10 Positively Precious Spring Pet Portraits

10 Best Outdoor Rabbit Breeds

While most pet rabbits are meant to be kept indoors, there are a few rabbit breeds that are hardy enough to be housed outdoors. You might have an allergy, your dog doesn’t get along with your new pet, there’s not enough space in your home or something else entirely that makes it difficult to keep an indoor rabbit. Luckily, there are many hardy, adaptable bunnies that will not be endangered by living outside – provided that you take care of all their needs and make them appropriate outdoor housing. This will make sure that your rabbit is safe and happy while living in an outdoor enclosure, as the smallest mistakes (e.g. unsecured habitat) can cost your pet their health or even their life. But before we go over caring for an outdoor rabbit, let’s start with the best outdoor rabbit breeds so you can better choose your new companion.

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Mumsy

Cute as a button and as sweet as they come – this gal is going to make someone really happy! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Mumsy, a 2 years old Chihuahua mix from Madison, Wisconsin. She is spayed, housetrained, crate trained, and up to date on her vaccines. Mumsy is a kind-hearted dog that gets along with everybody – she does well with other dogs, cats, and children. Mumsy’s Tale When Mumsy was found, she was running off the freeway in Houston, Texas, and ended up hiding in an abandoned gated property for a week until she was caught by her rescuers. It didn’t take long for Mumsy to relax and show her true colors once she was safe and surrounded by love – she is a most affectionate dog that loves nothing more than being surrounded by her humans. Belly rubs, ear scratches, and petting are her favorite things in the world! Mumsy is housebroken and crate trained (she’s quiet and relaxed when in a crate) so she would make an excellent pet for an apartment – not to mention that, at just 15 lbs, she’s petite and doesn’t need a big yard to be happy. Mumsy thrives on attention and affection and would love a family that would shower her with love just like she deserves. Oh, and a plush cozy bed for naps would be most welcome! A friendly, sweet pooch, Mumsy gets along with other well-behaved dogs, doesn’t mind cats, and can be a good fit for dog-savvy children that know their manners around small breed dogs. She’ll easily adjust to a big family or a couple that is ready to welcome a pet they want to spoil rotten! If you think Mumsy sounds like a perfect dog for you, contact Lola’s Lucky Day – Madison chapter for more information on her and the adoption process.

What Factors Go Into Determining Monthly Premium for Dog Insurance?

While it can save you a lot of money in the long run and make sure your pet gets the best possible care in their time of need, dog insurance doesn’t always fit in everyone’s budget. Sometimes, the monthly premium can be so high that it makes you wonder if dog insurance is really worth it in the end – but there are ways to find a model that both suits your budget and ensures your dog’s needs are taken care of. To find out if you could try to save on pet insurance costs, first you have to consider which factors go into determining your monthly premium for dog insurance.5 Factors That Affect Dog Insurance CostBreedIt’s no secret that some dog breeds are more likely to be affected by certain illnesses and diseases due to genetic factors. As a result, most pet insurance companies charge a higher monthly premium for purebred dogs – or at the very least, breeds that are most known to have a chance of inherited health problems, such as Bulldogs, Cane Corso, or Doberman Pinschers.AgeOn average, puppies and younger dogs tend to have fewer health issues than dogs in their golden years. This reflects in the cost of dog insurance, too, which means that the younger your dog is the lower the monthly premium will be. Typically, purebreds nearing senior years or already considered seniors are the most expensive to insure.LocationAverage costs of veterinary services can wildly vary from state to state – and even from zip code to zip code. Naturally, this also means that if you live in an area where veterinary treatment is more expensive (e.g. big cities), your premiums will be higher.Type of policyIf you want a policy with all the bells and whistles, that will cost you. The most affordable policy plan is one that covers only the costs of veterinary care related to accidents, and it can be a great way to have peace of mind in case of emergencies even if you’re strapped for cash. Policies that cover both accidents and illnesses will cost more but will ensure that you’re prepared for all scenarios, and provide quality care for your pet no matter what they need it for. Finally, if budget is not an issue, you might want to consider a comprehensive plan that doesn’t only cover treating issues when they happen, regardless of whether it’s a result of an accident or an illness, but work to help prevent health issues before they happen with included regular wellness preventive check-ups. Deductible and copayWhen you have a high deductible, it means that you will have to pay more out of your pocket before the insurance company pays your dog’s bills. It also means that your monthly premium will be lower – and vice versa, if you go for a cheaper deductible, you will pay more in monthly premiums. Similarly, copay determines what percentage of the bill will you be covering and what part is the insurance supposed to pay in case of covered illness or accident. If you opt for full coverage without copay or plans where pet insurance pays 80% or more, your monthly premiums will be more expensive.

