Taking care of fish

If you own fish or are thinking of getting them, consider what it takes to care for them and the expenses of a really good and nice looking fish tank. Cleaning

out a fish tank and its contents, otherwise known as siphoning, is not a glamorous thing. In fact, it’s a chore that sometimes requires the work of two people.

Fish can make wonderful and beautiful pets. They are especially easy to care for, but you have to be careful at times. If one fish gets a virus--they all die and you’re left with no fish and a depressingly empty fishtank. If you want to care for your fish in the best way possible, use the following advice.

If You’re Purchasing Fish

If you’re purchasing fish, the best thing to do is start getting as much information as possible from a really informative salesperson at the pet store. Usually, they are pretty helpful and can direct you to exactly all of the supplies and things you will need to purchase your fish and fish essentials. Make sure you buy the right fish food for the type of fish you’ve purchased. It might be nice to add some color and texture to your fishtank with some fish displays and fake underwater “things”.

Fish Essentials

The essentials you will need to cover the entire fish purchasing process would include: various fish, fish tank and stand (probably the most expensive items), fish food, fish displays/props, a siphoning tool, real rocks to cover the bottom of the tank, and perhaps some colored stones and rocks for looks.

If You Already Have Fish

If you already have fish, you probably know the routine. Siphoning out the fish tank every month is not a fun chore. But, it must be done for the survival of your precious fish. For starters, get a partner.

Steps to Siphon Out Your Fish Tank

1. Buy a tool that is used for siphoning. Usually, it is a two-piece instrument that sucks water out of one area and puts it into another. Obviously, with a full fish tank, you cannot simply take it and dump the water out into the sink or toilet--tanks are too clumsy for that; this is why you have to siphon the water out. It’s almost like a vacuum, except the water and dirt goes down the drain. It must be all done by hand. *Cart your tank over to the sink or try to perform this task outdoors, if possible.

2. After 50% of the water is siphoned out, scoop out rocks from bottom of tank (You don't want to remove all of the water or you may run into "new tank syndrome"). Sift the rocks individually with a sifter or macaroni drainer. This way, you clean the debris from the rocks and may reuse them, instead of putting in new rocks.

3. After the rocks are all out, clean and scrape all debris, algae, and dirt from the insides of the tank walls; allow to dry. DO NOT use bleach or other cleaning fluids inside the tank.

4. Put back rocks; add fresh water.

*Note: It may help to have a rolling cart that you may move the fish tank with, as sometimes, the really large tanks are very difficult to handle. Hence, the “partner” ide

This is not my work info were took from http://www.essortment.com/all/fishpetstaking_rmtw.htm

