To begin: housing

Hamsters aren’t very sociable animals. Most breeds like to be kept alone, otherwise they will fight. There are, however, one or two breeds that enjoy eachothers company, usually the smaller breeds like roborovski hamsters and dwarf hamsters. Check with the breeder first! Regardless of number, hamsters need an ideally sized cage to sleep and play in, one large enough for a bed, a wheel, a toy or two and a food bowl. There are plenty of hamster cages out there to choose from!

Feeding

Unlike cats, dogs, rabbit or other larger pets, hamsters don’t require any jabs, rarely require vet treatment and only require feeding once a day – sometimes not even that! Hamsters are very good at regulating the amount the eat and will only ever nom on some nibbles when they feel hungry. That’s not to say you can’t give them a treat or two here and there, because some fresh carrot, brocolli or a couple of nuts offers an additional element of nutrition to their diet as well as providing ideal, healthy treats along with store sold hamster food. Be careful not to give your ham too much wet food though (cucumber, for instance), as this can lead to a nasty stomach ache!

Playtime!

If you have a safe environment for your little hamster to run around in, let him or her explore! Though they will likely have a hamster wheel in their cage, they like to get out and about and enjoy an adventure from time to time. If you can’t let them run around on the floor, there’s no harm in letting them crawl and climb all over you – it still counts as exercise! You can also find a selection of hamster toys to keep them occupied in their cage.

Maintenance

Some longer haired hamsters will need a minimal but additional level of maintenance. From time-to-time they do need a little haircut, but this is easily performed with a pair of curved nail scissors. Of course, you must clean out any hamster cage once a week, especially during the warmer months. Your hamster wants to live in a clean, sweet smelling home just as much as you do! Don’t use fine sawdust though, as it can effect their breathing. Hamsters will rarely need to go to the vet for any reason, perhaps never in the course of its whole life, but you should still be aware of any health conditions or problems a hamster can develop.

Take a look at some hamster care guide books for more information!

Due to their ability to kill agressive and poisonous snakes like cobras, the cat was considered to be a symbol of grace and poise.  There was originally a cult surrounding the lion-headed goddess Mafdet, but Bastet’s image later replaced this, becoming the deity of protection, fertility and motherhood. Due to their revered status, some cats were even mummified after death and given to Bastet as a sacrifice.  In the late 19th century one farmer even discovered a large tomb containing the mummified bodies of cats and kittens.

The Egyptians were in fact so protective of their cats that should there be a fire, it was guarded so as cats would not run into the flames. Even worse, if one should accidentally kill a cat, this would incurr the death penalty! According to Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, the chariot of a Roman soldier once accidentally ran over an Egyptian cat, enraging onlookers, who formed a mob, surrounded him and, despite pleas from Pharoah Ptolemy XII, murdered the soldier out of revenge!

Though cats are still popular pets today, we’re sensible about the treatment of our animals. All of our pets deserve to be cared for, so if you have a pampered puss in need of some cat treats, a new cat bed or cat toy, take a look at adflyer’s huge selection of cat and kitten accessories.

Have you ever been desperate to know exactly what your darling little Precious or Perdy is thinking when she looks up at you doe-eyed like butter wouldn’t melt? No doubt we have all at one stage or another wanted to discover what our pets are thinking at a particular moment, whether they are simply  hankering for a slice of that ham you’re putting on your sandwich or whether they are yearning for a bit of fuss and attention.

Like all animals, cats and kittens communicate in a very special way, be it by rubbing their chin up against your leg, the door or anything else in range, or be it gently pawing you while you’re trying to watch the lastest episode of Coronation Street. Cats are a temperamental species, so it can be very difficult to know 100% what it is they want or need, but by and large, it’s not difficult to guess.

Does she need to use the litter tray? Does she want to play with the catnip toy? Or does she simply want to curl up in her bed while you dotingly brush her with her very own cat brush? One cat owner tells a story of her cat making herself comfortable on top of their turtle tank, meowing incessantly and pawing the lid. They had no idea what she was doing this for until the owner realised the bulb in the tank had gone and their little kitty was demanding its replacement so she could continue to be comfy and warm on her special spot atop the turtles! Very clever!

Another owner complains of their cat pouncing on their head in the early hours of the morning, wondering if an imaginary mouse has scuttled into his ear. We think that one just wanted a bit of attention from their lazybones human! One owner in particular tells of her cat Squeaky, who spends hours and hours sitting perfectly still, staring into space. Contemplating the mysteries of the universe? Philosophising? Calculating complicated mathematical problems? Meditating? Who can say for sure. Maybe she’s just thinking about the best way to get the cat treats down from the top shelf.

If you’re a first timer reptile or amphibian owner, it’s usually best to start small. Don’t just go ahead and buy a 10 metre python because you won’t know a thing about handling it, nor the kind of expenses you will face by keeping one. Instead, go for something like a leopard gecko. Though they can live for up to 20 years and are thus a long-term committment, they are only 8-10 inches in length so they don’t require an enormous reptile tank to house them (though bare in mind that you can only keep one male in a tank of more than one gecko). As they’re nocturnal reptiles, they don’t require any UV lighting for their tank. They do require a basking spot, but a regular incandescent bulb will do the trick. They are usually fed treated insects, but adult leopard geckos can be fed treated mice.

