Do cats need toys to play with?

Cats thrive if there are toys around to play with. Generally they use them for pretend hunting games, and being natural hunters, they enjoy this experience a great deal. Cats are also very inquisitive creatures so having a new object to explore and get to know provides a lot of interest to their day.

They particularly enjoy toys that move, as this allows them to “pounce”. They also like toys that make a sound. Even very small movements or sounds will catch the attention of a cat. Toys for your cat should always be smaller than the cat itself, as they won’t want to play with something too big. In the same way that children can, cats can choke if a toy is defective or contains small parts that can be swallowed. This should always be taken into consideration when you are purchasing a toy for your pet.

Variety of toys is a good idea if you want to keep your cat as happy as possible. You can place a few around the house, and every now and again rotate them with another set. This prevents boredom and it’s also a clever way to trick your cat into believing they are being given new toys, when in fact it is the same ones being rotated!

Toys can also play a vital role in your cat’s health. Often house cats won’t get as much exercise as they need, so play time/hunting practice with their toys can fill that gap. It also prevents house cats from getting bored or anxious as their mind is occupied and they have something to do all day.

What toys can you recommend for cats? Do your cats enjoy playing with toys? Have you ever experienced any problems with particular types of toy? Send in your comments below.

How to remove ticks from dogs

Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease and that is why they should always be removed as soon as they are discovered on your pet. They are prevalent in grassy or wooded areas and and so owners must be particularly vigilant when taking their dog to a high risk area such as this.

The first stage for tick removal is finding one. Put on latex gloves and run your hands over the body of your dog, paying particular attention to the head and neck. If you feel a pea like lump then investigate further by parting the fur and having a look. Ticks are black or brown arachnids (they have 8 legs like spiders) and they attach themselves to your dog via the head which is the size of a pin. The body protrudes from the skin and can grow to the size of a grape.

Put the dog into a comfortable position, if possible finding a family member to try and calm/distract him. Use tweezers to get hold of the tick as near to the head as possible (being careful not to pinch your dog’s skin) and pull straight outwards. Don’t twist or yank or pull too hard as the head is likely to remain behind in these instances which can cause further irritation and infection for your dog.

Get rid of the tick by putting it in alcohol or throwing it in the fire. They don’t necessarily die when flushed down the toilet or down the sink, and sometimes crawl out of the sink an hour or so later!

Apply antiseptic cream to the bite, throw away the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. The tweezers should be disinfected too.

Sometimes owners will use a lit cigarette, or match to try and remove the tick - the theory is the tick gets burnt so releases their grip on the dog and “backs out”. This is neither effective nor humane. The dog will suffer greatly and the tick will not necessarily come out.

If anyone has any other ideas on how to deal with ticks, send in your comments below.

How to clean out a hamster cage

Here is a step by step guide to cleaning out your hamster’s cage....First you must remove your furry friend. Place him somewhere that is closed in so he can still run around but can’t disappear!

1. Fill a sink with hot soapy water, making sure you aren’t using a harsh cleaning soap, but something mild and preferably unscented.
2. Empty the cage of all bedding. It can be put straight in the bin, although gloves should ideally be worn.
3. Remove all the accessories from the cage such as the water bottle and play equipment and leave to soak in the hot soapy water. A toothbrush or something similar should be used as a scrubber and everything should be thoroughly scrubbed clean.
4. Clean the cage by placing it in the water and scrubbing clean. Take care to ensure it is fully rinsed of all soap.
5. Once the base of the cage is dry, sprinkle some baking powder on the base which absorbs unpleasant smells.
6. Use fresh materials to replace the bedding. Lay enough so the hamster can burrow and make a warm nest.
7. Tear up some kitchen towel or toilet paper and place in one corner so your hamster has a little mattress to sleep on!
8. Refill supplies like water and food and put everything back together including the accessories.
9. If the wheel is squeaking at all, use a little olive oil on the axels and hinges to make the problem go away.
10. Find your hamster and pop him back in!

This should be done fairly frequently so your hamster is always living in nice clean conditions. It shouldn’t take too long and it is satisfying to see the gleaming cage at the end of the process. Your hamster will certainly thank you for it!

Are there any other tips to cleaning out a hamster cage? Send in your comments below.