Bird Toys for Pet Rats

Toys are important for any pet. Animals weren't designed to live sedentary lives, whether in cages like a bird or rodents, or on the couch like a cat or dog. Although sleeping takes up a lot of time, pets still need something to do to keep their minds and bodies engaged -- and that's where toys come in. People readily accept the idea that dogs and even cats need toys, but they tend to overlook these important items when it comes to caged pets.

Toys marketed for birds are usually great for rodents, too, but you don't always need to pay for your pet's play. Freebies small pets enjoy include the centers of toilet paper and paper towel rolls, old toothbrushes (run them through the dishwasher first), leather shoelaces and small branches, especially from fruit trees.

I've found a great site for you which supplies vegetable tanned leather to the bird toy trade and these bird toys would make neat rat toys.

I recommend you go over and check out the site. Here are the contact details. Richard runs the show.

Richmond Castano
508-583-3485
www.twinleather.com
www.twinleather.com/leatherproducts

Vet signs off on pet project for another year

YESTERDAY signalled the end of the Royal Easter Show for another year for Peter Higgins.

The Killara resident has been the senior Vet at the show for 15 years. He was responsible for looking after more than 4000 dogs, 500 cats, 400 rats and mice, and hundreds of birds, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Dr Higgins attended all 14 days of the show.

It was a hectic two weeks, with many of Dr Higgins' days comprising 12-hour days and 6.30am starts.

Despite the long hours, Dr Higgins said he couldn't imagine not being involved with the show.

``It becomes a part of your life and the show gets in your blood,'' he said. ``It's a good feeling knowing that you have been a part of something people will remember.''

As senior Vet, Dr Higgins' vetted cats and dogs and rats and attended to them if they became stressed, ill or injured.

He also carried out random drug tests on the competing animals and was a commentator for the Best in Show dog competition.

...another show comes and another show goes...

Tara Bleu's loves her pet rats

People increasingly intrigued with unusual animals as pets.

Tara Bleu's mother bought her a cage and told her she could decide what to put in it.

She quickly made her choice at the pet store.

"The first time I held a rat, I fell in love with them because I thought they were so cute," 13-year-old Bleu said.

She chose her first rat, Angel, after the furry creature came right up to her when she put her nose up to the cage.

Bleu now has three rats, Velvet, Smokey and Hannah, and has even inspired her brothers to get rats.

"My mom loves my rats, too," Bleu said of her mom, Linda Bleu.

...I don't think rats are that unusual...