about sharing the product and the toys i make with it. I may post it to Youtube if i ever figure out how to!

Watch this space. . .

I found this 'pick n fly' from Naturals on Northern Parrots for the gerbils. It does also say for rabbits but i wouldn't feed the seeds only the grasses in it. The gerbils i think will love them because millet sprays are already their favourite. The millet sprays were on offer so i picked those up too, you can never have too much millet!
I do like giving seeded treats to the gerbils because in their natural environment that is what eat. They also eat plant roots and oats. I include these in their diet  3-4 times a week to make sure their diet is balanced and healthy.

Chickens! The new 'it' chicks on the block.

Hi all, i'm trying to get as much information up as possible at the moment and have been working on some care sheets for various pets. First of i wanted to cover what i think will be the next 'big craze' in pet ownership. 

Chickens seem to be growing in popularity as pets. Lots of people have started to keep them in gardens in store bought coops and use their eggs for their own household or to give to their family and friends. I personally think its an excellent idea for families, not only are they social creatures they are also great for your garden. (well their poo is) Children seem to enjoy watching them and i think it makes a nice alternative to a rabbit which isn't always ideal for a child. Like all childrens pets ultimately its the parents responsibility to make sure they are well cared for but in terms of keeping a childs interest i think you could be onto a winner!

There are various breeds like any other pet so reading up on the ideal breed for you needs to be priority, the bantams are friendly and small which are ideal for the smaller gardens and coops. They are inquisitive and shouldn't destroy your lawn if kept in sensible numbers. They also have the prettiest breeds i think and are easier to handle for first time owners. Having worked with bantams i can honestly say they become very tame and will eat out of your hand and follow you around the garden waiting for food.

General care i would recommend a good quality pellet,daily vegetables and plenty of fresh water. They enjoy meal worms that you can find in the wild bird section and enjoy porridge on a cold morning. The draw backs are that they can attract mice so make sure your coop is secure and off the ground. If you have an attached run i would suggest putting your coop on paving slabs to avoid them destroying the grass. They are quite low maintenance and do sunbathe and are highly social so never keep one on its own. I would recommend a group of hens 3-6 would be ideal for the average garden.

 Please Check out the feathers and beaky company which are based in the UK and all their products are amazing! They have great quality drinkers and feeders that are really well made. They are also ideal for ducks and other poultry.

If  you want a chicken for a pet and think of them as an interesting animal as appose to livestock you keep for eggs and meat i would suggest like any pet you do your research! There are magazines out there, pet shops and lots of online sources all with lots of helpful guides and care sheets. 

Heres a picture of Ginger the old farm hen. Ohh and she did keep escaping her chicken run :P

Pimp my tube! 

Shredding/boredom breaker toys are vital for small rodents well-being and birds too. It is a natural behaviour which is designed to keep their teeth/beaks worn down. This is why some new owners often say things like 'my budgie destroys all the toys i buy him.' There are simple easy ways of keeping your pet occupied and saving money too!

Cardboard tubes are a big hit, they can be stuffed with hay, bedding, veg, treats, paper, just about anything you want and that is suitable for your pet. 

Here is a homemade toy that is similar to the store bought sisal toys. This is ideal for chinchillas, degus, gerbils, mice and birds. I wouldn't recommend using sisal rope if it is for hamsters as it may get stuck in their cheek pouches. 

 1. To make it you will need a cardboard tube and sisal rope. I used a small tube for the one shown. I then tied the sisal at one end and starting wrapping it around the tube.

2. To stop the rope coming of the edges (which is does as your winding it around the tube!)  i cut all the way around it with scissors then press the edges up. This also gives it a nicer look.

 3. It will look like this once your done pressing the edges up and your furry will enjoy chewing it too.

4. Once you have finished winding the sisal rope around the tube and secured the end. Start cutting pieces of sisal rope and thread it through the tube. You can now add treats in the middle or hay, you could also use cardboard or paper if you would prefer. I added rolled up parcel paper as my gerbils love to shred this.

