Things You Should Know Before Buying a Pet Hamster or Rat

While having a rat or hamster as a pet can be a rewarding experience, there are things you should know before buying one for your family. If you are squeamish about certain things like flinging poop and incontinence, you might want to skip getting a small animal as a pet.

Let's say your small child wants a rat or hamster and after getting one and having it in your home for a week, you suddenly find you are the one taking care of the little critter. You may see your little hairball doing things that turn your stomach but they are perfectly normal in the rodent world.

If you have a rat, the first thing you will notice when you bring whiskers out to play is that they are incontinent. That is to say...they pee all over everything including you, your clothes, your furniture, the floor as well as anybody else that may hold them. They are not potty trainable and you will end up pulling all your hair out trying before it happens.

If you have two young male rats, you may notice they hump each other like they are having sex. Don't worry, they can't get pregnant if they are male, but you might not want to let them get to close to the dog, or your leg. Your dog may not like it and well your leg will just end up getting urinated on.

Hamsters on the other hand are quite cute but not as affectionate as rats. They also have some bad habits. Most hamsters are nocturnal, this means they will sleep all day and only get up at night to play. Not the best pet for a child that is up all day and sleeps all night. You may also notice you hamster has a long cleaning routine after he wakes up and bothering him will only upset him. As you watch your little hamster cleaning you might notice him picking up the poo pellets in his mouth and flinging them out of his bed as he goes looking for more bedding to stuff in his nesting area. This is all quite natural.

Hamster will on occasion also eat their own poop. This is also very natural and will aid in the natural digestive process, it's called Coprophagia and if you have a dog, rabbit or cat you may have seen them doing it as well. Some animals like rabbits, do this in order to digest all the nutrients found in their foods.

Both hamsters and rats like a variety of foods but giving them a store bought mix may not be enough as they will only pick out the foods they like and leave the rest for you to throw away during the weekly cleaning.

Freebie Friday!

*click picture to enlarge* 

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week.

  You can find links to samples like these at Hey It's Free and Freebie Shark.

This week I received:

2 ELF make up boxes that I won in a blog contest.
Hair She Goes Hair Removal Kit- Free to test at home in exchange for an honest review.
Andovia Extensive Anti Wrinkle Cream- Free to test at home in exchange for an honest review.
Hail Merry Macaroons- Free sample from Swaggable.
Free Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Meta Health bar.

I also received a box from House Party that contained coupons to give to family and friends, an apron, a wooden spoon and 2 coupons for a Free Saute Express Product.

Dealing With The Loss Of A Pet

*Marbles*

Losing a pet can be hard since they are a part of the family. The pain of losing a family member can be severe and we all need to know how to deal with loss.

Is The Pain I feel Normal?

Severe pain over the loss of a pet can seem silly to people who don't have pets and won't or don't understand. They may tell you to just get another animal but we know that it's not that easy.

You should know it's absolutely natural to feel so much pain after the loss of a pet. You shouldn't hide your pain that is the worst thing you can do. Feel the love and loss of your pet and grieve for your pet.

I've had several hamsters and rats die after a long happy life and it never gets any easier. I've learned throughout the years that after the loss of a pet you need to let yourself feel the strong emotions from that loss.

If you had to take the animal to the veterinarian's office, you should take the advice my vet gave me when she saw how upset I was. She told me to remember how much happiness my little friend gave me and remember she was very happy with me and I did the right thing by ending her suffering.

When I took my hamster to the vet's office and had her euthanized it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it was also the right thing to do since I didn't want her to suffer.

You might feel guilt or anger after a pet's loss. The best thing is to examine what you are feeling instead of denying your pain, only then will you be able to work through your feelings.

What Can I do to help get through the grief of losing a pet?

I found that talking to others who have had to deal with the loss of a pet can help because they understand how you are feeling. There are any number of websites that have message boards and other people who are going through the same loss. For instance the Pet Loss Grief Support website is just one place online that would help others who are dealing with the loss of a pet.

The best way I found to deal with a pet's loss, is to have a small funeral for my pet. Whenever one of my hamsters or rats died I would put them in a small box and my family and I would find a nice place for him, say a few words and bury our little friend.

