Scales & Snouts

12/29/2024

12/12/2024

Tis the season 😒

I went to the pet store and front & center were these cute and charming little homes for small animals…

Unfortunately the only positive thing about these cages is that they’re cute..

The downside of them are:

•They're too small. There’s not a single animal (not even a mouse) that benefits from that little of space. Just like us, they need room for all of their activities.
•While most rodents climb (not all, like hamsters) they also enjoy floor space. And in these, there is little to none of that.
•They're dangerous. Critter toes are known to get ripped off in the little slits of the tubes— OUCH.
•The ventilation is pretty poor in these, and with urine and f***s in the cage, even if cleaned often, your animal will be breathing in bad air, which can lead to respiratory illness.
•Most rodents like to burrow and these types of cages aren’t deep enough to add enough bedding.
•The cages with the tubes and different compartments can lead to declanning (especially in gerbils), as one will claim one spot and another will claim another and ultimately fight to the death.
•They're awful to clean, unless you’re going to hose it down every time you need to clean it then it’s never going to be clean and ultimately, it'll be smellier.
•They say they’re not chew proof.. but tiny sharp teeth and plastic, trust me, if they want to, they will!
•Rodents need wheels and the wheels that come with these are too small for any animal and there's not enough space to add a different kind.
•They’re pretty expensive and you can get a safer and larger cage for about the same price.

I’ve seen similar posts and there’s always a comment that says “well my animal lived to be older than usual and lived its whole life in this cage.”
Yes, they can live in these cages but SURVIVING and THRIVING are two different things.

If you want to give your small pet a good home, start with providing them a SAFE one that's big enough to offer them enrichment.
This cage cannot do that.

10/24/2024

09/16/2024

**MORE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THIS-- Fish DO NOT belong in small, stagnant water bowls*** 🐟 it is abuse!! And before someone says "It's just a fish" It's a LIVING, FEELING BEING THAT SUFFERS among many species of small animals!!

It's currently fair season all around our state.
And in true, unfortunate fair fashion, they're giving away live animals as prizes again.

Goldfish have gained a reputation for dying quickly. Which leads many to think of them as fun little toys rather than living beings.
But be aware- They're not dying because they have naturally short lifespans. They're dying from neglect..

The #1 reason goldfish die is because they cannot survive longer than a few weeks without properly aerated water and most people are keeping them in a tiny bowl of stagnant water where they are literally suffocating to death.

If given the proper care though, goldfish can grow to 8+ inches long and live 20 years. Something to think about before making the impulsive decision to bring one home with you from the fair.

This is what proper goldfish care looks like:

🐟 Depending on the type, goldfish should be housed in a habitat that provides about 20 gallons of water per fish. However some varieties require a larger amount of space, around 50–100 gallons.

🐟 Good water quality is critical for keeping a goldfish healthy. The pH should range between 7–8.4 and you should test the water frequently with a water quality test kit.

🐟 Water aeration is vital to maintain oxygen levels within their habitat so they can breathe. This can be provided with an air pump and air stone.

🐟 Filtration is important because goldfish are messy. A filter helps remove small particulates, and it also houses a large portion of the biological filtration needed to keep your water parameters healthy and liveable.

🐟 Unlike most aquarium fish, Goldfish are most comfortable around 72–76 F. So depending on your room temperature, you may or may not need a heater to keep your tank within this range. You should always have a thermometer in your tank to ensure your water temperature is within a healthy range.

🐟 Goldfish are predominately omnivores and should have a diet consisting mostly of sinking pellets. Flake foods are not recommended as it often doesn’t sink and if a goldfish eats at the surface too much, they can develop buoyancy issues. Enrichment food ideas are krill, Daphnia and Brine shrimp.

It doesn't matter that it's "just a fish." They still deserve more than bare minimum care. Monetarily its life may only be worth 25-60 cents to you, or whatever you spent to win it at the fair- but morally, it's still a living creature and it deserves a proper chance.

Thank you.