That doesn’t mean you can’t get a piggy of your own, of course, but there are a few things to consider before you decide to commit:

1. What do you want a pig for? If you just think it’s a little bit of a novelty and that you will eventually get bored of it, just don’t do it. Like any other pet, they need love, care and attention and it isn’t fair on the animal if you’re not willing to provide it with everything it needs for the rest of its life. On the other hand, you might want to eventually eat Little Piggy, which is entirely up to you, just don’t tell the children about it.

2. Do you have the space for a pig? They can grow to quite substantial sizes and much like large dogs, they need a lot of space to move around. Ideally, they will need a pen to keep them safe. They like to cause a bit of havoc digging things up, so don’t expect your trimmed garden to stay neat and tidy for very long!

3. Where are you getting your pig from? Always use a trusted breeder because that way you can guarantee the health and quality of the animal. If you plan on breeding them yourself, ensure you see proof of pedigree documents before making any purchases.

4. Can you afford it? Not only will you have to buy the pig first, but then you have to consider the fencing you need to put up, the food it needs, the shelter and any vets bills you might incur. Just like dogs and cat, pigs can suffer from any manner of illnesses, and you need to be prepared for unexpected costs.

The recession hasn’t helped matters, and a staggering number of pet owners can no longer cope with the cost of keeping an animal. Thankfully, not all of these individuals will leave their poor pooch or cute kitten on the side of the road and they will do the right thing and take them to the RSPCA, but there is still the problem of finding them new homes.

The common misconception is that animals that have been left with the RSPCA have behavioural problems that make them aggressive and unpredictable, but this is not true. Many larger pets like cats and dogs find themselves in the hands of the RSPCA simply because their owner couldn’t afford to keep them any longer, or worse, because they have been mistreated and abused. It’s not just cats and dogs that find themselves in need of new homes, though. Various pet shops around the country provide a specific area that is exclusively for pets that have had previous owners and are in dire need of a new one. Rats, rabbits, hamsters and other small animals are often overlooked because they’ve grown up and no longer have the more appealing appearance of a baby. These animals are the ones that need a home more than any of the others. A life spent in a small cage in a pet shop without anyone to give them the attention they deserve is no life at all, so think twice before you decide to buy a baby. The chances are, a puppy, a kitten or any other young animal is destined to find a home very easily, but an older animal needs one more. Have a heart. They can’t take care of themselves…

The most obvious way to alleviate some of the aggression is to have your rabbit spayed or neutered. Doing this may solve the problem of an angry rabbit straight away, though sometimes, it doesn’t happen quite that easily. It might not just be hormones causing erratic behaviour and even if hormones are the primary reason, there is no guarantee that your rabbit will suddenly want to be stroked and held. Gaining the trust of your rabbit will still require a little more effort on your part.

When you pin down precisely what action triggers aggressive behaviour in your rabbit, you can successfully attempt to deal with it. There is a good possibility that, when your rabbit bites you when you move to stroke her, or when she lunges at you every time you walk into the room, she is simply exhibiting fear or annoyance. This is something that can take time to overcome, but the important thing to note is that it can be. Many experts suggest you simply ignore the aggressive behaviour and treat your rabbit like the best thing in the world. Always use a confident, excited tone and – wearing a glove that amply protects your fleshy fingers – continue to pat her head, even if she tries to bite you. If you do this every day, your rabbit will eventually realise you have no intention of hurting her and you can move on to gently and carefully stroking her head instead. When bun-buns is used to this, stroke her ears too, and on and on until she’s happy with the attention and even craves it.

Believe it or not, there is a big difference between a rabbit that bites and a rabbit that nips. Most often, the former is a show of aggression, whereas the latter may simply be a way of communicating something to you. Some rabbits will nip when they want attention, and some will nip when they want you to put them down. It isn’t necessarily an act of aggression. It’s likely that, when your rabbit bites you, she’s merely being defensive, maybe over food or over territory. Remember to always move slowly and cautiously. Fast, jerky movements may be a sign of aggression towards bun-buns and she may mistake your actions as threatening. Whenever you have to clean out the cage, give bun-buns the opportunity to leave before you drag her out. When you have to feed her, distract her by gently petting her while placing the food bowl in the cage.

Your rabbit may never end up the cuddle-monster you so desperately want her to be, but you can definitely take steps to encourage her to be loving and affection. Though it’s rare, unfortunately some rabbits never manage to overcome incredibly aggressive behaviour and though it may seem cruel, the best thing to do is to have your rabbit put to sleep. Rabbits have the ability to cause some very serious injuries and if she is so stressed and unhappy in her environment that she resorts to viciously biting and scratching , it is sometimes for the best.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Believe it or not, the waiting list for one of these cuties can be up to a year! On the plus side, they are 100% domesticated and completely free from diseases, tics and fleas. Much like their rodent friends the rats, pygmy hedgehogs love to be handled and providing they are given enough care, love and attention from a young age, will grow up to be very cuddly, affectionate little prickle-puffs. They are also relatively easy pets to keep. They need a decent sized enclosure to run around in (something around the size of a rabbit hutch) as these spiky little critters are fond of exercise. You also need to provide them with plenty of toys and ensure you give them a wheel to run in – they can run up to 8 miles in a single night! Maybe they’re speedier than we first thought…

Their diet is simple and easy, too. They are carnivorous creatures and so need to be fed a delicious variety of meat; cat food, chicken, turkey and mince. Beware, though! Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so never give them fatty cows milk. Pygmy hedgehogs also need to be kept in a warm environment, otherwise they are likely to start hibernating!

