All children love to have a pet and some of the most popular pets are the rabbit and the guinea pig. Many parents feel that this is a good “starter pet” for their children which is fine so long as the parents make sure that their children know that rabbits and guinea pigs need as much love, care and attention as a dog.

Did you know that the rabbit hutch or the guinea pig hutch that you choose should be at least 3 times the length of the animal and give them enough room to stand on their hind legs? The rabbit hutch (or guinea pig hutch) should allow the animal to sleep in an enclose, dark area and also have access to a light, play area.

Rabbits and guinea pigs love to run around and play and rabbits will kick their legs out when out of the rabbit hutch. They must have room to do this and if the rabbit hutch does not allow this, then they should have daily access to a rabbit run. Time in the rabbit run should be supervised as both guinea pigs and rabbits are prey to cats and foxes.

The rabbit hutch or guinea pig hutch should be cleaned at least twice a week and disinfected at least monthly. This is important as a dirty hutch can lead to infestation of flies and maggots and these can cause untold misery, especially to rabbits.

Rabbits also need regular grooming to keep their fur in tip-top condition and both pets need easy access to fresh, clean water and good quality food.

In winter, the rabbit hutch or guinea pig hutch needs to be sheltered and should be free of draughts - imagine being left outside in the cold and damp in a draughty hutch - not a pleasant thought. A rabbit hutch cover is a good buy as this stops the wind and rain from blowing into the hutch and causing discomfort to your rabbit or guinea pig.

In summer, your rabbit or guinea pig will need lots of exercise in the fresh air but will also require some sort of shelter in the rabbit run so that they can shelter from the sun or a sudden rain shower. Some rabbit runs have a covered area which is ideal.

Most of all, your rabbit or guinea pig will need lots of love and attention as they are both extremely sociable creatures and in the wild will live in family groups. As pets, they often lose this closeness to creatures of their own kind and rely on their owners to give them the friendship and companionship they need. Play with them often and handle them as much as possible as this will strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Remember that a well cared for pet is a happy pet and will give you unconditional love for many years.

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A dog cage can be really useful when training a new puppy. Dog cages come in all sizes to suit your particular breed of dog and they can be purchased with one door, two doors or even three doors so that access to the dog cage is easy wherever you decide to site the cage.

Dog cages are fully collapsible so they are easy to transport and they usually have a handle to make things even easier. Some dog cages even have wheels so that you can easily move them around the house with you. The tray in the bottom of the dog cage is removeable so this makes them easy to clean. You can choose from either galvanised steel to oven baked, powder coated dog cages and some dog cages come in different colours like pink and blue if you want something a little bit different for your dog.

Dog cages are ideal for keeping your puppy safe if you have visitors or for older dogs who may be recovering from surgery and need a quiet spot to lie down where they will not be bothered by children. If you have workmen in, a cage will prevent your dog from running out of a door that may have been left open.

It is important that you teach your dog that the dog cage is a pleasant, cozy place to be and not a punishment. A dog should never be caged as punishment as this is a really cruel practice.

When training your dog to use the cage, just place the dog cage in a position where your dog can see you and put his favourite dog bed in there and maybe a favourite treat and leave the door open. Your dog’s natural curiosity will eventually lead him to go over and sniff the dog cage. Leave him to it and he will eventually enter the cage. He may be nervous at first as this is something new, but when he realises that he can come and go at will his confidence will grow.

The key to dog cage training is patience. If you coax your dog too enthusiastically he will not like it but give him time and he will see that the dog cage is a little den, his own private space to lie quietly and watch what’s going on around him. Once he gets to this stage then quietly close the door for a few moments. When he realises that the door is only shut for a very short time he will be fine. After doing this every now and again over a period of time, try shutting the cage door for a little bit longer. Never keep the door closed for hours at a time as a dog should not be locked up in this way.

Trained properly, a dog will soon learn that the dog cage is a safe, secure place for him and he will automatically go in there when you ask him to or when you head for the door if you intend to pop to the shops.

As mentioned before, cage training takes patience and lots of praise and should not be rushed - the time you put into this will pay off in the long run and you will have a well-trained dog who is not nervous, but appreciates the quiet peace the dog cage gives him.