Hay for Rabbits and Why It’s Important

Rabbits are grazing herbivores, which means that they only eat plants and eat them throughout the day – and the plant they eat most of is hay. In fact, at least 75% to 80% of a rabbit’s diet should consist primarily of high-quality grass hay! Their digestive systems are perfectly adapted to hay, as a high-fiber diet is optimal for their complex needs. As avid self-groomers, rabbits tend to ingest a lot of hair when cleaning themselves, but unfortunately, their gastrointestinal tract cannot properly break down and pass hair. That’s why they need a lot of roughage in their daily diet – it helps pass the hair through the intestines safely where it is expelled in the stool. Additionally, if a rabbit isn’t eating enough hay – and mind you, they should be eating their body’s weight in hay per day – their gut flora will change, and it can lead to a deadly condition called GI stasis.In addition to helping keep their digestive system functioning properly, hay also helps file down rabbit’s teeth and prevent overgrowth or malocclusion. Rabbit’s teeth grow throughout their life, and if left unchecked, they can grow too much and cause health issues. On average, a rabbit’s teeth will grow as much as 2 mm each day, and it quickly adds up – in a year, they can grow up to 12 cm! When a rabbit eats a lot of hay, the coarseness of it will gradually grind the new growth, keeping their teeth in check.What Type of Hay Rabbits Eat? There are various types of hay for rabbits available, so you might be wondering which type of it is the best for your pet. While hay is basically just dried grass, it doesn’t mean that any dried grass will do – it has to be safe for rabbits to consume and contain the right amount of fiber and nutrients. The most common choice is timothy hay, which is a mix of leaves and stems of the perennial Timothy grass – it’s thick and coarse, which is optimally suited to a rabbit’s digestive system, and has the right amount of protein and fiber as well. Next, you have orchard grass hay. This type of hay has a softer texture than timothy hay does and contains less protein even though it’s exceptionally rich in fiber, but it has a sweeter smell and taste, which is why some bunnies prefer it. Meadow grass hay (or pasture hay) is not “real” hay, but rather a mixture of various types of grass that have been gathered from meadows and pastures (hence the name) and then dried in a kiln. The combination of different textures and tastes suits picky bunnies, but it might be more calorie-dense than timothy hay, which is why it should be fed in moderation.Oat hay is grown as a specific crop and harvested before the seed heads form, to ensure its digestibility. It is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Rabbits tend to love it mostly because of oat husks which have a crunchy texture they appreciate.Alfalfa hay is technically neither grass nor hay but rather a legume in the pea family – it’s also called lucerne. As a result, it is quite rich in protein and can be too nutrient dense for adult bunnies, and could lead to obesity if fed often or exclusively. However, when it comes to kits and growing bunnies, alfalfa hay is an excellent choice as it will help them grow into strong, healthy rabbits.Herbal hay can be a fun treat for an indoor-only rabbit, as it introduces certain herbs that bunnies would normally eat when foraging outdoors into their daily meals. It mixes timothy hay with dried chamomile, dandelions, or marigolds to give your pet a taste of what they would normally eat on the outside.ConclusionHay is the primary food source for rabbits – it contains high amounts of fiber, which helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome and wear down constantly growing teeth, which in turn prevents common health issues for rabbits such as GI stasis or malocclusion. You should offer high-quality hay in unlimited amounts, as your rabbit needs to eat their body weight of hay on a daily basis, combined with occasional rabbit pellets and rabbit-safe vegetables to introduce essential vitamins and minerals to their diet. The best choice is timothy hay, for its coarseness and high fiber content, but if you have a picky bunny, you can mix timothy hay with some tastier, richer hay such as oat hay or orchard grass hay.

