One bit of parrot information they did have was that Baby Macaw can be expected to live as long as a human. His baby years will be very important if you want to have a happy, healthy adult Macaw.

Preparing for Baby Macaw

If you were bringing home a human baby, you would try to prepare the nursery ahead of time. You should do the same for Baby Macaw.

Those in the know on parrot information advise that you hand-raise Baby Macaw, being careful not to spoil him. He will learn to scream loudly at you if you spoil him! Teach him to trust people, to bond with your family, and to learn house rules.

Parrot information books also recommend that you provide the following:

* A large, high cage with heavy duty bars – minimum size is 24” x 36” x 36” high (about 61 x 91 x 91 centimeters)

* Several sturdy toys – strong wood, leather, Plexiglas, etc.

* Hand-feeding nutritional food

* Lots of play time with you

Setting up Baby Macaw’s Living Quarters

One very important piece of parrot information is that you should place the cage in the corner of the room to make Baby Macaw feel safe. The room should be kept at a temperature of at least 68 degrees F (38 degrees C). A young parrot needs more warmth than a parrot that has passed its first birthday.

Specific Parrot Information

General parrot information is good for all baby parrots, but you will want specific parrot information for Baby Macaw. His needs that differ from other parrots can include food, bedding, and socializing.

Be sure you get the parrot information on what to expect from Baby Macaw. Learn about its coloring, how well it will enjoy playing with people, and how well it may talk.

Parrot Information on Handling

Most pet stores, including those online, should have parrot information on handling Baby Macaw. Your baby will like being handled each day. Birds are flock creatures, and need to be part of a group. You are important to him.

Handle him when you feed him – and handle him between feedings. Make it a playtime, but keep it quiet at first when your baby is adjusting to his new home. Fifteen minutes at a time, in a quiet room works best.

Parrot Information on Feeding

Your mall pet store may not have the latest parrot information on feeding your baby. Hopefully, they will tell you to be careful of its feeding. Find the most nutritional food for young macaws. If you must change his diet at some point, do it gradually to avoid upsetting his stomach.

Parrot Information on Talking

You will be eager to hear your little macaw talk, of course. Most parrot information books agree that this will likely happen sometime after he turns a year old. Don’t wait to encourage him, though. Talk to him from the day you bring him home. Let him learn to know your voice. Help him understand a few words that you really want him to say someday. Be careful NOT to say the words you don’t want to hear from him!

Speak clearly to your parrot. When he begins making noises that sound a little like words, repeat the words so he can hear them pronounced correctly and in a pleasant tone.

Parrot Information on Daily Schedule

It will be important to get your baby into a schedule. Like human babies, parrots need to have regular times to wake, eat, play, and sleep. Don’t be surprised to see your little one nod off during the day.

Decide before you bring Baby Macaw home how you will handle nights.

* Will you cover the cage every night to tell him it is bedtime?

* Will you just turn off the lights in his room at bedtime?

* Will you leave a night light on for him?

Whatever you decide, be consistent from the first day – and do it at the same time each night.

Get and follow proper parrot information, and you can raise a baby macaw into a loving, life-long companion.

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If you’re a dog owner, no doubt your dog is part of the family. As your dog gets older, he or she may have needs that were not present when younger. Old dog care is an important part of your dog’s life as he or she approaches the senior years.

Different breeds of dogs age at different rates, and oftentimes, those who are “mutts” are in general hardier than purebred breeds. However, no matter the breed, at some point, a dog is going to exhibit signs of aging, and you have to be ready for this so that your beloved pet can receive the care required for an older dog.

Just like human medicine, veterinary medicine has made great strides in geriatric care, so that our pets can live longer than they ever have before. With a little bit of effort, you can provide your old dog care suitable for your faithful companion, so that he or she has a comfortable and pleasant old age.