Before you rush out to buy a parrot it’s important to understand that parrots are one of the most challenging pets to own and you need to be sure that you buy a parrot that best fits in with your lifestyle and personality.

Did you know that some of the larger parrots can easily live to be 50 to 80 years old. Many will live with you through various moves and changes in your lifestyle and may even outlive you !!!

The parrot cage you purchase must be large enough for your parrot to flap its wings freely and you may also want to invest in a cage cover as parrots need plenty of sleep.  Parrots should have 10-12 hours of sleep each night so need a dark, quiet place. A tired parrot is also a grumpy parrot, so make sure your parrot cage is sited away from the TV, radio or a room that is used well into the night.  Parrots who do not get enough rest can develop severe behavioural problems and even become aggressive, so you see how important it is for him to have his sleep.  You will also need bird toys for your parrot to amuse himself with and these should be replaced regularly so that he does not get bored with them.  It is also a good idea to purchase a bird play stand so that your parrot can play outside of his cage without damaging your furniture and furnishings.

Choose your parrot carefully - some species have the potential to scream very loudly as the screech of many large parrots is designed to enable flock members to call to each other across miles of jungle.  You will never prevent a parrot from screaming but good training and positive reinforcement can reduce most screaming to an acceptable level that you can live with.

Cockatiels, lovebirds, senegals, red bellies, and African greys generally have a reputation for being quieter parrots whereas Cockatoos have one of the worst reputations for screaming.  This is mainly due to the fact that cockatoos require quite a bit of attention and amusement and will scream for attention if they are bored or feel they are being ignored !!  Many of the conures have an amazingly loud screech and macaws  can vary greatly in the amount of noise they make. 

All parrots require a varied diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. These can odten end up on the floor as parrots are messy creatures.  A parrot cage with good, deep bowls and a seed catcher can help, although some parrots will spit their food across the room !! 

As with all new pets, we at ideas-4-pets advise new owners to read up on parrots before purchasing so that you choose the right type for you and your family and look carefully at all the cages on offer before purchasing so that you get one that is right for your pet.  Once the right parrot is installed in your home you will have years of fun and affection to look forward to.

Rabbits are friendly, intelligent and clean animals that can make great family pets. Given the right amount of space to exercise, a good quality rabbit hutch to live in and the correct food and bedding, a rabbit will live happily for many years.

However, you will need to devote some quality time every day to the care of your rabbit.  Rabbits usually require more attention than some other small pets so they may not be ideal of very young children but will make an ideal pet for older children provided that they have an adult who will help them to take care of their needs.

There are many rabbit hutches on the market to choose from, but the rabbit hutch you choose must be weatherproof with a separate sleeping area with plenty of dry bedding to bed down in.

Ideally a rabbit hutch should be approx. 3 times the length of the full grown rabbit when lying down and allow the rabbit to stand on its hind legs easily.  These are not easy to come by, so if your hutch is smaller, consider adding a separate rabbit run to allow daily supervised exercise for your rabbit outside the cage.

The rabbit hutch should give some shade during the heat of the day and shelter from strong winds and rain.  Rabbit hutches can have rabbit runs built onto the hutch or you buy a separate rabbit run to be located elsewhere in your garden – Try and get one with a sheltered area to protect your rabbit from the weather.  Make sure that the hutch is cleaned out at least twice a week to prevent infestation, flies and odours.  A rabbit should always have a clean hutch and have plenty of fresh, clean water to drink.

Young rabbits can be nervous and should be allowed to gradually get used to you and their new surroundings.  For the first few days, talk quietly and gently to your rabbit to build up trust, then slowly introduce your hand into the hutch.  Rabbit are curious and he will become inquisitive and come to sniff your hand.  After a week or two, try picking up your rabbit but use both hands so that he feels safe and secure.  Make sure you support your rabbit by putting your hand under his hindquarters.  Never lift your rabbit by the ears as this is very cruel and very painful.  Would you like to be lifted by your ears?

You should also start to groom your rabbit daily once he has got used to you handling him.