Unfortunately, the African pygmy hedgehog is likely to set you back anywhere between £100 to £200 pounds, but as far as we’re concerned, they’re worth every penny.

• You probably weren’t aware you can get prozac for your pooch to help perk them up if they spend a long time alone while owners are out or at work. The drug, called Reconcile, apparently works the same way as the human version, increasing the level or serotonin produced in the brain to improve mood. If you ask us, this is taking things a little too far. If your dog is suffering from some kind of mental disorder caused by separation from their beloved owner, you have to wonder if they should have gotten a dog in the first place. Not everything should be solved with pills, least of all where animals are concerned.

• This next product is actually a pretty nifty little gadget. The Litter Robot is for those people who squirm at the thought of cleaning up after their moggy. This handy, spacecraft-esq machine does the job for you. Not only does it quickly hide away the cat’s undesirables, it also prevents odours. The inventors also claim it will save you 50% of the cost of buying litter and the only other thing you need is a regular old binbag to line the tray. You will, however, have to get off your lazy backside to empty that.

• So, this isn’t exactly a product for your pet. This is, in fact, a product made out of your pet – no animal cruelty here, of course. Or at least, we hope not. The Fur-Ever Keepsake can be anything from a glove to a coat made entirely out of – you guessed it – the fur of your pet. So if being apart from your darling little chihuahua Tootsie is just too much for you to handle, have a pair of gloves knitted from her fur and take her with you everywhere you go. You can even get that fresh, wet dog smell when you get caught in the rain.

• One of the most pointless inventions out of all of these products is probably the Goldfish Walker. Basically a fish tank on wheels that allows you to show your marine critters the sights. Like we said, pointless.

• Now, despite being yet another utterly useless item, if you’re a big beer drinker it is actually kind of quaint. Beer….for your dog. Happy Tail Ale, it’s called. Luckily it contains no alcohol, is non-carbonated and, unlike beer for human consumption, is actually pretty healthy. It’s also flavoured with drippings to make it taste like a dog’s favourite food, given the choice. Beef. Mmm…yum…

• So, we’ve saved the best for last. This is also the most risque of our featured products and it goes by the name of the Hotdoll, a doggy shaped doll that keeps your rather affectionate dog away from your leg. We’re sure you have vivid imaginations. You can work out the rest for yourselves.

There isn’t much we can say to make you feel better about the loss of a beloved pet, but know that you’re not the only person to ever experience this. Everyone – with a heart – understands how painful it is. It’s only human to mourn, whether it’s for a day, or for weeks or maybe even months. Anyone would be distraught when something important is snatched out of their lives by old age or illness so don’t feel bad about it. The most important thing to do is to keep yourself busy; work, family, friends, errands, trips out, maybe even a holiday. Try not to think too much about it, as impossible as it sounds. The longer you do this, the less apparent your grief will seem and sooner or later you won’t feel quite so terrible. That’s not to say you won’t still desperately miss your pet, but eventually you will be able to deal with it a whole lot easier. Try to always think of the fondest memories. Put a photo up. Regal your friends with stories of their antics and, most importantly, remember that they aren’t suffering anymore.

Are dogs in designer clothes a step too far?

Type ‘clothing for pets’ into any search engine and you will certainly find myriad websites positively brimming with fashion tips for terriers and furstyles for ferrets, but does the mention of this unusual hobby make you roll your eyes in despair or snatch up your Shih-Tzu for measurements? With big name celebrities like Paris Hilton opening a line of pup clothing, it’s no surprise that dressing up our animals in the latest gear is catching on the world over. It’s not just dogs getting the five-star treatment either with special little doggy raincoats to keep them dry. You can get designer clothes for cats, stylish footwear for rabbits, and there is even a site or two dedicated to apparel for your rodent buddies. No animal is safe from the devious world of the designer, so are you pro-puppy- dress-up or anti-animal-fashion-establishment?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: is there really that much to write about pets?  Well, yes there is!  With nearly one in two homes in the UK owning at least one pet, and the pet industry being worth nearly ￡2 billion, pets are obviously a big part of our lives.  So, it’s a good thing that we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about pets.  Plus, to keep you entertained during life’s daily drudgery, we’ll even throw in a few interesting, yet completely useless nuggets of information for you.  We’re nice like that!

At the time of writing this, the blog is still being developed by our resident computer geeks.  But, there are already a veritable myriad of ideas for blog entries in the pipeline.  For example we’ll be getting the debate going about buying Christmas presents for your pets: is it an essential part of the Christmas shopping rigmarole, or should it be left to crazed cat ladies suffering from cabin fever?  You’ll also be treated to entries on hard-hitting topics such as cats versus dogs; the world’s weirdest pets; and is dressing your pets in clothes a do or a don’t?

But, if all this sounds a bit too intellectually challenging, don’t worry: we’ll have a few fun pieces on here too!  Why not follow the adventures of Dougal and Derek, the cheeky little dog and cat who are the best of friends and get up to all sorts together?  Given the ridiculous scrapes these two get into, it promises to be a great, entertaining read!

You’ll also be able to see the latest pet ads uploaded to adflyer in real time whilst browsing the pets blog.  So, when it comes to finding the perfect pet for you, you won’t miss a thing.