One time we took a ride out to Red Rock Canyon, here in Las Vegas and took a little walk until we found the right spot for our deceased pet.

Knowing that you have given them a happy life and loved them as much as they loved you and finding the perfect resting place for them helps you deal with their death.

What Accessories and Toys Every Hamster Cage Should Have

*Bubbles*

Caring for a hamster is easy if you have all the right accessories for the cage. This will make your hamster happy and a happy hamster is often a healthier hamster.

Water Bottle

There are several different types of water bottles and I've had some difficulty with the softer plastic water bottle because my hamsters would chew right though the plastic and the water would go all over the inside of the cage. 

Getting either a harder plastic water bottle or a metal bottle holder will keep it from getting chewed and leaking all over the inside of the cage.

Since hamsters drink a lot of water, I have found that an 8 oz. water bottle is the right size for most hamsters. The water will usually last for two days before it needs to be refilled. Always clean the bottle and give your hamster clean fresh water.

Food Bowl

Some people don't think hamsters need a food bowl because a lot of time they will sit in their food bowls and kick the food all over the cage. But I have found while some hamsters will do this others like having their food in one place where they can go and get a nibble several times throughout the day.

Hamsters have pouches on the insides of their cheeks and you will see them stuffing food into their mouths while their cheeks get bigger and bigger, only to deposit the food they have into a corner of the cage or into their nesting box.

Hamsters constantly move their food around, but I like having a food bowl that they can sit in or at when they want to get fresh food.

Wheel

A wheel is very important because hamsters need exercise and will get bored very easily if they have nothing to do while they are in their cages.

Do not get a metal hamster wheel, hamsters can get hurt very easily on these types of wheels. Because they have gaps between the metal wires on the wheel, hamsters can get their feet caught in between the wires and break legs, toes and feet.

I have found that a plastic wheel works better and they don't make as much noise as the metal ones do.

Chew Toys

Hamsters chew, they chew on everything in their cages. They have to in order to keep their teeth from over growing. If you don't have something hard for your hamster to chew on occasionally they will have teeth problems and vet bills are expensive.

There are wood blocks, honey sticks, fruit flavored wood shapes, as well as cardboard tubes you can use to hide treats in and use as chew toys.

I had one hamster who would not chew on anything I gave him. But he would continuously chew on the bars of the cage. Even after I had him out and was playing with him for more than an hour.

I finally bought some small dog biscuits and gave him one. He loved it and chewed the whole thing right down to the last little morsel. If your hamster doesn't want to chew on the wood toys you buy him, dog biscuits are a really great and cheap alternative and hamsters really seem to love them.

Nesting Box

Hamsters are nocturnal and will sleep most of the day, so they need a small box or plastic shelter in their cage where they can sleep. Most pet stores have an ample supply if plastic igloos and dens your hamster can use as a nesting box.

If your hamster likes to chew on wood, there are small wooden houses you can buy to use as a nesting box that are made so your hamster can chew on them.

Homemade nesting boxes can also be used. Anything from a tissue box to an old shoe box with a small hole cut in the sides so the hamster can get in and out can be used as a nesting box. Cardboard boxes will have to be replaced often as they will get smelly and are almost impossible to clean after a hamster has urinated on it.

I'm A Guest Reviewer at I Smell Sheep!

Hey guys, I'm a guest reviewer over at I Smell Sheep today and would love it if you popped in to read my review of this book. :) 

Book Description

This novella is a companion piece to the Solsti series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Kidnapped as a teen and forced into a life of sexual slavery, Garnet vowed long ago to do whatever she could to spare others her fate. When karma comes full circle with an offer of freedom for her and her young son, she jumps at the chance.

Masquerading as a village innkeeper, Aden keeps his espionage work secret from the gentle pixies he lives among. Using his skills to prevent a group of vicious demons from attacking the innocent, his world is draped in mist, shadow, and danger.

Steeped in shame, Garnet is loath to share her past with Aden. But Aden senses a sweet, loyal strength in her that no amount of horror can erase. His dangerous work is the opposite of the stability Garnet craves. Yet Aden’s patience and strength make him the hero she never had. When the enemy targets them, Garnet and Aden realize that honesty is the truest form of courage.