How to take care of a turtle

A baby turtle might sound like an adorable pet for you and your family , but you should know the facts about baby turtles and the care that they require before you get one. Red eared sliders are the most common variety of turtle that are kept as pets, although there of course are many others that you could come across. If you have children, you have to understand that turtles are not the ideal pet for kids because they can’t be cuddled and snuggled with like a cat or a dog could. In fact, they really can’t even be petted like a hamster, gerbil, or guinea pig. It’s not that the turtles will bite – in fact it’s nothing violent at all. The problem is that turtles can pass Salmonella bacteria on to people, especially children. A child will want to touch the baby turtle – and maybe even taste it! Hey, kids do some wacky things, and licking a turtle is not out of the question for a tot at all. As an adult, you have the sense and the good hygiene to thoroughly wash your hands after handling a baby turtle in order to ward off a bacterial infection. A child is far less diligent, and therefore there is a much greater likelihood that your child could get sick as a result of handling the baby turtle. Make sure that your family is mature enough for this type of responsibility. HOUSING You can’t just put a turtle in a fish tank and call it a day. Turtles require specific housing amenities to thrive. If you properly care for your little guy, he could survive for decades, so make sure that you provide your turtle with a comfortable and healthy home. If your pet doesn’t receive the proper care, it could become ill, experience shell deformations, or die. In fact, the death rate for turtles is extremely high – partly due to the fact that people buy turtles without researching their proper care. Your turtle should not be allowed out of its cage or enclosure because of the bacteria that it could threaten your home with if it was allowed to roam free (plus, your turtle will only be a few inches long as a baby – although it could grow to be about a foot – so you want to make sure that it doesn’t get lost or stepped on)! An aquarium will work fine. You should fill the cage with water so that the water level is taller than your turtle is wide. Use smooth rocks to create a “land” area in the aquarium as well. Your turtle should have equal land and water area in its home, or at least one-third basking area to two-thirds swimming space. Also, it is important that the air and the water are heated at about eighty-five degrees so that your turtle is not too cold to swim, and it can bask in warmth. Basking lights are available at most pet stores. As your turtle grows, so should your turtle’s home. You want to provide your pet with the best possible quality of life, and since it will spend its whole life in its home, it should be your goal to make that home a very happy place! FEEDING Turtle foods are available at pet stores; however, this food should not be your turtle’s only source of nutrition. You should complete the baby turtle’s diet by providing him with some greens, earthworms, small fish, and fruit. You might notice that your pet has a preference for certain foods, so pay attention to uneaten foods left over after feedings. Feed your pet two or three times daily. CLEANING Your turtle’s home should be kept clean at all times. You cannot leave uneaten food to spoil or you will wind up with a sick baby turtle. Clean, fresh water is also essential to your turtle’s wellbeing. Rinse your turtle with warm water after you feed him so that he does not have remnants of food on him that could spoil. If you don’t have a filtration system, then you should make daily cleaning of your turtle’s aquarium a priority, and even with a filtration, you should at least clean out any droppings on a daily basis. HEALTH CARE Find a local veterinarian who has solid experience with turtles so that your baby can get the best care possible.

Not my work this info is from http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/babyturtlecare_sdka.htm

How to take care a rabbit

Pet rabbits are fun, loving animals that are very easy to care for and can be a welcome addition to your family. There are many different breeds of rabbits to choose from. Visit your local pet store or rabbit breeder to get an idea on the type of rabbit you are looking for. When choosing a rabbit, look at the surroundings making sure it is clean. Look for alert and active rabbits. Look for people that can answer all questions regarding rabbits. A dirty environment can mean unhealthy rabbits. Do your homework before buying, be aware of what a healthy rabbit looks like and have a little knowledge. The best age to buy a rabbit is between six to ten weeks old. Their eyes should be clear and bright. Watch for signs of diarrhea, sneezing and sniffling. Do not handle your new rabbit too much at first upon arrival home. Give him a chance to get used to his new environment. Explain to young children how to handle a rabbit safely. After a couple days, begin to hold your new rabbit. handling a rabbit makes him more tame and loveable. Slip one hand under his chest and use the other to support his hindquarters. Never pick him up by his ears! Feed your rabbit twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Pellet food available at petstores, hay, and greens should be your rabbit's main diet. You can supplement this with occasional carrots, apple slices and brocoli. Keep plenty of fresh water available at all times. Make sure you provide pieces of wood for your rabbit to chew on. Rabbit's teeth grow constantly like fingernails and chewing on wood helps to file them down. Give your rabbit plenty of attention and pet him frequently. Rabbits get along fine with other household pets but use caution when introducing. Do not give your other pets a chance to hurt your rabbit. Provide a cage for your rabbit. He can be an indoor or outdoor pet. If outdoors, make sure you provide adequate protection from the elements. The cage should be large enough to allow your rabbit to move around. Recommendations for size are four and one-half feet wide, two and one-half feet high and two feet deep. Keep your rabbit's cage clean. Change his bedding as needed. it should be done at least two or three times a week as a minimum. They are generally clean animals and will usually "dirty" in one area of their cage. Scrub the cage with a mild disinfectant once a week. Allow your rabbit to be out of his cage often to exercise. Provide supervision when he is out. Rabbits love to chew on things. Rabbit leashes are available to allow your bunny to take a walk outside. Rabbits do not require much veterinary care unless sick. They can be neutered. You may want to take them in occasionally to have their nails trimmed. Having a pet rabbit can be a welcome addition to your family. They are relatively easy to care for and require little maintenance-just lots of love and attention. Not my work info get from http://www.essortment.com/all/howtotakecare_rcqn.htm