All Rabbits need daily exercise as this is natural behaviour - they love to run around and kick their hind legs in the air.  It is important to encourage your rabbit to indulge in natural behaviour.  Rabbits also like to burrow and a piece of plastic piping in its rabbit hutch can act as a burrow - make sure it is wide enought to allow your rabbit to get through or he will get stuck !!  A box filled with shredded paper will encourage your rabbit to dig and if you put some root vegetables at the bottom of the box this will be a lovely treat for him to nibble on.

A healthy Rabbit is alert, has shining eyes, a shiny coat and a clean nose.  His breathing should be quiet and regular and his droppings should be formed pellets.  

In order for your rabbit to remain healthy he needs your time and attention as he should be checked at least twice a day.  

He also needs a good balanced diet with no sudden changes which could cause him to have an upset stomach. 

His hutch should be clean and dry and completely washed out with with a mild disinfectant at least once a week.

Your rabbit should not be exposed to any extreme or sudden changes in temperature and his water bottle and feeding bowls should be thoroughly cleaned daily.  He should also have easy access to clean, fresh water daily and be fed a quality rabbit food with fresh supplements if required.  Your vet will help you to choose a good food for your rabbit.

Place gnawing blocks and chew toys in his rabbit hutch to help wear his continually growing teeth or they will grow so long that it will hamper his feeding.  Your vet will advise you on this and will cut them for you if required. 

Long haired rabbits should be groomed every day and  short-coated rabbits should be groomed weekly.

Your vet will advise you on innoculations required and be careful that he does not come into contact with any wild rabbits who may carry disease.

Looked after properly, your pet rabbit will give you years of love and entertainment.

So you’ve just got a new puppy and now you have the daunting task of choosing a dog bed for him !! 

There are so many dog beds on the market at the moment that there are all sorts of things to consider before purchasing.

Does your dog spend a lot of time outdoors? If so, you might want to consider a waterproof dog bed or a dog bed with a waterproof base.  The waterproof dog beds come in various shapes and sizes to suit your dog’s particular needs and they are ideal for dogs who love to go on long walks in muddy fields or maybe enjoy a swim in the warm weather.  The great thing about these beds is that they dry very quickly and are available in a commercial material for outdoor use in the garden or dog kennel and also in a lighter weight material for in the home.  Both of them are totally waterproof so can be wiped down or hosed down. The material they are made from also resists infestations so are extremely hygienic.  If you want a softer bed but still like the idea of a waterproof dog bed, then why not consider one with a waterproof inner cushion and a washable outer cover.

If your dog is elderly, infirm, recovering from surgery or just a spoilt pooch who loves his comfort, then you might want to consider an orthopaedic dog bed which is made from either a whole piece of memory foam or crumbed memory foam.  The advantage of the orthopaedic dog bed is that it moulds to your dog’s shape and offers both comfort and support for your dog.

If your dog just loves to lounge about in luxury then a designer dog bed could be just the thing for him.  A designer dog bed will offer your dog a unique, stylish bed that will stand out from the rest - choose from leather dog beds, metal dog beds, luxury faux fur or designer comfy cotton dog beds.  Some dogs love to sleep curled up in a donut type dog bed whilst others like to spread out on a large mattress-type dog bed. 

Take a look at ideas-4-pets as we have a massive selection of dog beds to choose from at prices and designs to suit everyone’s requirements.

A dog will make a dog bed out of almost anything so long as it feels soft and comfy.  My dog will even snuggle up on top of a newspaper - especially if she sees I’m trying to read it !!  A favourite jumper makes a warm, comfy dog bed as does an available rug, particularly  if it’s placed in front of the fire .  But just like us, at certain times in their lives dogs need extra things from their beds other than warmth and softness.

If you have an elderly dog or a dog that has undergone surgery, their bed can make a massive difference to their level of comfort and quality of life.  My dog has recently had operations on both her knee joints and she found it hard to get comfortable however she tried. Even her favourite dog bed didn’t offer the type of support she needed at this time.

Orthopaedic dog beds can provide that extra comfort and support for your dog if it is recovering from surgery, if it suffers from arthritis, joint problems, is elderly or just suffering from declining health.  An orthopaedic dog bed will help your dog to rest better and to feel better.  Just like us, if your dog sleeps well and comfortably, it will do him good and help him to recover quicker.

