Some owners frown at specific practices which they think are cruel to pet dogs. However, they fail to realize the rationale behind these practices; they also fail to recognize dogs as animals and should be treated differently from humans.

Here are some common practices that some dog owners perceive as cruel to pets:

Crate Training

Some people view confining a puppy to his crate as pure torture. However, dogs are den animals and a crate gives them a sense of security. When used sensibly, a crate make housetraining easier and provides a place where your pet can go to when overwhelmed by activities in the household.

Muzzling

A dog wearing a muzzle may look formidable, and often appear uncomfortable. Without proper training, letting your dog w ... Read more »

Although hedgehogs may be spiky, they can tolerate handling, especially once they are tame. Quills that cover their backs and sides are relaxed and pointing backward when the hedgehog is calm and comfortable.  You won’t really have a problem as long as you don’t push against the tips of the quills. However, the quills may all stand out when the animal feels threatened. It will curl into a tight ball to protect his head and belly which does not have any spiny quills. Trying to handle a scared or angry hedgehog will surely be a prickly experience.

Hedgehogs, like people, possess different personalities. The degree by which a hedgehog tolerates being held or cuddled will highly depend on his personality. While some like to snuggle up to their owners, others prefer to explore and move about, or find a quiet corner to nap. 

There are about 7000 quills that cover th ... Read more »

Many households are fortunate enough to enjoy the friendship and companionship of a hybrid cat or two. These cats don’t look like your ordinary pet cats. Some of the most common hybrid cats include Bengals, Savannah Cats, Toygers, Chausies, and the Bristol Cats.

• Bengal Cats look like miniature leopards and they come in various colors and patterns. Most are usually taller and longer than normal house cats.
• Savannah cats are produced by crossing a domestic cat and a Serval. They look like miniature cheetahs and are taller than most housecats.
• Toygers look like wild cats. They are regular-sized tabbies genetically engineered to have stripes like tigers.
• Chausies look like small Mountain Lions, and can weigh up to 25 pounds. They are a cross between the domestic cat and wild Jungle Cat.
< ... Read more »

Pet birds thrive in a cage that is regularly cleaned and disinfected. One common household product that is often used to clean bird cages is bleach.

There are concerns raised by pet owners regarding the use of bleach in cleaning bird cages.  Most of these concerns are however addressed by not using bleach at full strength. There is also a need to rinse off the cage thoroughly with water before putting your pet bird back.

A 10% bleach solution can be made by mixing 1 cup of bleach with 9 cups of water. It is best to just make a smaller mixture so you will make a fresh solution each time you clean your bird’s cage.

Before cleaning the cage, make sure your bird is kept away from its enclosure. Also, take steps to protect anything you don’t want bleached such as furniture, carpeting, clothing, etc.

... Read more »