Small pets get their chance in the spotlight

June 21, 2022bullingtonb2013 1 Comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Pet brand Kaytee is on a mission to champion small pets everywhere.

Over 16 million people currently love and care for small animals or pet birds, but the world of pets can often feel very focused on dogs and cats.

To put deserving small pets everywhere front and center, Kaytee is launching its inaugural #SmallinShow Award Show, inviting pet parents of hamsters, bunnies, mice, birds and other small companions to share images and stories of their mini heroes across social media. The #SmallinShow Award Show will culminate with the crowning of three winners who will each receive a one-year supply of Kaytee products¹.

Digital short

With the help of Kenneth the Guinea Pig and his human chaperone Rainn Wilson, Kaytee is starting the small pet revolution with “Small in Show,” a first-of-its-kind digital short film.

“Small in Show” chronicles Kenneth and Rainn’s journey to enter the famed Westminster Dog Show and, in turn, celebrate all that small pets have to offer.

Watch the “Small in Show” short film here.

Incredible animals:

According to a press release, Mike McGoohan, SVP of Marketing and Strategy at Central Garden & Pet, relates that: “For over 150 years, Kaytee has been committed to providing high-quality products and support to small animals, birds and their guardians, and we are proud to champion their well-being. We hope that the #SmallinShow Award Show becomes a celebration of all small animal companions and brings together this highly engaged community in a way that has never been done before.”

Learn more about Kaytee at www.kaytee.com.

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¹ Official rules for the #SmallinShow Contest can be found here: https://rules.creativezing.com/Kaytee/. No purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win.

Featured image: With the help of A-list star Kenneth the Guinea Pig (and his human chaperone and small-animal enthusiast, Rainn Wilson), Kaytee is starting the small pet revolution with “Small in Show,” a first-of-its-kind digital short film. “Small in Show” chronicles Kenneth and Rainn’s journey to enter the famed Westminster Dog Show and in turn, celebrate all that small pets have to offer. (Photo: Business Wire)

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220620005098/en/The-Small-Pet-Revolution-is-Here-Kaytee-Rainn-Wilson-and-Kenneth-the-Guinea-Pig-Champion-Small-Pet-Equity-in-%E2%80%9CSmall-in-Show%E2%80%9D

Our top favorite calendars for pet lovers for 2022

December 30, 2021bullingtonb2013 3 Comments

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Pet calendars are a great way to keep smiling all year long. Once again this year, here’s a list of our top 10 picks for the coming year:

1) 2022 Walkin’ Pets Calendar (7th Annual version)

All proceeds for this calendar go to the Handicapped Pets Foundation, which donates wheelchairs to animals in need. The calendar features 13 winners from a contest. Handicapable pets featured along with their stories include dogs, a cat, a cow, a raccoon, chickens, sheep and a goat.

For more information, or to order, go to: https://www.handicappedpets.com/calendar/?hsCtaTracking=5f52a6dd-9ff6-444e-91df-ac8f99cc9d4f%7Cacfdb603-f0ae-44c4-8ba0-d1e0a984e43b

2)Sellers Publishing Glamour Chicks 2022 Wall Calendar 16-Month

Chicken lovers will likely enjoy this look at the series of various breeds of chickens all shot in fancy studio lighting by photographers Moreno Monti and Matteo Tranchellini. For more information, visit this link at Amazon.com.

3) 2022 Gary Patterson’s Cats Wall Calendar, 12″ x 12″

This cat-themed calendar features the artwork of Gary Patterson, an artist that many know for his ability to capture the humorous side of cat attitudes and behaviors.

For more, visit this link at Amazon.com.

4)2022 Square Wall Calendar – Piggies, 12 x 12 Inch Monthly View, 16-Month, Animals Theme, Includes 180 Reminder Stickers

See what these little piggies are up to each month for 16 months. Plus, the reminder sticker idea is a cool one for those whose New Year’s resolution includes getting organized.

For more, visit this link at Amazon.

5) 2022 Square Wall Calendar – Cute Bunnies , 12 x 12 Inch Monthly View, 16-Month, Animals Theme, Includes 180 Reminder Stickers

Based on the preview of included images, it seems like suckers for adorable bunnies won’t be disapointed with this one, which also includes reminder stickers.

