Is Pet Health Insurance A Viable Option For You?

Many people love their pets as if they were their own children, and will go to any length to protect the animal’s health and well-being.

So for many pet owners, the comfort, health and overall longevity of their pet’s life is extremely important. Pets may not be human but they’re a big part of the family, just as our other relatives are.

So for animal lovers, it’s only natural that when their furry friends fall ill, they rush to get them medical treatment just as they would do with a child, or any other beloved family member.

But sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, our pets require extra medical attention and we could use some help in footing the bill would be extremely helpful.

As technology in the veterinary field has become more advanced and developed, the cost of treating animals has increased drastically. Injured or ill pets can require costly procedures that can cost thousands of dollars, something many people have a hard time finding room in their budgets for.

If you find yourself in this boat, you may want to consider pet healthcare. A pet health insurance plan is an economical solution for those with several pets, a chronically sick animal, or someone who just wants to ensure they’re getting the most for their money when it comes to maintaining the health of their pets.

If you aren’t familiar with the benefits of pet health insurance, here are a few reasons why it’s a viable option for animal owners.

- Affordability.

Pet health insurance can be very affordable, which may come as a surprise to many people. Depending on what kind of coverage you’re looking for, you can get insurance for around per month. However, if you’re looking for a policy that covers routine veterinary care, it could cost you more. For owners looking to cover more than one pet, many insurance companies offer a multi-pet policy discount.

- Versatility.

Unlike a human health plan, a pet health plan can be used at any vet. Instead of the insurance company billing the vet’s office, you pay the bill upfront and send in a claim to the insurance company for a reimbursement for the portion that’s covered by your insurance company. This can beneficial to people who want insurance, but are concerned about losing their trusted veterinarian. A bug downside to the insurance is that pets with pre-existing conditions may be disqualified from coverage and a pet savings program may be a better option.

Pet health insurance may not be a viable option for everyone. It’s best to consider how much you spend on veterinary costs per year and decide if signing up for pet healthcare is worth the money. If pet health insurance isn’t right for you, but you still would like to reduce your veterinary costs, there are a few pet savings programs available that offer discounts with a monthly membership fee. These are great because they include all services used in the vet’s office, including routine check ups, shots, surgeries, x-rays and other procedures, and pre-existing conditions don’t exclude your pet from qualifying.

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Pet Animal Cat

The cat  also known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other felines and felids, is a small predatory carnivorous species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes, scorpions and other unwanted household pests. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs and toilet handles. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, “trilling”, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Cats may be the most popular pet in the world, with over 600 million in homes all over the world. They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as “cat fancy”.

Until recently the cat was commonly believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt, where it was a cult animal. However, in 2004, the earliest known location of cat domestication was discovered to be ancient Cyprus, and a subsequent study in 2007 found that the lines of descent of all house cats probably run through as few as five self-domesticating African Wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) circa 8000 BC, in the Near East.

Anatomy

Size

Cats typically weigh between 2.5 and 7 kilograms (5.5–16 lb); however, some breeds, such as the Maine Coon, can exceed 11.3 kilograms (24.9 lb). Conversely, very small cats (less than 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb)) have been reported.

The world record for the largest cat is 21.297 kilograms (46.952 lb) (46 lb 15.25 oz). The smallest adult cat ever officially recorded weighed around 1.36 kilograms (3 lb).

Cats average about 23–25 centimeters (9–10 in) in height and 46 centimeters (18.1 in) in head/body length (males being larger than females), with tails averaging 30 centimeters (11.8 in) in length.

See complete details with images at

http://my-cute-cats.blogspot.com/

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Pet Care – Pet Health Insurance

Referring to pet cares, there are many aspects you should not ignore. Among them, a pet health care insurance is significant and dispensable if you want to make both you and your pet a happy life.

A pet health plan can lower your pet’s routine health care costs and can be critical in the event of an unexpected illness or injury, but choosing a plan can be difficult.

These are just a few of the companies offering health insurance for pets. Choosing between them can be a daunting task. Therefore, you should do some preparation before starting the pet health insurance.

1 Investigating the Pet Health Insurance Company

You’ll be relying heavily on the honesty and integrity of the company supplying the pet health plan. Investigate them thoroughly. Basic questions you’ll want to consider are:

How long has the company been in business?
What is their track record? Are they reliable?
Are there any complaints on file against them with the Better Business Bureau?
Are they and their sales representative licensed to sell insurance in your state?

