Pet Bucket Blog

With some 83 million dogs and cats in American households as of 2012, it is clear that pet ownership has never been quite as popular as it is today. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the number of households with pets living in them has tripled since the 1970s. Among dog owners alone, 47% of American homes have at least one dog living in them.    When it comes to welcoming a four-legged friend into the home, individuals and families are faced with the choice of adopting a dog or buying a puppy. So how is one to decide between adopting a dog and buying one? The following information is designed to help remove some of the stigma surrounding rescue dogs, and in the process help lower the number of animals in shelters across the country.    Less expensive now and later Buying a purebred or specialty mixed-breed from a breeder or pet store can cost anywhere between $500 and $1000. All that money will go toward lining the pockets of the breeder or pet store owner, encouraging them to continue breeding practices regardless of the need for more puppies of a given breed. Shelters, on the other hand, charge anywhere from $50 to $200 in adoption fees and those costs usually cover initial booster shots and exams to ensure the dog is healthy before joining a family.    Additionally, in the long run, it has been shown that mixed-breed dogs (in particular) live longer and have fewer vet bills on average. Given mixed-breed dogs make up roughly 80% of the shelter population in this country, individuals are far more likely to bring home a healthy mixed-breed dog that will require less costs upfront and throughout their life than a purebred.    Pet with a history rather than an unknown When a dog is purchased from a breeder or pet store, the only facts that are known about that particular dog are those characteristics which are generally associated with the breed as a whole. While most dogs stick pretty close to the characteristics and traits of the greater breed, there is no assurance that any given puppy will grow up and conform to those traits.    Rescue dogs, by contrast, have been evaluated and assessed by shelter staff to determine temperament, behavior, and social skills. When adopting a dog from a shelter, individuals and families get a better idea what type of animal they are adopting compared to bringing home an unknown.    Lives are saved Before going any further, this doesn't mean that the lives of puppies at breeders and pet stores are any less valuable, but they don't face certain death if left in a kill-shelter. By rescuing a dog from a shelter or rescue group, individuals and families are giving that animal a second chance at a loving home environment. More importantly, they no longer have to face the "what if" scenario should they remain in the shelter for too long.    Pet stores, on the other hand, often source their dogs from puppy mills. The only concern of puppy mills is to produce as many pets for pet stores as possible to turn a buck. Purchasing a puppy from one of these stores continues to validate puppy mills and can contribute to larger shelter populations in the future. Feature image credit

African pygmy hedgehogs have become the latest exotic pet craze with hundreds of people falling in love with the tiny spiked creatures. As well as being incredibly cute and friendly, they are extremely easy to care for and can be housed in a regular hamster cage as long as they get plenty of daily exercise. The African pygmy hedgehog was first bred in captivity in the United States and is a cross between an Algerian and a White Bellied hedgehog. Before purchasing one as a pet, it is important to check whether or not it is legal in your area as many states and some parts of Europe do not allow domesticated hedgehogs.   Housing    Image credit   Hedgehogs are solitary creatures that only seek company when they wish to mate. Therefore, it is advisable to keep only one hedgehog in a cage to avoid fights. Large hamster cages are ideal for African pygmy hedgehogs as long as there is at least three square feet of floor space. Your new pet will need a small litter box filled with shredded paper to use as a bathroom, a small box or soft pouch to sleep in and an exercise wheel.  You will also need a fleece liner to line the floor of the cage.   Food    Image credit   Many hedgehog breeders recommend either dog or cat food for domesticated hedgehogs. Some stores now sell specialised hedgehog food, but it can be expensive. High quality cat food is commonly used to provide a complete diet for African pygmy hedgehogs. You can supplement this with plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your pet in optimum health. Treats such as crickets, hardboiled eggs and cooked meats can be given as an occasional treat.   Exercise    Image credit   Hedgehogs are nocturnal creatures and will come alive at night ready to explore their environment. As well as an exercise wheel, hedgehogs need space to roam in order to stimulate their senses and prevent boredom. If you have a garden, a small run enclosed in chicken wire is ideal. You can also let your hedgehog explore your home, but beware of potential dangers such as other pets and electrical wires.   