For more visit this link on Amazon.

6) TF PUBLISHING – 2022 Dog-A-Day Wall Calendar.

If you can’t get enough of dogs, this calendar should be a good buy. This calendar is formatted a little differently, with every month featuring a new dog for each day of that month. Plus, there’s extra large space for writing notes on each date, so you won’t forget an appointment and wind up in the dog house.

For more, visit this link at Amazon.

Why do rabbits thump their feet?

April 23, 2021April 26, 2021bullingtonb2013 3 Comments

Reading Time: 2 minutes

An often asked question about rabbits is “Why do they thump their feet?”

Here are the top reasons:

To warn other rabbits of danger, such as a predator nearby. Even if your rabbit is the sole bunny in the house, if he thinks he senses danger, such as hearing a loud, unfamiliar noise, he may still thump out of instinct.
According to knowswhy.com, rabbits will also thump to show frustration if they aren’t getting their way. For instance, if a rabbit wants more food, he may stomp his feet. And, although many rabbits don’t like to be carried, many do like to be petted, and they may even thump if they feel they aren’t getting petted enough.
Similarly, https://can-pets-eat.com/rabbits/thump/ reports that their bunnies will thump when they dislike something. For instance, if a rabbit doesn’t want to be picked up or put down, it may thump.

If the rabbit is thumping out of fear, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what the issue is. According to https://www.petrabbits.org/why-do-rabbits-thump-their-feet-on-the-ground/, thumping can go on for hours and can cause damage to the rabbit’s legs, so it’s important for rabbit owners to provide comfort as soon as possible.

As prey animals, rabbits are prone to feel fear easily and constantly scan the environment for it, so making sure your rabbit has a safe, quiet and peaceful living area can be a big help as can petting/brushing him, treats and possibly calming music.

If all goes well, instead of thumping, you will witness the rabbit’s much more positive and joyful use of its legs, which is often referred to as the “binky” or binkying. This move involves jumping and kicking in the air while shaking its head and means that the rabbit is happy and playful, according to https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/why-do-rabbits-binky/.

Why do they put bells on cat collars?

Do your dog’s feet smell like corn chips? There’s a reason for that, says American Chemical Society

Happy Spring bunny gif

February 26, 2021February 26, 2021bullingtonb2013 Leave a comment

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Believe it or not, spring is only 22 days away! As we anxiously await warmer weather, we thought we’d share our Happy Spring bunny a little early!

Feel free to use this gif on your website! Here’s the embed code:

Great gifts to get your pet this holiday season; and they’re are all under $20!

December 15, 2020December 20, 2020bullingtonb2013 1 Comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Many pet owners don’t just shop for their human family and friends, but the pets they love as well. With that in mind, Wowmypetdidthat.com has compiled a list any pet would be happy to receive:

1) Your dog or cat might not love a bath, but you’ll love being able to dry them off afterwards with a Wooflinen Microfiber Pet Bath Towel. For $17, get a two-pack of this Microfiber pet bath towel, which is ultra-absorbent and double density.

For more information, visit this link: Get the best microfiber pet towels at Wooflinen.com

2) ArcBarks dog biscuits.

A great small gift for the dog lover and you can give directly as a gift to your dog. A two-pack of Peanut Butter Barkers is just $10.

Our own dogs at Wow My Pet Did That have tried this dog biscuits and loved them!

ArcBarks was conceived and developed by The Arc of Greensboro, Inc., an organization of and for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families. ArcBarks provides vocational training and post-high school options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Unlike some packaged store treats that make you wonder what exactly your pet is eating, these treats are preservative-free. In fact, the ingredients are oatmeal and flour, freshly ground peanut butter, vegetable oil, fresh water and love!

For more about arcBarks, check out arcbarks.com.

3) If you are so over cleaning up cat litter that tracks on the floor, this might be a gift for you as well as your cat.

This Iris Top Entry Cat Litterbox, available from Chewy.com for $18.99, will probably also be appreciated by your cat, who gets a little extra privacy.

