Pet Bucket Blog

What started in parts of Asia has quickly caught on and now cat cafes are popping up all over the world. How could a cafe cafe not be a success? Cats and cafes together at the very same time? We think it's a fantastic concept, as it's a nice way for people who cannot have a pet of their own to connect with some furry friends. Likewise, it's also great for the cats who are mostly adopted from shelters and are transported to a lovely life in a warm cafe with constant attention.  Melbourne is the next lucky city to have a cat cafe introduced to it's surrounds and we couldn't be more excited. Anita and Myles Loughran are in the process of setting up the first Australian cat cafe and we were very lucky to speak with Anita about their preparations. She even kindly helped us make some cat cafe themed memes!   We can't wait to visit!  Tell us how you came up with the idea of opening a cat cafe?   Several months after coming back from our honeymoon overseas, where we had visited a cat cafe in Japan, we had settled into our jobs, working towards putting a deposit on a small apartment of our own. It didn't take long before we became bored with our daily routine at work, felt under-appreciated, and unchallenged. In jest Myles suggested we open a cat cafe so we could have a job we actually enjoyed. I couldn't stop thinking about it and the next day began researching small businesses and contacting the Melbourne City Council to see if it would be legal. Once we had been given permission by the council we decided to put our savings towards our dream business rather than an apartment.   You quit your jobs to start this. That's a brave move - was it a tough decision?   I quit my full-time job because I was receiving calls and important emails I could't get back to for several hours. Before taking the leap I did try asking to work longer hours to have one day off each week, but as large corporations tend to be, they weren't interested in negotiations with employees. It was a very tough and scary decision but I don't regret the choice. It takes so much work and time to set up a small business from scratch, but it is also very rewarding. Myles is still working a casual job in hospitality.    Anita helped us put together this fishy-breathed meme.   What have been some of the challenges you've faced so far?   Our first challenge was convincing the Melbourne City Council that we weren't joking! It took three months to receive permission from the council that a cat cafe would be legal as long as we complied with several regulations. Finding premises has also been a challenge. We found several suitable properties, however finding a landlord that would accept cats living in the premises became the real problem.    Cat Cafes are really taking off and grabbing headlines and attention - how do you think that will impact the sucess of your venture?   We are hoping it will be to our benefit! It is amazing seeing other cat cafes open around the world, especially ones that rescue cats from shelters and/or adopt. One impact that we hope it has on our venture here in Australia is making the concept more popular. Unless you have been to a cat cafe yourself or know someone who has, it can take a few minutes every time to explain the concept to someone.    Hopefully the cats at Anita and Myles' cafe won't be as demanding!    How do you choose the animals? Are there particular characteristics/qualities that make a cat 'cafe friendly'?   We will be working closely with the Lost Dogs Home at North Melbourne and GAWS at Geelong. These two rescue shelters have amazing facilities and have agreed to help us find several cats with the perfect personalities for the cat cafe. The cats and kittens will be chosen depending on their characteristics and backgrounds. They will need to have always been indoor cats and they will need to get along with other cats, people, children, and like physical affection. Young cats will get used to their new environment quickly and we hope to find some older cats that just want to be lap cats.     Any updates and news that you can share?    The location will be within the Melbourne CBD area. We are currently negotiating terms for a premise, which is taking much longer than we were hoping it would. Hopefully we will have some news shortly. When we began negotiations we were hoping to be open to the general public by July and we will do our best to open as close to July as possible.     Anita came up with the clever term 'catffeine'   Follow all the latest developements by checking out their Facebook page. Feature image credit

We all know cats love their paper bags - but this is something else! Part interpretive dance - part bizarre kitty costume, we dare you try this with your feline! :)

Lassie is one of the most iconic dog characters of all time – but who was the face behind the famous name? Said to have had the most spectacular canine career in film history, Pal was the Rough Collie actor that played the first and defining Lassie. Despite Lassie being female, Pal was in fact a male and earned the role through a convoluted series of events.   Image credit   Born at Glamis Kennels in North Hollywood on June 4, 1940, Pal had a fine pedigree, with ancestry that can be traced back to the nineteenth century and notable collies such as ‘Old Cockie’. However, he was considered a poor specimen of his breed due to his large eyes and the white blaze on his forehead and so he was sold as a pet-quality dog. He came into the possession of Howard Peck who struggled with the rambunctious pup in spite of being an animal trainer. He despaired of Pal’s uncontrollable barking and determination to chase motorcycles. Frustrated, he took the dog to fellow trainer Rudd Weatherwax, hoping he would be able to stop the behavior. Weatherwax succeeded in part, putting the endless barking to an end, but couldn’t get rid of Pal’s obsession with motocyles. Disappointed, Peck agreed to give Weatherwax Pal instead of paying him for his services. Weatherwax decided to give Pal to his friend, but soon asked for him back when heard they were looking for a star of MGM’s film adaptation of Eric Knight’s 1940 novel Lassie Come Home. Weatherwax had a feeling Pal was the dog for the part and bought him for $10.00. Later on, when Pal became the star of the dog world, his original owner Peck tried to reclaim ownership of the dog, but Weatherwax’s legal ownership was upheld.   