US Company Launches Mouse Meat Cat Food for Finicky Felines

Cats are notorious as picky eaters, so their owners are constantly trying to figure out which brand, which flavor, and which texture will be their pet’s choosy taste buds’ liking. Well, have you tried offering them mouse meat? Going back to the “roots”, a US company led by a previous pet store owner turned entrepreneur, Tom Radcliffe, opted for creating a pet food formula that contains mice, the “original” feline fave. Even though most house cats haven’t had the chance to taste mice meat, they are still drawn to the gamey and unique flavor of what would be their usual prey in the wild. Mouser, as the food is aptly named, isn’t only made from mouse meat. Recognizing the refined palates of our feline friends, the formula is adapted to suit even the pickiest of kitties, and it’s available in 4 unique flavors: Field Hunter made with chicken and mouse; Forest Hunter which combines turkey and mouse meat, Pond Hunter with duck and mouse meat, and Brush Hunter, which contains rabbit meat and mouse meat. In all of the formulas, the meat of choice is the first ingredient, whereas the mouse meat is second on the list, which ensures not only a memorable taste but also that all of your pet’s nutritional needs are met. Radcliffe worked tirelessly with animal nutritionists and experts to come up with a formula that will be both tasty to cats and be complete and balanced nutrition-wise. Sourcing quality mouse meat is also a big endeavor, as one can only imagine. Currently, Radcliffe is getting his mice from “specialty producers who breed rodents for snakes and owls to ensure a hygienic canning process” and is currently focused on improving his supply chain as the demand for Mouser grows. Having in mind that mouse meat is actually 10 times more expensive than, say, poultry or rabbit meat, it’s clear that a lot of effort and funds are going into creating this special cat food formula. But, as it turns out, it seems that all of it was worth it.The end result of Radcliffe’s extensive research and unique vision is now available for sale in pet stores all across California, Nevada, and Arizona, and that’s just a month after Mouser’s launch. Driven by curiosity (and sometimes sheer despair over their cat’s pickiness), pet owners are giving mouse meat a chance and it turns out, kitties love it. Be it a novel protein source, a gamey, strong flavor, or the texture – Mouser is becoming a big hit with cats all over the US.

How to Socialize Your Rabbit

At a first glance, rabbits might seem like fairytale pets – so cute, fluffy, and affectionate, you just want to snuggle them all day long. Of course, they can be all that, but not without a bit of diligent work on your part. Just like any other pet, rabbits too require proper socialization in order to discover their best and most affectionate traits. Skip this important step in their upbringing, and they can grow up to be quite like their wild counterparts – difficult to handle, mischievous, grumpy, and completely uninterested in interaction with you. A rabbit that has not been socialized will shun its owner, avoid handling, lash out and bite (yes, bunnies can bite too!), avoid enclosures, become difficult to potty train, and avoid other bunnies and pets. Needless to say, this won’t be enjoyable, neither for you nor for your pet.It is important to remember that socialization should be started from an early age. You should not wait too long to begin spending quality time with your fluffy little pet. As soon as they are stable and healthy, and have passed the fragile baby period, you should begin socialization. One of the easiest ways to socialize with your rabbit is to spend some one-on-one time with them. Start small, and don’t try to handle them from the get-go – let them get used to your presence at first. Don’t hesitate to get all the way down to the floor, to meet your rabbit’s eye level. This is where the rabbits feel safest, so they will be more open to connecting with you. In time, you can begin handling them, easy at first and then more freely later. Just be careful to do it properly, so as not to hurt the delicate bunny. Always take things slow with a rabbit. Sudden moves and unexpected actions can easily frighten them, and cause unwanted stress. Take slow and measured movements and arm yourself with patience. As time passes and your rabbit gets to know you, they will be much more welcoming to you and your presence. Of course, you should definitely arm yourself with a lot of food and tasty treats. There is no easier way to connect with a pet than through food. So don’t be hesitant to reward any good behavior, response to your command, or just a good first step with a tasty treat. This will surely entice further success. Remember that spayed or neutered rabbits will socialize much better and more easily, and they will also accept handling much faster. In fact, rabbits that are not spayed or neutered will often straight out refuse handling. If you have completed this important step, you may try introducing a rabbit pair for your pet, as it can contribute to the socialization process. Of course, you should choose a pair for your rabbit very carefully. Consider all the options: whether the pair is male or female, socialized, or of the same age. If the differences are too great, the two rabbits might not pair well. In the end, with patient work and dedication, you should quickly cover all the necessary milestones in rabbit socialization. Make sure that you do these steps often – daily if possible – and always be patient and slow-paced. In no time your rabbit will show its affectionate and friendly face, and become the wonderful pet it can really be.

