Exotic pets like Sugar Gliders and Chinchillas are all the rage these days as American pet owners in particular are always on the lookout for small pocket-book-friendly animals. While most would not opt to put a chinchilla in a purse, they have become a sought after pet for the trainability and their size, which makes it possible to find room to house them in most any type of home. As with hamsters and gerbils, these rodents require secure housing and selecting the proper chinchilla cage is important.

When making chinchilla cage plans, purchase or build the largest cage possible within your price range and space availability. Chinchillas are far larger than gerbils and hamsters and the absolute smallest amount of floor cage space is two feet by two feet. The taller the better as these furry friends like to climb and a cage with climbing ladders and shelves makes them very happy.

Plastic cages and running balls are a no-no when it comes to raising chinchillas. Like their rodent cousins, these guys chew continuously, if they did not, their teeth would actually grow long like tusks. Plastic is not problem to chew through and becomes a big problem if the chinchilla ingests it. Select a wire cage for your chinchilla’s home and be sure to put a covering over the bottom if it if the bottom is wire too. Wire bottoms are simply too harsh for the little guy’s feet.

Chinchillas are warm-blooded and can become overheated quite easily. It is important to select the proper location for the cage, as it cannot be in direct sunlight. They prefer a temperature below 80F, in fact, something closer to 77F is ideal.  These guys can be a little high strung and placing their home in an area away from the main traffic flow will help them relax.

Chinchillas are one of the cutest members of the rodent family. With patience they can be trained to be affectionate pets and sit in your hand or perch on your shoulder. Providing them with a safe quiet space to call their own will help to make your pet feel at home and a part of your family.

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There are a few well-known breeds of dogs associated with guard dog training and their respective breeding tends to support these cultural assumptions.  Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Pit Bull mixes are often capable of inspiring the most fear and/or apprehension in the minds of would-be burglars.  These dogs are known for their aggressive nature and athletic stature, making them highly capable of protecting the home.  But breed alone isn’t enough to make a guard dog.  You’ll have to work with any dog thoroughly so it knows and understands its position and duties.  Any breed can be trained to sound an alarm when an intruder approaches the premises and small yapper dogs enjoy the barking, though they certainly aren’t as intimidating when it comes to deterring burglary.

Like any other pet, proper pet turtle care requires check ups at a veterinarian. Choose one who is well versed in reptiles; some specialize in reptiles, which is an important consideration to make sure your pet remains in top shape. Turtles have the potential to live for an incredibly long time, which is a truly great thing. A turtle should get an annual check-up with a vet, but owners should never hesitate to bring the pet sooner if they suspect something is wrong. Turtles can suffer from many common illnesses like fungus, respiratory infections, malnutrition and unbalanced diets. This all happens to turtles whose owners do not care for their pets in a sufficient manner. Usually these illnesses can be cured by antibiotics and more frequent check-ups, but if left untreated, the turtle will die much sooner than its life expectancy. Owners need to realize that caring for an animal such as a turtle is like caring for any other living being. It needs attention, affection, and maintenance.