Image credit  At first it had seemed Weatherwax was wrong. Pal competed amongst 1,500 other dogs for the part of Lassie and was rejected. The reasons cited: he was a male, his eyes were over-large, his head was too flat, and his sizeable, white blaze was unsightly. Instead, a prize-winning female show collie was picked – but at least, as a consolation, Pal’s owner Weatherwax was hired to train her.  When filming of Lassie Come Home began in 1943, it was decided to take advantage of the spectacular flooding of the San Joaquin River to make an attention-grabbing sequence. The show Collie refused to enter the rampant floodwaters and Weatherwax offered for his dog, Pal, to perform the scene. Pal performed magnificently. He swum across the river, hauled himself out, lay down without shaking and pretended to attempt to crawl forwards before finally lying on his side with exhaustion, unable to go on. Director Fred M. Wilcox was so moved by the dog’s acting he had tears in his eyes.   Image credit   It was decided immediately Pal was to take the starring role and the show Collie was dismissed. MGM executives were so impressed with Pal they upgraded the production to an ‘A film’ rather than a simple children’s black and white movie and threw behind it full publicity support. In an amazing action for a film studio, the first six weeks of filming were ordered to be reshot to include Pal in all the scenes, this time in Technicolor. Pal never faltered. He rarely required more than one take to get his performance just right. Lassie Come Home was an amazing success and more MGM Lassie films followed: Son of Lassie, Courage of Lassie, Hills of Home, The Sun Comes Up, Challenge to Lassie and The Painted Hills. After seven films, and enormous success, MGM decided to bring the Lassie series to end – but Weatherwax was certain Lassie still had a future and negiotiated that instead of being given $40,000 in back pay owed to him by the studio he be awarded the Lassie name and trademark. The studio agreed and Pal and his trainer travelled around America performing shows at department stores, rodeos and dog shows. When television produced Robert Maxwell suggested the idea of a Lassie television show, Weatherwax and he created a story of a boy and his dog living on a struggling farm.   Pal was left to decide on the boy that was to be his on-screen companion. Three candidates stayed at Weatherwax’s Hollywood home for a week and he warmed strongly to 11-year-old Tommy Rettig and the boy was chosen for the role on the dog’s decision. When the pilot episodes were played CBS was impressed and signed up the show at once - but Pal’s age was beginning to show. His son, Lassie Junior, took over the role, but his retired father would accompany him to work every day. He had a bed on set and was referred to by the respectful title, ‘The Old Man.’ When Weatherwax asked Lassie Junior to perform a trick, Pal, on hearing the cue, would often perform the trick backstage.   Image credit Pal died at an amazing 18 years of age in 1958. Weatherwax was hit hard. Robert, his son, described his father’s despair at the loss of his dog. “He buried him in a special place on the ranch and would often visit the grave. Dad would never again watch an MGM Lassie movie. He just couldn't bear to see Pal. He didn't want to have to be reminded of just how much he loved that dog.” Child actor Jon Provost remembered Weatherwax’s affection for Pal as profound. "As young as I was, I recognized how much that dog meant to Rudd. Rudd loved that old dog as much as anyone could love an animal or person." To this day, Pal’s descendants play the role of Lassie he defined, and he remains the most iconic canine star to have ever lived.    Image credit   Feature image credit 

Dogs and cats just can't stop making friends! Here are some more unusual animal besties pets have made.  The Wild Boar and The Jack Russell   Image credit   The Dahlhaus family found a piglet starving in a field in southwest Germany. Taking pity, they took the tiny wild boar baby home. When he met their Jack Russell Terrier puppy Candy, the two embarked on an unlikely friendship. The pair enjoy running around together and playing outside. Image credit   The piglet, called ‘Manni’ has recovered well and will either stay with the Dahlhaus family or move to a wildlife park.      Image credit   The Kitten and the Crow   Image credit Elderly Massachusetts couple Wallace and Ann Collito discovered the strangest of relationships unfolding in their backyard. A little stray cat they called Cassie appeared outside sometimes. She may have been abandoned by her owners, but she was well taken care of.   Image credit A crow, ‘Moses’ as he came to be known, fed the kitten worms and bugs and kept her away from the street. When Cassie decided to start sleeping inside the Collitos’ house Moses waited outside every morning for the cat to run outside and join him in play.    Image credit The Greyhound and the Owl Image credit Long-eared owl Shrek and 6-month-year old Greyhound Torque bonded at an animal centre after Shrek was taken away from her mother at three days old for her own safety. Keepers were afraid her mother might eat her own clutch if she became stressed which the species is known to do. Shrek went home with head falconer John Picton and his dog Torque.   