The Trick To Taming!

Hello all! It's taken awhile to get a video about taming a hamster up because I didn't want to use a hamster that is already tamed, as Sasha is. Right now, I am taming a friend's hamster. Her name is Leela. She is a Roborovski hamster. They are the smallest and fastest hamsters and this makes them harder to tame.

The Box Method
The easiest way to tame a hamster is the box method. You use a rather large box, with sides tall enough that your hamster can not climb or jump out of. Place their wheel in the box so they can run. Hamsters are nervous runners, so this is important. Also put a scoop of their bedding in the box so they have some of their own scent. Place him/her in the box and give them a few minutes to adjust to their new surroundings.

When your ready, gently scoop them up in your hands and cup them. Be careful not to squeeze them or be rough. Do not force them. Most of the time, when cupped, a hamster will either sit very still of dig into your palm. Do not be afraid. I have never been bitten while doing this (and I've done this many times), but if he/she does bite you then put them back in their cage and try again later. After you've held them for a few seconds, slowly open your hands. If your hammie sits on your hands instead of jumping off immediately  then your making some progress. Let them walk off your hands on their own, and then let them run around for a minute before repeating this. Each time you cup the hamster, hold it for just a little bit longer.

Repeat this everyday for two or three times. Keep in mind, punishment will NOT work. If your hamster isn't taming or bites you, do not raise your voice or get rough. This will just make the hamster afraid of you.

Tricks To Taming
There are some other things you can do to get your hamster used to you.
*When you clean their cage, rub their bedding on your hands so it will hold your scent.
*Talk to your hammie. Hearing your voice will help them get used to you.

Remember! A tame hamster will take treats from your hand. Once your hamster does this, pat yourself on the back because you've done a good job! :)) I hope this helps!

By the way, this is Leela.

Oh and to see a video about taming, visit my YouTube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnT3XQd-7PU

-Tracy

Puzzle Paradise: Episode 2

In an earlier post I introduced you guys to the idea of Puzzle Paradise episodes. I spent all of episode one doing a review on the Puzzle Playground sets. Episode two, and all that follow, will be about different things I've built with the puzzle playground sets.

I hope you enjoyed all of my creations! :)) And remember if you have any creations of your own, send them to me on facebook, or e-mail me at winryyuzu@yahoo.com. See you next time guys!

-Tracy

Bowling for....Bowls?

Hello everyone! How are you all doing? Today I'm going to talk about different food bowls you can use for your hamster or other small animal!

There are many different types of bowls you can use for your furry little friend. Personally, I have a LOT of bowls, but you only really need one!

To start, I store my hamster food in this plastic container. I bought it from Walmart for like $2 or $3. It holds an entire bag of food, so it's the perfect size. The lid seals tight so the food stays fresh. The three bowls to the right of the container are probably the most common food bowls. The small blue bowl is made of plastic and has a wide base so it is harder to tip over. these bowls are very cheap, but are rather small. I usually only use these bowls for treats. These bowls often come in starter kits. The light blue bowl is ceramic so it is completely chew proof and it is heavy so it's very hard to tip over. These are very good bowls and they aren't too expensive. The yellow bowl is a plastic bowl that came with a cage I bought. It is a nice size, but I don't think you can buy them separately.

There are many small animal homes that have bowls built into them. The wooden house at far left is from Petco. It cost around $5 and has a bowl on the top of it. The next three items are from a "living room" furniture set for small animals that my friend got me. I think the set costs around $12 and comes with the lamp, chair, TV, and a couch house. The lamp works ok for food, but the chair is better for treats because it is rather small. The TV isn't actually for food,  but it works for treats.

 If your going for a natural look, then a rock dish will work nicely. There technically for reptiles, but they work for ham-hams too! There rather inexpensive and are usually made of a hard plastic material.

  

This bowl is a nifty little thing! It's actually for birds. It hooks onto things by wire on the back. It is made of hard plastic. I got this bowl from Petco for $2. It is a good size for food or treats and since it hooks onto something it can't be tipped over! If you use the puzzle playgrounds, then you can hook it onto the puzzles.

You can also hook the bowl onto the bars of a wire cage. it fits on nicely.

Anyone have puzzle playground pieces? You can build a food house! Now, obviously this wouldn't work with food because of the holes, but it's great for treats and fresh fruits and veggies. It works well for Timothy hay also!

Ok now this is kind of weird, but bare with me. The wire cage I was using for Sasha was two stories that were connected by tubes. The second floor had two holes in the ground. One was meant for a tube, and the other was supposed to be covered with a wide bottom food bowl (Like the blue one I showed earlier) Instead I put a bubble cap used to block one end of a tube upside down in one of the holes and put treats in it. I wouldn't do this with food, but it was ok for treats and snacks. Sasha would often bury them. I know this is really situational, but anyone with a cage that is similar can try this.

