Dwarf rabbits character- Why you should make them your best friends

First of all, the super small size of a baby dwarf rabbit that you can largely hold in one hand makes it extremely tender an adorable.

But beyond their external softness and cuteness, these little rabbits are very clever, curious and social. They adapt very well in a country environment as well in a city small apartment.

Although, in a small apartment they can not run freely as in the countryside, they will still make themselves comfortable to jump around the sofa or lie down in bed. They love to explore around the place.

You may think they make a wonderful gift for a kid, and they are very kid-friendly indeed and their needs are quite simple. However, children will not be able to look after them as good as an adult can do.

From age 4, your dwarf rabbit is a “middle-aged guy or lady”, though she still has lot of time ahead to have fun with you, since he/she can live up to 7 to 9 years, as long as you love and take care of them properly.

Dwarf Rabbits – Great pets for small living places

So now it’s the turn of dwarf rabbits. I fell in love with these little rabbits once I saw them at a local pet store, they are extremely cute and small. you just can't resist them!

Perfect pet for people who live in small places

In the U.S. and many European countries these soft and docile pets have become a pet favourite because their small size, which makes of them the bets choice for people who love animals but do not have enough room at home.

Dwarf Rabbit facts

• A rabbit is considered “dwarf” when it weighs from 1.8 pounds/800 grams to maximum 3 pounds. More than the latter weight would disqualify a rabbit as dwarf.

• Dwarf rabbits do not reproduce as much as average rabbits, though they can interbreed among them perfectly. So if you are thinking about raising rabbits, you would de better with the normal ones.

Should I sterilize my ferret?

It’s hard to answer this since when it comes to surgery for our pets, we only have to consider the ones that are CERTAINLY necessary, and ferret sterilization is.

Spaying vs. neutering

When it comes to female ferrets, we use the term “spay”, which refers to the extraction of ovaries and uterus. When it comes to male ferrets, we use the term “neuter” or castration –that is more precise than sterilization- that refers to the removal of glands or any other part of their reproductive system.

Valid reasons to spay and neuter your ferret

1. Prevents interbreeding of runaway ferrets with polecats: Despite that they say ferret are no wild animals, there are populations of them in certain places. This wouldn’t be a problem if there were not the chance they can mate with polecats. This interbreeding would eventually make wild polecats disappear.
2. Improved ferret behavior: This is particularly true in the case of male ferrets. A non-neutered male ferret can be more aggressive with its fellow ferrets or even its owner.
3. Keeps female ferrets safety: Female ferrets stay in heat as far as they do not mate. But this would cause severe anemia that may even cause their death. So, it is indispensable to spay female ferrets.
4. Reduces ferret bad smell: Neutered/spayed ferrets smell much less than those who are not.

Does neutering ferrets can really get rid of bad smell?

As we mentioned on a previous post, ferrets’ bad smell comes from the glands all over their bodies. Nevertheless, most people think they come right from the perianal glands (located on the base of the ferret’s tail), reason why they decide to get them removed from their ferrets.

But, is this really worth it? Or are you just damaging a healthy animal?

Do not blame it on the perianal glands….

These indeed secrete a bad smell, but only when your dear ferret feels scared or excited only: They are not responsible of the “usual” bad smell of your ferret pet.

So…removing perianal glands DOES NOT solve the ferret’s bad smell problem. Though, it does reduces they strong smell ferret have during heat phase.

Why not neutering your ferret

There is a 30 % chance your ferret may suffer from rectal prolapse. But on the other hand, when your ferret keeps its gland it will eventually expel some gases that actually do not smell more than a cat’s or dog’s gas.

In some European countries ferret neutering is considered illegal, cruel and unnecessary. In the U.S. most pets stores sell ferrets already neutered.

The final decision is all yours!

How to combat ferret's bad smell - Part II

Five tips to get rid of ferret's bad smell

First of all we want to point out that we can DECREASE the smell, make it less intense and unpleasant, but we can NOT make it disappear, it is the ferret's natural smell. So here are the tips.

1. It is demontrated scientifically that non-castrated ferrett smell more than catsrated ferret (also known as hobbles)
2. Bathing a ferret frequently has the contrary effects to what we expect. What it does is drying ferret's skin, resulting in promoting more sebaceuos gland segregation
   
3. Some ferret food may make the ferret smell more. Some foods as fish can increase the smell of the cage, and the smell of the ferret as well
   
4. Ferret cage cleaning is an important issue. Sometimes what smells is the cage and not the ferret,the latter just absorbs the smell of the things inside its cage. The hot spots of a ferret cage are the hammock and the corner litter pan. Clean them, 2 to 3 times a week.
5. There are internal deodorants that help decrease the smell of ferret feces as BiOdor de Marshall.

Hope these tips help you have a better environment for your ferret pet and you at home. C-ya on next post ;)