4) We previously did a post about Bandana Bowl™, which we think it would make a great gift for the dog in your life.

Bandana Bowl™ is a bandana that your dog can wear, but, since it’s made with waterproof material on the inside and water absorbent material on the outside, it can also can be used as a bowl.

And the Bandana Bowl has a third purpose…On extra hot days, before leaving the house you can dip it into water, fill it up with ice and use it as a cooling collar.

The bandana comes in two colors: Blue and red. It’s available in two sizes: Small (dogs up to 25 pounds) and Medium (dogs up to 60 pounds).

5) PetSmart’s Chance & Friends Holiday Philanthropic Collection of stuffed toys is back for 2020.

Shoppers can choose from a plush dog, cat, llama, dinosaur, hedgehog, wolf and unicorn, complete with a squeaker. For each in-store or online purchase, PetSmart will donate 10% to PetSmart Charities. Since the toy drive launched, a total of 1.7 million toys have been donated across North America.

For more information about PetSmart and the Holiday Philanthropic Collection, or to find a local store, please visit www.petsmart.com.

6) If you have a rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, mouse or other small pet, you’ll likely want to check out this eCotrition Snak Shak Edible Hideaway.

This combination chew snack (a healthy mix with including protein, calcium and fiber) and hideaway is available for $10.99 and will likely provide hours of entertainment for your small pet.

7) Is that reptile in your life hard to find the perfect gift for? We think we might have found the answer!

EONMIR 8-Foot Reptile Vines are flexible habitat decor that also work for climbing.

The 8-feet-long, bendable/twistable lifelike vines are designed to be easy to clean, and are suitable for chameleons, lizards, tree frogs, snakes, gecko and turtles.

Available at Amazon for $19.99.

8) The weather outside might be frightful, but your bird likely won’t mind if it’s cuddled up inside in a Oncpcare Double Layer Snuggle Bird Hammock available on Amazon.com for $10.99.

It is made of velvet and comes with two hanging hooks. Can also be used for other types of pets, such as sugar gliders.

9) If you’re shopping for a horse, you usually can’t go wrong with treats. And, since these The German Horse Muffin All Natural Horse Treats for $12.36 look good enough for humans to eat, it will probably be a lot of fun giving them to your large, four-legged friend.

German Horse Muffin package

A bonus is that they are available on Shop For Rescues, an online pet supplies retailer founded in 2019, using a socially responsible business model known as compassionate commerce.

Shop For Rescues’ mission is to use up to 27.5% of its gross revenues to support animal rescue groups.

And, once you have your furry friends shopped for, don’t forget the human ones. Check out our list of great holiday gifts for the pet/animal lover in your life!

Preparing for your first pet rabbit

March 25, 2020June 26, 2020bullingtonb2013 Leave a comment

Reading Time: 2 minutesby contributing writer Penny Martin

If you’re a first-time pet owner, it can be tough deciding on the perfect pet to bring into your home. You have to carefully consider a number of factors, such as the size of your home, how the pet will interact with your kids, and if you or your loved ones have any allergies.

If you want a soft pet that loves to snuggle, doesn’t make any noise, and is gentle with your kids, consider a rabbit. These docile pets can be house trained or live in a hutch in the yard, and they’re always happy to cuddle.

Preparing Your Home

You’ll need to take some time to bunny-proof your home because rabbits like to chew on everything. Make sure all electrical cords are covered or out of reach, and cover any wooden table legs with flex tubing, which can be purchased at Amazan or hardware stores.

Just like dogs, rabbits need to get outside to soak up the sun and get some exercise. If you want to give your rabbit valuable time outside during nice weather, you’ll need to prepare a hutch. Make sure the hutch will offer your rabbit protection from any other animals in your neighborhood and that it’s strong enough to keep your pet safe.

Helping Your Pet Adjust

Helping your pet during their transition period is critical to forming a good relationship between your pet and the whole family. Make sure they have the freedom to explore, and give them lots of love and attention.

Pets bring a lot of joy into a home, and adopting a pet from a shelter will save a life.

If you have a rescue pet, you’ll need to give them some space and show that they’re safe and loved. Many rescue dogs, cats, and rabbits enter a new home fearfully and will be nervous at first, so be very patient and kind.