Handling    African pygmy hedgehogs love being handled and will slowly learn to trust you once they feel safe in their environment. Try to purchase a baby hedgehog from a reputable breeder rather than a pet shop. Start by picking up your hedgehog by placing your fingers under his belly from either side and letting him relax on your lap. After a while, he will slowly start to uncurl and enjoy being handled. Hedgehogs also love to take baths, and this is a great opportunity to bond with your new pet.    Upon encountering a new smell, hedgehogs will start to foam at the mouth and then spread their saliva over their backs. Although it can look as though the hedgehog is in distress, this is perfectly normal behaviour and is known as self-anointing. As long as you are prepared to cater to their slightly fussy diets and spend time socialising them, hedgehogs make wonderful pets that will keep you entertained for hours at a time. Feature image credit  

The Siberian Husky is one of the most beautiful, family friendly dog breeds known to mankind. These majestic animals were originally bred in Russia's Siberia region for use as working and sled dogs. Huskies first gained notoriety in the United States in the 1920s when a team of sled dogs, consisting largely of Huskies, was used to deliver life-saving vaccines to the isolated Alaskan town of Nome.    Today, the Husky is a beloved pet in the United States and has found a home with owners as a working dog, family companion, and running partner. Known for their dense coats and bottomless well of energy, a Husky is not going to be the best fit in every home. Training a Husky can be very difficult. For all the beauty and compassion of a Husky, they are very stubborn animals that can be among the harder dog breeds to train.    The following tips should help any prospective owner train their stubborn Husky and seamlessly integrate their new pet into the family.    Never underestimate their intelligence   Image credit   Siberian Huskies are among the smartest dog breeds alive today. What an owner may see as their Husky being aloof or stupid, is really their dog second guessing the necessity of a particular command or order. As a result of that higher intelligence, a Husky can get bored quickly with training regimens so it is important to not push too hard during any given training session.    Set them up for success   Image credit   Huskies are working dogs and may eventually require something greater than a simple treat to get them focused on learning new tricks and commands. When developing a training regime for a Husky, try thinking outside of the box in terms of treats. Consider unconventional treats like a new toy or their favorite toy as a reward for picking up new commands.    That said; Huskies can certainly be driven to success by their stomachs. There are a few favorite human food items that Husky owners will tell you get their dog focused for a good training session. Among the most popular, American cheese and carrots serve as great motivators for Huskies.    Be consistent and patient   Image credit   Siberian Huskies are playful, lovable scamps that can just as easily entertain themselves at times as be entertained by their owners. This means that Huskies do have a tendency to get bored quickly. When working with a Husky, whether on obedience training or simpler tricks, it is important to remain consistent in tone, body language, and rewards.    At the same time, it is important to not push too much on them. Given the ease with which they become bored during training, it is important to try and break up training sessions over the course of the day. Anything more than 15 minutes in a given day is going to become tedious for a Husky and they are likely to "check out" mentally.    Try to keep training sessions to five minutes at a time. Make them work hard for their rewards, and offer high value treats for successfully completing each training session. Remember to keep your calm and remain patient. Huskies are going to ignore owners at times and disobey commands, but when an owner loses their temper and becomes frustrated that won't help. Patience will lead to a stronger relationship and greater odds for success in training. Feature image credit

Seriously, who doesn’t love a rabbit? Their fluffiness, big ears, wiggly noses, bouncy feet, adorable faces and ultra-cute nature makes them irresistible. Rabbits are fantastic pets but as with any pet; they require time, care and commitment. Despite what many people think, rabbits are not pets suited to children under eight years unless you are prepared to supervise ALL of their play time together.  On average rabbits live 7-10 years and smaller breeds are generally more active, skittish and flighty. Larger breeds are usually more placid and have temperaments better suited to children.  Rabbits naturally form groups so are very social animals who require companionship. It’s preferable that you have at least two rabbits and remember to have them desexed - that saying about rabbits and breeding - it’s not a fallacy!  