My Rattie Halloween

So I set up a few Halloween props and let my rats run around with them to see if I could get a few good shots and here's what I got. 

Lucky just wanted a treat. he sat wherever I put him as long as he had something to eat. lol 

Lucky is so laid back, he didn't even try to eat the props.

But some of the looks he gave me were pretty funny.

And I love the pictures I got with him in them.

Lucky is fun to work with in taking pictures.

Scribbles just wanted to chew on everything. He tore some of the feathers off of my orange spider and started chewing on everything else. 

Scribbles was going to chew on the mummy ball next but decided to drag off the spider again.

After he was done taking a test bite from all the props he finally picked up his treat to eat.

Scribbles wouldn't stay in any pose I put him in..lol 

Trying to chew on the pumpkin now. Scribbles is like a 2 year old toddler getting into everything. lol

Then came Flower's turn and she was even worst than Scribbles. She picked up the orange spider several times and took him over in the corner to chew on him. She would scoot the pumpkin over in the corner too but she was running all over the place so fast it was hard to get pictures of her. 

This girl has so much energy, I wish I could bottle it and sell it. I was able to get a couple of pictures of her before she knocked anything over though. lol 

I took about 100 pictures and can only use a few of them. She's a blur in most of them, zipping here and there and everywhere.

Happy Raturday!

Welcome to a new weekly blog post I'm calling, Raturday! I've seen Caturday and while that's really cute, I think the rats needs some photo time so everyone can see how cute these little animals are. I've gotten permission from Rat Logic's fb page to share their pictures on my blog. So get ready to smile because these are cute. 

*click pictures to enlarge*

*Yes, that's Scribbles. I made my own meme*

*Yes, this is a picture of Lucky that I took and a friend CoveRats by Nikki made it into a cover photo*

Interview With A Rat Enthusiast: What Do I Do When My Rat Has Diabetes?

*Boo, Carole's Rat*

*Originally published on Yahoo Contributor Network, June of 2013*

Diabetes can be ones of the scariest diagnosis to get as a human, but what do you do when you find out that your furry friend has diabetes and he just happens to be a rat?

I asked my friend Carole Merando Littlefield if she wouldn't mind answering some questions about her rat Boo, who has diabetes. Here is my interview with her conducted via email.

Mary: What Symptoms did Boo have that made you think something was wrong?

Carole: Well first he started by drinking a lot and being really lazy, at first I thought was due to the heat as we had not turned the AC on at the time. But then I noticed he was peeing excessively and it was leaving a white residue and he was dropping ounces a day. When he lost weight and was sick, if you touched him you could feel his spine and his hips and he peeped because it hurt!

Mary: How was he diagnosed with diabetes?

Carole: I suspected diabetes as I myself have type 2. I consulted 2 rat experts (Amanda Lacy of RAMR Rattery and Debbie Duccomen) and both agreed was probably diabetes also. Of course by this time I already had a vet appointment and was watching what he was eating.

Mary: What have you had to change since getting the diabetes diagnosis?

Carole: Luckily he is very rat aggressive so he's in his own condo, as he has to have a low sugar, lean protein, low carbohydrate diet. Basically similar to my own. He gets a tbsp of Greek yogurt, a meat and veggies or berries 2x a day right before his medicine is given. He also has a mix left out at all times specifically tailored for his diabetic diet so he has stuff to chew on.

Mary: Do you know if diabetes in rats is a growing problem?

Carole: I actually have found 3 other people with diabetic rats, only one has said she's trying to treat hers, not sure on the other 2. My neurologist suggested his bloodline might have originated from lab rats bred for diabetes research and when re-homed it ended up in his pedigree somewhere.

Mary: What causes a rat to get diabetes?

Carole: With pews (pink eyed whites or albinos) more than likely they came from a line that originated with a line of rats bred to study diabetes drugs in the lab. (see above comment) Also some may be due to a diet too high in carbohydrates and sugars, and of course obesity.

Mary: Will a diabetes diagnosis shorten my rats life span?