Looking After Your Pet During Vacation

Another thing to consider is pet care when you’re not at home. You likely won’t be able to take your rabbit with you on vacation, so start planning for their needs before you book your trip. Ask a friend or family member to look after your pet, or hire a professional pet sitter who can stay with your pet while you’re gone or visit them every day. You can easily find qualified pet sitters, but do your research before you hire, and ask to meet any candidates before you leave.

You’re going to trust them to care for your pet, so make sure they’re a good fit.

Shedding some light on pet fur: Hacks for getting it off furniture, some unusual uses, and how shedding can signal pet health problems

December 18, 2019June 2, 2020bullingtonb2013 1 Comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Our dog Maggy is a beauty, but also quite the shedder.

According to the ASPCA, it’s estimated that there are 78 million pet dogs and 85.8 million pet cats in the United States.

That’s a lot of loose fur.

It also means a lot of companies making some serious bank from people attempting to keep that pet hair off of their furniture, floors and clothing.

Indeed, a vast array of vacuums, lint rollers, brushes/gloves and gadgets, such as the FURminator deShedding Edge Dog Brush, exist — all either promising to help cut down on shedding and/or make cleaning up easier.

Trying out some pet fur removal hacks:

There also seems to be no end of low-cost hacks offered by pet owners themselves.

For example, we have heard that a dry or wet (wet is supposedly better) latex glove rubbed onto clothing or bedding will pick up astonishing amounts of loose fur.

Dry or wet, the glove thing did not work for us, however. We tried it on one of our living room recliners (the dogs aren’t supposed to go on these chairs—as if that matters!), and weren’t very impressed. We actually picked up more fur with bare hands.

So, we tried rubbing the glove on the very fur-covered blanket two of our dogs sleep on. Again, not very impressive. Maybe we didn’t rub enough to get a good static electricity going in order to make the fur stick, but, it seems like a hack should be easy and quick.

So, we tried another suggestion we had read about, which is using a pumice stone. They are inexpensive and usually used in the bathtub to keep feet smooth. It picked up a little fur in the same tests as above, but hardly enough for us to recommend it.

Yet another suggestion is to add white vinegar (one half cup) to the laundry to help loosen fur from clothing and also help eliminate pet odors. You can apparently either add the vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or at the beginning of the rinse cycle. We are a bit wary of this suggestion because we have heard that vinegar isn’t good for the rubber seals on appliances. (There is so much back and forth about this on the internet that we don’t know for sure whether it’s true, but it seems prudent to use vinegar on occasion rather than regularly.)

For tried and true fur removal from clothes and furniture, we plan to stick with lint rollers, which aren’t all that expensive, but pick up fur very easily. But, you might want to check out our other post about the ChomChom Roller, which is a popular alternative to lint rollers.

That being said, eliminating loose pet fur altogether isn’t the way to go as it seems to actually have its uses.

Pet hair crafts:

For example, according to an article, Seven Surprising Ways to Use Pet Hair, you can actually add the stuff to your garden soil to help with fertilization or use it to make cat toys (they have a detailed video of how to do this — just click the article link).

And speaking of getting crafty, quite a bit of animal fur is put to ornamental use on Etsy. One seller, for instance, offers a “Pet fur Heart Pendant,” which will be made once you send them some of your pet’s hair.

Another offers a Custom Keepsake Heart knitted from your pet’s (dog, cat or rabbit) fur.

Why to keep an eye on how much your pet sheds:

Finally, pet shedding can also signal a health issue. WebMD notes, for example, that all healthy dogs will normally shed (and that regular brushing can help cut down on the amount of loose fur that you have to clean up in your home). But, excessive shedding can be the sign or stress, a diet issue or a medical problem.

Similarly, petinfo notes that cats usually shed all year long, but that excessive shedding can be a sign of disease or food allergies.

And, with rabbits, fur loss might be due to normal molting or a dominant rabbit deciding to “barber” (pull chunks of fur out of another rabbit), but it can also be due to mites or illness, according to pets4homes.