The Aging Process

Some signs you may notice that show Fido is showing his age may include: sleeping more; eating less; being startled by noises, bright lights, or lots of activity; not coming immediately when you call (may indicate hearing loss or physical difficulties such as arthritis); a duller coat; skin with less elasticity; eyes that are not as bright or may be clouded (including the possibility of cataracts); or loss of bladder or bowel control in a dog that was previously well housetrained.

Keeping Your Senior Dog Comfy

You can provide proper old dog care so that your senior dog remains comfortable in his or her old age.

First, most dogs know, for example, that they should not be having accidents in the house. Therefore, make sure that you are soothing and comforting if your geriatric dog should happen to have an accident in the house. This is not a time to punish, because the dog is already going to feel that he or she did something very wrong. Instead, provide a comfortable spot for your old dog to lie on that’s easily washable, such as a bed or comfortable rug. That way, if an accident happens, it’s easily cleaned up. If your dog must stay out of places, such as a favorite room, where accidents simply can’t happen, use a baby gate to keep him out of that particular spot.

Second, old dog care should include regular veterinary visits to make sure your dog is up on his or her shots, and that everything is being done to make sure he or she remains healthy. One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to make sure that his or her teeth are clean and healthy. Get your dog’s teeth cleaned on a regular basis if necessary. Not only does an unhealthy mouth cause things like gingivitis, soreness, or tooth loss, but it can actually also cause other systemic problems like heart problems and arthritis.

Third, make sure you provide the proper diet for your dog. Your veterinarian can give you proper foods that are more appropriate for older digestive systems, as well as for dogs with such problems as kidney failure, heart failure, or for those who have trouble chewing.

Fourth, make sure your dog stays safe. As hearing and eyesight fail, and as coordination becomes less trustworthy, your pet may have trouble with things like stairs, and can actually fall and injure himself. Strategically placed baby gates by stairs can help ensure that your dog doesn’t take a tumble.

Fifth and finally, make sure you provide lots and lots of love to your aging pet as part of your old dog care. Remember that your pet is the same loving dog he or she always has been, with just a little more gray hair and a little less agility. Shower him or her with lots of attention just as you always have, so that he or she still feels like part of the family.

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Learning how to teach your parrot bird not to bite is one of the most important skills for a pet parrot owner. However it takes a lot of time and commitment. Given the right circumstances, parrots can learn a lot of things because they are intelligent birds. Repetition will teach your bird to stop biting and your friends and family will enjoy its presence. Where there are children, it is really necessary that your parrot adapts to the surroundings and not bite anyone because the beak can really hurt little fingers.

One of the main reasons why parrots behave this way may be that they are being left alone by themselves for far too long. This causes them to become withdrawn and would retaliate when approached. Socialize your parrot by introducing it to your family members, friends and even to your other pets to build confidence of being in the company of others. It is natural instincts for a parrot to cause hurt when it feels that its territory is being threatened by strangers. With adequate time, your bird will settle down and feel at home.

As an alternative, give your parrot a toy to nibble at. There are plenty of toys available specifically for parrots to bite. Ask a pet shop owner for recommendations. If the bird refuses to let go of your fingers, give it a blow on its face as a sign that you disapproves of the bird biting you. Do this over and over again each time this happens and your pet bird will get the message.

Verbally tell your parrot ‘no’ and place the bird back in its cage as a form of punishment. Cover the cage and leave it alone for some time. The parrot, being an intelligent bird, will sense that it is being disciplined.

Observe your bird’s behavior. African Grey parrots, especially, are temperamental and if you find that your parrot is moody, leave it alone. Just like humans, there are times when it needs to be by itself and not be forced to learn new tricks. Be sensitive to your bird and the biting can be stopped.

Take your parrot to new surroundings for a change, such as different rooms in the house, the balcony or outside on the lawn. Imagine being at the same location all the time, your parrot will lose it sense of balance. Let it enjoy new company and breathe new air. It is also a good idea to take your parrot for a drive. In adapting to different environments, your parrot will become less defensive and unlikely to protect itself by hurting others.