Orthopaedic dog beds can also help to alleviate the problems that larger dogs sleeping on hard surfaces suffer from.  A hard surface often causes dogs to develop sores on their joints and it also puts extra pressure on already sore and aching joints.  Would you like to sleep on a piece of blanket on the kitchen floor?  Neither does your dog, although he will not grumble …….

An average dog bed won’t always provide the correct support that an older dog, an ill dog or a recovering dog requires, so purchasing an orthopaedic dog bed is an excellent way of giving your dog the best.  Just like ordinary dog beds, you can choose the size and depth to suit your dog’s size and weight.

ideas-4-pets have a new orthopaedic dog bed that has a removeable washable cover so it is easily kept clean.  The filling is made from crumbed memory foam and it moulds to your dog’s body giving him the extra comfort and support that he needs.  There are other orthopaedic dog beds that are made from whole pieces of memory foam which equally offer this same comfort and support for your dog. 

If you have an infirm, poorly, overweight or just a lazy dog then you will know how hard it can be to get them into your car!!

It can involve a lot of lifting and struggling on both behalf of your dog and you !! This not only risks hurting your dog, but it can also do you damage as well !!

Not all dogs can jump into the car unaided but they might be able to walk up or down a ramp at a gentle incline and this is where a pet ramp can be so very helpful.

To be safe, you should measure the length of the ramp from your car to the ground to make sure the incline is suitable for your dog. If the incline is too high then your dog will shy away from the ramp but if you have a 4×4 car then there are dog ramps which are specially made for these vehicles that are on legs to shorten the incline.

As some dogs tend to be wary of new things (even though they are of benefit to them) it’s always a good idea to help them by placing treats on the dog ramp. It also helps to give lots of encouragement to your dog so that he gets used to being praised when he uses the ramp. Sometimes it can take a long time, especially with an older dog, but the results are worth the effort.

Purchasing the best type of dog kennel for your dog can be a daunting prospect especially when you see the vast amount of dog kennels and dog runs on the market today.

Before you buy it’s important to consider all your options. For instance, do yo have an enclosed garden that your dog can roam around safely in whilst you are out of the house?
If so, then a single dog kennel is the answer. These can have either a traditional apex roof or a sloping flat roof and these latter dog kennels are sometimes referred to as flat roof dog cabins.

s there a sheltered place in your garden to place the dog kennel? If so, then having the kennel entrance in the middle of the front of the kennel is fine. If not, then you might want to consider purchasing a kennel with the entrance to the side of the front. This way, your dog can shelter in the side of the kennel away from wind or rain which may be blowing his way.<

Cleaning out the dog kennel is always something you should consider. If the roof is hinged and you can lift it up to gain access easily then this makes life easier for you and ensures that your dog’s home is always kept clean and hygienic.

Going back to the size of your garden again, if you are lucky enough to have a large garden but it is either not secure or you do not want to risk your dog burying bones or digging up your plants, then you should consider a dog kennel that has a dog run attached.

The latter come in various different shapes and sizes and again have the option of the sloping flat roofs or the Swiss Chalet type apex roofs. They offer a large kennel area for your dog to have his bed and also room to walk around and also a good sized run area for him to play and stretch his legs. You can choose to have the run made from galvanised bars or mesh and because many of the ranges are made specially for ideas-4-pets, they can be altered to suit your requirements.

Most of these types of kennels/runs have a covered run area which is ideal for your pet as it provides shelter from the bad weather and shade in the sun. All your dog needs is his favourite dog bed in the sleeping area, his favourite toys in the run and plenty of clean, fresh water (and some food if you are out for any length of time)

Another idea might be to purchase either a pre-packaged run to put a dog kennel in or the galvanised steel panels to made a dog run to your own specifications.

Ideas-4-pets have an excellent range of both the traditional and flat roofed dog kennels, the larger dog kennels with dog runs attached and also the free-standing runs and the galvanised panels. Some of the kennels have free fitting offers and all our products are delivered free of charge (there may be an extra charge for some areas of Scotland, Islands etc.)

Whatever you decide on, it is worth remembering that the larger the space you can give your dog the better. There is nothing worse for a dog than to be cooped up in a small kennel in a small space. He will get bored, fed up and even aggressive.

A dog who can have space to stretch his legs, see what is happening in the world and have room to both rest and play will be a happy dog.