So, if you notice your pup, cat or rabbit is doing more shedding than normal or has bald patches, consulting a veterinarian is a good idea.

Light up topiary bunny and dog for outdoor use

April 28, 2019August 30, 2020bullingtonb2013 Leave a comment

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe saw these cute light-up, faux topiary bunnies and dogs at Big Lots.

The rabbit, which is 18 inches tall is $30.

Here’s the description:

Bring a hop and a pop of lighting to any setting using this wonderful artificial bunny-shaped topiary! Featured in a seated pose with round ears and tail, this faux bush is fitted with LED lights that illuminate a lovely warm white. Battery operated by timer for easy placement and display, this adorable topiary accent is the perfect addition to a porch, patio or entryway.

And the link: https://www.biglots.com/product/led-rabbit-artificial-topiary-18-/p810409851

The dog, which is 21 inches in height, is $40.

Here’s the description:

Sit! Good boy! This adorable battery-operated lighted artificial topiary of a puppy adorns your home in charming details. Made of faux pine needles for an added effect, he illuminates in warm coloring for his fitted LED lights. Complete with an adorable gingham plaid collar with bells, this delightful doggy is perfect for decoration on the patio, porch or in your home.

And the link: https://www.biglots.com/product/led-sitting-dog-artificial-topiary-21-/p810409850?pos=1:1&Ntt=topiary+dog

From lifelike figurines of your cat or dog to prosthetic limbs for animals in need, 3D printing is creating brighter futures for animals and owners

January 11, 2019November 11, 2019bullingtonb2013 Leave a comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes3D printing on its own is pretty amazing. Add in pets and the possibilities become extremely interesting.

Here’s a look at some ways 3D printing is being used when it comes to our furry friends:

Lifelike recreations: Some companies are now offering 3D printing of models of pets.

GravityB, a Calgary-based studio, for example, creates figurines from images captured in a scanning booth called “The Coppy Machine.” The machine was actually inspired in part by a dog named Coppy (Copernicus), who was the model for the company’s first successful 3D print. Copernicus has, sadly, since passed away, but, as part of Coppy’s posthumous legacy, figurines are called “Coppies.”

Coppy (Copernicus). Used with permission from GravityB.com website.

Dogs and cat Coppies start at $150. Coppies of people (including families) can be created too, as can figurines of a person with their pet.

3D view of dog Coppy or figurine from GravityB. Photo used with permission from GravityB.com website.

Sample of dog with lifelike 3d figurine. Photo used with permission from GravityB.com website.

A pup admires his likeness, which is a miniature replica right down to his green collar. Photo used with permission from GravityB.com website.

The capture process can be seen in this video from GravityB’s website:

Other companies, such as PetPrints3D, will do 3D printing from photos of pets supplied by a pet owner.

2) Prosthetics:

According to iTech Automation, In 2014, Pawsthetics Animal Prosthetics (a non profit) saw an opportunity to help a dog named Turbo who received a 3D printed cart to gain mobility.

“From there, Pawsthetics has utilized 3D CAD, 3D scanning, 3D printing, and even freehand design to develop functional prosthethics for animals including tortoises, cats, and dogs; even some animals in Venezuela and Zimbabwe.”

For more about Pawsthetics, go to http://pawsthetics.com/

One big benefit of 3D prosthethics is the cost. As explained in the following video, a regular prosthetic leg would cost $1500, but the one used for a rescued puppy was only $50.

The video, from the dodo, also shows other examples of dogs receiving prosthethics, noting that another benefit of prosthethics is comfort. A leg Sometimes a cart with doggie wheelchair might be too hard on an animal’s spine, but the prosthethics are more natural and customizable to the size and shape of the animal.

Dogs are not the only animals that benefit from 3D printed prosthethics. In 2015, Sprocket, a kitty living in Scotland, who had a bout of bad luck, being hit by both a car and soon after attacked by a dog, received a 3D printed orthotic to help with mobility and hopefully prevent amputation of a damaged leg.

And, turtles have received new shells via the printing process. One example can be seen in this video from Denver 7.

3) Pet products: According to 3DPRINT.COM, pet products, including toys, hamster wheels, dog bones, scoopers, brushes and bird perches, are all capable of being produced using a 3D printer.