How Hill’s Science Diet Meets Your Pet’s Unique Needs

This is why many experts and parents alike opt for specialized formulas, such as the #1 veterinarian-recommended Hill’s Science Diet. This science-led nutrition for pets creates recipes as unique as your pet, specially made with a variety of common cat and dog health considerations in mind that affect both cats and dogs. And right now, you can get Hill’s Science Diet featured products for up to 15% off. Hill's® Science Diet® Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dry Dog Food

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Maggie

Cute as a button and sweet as they come, this gal will make someone’s life so much brighter! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Maggie, a 3 year old mixed breed from Covington, Louisiana. She is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on her vaccinations. Maggie is a friendly dog but hasn’t had a chance to meet other pets, so before going to a home with other dogs or cats in the family, she would have to meet them first. Maggie’s Tale This lovely pooch was found as a stray on the streets of Louisiana, and unfortunately, her owners never reclaimed her when she ended up in the shelter. But this just means that she got a second chance for her happily ever after! And boy, does she deserve one. Maggie is the sweetest doggo around, who adores attention from humans of all sizes and ages, and she’ll want to be by your side whenever she can. A true four-legged friend and companion! Her bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality always lights up the room, and she charms the pants off of everyone who meets her. In addition to her affectionate, lovable personality, she’s also very playful and will love playing fetch with you or going out to explore on long walks around the neighborhood or in nature. She would make a great pet for any size family, from singles and couples to families with older dog-savvy children. She hasn’t had the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with other dogs or with cats, so if you already have pets in the family, they would have to meet first to see if they are a good fit. If Maggie sounds dreamy (who could blame you for falling head over heels for that smile?), contact Northshore Humane Society to learn more about her and how you could be the one to adopt her.

Joined in Meowtrimony: Woman Marries Her Cat to Prevent Eviction

There are almost no limits to what pet owners would do to prevent losing their pet – including marrying them. In an effort to prevent future landlord(s) from imposing no-pets-allowed lease conditions when renting, Deborah Hodge, aged 49 from Sidcup, United Kingdom, married her cat India in a civil ceremony run by a legally ordained friend. The ceremony was attended by a small circle of close friends and family, with Debora wearing a tuxedo-style outfit to keep it formal – and to match India, whose coat is spotted with black and white markings. The two said “I meow” and “I do” on April 19th, making their union official. While marrying a pet does sound unusual – to say the least – Deborah’s decision wasn’t made from whimsy but rather motivated by past traumatic events. After being threatened with eviction because of her pets, she’s doing everything in her power to make sure she’s never in that situation again. As a renter through the years, Deborah has been forced to rehome her two huskies, Siri and Starshine, and then, in her current home, her cat Jamal – so she’s decided that enough is enough. Not being able to bear giving up any more pets due to strict (and sometimes absurd) landlord rules, Deborah tied the knot with her cat, sending a message that yes, she is a part of the family, on paper and in their hearts. A single mother of two, Deborah says that her pets are as important to her as her children and that it broke her heart to have to rehome her previous animals. This way, she hopes, landlords will have to accept that India is a part of the package and that where Deborah goes, she goes. In the end, Deborah adds, she’d rather live on the streets than have to give up her cat, if her idea fails to have any effect on future landlords. Renting with pets as a part of the family can be tough, with strict lease conditions and a lack of understanding from landlords, but hopefully, Deborah’s and India’s wedding will not have been in vain. One can only hope that, regardless of the extreme measures she’s willing to take, Deborah won’t have to part with India to be able to rent an apartment for her and her children – and that landlords will be more open to the idea of having a pet on their property once they realize how devoted Deborah is to her cat. After all, it seems ludicrous that pet owners are forced to try and come up with things such as marrying their pets just to be able to have one while renting an apartment in the first place – so it might not be as ludicrous to believe that it will work.

