Tag Archive for: rabbit

How Does Wet Noses Keep Your Pets Safe

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How Does Wet Noses Keep Your Pets Safe

It is estimated that 70% of American families live with a pet. Those pets can range from the faithful dog, irresistible cat, the delightful guinea pig, snakes, lizards and birds of all sizes and shapes, chickens included and even pigs!

Caring for our pets is an 80 billion dollar a year industry. Yes, that’s a whole lot of dollars and cents. Pet parents don’t side step the needs of their pets. They provide the best in veterinary, nutrition, life enrichment and all around care.

About Wet Noses Pet Sitting

The owner of Wet Noses started Wet Noses Pet Sitting in 2001 after many years of doing this for family and friends, and working in other related animal fields. She is a graduate of CSU and has degrees in both biology and zoology.

Wet Noses has a rigorous vetting process when hiring the very best pet sitters. All of them are insured and bonded. Every pet sitter with Wet Noses is an employee and is hired after an extensive background and reference check and interviewed on their individual animal experience.

Everyone of Wet Noses pet sitters is CPR certified within two months of joining their team. They undergo continued training in animal care, training, understanding body language, positive reinforcement training, and numerous other certifications.

Why you should hire a professional pet sitter

As a devoted pet owner, you want the best care and attention for your furry friend, even when you can’t be there. While enlisting the help of a neighbor or a friend may seem convenient, opting for a professional pet sitter offers a wide range of advantages that can ensure your pet’s well-being and happiness. Let’s look at a few of the reasons you should hire a Wet Noses pet sitter to keep your pets safe.

Bonded & Insured

One of the most important reasons for hiring Wet Nose as your pet sitter is that they are insured and bonded, so that you can have peace of mind leaving your pets and home in experienced and trained hands.

Regular Schedule

The safety of your dog, cat or other precious pet is paramount. Leaving your pet for long hours alone can create stress for you and especially for your pet. Knowing that Wet Noses has a schedule that will fit your budget and needs will give you the security of knowing that your fur family is well cared for and ready to greet you when you come home.

Additional Pets

Additional pets are a very small charge, and Wet Noses handles large and small farm animals, exotics and birds. There are two options for overnight care, should you want someone in your home with your pets. Taking your trash to the curb on trash day, or bringing in the mail and/or packages are all included with your fee.

Know who exactly is taking care of your pet

It is ideal when you can see exactly who you are getting for a pet sitter. Wet Noses has a short bio and video of the pet sitter you are paired with so that you can see them in their home with some of their own pets!

Convenient online platform

The online forms are simple and quick to use. The Wet Noses office staff are available by phone, email, text or online. Once you have set your schedule for your pet visits, the pet sitter assigned to you will contact you for an initial appointment to go over instructions, receive keys, and above all meet your pets!

Wet Noses uses an easy mobile or desktop application called Time to Pet that keeps you updated by photos and text on how each visit goes. Additionally, your pet sitter can text your phone directly with a message and photos after each visit.

House will look active to any potential intruders

Houses that look empty/no occupied have become prime targets for not only intruders but squatters as well. Having someone show up at regular intervals while you are away and leaving lights on, blinds up or down and making sure your home is secure is an added benefit of the daily visits or overnight stays of the Wet Noses pet sitter.

Keep your pet at home

Keeping your pets in their home environment is the best way to keep them happy, healthy and safe. They can play in their backyard, go for walks that you have scheduled and have a fun one on one playtime with your pet sitter!

Experienced team members

Wet Noses Pet sitting has an experienced team of loving, capable animal advocates who while working mostly alone in their pet sitting duties, are nevertheless always ready to step in as a team for any unforeseen emergency to ensure that your pet has the best care at all times.

Wet Noses takes the safety of their pet sitters seriously by ongoing training as well as a tracking application that lets the office know when and where they are on their scheduled visits for a particular day. You as the pet owner can sign up in this app and see what time your pet visit started and the journey (if any) while on the walk.