Shrek is allowed to wander the lounge room and she and Torque regularly curl up and watch television together in the evenings. During the day, outdoors at the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre, they sit together with Torque vigilantly guarding his young feathered friend.     Image credit When Shrek grows up she will be used as a display owl at fetes and open days so the public can see the rare bird variety first hand.  The Cheetah and the Shepherd   Image credit Anatolian Shepherd Alexa and Cheetah Sahara have been friends for life. They became best buddies as cub and puppy at Cincinnati Zoo and eventually participated in the zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program.   Image credit   In conjunction with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the program seeks to educate South African and Namibian farmers how the shepherd dogs can be used to protect livestock from cheetahs without shooting the big cats and reducing numbers of an already endangered species. The idea is to show the farmers that cheetahs have a healthy respect for dogs like Alexa and such dogs have no fear of the spotted cats.    Image credit Image credit  

Three Dog Bakery takes pet treats to a whole new level. Image credit   The café started when Gracie the albino Great Dane was in bad health. Her owners Dan and Mark couldn’t get her to eat. They bought her the fanciest dog food that money could buy but she wouldn’t touch it and looked at them with doleful blue eyes.   Image credit So Dan and Mark took matters into their own kitchen. Their first batch was far from the impeccable treats their store sells today but Gracie gobbled them up and they knew they were onto something when her fur-sisters Sarah and Dottie did the same.   It wasn’t long before their neighbor’s dogs were fancying their snacks and Dan and Mark began selling to the rest of their city on lunch breaks and weekends. In 1989, Mark and Dan left their jobs to focus entirely on developing their pet bakery and moved to commercial premises.      Image credit There are now over thirty Three Dog Bakery locations that bake treats fresh on-site. Each store has its own exclusive seasonal treats, gourmet dog pastries and one-of-a-kind canine cakes.   Image credit Three Dogs Bakery makes all their treats from scratch using all-natural ingredients, such as blueberries, spinach, carrots, cranberries, chicken, white fish, peanut butter and carob. They aim for their products to be nutritious as well as tasty. They sell not only quirky dog treats but also premium dog food and cat rewards.   Image credit   They were recently named the number one dog bakery in America by Yahoo and one of the top pet treat vendors by Relish.com.   On their blog they share great pet recipes for readers to try at home such as ‘Snickerpoodle Cookies’, ‘Howl-o-ween Tricking Treats’ and ‘Pawshake Cake’.    Feature image credit  

Rabbits make wonderful indoor pets and can easily be trained to use a litter box just like cats. Potty training your rabbit means that you can allow them to roam freely around your home without worrying about any accidents on your carpet and furniture. Rabbits are intelligent creatures and most learn how to use a litter box without too much prompting. If your rabbit already has a certain area where they like to eliminate, it may simply be a case of placing the litter box there and letting them do the rest.     Equipment  Uncovered, plastic litter boxes with short sides are ideal for rabbits to enable them to hop inside easily. If you have male rabbits, then you might want to try slightly deeper litter trays to prevent them from spraying urine over the sides or place the box on a plastic mat to protect your floor. Most rabbits dislike the covered litter boxes used for cats. Purchase recycled paper litter to use inside the box. Cat litters that clump are extremely dangerous for rabbits as they can cause respiratory disorders.   Image credit   Choosing the Right Spot  If you already let your rabbit roam around your home, place a litter box in an area where they regularly eliminate. If they go to the toilet outside of the box, mop up any urine with kitchen paper and place it in the box along with any stools to encourage them to use it. You can also gently coax or lift your rabbit into the box whenever you see them prepare to eliminate. If they don't already have a particular spot, place several litter boxes around your home. Spread some hay on top of the litter or place it behind the box so that they have to hop into the litter tray in order to reach it.   Image credit   Dealing with Problems  Some rabbits can be stubborn at first and take time to get used to the box. Try confining your rabbit to just one room of the house or a small area until they get the hang of it. Gradually increase the space as they learn to use the box more consistently. Male rabbits tend to spray urine and leave stools around the home as a way of marking their territory. Neutering your pet is a great way to stop territorial behaviour and will also help to make them less aggressive towards you and other rabbits.   Image credit   In the wild, rabbits live in a social structure where one rabbit is considered 'top bunny' and will dominate over the other members in the warren. Domesticated rabbits may try to show dominance over you by peeing on your bed, couch or even your lap. If this happens, immediately place your rabbit on the floor or into their cage. Do not allow them access to the area for the rest of the day to assert your authority over them and show them that the behaviour is not acceptable. Above all, be patient and consistent with your training and you will soon start to see results.     