Carole: It depends on the individual rat, like with anything else diet, weight, and treatment needs to be kept track of religiously to make sure they stay healthy. Also routine vet check ups to make sure he's doing well. My vet is great she said we are breaking new ground with Boo here in her clinic as she's not had one in before. We discussed options of different types of insulins, cat, dog and human. I chose to go with human since in the lab that's what they were bred for.

The dosage was the hard part as it was too small, so I adjusted it a ml at a time until his glucose levels fell to trace to zero. My daily log my vet read cover to cover and suggested if his glucose rose again to just increase by 1ml every couple of days until he was back in the negative-trace zone. This is working wonderfully as you can see by his photos, my big boy is almost back to his original weight. Though I'm trying to keep it down, he's also 12 inches long nose to tail root!

*Boo, Carole's Rat*

Mary: How do you test a rats blood sugar and what medicines do you give a rat with diabetes?

Carole: Boo is a big help with this one, I put him on the scale to weigh him and give him a sugar free chocolate chip and he eats it then pees on the scale. I then take a ketone test strip and soak it and compare to the chart. So far only 1 time was his sugar off the charts, he had been given a snack by my son a while before test time. But I knew so I wasn't worried too much, he had his shot and it returned to normal.

Also due to having to give him a shot every day in his neck/shoulder area we felt the pee test strips would be kinder. Some days he doesn't even flinch, other days he peeps if you get the wrong spot but he's awesome about it. My 14 yo daughter (who's going to be ahead of everyone when she goes to vet tech school in 5 yrs) gives him his shots when I have to be out of the house and he just sits there. We have it on a 9am and 9pm schedule and he's always at his door waiting for his yogurt! When I have enough research I plan on writing it up for my vet and anyone else that may want the information. (6-12 months)

He's my big love bug and I'm so glad we are able to treat it.

Thank you so much Carole, for agreeing to this interview. I'm sure this valuable information will help many other rat parents who have gotten this diagnosis.

Adovia Anti Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer Cream Review

I like to apply a light facial moisturizer to my face before applying any foundation or powder, I just think it makes the make up go on easier and everyone should be applying a moisturizer to their face, especially in the dryness of the desert I live in. 

So I've tried many different moisturizers and some are too oily, some are too thick and make any make up I wear feel like I've caked it on and others are so thin they really do nothing at all. It's rare to find a really great facial moisturizer that has everything I'm looking for including a great feel, great scent, non greasy and moisturizing capabilities. So let me tell you I was skeptical when asked to try this facial moisturizer by Adovia but I'm willing to give pretty much anything a try.

Not only did this moisturizer have everything I'm looking for but it is a great primer for foundation. My make up didn't streak, become clumpy or rub off. It went on smoothly and stayed on all day. I also applied this moisturizer at night after taking my make up off and cleansing my face and my face feels smooth, soft and I don't have any dry patches. 

I'm extremely happy with this facial moisturizer from Adovia.

If you would like to buy this moisturizer, you can do so here.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Facial Hair Remover Kit by Bella and Bear

I've used a few different hair removal tools, gels, and creams over the past few years to get a good idea about they are supposed to work so when I was given this one to review I had no problem giving it a try. 

I love the tweezers that came with the kit and after reading the simple instructions I was able to figure out how to work the hair removal tool. You just bend it into a half circle, apply it against your face where the hair is and twist. It is a little painful, kinda like tweezing is but if you only have a couple of stray hairs like I do *thank you mother nature* then it's no different than pulling them out with tweezers, the pain is pretty much the same. This is faster than having to pull each hair out one at a time though.

I found this hair removal tool to work as it said it would and if you have a few hairs you are wanting to pull out this will grab more than one at a time so it's also a time saver. Thankfully, I only have a couple of hairs on my face so this came in handy and I was able to get rid of the hairs very fast. I am not a fan of the depilatory creams at all, they can burn your skin if you are sensitive or leave them on for too long but this little tool is effective, fast and works. 

If you would love to buy this product, you can do so here. 

Cover Reveal: Snared By Saber by Shelley Munro

Happy Release Day Shelley!

I wanted to share this book with all my readers today. I was a Beta Reader for this book a few months ago and have been waiting for the release day to I can let everyone know about it. If you like paranormal romance then you need to read this book! It is fabulous!

