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!

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.

Over the new few weeks, we want to clear up some mysteries and help you to understand your pets needs and emotions a little bit better with a breakdown of some common and uncommon bits of behaviour from a few of our furry friends.

This week is the turn of man’s best friend, the canis (or simply ‘dog’ to you and I).

Dogs

1. Tail between its legs – everyone should know this one, but just in case you don’t, a dog holding its tail between its legs is usually frightened or nervous. It may also arch its back, bend its legs and its ears will likely lie flatter. A dog that shows these signs is likely to snap at someone or something it’s are afraid of. Its pupils also tend to dilate.

2. Wagging tail, panting, erect ears – these indicate the dog is a very happy, relaxed and confident pooch that is probably having fun.

3. Lifted paw and flattened ears – this often suggests fear and submission.

4. Twitching or pricked ears, tail low – the dog is likely to be listening for something so is attentive, but not necessarily frightened. Dogs tend to be curious about every little sound they hear, especially if it’s new to them.

5. Tail erect or curled – this is a sign the dog is confident, happy and relaxed. Its ears will probably also be erect or pricked, though it is difficult to tell with some dogs.

6. Rear end in the air, upper body to the floor – this is called ‘baying’ and dogs normally exhibit this behaviour when feeling playful and happy.

7. Rolling over - a dog that exposes its belly is often being submissive to either another dog, or to you. It doesn’t  want to show any aggression.

8. Maintains eye contact, ruffles fur, stands tall, growls – this behaviour suggests a show of dominance either directed towards another dog, or to a person. It can be dangerous for both if not handled with care. Any dog exhibiting this behaviour towards a person should be dealt with cautiously. The dog may also start to bear its teeth and lunge. Experts suggest you maintain eye contact and calmly back away.

Stay tuned for next time when we’ll tell you all about cat communication!

According to research carried about out by Nicholas Christenfeld and Michael Roy from the University of California, dogs and their owners often have a tendency to look alike (minus the furry muzzle and walking on all fours – as far as we know, at least. There are always exceptions).The full study appears in ‘Do Dogs Resemble Their Owners’ in the journal Psychological Science. The catch here is that it is only purebred dogs that seem to resemble their owners.

Now, after a quick whip around the adflyer office for desired breed of dog to own, we’ve heard ‘husky‘, ‘belgian shepherd‘ and ‘daschund‘. Does that give you a decent picture of the type of people we have working here? Do you think any of us would share the looks and personality of each of those dogs? Does ‘husky’ bring to mind a silver haired individual with bright blue eyes and an excitable personality? Does ‘Belgian shepherd’ make you think about striking locks and a loyal, calm temperament? Does ‘daschund’ conjure the image of a short, stout person with black hair and chocolate brown eyes, always walking quickly?

Christenfeld and Roy’s study involved a number of volunteers being shown a selection of photographs; half of dogs, the other half of their owners. There was a mixture of purebred pedigrees and cross breeds amongst the dog photographs. 16 of the 25 purebred photos were correctly matched purely based on physical resemblance. This was theorised to be due to the owner subconsciously choosing a puppy that closely resembles themselves, rather than the dog eventually growing to look similar to their owner. The look of a pedigree puppy is much easier to determine than that of a cross-bred dog, eliminating the possibility of cross breeds resembling their owners and explaining why they don’t share this unusual symmetry.

Safe to say, the study didn’t go into great levels of details and no conclusion was reached about whether people naturally prefer a dog that shares their personality traits or looks. Either way, from now on we’re probably going to be closely observing owners and pets from now on just to determine how true the study results are.

Is it only dogs that resemble their owners though? Maybe you have a pet cat, pet rabbit or pet rat-like friend or relative… We wouldn’t mind seeing pictures!

Can pet rats be trained?

You might not be aware of this, but many of our fluffy rodent friends can actually be trained to do a lot of tricks. A lot of them are highly intelligent and not only that, but they deeply enjoy learning to do new and exciting things. Pet rats are especially good at learning tricks and depending on each individual rat, can be very fast learners that can accomplish very complicated tricks astonishingly quickly. You can train them to know their name, to put a ball through a hoop, to fetch, to dance. Pretty much anything you might teach a dog!