More experienced owners might be interested in buying their first pet iguana. The most important thing to consider is habitat. Iguanas can grow up to a substantial size and so will require a reptile tank to suit their growth. Ideally it should be twice as long as the iguana and as tall as possible. Iguanas will require ultraviolet lighting during the day, unlike leopard geckos, but they are fairly cheap to buy and set up.  Iguanas are herbivores, so a hearty diet of fruit and vegetables is very good for them. They do require calcium and vitamins supliments, however, to prevent them from getting Metabolic Bone Disease.

For more information on leopard geckos and iguanas, or other pet reptiles and pet amphibians, take a look at all of the pet care guides on adflyer. Just type ‘pet care’ into the search bar, or whatever else you’re looking for, and away you go!

1. Labrador Retriever – aside from this being a very pretty pup, the Labrador retriever is one of the most loyal, most loving, caring and affectionate dog breeds out there! Their good nature make them wonderful family pets. They do require training from an early age like most dogs and can be wayward, but if given the right amount of love and attention, they make friends for life.

2. English Springer Spaniel – this dog is very gentle and even-tempered. Not only that, but they are incredibly intelligent animals capable of learning very quickly. Their tails never seem to stop wagging, making them one of the most cheerful, life-loving dogs out there!

3. German Shepherd – a lot of people might think ill of this misunderstood pup, but German Shepherds make excellent companions. They are very active dogs, are keen, courageous and also very strong. If owners make it clear who is in charge, they make for excellent family pets and will guard and protect their loved ones with their lives.

4. Boxer – these are exceptionally loving and friendly dogs, despite their slightly intimidating appearance. They are very curious and energetic and will keep their owner as fit as they are! They bond with their family and are very affectionate and sociable.  They are also very well known for getting along with children, making them the perfect family pet!

These are just a few of the UK’s most popular dog breeds, but if you’re interested in finding out about more, visit the UK KC website.

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.

Well, we doubt that the animal actors behind the heroes could really save any lives, but there are a few plucky pets out there who really deserve the praise for showing limitless bravery in the face of adversity. Take Trackr for instance, the German Shepherd responsible for finding the last survivor of the tragic events of 9/11.  He was so successful during his time as a rescue dog that he was even cloned not once, not twice, not three times, but a staggering four times.

Then there is the miraculous story of a dog that appeared from nowhere to save the life of a man risking being gorged to death by a bull in Spain! The man in question had just about given up on his life when the pup raced onto the scene and launched itself at the bull to free its victim and even continued to attack even after the man had scrambled free. Thanks to the dog, the man escaped relatively unharmed.

It’s not just dogs that are capable of  being heroic, either! Winnie the cat is responsible for saving the life of her family when a gasoline powered water pump was leaking an odourless gas into the house. Their 14 year old son lay unconscious next door while Winnie pawed, nudged and wailed at her owners to wake them up. If it hadn’t been for Winnie sensing something was wrong, they would never have survived.

One of the most heart-warming stories of an heroic pet is all about Lulu, a pot-bellied pig that tried desperately to raise the alarm when her owner’s mother was taking care of her and suffered a massive heart attack. Not-so-little Lulu ran into the street and spread herself out in the middle of the road to stop oncoming traffic, returning to the house every so often to check on JoAnn until she finally got someone’s attention. They followed Lulu to the door and discovered JoAnn unconscious. If it hadn’t been for her, JoAnn would surely have died.

It just goes to show how invaluable our animals really are. They’re more than just our companions, they’re our friends and in some instances, our rescuers!

1. Purring – now, you may think that purring can only be a good sign when it comes to cats and kittens, but contrary to popular belief, cats will also purr when they are in pain or feel unwell. It can be taken as a sign that they are in distress and need our help, however, it usually signals the cat is happy and relaxed.

2. Furniture scratching - most cats tend to do this to help renew their claws. They are probably using the furniture because they haven’t been trained to use a scratching post.

3. Tail wagging - unlike when dogs wag their tails, a cat wagging its tail may well be showing signs of anger or aggression. It can also suggest a cat is busy deciding or thinking about what it wants to do next, akin to us tapping our feet!

4. Kneading – kneading is a throwback from kittenhood. Kittens tend to knead their mother’s teats in order to  encourage milk and owners who experience a kneading cat while sitting on their lap are usually seen as a surrogate parent! It’s a sign that your cat feels very safe, secure and happy.

5. Face  and leg rubbing – this is actually really rather sweet. Cats tend to greet one another by rubbing faces with eachother and they imitate this behaviour when they’re saying hello to us, too. When they wind around our legs, this is also a show of greeting and they may well be scenting at the same time.

6. Grass eating - similarly to dogs, cats will eat grass when they feel the urge to vomit, usually to help get rid of and dislodge hairballs.

7. Freezing and crouching – more often than not, this is a signal a cat is stressed or frightened. They sit very still and make themselves very small to avoid being spotted, perhaps because they feel they are in danger.

8. Hissing and spitting – this is a sign of defensive aggression. A cat that is unhappy with a situation may well hiss, spit and even try to bite and scratch because they are frightened or feel threatened.

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.