Over 100+ 5-Star Google reviews speak for themselves

Take a look at the reviews of current and past clients and see for yourself that Wet Noses pet sitting is the very best for you and your furry and non-furry family members. Contact us as soon as you book that much deserved vacation and we will take care of your pets and home so that you can relax and enjoy your time away.

Ready to book a Wet Noses pet sitter?

Got a new puppy, kitten or other special needs or post surgical pet? Wet Noses pet sitting has a number of experienced pet sitters to accommodate your needs.

Planning an end of week dinner, play or concert? Long hours at work? Wet Noses has the perfect solution for your needs and is ready to fill in to care for your pet until you return home later.

Today’s pet parent is well informed about the options available to them and Wet Noses pet sitting is honored to be chosen as your pet’s caregiver and we value your trust in us!

Living with Pets in an Apartment – Tips for Making Pets Work in a Small Space

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Living with Pets in an Apartment – Tips for Making Pets Work in a Small Space

This is going to be a fun reveal and hopefully some of the best pets for small spaces will surprise you! Of course some apartments can be as big as free standing homes but for our purposes we will be looking at the small one or two bedroom apartment and living area and what type of pet would be best for you.

As you begin your search you will want to look at your lifestyle and work schedule. How many hours are you away from home, do you work five days a week and have weekends off? Perhaps you have a varied schedule like those who do gig work. Some people work three or four days a week for 10 to 12 hours daily. Many people in the energy sector work 7 days on and 7 days off. Do you work from home?

Maybe you are someone who is busy in the evenings with volunteer opportunities or perhaps you enjoy time out with friends. Evaluating how you spend your time will certainly benefit you when looking for the perfect pet to share your space.

First, let’s look at the type of pet that would do well in the home of a busy working person with equally busy free time.

Aquariums

An aquarium is a great choice when you are someone who may not have a lot of time or has a varied schedule for work. A “nano” tank is one that is under 10 gallons for fresh water and 35 gallons or less for salt water. These small tanks take up a smaller space and offer a soothing and relaxing atmosphere to the home. Shrimp, snails, frogs, and colorful fish all contribute to the lowering of blood pressure and overall stress as you watch them float around serenely. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Many aquariums are low maintenance although size and types of fish can affect the cost
  • Buy from knowledgeable stores that will guide you through the care and feeding of your chosen fish
  • Check with your leasing office as to size requirements before purchasing

Some aquatic animals that do well in 10 gallon tanks include:

  • Dwarf or Pygmy Corydoras: These small catfish species are suitable for a 10-gallon tank. They are peaceful, social, and do well in small groups. Provide a sandy substrate and hiding spots for them.
  • White Cloud Mountain Minnow: These small, active, and hardy fish can thrive in a 10-gallon tank. They are peaceful and do well in small groups. Ensure the tank is well-cycled and provide plants and open swimming space for them.
  • Endler’s Livebearer: Similar to guppies, Endler’s livebearers are small, colorful fish that can thrive in a 10-gallon tank. They are active and peaceful, and you can keep a small group of them.
  • Freshwater Shrimp: Species like Cherry Shrimp or Amano Shrimp are small, peaceful, and add an interesting element to the tank. They are also beneficial for keeping the tank clean.

Remember to properly cycle the tank, maintain water quality, and provide appropriate filtration and heating as needed for the specific species you choose. Always research the specific care requirements of any aquatic animal you plan to keep and make sure their needs can be met in the 10-gallon tank.

Pocket Pets

Hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs make fantastic pets for small areas! Gerbils are social and like being handled but like the hamster they need frequent cage cleaning and proper nutrition to thrive. These little pocket pets are nocturnal though so you may want to consider where they will be when you are sleeping. The guinea pig is larger and needs about 4 square feet of cage space per pig. They do better with a companion so consider getting two of them. Providing them with a “tiered” cage allows them more room to roam and it takes up vertical not horizontal space in your living areas.

Rabbits are a favorite for those living in an apartment. They are easily trained and love interacting with their pet parents. These little furries need interaction with you on a daily basis so they may not be best for those of you who don’t have the time to commit to their physical and psychological needs.