You can also place a house over the treat bubble if you like.

There are also many other ways to give your furry friend their food, but hopefully this gave you some new ideas! :))

-Tracy

Chinchilla! Chinchilla!

A friend of mine asked about Chinchillas! So I figured I'd blog about Chinchillas today! :))

What is a Chinchilla?
A Chinchilla is an adorable little creature with a funny name! No but seriously, a Chinchilla is a crepuscular rodent native to the Andes Mountains in South America. The animal, whose name literally means "small Chincha", is named after the Chincha people who lived in the Andes. Chinchillas live up to 10 or more years depending on it's care and breeding. The average adult Chinchilla is 12 inches long and weighs between 16 to 38 ounces, putting them at the size of a small rabbit.

Chin-Chins are social animals and often do well with a second Chinchilla, but are ok on their own. If you keep only a single Chinchilla it will hold a very strong bond with you, but if you have two Chins, they will most likely have a stronger bond with each other. If you do keep more than one Chinchilla in the same cage, make sure they are of the same sex to prevent breeding. Chinchilla breeding should be left to the experts. If you are not sure of the sex of your chinchillas, take them to a vet or expert breeder to be checked.

Chins are very active creatures that love to climb, run, and jump. They need a lot of room to play and exercise, and may things to play on. Chinchillas are also very vocal animals and can make a wide range of noises. They chirp and squeak when they are happy.

Is a Chinchilla the right pet for me?
There are many questions to answer before you decide to adopt a Chinchilla!
*Do you live in a rent house or an apartment where you have a landlord? If so, check with them first to make sure small animals are allowed in your home. There may be a security deposit and/or additional rent required. Make sure your budget will allow for this.
*Do you have time in your schedule to properly care for this little bundle of joy? Do you have room in your budget for all of it's expenses?*Do you have a safe area in your home for a roomy cage?*Do you have any other pets or small children that may harm or scare the Chinchilla?


Chin-Chin Must Haves!
Chinchillas are becoming very popular as pets! To properly care for a Chin, you will need these things!

Cage/Habitat: A very large, multi-tiered habitat will be the most suitable for a Chin, as they love to climb and jump. (Keep in mind, the more chinchillas in a cage the larger it should be. If you have two chinchillas in a cage meant for one, this can cause many problems, such as irritability, fighting, illness, injury, and more.) They will need many things to play on like shelves and ramps. The bottom of the cage should have at least a two inch layer of bedding. Aspen wood shavings and paper bedding work best. Do not use ceder or pine bedding, as they can lead to respiratory and eye problems. Your Chinchilla's cage should be cleaned at least once a week and spot cleaned when necessary. (If multiple Chins are living together in a cage it should be cleaned at least 2-3 times a week with daily spot cleaning.) When buying a cage remember that most store sold cages are too small for a multiple (and sadly often a single) Chin. You may need to special order a larger cage, build one yourself, or connect multiple cages. When buying a cage, try to get the biggest cage you have room for in your home and that you can afford. For a Chin Chin, a cage can never be too big!

Food: Like all creatures, Chinchillas need to eat! Fresh Chinchilla food pellets should always be available for him/her to eat throughout the day. Chin-Chins should also have access to fresh timothy hay at all times. You can purchase a hay rack from most pet shops or online to hold the hay so it does make the cage floor messy. Limited amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables can be offered as treats but should not exceed 10% of your Chinchilla's diet. Also, any uneaten fruits or veggies should be removed from the cage after 24 hours. We don't want a sick Chin! You will also need to provide your Chin-Chin with chew sticks at all times.

Food Bowl and Water Bottle: You will need a bowl to hold food in. A ceramic bowl will work best as it will be harder for your Chinchilla to tip it over and spill his/her food. To provide your Chin with water, use a water bottle, and NOT a bowl. Chinchilla's can get a fur fungus if their fur gets wet, and bowls provide an unnecessary opportunity for this to happen. The water will also get dirty quickly if in a bowl, or they may dump the bowl and spill water. Fresh water should be provided daily.

Running Wheel/flying saucer: Chinchillas are very active little creatures that love to run and play. They need an exercise wheel or flying saucer running disk to ensure they have plenty of exercise. The wheel or saucer should be large enough that your pet's back does not arch when they run. It is better to use a saucer for Chinchillas, but a wheel will work too.

House: Everyone needs some privacy now and then! Provide your Chin with a little house that he/she can sleep in. Make sure it is large enough for them to fit in comfortably! Shredded toilet paper or timothy hay is a great nesting material. (If you have more than one Chinchilla, they should each have a house, and one of them should be large enough for them both to sleep in.)