There are several things you can do to investigate further. Broaden your search and investigate at least three different pet insurance companies; search the web for sites which review pet insurance and see how the company rated; ask your friends and coworkers who own pets which company they use and whether they are satisfied with the company; and so on.

2 Choose a Policy Appropriate to Your Needs

Once you’ve decided on a pet health insurance company to provide for your dog or cat, you’ll need to choose an individual policy. Make sure you understand the policy and read all the fine print so that you know what you are buying.

3 Other Considerations Pertaining to Your Pet Health Plan

Many pet health insurance companies offer a high deductible policy with a correspondingly lower premium. This may be an alternative if the premium for lower deductible policies is out of your financial reach. These policies can offer an affordable measure of protection in the event that your pet suffers a catastrophic illness or injury. Having this protection may allow you to pursue treatment which you might otherwise not be able to afford for your pet.

Of course, there are many other aspects you have to pay attention to pet care, but never forget that you’d better begin with a pet health care insurance.

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The Story Of Our Feral Cats

My wife and I were in our back yard, when we noticed a Gray striped cat laying on the far end of our yard, just watching us. Beautiful cat, but a stray. Would not let us get near her. I still believe this cat was domestic cat at one time, but was put out to run wild. The cat would appear on a daily basis. And being the soft hearted people we are, started feeding her.

Around the end of May, she appeared with two of the cutest kittens, one gray striped like her and the other a mix of brown, black and gray. Momma Cat, as we named her, stayed with her kittens around an oak tree in our backyard until mid June.

One morning I looked out and saw the kittens in the patio chairs. I looked and looked again at the gray kitten. My heart again sank at what I saw. The kittens left eye was completely swelled shut. I thought, “oh no dear God, not again”. Decision time. Do I let the kitten remain as he is or do I catch him and take him to the vet. I decided, he will suffer horribly if not treated. So I decided to catch him and take him to the vet.

Deep down I knew what the final outcome would be. But I hoped the vet had some magical cure for the kitten. I chased him around the backyard for quite a while. I finally caught him with a towel and placed him and the towel in our cat carrier. In the process, he bite me in the finger.

Away to the vet we go. I had my finger wrapped to keep it from bleeding. The wondeful lady vet looked at the kitten and by her expression I knew it was not good. She told me the eye would have to be removed. She said she would do an exam on the kitten. I said go ahead, but I had to go to the emergency room to get a Tetanus shot.

After I got a shot and my finger treated, I returned to the vet for her opinion. Not good. She said the kitten might be alright, but the quality of life would be not good. My decision. As much as I disliked what I had to do, I consented to have him put down. I had a difficult time making that decision.

To consent to have an animal put to sleep really bothers me. So the vet took the kitten and I went home, feeling like I had failed to help this kitten. Momma Cat and the remaining kitten remained in the backyard until late August. By now the kitten was growing into a beautiful cat.

I named this kitten Zipper, as it was always racing from here to anywhere at a fast speed. I noticed Momma was getting rather heavy around the middle. Then one day she appeared and was the thin Momma cat again. We thought she must have had kittens, but not in our yard. Around the first of September I looked out by the same oak tree and behold, kittens!

At first glance I counted 3. After a second and third, the count went to five. Five of the most adorable, pretty kittens I have seen. One was black with white feet. Three had shorter hair, like Momma and gray stripes like her. The fifth had similiar markings but had long hair growing out of its ears. Long whiskers and eyebrows. And long silky fur all over. The tail was bushy. I think the father was a Maine Coon cat.

I said to myself, I wanted to keep this one for a housecat. We noticed Momma was spending less and less time with the five kittens. She would leave for long periods of time and let Zipper baby sit the kittens. Then one day in late September, she disappeared. We have not seen her again. It is as though she decided the five kittens would be taken care of with us, and she just left. Maybe she could not handle motherhood anymore.

The kittens were living under the covered grill on the patio. When they slept, they all cuddled up together in a circle. It was so beautiful to behold. We decided the kittens had to be taken care of. Our daughter and I caught all five one morning and she took them to an animal shelter, thinking she could drop them off and they would handle adopting them out.