There are so many of these wonderful little fur friends. Sugar gliders, ferrets, and hedgehogs are all delightful additions to any family. Always research their dietary requirements along with daily handling and the amount of space that they need to live a happy life!

Birds

Many people today enjoy their birds. Parakeets, Conurs, Macaws and the list goes on and on. Most birds live anywhere from 10 to 60 plus years! Be sure to consider this when deciding if a bird is the best pet for you. They can be loud with talking and screeching so check your apartment lease requirements before bringing one home. If you decide on a bird you will have a companion that will entertain you and keep you laughing.

Cats

Cats are a very good choice for small living spaces. While purebreds are indeed wonderful the initial cost of buying one can be a consideration as well as understanding that particular breeds characteristics. In other words do they require a lot of stimulation, or are they quiet and more laid back.

With so many cats in shelters and rescues the choice to adopt one of these lovable kitty’s is sure to bring you many years of love and happiness. Neutering male cats reduces the likelihood of them spraying and if you adopt two cats together they will keep each other company while you are away.

Dogs

Dogs are a solid go to for companionship and if you have decided that you can commit to the financial cost as well as the training (immediate and on-going), along with the time required to care for these wonderful angels with fur, then let’s dive into some great apartment dogs!

Boston and Yorkshire terriers are not big barkers, like all dogs they need daily mental stimulation and exercise but overall they are a solid yes for small space living.

Miniature Pinschers, Miniature Poodles, King Charles Cavaliers, Chihuahua, and Brussels Griffon are some of the smaller dogs that do well in apartments.

Many people think that because they live in an apartment that they cannot have a larger dog. But that just isn’t true. Getting the right dog for apartment living is important, so you may want to avoid the following breeds for several reasons. Some may be prone to barking, others have strong herding instincts and these types of dogs need large spaces to move around in along with the need for plenty of exercise, consistent training, and guidance. Here are some breeds that are not suited for small apartment living:

  • Australian Cattle Dog
  • Beagle
  • Belgian Malinois
  • Border Collie
  • Dalmatian
  • English Springer Spaniel
  • Hunting Breeds
  • German Shepherd
  • Malamute
  • Siberian Husky
  • Vizsla

Now that we see what doesn’t do well in small spaces, follow along to see what large breed dogs do very well in an apartment. Mastiff’s are big, BIG dogs but they require very little in the way of exercise. Their size can be a consideration as their weight can vary from 160-230 pounds! Consider the cost of food as well as veterinary care when deciding if this pup is right for you.

The Great Dane is great in size so you’ll need to allow for the space where he will be sleeping. Hint: Your king size bed will be his chosen spot! These lovable giants’ requirements for exercise are minimal and remember they don’t think they’re big, usually they prefer to lay in your lap!

The loveable long eared Basset Hound is the one hound that does very well in a small space. They top out around 60 pounds but their short legs and easy going personalities are sure to please and entertain you. They are very social dogs so fulfilling their need to meet people and other dogs will be an important part of their day.

Standard Poodles are great as they shed very little or not at all. Grooming on a monthly basis is an added expense and they require at the very least two walks a day. Scheduling a professional dog sitter to take them out mid-day should help you in keeping her happy and content until you return home.

The regal Greyhound is a clear choice for small areas and there are so many waiting for adoption as they are retired from the racing circuit. These quiet loving dogs want nothing more than to relax and smell the roses. A couple of short walks and lots of affection from you is all they really desire.

Of course, if you live in a tiny or micro apartment (150sqft for example) then a large dog is probably not the right pet for you.

Conclusion

As you can see, having a pet in your apartment is not an impossibility. By understanding your lifestyle, needs and wants along with information of the different pets reviewed here, you can find the right pet for you and your apartment!

Remember to check out your local shelter or rescues and adopt a wonderful mutt. You can also look into pure breed rescues if what you desire is a specific breed characteristic. All in all getting a pet while living in a small place can be successfully accomplished when you gather all the information necessary to make an informed decision.

