Hamster Life Hacks: Seven Essential Hacks For Every Hamster Owner

Seven Nifty Tips To Care For Hamsters!

One might think a Hamster requires minimum care due to the sheer size of these little furballs. But if you have had Hamsters before, you’d realize how there’s just as much responsibilities as compared to larger Pets. Perhaps their popularity may have declined since then, but according to social media accounts we've come across the past years, Hamsters are definitely making a come back.

Source

Life hacks exist to help aid our everyday lives, of which includes our furry companions too. Pet ownership responsibilities doesn’t have to be a drag, for a simple tip could very well improve and simplify matters— so we can enjoy the company of our Pets even more.

1. Natural Cleaning Agent

It's White Vinegar again, taking the main spotlight for the best and most effective cleaning agent for cleaning after all types of Pets! Killing bacteria isn't its only upside, it is also an au-naturel odour killer— non-toxic for your Furkids:

Source

• Buy or recycle a spritz bottle
• Mix 1 part White Vinegar to 3 parts water in the bottle
• Spray on the desired areas

For application on carpets or soft material stained with urine, food bits or faecal waste— soak them up with a paste mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar, leave on for a few minutes before a thorough rinse.

2. Cleaning Water Bottles

Water bottles for small animals are a little tough to be completely cleaned, even with a small brush or dishwasher (if the bottle is dishwasher-safe). 

• Chuck in a small amount of Rice, and add on a bit of hot water.
• Shake the bottle as much as you can 
• Rinse over to complete the process and rid every bit of rice grain.

Rice soaks up leftover debris or gunk in the areas you can’t get to! 

Source

3. Keeping Hamster Bottles In Place

Anti-rust and beautiful Hamster homes now involve a regular glass/acrylic aquarium for better observational purposes and viewing your little Pet go about their days— the only issue here is that there are no grills to secure water bottles to!

Source

One nifty trick you can try is using Industrial grade/heavy duty Velcro, to fasten their water bottles onto a flat surface! 

P.S. We’ve actually tried using these on framed paintings that weigh more than a Hammie’s water bottle. They worked great, just follow through on the given instructions!

4. Provide A Stepping Stone

It’s hard to imagine how such a small animal may need nail trimming, but they do! This intricate process isn't a walk a the park for most of us, and could also be extremely dangerous. To avoid accidentally hurting your Hamster through this process, a combination of two strategically placed items does just the trick for many owners ☺

• Recycle a clean, flat pumice stone or stone
• Place pumice stone or stone at area where you desire the water bottle to be. 
• Hang/stick the water bottle above the stone.

The stone should be where the dispenser tip is, so when your Hammie helps itself up for a drink of water, their nails get a quick filing too!

5. Recycle Those Paper Rolls

Just how useful are empty toilet rolls for our small animal friends?! These have served so well for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and now, performing its handy duties as chew-able tunnels for our Hammie pals. Large, small, long or short, toilet rolls of all sorts are a smorgasbord of possible fun and purpose for your pet Hamster— secret hideaways, anyone?  

Source

6. Keeping Your Hamster Cool

Unfortunately, our little furry friends are pretty prone to heating up in hot weather and stuffy rooms. In case you were wondering:

• It is fine to include some iced-water in their water bottles on hot days. 
• Got ceramic accessories for Hamsters? Freeze those before placing them back into the cage. 
• Include moderate servings of frozen fruit or vegetable snacks

Source

7. Quieten The Hamster Wheel

Hearing the sound of a running wheel is just one way we know our Hammies are active. On the other hand, the clanking and whirling at odd timings can make it unbearably tough to catch a good night’s rest for light sleepers. Instead of removing their privilege of having a wheel (not advisable at all), simply oil the centre pivot point with a natural oil like Olive oil. Just one drop, and it is good to go! 

You might also be interested in these:

Can I Bath My Hamster In Water?: 6 Ways To Keep A Hamster Clean!

Gerbils: The New Pet Hamster Breed?

Syrian Hamsters: The First Hamster Breed Introduced As Pets

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

Got a tip of your own? Your voices are important to us and the Pets community! Our readers are encouraged to share their  Pet-related reviews of a place and its services, experiences, even lifestyle tips and tricks to better our Pets lives, on our platform, one paw at a time. Be a part of an educational and informative Pets community because at ThePetsDialogue, your voices could make a huge difference.

Write to us at [email protected] today!

Our website is a work in progress, however, if you did find our articles interesting please do feel free to share! For more Pet care tips and other Pet-related articles, head to www.thepetsdialogue.com ☺

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!

Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Pet’s Bed Efficiently: Why You Ought To And How You Can!

Cleaning Up Your Pet's Bed More Effectively With These Tips!

Pet health and hygiene at home goes beyond food and grooming as we take a closer look at ways we can create a better living environment for our Pets— cleaning and disinfecting their beds. This responsibility not only applies to Dogs and Cats, smaller Pet types such as Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, even Birds too!

Source

Cleaning of their bowls and accessories should be part of a daily routine, discover quick methods and steps of easing up that process here.

Just How Dirty Can My Pet's Bed Get?

Like us, our Furkids come in contact with potential bacteria every single day, the only difference is that we have better knowledge to efficiently clean ourselves up. It's high time to give your Pets a hand with that— here are a few questions to address to understand the importance of properly cleaning their beds:

• Does your Pet shed a lot?
• How frequent do you take them out for a walk?
• Does your Pet drool excessively?
• Do they have current allergies or skin issues?
• How quickly does dust accumulate at home?

Source

Bacteria, germs, diseases and harmful pathogens can be carried through many ways, such as vomit, saliva, urine, faeces, any other form of discharge and even hair/fur. These are potential nesting grounds for a lot of bacteria— Regular washing enables easier and more efficient removal of these pathogens. Since regular grooming is already an essential part to having a pet, why let the cleaning effort go to waste when you can ensure that they are turning in for a good night’s rest on a fresh clean bed☺

1. Vacuuming 

To start off, you can include vacuuming your Pet’s bed in your weekly home cleaning regime, especially for Pets that shed a lot— Clumps and clusters of hair and fur get stuck in and on their beds! 

Hot Tip #1      A good quality vacuum can even come with brush-heads of excellent assistance in picking up Pet hair on fabric.

2. Lint-Rolling

A good roll-over with a lint-roller or tape can also quickly get the job done! Additionally, this gets rid of dust, and the chances of them swallowing their own fur is greatly reduced.

Source

3. Choosing A Suitable Pet Bed 

This can be tricky, there are too many adorable designs! Your Pet’s unique preference(s) might come first, but we should also consider if it is laundry-safe. For example, a Pet bed with removable covers that allows washing would be ideal— you can easily chuck the covers into a washer for a good rinse. A bed with non-removable covers on the other hand, would require a much longer time to dry after rinsing.

4. Disinfecting With High Heat

The advised temperature to successfully kill any harmful pathogens is 60°C to 70°C (140°F to 158°F). 

• Pre-soak bed covers in boiling water and Pet-friendly detergent. 
• Opt for an even natural cleaning agent like Distilled White Vinegar instead.
• Soak for at least one hour 
• Rinse thoroughly with water 
• For laundry-friendly fabrics, pop them in the washer!

Source

Hot Tip #2      Avoid using bleach and fabric softeners, bleach is harmful if not properly washed and ingested by your Pets, and fabric softeners could be really tough on their sensitive noses.

5. Drying Methods

Using a Dryer is one efficient way to dry any permissible material, but for those of us that do not have one available at home, the Sun is your best friend! Fresh, sunned-out laundry not only smells great, it further depletes any remaining bacteria. Now you can ensure your Pet has a clean and dry bed ready on the very same day of washing☺

Don’t forget to give their beds a good spritz of Pet-friendly disinfectants and air out before you usher your Furkids in.

Hot Tip #3      During seasons where you can’t be too sure of rain or shine, swing by a Laundromat and pop your laundry into a Dryer for a spin!

 Source

Happy Cleaning!

You might also be interested in:

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Cat Owner

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Dog Owner

Useful Tips On How To Life Hack For Guinea Pigs

Ten Most Useful And Easy Life Hacks For Every Rabbit Owner

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

Have YOU tried any of these products? Your voices are important to us and the Pets community! Our readers are encouraged to share their Pet-related reviews of a place and its services, experiences, even lifestyle tips and tricks to better our Pets lives, on our platform, one paw at a time. Be a part of an educational and informative Pets community because at ThePetsDialogue, your voices could make a huge difference on a global scale.

Write to us at [email protected] today!

Our website is a work in progress, however, if you did find our articles interesting please do feel free to share! For more Pet care tips and other Pet-related articles, head to www.thepetsdialogue.com ☺

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!

Water Fountains For Pets: Benefits, Uses, And Where To Buy Them!

The multiple benefits of drinking fountains for Pets

Is a drinking fountain really necessary for our Pets? Truth be told, this plausible commodity may have been deemed as an indulgence back then, but we've all noticed the advancement in products and healthcare over the years— Pets are more than just companions today, they're family.

