Looking for something fun to do on this gloomy Tuesday? Here is a list of fun quizzes related to pets and animal quizzes I've come across over the years. These aren't scientific, of course...just fun. Enjoy!
*Animal Planet Dog Breed Selector- Use the search tool to find the best breed for you!
*Animal Planet Cat Breed Selector- Use the search tool to find the best cat for you!
*Animal Planet: Quiz Central- A whole slew of different animal quizzes
*How well do you know your dog?- A quiz about basic canine behavior
*Test Your Knowledge of Cats- Some challenging cat questions
*What totem animal are you?- Find out which Native American totem animal suits you.
*Rabbit Care Quiz- A quiz about rabbit care and health.
*African Pygmy Hedgehog Quiz- Do you know hedgies?
*Chinchilla Lovers Quiz- Easy for experts, difficult for noobz.
*Ratty Corner Rat Quiz- Test your knowledge of the domestic rat.
*Guinea Pig Quiz- Basic cavy care and knowledge test.
*Animal Planet Pet Picker- Which type of pet is best for your family?
Feel free to comment with your favorite pet and animal quizzes!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Guest Post: 5 Things to Think About Before Buying a Bunny
You're at the pet store with your family when your child finds it - a rabbit sitting amongst it's siblings in a well lit display. Your child begs and pleads until you finally submit that they can "hold it for just a minute" before you head home.
It's soft, incredibly so, and it's floppy ears and tufted tail beg the question, how much work can it really be? Well, let’s take a look:
1. Initial Investment
While rabbits themselves don’t seem like a lot of money (most pet store bunnies sell for around $25-40), you’ll need to factor in how much you’ll pay in supplies. A basic ground cage will cost about $50 but a nice rabbit hutch with a rabbit ramp and enclosed house can run upwards of $130.
You’ll also need food bowls, a clip-on water bowl (trust me, as much as they spill you don’t want to get one that you set on the floor of the cage), salt licks, food, bedding and chew toys. That $40 rabbit can easily cost you $200 before you’re out the door! And we haven’t even mentioned a pet carrier or the vet bill. . .
2. Housing
You also need to keep their living quarters at a comfortable temperature. If it is an outdoor rabbit, make sure it has a box or shelter that it can access to stay out of weather. If you live in an extremely cold climate, you can install heaters to keep the rabbit warm. If you live in a warm climate, adding a slab of granite or a frozen water bottle for your rabbit to lay on will help it cool off.
Rabbits can be territorial and should never be housed in pairs if they have not been properly bonded (especially if they aren’t fixed). However, if a pair of rabbits is the same gender, have grown up together and you have adequate space for them, housing them together should be fine. At the first sign of fighting you should separate them.
3. Feeding
A balanced diet should consist of leafy greens, hay, and a limited amount of pellets. Alfalfa is good for younger rabbits but should be used sparingly (if at all) with older rabbits as it can lead to obesity. NEVER feed your rabbit lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, parsnips, dandelion stems or nuts of any kind. You’ll need to give it fresh water daily and make sure it’s living quarters are clean.
4. Care
Since their teeth continue to grow, treats and other wooden toys are a necessity to help the rabbit keep its teeth worn down to a reasonable length. You will need to occasionally brush the rabbit as it sheds it’s coat and trim its nails.
If the rabbit enclosure doesn’t have enough room for the rabbit to exercise, you will need to let it out to stretch it’s legs and stay fit. They can be difficult to catch, so I’d recommend using a rabbit leash or putting it in a fenced, escape-proof area. Always be on the lookout for predators!
Supervision is always needed when children are around. Rabbits usually aren’t accustomed to being held. One kick from their powerful back legs can scratch a child or injure the rabbit itself. Make sure the child holds it gently and knows where the rabbit is comfortable being petted. Rabbits are curious creatures and may sometimes ‘nip’ or bite to investigate, so watch your fingers!
5. Lifespan
For being such small creatures, rabbits live a long time (average of 9-12 years). That’s over a decade of feeding, cleaning, and caring for this rabbit.
If after all this, the little rabbit sounds like the perfect pet for your family then by all means, take Floppy home with you. He or she will reward you with love, laughs and snuggles for a decade to come! Of course be certain to check your local animal shelter, as there are plenty of lovable homeless bunnies waiting for their forever homes.
Aubrey Phelps is a writer for Simplepetcare.com, a site that offers information on all things pets. She has loved pets all her life and currently owns a chiweenie named Ollie and a cat named Ginger.