Scare The Poop Out of Us Halloween Dog Costume Contest

BOO! We love Halloween – the candy, the costumes, the parties, the roaming gangs of brain-hungry zombies… And because we love Halloween so much, we want to see your dog donned in his or her costume drag! Get your dogs dressed up, your cameras out and email us your picture during our Halloween Costume Contest!Just email a picture of your scary cute dog in costume to photos@petguide.com and you’ll be entered. Or send it or post it to our Facebook page. All of the photos sent to us will be featured on our Facebook page.What Do I Do?: Email photos@petguide.com with 1 (ONE) photo that you own of your pet dressed up in costume. The photo can be a current or one that was taken in the past. You agree that we can post the photo on our social media accounts and in conjunction with news about the contest. Send the photo to photos@petguide.com with the subject line HALLOWEEN CONTEST. Please include your name, location, and dog’s name, plus a little story about the picture, if you have one. Only one entry per person. If you submit more than one photo for the contest, we will only consider the FIRST photo you submitted. If you have more than one dog, you are welcome to gather them together in their costumes and submit ONE picture of them together.How Do I Win?: 1 (One) First Place Winner selected by our panel of three judges, based on theme, photo clarity, and smile-factor.Where Can I See My Photo?: All of the photos can be seen on our Facebook page. We’ll feature the winner on a dedicated post on PetGuide.com.

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Brenda

Playful and adorable, this cute gal is looking for a partner in crime! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Brenda, a 3-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix from Chesterfield, Virginia. She is spayed, up to date on her shots, and microchipped. She gets along with other dogs but can be picky about her canine playmates, but isn’t a good fit for families with cats. Due to her size and energy levels, it’s best if she’s adopted by an adult-only household or a family with older kids in their teen years. Brenda’s Tale A big and cuddly girl at 60 pounds, Brenda is one active and energetic pooch that loves to play – give her a squeaky toy and you’ll win her over in an instant! Her favorite activity is running around outside with squeaky toys, so it would be great if her new home has a big, securely fenced-in backyard in which she could run around and burn off her extra energy in a fun way. If you don’t have a backyard, don’t worry, she also loves going on long walks – but be warned, she’s a strong puller. Brenda is a friendly, loving pooch but she can be picky about other dogs, so if you already have a canine in your family, it would be best if they meet prior to adoption to see if their personalities match. Kitties are a no-go for Brenda as she sees them as squeaky toys and felines don’t really appreciate that. She needs a family without small children due to her size and energy levels because she could inadvertently knock a kid over in play – she’s not really aware of how big and strong she is. If you think Brenda sounds like a dreamboat, contact Chesterfield Animal Services to learn more about her and the adoption process.

Cherry Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

We’re all busy. But as pet parents, we want to make sure that everything that our dogs put in their mouths are good for them. That’s why we love this Cherry Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe. With only four ingredients, these treats only take 15 minutes to bake. That means that your dog will have them in their mouth in no time flat!Ingredients:1 cup whole wheat flour1/2 cup pitted and chopped tart or sweet cherries1/2 cup pumpkin puree1 teaspoon cinnamonDirections:1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.3. Once dough is well mixed, place on floured surface and roll dough to ¼ inch thickness. Cut using cookie cutters and place cut outs onto baking sheet. 4. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes.5. Remove from oven and place on wire racks to cool for 1-2 hours.6. Store in an air-tight container and keep in refrigerator or freezer.

High School Student Invents Dog Petting Robotic Arm

When Cassidy Matwiyoff was in 8th grade, she decided she wanted to be on Shark Tank one day. Her mother told her to write a business plan, and that’s just what the then-middle schooler did. She used her love of dogs and her own beloved longhaired chihuahua as inspiration for her now patent-pending idea. Cassidy had read that dogs preferred pets over praise, and she decided to create an automatic dog petter so dogs could have pets and love anytime they needed or wanted. As the chief designer and working with engineers at Chico State, Cassidy and her team repeatedly tested and refined her invention. Despite pretty ardent criticism (one Chico State professor said that his dog would rip her autobot to shreds), she decided to take her idea to the streets. Well, the street dogs, that is, and the ones that were at the local animal shelter.