Do Rabbits Make a Good Pet?

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Do Rabbits Make a Good Pet?

With Easter around the corner you might be wondering “Is a rabbit a good pet?” Rabbits should never be bought on impulse. In fact, this time of year some places will not sell rabbits. This is due to their high abandonment/surrender rate because they were purchased as an Easter gift. Rabbits are a multi-year commitment. Not just an Easter accessory.

If you’re still curious if rabbits make good pets (and you’re not getting one as an Easter gift) then keep reading!

Rabbits are affectionate

Rabbits are affectionate and social animals. While rabbits do not like to be held that doesn’t mean they still can’t be affectionate and social. Watching your rabbit play and flop can be a great source of joy.

Rabbits are quiet (usually)

Rabbits are quiet (usually), but remember that they do thump their back legs. If angry (one thump) or frightened (multiple thumps).  Just think of Bambi’s friend Thumper for example!

This means you’ll want to access your living arrangements. Especially if you live in an apartment as the thumping can disturb neighbors. Always check with your landlord to be sure that bunnies are allowed before investing in bringing one home with you.

Rabbits can be litter trained

Rabbits are easy to train to use a litter box. Which means easier clean up and less nuggets on the carpet when they are running around during their play time with you.

Some people wonder if rabbits are smelly/dirty animals. This is not true! Rabbits do not have offensive smells.  Using a litter box and cleaning it regularly will keep the urine smell down. Their pellets don’t have a strong odor either. They often smell like wood chips if they have any odor to them at all.

The trick is to keep their area clean to reduce/eliminate any unwanted odors. Plus, it is better for both of you!

To learn more about litter training rabbits, see this guide.

Rabbits can live for 10 years

An average rabbit’s life span is 7-10 years.  As such, consider this fact when deciding to get a rabbit. You are committing to their happiness and care for possibly a decade. Different breeds and indoor versus an outdoor rabbit can affect this number.

Fun fact: The oldest rabbit that ever lived was 18 years and 10 months!

Rabbits can learn tricks

Rabbits can be trained to do tricks and even do agility courses.  Rabbits are social and curious and follow you, sit in your lap and even “beg” for treats! They love a gentle pet and many love being massaged.  They may even ‘purr’. You will have a lot of fun teaching them and enriching their lives through play.

You can even harness train a rabbit! Take your rabbit for a walk once you have them harness trained.

Rabbits are small (most of the time)

Rabbits are typically small animals. Take the Netherland Dwarf rabbit for example. The Netherland Dwarf will remain tiny at just about 2.5 pounds, and there are over a dozen breeds that remain under 5 pounds making them an ideal companion.

File:4-Week-Old Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit.JPG

Aaron Van Dyken, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

However, not all rabbits stay small. A great example of this is the Flemish Giant rabbit. While still adorable, the Flemish Giant rabbit can weigh from 12 – 22 pounds. The world record length for a Flemish Giant rabbit is 4ft 3in! That’s a BIG rabbit!

Lucile Petit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Those are the pluses to having a rabbit as a pet but we need to look at some of the less than desirable traits and behaviors that must be taken into consideration when deciding to bring your bunny home.

Rabbits chew everything

Bunnies CHEW EVERYTHING, especially wires.  So you will need to bunny proof your area.  Finding rabbit forums should help you discover the unique ways others have addressed this problem.

Also consider rabbits are burrowers. Protecting carpet especially in corner areas is important. If you just installed new carpet, a bringing a rabbit home may need to wait.

Rabbits don’t like being held or picked up

Contrary to what Instagram will show you, rabbits do not like being held or picked up a lot. Bunnies are a prey animal and this activates their desire to flee.  Picking them up may not be what they like but getting on their level and encouraging interaction with a favorite treat will help them to feel comfortable and enjoy interacting with you.

If you’re wanting a cute and cuddly animal to hold all day, a rabbit is not for you.