Each year far too many dogs and cats find their way into shelters and rescue organizations. The numbers, according to the Humane Society of the United States are staggering to read through. An estimated 6 to 8 million cats and dogs enter one of the 3,500 shelters located throughout the country each year. Only 3 to 4 million of those animals are adopted back out in a given year, while roughly 2.7 million perfectly healthy dogs and cats are euthanized each year.    For families looking to add another member to the household, rescuing a dog from a local shelter is a great way to give a worthy animal a second shot at a good life in a stable home. However, not every dog is going to be a perfect fit for every household. Selecting a dog from a shelter requires a little bit of work before simply picking the cutest face out of the pack. Before bringing home a new forever-friend, consider the following steps.   Image credit    Research first The vast majority of shelters and kennels across the country have active websites that allow users to peruse the current residents of the shelter without having to come in. Websites like Petfinder.com offer a great one-stop shop for those considering adopting a dog. This allows prospective families to identify what types of breeds and mixes are in local shelters.    From here it is a good idea to investigate the attitude, temperament, and characteristics of any particular breed before actually falling in love with a cute face at the shelter. After researching the breeds, it's time to do a little investigating elsewhere.   Image credit    Investigate shelters Every shelter is going to describe its residents and services in the same way. Prospective families will see the terms "sweet," "friendly," "loving," and "devoted" to describe the animals in the shelter, the employees working there, and the conditions of the shelter itself. Before taking their word for it, it is a good idea to investigate the shelter housing the dogs at the moment.    Not all shelters live up to the image portrayed online, and sometimes the circumstances at the shelter will negatively impact the dog during its stay. A good shelter will have a clearly defined return policy, conduct temperament testing on adoptable dogs, and allow families to come visit with pets before making the decision to bring one home.   Image credit    Spend time with the dog Assuming a reputable shelter has been located and prospective dogs identified, it is time to interact with the dog before bringing them home and welcoming them into the family. Upon entering the kennel, it is a good idea to pass through the group of dogs without paying much attention to any one particular dog.    After making mental notes about the dogs that stood out on the first pass, walk through again and start to interact with each dog that stood out during the first pass. Once a sociable dog has been identified that catches the eye, ask to take them to an inside/outside play area and see how they interact with everyone in the family that has come along on the visit.    When interacting with the dog for the first time, look for the following characteristics: ·         Warm and accepting of contact ·         Seeks out more contact ·         No aggression on walks ·         No frustration or aggression over toys, treats, or food   Image credit    As noble as it is to adopt a dog, there is a process that should be followed to protect both the family involved and the individual dog. For the individual or family adopting the dog, welcoming the wrong dog into the home can result in damage and harm. For the dog, being welcomed and then dismissed back to a shelter can induce anxiety and stress. The right dog isn't always the cutest dog, but rather is the one that best suits the environment it is destined to live in. Feature image credit