5 Easy Tips to Discourage Cats From Jumping on Counters

That is until Pumpkin arrived.At over 20 pounds, this feline is, as his name implies, a big boy. And you’d be right to assume that he doesn’t miss a meal. This on its own may be why he’s so keen to monitor the food prep process in an up-close and personal manner. He may also have noticed that his favorite treats and those tins of wet food are stored in an upper cupboard. Or that fresh, cold water is fun and easy to access from a dripping tap.Whatever the draw, this large, surprisingly agile cat is up in the blink of an eye and calmly strolling by the microwave without so much as a grunt.What to do? When it comes to curtailing our curious cats, we need to take a look at not only how we can stop them but also at why they’re doing it in the first place. Because let’s face it, if you don’t eliminate the draw and discourage future jumping, you’ll never know what goes down the moment you lock that front door and head off to work. And while we love our uber-clean kitties, their paws can carry any level of germs and bacteria due to using their litter boxes, walking through gardens, across floors and even nursing an injured paw that might be infected.So, if we can all agree that counters aren’t the place for our feline friends, let’s look at some of the potential reasons your cat may feel differently:1) Do you conduct a thorough clean-up after meal prep? Be honest. Do you ever leave the juices from meat, fowl or fish on a platter after you’ve put the leftovers away? Or dirty dishes in the sink to “soak” overnight?2) Does your counter include a window with birds chirping or leaves/branches moving around that he might consider entertaining?3) Are his treats kept in a jar on the counter? And does he observe as you access and dispense said treats from this container?4) Do you have multiple pets that may chase or harass your cat and cause him to want to be up high in order to escape and/or observe?5) Does your tap drip and have you ever caught him self-helping or entertaining himself by dipping his paws into those drips? Note that with cats, suspecting he’s been up to something nefarious is almost the same as catching him in the act.While some of our own behaviors such as leaving food out can be modified, others, such as the location of a window or a lack of enclosed storage, can’t be. And these are what lead to our five tips that can help discourage our curious kitty’s from strolling the counter.The first two suggestions work well for those who leave the house for several hours a day and want to be sure they’re returning to a clean, hygienic kitchen. The last three are designed for pet owners who work from home and are able to observe their pets and then take the necessary steps to train new behaviors. Yes, cats can be trained.1. Apply sticky tape along the edge of your counter’s surface to create an unpleasant landing pad for your cat. Note we’re not talking about heavy-duty tape that could cause pain or fur loss when removed. Just annoying sticky tape that your pet won’t appreciate having to pick off her paws. While it can be a bit of a nuisance to work around, it won’t take your feline long to decide that jumping up and onto counters isn’t worth the hassle. 2. Spiky pads. Similar in nature to tape, but without the sticky residue, heavily textured strips can be purchased online or at most pet stores. These plastic strips can be cut to size and feature a grid of raised “spikes” that are soft and pliable enough to “give” under the weight of your cat (so no danger of injury). But they’re annoying enough that she’ll quickly decide to turn around and dis-embark from your counter. 3. Clicker training works on cats as well as dogs. To redirect your feline’s naughty deeds to something more positive, simply synch her treat delivery to the sound of the clicker. If you see her about to jump up onto the counter, state NO and put your hand out to block her. When she sits back down, press the clicker, provide a treat and reinforce this behavior. She’ll connect the stay-on-the-floor command with a reward and eventually, a simple click when you see her poised to jump, will keep her grounded. 4. Less rewards-based is the tried-and-true spray bottle. Each time your cat jumps up onto the counter, spritz her with a stream of water to let her know it’s not acceptable behavior. While rewards-based training is often more effective, you know your cat best including what she’s more apt to respond to. Note water streams should never be directed toward her face or eyes and include only plain cool water. No additives like soap or cleaning solutions with a scent you think may help discourage jumping. 5. Wipe your counters down with one of the many citrus sprays or cleansing wipes out on the market. Cats detest the smell of citrus and a quick wipe-down with an orange- or lemon-scented cleaner can be enough to have them change course mid-jump. These cleaners are not only a natural deterrent to your cat but they also clean and sanitize your counter surfaces in the process.Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, paws will get dirty with every thing from floor debris to litter remnants and even chemical pesticides if your backyard space has been treated. Add to that a cat butt that’s nicely nestled in beside the toaster oven and you begin to understand why this cozy, eye-to-eye set-up shouldn’t be encouraged. We’ve shared a few tricks to help keep your feline on the floor and willingly waiting for dinner to be served, rather than helping herself. No question, there’ll be one that fits your pet’s unique personality.