Rabbits need a lot of space

Your rabbit needs lots of space.  Measure your bunny nose to feet sprawled out, the enclosure needs to be 3-4 times that length. If your rabbit is 1 foot long you will need to provide an enclosure that is 3-4 feet in length. If you are getting a baby bunny, you may need to buy a larger enclosure as they grow. It’s best to plan for their average adult size.

Outside of the cage, rabbits need 1-2 hours of at least 24 square feet or the size of most living areas.  This time is when you and your rabbit can get to know each other.  It is important for you to fulfill this need for socialization in your bunny.

Rabbits are active in the morning and evening

A rabbits sleep cycle is similar to a cat in that they are most active in the early morning and before sunset. So interact with them while having breakfast and when you get home in the evening. If you’re the kind of person who wakes up late and goes to bed late, a rabbit might not be the ideal pet for you.

Rabbits eat a lot of hay

Your rabbits diet will change as they age. A typical rabbit’s diet consists of 80% hay (timothy or orchard unlimited), 15% leafy greens (1-2 cups), 4% pellets (¼-½ cup), and treats 1% (1-2 tablespoons). Your local pet store will get very familiar with you and your timothy hay purchases.

Rabbit vet care can be expensive

Vet care can be expensive, neutering can run $200-$500 and yearly exams in the $100’s.

Depending on the area you live, you may not have access to a veterinarian who can treat rabbits. Traveling to get necessary medical care is another expense. You may also not be able to access emergency services in time if you are having to drive and hour or more to the closest small animal emergency vet.

The Wabbit Wiki provides some excellent resources for finding a rabbit veterinarian. As well as red flags and questions to ask your rabbit’s vet.

Rabbits are not ideal for small children

People often assume rabbits are a great first pet for small children. Rabbits have a more delicate bone structure, so they may not be the best choice for small children.  Handling them requires a soft touch. If you have a small child, make sure to show and teach them how to handle a rabbit properly. Do not leave them unsupervised with the rabbit. You will also want to make sure your rabbits enclosure has a secure, child-proof lock on it.

Rabbits shed, a lot

From Lionhead rabbits to the wide variety of angora rabbits, rabbits cute cuddly fur means that they do shed. Long-haired rabbits are not typically recommended for first-time rabbit owners as they do require significantly more maintenance compared to their short-haired counterparts.

Conclusion

Let’s remember that many who have a rabbit as a pet relate how much joy and happiness they bring to their lives. Now that you know exactly what goes into caring for a rabbit, you can be successful in providing for their physical and social requirements and can enjoy your furry little friend!

What Pet Sitting Visits Do I Need for My Rabbit?

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Are you going out of town but are worried about your rabbit? House rabbits are becoming more popular as people realize just how smart they are and how rabbits can make amazing house pets. We are seeing more clients that have a rabbit as their only pet, and we want to make sure they receive the best care when you go out of town. Rabbits need to be watched by someone knowledgeable about their behavior, how to hold and handle them, and what health signs to watch out for if they become ill.

Rabbit Option #1

This is an ideal schedule for rabbits that are used to lots of attention.

1 Hour Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive in the morning and let your rabbit out to play in whatever area is normal. Your sitter will play with your bunny (if she wants) and let her get some exercise. Your sitter will clean her cage, give her fresh food and water and can chop veggies or do any food prep you normally do. There is also time for a good cage and litter box cleaning. An hour visit really lets your rabbit stretch her legs and get some good activity and attention. Your sitter ends the visit by securing your rabbit back in her space, giving her any treats she can have and sending you an update so you know she is safe and sound!

30 Minute Dinner Visit

Your sitter will come for a dinner visit for some playtime and exercise, as well as a dinner feeding. At the end of the visit your sitter will settle your bunny in for the night and make sure she is happy and content.

 

Rabbit Option #2

This is an ideal schedule for rabbits that need feeding twice a day.

30 Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive and check on your bunny. She can come out to play, explore and get some cuddles. Her sitter will clean up her cage and litter box, give her fresh food and water and make sure her behavior is normal. After some exercise, your bunny can go back in her cage for breakfast and treats (if you say so). Your sitter will send you and update to let you know she is doing great!