Not so! The kittens had to be 2 pounds and had to be socialized. Kittens born outside are not socialized. Our daughter took them home and put them into her office. She and her friend spent the next month calming the kittens down to a point where she could pick them up and pet them.

They loved it. Purred and cuddled up in her arms and climbed around her neck. She then took them back to the shelter for adoption. A lady from our town did take the Black one and one Gray one. Back to three. The remaining three were named Gigi, Gabby and Gisele. Gisele being the one with long hair. Then they got very sick. Gisele being the worst.

Our daughter and her friend nursed them back to full health. Gave them medication and loads of Love. Thankgiving was the return of the three remaining kittens, Gigi, Gabby and Gisele. We had all three for about two weeks. With three very active kittens, the house was in constant disarray.

We called our daughter and asked if her friend was still interested in two of the kittens. Much to her and our delight, her friend wanted the two kittens. She picked them up and delivered them to her friend. She told us the kittens now sleep on her friends bed with he and his wife.

We adopted our beautiful baby, Gisele. Our hearts went immediately to this precious cat. For me, it was the most cherished gift for Christmas I have received in a long time. She has helped fill the void in my heart when I had to put Bachy, our Morris type cat, to sleep.

And the Zipper cat and I became very close. She stayed close to the house and was still outside. Everyday I would pet Zipper and she gave me little kisses on my fingers and nose. She also has a part of my heart. I was able to catch her and took her to the vet to be sure her health was alright.

By spending day after day, talking to her and her allowing me to pet her and show her I truly loved her, she become a very devoted house cat. We renamed her Lissete, as she is a beautiful, delicate cat, much like her mother.

We had both cats spayed and all the required shots. They have no desire to go outside again. With time and patience we were able to socialize 6 feral kittens and place them in homes where the pet lovers care for and love them.

Through the gift of the two cats, I am dealing with the deep sense of loss I had of Bach, our housecat of 14 years. I have such a feeling of responsiblity of caring for this animals and want nothing harm them. It is difficult to explain to anyone.

I pray I am doing what is best for these cats.

I take it a day at a time. – Alan Grundemeier

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Do You Know How to Stop Your Cat From Spraying Urine?

Spraying urine is one of the main problems a cat owner has to deal with. Cats use their urine to mark their territory and to notify other cats they have already been there. This typical behavior is known as urine spraying.

Your pets are not spraying in order to make you angry. It is part of cats’ natural behavior and is coded in the genes of every cat, no matter if it is domestic or wild.

Urination outside of the cat toilet is not spraying. What makes urination different from spraying is that urination is usually done on flat surface, e.g. a towel, a mat or rug, while spraying is done on vertical surface, e.g. a wall.

Male and female cats both spray urine but it is more common for male. They spray on vertical surfaces, such as walls and furniture.

Why Cats Spray Urine

Urine spraying is a social, sexual and territorial behavior that is typical for male cats. They mark their territory by spraying it with urine. This behavior is caused by hormonal changes and usually starts when cat reaches sexual maturity. Female cats also spray, especially during the mating season.

Spraying can be stopped by neutering. However, some neutered cats continue to spray urine due to the fact they have been neutered after they have reached sexual maturity. By that time, spraying has become a habit for the pet.

Spraying urine is used as a message that given territory belongs to the cat. Cats usually spray as they turn backsides to the object and spray urine usually at the level of other cats’ noses. Spraying may also mean the cat is ready to mate.

Spraying as a territorial behavior may occur when you move your pet into a new home or if you have more than one cat in the house. Cats may spray if they are stressed or just to mark an undesirable object or litter.

Occasionally cats may spray items that belong to a certain individual. Cats associate these belongings with bad experiences. Spraying could also mean the pet is angry, stressed or frustrated.

Pets can get stressed by changes in the house, such as your absences from home, changed work schedules that will prevent you from spending enough time with it. Your pet may also spray if you punish it in an inappropriate way or if it has a problem with another pet that accepts as a rival or threat.

Few Ideas to Stop your Cat Spraying?

1. The simplest way is to neuter it. This method is effective in 90% of all male neutered cats. However, neutering should be performed before the animal reaches sexual maturity – at the age of 4-6 months.

2. The litter box should be kept tidy and clean. The cat may start spraying if the box is dirty, scented or in a bad location. You shouldn’t use scented cleaning agents to wash it.

