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.