10 Laziest Rabbit Breeds

Owning a pet rabbit can be a bit of a handful, no doubt about that. Some bunnies can be energetic, inquisitive, and just like that “Energizer” rabbit from the ad, with a full-on appetite for action. Some owners, however, can’t keep up with that energetic pace. That’s why we’re introducing the 10 laziest rabbit breeds out there. Great for singles and seniors, but for thriving families as well, these calm and docile rabbits won’t overwhelm you with their energetic outbursts. Instead, they will fill out their day with lounging, snoozing, basking in the sun, and keeping you company. And after all is said and done, you can’t really go wrong with a pet as calm as that!

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Sammy

A big pooch with a big heart, this good girl is looking for someone to shower her with love! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Sammy, a little over 1.5 years old Australian Shepherd, Bull Mastiff, and Great Pyrenees mix from Olathe, Kansas. She is spayed, dewormed, current on flea and heartworm prevention, and microchipped. Sammy is a friendly dog and gets along great with other dogs, so she would appreciate a canine companion. She doesn’t mind cats but should go to a home without kids or with older, dog-savvy kids due to her large size. Sammy’s Tale Sammy’s previous owners were going through some hard times and were forced to surrender her after adopting her as a puppy, but she is ready to settle down with a new family and get her second chance at a happily ever after. Sammy loves attention and is very affectionate – a big goofy cuddle bug that will brighten your life. She is active and energetic and would love to be adopted by someone that will meet her needs for exercise. Plenty of walks and a big yard to run around and play in would be great! Sammy adores other dogs and would love to share her new home with a pooch or two – a dog that matches her energy levels would be best, though. She tends to ignore cats completely, which felines tend to appreciate, so she could go to a family with cats, too. Due to her energy levels and large size, she is a good fit for adult-only families or families with older children that she couldn’t accidentally knock over during playtime. If you think Sammy is absolutely dreamy and you can offer her the kind of environment she needs to thrive, contact Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue for more information about her and the adoption process.

How to Rabbit-Proof Your Home

Pet rabbits are lively and fun animals, and very entertaining to be around. When not snoozing and huddling, they will love to explore, hop about, and discover new nooks and crannies around your home. However, they have an affinity for chewing, nibbling, digging, and crawling into any space they find interesting – and interesting doesn’t necessarily mean safe, as well. Because of this, you will have to rabbit-proof your home, both to keep your rabbit safe, but also to preserve your furniture, gadgets, and any other valuables your bunny might find tempting to nibble on. But if you are a first-time rabbit owner, you might be clueless as to what exactly needs to be done to successfully rabbit-proof your home. Here are some classic tips and tricks from experienced rabbit owners – do these, and you’ll keep both your pet and your home safe and sound.Protect wires, cords, and cables We all know that bunnies simply love to chew and nibble on things. It is their way of exploring and getting to know their surroundings. However, in a modern home setting, this instinct isn’t only bad in terms of material damage, but it can also be dangerous for your bunny. One of the first things you will have to take care of is wires. Our homes have plenty of cables all around the floor – if a rabbit nibbles on them and reaches the wires, the outcome can be fatal. There are several ways you can rabbit-proof cables, and the best (and the easiest) way is to purchase special flexible tubing. Most hardware and electronics stores keep them. This tubing can encase several cables at once, making things neater – but also perfectly protected from your pet’s chompers. Of course, any other reliable solution is accepted, as long as you try keeping all cables out of a rabbit’s reach, whether somewhere higher or tucked away. Use pet-safe material to conceal and protect furnitureOf course, there are also things in your home that won’t harm your rabbit, but should also be protected nonetheless. Sofa legs, table legs, elaborate door frames, baseboards, and anything else that is close enough to the floor – all of it can be nibbled and chewed down to scraps. If you want to keep your possessions pristine, you should find ways to rabbit-proof them. In this case, anything goes, as long as the material isn’t toxic to bunnies. Cardboard tubes from paper rolls, flexible tubing, and premade protective solutions supplied by pet shops – anything can help prevent a rabbit from chewing his way through.Restrict access to certain areasOf course, one of the simplest solutions is simply blocking off certain areas you don’t want your pet to go in, whether the space is unsafe for them (e.g. floor level plants that can’t be moved) or if you don’t want to risk them ruining something that you can’t conceal or protect. You can opt for classic pet or baby fences that can be found in any pet store or general store and can effectively block doorways, staircases, and such. Keep your bunny safe in the room of your choosing, and keep the next room out of bounds. Efficient and simple! As long as they have plenty of room to hop about and explore, it doesn’t matter which room of your home they are in. Don’t forget about the flooringIn some cases, you might have to remove a carpet or get rid of your fancy rugs. Bunnies love to dig, and might find your carpet a suitable digging ground – or even realize that a carpet could be fun to chew on. In no time, your precious rug might end up all torn and tattered. It is best to keep your rabbit in a room with hardwood floors, tiles, laminate, etc, but make sure the surface isn’t too slippery, either. Rabbits don’t feel safe on surfaces that are slippery and can actually injure themselves if they happen to slip. Remove any toxic/poisonous items from your homeLast, but not least, is the danger of poisonous houseplants. That exotic flower or that spider plant you always loved might not be so harmless after all. Some common houseplants can be poisonous to rabbits, so make sure you keep them out of reach. The same goes for foods that are yummy to you but might kill or seriously harm your bunny – things such as avocado, chocolate, potatoes, and mushrooms (to name a few) are all dangerous for rabbits.In the end, try to be around when your bunny roams free around the house. With your supervision, everything becomes safer, and you don’t have to worry about your pet getting into trouble while you weren’t looking.