Dogs love the outdoors and if you have either a garden that is not secure or a well kept garden that would not take kindly to a dog burying bones or digging up expensive flowers and plants, then a dog run could be the answer.

Dog runs give you peace of mind knowing that your dog is getting the benefit of the fresh air but that he is safe and contained. So he has his freedom but it is limited to the size of dog run you decide to purchase for him and your precious plants and flowers can bloom without the risk of being dug up or damaged.

Dog runs are available pre-packed made from wire mesh which is wrapped around a galvanised steel frame, in modular form in different sizes made from either galvanised mesh or bars or if you prefer to have a run in a specific size that is not available in pre-packed or modular form, you can purchase the individual galvanised panels in mesh or bars and build one to your own specifications.

Because they are galvanised they will not rust and the nuts and bolts to fix them together are supplied with the panels.

The pre-packed wire mesh runs have the option of a waterproof cover which is great for keeping your dog dry in the rain or offering shade in the summer months but if you buy him a dog run that is big enough, you can put his dog kennel inside the run which gives him the option of sleeping in the comfort of his own kennel.

The modular runs and the individual panels give you the option of having your dog kennel outside of the run by using a void panel which butts up against the dog kennel entrance to allow your access to the run.

The galvanised modulars and the individual panels give you the option of having a roof or leaving the run open. The roof consists of roof sheets which are bolted to the panels.

Ideas-4-pets have a good selection of both the galvanised pre-packed mesh runs, the galvanised modular runs and the individual panels so you can compare the products and prices and decide whether the pre-packed dog runs offer the size you require or whether you would prefer to build your own dog run to your own specific requirements.

If you think that a dog run would be ideal for your pet just remember to put his favourite toys inside the run along with his dog kennel with his favourite dog bed or bedding inside and leave some clean, fresh water for him to drink whilst you are away. If you are going to be away for some time then leave him some food to eat and you will return to a happy, contented dog.

If you have invested in a good quality rabbit hutch for your rabbit or guinea pig hutch for your guinea pig, then you will want to keep it for a long time. Here at ideas-4-pets we recommend this easy way of keeping your rabbit hutch clean, smelling sweetly and hygienic for your pet.

When Rabbits urinate into the top layer corner of any rabbit hutch it will run down below into the run area. No hutch that we are aware of will fully seal and stop this from happening. The same is true of a guinea pig hutch.

We recommend that it is better not use sawdust with rabbits as it irritates their eyes. The best way is to line the floor of the rabbit hutch with layers of newspaper which will soak up urine. The newspaper sheets should be changed regularly to stop the rabbit hutch from smelling and the paper from getting too wet and soggy. The bedding chamber where your rabbit or guinea pig will sleep, should be lined with newspaper - let the newspaper run up the sides and corners as well as the base of the hutch. One top of the newspaper lay hay or soft straw (the ‘dust extracted’ variety is best and is available at all good pet shops)

As a guideline, use about 6 layers of ‘broadsheet’ newspaper crossed in both directions so tat it runs up all the side walls, then add the hay which holds everything in place but remember to change it every few days.

The added benefit of using newspaper this way is that when cleaning out the hutch, the whole lot can be rolled into a bundle around the old bedding hay. This way you can pick up any droppings as well so cleaning becomes much easier. In fact, this can all be done in about 1 minute.

We would also recommend that the rabbit has a rabbit run for during the day in good weather, not forgetting to offer him some shade of course. This gives gives the rabbit access to grass and clover etc. and allows him to pee and poo in the garden rather than always in his hutch.

We were recently told by a vet that there are never any ‘ill’ rabbits, they are either ‘very well’ or ‘very dead’ but never poorly! ( ..her words) …. this is usually because owners feed them incorrectly. She recommended it’s best to keep them to a quality supplemented pellet food diet with maybe half an apple and half a carrot per day and stick to that.

She also advised not to keep changing their diet as it upsets their stomach. Surprisingly she informed us that lettuce is very bad as it gives them diarrhoea, so our advise is to avoid it. She also suggested that rabbits should have access to an open bowl of water as well as the inverted bottles as they tend to like a good ’slurp’ as well as drinking from the bottles.