It's soft, incredibly so, and it's floppy ears and tufted tail beg the question, how much work can it really be? Well, let’s take a look:
1. Initial InvestmentWhile rabbits themselves don’t seem like a lot of money (most pet store bunnies sell for around $25-40), you’ll need to factor in how much you’ll pay in supplies. A basic ground cage will cost about $50 but a nice rabbit hutch with a rabbit ramp and enclosed house can run upwards of $130.
You also need to keep their living quarters at a comfortable temperature. If it is an outdoor rabbit, make sure it has a box or shelter that it can access to stay out of weather. If you live in an extremely cold climate, you can install heaters to keep the rabbit warm. If you live in a warm climate, adding a slab of granite or a frozen water bottle for your rabbit to lay on will help it cool off.
Rabbits can be territorial and should never be housed in pairs if they have not been properly bonded (especially if they aren’t fixed). However, if a pair of rabbits is the same gender, have grown up together and you have adequate space for them, housing them together should be fine. At the first sign of fighting you should separate them.
3. Feeding
A balanced diet should consist of leafy greens, hay, and a limited amount of pellets. Alfalfa is good for younger rabbits but should be used sparingly (if at all) with older rabbits as it can lead to obesity. NEVER feed your rabbit lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, parsnips, dandelion stems or nuts of any kind. You’ll need to give it fresh water daily and make sure it’s living quarters are clean.
4. Care
Since their teeth continue to grow, treats and other wooden toys are a necessity to help the rabbit keep its teeth worn down to a reasonable length. You will need to occasionally brush the rabbit as it sheds it’s coat and trim its nails.
If the rabbit enclosure doesn’t have enough room for the rabbit to exercise, you will need to let it out to stretch it’s legs and stay fit. They can be difficult to catch, so I’d recommend using a rabbit leash or putting it in a fenced, escape-proof area. Always be on the lookout for predators!
Supervision is always needed when children are around. Rabbits usually aren’t accustomed to being held. One kick from their powerful back legs can scratch a child or injure the rabbit itself. Make sure the child holds it gently and knows where the rabbit is comfortable being petted. Rabbits are curious creatures and may sometimes ‘nip’ or bite to investigate, so watch your fingers!
5. Lifespan
For being such small creatures, rabbits live a long time (average of 9-12 years). That’s over a decade of feeding, cleaning, and caring for this rabbit.
If after all this, the little rabbit sounds like the perfect pet for your family then by all means, take Floppy home with you. He or she will reward you with love, laughs and snuggles for a decade to come! Of course be certain to check your local animal shelter, as there are plenty of lovable homeless bunnies waiting for their forever homes.
Aubrey Phelps is a writer for Simplepetcare.com, a site that offers information on all things pets. She has loved pets all her life and currently owns a chiweenie named Ollie and a cat named Ginger.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
MOUNDS MADNESS! March 15-April 4, 2011
From Dane County Humane Society:
Adopt a cat from Dane County Humane Society's Mounds Satellite Adoption Centers from March 15 to April 4 and enjoy decreasing fees.
When the Badgers win, so do you!
Cat adoption fees start at $32 and decrease as the Badgers advanced in the NCAA March Madness tournament. PLUS - with every Mounds cat adoption you will receive 16% off merchandise from Mounds Pet Food Warehouse.
*Please note: this offer is valid only on adoptions of adult cats at Mounds Satellite Adoption Centers*:
Mounds-Fitchburg
5350 King James Way
Mounds-Sun Prairie
2422 Montana Avenue
Mounds-Middleton
8311 University Avenue
Adopt a cat from Dane County Humane Society's Mounds Satellite Adoption Centers from March 15 to April 4 and enjoy decreasing fees.When the Badgers win, so do you!
Cat adoption fees start at $32 and decrease as the Badgers advanced in the NCAA March Madness tournament. PLUS - with every Mounds cat adoption you will receive 16% off merchandise from Mounds Pet Food Warehouse.
*Please note: this offer is valid only on adoptions of adult cats at Mounds Satellite Adoption Centers*:
Mounds-Fitchburg
5350 King James Way
Mounds-Sun Prairie
2422 Montana Avenue
Mounds-Middleton
8311 University Avenue
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Crater Dot giveaway winner announced!
Thanks to everyone who entered Mad About Pets' Crater Dot cat lounge giveaway. We had hundreds of entries, making the contest a great success! The winner of the giveaway was...
Kathy D. from Uniontown, PA! She selected to receive the Lunar Gray Crater Dot.
Keep watching Mad About Pets for more great contests, reviews, events and so much more!
Kathy D. from Uniontown, PA! She selected to receive the Lunar Gray Crater Dot.
Keep watching Mad About Pets for more great contests, reviews, events and so much more!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Dane County K9 Unit "Scoopie Night" rescheduled to March 1, 2011
Help Support the Dane County Sheriff’s K9 Unit!