Should I get a water fountain for my Pet?

Studies and research have proven that a water fountain for your Pet(s) has more uses to it than just convenience or decorative purposes.

Benefits Of A Drinking Fountain

Proper Hydration — A water fountain can serve a few purposes for our Cats and Dogs. Mainly because most of our Pets have a common diet of dry kibble and the occasional feedings of canned food. Naturally, dry kibble contains a very low percentage of water as compared to canned food, but like us, Pets need an appropriate intake of water! 

Fun Fact #1      The lack of an appropriate amount of water in their systems could result in dehydration and other health issues.

Hygiene — Have you noticed how much Pet hair retains in and on the water surface of drinking bowls? Not forgetting the backwash of saliva and food bits after every meal! A constant flow of fresh, clean water prevents our Pets from ingesting hair, dust, and bacteria— this is made possible with cycling of water through filters in Water fountains☺.

Cats — Daily water intake for Cats are usually garnered from food or prey in the wild. You might have also noticed how not all Cats are cooperative with water. Basically, our feline companions have a low-thirst drive for H2O. The theory is this: Stale, non-moving water in a bowl is just not enticing for many Kitties. 

via Pinterest

This theory might also explain why our Cats love sitting beside sink tops to watch you wash something, and taking a swat at flowing water. Other behaviours include dipping their paws into water bowls right before they lick them!

Dogs — Our Canine buddies might not possess the issue of a low-thirst drive. Water is essential as a form of daily hydration and cooling down of their overall body temperatures. Doggos instinctively gulp down copious amounts of water especially during a hot day or playtime. 

 via Labrador_s2 on Instagram

Fun Fact #2      As it turns out, Birds are also a fan of these water fountains! Let your tamed feathered friends in on a bath and watch how they scuttle, flap and play with moving water. 

via NWKnews

View related:

Types Of Dog Bowls: Choosing The Best Fit For Your Dogs

Is My Cat Sick?: How To Tell If Your Cat Is Sick or Sad

Can Dogs Get Depressed?: Nine Tell Tale Signs Your Dog Is Depressed or Unwell

Where To Buy Pet Water Fountains

Once again for your convenience we have dug out the available Cat and Dog Water Fountains within the marketplace— Shopee, Qoo10, Carousell, Lazada, including local favourites such as online Pet Stores!

Qoo10 Listings

1. KKDoggieHaven — DrinkWell Pet Drinking Fountain by PetSafe

2. Sterne Mond Co. — Original DrinkWell Fountain by PetSafe

3. Bubble Pets SG — Catit Fresh and Clear Drinking Fountain for Cats

4. Selected Tube — All For Paws Pet Dog Cat Waterfall DrinkingFountain Fresh Flowing Water Bowl

5. LollyPup — All For Paws Pet Dog Cat Waterfall Drinking FountainFresh Flowing Water Bowl

6. HubMall — Pet Fountain Automatic Water Dispenser for Dogs and CatsHealthy and Hygienic Dog Fountain

Shopee Listings

1. Muyguapa — Drinkwell Pet Fountains (360 Plastic Fountain)

2. PurityWhite — Pet automatic water fountain Despenser

3. Clolorlife.SG — Automatic 1.8L Pet Water Fountain Dog Cat DrinkingBowl with LED Light JP Plug

Carousell Listings

1. Diamante Roses — Pet Drinking Fountain

2. Candytls — NEW Water Fountain bowl

3. PetFolio — Yogi Water bowl 2

4. AnnaMolly — Catit Stainless Steel Top Fountain White 2L

Lazada Listings — Compare prices from similar sellers

Local Pet Shops Online

KohePets

NekoJam — For Dogs  ,  For Cats 

PolyPet SG

CatSmart

Pawrus Singapore

SingPet SG

DoggyFriend

Portable Pet Fountain

Then you might want to give the Torus Water bowls a go! No electricity needed, automatic refills, built in filter and a lock system that prevents leak when you are on the go. Grab yours at these places:

ATA Global Shop (Qoo10) — Heyrex Torus Self-Filling Pet Water Bowl ForDogs 2 Liter

NekoJam — Torus Water Bowl

Keeping A Pet Water Fountain Clean

Yes most of these automated Pet water fountains come with a built in filter to help rid those stray fur, hair, or even food bits, keeping the water fresh and clean. How many times have you looked at a water-cooler and stared at the algae-filled filter by the side dubiously *Gasp*— We honestly lost count. So, don’t forget to replace the filter and clean out the system (with warm water and soap) once or twice every week!