Baths: You should never get a Chin-Chin wet, but you can give them sand baths! All you need is a bath house and Chinchilla sand! Chins need a sand bath at least once a week, twice preferably.

Toys: Chinchillas like to play with toys. Try giving them little balls and toilet paper rolls to push around.

Chinchillas are high-energy little creatures but they are gentle and intelligent. Adding a Chinchilla to you family is a great idea (as long as your capable of properly caring for one).

I hope you all enjoyed this post. I'm sorry to all my ham-ham fans! I know I've veered off the topic of Hamsters, and I promise Hamster Talk! still has a main focus of hamsters! Soon I will be posting more things on hamsters! Until then!

-Tracy

The Pygmy Hedgehog!

My friend and neighbor is adopting a South African Pygmy Hedgehog soon and I thought it would be nice and informative to write a post about them for her! I'm sure my readers will enjoy it too!

What is a Pygmy Hedgehog?
It's a cuddly little animal, burdened with swords! The South African Pygmy Hedgehog, also known as the four-toed hedgehog, is a creature that has been on our Earth since the time of the dinosaurs! They range in size from 6 to ten inches in length and have quills on their backs, but soft fur on their faces and stomachs. They have a long pointed snout, making for a very cute face.

Pygmy Hedgehogs are solitary, nocturnal creatures that are capable of climbing and swimming. They are highly energetic in the night and can cover miles of ground at night searching for food in the wild. (In captivity they run for miles on a wheel.) In the wild they consume insects, plant matter, and even some very small vertebrates.

When threatened or scared, they tend to roll up into a small ball hiding the face and soft belly and exposing the quills. They are capable of making sounds. They most common are snorts, hisses, and small twittering sounds.When attacked or threatened, they are capable of making a loud screaming noise.

A female Pygmy Hedgehog typically only gives birth once a year to a littler consisting of 2 to ten baby hedgehogs called pups, though 4 to 5 is most typical. Their lifespan is typically 4 to 6 years.

Is a Hedgehog the right pet for me?
Well there are a few big factors that will help answer this question.
*What city/state you you live in? In some cities/states it is illegal to own a hedgehog. In some cities/states you may own a hedgehog but must have one or more permits for them. Some cities/states don't require a permit but may have anti-breeding laws are laws against how many you are allowed to own. In most cases, failure to obey these laws can result in large fines, and the confiscation and possible euthanasia of your pet. (For any younger readers, this means they can take your hedgehog away and put him/her to sleep.) Make sure hedgehogs are legal in your city/state before considering one as a pet. If they are legal, but one or more permits are required, I suggest picking those up first. Lawa are always changing, so keep up with them!
*Do you live in a rent house or an apartment where you have a landlord? If so, check with them first to make sure small animals are allowed in your home. There may be a security deposit and/or additional rent required. Make sure your budget will allow for this.
*Do you have time in your schedule to properly care for this little bundle of joy? Do you have room in your budget for all of it's expenses?
*Do you have a safe area in your home for a roomy cage?
*Do you have any other pets or small children that may harm or scare the hedgehog?

Hedgehog Must-Haves:
The African Pygmy Hedgehog is the most widely kept pet of all they hedgehog species. I's small size and calm temper make them great pets, but there are some things you must have!

Cage/Habitat: Hedgehogs are highly active and need plenty of space to run around. Because of this, a large cage is necessary, one preferably 2 to 3 feet long. A twenty gallon tank is ideal. Hedgehogs can be housed in either tanks with screen lids, or large wire/plastic cages.

Food: Food is essential to life for everything! Hedgehog food is available in some pet stores, but may be hard to find. If this is the case, you can also feed hedgies high-quality cat food that is high in protein and low in fat. Treats can also be fed up to four times a week. These treats include high-quality canned cat food with meat, cooked chicken, cooked turkey, cooked lamb, meal worms, beetles, Caterpillars, fruits and vegetables. Offer these supplements for up to 15 minutes and then remove whatever is left uneaten as they will spoil. Make sure all cooked foods are cooled before feeding.

Food Bowl and Water Bowl/Bottle: Hedehogs like to tip over bowls, so a heavy glass one with low edges is ideal. You can also use one that bolts to the side of the cage. Make sure food and water is provided fresh daily. If your hedgie tips over the water bowl or you refer a bottle, then that is acceptable too. Whatever makes your hedgie more comfortable.

Bedding: Many people use small fleece blankets to cover the bottom of their hedgehog's cage, and while there is nothing wrong with this, I also recommend using some bedding materials as well to promote burrowing and give nesting materials. Aspen is the only wood based bedding that should be used so any small animal or a paper based bedding such a Carefresh will work just fine too. There are also mixed beddings available, or you can mix your own.