1. Child’s Play  Rabbits aren’t all that high in the food chain and frighten easily. Fear and flight is how they survive and as such they react strongly to noise and movement. When a rabbit feels frightened, it will kick, scratch, bite and squirm to get away. Not a great pairing with young excitable children.  Mostly rabbits don’t like to be picked up but some will tolerate being handled for short periods. Your child will need to be taught to place one hand under the rabbit’s belly and another supporting its rump when lifting and to be gentle and calm when nursing. If you have a very young rabbit, gentle regular handling will assist their socialisation. 2. Housing Rabbits as predominantly indoor pets is not out of the question. They can be trained to use a litter-box and leash. An indoor rabbit will need a designated, quiet, protected area away from direct sunlight and cold draughts. Ideally, this area should consist of two living spaces; a dark, enclosed space for sleeping and ‘burrowing’, and another that houses food, water and the litter box.  The area needs to confine the rabbit when it is not supervised. Both living spaces must be large enough for the rabbit to lay down and stretch out, stand up on its hind legs and take several hops in each direction. The rabbit should have at least four hours daily to exericise, explore and hop throughout safe areas of your home. Make sure that any electrical cables and furniture are not chewed on. If you train your rabbit to be on a leash, then they’ll love any time outdoors on a grassy area andto enjoy some sunlight.  Rabbits are naturally outdoor creatures who love to run and hop. An appropriately sized outdoor hutch for your rabbit/rabbits should sit within a larger enclosure or be linked to a run. The rabbit must be able to stand up on its hind legs and stretch within the hutch.  The hutch is really for sleep, food and water. It needs to be undercover and protect the rabbit  from rain, wind, sun and predators such as cats, dogs and foxes. A complete flyscreen mesh cover will protect them from mosquitoes that carry disease. Rabbits are sensitive to extremes of weather. A wooden hutch is much better than a metal which will conduct and retain heat. Bedding of straw or sawdust also needs to be provided. 3. Exercise  Rabbits need at least four hours per day of exercise where they can perform all their cute rabbity hops, leaps, climbing, runs and twists. The rabbit run or enclosure should be as large as possible and have some safe raised platforms, tunnels, boxes and access to grass. If you do allow your rabbit to roam freely in the garden (always supervised) then make sure the garden is escape-proof and has no poisonous plants.  It may also surprise you to know that rabbits like toys. Give them a range of toys to play with but beware of small and soft rubber or plastic parts that can be ingested. Try providing a range of cardboard tubes and boxes, boxes with holes cut in them for your rabbit to climb in and out of, short cat perches and hard plastic rings, rattles and balls with a bell inside.    Image credit 4. Food Rabbits love to nibble and chew all day long on grass and anything else they can find. Their teeth don’t stop growing so chewing keeps their teeth to a good size. Rabbits will need a good supply of fresh grass or grass hay available at all times. This should make up 90% of their diet. Some fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and celery should also be given daily and very occasionally fruit. Small amounts of protein pellets can be supplied. Always have fresh clean water available in a suspended drip or teat bottle.  5. Veterinary Visits Rabbits require sterilisation, regular vaccinations for the Calici virus, health and teeth checks, worming, ear mite and flea prevention. Fleas and mosquitoes carry the Calici virus and myxomatosis which is fatal to rabbits.  6. Grooming  Short-haired rabbits can be brushed weekly but long-haired breeds require daily brushing and shaving during hot weather. Long-haired breeds tend to get seeds caught in their hair which can lead to skin abscesses. Rabbits nails also grow continuously but are worn down by exercise and digging, still you may need to clip their nails occasionally.  7. Cleaning The hutch or living area should be cleaned daily. Any wet or dirty bedding must be replaced and uneaten food removed. The toilet area or litter-box will need emptying and drinking water levels checked. 8. Finding Flopsy Sadly, you can find many unwanted and abandoned rabbits in shelters. You can help by welcoming one or two of these into your family. However, if you are after a pedigree rabbit, then make sure you buy from a registered breeder, ask for the breeding papers and check where they house rabbits to ensure it is safe and hygienic. A bunny walking business will never work, they said. HA! I said. Image credit Feature image credit