Note      Some of these water fountains have special instructions and cleaning agents that you can purchase under the same series, simply follow the manual that comes with!

You might also be interested in:

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Cat Owner

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Dog Owner

Dog Hotels: The Available Services In Singapore And How To Pick One

Cat Hotels: Your Ultimate Guide To Cat Boarding Services In Singapore

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

Have YOU tried any of these products? Your voices are important to us and the Pets community! Our readers are encouraged to share their Pet-related reviews of a place and its services, experiences, even lifestyle tips and tricks to better our Pets lives, on our platform, one paw at a time. Be a part of an educational and informative Pets community because at ThePetsDialogue, your voices could make a huge difference on a global scale.

via Wat.Ki on Instagram

Write to us at [email protected] today!

Our website is a work in progress, however, if you did find our articles interesting please do feel free to share! For more Pet care tips and other Pet-related articles, head to www.thepetsdialogue.com ☺

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!

Cleaning Dog Bowls And Toys: Cheap, Disinfecting And Efficient Cleaning At Home

First things first, when are we supposed to give our pet bowl a good thorough wash? Well friends, instead of asking yourself that question, act upon it as a daily habit! Not washing your Pupper’s bowl isn’t just gross, it could potentially cause them more harm than you could imagine. To put it bluntly, nobody, should nor would eat out of an unwashed dish, and our pets deserve no less of the equal treatment. J

Source

Why Do I Have To Wash Dog Bowls And Toys?

If you leave your Dog’s bowl out unwashed for a day, chances are you’re gonna be able to feel a layer of slimey grime if you run your fingers on the surface, and this is a build-up of a couple of things— your pet’s drool, dirt, and leftover food bits. You don’t want your pet ingesting all of these again, and these are some tips on how you can effectively clean and disinfect at the same time, for both their bowls and toys!

1. Cleaning Hard Dog Toys

Some of us may have the luxury and convenience of a dishwasher, which is a fuss free way of killing off harmful bacteria in high temperature. Bacteria is killed at 70 Degree Celsius and above. Well for the rest of us here without a dishwater, fret not! You can achieve the same results manually with a sponge, boiling water and vinegar.

Directions — Soak toys in 1 part white vinegar and 1 part boiling water, for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Using a sponge, carefully scrub off any leftover dirt or grime and avoid scratching the surfaces. Rinse over with water thoroughly and let it dry.

Source

As kids, we had certain toys we simply refuse to give up, even if it has long gone out of shape and way beyond recognition— it’s understandable if our furry pals feel the same! Just be sure to dispose of toys that have become tiny enough to pose as a choking hazard, or simply way too old.

2. Cleaning Pet Bowls

Quick Tip— Apply the similar cleaning method as above for your pet’s bowls. Change out plastic bowls that are old or scratched. Scratches are known to be great homes for bacteria growth. Invest in a food mat, preferably one you could easily wash and dry (not made of cloth). Food mats not only prevents your Dogs from eating off the floor, it makes spills easier to clean up!

Source

3. Cleaning Soft Dog Toys

These are generally easier with the help of a washing machine, though it is important to be particularly careful as cloth materials soak up moisture, and acts as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned and dried properly.

Source

Directions — Pre-soak in boiling water and vinegar. Next, chuck them in a laundry bag and run machine as you would for your own laundry. Last but not least, dry them completely (best in the Sun), before handing them back to your Dogs!

Notes

Water bills are a major bummer, but as opposed to not washing our pet’s toys and bowls in efforts of saving some money— how about actually washing the toys in a huge batch, all together? That could also include their accessories, and other pet related items. Do be careful when handling boiling water, don’t scald yourselves!

Source

Opting for bleach or soap as a cleaning agent could be alternatives for some owners to kill off germs and bacteria, but leaving any residue behind could be extremely dangerous for the pets, and we chose to avoid it altogether. If you do decide to go with bleach or soap, be extremely meticulous in getting it completely off! Cleaning their belongings is just as important as their physical hygiene and diet, each of them play major roles that ensures your pets’ happiness and good health!

You might also be interested in these:

How To Efficiently Clean And Disinfect Your Pet’s Bed

Collars And Leashes: Choosing A Suitable Fit For Your Dogs

Dog Bowls: Choosing The Best Fit For Your Dogs

Dog Hotels: The Available Services In Singapore And How To Pick One

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

Have you tried any of these services? Your voices are important to us and the Pets community! Our readers are encouraged to share their Pet-related reviews of a place and its services, experiences, even lifestyle tips and tricks to better our Pets lives, on our platform, one paw at a time. Be a part of an educational and informative Pets community because at ThePetsDialogue, your voices could make a huge difference on a global scale.