DESCRIPTION

Middlemarch Capture, Book One

When a feline virus on Earth wipes out much of his race, Saber Mitchell moves his shifter family to the jungle planet of Tiroq. To provide an income—and keep the testosterone-fueled males from killing each other over the lack of mates—Saber opens Middlemarch Resort, specializing in women’s capture fantasies. Unbeknownst to the women, some captures will be more permanent than others.

Saber has no plans to find a mate himself…until a capture goes awry, landing both him and “kidnapped” guest Eva Henry on the other side of the huge island. Saber must face birds, beasts, hungry natives and Eva’s own penchant for escape to see her safely back to the resort.

Keeping his hands off her proves impossible…even after Saber learns mating Eva comes with bigger, more dangerous troubles than all their jungle perils combined.

You can buy this book at Ellora's Cave. 

Freebie Friday!

Welcome to another edition of Freebie Friday, where I tell you what free samples and full sized products I received in the mail and how you can get them too. Someone asked me why I do a 'Freebie Friday" each week, so I'll tell you.

A while back I listed all the free samples and wins that I had received that previous year and so many people didn't believe that I could have gotten so many free things. So I decided to prove it by taking a picture every week and sharing the sites that I found the links to the freebies at. So now you too can get great free samples coming to your mailbox each week. #InfluensterChamp 

  I received this box from Influenster.

In my box was:

2 Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliners

1 Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara

2 Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquer in colors Big Bang and Nude Eclipse

I love the eyeliners. The go on smooth and stay on until you take it off. I like the mascara but I'm not thrilled with the brush that comes with the applicator. It's skinny and I like a bigger, fatter applicator brush. I tried both of the lip laquer's and the Big Bang is very red, not really my color but I love the Nude Eclipse and it stays on for a good long time. 

I also received a bunch of free samples and won a few things as well. 

I won a book Angel Kin by Tricia Skinner which I reviewed earlier on my blog. 

I cashed in my points at Skinny Cow and got this Skinny Cow notebook. 

And I got a box from Smiley360 with a full size bottle of Children's Advil, Children's Advil Tissues and coupons to pass along to family and friends. 

So did you receive any freebies this week?

Review: Honeysuckle Prize Candle

I've seen quite a few candles that now come with jewels, trinkets and rings. I've been wanting to try one of these for a while but the price was a bit steep for me. So when I saw a Prize Candle offered on Swagbucks and I would get 515 Swagbucks for buying it, I went ahead and got it. If you have a Swagbucks account then you know that you can cash out for a $5 Amazon gift card for only 450 Swabucks so this was an incentive for me. 

I opted for the Honeysuckle scented Prize Candle and was happy when I smelled it once I opened the box. It smells really good, but will it transfer the scent to the room it's in once it's lit? That is what I usually have a problem with in getting these scented candles. They don't usually distribute the scent when they are lit. So I lit the candle and waited until some of the wax had melted. I can honestly say that I started smelling the scent from the candle right away. 

I put this candle in my kitchen and I smelled the scent of honeysuckle all the way into my bedroom. This is getting a 5 out of 5 star review for sure. 

Now I had to wait a while before enough of the candle had melted away before I could reach the 'prize' inside it. It took some work but I was able to get the ring out.

Inside each of these candles is a ring ranging in worth from $10 - $5,000 All you have to do to find out what your ring is worth is go back to the Prize Candle site, enter the code that is with your ring and they will tell you how much the ring is worth. 

So here's my ring, I think it's really pretty. So you're probably wondering how much it's worth, right? So according to the site, it's worth $25

The Prize Candle was $24.99 and shipping was $5.99 for a total of $30.98

Would I recommend Prize Candle? Yes, I would. I think people who like candles and like little surprises will love these. 

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

*My gerbils, Honey and Spirit*

Anyone who has a pet knows the benefits of owning a pet. The biggest one is they help fight loneliness. The second is that they give you a reason to be social and get out of the house because you have to walk them and take them to the vet's office. Maybe even take them to a store like Petsmart where you can take them in the store with you, they may even get a free treat at the register.

