While some cats are known for their zany behaviors and off-the-wall antics, others may prefer relaxing on the couch and spending quiet time with their owners to their peer’s rough-and-tumble lifestyle. While breed alone cannot determine a cat’s personality, some are known for their peaceful nature and homebody tendencies. We’ve asked Joan Miller, chair of outreach and education for the Cat Fanciers’ Association Chair, to share the top ten most docile cat breeds.
Canary-winged parakeets (Brotogeris versicoluris), members of the genus Brotogeris, are small, South American parakeets. Their engaging personalities and gentle temperament made them much sought-after pets during the 1970s and ’80s, when they were imported by the tens of thousands. No longer imported due to the 1992 Wild Bird Conservation Act, canary-winged parakeets are now domestically raised. Hand-raised babies are truly a joy to own. Their owners often describe them as affectionate, intelligent, playful and bold little parakeets. Active, inquisitive and outgoing, canary-winged parakeets seem to enjoy spending time with their owners and can be affectionate with all members of the family. “I have two canary wing girls that have been with me for five years now,” said David from New York. “They are wonderful companion birds. They will give you as much affection and attention as you give them, so if you’re looking for a bird to do everything with you, you’ve found the one.” They can learn a variety of tricks, and some even learn to imitate human speech. Canary-winged parakeets can be social with other Brotogeris species as long as patience and care is used when introducing the birds. They do not lose their bonding with their human owners if they receive daily one-on-one attention. Canary-winged parakeets, like other Brotogeris, produce a loud, shrill call. Single pet canary wings make less noise than several birds. With lots of appropriate attention from their owners and large, roomy bird cages, interesting bird toys and a healthy, nutritious diet, canary wings don’t engage as much in constant, loud calls.
Hamsters come in a variety of colors and names, and the Winter White Dwarf Hamster has caught your eye. So how can you tell if this is the best species for you? These 10 facts can help you learn more about this charming breed and make sure he’ll be a good fit for you. The Winter White Dwarf Hamster, also called the Siberian or Russian hamster, hails from Siberia and Kazakhstan, and its Latin name is Phodopus sungorus. They are common pets in Europe, Asia and North America—one of the five most popular hamster species in the United States.These hamsters often are confused with Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli), which have a similar size and appearance. As a dwarf hamster, your Winter White likely will grow to 3-4 inches long, says Erin Ramsey, co-president of California Hamster Association in Southern California and owner of Cheeks and Squeaks Hamsters. They sport a round, oval-looking body shape with fur covering their feet and legs. There are three main color varieties: sapphire, pearl and natural pearl. This charming hamster’s coat turns white in winter, thus its name. The rest of the year, Winter White Dwarf Hamsters are adorned in a grey-brown coat color with a dark dorsal stripe down the back. In the wild, this coat change provides camouflage against the snow. The change in color can take a few days to a few weeks, and some people report seeing their Winter White Dwarf Hamsters change in waves from head to tail.The color-change occurs extent to which your hamster’s coat might change during the short, light periods may vary from a few faded patches to a whitening of his entire coat. Lack of exposure to seasonal light cycles usually prevents this coat-color change in captivity. Male Winter White Dwarf Hamsters generally are larger than females, and “the male has a more prominent scent gland on the belly,” Ramsey says. Winter Whites live an average of 1½-2½ years. They are not particularly prone to any illness, but they can suffer from the same illnesses as other hamsters. Generally speaking, Winter White Dwarf Hamsters have a more tolerant personality than Campbell’s hamsters, and they are less likely to bite. Their small size makes them better suited to older teenagers and adults than younger children, but families with youngsters can do great with these hamsters if they put in the time, Ramsey says. “They all have different personalities and are very interesting to watch when in proper habitats. They enjoy play time in a safe playpen and socializing with humans.”What if you share your home with other pets? “Hamsters should never be exposed to other pets,” Ramsey says, “but they do fine in the same environment as long as they are secure in their cage.” This sociable species is best kept in pairs or groups.”Same sex, same litter usually works out, but they do have a pecking order,” Ramsey says. “If one is more dominant or bullies the other, they must be separated immediately.” The decision to keep a mixed-sex pair or group should not be taken lightly because breeding will occur, and hamster litters can be produced every three weeks. If this is your first time caring for a hamster, Ramsey recommends starting with a solitary hamster. For a more successful multi-hamster living situation, introduce Winter White Dwarf Hamsters who will live together at a young age—preferably 5-8 weeks. Even better is if they come from the same litter or shared living quarters. Hamsters who have lived alone may not accept a companion peaceably. The best cages for Winter White Dwarf Hamsters offer at least 450 square inches of unbroken ground space, and the bigger the better, Ramsey says. Options include bar cages, aquarium tanks(40-gallon breeder), and bin cages made from 110-quart plastic storage tubs. Use a wire-mesh lid to prevent escapes and injury from falling objects. And because dwarf hamsters can squeeze through the bars of many wire cages, keep bar spacing in mind when choosing your hamster’s habitat. Your new pet will love to burrow, so provide your Winter White Dwarf Hamster with soft bedding. You can choose from wood shavings, fluffy bedding and shredded paper, like CareFresh Small Animal Bedding. Ramsey recommends about 4 inches of bedding for your pet to burrow in in his enclosure.