Lookout for mood changes, frustrations and irritations in your bird and avoid coming close to it when this happens. Let the bird overcome this behavior with time. When your parrot hurts you on the finger, try not to show any reaction because it may do that again just to see the same reaction from you. Gently remove yourself from the situation. Do not retaliate by shaking the bird.

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Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

A solid cat eye care program includes understanding the impact of some cat eye disorders on your cat’s eyesight. Cataract problems are relatively rare in cats and are usually related to complications from diabetes. Some breeds inherit a tendency for developing cataracts: Birmans, Himalayans, Persians and British Shorthairs. The incidence is low and the cataract tends to remain small, often small enough to be ignored.

Of those cataracts that do cause or threaten blindness, many are treated with surgery. If blindness does result from an inoperable cataract, your feline should live a safe life if she is kept indoors. The cataract itself is not painful.

Recognizing Problems

It pays to catch the problem early. A long-term cataract is denser and harder to remove with longer surgeries tending to involve more complications. A cat owner should suspect a problem and seek veterinary attention whenever the eye appears different than it usually does.

Don’t just think your cat’s eyes are getting older when you notice a distinct disparity in eye clarity, increased opacity, cloudiness or a change in pupil size. These changes indicate a real problem.

Causes

Diabetes is the most common cause of cataracts in cats. The second most common cause is an inflammatory disease, like uveitis. You can readily recognize the signs of uveitis: the eye color changes, the surface of the eye is roughened and the pupil becomes smaller. This condition is painful to your cat. He may squint, have watery eyes, and eyelid spasms.

The most common causes of uveitis are the feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Early treatment of the cause can prevent a cataract or minimize the effect of one that has already formed.

Another cause of cataracts is an eye trauma. If your cat’s eye is punctured in a cat fight or other incident and the outer layer of the lens is damaged, your veterinarian may talk with you about removing the lens. This is because damaged lenses tend to develop cancer in cats. Removing the lens negates the chance of cancer.

Treatment

Cataracts that go untreated can lead to glaucoma, which is a painful disease. If your cat’s eyes look cloudy, watery, squinty or just don’t look normal, it’s time for a visit to your veterinarian. If uveitis is suspected, your veterinarian might run tests for the underlying causes and prescribe a medicated eye drop to bring the inflammation under control. If a cataract is formed or there has been eye trauma, you will probably be referred to an eye specialist, a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Surgery

Just because a cataract is present, it does not necessarily mean surgery. The size and location of the cataract are factors in treatment. If the cataract is large or very dense, then complications can be controlled with medications.

It is completely reasonable to expect your cat to have a good life even if he becomes blind. Keeping him indoors helps protect him as well as keeping things in the same place so he can learn the paths to his toys, litter box, food and favorite areas. Keep the lights dim helps him see better with what eyesight he has left.

A puncture to the eye lens or larger congenital cataracts are more likely candidates for surgery. Some cat owners forgo cataract surgery that is caused by uveitis. Uveitis already causes inflammation to the eye, so surgery can just lead to more inflammation, complications and pain.

Other Considerations

The pre-op analysis, surgery and post-surgery checkups run from $1,500 to $3,000. Then there is the post-op medication. Opting for a small monthly cat health care insurance program helps with the financial burden. It certainly reduces the necessity of a cat eye care decision based upon limited financial resources.

Cataracts in cats are rare. As part of your cat eye care program, take a few minutes to check out your felines eyes. If you notice cloudiness, watery eyes, squinting or a significant change in your cat’s eyes or navigation, look to your veterinarian for cat eye care guidance. Not all cataracts warrant surgery. A blind cat can lead a normal, happy life indoors and with proper eye medications.

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Kate Rieger has been owned by 15+ cats and is a champion of spaying all her cat neighbors. While she would like to extend this same concept to some of the human population, she swears she’s only into altering cats. She is on good behavior during her speaking engagements at various organizations. Drop by for a free copy of her eBook 111 Things You Don’t Know That Could Harm Your Cat.