Running Wheel: Hedgehogs are very active little creatures that need a wheel to run on. The wheel should be large enough so they can run on it without arching their back. Both free standing wheels and wheels that attach to the wall of a cage are available in all sizes and colors. A solid surface is better than one with spokes as they may get caught in the openings.

House: When tired, stressed, or scared, hedgies will want a place to feel secure or just someplace dark to go to sleep! Be sure to supply them with adequate housing. A cardboard box, flower pot, or store bought home will work nicely.


Now your all set to bring home your Pygmy Hedgehog! Good luck and have fun! I hope all my readers and my friend found this helpful.

-Tracy

Dirty Tank? Clean It up!

Many people keep their small animals in aquariums with screen lids. These work as excellent habitats, but can be a bit expensive. In order to save money, you could conciser buying a used one or using one you had laying around. But what? It's dirty? Well clean it!

Does the tank have a white chalky or powdery substance on it? That' a calcium mineral deposit caused when hard water evaporates. The minerals are left behind and cling to the walls of the tank leaving a big ugly mess.

So let me guess. You tried every cleaning solution known to man and none of them worked? Thinking of giving up? Well try one more thing! I promise it will work!

What you'll need:
*Water
*White vinegar
*Spray bottle
*Scouring pad

How to make the solution:
Mix 2 cups water with 1 cup white vinegar. Pour solution into spray bottle

What to do:
Spray the tank with the solution you just mixed. Using the scouring pad, scrub the entire tank down until there is no more white mineral build up anywhere. Once the entire tank has been scrubbed, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Repeat for any missed areas.
                ****MAKE SURE TO RINSE THOROUGHLY WITH CLEAN WATER****

I recently used this solution to clean a tank and it worked very well. My friend and across the hall neighbor is adopting a pygmy hedgehog and had tank that was left outside and covered in mineral buildup. It was a wreck. We mixed the simple solution and scrubbed until our arms felt like they were going to fall off! We rinsed it off in her sink and spilled water everywhere....But now the tank looks like new!

I hope this helps!

-Tracy

The Big Move!

Hello all! Ah, I'm so tired! The past few weeks have been hectic. My boyfriend and I moved into an apartment with a close friend of mine and lately all we've been doing is organizing things and working. But we are finally settled in and I have a new thing to blog about for my fans!

Moving is a very big deal, even for a pet! The move can stress out your furry friend so keep in mind these things when moving with a small animal.

Where are you moving to?

When moving to a new house or apartment keep these things in mind:

*Does your landlord apartment complex allow small animals? If so is there a security deposit and/or extra rent you will need to pay and can you afford it?

*Will you be living with other people? Do they have allergies to your pet? Do they have any other problems with them?

*Will your new home be safe and comfortable for your small animal? Will you have sufficient space for them in your new home?

*Is there a pet store in your area? You'll need to buy supplies somewhere! (Although there is always the internet. eBay.com and Amazon.com are excellent places to find pet supplies on the web.)

*Is there a veterinarian in your area that sees small animals? Find the nearest one and make a note of their location and phone number. If possible, ask your previous vet to send over your records.

The journey to your new home!

How will you be transporting your furry friend to your destination?

*Do you have a sturdy carrier?

*Will they be safe in the vehicle on the trip?

*If traveling by plane will you be able to take them with you?

How do I pack this?

When packing your belongings keep in mind that your hamster has belongings too!

*I recommend packing all of your hammie supplies together so you can find them all easily.

*Don't forget the essentials! Remember to pack a travel bag of essentials in case something comes up. This bag or box should have extra food, treats, bedding, and depending on how long the trip is, some water.

Arranging the new home!

Moving furniture and boxes in and arranging everything can be stressful and even dangerous to any animal!

*If you know someone trustworthy who can keep your little friend at their place for a bit while you get settled in, then do it! The sounds and sight of everything being rearranged can be very stressful for something so tiny.

*If you don't have anyone who can pet sit for you, then try to place them in s safe area with minimal traffic for the time being. Once everything is set up they can be placed on their table or whatever they will be placed on.

"I'm so stressed I'm going to bite you!" said the hamster.

Remember that the stress and fear from the move can upset your ham ham! He/she may try to bite you or may not want to be held.

*Give them some space! Remember when you first brought them home after adoption and you had to let them adjust to their new environment before you could handle them? The same rules may apply.

Sasha's moving experience!

Our move wasn't too far, but I still made sure to take it very seriously. Sasha rode over in her pet carrier in my lap and I quickly set up her cage. I'm lucky enough to live across the hall from a close friend now (We went to middle and high school together and now work at the same place. Small world!) who let Sasha stay with her and her boyfriend for a few days while we moved furniture around and got everything set up. Last night was her first night in the new apartment with us and I gave her some space, but she took everything rather well. I'm proud of my baby girl for being so brave! :))

See you later!

-Tracy