 5. Once its all thread through and packed in the middle to make the toy last that bit longer, it should look like this.

 6. Start twisting each rope piece to unravel the sisal slightly, this will make it more attractive to your pet too.

Once your finished you can give it to your fuzzy and watch them demolish it! They cost hardly anything and can be given daily. They are ideal for chewers and will save cage toys you maybe don't want them to chew on so much. 

Tips for making your own hanging toys

First of always make sure what you are using is safe for your pet. It may say 'pet safe material' but parrots for example can have plastic toys where a gerbil would chew them up in minutes and they have been known to swallow plastic which can cause intestinal blockages. I use sisal and metal for chewers and i use plastic wire sometimes for parrots and often hamsters as most owners will tell you they rarely chew up their gnawing toys! I do like sisal, i find it takes them a while to chew through the rope as i do put items over it for them to chew which are often more enjoyable that the rope. 

Below is a simple way of making your own toys, as i am not very good at crafty stuff  i always just put them together as easy as possible.

1. These are the materials i generally use. (From right) Loofah, sisal rope, then below are metal clips, key rings, chain, then a variety of wooden chews and wooden spools.

2. This would be the same for sisal rope, i start threading the items on in the order i want so the top of the toy will be the first thing i thread on. Please note do not cut the wire as it saves waster by guessing how much you will need. 

3. I then double knot the bottom of the toy and cut off any excess wire. I added a bell to mine so i double knotted the wire to the bell but this is optional and again depending on the pet. This one i made for a bird or hamster. 

4. Do the same with the top only add the metal clip, it can take practice making sure there is not gaps in between each item on the string but it is important to stop your pet getting to the wire and biting it.

5. You should be left with a nice hanging toy for your cage or tank. I done the same with the ladders also but  i use sisal rope. They can be as long or as short as you need them and the ladders could even have four clips on to make a hanging bride or hammock if you wanted to make it even bigger. I hope this was helpful! 

Some of my homemade toys for small pets and birds

Today i made a few examples of the kind of toys i make for my own pets. They were made with a variety of supplies including some loofah, sisal rope, natural wood, pine wooden spools etc. I'll be adding a step by step for each of the items. These are mainly for gnawing and shredding. I am also making one with a lava stone which has cost just 80p to make so more pics and guides to follow very soon! 

Degu cage on a budget 

- please note this cage was further altered before the Degus moved in!

I was thinking how i started using average house hold items and cheap items in pets cages and tanks. I worked for a charity farm and money was always an issue so i started looking through the unwanted items in sheds and garages.  We had this cage donated, it had few shelves and no accessories and we decided to get degus for the farm. Degus are similar to chinchillas in care, they require space, they aren't climbers as much as they are jumpers so each level can't be high. They will climb the cage bars but unlike rats can't climb as well so this needs to be looked at when setting up a cage like this. We did add more shelves at a later date using cardboard tubes and hammocks because if you look in the middle of the cage, it does have quite a big open space.
The below picture was taken before we finished and the degus arrived but as you can see we used scrap pine for shelves. Wicker baskets which were attached to the cage bars to double up as shelves and a chew toy. The bared shelves that the degus would get their feet caught in were cover in fleece. The hanging basket was also covered in coco fibre sheets and filled with hay, which was their favourite place to hand out. The rest we had lying around already. As this was a while back and one of the few pictures i already had i thought i would show the kind of things i will cover on here.

I'm not really sure 

on how i will cover the various aspects of pet care. I do know that i want to have product reviews, step by step guides on how to make pet toys and lots of information on using natural weeds, plants and flowers in your pets diet. I think i will have a dig through my pet supplies tomorrow and take pictures of my favourite toys and some home made toys i have done. When (if) i get some subscribers i will take requests and hopefully it will just flow. :)