Everyone knows the annoyance and distress that fleas cause our canine friends, and the danger of paralysis or death that ticks can lead to. Parasites such as fleas, mosquitoes, lice, sand flies, biting flies and ticks spread disease when they bite and suck blood, so it is important not to just kill them, but to also prevent them from biting and feeding in the first place.  Advantix is a powerful preventative and parasiticide that affects the nervous system of these nasty little bloodsuckers, paralysing then killing them. Advantix combines the active ingredient imidacloprid used to control adult and larval fleas in the trusted and popular treatment Advantage, with permethrin, one of the most effective pyrethroids - a type of insecticide that also works as a repellant or anti-feeding measure.  Used monthly, Advantix is applied directly to the dog’s skin at the neck, or for large dogs the dosage is spread out to four points along the back. The solution is then distributed via the dog’s oil glands throughout the skin, covering the entire body within 24 hours to provide weeks of protection. Any fleas surrounding the application area will be killed within five minutes and most fleas die within 12 hours. Advantix still kills 90 per cent of ticks after 28 days and up to 95 per cent of mosquitoes are repelled from biting. Advantix has been specifically developed for dogs and is not intended for cats or other animals. In fact, it is poisonous to cats and can be fatal to them if ingested. Any treated dog should be separated from cats until the solution dries, in case the cat grooms and licks the application area.  It’s not just discomfort  Fleas are the number one cause of skin disease in pets. In addition to the itchiness and aggravation they unleash, flea infestations can produce redness, sores, scaly skin and odour for dogs. Fleas also transmit tapeworm and some dogs have Flea Allergy Dermatitis, an allergic reaction to flea bites.  Canine Vector-Borne Diseases, or CVBD, describes diseases that are transmitted through blood-feeding parasites. Common ones include Lyme disease (form of arthritis) and borreliosis, bartonellosis, ehrlichiosis (attacks host’s white blood cells), babesiosis and anaplasmosis (attacks host’s red blood cells), leishmaniosis (ulcers) and rickettsiosis (spotted fever). These can develop into very serious health problems if left untreated. By also working as a repellant, Advantix reduces the risk or parasite’s biting and feeding, and therefore reduces the risk of disease for your dog. Side Effects Advantix is a safe treatment but just like us, each dog has an individual tolerance or sensitivity to medications and may be hypersensitive or allergic. Although extremely rare when Advantix is used at the recommended dosage, if your dog has an adverse reaction consult your vet immediately.  Do not use Advantix on puppies younger than seven weeks and talk to your vet before administering it if you are already using other flea and tick control products or to any aged, medicated, sick and debilitated dogs (particularly those with heart, liver or kidney disease). And remember, keep Advantix away from your dog’s eyes and mouth and it is DEFINITELY NOT for cats. Skin Irritation The most common side effect is some minor skin irritation at the application point such redness, itching, skin discolouration, rash, an oily appearance or some hair loss. These irritations are usually temporary and may also subside after washing your dog (Advantix is waterproof from 48 hours after application but a bath could ease any irritation). However, if these irritations worsen or persist, then consult your vet.  Serious Side Effects Serious side effects with Advantix are extremely rare. The following can be indications of overdosing/toxicity or an allergic reaction so consult your vet immediately if you notice any of these -  Drooling - This may occur if your dog licks the area of application as Advantix has a bitter taste to discourage ingestion, but drooling can also result from overdosing or an allergic reaction. Lethargy A marked increase or decrease in body temperature Vomiting or diarrhoea Incoordination Excitability Seizures The most important thing is to always follow the dosage recommendations and directions on the label. Advantix is available in different dosages depending on the weight of your dog so make sure you use the correct one. Athough it is safe, have a talk with your vet if your dog is pregnant or lactating before use. Advantix is also waterproof so after 48 hours from application you can bathe your dog as normal. However, if your dog is a real water lover then re-application within the month may be necessary.  Monthly treatment with Advantix will keep your dog free of fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes as well as sand and biting flies. Not only will these parasites be killed, but they’ll be prevented from biting, feeding and spreading diseases. You’ll be happy knowing that your dog is safe, but they’ll be even happier with their comfortable, carefree and now itch-free lifestyle.   