30 Minute Dinner Visit

Your sitter will come for a dinner visit for some playtime and exercise, as well as a dinner feeding. At the end of the visit your sitter will settle your bunny in for the night and make sure she is happy and content.

These visits could be 15 minutes if your bunny will not be coming out to play, however, if your bunny is used to getting exercise, we prefer to stick to her normal routine as much as safely possible. We also want to ensure there is plenty of time for food prep and cleaning, depending on how your system for bunny care is set up.

 

Rabbit Option #3

This is an ideal schedule for rabbits that need feeding once a day.

30 Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive and check on your bunny. She can come out to play, explore and get some cuddles. Her sitter will clean up her cage and litter box, give her fresh food and water and make sure her behavior is normal. After some exercise, your bunny can go back in her cage for breakfast and treats (if you say so). Your sitter will set her up for the day and send you and update to let you know she is doing great! 

Our Considerations for Rabbits

For rabbits, there are some very specific steps we take to keep them as safe and relaxed as possible.

  • Rabbits can take some time to warm up to new people and we want to do that as safely as possible, for your bunny and your sitter. If your bunny has playtime outside of her normal housing, at first we may want to keep your rabbit in a smaller play area until we can be sure she will go back into her enclosure or allow the sitter to pick her up when play time is done. We do not want to scare your bunny or risk injury by needing to chase her! Once she is used to her sitter then we can expand the play area to her normal space if it is larger, or a run of the house if that is normal.
  • If your bunny is going to be coming out for playtime, that visit will need to be at least 30 minutes long to provide enough time for everything to be completed.
  • For rabbits that will not be coming out for playtime, we can usually manage 15 minute visits unless there is a lot of food prep or extra tasks. If there is then we will often need a 30 minute visit to get everything taken care of.
  • If your rabbit is more active at a particular time of day, then we will want to schedule your longer visits during that time so she can have some fun! Some bunnies love morning playtime, some love the warm afternoons and some like to zip around before dinner!
  • Your sitter will want to know the routine of your bunny and any normal behavior changes. It is not unusual for bunnies to be sleepy at one time of the day and very active at another time, and all bunnies are different. If we know these behaviors then we can keep an eye out for any lethargy that is out of place.
  • Rabbits are prone to gastrointestinal issues that can be harmful very quickly. Rabbit owners often have medical supplies on hand and special veterinarians to reach in an emergency. Your sitter will need all of that information on hand in case any concerns arise.
  • If you are leaving for a long trip, we are willing and able to purchase fresh veggies at your request. We will schedule a separate visit time and arrange a method of payment to cover the food purchases.
  • Rabbits need a lot of mental stimulation and we want to help with that. If there are toys she likes or games she likes to play, please show your sitter so we can have fun and make the most of our visits!

Time to Customize!

We want to work with you to set up the best possible schedule for your hens, so you are all happy during your trip. We also know that each home is different, and a lot of people have more than just one pet! After you have the basic idea of your schedule we sit down to figure out the nitty-gritty:

  • Are there any other pets in the home that need feeding, medication, etc? We make sure your visit has enough time to get everything done.
  • We have time to clean out food and water bowls, clean up any messes, etc.
  • Many people who love animals, also love plants! Short visits do not have a lot of time for plants. If you need the sitter to water more than 1-2 plants, we will need to schedule a longer visit for those days. If you have beautiful summer gardens, then we need to see how long they take to water and add that on to your normal visits.
  • Household tasks such as; bringing in the newspaper, collecting the mail, turning lights off and on and taking out the trash. This can all be done on your normal schedule.
  • Do you want updates every visit? Many clients do, just keep in mind that your sitter will take a couple minutes to send an update.
  • Keep in mind that it will take a sitter a bit longer to get the work done than it takes you. Especially if you have extensive routines for your pets and home. You have had years to perfect your system! We always try to make sure your pet sitter will have enough time for everything. That way they will not feel stressed and your pets will receive the focus they deserve.

Work With Us to Keep Your Rabbit Happy While You are Gone!

Set Up Your Appointment!