Hair, hair—everywhere! Sound familiar? You probably have long-haired cats in your house—ones that leave tufts of fur on the comforter, in their favorite spots on the couch, and all over the pair of pants that didn’t make it into the laundry basket (not that we’re calling you out or anything). And we haven’t even talked about the dreaded hairballs that await unsuspecting bare feet. Unless you’re in the market for a hairless cat, you’re going to face this kind of thing on a daily basis. But with a regular pet grooming routine, the hair-raising problems that plague long-haired cats and their owners will soon disappear. We’ve enlisted the help of Sarah (Miller) Thomas, Certified Feline Master Groomer at Wil-O-Paw Animal Hospital in Coloma, Michigan, to give us some expert tips on caring for long-haired cats.
If you’re looking for a family dog or a pup who digs your laid-back lifestyle, then considering easy-going dog breeds is a must. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but most calm dog breeds offer less potential for behavior problems.
Jump to section What Causes an Itchy Dog? How To Help Your Itchy Dog
Damaged fins are common when aquarium fish have been fighting, but there are many other situations where fish can be injured.
Algae growth is an intruder for many aquarists. It can be slimy, hairlike and can turn water green like pea soup. Whatever form it takes, algae can undermine the pleasure of the aquarium hobby. Only a few hobbyists have not needed to battle algae at least once in the course of their aquarium keeping. So, we hobbyists are always on the lookout for a safe, natural way to control algae, which leads us to various fish and invertebrates that eat algae. There is no safer or more satisfying way to be rid of algae than to use it to fatten up an interesting critter. I’m going to introduce you to some of the best algae-eaters and also warn you away from those that are a waste of time.
Every Pug parent knows that a home is not complete without their dark-eyed, sweet-faced Pug, so gift them with a sign that says it all. The “It’s Not a Home Without a Pug” sign is a perfect gift for any Pug lover you know. Designed and manufactured in Virginia, the wooden sign measures 10 inches by 5 inches and features a beautiful picture of a Pug, a message in black font that reads “It’s Not a Home Without a Pug” and some small, red paw prints. The attached rope makes it easy to hang in any room.,Pug parents love anything that reminds them of their pint-sized puppers, so what’s better than giving them Pug-inspired dog gifts as a way of saying, “I love you as much as you love your dog.” Pugs are known for their big personalities, idiosyncrasies and heart. There is no quelling the love that Pug parents feel for their fur babies, so take a look at these fun Pug gifts for dog lovers to help them let their “Pug flag fly.”
Recognized by their alert expression and ears that curl into a graceful arc, American Curls are faithful, affectionate companions that adjust easily to other pets, children and new situations, said Cat Fanciers’ Association spokesperson Jodell Raymond. A very people-oriented breed, American Curls love following their owners around the home and love being involved in whatever their people are up to, similarly to dogs.,Looking for the perfect feline friend to add to your bustling household? Take a look at one of these family-friendly breeds, and get some tips on how to teach kids how to care for their pets.)
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