Cats that do not use their litter box pose a difficult problem for their owners. These people may be torn and unsure of what actions to take: after all, they love their pet, but they just can’t stand living in a house that reeks of cat urine. This stain is difficult to remove, but the following tips have proven helpful in most situations.

1. Find the stain. This can be relatively easy if the urine is wet, but if the stain is dry, you may have to get down on your knees and literally sniff out the source. A black light is an investment that can make this easier, because stains will glow underneath it.

2. Do not rub; blot. If you rub a urine stain, you will only spread the stain. Instead, use paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth to sop up the wet stain.

3. Use weight. Place dry paper towels on top of the wet stain and stand on top of the stack for at least 30 seconds. Your added weight will apply more pressure and soak up more urine faster. If the stain is dry, just use some water to get it wet again, and follow the process above.

4. Rinse the stain. Use warm water to rinse the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Again, cover the stain with paper towels and stand on them for at least 30 seconds. This will ensure that you soak up and remove as much urine as possible before using an enzyme cleaning product.

5. Use an enzyme cleaner. Make sure to use a product that has “enzyme” or “enzymatic” on its label. Many cleaners have fragrances or cleaners that make the odors undetectable to humans, but your pets have a better sense of smell and will still be able to smell the urine. Enzymes actually consume the odor particles instead of just covering them. Some good product choices are Urine Off (which includes a black light) and Nature’s Miracle. Make sure to test a small, covered area of the carpet or upholstery to be cleaned before you apply large amounts of these cleaners.

6. Cover the stain. After applying the enzyme cleaner, cover the area with foil. These cleaners take some time to work, and they are most effective when the area is saturated and covered. Make sure to follow all instructions on the label.

7. Use Feliway. This product mimics feline facial pheromones, which are natural substances cats use to communicate. Feliway can be purchased as a diffuser or a spray, and it may help calm a stressed cat. This is effective because stress is what causes many cats to urinate outside their litter boxes.

8. Don’t use carpet shampoo. Using a traditional detergent like this may actually work against the enzymatic cleaner and make it ineffective. Wait until after the urine stain is gone to clean your carpets. No matter how tempting it is to rent a carpet shampooer, but steam-cleaning may actually exacerbate the odor problem. (Steam and heat, when coupled with an already bad smell, do not get along very well.)

9. Other tips. Avoid cleaners that are ammonia-based. Because ammonia smells like cat urine, cleaning stains with these products may actually attract your pet back to the same spot. A good alternative is a citrus-scented cleaner, because cats hate the way they smell.

Remember: a cat that stops using its litter box may have a more serious medical problem. You should contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

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Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews.

Gastric bloat is the name given to the situation in which your dog will not be able to burp or get rid of gas in any way out of their stomach or digestive areas. When this happens the dog will normally strain to burp or vomit to rid of the sometimes painful build up of gases, which then makes them swallow more air which also gets trapped causing the panicking dogs condition to deteriorate quickly and without much warning.

As this behavior continues the stomach becomes so inflated that it pushes into other organs and can possibly twist to form more discomfort resulting in the death of your dog if nothing gets done with the trapped gases and air.

Gastric bloat in dogs can be very uncomfortable for the dog in question and cause endless amounts of pain and suffering with death being a highly possible option if it does not get seen to straight away or operated on before it worsens.

As soon as you suspect gastric bloat in your dog through the symptoms of, random spurts of straining to vomit but without actually producing any vomit, a bloated looking stomach, difficulty breathing, and no sign of diarrhea you should call a vet as soon as possible. This is an urgent situation and the quicker you get your pet to the vets the easier it will be for them to treat the illness.

Nobody yet understands why gastric bloat happens or what causes the symptoms of your dog being able to burp out the excess gas it needs to. There are many theories but none have yet been proven or no patterns have been found as yet.