When should I start training my pet rat?

The age at which you should start training them can vary. Some younger rats tend to be quite wilful and far too interested in their environment to pay any attention to you or the treats you’ve got stashed in your pocket, though this isn’t always the case! The basic idea is to start simple, be patient, be consistent and don’t train any rats for longer than 10 minutes each day. They get just as frustrated as you do when they don’t quite master something and if they start to get stressed then they’re not going to learn a thing! They will also get bored, so it’s best to keep training sessions short and sweet.

What should I teach my pet rat first?

Most rat trainers will tell you that the first thing to do when starting to train your rat is to teach them to associate a noise (either a click or a whistle or anything else you can think of so long as you choose only one noise) with something positive – like giving treats, a fuss or a cuddle. Most domestic rats love affection and attention. The best reward at the beginning is a treat, so every time they do something good, click and reward with a treat! This will help them to associate a specific action with a reward. It may take a few sessions for them to grasp the idea, but don’t worry, they will get it. Once they have this basic idea under their belts, anything else you teach them will become exceptionally less difficult!

One of the easiest things to teach your rats is to come to the door of the cage. Rats are naturally curious creatures and most of them do this whenever someone comes in the room anyway, so every time they jump up to the door of their own accord click (or make whichever noise you prefer) and reward with a treat. Once they have associated the open doorway with something good, they will be even more eager to come and say hello to you. If they are particularly nervous rats, this will help them to overcome that. Over a few sessions, you can gradually coax your rat further and further out of the cage by clicking and rewarding every time they venture a little further than before.

What else can pet rats learn to do?

Rats are very clever and can learn a massive range of different things. Another simple trick for them to learn is to stand on command. The first thing to do is have a treat ready your rat enjoys. When your rat moves to investigate the item, move it slightly higher whilst saying in a cheerful voice, ’stand!’ When your rat reaches for it, let him/her have it. Move a greater distance each time, ensure you say ’stand’ and eventually your rat will be standing on its back legs stretching to get to the treat! Your rat should learn to stand when you ask it too. Remember to be persistent, though. Some rats will take longer than others to grasp something.

After they learn to stand, you can then try teaching them to walk. This time, while your rat is standing you move the treat forwards and say ‘walk!’ Even if your rat takes the tiniest step, make sure you click and reward them! If you keep doing this, your rat will learn to take one step, then two, then three and maybe even more than that until they’re walking around on two legs like pros!

What else should I know?

Bear in mind that some rat varieties will enjoy doing some things more than others. You should never under any circumstances reward any behaviour you consider ‘bad’, simply ignore it and continue to reward any time your rat does something you want it to do. Always take the training one step at a time. If you miss anything important or if you don’t give your rat enough chance to learn something, they may get confused and lose interest altogether.

By now you must be wondering what today’s question is! It’s one that many people have asked, but it’s rare to find someone who can actually answer it: Why are white cats so often deaf?

We know this is quite a scientific question to get us started off, but we’ll put this as simply as we can. Deafness in white cats is often caused by a specific pigmentation gene. This at least explains why not all white cats are deaf as different genes can be responsible for the white colouring. Research also suggests that cats that have blue eyes as opposed to orange, green or yellow have a greater chance of being deaf because of what is known as the ‘Dominant White’ gene. This particular gene has an affect on the development of the ear canal and more often than not is seen in cats that are white in colour and blue-eyed. In cats with odd-eyes, one blue and one green, for instance, there is a high chance that the cat will be deaf on the blue-eyed side.

It’s something to take into consideration if you’re thinking about getting a cat or kitten. Be sure to check out any health concerns you have for the cat with the breeder before making any long term commitments. All the same, though it may seem like a huge challenge taking care of any deaf animal, a cat with hearing difficulties will get by in life just fine by honing their many other finely tuned senses. Be aware that deaf cats can be easily frightened, will often ignore you, and will have slightly more difficulty hunting, but none of these things are taxing to deal with. Just remember a deaf cat needs just a little bit more love and attention than one that can hear.