3. Try reducing the cat’s stress by maintaining a routine. Changes can make the pet spray.

4. Give your pet attention and affection. Play, massage, talk to him/her. Happy animals that are not threatened usually don’t spray urine.

5. Some cats spray urine near doors and windows where they see other cats. Try to reduce your cat’s exposure to other cats, so it doesn’t feel threatened by them.

6. You should clean soiled areas very well as cats commonly urinate on places that smell of urine. Avoid using cleaning products that contain ammonia. And keep in mind that your cat can smell many things that you probably can’t.

7. If you have many cats in the house, spraying may become very serious problem. Cats spray because of the competition between them. However, if spraying is caused by other reasons that cannot be determined or eliminated, drugs may have to be used to deal with the problem.

8. Hitting or yelling at the cat will not make your pet stop spraying. On the contrary, this will only make the problem worse. You should try to find out why the cat is doing so, not to punish it for doing it.

In case you can not solve the problem yourself, you should consult a vet or a cat behaviorist. There are different herbal remedies and prescription drugs that can be used in such cases

Basic Dog Training Commands: Tips Every Dog-Owner Should Teach

Dog is not only a simple animal .He can be your good friend, your defender  and your partner .Similarly you are his teacher .As we all know that Dog is the most faithful animal among all animal kingdom .Proper training should be given to each and every dog by his owner .Once he recognize you as his leader ,than he will follow each and every command given by you to him .By following few Dog Training Commands ,we can convert over dog from simple animal to a well behaved dog .Every owner should make his dog comfortable with these basic Dog training Commands .

Being a dog lover, I observe dogs very closely .I have noticed one thing that mostly dog will get bored if you are teaching them in long sessions .If you try to teach them continuously for around 20-25 minutes, they will get bored and start neglecting your command .So always go for 5-7 minute short sessions to teach him few basic Dog Training Commands .Try to repeat these sessions again and again on same day.

Here we will discuss few basic Dog Training Commands.”Sit” is the most basic command every dog should know .Mostly dogs learn this command very easily and it will make your dog sit at very point when you use this command, “Leash Training “is another important command for all dogs and puppies .Don’t ever try to be harsh with your dog by pulling and dragging him .Let him leash properly and walk with you .Give them proper time to learn this command .Don’t try to scare them or scold them during this training.”Heel “ is another basic Dog Training Command .Dog always feel comfortable while walking beside you .If he start walking in front of you ,you can bring him beside you by using word “Heel “.Don’t pull your puppy if he’s walking forward .Teach this command properly to get good communication with your dog .”Stay” is another important command for safety of your dog .This command will make your dog sit at that position where he is .This command is very important and take few time to get learned by your dog .Another command “come” will make your dog start walking with you if he is in stay position .This is also very good and important command

All the above mention Dog Training Commands are very helpful and must for each and every dog .Don’t take too long sessions and try to make him learn in short sessions. Don’t forget to praise your dog regularly as it will make him feel comfortable with you .Don’t ever give up .Keep one thing in mind that dogs are not human beings .They take some time to learn everything .Be cool, calm and consistent with them .Take proper care of his food when he is in initial stage .Try to make him fearless and well mannered. Try to play few games with him while training session .Love you dog and in return he will give lots of love and respect to you.

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Pet Health Insurance Coverage

A decrease in students applying to and getting accepted into veterinary colleges, expensive state-of-the-art equipment, liability insurance, expensive prescription drugs, and the cost of maintaining a veterinary clinic/office has inflated pet owners veterinary bills to never before imagined prices. When the beloved family pet suddenly falls ill or is injured in a freak accident many pet owners find themselves forced to put the family pet to sleep in a decision called economic euthanasia. Many family pets could have been saved from economic euthanasia if their owners had only thought to purchase pet health insurance coverage.

The cost of veterinary expenses for the average dog owner is approximately two hundred and eleven dollars per year.  The average dog owner will visit the local veterinary office about 2.8 times a year. The typical reasons for dog owners to take the family dog to the local veterinarian is her basic routine health care such as physicals, vaccines, dental work, neutering or spaying, nail trimming, and heartworm testing.

The typical cat owner will visit the veterinary and 2.3 times per year to take care of declawing, physicals, vaccines, dental work, neutering or spaying, and ear mites. D. average yearly cost for these 2.3 visits to the local veterinarian each year it is approximately one hundred and seventy-nine dollars. These statistics are based on a 2005 survey done by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association.