This means that any procedure the vet takes on this illness is completely up to them and will be judged from previous experiences of this condition. The most probable of procedures would be to relive the dog’s stomach of pressure by giving them a stomach pump which clears all food liquids and gas from the dog which then leaves them free to operate and untwist the stomach of the dog if necessary.

For this condition it is vital that your dog gets seen to as soon as possible, even though most pets with this illness do survive and recover well there is always a chance of fatality. This condition can escalate quickly in a matter of hours, if you fear this then contact a figure of authority immediately to get advice.

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For more information on Dog Gastric Bloat take a look at this Dog Training website www.Dog-behavior-Training.co.uk

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) comes from the Japanese Rei and Ki meaning spiritually guided life energy. Reiki for dogs is a form of spiritual healing that helps harmonize the mind, body, and soul of your pet. It can be used as a treatment for relaxation as well as a tool for releasing negative emotions and limitations.

Reiki for dogs can treat many ailments that may be currently inhibiting your dog, whether noticeable to you or not. It can reduce stress, relieve pain, headaches, stomach upsets, asthma, back problems, sinus, respiratory problems, canine hip dysplasia, anxiety and many more. After performing your first session with your pet, you will see instant results of using Reiki for your dog.

Reiki for dogs is performed with a fixed set of hand positions. Each position is formed to create a specific desired energy outcome to ultimately bring your dog into balance. To understand how to use Reiki for your dog it is important to know the different charkas that are connected to the physical organs of the body as well as the aura.

There are seven centers of energy in your pet. Reiki for dogs focuses on changing the energy from one center to another to bring about balance. The hand positions control the Chi and ultimately free your dog’s aura while allowing for a continual energy flow. The seven centers consist of the Root chakra, Navel chakra, Solar Plexus chakra, Heart chakra, Throat chakra, Third eye, and the Crown chakra. These charkas are specifically connected to different glands in your dog. Reiki for your dog will make the glands release hormones directly into the blood stream and control all aspects of your dogs daily activities and healthy thinking.

Freeing the aura is a major part of using Reiki for dogs. Before Reiki, your dog’s aura might only extend a few decimeters outside the body. After performing Reiki on your dog its aura will resonate about 2-3 meters. There are several different layers of body in the aura that Reiki will expose for your dog.

Physical Body: the most tangible part of your dog’s body. Here, Reiki for your dog will ease some of the most common fears about the physical body-sickness, aging and death.

Etheric Body: connected to the Root chakra, it is made up of a thin invisible layer that is only 2 cm thick that surrounds your dog’s body. This is where the energy is reflected when Reiki for your dog gets it flowing from chakra to chakra. Many of your dog’s dreams are found here.

Emotional Body: connected to the Navel chakra it serves as an egg shaped emotion reflector that contains the other two bodies. Emotions like hope, happiness, love, anger, and sorrow are all found here. Reiki for your dog can release these emotions from past problems your dog has suppressed and create an empty canvas for your dog to express freely.

Mental Body: connected to the Solar Plexus chakra, reflects logic, mind, and intelligent thinking. Reiki for dogs helps shape their reality.

Astral Body: the bridge between the spiritual realm and the physical world. Reiki for dogs will help them express unconditional love.

Etheric Template Body: connected to the Throat chakra, this is where your dog has its thought processes. Reiki for your dog will connect its past, and present to its future.

Celestial Body: connected to the third eye chakra, mirrors the subconscious mind. It uses your dog’s intuition to bring about higher feelings. Reiki for your dog will allow your pet to have a love that goes beyond individual to universal.

Casual Body: connected to the Crown chakra, is the last body where the initial creative impulses begin. Reiki for your dog will have your dog’s soul communicating with its conscious mind and mental body.

Reiki for your dog is a gentle but powerful healer. It will balance your dog’s energy, organs, and glands. Reiki for dogs has proven to strengthen immune systems, relieve pain, clears toxins, and enhances personal awareness while relaxing your dog.