If you've ever adopted a dog from a shelter, you've probably wondered about the dog's previous life- like where they came from, when their birthday is, who their previous owner was and more. And unlike when you purchase a dog from a breeder, you never really know what to expect when you adopt from a shelter. Some shelter dogs appear to be purebred based on breed standards, while others are clearly a mix of breeds. If only they could talk! Alas, most of these things will remain a mystery, with assumptions for answers at best. But there are some questions that can be answered thanks to Wisdom Panel 2.0, a canine DNA testing kit you can do at home. image credit For $79.99, you can order a kit off Wisdom Panel's site. The kit contains instructions, two DNA cheek swabs, and a pre-paid shipping label. The procecss is easy - as long as your dog doesn't mind you poking around his mouth real quick. One at a time, you roll the swab between the inner surface of the cheek and gums for 15 seconds. The swabs need to air-dry for at least 5 minutes, which allows time for you to activate your test online, where you'll provide the activation confirmation number that comes with your kit. Once the swabs are dry, you just pack everything back up and mail it to the lab.  image credit It typically takes 2-3 weeks to receive your results, but in the meantime you can check the status of your test online. You'll receive an email when the results are in, with a detailed report on your dog's ancestry. The report breaks down your dog's lineage in the form of a family tree and then goes on to describe the key breeds detected in terms of history, appearance, and behavior, and how these traits are inherited. Ancestry tree for my dog Finn who turned out to be a Lhasa Poo! The Wisdom Panel kit is a really great tool for any dog owner that is simply curious about their dog's genetic makeup. Perhaps you adopted a dog and you want to know what breeds they're made up of, or maybe you're curious if your dog is a purebred or a true designer dog (a cross between two purebreds). If your dog is still a puppy, knowing their breed can also help predict weight and other characteristics.  If you're interested in ordering a kit you can check out their website here. Also check to see if Wisdom Panel's National Swab-a-thon is coming to your city, where you can have your dog's DNA swabbed onsite for only $30! Pretty good deal to reveal the past of your pooch!    feature image credit

Everyone loves a birthday celebration when they are lavished with attention, gifts and tasty treats - and our pets are no different. Here's a few tips to help you have fun on the big day but keep things safe for your little furry, feathered or scaled loved one.  1. OMG Cake! What would a birthday be without cake? It would be rather untasty and frankly, boring! But the cake needs to be pet-friendly and nutritious for the birthday boy or girl. If you have time, jump online and find a recipe for a cake suitable for your pet. Some online stores even sell packet cake mixes and kits. If you are pressed for time, head to a specialist pet bakery for a cake, pastries and treats.  2. Food No-nos For nibbles, buy some delicious (and appropriate) treats for your pet or make your own ensuring that you use only healthy and safe ingredients. Foods affect animals differently so do your research beforehand. As a general rule avoid sugars (sugar, corn syrup, molasses and brown rice syrup), preservatives and artificial flavours, colours or additives. Dogs and cats shouldn’t eat too much fat (chicken fat, pork fat, or vegetable oils are best) or too many starchy carbohydrates. Too much fatty barbecue scraps can give a dog or cat pancreatitis and organ damage. For dogs, cats as well as many other small mammals such as rabbits, avoid the following foods: corn, garlic and onion, raw fish (cats can tolerate a small amount), dairy foods, grapes and raisins, mushrooms, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, avocado, cooked bones (these can splinter), citrus peels and oils, rhubarb, the seeds and pips of apples, apricots, cherries, persimmons, peaches and plums, green potatoes and breakfast cereals. Also salt, caffeine and alcohol are to be avoided. If you are thinking of allowing your pet some chocolate indulgence then DON'T. Chocolate is an absolute no-no. Carob is a chocolate substitute safe for dogs, cats and rabbits.  3. Moderation  It's important to remember not to go overboard with food treats or let your pet overindulge. It can make your pet uncomfortable and cause some digestive issues. Balance sensibility with spoiling on their special day. Image credit 4. Presents Make sure any presents and toys you buy are safe and intended for your pet. It’s a good idea to purchase any presents from a reputable pet store, supplier or your vet.  5. Party Time  You can have a quiet and intimate celebration or have a party and invite any of your pet’s human friends as well as their animal friends. 6. Make it special Have the whole family spend some quality time engaging with your pet, playing games and showing them some birthday love. Make it extra fun by taking your dog to the beach or a new park, building a homemade activity centre for your cat from boxes, pillows and baskets, and if it is safe to do so, allow your guinea pig, rabbit etc a longer wander outside their cage.  7. Decorations Decorations will really bring the party vibe but they can be dangerous for pets. Tinsel, ribbon and dangling ornaments will look very inviting to cats as something to play with. Clean up any wrapping paper, string, plastic etc as soon as possible. If eaten by your cat or dog these, items will likely get stuck and require removal by surgery. Pets can get tangled in lights or chew on the wires. Hang any decorations out of your pet’s reach. And of course be mindful or pets and candles.    Mum said to share. It's my birthday too! Image credit Feature image credit