Heroic Dog Sniffs Out Electronic Evidence Against Suspected Pedophile

We’ve always known that a dog’s olfactory system is pretty downright impressive. And we know that dogs are known for being able to sniff out everything from truffles to COVID-19 to cancer.But according to the Associated Press, a dog named Hidu is a hero because he was able to sniff out electronic evidence needed to prosecute a suspected pedophile who’d been hiding out in Mexico City. A Netherlands-based group that fights human trafficking—Free A Girl—warned the U.S.-based group Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) that a Dutch man who had pedophilia cases against him in the Netherlands fled to Mexico City. The man had openly supported sexual activity with children.OUR and other activist groups joined with Mexican prosecutors and an incredible furry detective Hidu to look for the suspect. Hidu was trained by Jordan Detection K9 Academy to sniff out electronic memory devices. The team used social media and chat rooms to entice the suspect into a trap that confirmed he was in Mexico. Matt Osborne is the director of Global Operations for OUR. The suspect told Osborne’s team that he was in a dangerous area and didn’t want to give his address but suggested they meet at a gas station. So, in early June, Mexico City prosecutors met the man at the gas station and put him in prison for charges of drug and weapons possession on top of human trafficking. The team found the apartment he’d been hiding out in and then OUR brought Hidu in to sniff out triphenylphosphine oxide. Also known as TPPO, it’s a chemical that’s used to coat electronic devices like flash drives or memory cards—things that carry lots of evidence but are often easily hidden and hard to find. They’re necessary for prosecution, though, as they’re the evidence of crimes perpetrated.Hidu had only finished training two weeks before, but he didn’t even flinch at finding the suspect’s devices—all loaded with evidence of child sexual abuse and trauma.Hidu found a phone hidden in a pile of dirty laundry, as well as more electronic evidence that had been taped behind a painting hung on the wall. Osborne said that those hiding spaces the hard drives were found in were difficult for a human to find, but Hidu had no problem sniffing them out. Because of Hidu’s heroism and olfactory talents, the prosecution team was able to collect four terabytes of evidence of child sexual abuse.As the world moves more and more into electronic dependence, dogs like Hidu will become more important in the fight to protect humans, and particularly children. Todd Jordan is the owner of Jordan Detection K9 Academy, and he says that electronic dogs are now more in need because of the way the world is, and he believes every internet crime task force should have a dog like Hidu.We agree. Well done, Hidu. You’re a very good boy!Image: Operation Underground Railroad

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