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Ruby Fayed is an avid dog lover and premier article author for www.tailoredtail.com . For more information on dog carriers, dog beds, and dog clothes, please visit our website for everyday savings.

Before you select a cat, you need to decide which breed is right, not only for you, but also for the rest of your family. So follow this short guide to help you with the selection of your new pet.

Vocal Breeds
Consider whether or not you would like a vocal companion. Seriously, some cats can be pretty noisy. And although you may not find this to be an issue, local neighbors - especially in compact apartment arrangements - can find this annoying, especially at night.

Some cat breeds that are a bit heavy on the vocal side include: the Burmese, the Siamese Cat and the Korat. On the other end of the spectrum are: the American Curl, the Scottish Fold, and the Somali - all referred to as very quiet cats.

Cuddle Factor
You also need to consider if you prefer a cat that seeks attention and is cuddly. Or maybe you’d refer one that is aloof? Cuddly cats need lots more attention, but also give you more back in return, too. And cuddly pets such as these are usually better around children.

Some friendly cats are the Abyssinian, Tonkinese, Maine Coon, Snowshoe, Ragdoll and Himalayan Persian. More aloof cats include the Nebelung, the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Russian Shorthair.

Bad Hair Day
An important point to ponder is hair. Do you prefer long hair, not caring so much about grooming and shedding involved, or do you prefer to keep things simple with short hair breeds?

Note: long hair can get matted and messy and require a trip to the groomer or vet for shaving - while the cat is under sedation. So consider whether you have the time, tools and patience to help with grooming regularly.

Age
Last but not least, decide if you prefer to raise your pet from early on; i.e. do you want a kitten? Or would you like to maybe help with a rescue of an older animal?

So wrap it up, consider all of the factors above before you choose your new cat. Look over the different characteristics and the various cat breeds of interest before you begin to seek out your new pet.

Check online for more information about cats. And reach out and call around to your local pet stores and to your local Humane Society chapter with more concerns you may have about cats.

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Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles and a free newsletter about pet care at yourhealthypetsonline.com

Pet parrots are very common today in family households. People are drawn to their lovable nature, their curious facial expressions and of course their amazing ability to talk. Before making a choice to buy a parrot you first need to find out all there is to know about them.

Are parrots clean animals? All that needs to be said is that a parrot is an animal that eats and then makes waste. Unfortunately parrots do not have the ability to clean up after themselves, otherwise they would make a great investment. It is important to make sure that the parrot cage is kept clean most of the time as when left unclean your parrot may become subject to infectious diseases.

Another trait that all parrots have in common with one another is their sometimes unbearable screaming. However this like many other things can be trained and in time eventually controlled with a series of hand signals and gestures. This will take a lot of time but there are parrot training courses out there to help you along the way. Also it is better to start your parrots training while they are still young as parrots like humans learn faster during their younger years.

Parrots are very intelligent and social animals. If you keep the bird alone in his cage it will get bored and develop behavioral problems. It is suggested that you are better off purchasing more than one parrot for this reason alone. Remember if you are attempting to train your parrot, behavioral problems are the last thing you want to have to deal with.

How long do parrots live for? Some can live for up to 75 years. It is amazing to think that such a small animal like a parrot can have this kind of lifespan. It must be because they are always happy! In fact in many cases parrots have out-lived their owners and therefore needed a new place to stay. Try to take this into consideration before bringing that new parrot home to the kids because more than likely one of them will be taking over the duties of cleaning and caring for it when you are gone.

Remember a parrot is an animal and therefore should be treated like an animal. No matter how well you train it to speak, it will never have the ability to understand what it is saying. However with all this said if you decide to go out and buy a parrot as a pet, you are making a very sound decision indeed.