No matter what type of dog you own or what other pets you have in the home, you need to make sure those animals are protected from fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks are more than a mere annoyance - they can cause serious health problems as well. Taking the time to shop for the best flea and tick products is the best way to make sure all your animals are protected and healthy. Use Flea and Tick Products    Frontline  Frontline is one of the most popular flea and tick protection products for dog owners. This once a month protection is applied directly to the animal's skin, generally between the shoulder blades.    One of the advantages of Frontline protection is that it kills not only adult fleas and ticks, but flea and tick eggs and larvae as well. If you have cats in the home, you can purchase Frontline for cats and protect them as well.   K9 Advantix K9 Advantix by Bayer Animal Health is one of the most popular flea and tick protection products on the market as it's very accessible and affordable to dog owners.    K9 Advantix kills fleas and ticks, but it also kills mosquitoes - an important consideration for pet owners in many parts of the country. K9 Advantix is a spot-on program, with dog owners applying it in three or four spots along the animal's back, after first parting the hair so that the protection is applied directly to the skin. Maintain Good Hygiene   Flea Shampoos In addition to using flea and tick protection products, using natural flea shampoos is another option dog owners have for keeping their pets ticks and fleas at bay. In order to work effectively, the dog must be bathed regularly with a medicated shampoo that repels fleas and ticks. This topical treatment should be combined with regular vacuuming of the home to remove flea eggs and larvae.    Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after cleaning the house to make sure the flea larvae and eggs are not inadvertently returned to the home. Using flea brushes and flea combs on a regular basis is important as well, and using flea shampoos, careful vacuuming and flea combs is an excellent way to keep those parasites at bay.   By using these products and practicing proper animal hygiene, you can keep those creepy crawlies at bay and increase the comfort level of all the pets in your home. Treating all of the pets in your home with quality flea and tick products is the best way to protect yourself and your four legged friends. Want to protect your furry friend from nasty fleas and ticks? Our online store stocks heavily discounted (up to 50% off) flea and tick products, including Frontline and K9 Advantix.   Image credit

Night-time safety hasn’t ‘gone to the dogs’ thanks to these innovative flashing dog collars. Make sure your beloved pet is visible to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians when you’re out at night, especially if he has a dark coat. And for the real party animals, they’re ever so handy for the spontaneous disco dance – WOOF!   Visiglo Nylon Collar with LED You’ll never be lost in the dark! With these handy Visiglo Nylon Collars with LED lights, your pooch will be your guiding light. Its super bright LED bulbs are visible from over a mile away and are powered by replaceable batteries in an integrated battery park. The super soft nylon means your pet is guaranteed a comfortable fit. Available in a range of colors including white, red, blue and jade green as well as varying sizes.  Get the Visiglo Nylon Dog Collar Here.   Firefly Dog Safety Collar The Firefly includes 6 LED lights and 3 variable speeds: Rapid Flash, Slow Flash and Constant. Choose Red or Blue.    Get the Firefly Dog Safety Collar Here.   Happy Pets Adjustable LED Pet Dog Night Safety Collar + 47 inch lead For some extra ‘bling’ and night-time visibility, opt for the Happy Pets Collar and Lead combination. The extra lead visibility means you won’t get tangled up. Comes in a variety of colors and sizes to fit.    Get the Happy Pets Collar and Lead Here.   LED Flashing Dog Tag An alternative to the full flashing collar is a luminescent LED Flashing Dog tag that attaches to your pet’s collar. The LED bulb is enclosed in a bright and colorful case made from silicon and stainless steel. You can also attach it to backpacks, bicycles as well as camping equipment. Get the LED Flashing Dog Tag Here.   OJIA 6 Pack  Red, orange, green or blue? Why choose? The Ojia 6 Pack LED collars lets you pick the hue that suits the mood. Make a fashion statement with matching outfits – you’ll be the most stylish walkers on the block.    Get OJIA 6 Pack LED Collars Here.