Pet health insurance coverage and is insurance coverage that helps pay veterinary costs if your family pet becomes ill or is injured. Depending upon the policy you purchase your family may be reimbursed if your family pet is stolen, lost, or dies. Pet owners purchased pet health insurance coverage for a few various reasons. The main reason people purchase pet health insurance coverage is to pay for unanticipated and extremely expensive veterinary bills. In many cases the purchase of pet health insurance coverage can be the difference between a recovery and economic euthanasia for many family pets.

Pet health insurance coverage is not a brand new concept.  Horse owners have been ensuring their valuable show and pleasure mounts against major medical bills and the fatality/mortality for years. In Europe cut health-care coverage has been available since the 1940s and approximately 25% of all British pet owners care in some type of pet health insurance coverage. It is estimated that nearly 50% called loved household family pets have some type of pet health insurance coverage. All developed countries offer some type of pet health insurance coverage.

Many dog owners in the United Kingdom also carry a type of insurance called Third Party Liability insurance. This insurance became popular after the 1971 animals act came into being; this act states that if a dog is directly responsible for an accident, like a car crash, the dog’s owner will be held accountable.

Pet health insurance coverage does not typically cover potential hereditary conditions, pre-existing conditions, and normally include a cap on surgeries and other miscellaneous medical expenses. Some pet insurance companies will also cover the cost boarding your pet at a local kennel or veterinary hospital.

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How Have Cats Changed Over The Years

There are over 70 breeds of cats that are on cat registries even though some registries don’t recognize them all. More of the breeds like tigers and wild cats are excluded. Our modern day house cats are more domesticated. They live a more pampered life in homes today. They have been spoiled with accessories like pet carriers, sttollers, and jewelry.

For over a thousand years cats main purpose was to hunt and kill rodents. But now as the years have progressed we tend to breed cats more to our liking. So today we have many different breeds of cats.

Some breeds of cats roots can be traced back in history a 1,000 years or more. One such breed is the the Japanese bobtail. In Medieval Japan they were very common and the most popular. But now they are just a memory thoughout Japan and the world.

Can you guess what the most common breed in the United States is? It is the alley cat. They make wonderful pets and there are many thousands of them in existence today. You can easily tell which breed of cat it is by their look. Alley cats will keep breeding until they are stopped. There are hundreds of thousands of this breed and they are the ones that are most bred. Many are homeless and they continue to breed.

There are 3 most common breeds which include the Persian cat, the alley cat and long haired cat. A siamese is another more common breed of cat. These are famous for their bad temper and destuctive behavior. One the most popular breeds of cat is the Persian. Cats can make great companions and be very loveable. They also can be very expensive depending on the type you get and where you get it.

You can usually tell what breed a cat is by looking at it. Most people will pick their cat by the color but that is not always the easiest way you can identify them. A Siamese cat is usually black and can easily be identified by their eye color. Persian cats are identified by their hair and type of body.

Many breeds of cats have come along through the years. Cats are known to be the most popular and one of the first pets. There are millions of people who own cats throughout the world. Cats are a more popular pet even over dogs. Whichever house cat you choose they will make a wonderful pet and companion. So the history of cats has come along way to the modern day house cat. Some pet owners will spoil their pet today with every accessory imaginable such as cat clothes, pet cages, and houses. Whatever your choice may be, house cats make a wonderful friend and companion for life.

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Which Health Plans Offer Pet Health Insurance

When pet owners purchase a pet they shop around at the various pet shops, breeders, pet rescues, and animal shelters until they find the dog, cat, or exotic pet that suits them, what very few pet owners do is consider the cost of veterinarian cost for their new pet. The oversight can prove financially devastating and emotionally heartbreaking.

The cost of veterinary cost is on the rise. Technology, liability insurance, medications, and medical research have forced veterinary clinics to raise their cost. Veterinary clinics in rural areas of the country (especially ones that combine their small animal practice with a large animal practice) find it difficult to attract young vets who are graduating from vet school to their clinics; they are forced to offer higher salaries in order to compete with clinics located closer to major cities.  The increase in the payroll is then transferred to pet owners.