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Dane Stanton is the owner of ParrotTrainingReview.com which is an extensive review of the top parrot training courses on the internet. Find which course is best for you and your parrot! www.ParrotTrainingReview.com

Nothing makes apartment living fun like a playful pet. Fido and Felix bring a number of new elements to an apartment other than the additional smell. On any given day pets add companionship, humor, personality, and tons of fun to even the most monotonous dwellings. Although dogs and cats lead the pack of domesticated pals there are a number of untraditional, unique, and exotically extravagant creatures available. So, if you are seeking a cute, small, or just out of the ordinary companion check out the little buggers that round out my list of Top Six Unique Apartment Pets.

6) Pot-Bellied Pigs - While slightly destructive at times, Pot-Bellied Pigs can be as easy, if not easier to train than dogs. They’re playful, curious, caring, surprisingly odorless, and they don’t bark. Natural “rooters” and highly intelligent, these pets can get quite stubborn in their desperate search to feed their addiction to food, learning to open cabinets, drawers, bins, and find their way into making a real mess of the kitchen. Keeping food locked up is only a fraction of commitment to caring for these lovable little oinkers. Pot-Bellied Pigs may require much care, financial, and time commitment, but make an extremely fun pet and incredible family member.

5) Hedgehog - Although not a very social animal, a tamed hedgehog can make a nice furry friend. With a life-span of 4-6 years, Hedgehogs are relatively easy to care for and are easy to feed with high quality cat food. When they feel threatened these animals will roll into a ball, poking out the prickly spines on their back. These spines are not a big danger, but getting a hedgehog used to human handling is one of the biggest steps in making them comfortable and you avoiding getting poked. A seemingly quiet animal, they don’t require a lot of attention and are great at entertaining themselves.

4) Chinchillas - Pets don’t get much softer or cuddlier than one of these very soft, furry creatures. Like most exotic mammals on this list, if handled from a young age Chinchillas bond very closely with their human owners. For a smaller animal they have quite the extensive life span, lasting about 15 years. An active and playful animal by nature, having a spacious cage and many toys available for the Chinchilla will add to their happiness and natural comfort level. Surprisingly, these little guys bathe in dust to keep their coat silky and smooth, so having a dust bath is a necessity. Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that an animal can bathe itself in dust to maintain a clean, shiny coat of fur?

3) Ferrets - A very mischievous animal, Ferrets can be highly entertaining. One of the more common animals on this list, Ferrets are known to sleep long hours (up to 18 hrs/day) and be very active during dawn and dusk. Most will adapt their sleeping and active times to fit that of their owner’s schedule. While they do have a reputation for having a musky smell, Ferrets are typically fixed and descented before being sold. Ferret owners should always try to be aware of the whereabouts of their pet as a ferret’s curiosity can lead it anywhere in the home. Living roughly 6-8 years, Ferrets make a really awesome and extremely fun apartment pet.

2) Prairie Dogs - One of the most social, playful, and active animals on this list, Prairie Dogs can make incredibly fun pets for an apartment. If trained very young to be around humans, these furry creatures become affectionate and very caring to their owners. With this need for affection, they require a good amount of attention. Feeding on rabbit pellets, hay, and the occasional treat, it’s fairly easy to keep a Prairie Dogs’ belly full. Make sure to have many chewable toys available as they do like to chew on things and you don’t want them to chew on you.

1) Sugar Gliders - This is the ultimate apartment pet. Sugar Glider’s are extremely social and bond naturally with their human owners. This in mind, these animals do require quite a bit of daily attention and interaction as without it they can at times become depressed or even die. A marsupial, the Sugar Glider is quite comfortable hanging out in a shirt pocket all day, cuddling close to its owner. They are a very endearing and non-aggressive pet that typically lives 12-14 years, so will make a wonderful long time pet that’ll connect well with its owner. Being small, fun, and easy to care for makes the Sugar Glider the perfect apartment pet!

That rounds out the list of Top Six Unique Apartment Pets. There are an increasing number of viable pet options for apartment dwellers out there, so make sure and look around and weigh those options to find the perfect pet for you and your place.

Visit ApartmentHomeLiving.com for more information on apartments and living for fun!

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As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don’t forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!