Every family that welcomes a pet into their home, into their life, is going to feel a sense of loss and grief when that pet passes away. Death is a natural part of life, but it will impact everyone in a different manner. For families with a pet, the loss of the pet might not cut as deeply as a single person whose primary companion for years has been that beloved pet.    As such, everyone will look for different ways to remember their favorite pet after its passing. As a friend or relative of someone who has lost a pet, selecting the right condolence gift can help that individual or family cope with the loss and even elicit fond memories of the time they spent with the animal.     Simple gestures Not everyone needs an over-the-top memorial for their pet in order to fondly remember a best friend they will no longer get to spend time with. For some people, simple gestures go a long way toward helping with the healing process and offering a simple reminder of their four-legged friends.    Examples of simple gestures include memory pendants, the Memorial Paw, and memorial pictures. A memory pendant is a simple piece of jewelry that is lovingly handcrafted to remind you, a friend, or relative of a lost pet. The Memorial Paw is another simple piece of jewelry that consists of a paw print on a heart, signifying the impact a lost pet has on a human life.    A personalized pet memorial picture is a simple piece that can adorn any room of the home, but isn't an over-the-top reminder of a lost pet. These gifts are highly customizable, but generally speaking consist of a picture of the pet along with some loving words from friends or from scriptures.    Popular gift ideas Examples of common condolence gifts given to those grieving the loss of a pet often range from sympathy baskets and cards to memorial urns. Sympathy baskets can be as simple as cards and candies to express sympathy for the grief experienced by another, or as complex as baskets that contain small reminders of the pet that has died.    Memorial urns are a common gift as well, though the level of customization varies from customer to customer. Some will opt for a memorial urn that is a simple, yet elegant box to hold the ashes of a lost pet. Others are more ornate and may contain a pictures or a likeness of the pet on the frame as a visible reminder of the beloved pet contained within.    Unique gift ideas While it is not always necessary or expected to give someone who has lost a pet an elaborate gift, there are some unique gift ideas available for people who want to give something unexpected and truly touching. Examples of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts include stained glass windows, 3D artwork, and personalized Mourninglights.    Sunnybrook Studios can take an image of a lost pet and capture their likeness in stained glass as a forever reminder of that beloved pet. In a similar process, Mourninglights can be created with a custom printed image of the pet (or pet and owner) on a glass candle holder.    Another option is a LIFEFORM 3D picture. With a picture of the lost pet, LIFEFORM can create a handcrafted 3D picture of the animal that allows owners to reach out and touch their beloved pet after its passing. Feature image credit

Ferrets are inquisitive, mischievous and energetic animals that can make wonderful pets for the right household. However, they do require specialist care and plenty of love and attention or they will quickly become bored and destructive. The following points are things that you should carefully consider before adding a ferret to your family.   1. They have a distinctive smell  Even the best-kept ferret cage will have a slight musky odor that will always be present no matter what. Ferrets do enjoy baths, and this will help to keep the smell to a minimum. Neutering your ferret will also help to reduce the musky smell. If you are sensitive to odors or like your home to smell fresh, then a ferret is probably not the best pet for you.   Image credit   2. They like to nip  Like puppies and kittens, baby ferrets will nip whenever they feel threatened, excited or even just to get your attention. This is something to consider if you have young children in your home as ferrets can sometimes bite hard. Ferrets will often nip each other during play as their thick skins protect them from injury. However, the same playful nip can be painful to a human, so you will need to be prepared to spend time teaching your ferret not to bite.   Image credit   3. They require a lot of medical attention  As they get older, ferrets are susceptible to a whole host of illnesses such as influenza, kidney stones and cancer. They also need to be vaccinated against rabies, parvovirus and canine distemper annually. Female ferrets need to breed once a year or they will become extremely ill from anemia that often proves fatal. If you are not prepared to raise a litter once a year, then you will need to get your female ferret sterilized.   Image credit   4. They like companionship  Ferrets can get lonely if they do not have another ferret around for company. Therefore, it is always advisable to keep ferrets in pairs to avoid them getting depressed and sick. Keeping two ferrets is actually much easier than one as they will entertain each other and burn off their energy through play fighting.   Image credit   5. They get into trouble  Ferrets love to explore and will get into just about every nook and cranny in your home. They are also accomplished escape artists, and you will need to ferret-proof your home in order to keep them safe. Ferrets often end up wedged in between couch cushions, stuck behind appliances and trapped behind walls. You will need to constantly supervise your ferret whenever it is out of its cage to avoid any potential injuries.   Image credit   6. They have fast metabolisms  Ferrets have incredibly fast metabolisms and will eat regularly. This means that they will also have to eliminate often which could be a problem if you plan to let your ferret roam free throughout your home. However, with a little training and patience most ferrets can be taught to use a litter box.   Image credit   If you are prepared to give them the care and attention they deserve, ferrets will pay you back with endless hours of entertainment. They are also extremely affectionate animals that love to interact with their owners for both playtime and cuddles.      Feature image credit