Fleas are bad - very bad - and ticks are even worse! Fleas don’t just irritate cats and dogs, driving them barking (or meowing) mad with excessive itching and biting, they also spread diseases which can transmit to people. Ticks, especially the paralysis tick, can be fatal. Fleas have a four-stage life cycle: adult, egg, larva and pupa. These nasty little parasites bite, feed and breed on your pet. An adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Once your pet and home is infested, it is difficult to banish fleas entirely.  Brown ticks and paralysis ticks are dangerous to pets of all ages. Tick saliva has toxins that are passed on when they suck blood from your pet. These toxins irritate your pet’s skin, cause dermatitis and anaemia and can even lead to paralysis or death. Ticks also carry Lyme disease. Therefore, it is essential that you regularly protect your pet from fleas and ticks.  Frontline is a very fast acting and effective prevention for fleas, flea eggs and larvae, biting lice and ticks. On fleas, Frontline acts on three important reproductive stages, therefore successfully destroying their lifecycle. The ingredient fipronil affects adult fleas, lice and ticks, and methoprene affects the flea eggs and larvae. Frontline begins woking immediately to attack the parasite’s central nervous system, paralysing then killing them. Frontline can also be used to treat Flea Alergy Dermatitis.  There are a range of Frontline products suitable for cats and dogs that can be applied either monthly or bi-monthly. The dosage for dogs is dependent on the dog’s weight. The treatment comes in pipettes which is squeezed through your pet’s hair directly onto their skin between the shoulder blades where it can’t be licked. Avoid getting Frontline in your pet’s eyes or allowing them to ingest it. Frontline Plus and >Frontline Combo are different brand names for the same product.  After 24 hours, Frontline is distributed entirely over your pet’s skin and hair via their oil glands. Once spread, Frontline is water resistant though it is advised that you do not shampoo your pet for 48 hours after treatment. For paralysis tick control, you should continue to carefully check your pet for infestation, particularly during tick season. You may need to apply treatment every two weeks during this time. Refer to instructions on the packaging.  Side Effects Frontline is a tested and safe treatment for cats and dogs. When used as directed, dangerous side effects are rare. It is intended for use on kittens and puppies over 8 weeks of age and can be used on pregnant or lactating animals. You will need to talk to your vet prior to use if your pet is on medication, has a weakened immune system, is sick, aged or if you are already using other pesticide. There may be temporary redness or skin irritation at the site of application for 1-2 days which will cause your pet to itch or scratch. Some lack of appetite and diarrhoea may also occur. Your pet may drool if they lick the treatment before it has dried. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it could be a sign of an allergy so consult your vet.  Any adverse reactions or side effects using Frontline are usually due to incorrect administration or dosage. However, all pets are individuals and may be hypersensitive or allergic to the ingredients. If you notice any of the following side effects take your pet to the vet immediately:  Swelling particularly of the face, lips and tongue Rash or hives Lethargy Vomiting or severe/lengthy diarrhoea Excessive salivation Uncoordinated movements Seizure  Unresponsiveness or coma Feature image credit  

Oh Keyboard Cat - how we love you so! And best of all - you're still releasing brand new kitty-board hits like this furry take on '96 Tears'.   Share the Keyboard Kitty love with your friends. What's your favorite Keyboard Cat jam?