Having a pet can relieve some of the stress you feel, for instance when a puppy is wiggling, playing and giving you kisses. You are bound to smile and laugh, and laughing is a stress reducer. Not to mention that you might find yourself in a better mood after holding a puppy or sitting quietly on the couch just petting and cuddling with your small furry best friend.

If you are suffering from depression, having an animal no matter what kind can lift your mood and help with depressed feelings. Pets are also great secret keepers and can be there for you when humans can't. Because pets give you back unconditional love, it's easier to be yourself with them, even if that means you have a good cry and just want to cuddle with your Poodle.

Dogs seem to have an uncanny ability to know when their humans need playtime as well as quiet time and they will silently sit with you and kiss your face when you are down, hurt or in emotional pain. Getting attention from your dog at this time may make you feel better faster.

If you don't have the time or the energy to take care of a dog or cat, there are countless other animals that can have a relaxing effect on you. A brightly decorated aquarium with bright colored fish can be quite relaxing to watch. The rhythmic swimming the fish do, going back and forth can be watched for hours. Doctors and Dentists have known the calming effects of aquariums for years, which is why you may find large brightly decorated fish tanks in their waiting rooms.

Elderly people who are depressed, bored or disabled and can't get around very well are often pleased when someone brings their pets for a visit. Dogs make people smile and cats like to cuddle. There are a lot of animals out there besides dogs and cats that would also benefit from this human-animal interaction. Animals who are in the shelters awaiting new owners would greatly appreciate getting out for a ride and some time with people. Take these animals for a visit to places like rest homes, hospices and hospitals can make a difference in both the human and animal's lives.

Kids who have pets at young ages learn how to be responsible pet owners as adults as well as learning how to be gentle with animals.

Cicadas: What Are They and Why Are They so Loud?

If you live in some parts of the country that have Cicadas, you know how loud they can be. But did you know Cicadas make so much noise because of their short life spans and the sounds they make are in hopes of attracting a mate? While the shrill noise can be very disturbing to humans' cicadas only live for a very short time so the noise won't last for very long.

Cicadas aren't stinging or biting insects, they can fly but usually just sit in tree's and bushes making noise. Cicadas are very clumsy when they fly so it's not unheard of the insect actually flying right into a person and in some cases landing on them. All someone has to do if that happens is brush them away and they will return to flying about until they find a suitable place to land.

Cicadas are a type of insect that has a tiny beak that enables them to eat and drink the fluids or what's called xylem from plants. A female cicada will deposit her eggs which are as tiny as a grain of rice, into the grooves of trees as she walks on it. The eggs will hatch and a small bug somewhat looking like a large ant will then feed from the fluids in the tree until it is ready to drop to the ground where it will dig down and find a root of the tree to feed from.

The cicada will feed from the root for 17 years before climbing back out and shedding its exoskeleton and letting its body harden and its wings dry out. The cicada will then search for a mate and start the life cycle all over again.

There are several different types of cicadas and each species has its own life cycle. Some have 17 year life cycles while others have 12, 13 or 16 year life cycles.

During the summer in parts of Las Vegas I can hear the cicadas' loud mating noises for hours a day. Cicadas will crawl out of the ground when the temperature is between 60F and 70F and they are ready to look for a mate.

When their life cycle is at and end it's not uncommon to see their dead bodies littering the ground around trees and bushes as they fall from the trees. This is the time that some small children find it hard to deal with so many dead bugs on the ground but parents can use this time as a learning experience, teaching children about the insects. I found the two dead cicadas pictured above by a tree a few years ago.

Rats Never Do What You Expect Them To...

Ken put together two cages and made Flower an extra level to climb around and play in. I added a wigwam, cuddle sack, honeycomb hammock and a regular hammock...so what does she sleep in?

The fleece blanket covering the floor. lol I had originally lined the floor with the cotton baby blanket you see her laying on but she kept pulling it up to sleep inside it so I added a fleece blanket on top of the baby blanket and sure enough she makes a little cave under the fleece blanket and sleeps there most of the time. 

She sleeps or lays in the other hammocks at times but not as much as she does under the blanket. I don't think she'll have a problem keeping warm this coming winter. 

Rats never do what you expect them too...but that's what is so fun about them.