How to take care a hamster

Hamsters are tiny, nocturnal rodents covered from head to toe with different colours of fur. They are great pets to keep in a cage and are easy to take care of. If you would like to tame your hamster the best time to do so is when he is still young. The older he gets the harder it will be to make him trust people. Start by talking to your hamster and do not pick him up until you are sure he isn’t frightened of you. Hamsters will bite when they are frightened so be careful. If he shows any signs of being stressed, leave and try stroking him after a while. Cup your hands gently around the hamster to pick him up, or pick him up at the scruff of the neck, the way the mother hamsters will carry her babies when they are still young. It will take about three to four weeks to tame a hamster so be patient. Hamsters need a cage, food, water, a hiding place, toys and soft bedding materials.

For the cage, make sure it is not made of wood. The hamster would just eat his way through the cage, escape and might hurt himself. Never keep the cage near heaters, direct sunlight, on a fridge, next to a television or a radio. All these will harm the hamster and will cut his life expectancy down very much. Get the largest cage you can afford since the larger the cage is, the happier the hamster will be. Another great way to keep your hamster is in a glass tank. The hamster will not be able to gnaw his way out, and will not feel as cornered as the metal “prisons”. Ventilation is provided from the top, and a tray can be used at the bottom to ease the cleaning.

Hamsters will eat a variety of food such as apples, nuts, chicken, rice, eggs, hamster food, eggs, pasta, and bananas. Make sure you avoid any citrus fruits since they will be harmful to the hamsters. Make sure the hamster has a healthy diet with some fresh vegetables and fruit on every day. Store the store-bought hamster food in airtight containers in a dry dark place to ensure it stays fresh.

Fresh water should always be supplied to the hamster. The easiest way to do this is by getting a water bottle especially designed for hamsters. You can also use a bowl with fresh water, but make sure it is a heavy bowl so the hamster can’t tip it over and so you don’t have to refill the water as often. If the bowl tips over the bedding will also get wet and you will have to clean out the cage.

Hiding places are also important to the hamster. They love to hide under a log or inside a cardboard box. They will chew on the cardboard so something out of wood will be better. Don’t take the hamster out of the hiding place since he will feel safe to sleep in there and he needs a place of privacy.

Hamsters like to play with at least one toy and a great one to get is a wheel. The metal ones will last much longer since he will probably bite it once in a while. Keep it oiled to ensure that it will not squeak and keep you up at night. Hamsters love getting a new toy, so instead of having many toys crammed into the cage, periodically give him a different one to play with. Keep the wheel inside the cage at all times though since it will help the hamster exercise. Good ideas for hamster toys are underground tunnels (such as a toilet paper roll on the bedding), swings, bridges, tubes, and mirrors.

The bedding material should be plain pine wood shavings, or saw dust or straw. Do not buy any scented materials since the hamster might develop an allergic reaction to those materials. Give the hamster at least 2 inches of the bedding to make sure he is comfortable. For nesting materials give the hamster paper flakes or shredded paper, but make sure it isn’t newsprint since that will contain harmful chemicals to the hamster. Paper is inexpensive and safe for the hamster.

Something to look out for is that the hamster doesn’t get temperature that is lower then 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If this happens, the hamster will start entering hibernation and the hamster may appear to be dead. Hibernation can last from just a few minutes to an entire week. Usually the hibernation will last about two or three days and the hamster will probably get up to feed about once every twelve hours. Hamsters have been mistaken for dead since their body temperature will drop a few degrees, their heart will only beat about 4 times per minute and they will have less then one breath per minute. So if you are in doubt whether your hamster is in hibernation or dead, make sure you bring him to the local pet store and don’t bury him by accident. If he is in hibernation keep fresh food near him for the time he feeds, and slowly increase the temperature back to normal to help him come out of the hibernation. Do not do this too quickly though because he might go into metabolic stress and they might die. The best way to ensure your hamster is well and happy is to keep him at room temperature.

What a great little friend to have around.

Not my work info were get from http://www.essortment.com/all/howtotakecare_rnoj.htm TY