Write to us at [email protected] today!

Our website is a work in progress, however, if you did find our articles interesting please do feel free to share! For more Pet care tips and other Pet-related articles, head to www.thepetsdialogue.com ☺

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!

Halloween Dog Costumes: Your Last Minute Shopping Guide!

Today Halloween is still celebrated with open-houses for trick-or-treating (in Western countries), home parties, and Halloween themed Events. All of which visited by people in costumes and make-up, intricately put together for this special day; A day you get to be someone, or something else. And as with every special occasion you'd spend with your friend or family, Pets are not left out on this tradition!   

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is a day of many traditional activities, remembering the dearly departed, visiting haunted locations, go treat-or-treating, carving pumpkin lanterns, apple-bobbing, and the most popular of all –dressing up! Why? It's believed that Ghouls and Ghosts roam the streets worldwide on this very day, so in order to avoid any disturbances, this prompted the tradition of Humans guising as spirits and creatures from the netherworld, in hopes of blending in with the crowd.  

Did you know, you can still get Halloween costumes for your Dogs? 

Where To Buy Dog Costumes 

Since Halloween falls on a Weekday this year, a ton of parties and events are happening this weekend! So the delivery most online places take to process is probably not going to cut it. However, we found some great sources where you can get reasonably priced costumes just in time, and even meet-up to get a feel of it!

Last Minute Shopping

If you are looking for something to make it in time for parties this weekend:

1. The Devil

Via Little Cherry; Price - $11.40 (on sale)

Source

2. Lady Bug

Via Carousell ; Price $6.89

Source

Late Halloween Celebrations

In the event of an work/friendly Halloween gathering on the day itself (Tuesday, 31st Oct) or a belated celebration, you could try your luck at these online places. Snag that Doggy costume just in time!

1. Crayon 

Via Funidelia ; Price $39.99

Source

2. Gnome 

Via Etsy ; Price $39.33++

Source

3. Doctor

Via Qoo10 ; Price $35.90

Source

4. Pumpkin

Via Shopee ; Price $11.28

Source

5. Policeman

Via Lollypup ; Price $19.00

Source

6. Afro Guitarist

Via Lazada ; Price $12.62

Source

DIY Halloween Costume 

Some Pet owners opt to make their own Halloween costumes for their Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, and even Birds because, well –at times it's tough to find a one-size-fits-all. Otherwise, there is also the option of buying one! Didn’t get your costumes in time? Well you're not alone, we too have been so buried with work, but we didn't want our Doggos to miss out on the fun! Since his Dino costume does not fit anymore, so we took a whirl at a DIY project; 

Boo!

A simple, cut-out cloth that drapes over Neno. Letting his cuteness work into a textbook Ghost costume *wink* Don't worry, this was just for photo-taking purposes. Cloth was removed for meal-time, however you could cut out a bigger hole for convenience! 

Easy DIY Dog Costumes

Are you inspired yet? Well here are some fun and simple projects you might still have time to try throwing together, with materials you can easily obtain!

1. Halloween Spider Costume 

DIY video made by Sea Lemon via Youtube, a quick and easy costume for Dogs of all sizes, and materials from craft or book stores. Fire away! 

 Source via Sea Lemon

2. Cerberus, Taco, and Bug Costume 

This video is jammed packed with THREE easy DIY costumes for Dogs (3 headed Dog, a Taco and a black bug) again with items easily obtainable from craft stores (Who knows, you might even already have them at home!) Video via Youtube, by Katrinaosity. Awesome! 

 

Source via Katrinaosity

You might also be interested in these:

Top 10 Dog Friendly Human Foods

What Is My Dog Trying To Say?

Ten Useful Hacks For Every Dog Owner

Your Stories Can Be Heard Too

Do you have a suggestion too? Your voices are important to us and the Pets community! Our readers are encouraged to share their  Pet-related reviews of a place and its services, experiences, even lifestyle tips and tricks to better our Pets lives, on our platform, one paw at a time. Be a part of an educational and informative Pets community because at ThePetsDialogue, your voices could make a huge difference on a global scale.

Source

Write to us at [email protected] today!

Our website is a work in progress, however, if you did find our articles interesting please do feel free to share! For more Pet care tips and other Pet-related articles, head to www.thepetsdialogue.com☺

Disclaimer

This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.

ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!