It was recently estimated that the average dog owner will spend about two hundred dollars a year at the vet’s office. Cats were a little cheaper; their owners only spent about a hundred and sixty dollars in veterinary bills.  When you consider what the average life expectancy is for a pet, especially on kept inside, that’s a lot of money. And what if the pet isn’t your run of the mill dog or cat? What if the pet is something more exotic like a pot bellied pig, a ferret, a rabbit, a snake, or even a skunk? The more exotic the pet the more the pet owner is likely to spend on the veterinarian bills, especially if they have a pet such as a skunk which will probably require a vet with special skills. What happens to the pet if it suddenly gets sick or is injured in a freak accident? How much will it set the pet owner back if they have to take their family pet to a university’s veterinary school, will they be able to afford it or will they be forced to euthanize their pet for economic reasons?

Many pet owners try to keep the unexpected veterinary bills at bay by providing excellent care for their pets. They make sure that the pet is kept well groomed to prevent insects and skin disorders. They only feed their pets foods that are very carefully balanced with a proper blend of nutrients. They make sure the pet maintains a healthy weight, not to thin and not to fat. Some pet owners won’t let their pets out of the house, fearing a freak accident. While pet owners should take the best possible care of their pets and do everything in their power to keep their family pet safe, even the most careful, health conscious pet owner can not prevent everything.

Pet health insurance is one way to prevent veterinarian bills from becoming overwhelming. Pet health insurance is insurance pet owners purchase to help cover veterinarian bills similar to human medical insurance. The chances of a pet owner being able to purchase a pet health care at the same health insurance company where they purchase their human health insurance is slim. Most pet owners will find that they have to go to a separate insurance company that specializes in pet health insurance.

Choosing The Right Hamster For You And Your Family

Hamsters are loved as pets around the world by young and old alike. Their cute antics and playful nature make them a popular choice for a family pet. The average hamster lives anywhere from one to three years, so when considering a hamster as a pet for a child it is important to keep this in mind. Coping with the loss of a pet hamster can be a sad yet important life lesson for a young child, and in the meantime they can learn responsibility while they care for the daily needs of their pet hamster.

The two most common pet hamsters are the Syrian hamster and the Dwarf hamster. The Syrian hamster has been bred into many different types that go by several different names: Teddy Bear hamster, Golden hamster, and Fancy hamster to name a few. A fully grown Syrian hamster can reach about seven inches in length, with the females being just a touch larger than the males. The most important thing to remember about Syrian hamsters is that they’re extremely territorial, so you must only ever have one Syrian hamster per cage. They will fight to the death if housed with another Syrian hamster!

Dwarf hamsters are smaller, and most importantly, can share a cage with other Dwarf hamsters without fights breaking out. Dwarf hamsters are a popular choice as they tend to be quite tame and friendly as long as you handle them correctly.

When taking your hamster home it’s important to remember that hamsters are extremely susceptible to stress, so you want to make the journey to their new home as pleasant as possible. A pet store will typically give you a small cardboard box to carry your hamster home with, but if possible you should bring a larger container filled with hay and some hamster food.

You should buy and prepare your hamster cage before heading out to get your hamster so that when you return to your house his home is ready and waiting for him. Be sure to get the essentials such as bedding and nesting material, a food dish, a water bottle, and some toys. Having all of this prepared will drastically reduce the stress on your hamster.

If you choose a wire cage for your hamster make sure that the distance between the wires is no more than half a centimeter or else your hamster can squeeze right through!

The location of your hamster cage is just as important as the type of cage you choose. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures and so they sleep during the day. They’ll need some peace and quiet during daylight hours, so don’t put their cage next to a blaring TV set! Hamsters are also very susceptible to temperature changes, so keep them away from direct sunlight or drafts. And even though they’re in a cage, having a cat or dog tormenting them all day long will lead to a very stressed-out hamster. If you already have other pets please keep this in mind when deciding on a location for your hamster cage.

Hamsters are naturally quite clean creatures, but even so you’ll need to clean the cage about once a week. The hamster will need to be removed from the cage while you do this, so it’s a great opportunity for him to get some playtime in a hamster ball. Throw away all the old bedding material and replace it with fresh material. Use a light disinfectant as any strong smells left behind by your cleaning will upset your hamster, and make sure that the cage is completely dry before you put the new bedding material back in the cage.

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