What: Scoopie Night
10% of sales will be donated to Dane County K9, Inc. which is a non-profit group who raises funds to support the Dane County K9 Unit. Funds are used to purchase dogs, equipment and training.
Come and meet the K9 Teams and browse their selection of DCKI apparel.
What: Scoopie NightWhen: March 1, 2011, 4:30-8:30pm
Where: Culver’s, 4910 Hwy V – DeForest, WI
Come and meet the K9 Teams and browse their selection of DCKI apparel.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Review and BONUS GIVEAWAY: Crater Dot modern cat lounge
We’ve all seen the average cat bed. Heck, you may even have a few hanging around your house. Most have a tacky print bearing a strange resemblance to your great-grandmother’s “davenport”, or flaunt kitschy pawprints or zebra stripes. This would not fly in our house. We prefer a minimalist décor, and that includes the places our cats eat, sleep, and lounge. Enter: the Crater Dot!
The Crater Dot is a fashionable lounge where kitties can nap, snooze or hang out. The manufacturer states: “The polyester plush dot center provides an easy to clean and comfy spot to relax. The foam lounge base is polyester fabric over a moulded foam form that is contoured to provide just the right padding for your pet.” I was skeptical at first from the photos just how “plush” this bed was going to be, but the center is surprisingly dense and soft. It reminds me of a memory foam pillow, one that will gracefully hug your kitty’s adorable, rounded, sleeping form.
The Mad About Pets testing cats were immediately enthralled with the Crater Dot. They each patiently took a turn trying it out, and eventually Gabe was kind enough to pose for a photograph. As you can see, the Crater Dot is a great solution to de-fuzz your cat’s favorite couch spot. I just toss the Crater Dot up on the sofa seat and the cats seem to gravitate to it, rather than smooshing down the backs of the couch cushions and using them as a lounge like they normally do. It also has a nice hanging hook for easy storage, such as when guests come over. The Crater Dot is so stylish, however, you won’t feel obligated to hide it away like normal pet beds.
The bottom of the Crater Dot also features a pocket to place the optional warming pad (sold separately.) This is a great option for those who might turn the heat down while they’re away at work but worry about the kitties catching a chill, or to soothe the joints of arthritic cats. But really, do cats NEED a reason to find a warm place to curl up?
Mad About Pets is giving away 1 Crater Dot pet lounge (a $69.00 retail value!) to a lucky reader. Here's how to snag a free Crater Dot for your kitty:
To enter the giveaway:
The Crater Dot is a fashionable lounge where kitties can nap, snooze or hang out. The manufacturer states: “The polyester plush dot center provides an easy to clean and comfy spot to relax. The foam lounge base is polyester fabric over a moulded foam form that is contoured to provide just the right padding for your pet.” I was skeptical at first from the photos just how “plush” this bed was going to be, but the center is surprisingly dense and soft. It reminds me of a memory foam pillow, one that will gracefully hug your kitty’s adorable, rounded, sleeping form.
 |
| Gabe enjoying the Mossy Green Crater Dot |
The bottom of the Crater Dot also features a pocket to place the optional warming pad (sold separately.) This is a great option for those who might turn the heat down while they’re away at work but worry about the kitties catching a chill, or to soothe the joints of arthritic cats. But really, do cats NEED a reason to find a warm place to curl up?
The Crater Dot comes in five lovely colors (Blossom Pink, Mossy Green, Lunar Grey, Orange Dream and Lavendar Field) which contrast nicely with the black base.
Now that you’re officially in love with the Crater Dot, here’s how you can get one for FREE!
Mad About Pets is giving away 1 Crater Dot pet lounge (a $69.00 retail value!) to a lucky reader. Here's how to snag a free Crater Dot for your kitty:
To enter the giveaway:
All you need to do is leave a comment on this post telling me which of the five Crater Dot colors you like best. Make sure to leave me a way to contact you, whether it be Twitter, email, etc. so I can notify you if you win!
 |
| Win a Crater Dot! (Gorgeous Bengal not included) |
Want some extra entries? Here's how:
5 extra entries:
*Blog about this contest with a link to this post (leave me a comment with the link)
1 extra entry:
*Tweet a link to this giveaway @MadAboutPets
*Follow me on Twitter
*Join my Facebook fan page
*Subscribe to my feed
*Post a link to Mad About Pets on your blog or site
Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry to state you have completed the requirement. I highly suggest that you leave your email address (use "name [at] domain dot com" format to avoid spambots) in your comment(s) so that I am able to contact you ASAP if you're a winner. If I cannot contact the winners within 3 days, I will have to draw a new winner.