“Even apparel such as dog shoes and ‘cat armor’ can be perfectly tailored to your pet’s size and shape in order to protect them from thorns, weather and other animals.”

As an added benefit for humans, 3DPRINT.COM notes that, “When innovators use 3D printers to manufacture items for pets such as these they may eligible for Research and Development (R&D).”

Survey shows having a pet can help lead to success

November 16, 2018July 10, 2019bullingtonb2013 Leave a comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital® discovered a correlation between pets and professional achievements: 93 percent of C-suite executives surveyed in the U.S. grew up with a pet, with 78 percent attributing their career success in part to owning a pet as a child.

VANCOUVER, Washington (PRNewswire) — Pets bring joy, companionship and comfort to people’s lives every day, but new research found business leaders believe pet ownership contributed to their success.

“At Banfield Pet Hospital, we’ve long recognized the special bond between people and their pets, as well as the positive impact pets have on our society,” said Brian Garish, president of Banfield Pet Hospital. “From the pet ownership lessons we learned as children, to the ways our four-legged friends currently help us evolve, connect with others, and stay grounded, our latest research supports the notion we’ve had all along – that there may be a link between pets and their ability to help shape us as people.”

Unleashing success infographic

WHETHER FELINE OR FEATHERY, PETS MAKE AN IMPACT
Banfield’s survey found childhood pet ownership may influence business success, and it isn’t just dogs and cats that have a positive impact.

While more than four in five (83 percent) C-suite executives surveyed grew up with a dog, and almost three in five (59 percent) grew up with a cat, nearly two in five (37 percent) grew up with pets like birds, rabbits or rodents.

Regardless of the pet, top business leaders agree their pet companions taught them valuable lessons as a child, such as responsibility, empathy and creativity – qualities they believe helped them to thrive as leaders in the workplace.

SIT, STAY AND SUCCEED
Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of those surveyed said their childhood pet taught them more valuable lessons than their first internship. C-suite executives feel their pets also helped them to develop other important leadership skills, including discipline (92 percent), organization (79 percent), and the ability to identify and anticipate business needs (38 percent).

CUT TO THE (CREATIVE) CHASE
Many leaders surveyed also felt having a childhood pet unlocked vital lessons in creativity.

Eighty-four percent of C-Suite executives who grew up with a pet said they’re creative, and almost three in five (59 percent) credit their childhood pet for having a positive impact on their ability to think outside the box.

More than three in four (77 percent) said walking a pet helps them brainstorm business ideas and boosts creativity at work.

TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
Didn’t grow up with a pet? Not to worry, as Banfield’s survey also suggests, current pet ownership can go a long way in the workplace.

Nearly all current pet owners surveyed reported they stick to a schedule or routine (86 percent), have better time management (86 percent) and are good at multitasking (86 percent) because of their pets.

Sixty-two percent of C-suite executives surveyed believe pets had a positive impact on their ability to build relationships with co-workers and clients—and that’s true of both working professionals and C-suite executives, with 80 percent of those surveyed reporting they feel more connected to colleagues who are pet owners. Nearly the same number (79 percent) think co-workers with pets are hard workers.

A FUTURE WITH FIDO
When it comes to future generations, almost all (90 percent) of C-suite executives surveyed feel children would be more successful at school if they cared for a pet.

Some business leaders shared they were responsible for taking care of their childhood pet, including grooming (54 percent), training (42 percent) and health needs (36 percent).

For more information about Banfield Pet Hospital, visit www.Banfield.com.

About Banfield Pet Hospital^®Founded in Portland, Ore. in 1955, Banfield is the largest general-veterinary practice in the U.S. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Inc. family of businesses, and today has more than 1,000 hospitals across the United States and Puerto Rico. More than 3,500 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care for over three million pets annually. In 2018, Banfield, including the work of the Banfield Foundation, was named among Points of Light’s The Civic 50 as one of the most community-minded companies in the U.S. for the second consecutive year. Press seeking additional information are invited to call the Media Hotline: (888) 355-0595.

About Kelton Research and Survey Methodology