Entry deadline is February 23, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. This giveaway is open to United States residents only.
Good luck!
Friday, February 4, 2011
GUEST POST: Top 5 Reasons to Feed Your Dog Organic Dog Food
By: Sujan
2. Healthy Weight Maintenance
Organic pet food doesn't contain any fillers, additives or artificial ingredients. It is pure food with a high nutritional content. Because the nutrients are concentrated, your dog will consume less food and eat only what they need to stay healthy and satiated. Eating only what is required will help ensure that your dog is able to maintain a healthy weight easily and will help reduce the risk of obesity.
3. Better Overall Health Condition
When your pet consumes high quality organic food, only valuable nutrition is absorbed into the animal's body. High quality organic food contains natural vitamins and minerals to help improve your pet's health and boost their immunity. Better overall health and an excellent immune system can help protect your dog against future illnesses.
4. Higher Energy Levels
The canine body needs the best fuel possible to be able to operate and function in top condition. If your dog is fed a low quality brand of food, the body will have to digest useless bulk before it can draw useful energy from the food. With organic dog food, the excess bulk is eliminated and the dog only eats valuable nutrients. It's almost like fueling a vehicle with premium gasoline and enjoying the resulting better performance.
5. Longer Longevity
Our dogs are our companions for a very limited period of time. Making sure that your dog eats healthy by providing the best quality organic food possible will not only improve your dog's overall health condition, but it can help your dog live longer. Feeding nutrient rich pet food in order to increase your dog's longevity will help make sure that your four legged friend is around to enjoy for as long as possible.
With all of the health benefits or organic dog food, it seems odd to feed your dog anything else. There are several types of natural organic pet food available in pet food stores or your veterinarian's office. If your pet does not like the first brand that you bring home, you should try experimenting with a different brand until you find one that your pet truly enjoys. Ensuring that your pet eats a healthy, balanced diet is your responsibility as a pet owner. Finding a high quality food that your dog loves makes your job all the more enjoyable.
Feeding natural organic pet food to your dog can create a more expensive food bill than feeding your dog a store brand. However, the extra expense is worthwhile when you consider the many benefits that your dog will receive. Organic pet food is often far superior in terms of nutrition and food content when compared with non-organic pet foods. You will quickly find that the health benefits that your pet will receive far outweigh the costs involved. Here, we review the top 5 benefits of feeding natural organic pet food to your dog.
1. Less Allergies and Skin Ailments
Pets that have sensitive skin or food allergies usually do very well when placed on organic food. This could be due to the lack of preservatives and artificial ingredients in the food. These extra ingredients may have contributed to the skin problems or food allergies that your pet suffered from in the past. Without them, your dog's body will be allowed to heal naturally.
2. Healthy Weight Maintenance
Organic pet food doesn't contain any fillers, additives or artificial ingredients. It is pure food with a high nutritional content. Because the nutrients are concentrated, your dog will consume less food and eat only what they need to stay healthy and satiated. Eating only what is required will help ensure that your dog is able to maintain a healthy weight easily and will help reduce the risk of obesity.
3. Better Overall Health Condition
When your pet consumes high quality organic food, only valuable nutrition is absorbed into the animal's body. High quality organic food contains natural vitamins and minerals to help improve your pet's health and boost their immunity. Better overall health and an excellent immune system can help protect your dog against future illnesses.
The canine body needs the best fuel possible to be able to operate and function in top condition. If your dog is fed a low quality brand of food, the body will have to digest useless bulk before it can draw useful energy from the food. With organic dog food, the excess bulk is eliminated and the dog only eats valuable nutrients. It's almost like fueling a vehicle with premium gasoline and enjoying the resulting better performance.
5. Longer Longevity
Our dogs are our companions for a very limited period of time. Making sure that your dog eats healthy by providing the best quality organic food possible will not only improve your dog's overall health condition, but it can help your dog live longer. Feeding nutrient rich pet food in order to increase your dog's longevity will help make sure that your four legged friend is around to enjoy for as long as possible.
With all of the health benefits or organic dog food, it seems odd to feed your dog anything else. There are several types of natural organic pet food available in pet food stores or your veterinarian's office. If your pet does not like the first brand that you bring home, you should try experimenting with a different brand until you find one that your pet truly enjoys. Ensuring that your pet eats a healthy, balanced diet is your responsibility as a pet owner. Finding a high quality food that your dog loves makes your job all the more enjoyable.
Sujan has been blogging about health care and personal finance for 3 years. He also contributes to various blogs that deal with where to find savings online and online insurance quotes.
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