Review of CritterTrail Begin N Connect Cage

I got a gift card for Pet Supplies "PLUS" and decided to spend some of the money on an extension cage for Mickey, my dwarf hamster. The average price is $19.98 at the pet store, but online it was many different prices. The actual size is 14-1/2-inch long, 11-inch wide and 11-1/4-inch high.

This is what it looks like out of the box, after I assembled it.

Amazon.com states, "Critter Trail Begin N Connect Habitat is an ideal starter home for your new hamster, gerbil or mouse."  ( I don't agree with this, as the cage is too small, even for a "starter cage".)

The first thing I noticed was that the cage is called, "Begin N Connect", and I hope that a new hamster owner does not get this as a stand-alone cage for their pet. The thing with CritterTrail is that you really have to get at least two large cages to connect to make a decent-sized hammie habitat. Luckily I have two other cages connected to this, the CritterTrail Burrowing Maze and the Two Level Habitat. Both are connected with elaborate tubes and accessories. The cage itself, the one I got, is cube-shaped and small, and I cannot stress how terrible that would be for a hamster to live inside without extensions.

As far as assembly went, the cage was more difficult to put together. I would have preferred a clamp on each side, similar to the other cages by the same company. Instead there were strange plastic things that linked the top and bottom together. 

As you might be able to tell in the picture, the one green plastic thing still popped out, no matter how hard I pushed on it.

Other than that, everything was in pretty good condition. It is safe for a hamster, perhaps not a gerbil or mouse though. The base was shorter than the other cages, which meant an agile mouse could hang on the door latch and pull it, which was secured by a small spring. My one concern is that the roof does not actually clamp onto anything. It lifts on and off and you have to take extra care to place it correctly over the sides or it may not line up correctly (allowing a potential escape). I do not have to worry about hamster escapes with my Mickey, as he does not like to climb cage bars.

The top of the cage had two openings closed by thin plastic that could be punched out. The CritterTrail line has accessories that fit in these holes, such as the Treat Dispenser.

The top of the cage was also a blue glittery color, the sparkles molded into the plastic.

There was a solid plastic wheel included as well. It was very sturdy and did not seem to make a squeaky noise when Mickey ran on it.

The base is purple. As I said before, it is shorter than the other cages, but Mickey, being chubby and a non-climbing type of hamster, didn't seem to notice the difference. 

The cage also came with extra caps, both of which I did not use. These ones are red, the other ones I have are green, yellow, and blue.

I don't mind the extra cleaning, but I am unsure if I can get away with just unclipping the part on the green piece that connects to the base. 

I don't know if the smaller rubber pieces on the green plastic will fall off during the process or not, so it may be wise to just assemble and take it apart every time I clean the cage.(every week)

I did read this customer review, and this is what they said about the assembly issue.

"Cute looking and colorful, appeals to kids but it is a HORRIBLE design. Every week I dread cleaning it because the poorly constucted cage literally falls to pieces as soon as you remove the bottom. Cheap plastic tabs are all that holds the separate peices of the wire cage together and it falls apart even when you are trying to be very careful with it. I would never buy this again even if it was half the price I paid. It is not worth it. Bought another cage for the same price and I LOVE it (it is called Tube Time and is larger and has more features) the wire part iteself is all one peice so it is a breeze to clean in a fraction of the time that ths awful one takes. I would only recommend this cage to someone who wants to be instantly aggravated when trying to assemble it."

I was able to assemble it pretty easily without too much trouble. You just need to put it in the right holes on the base, then slide in the green pieces. With just a little patience it will work out fine. I do agree about the cleaning bit, therefore I will just use a wipe or safe-for-pets spray solutions and a paper towel instead of dumping the entire tray into a trash bag.

I think the cage is a nice add-on that a CritterTrail cage user will appreciate in their setup. Of course, is Mickey happy with it? 

Let's ask him.

Sniff sniff.... What an interesting cage...

I've never seen the wall from this side!

All this searching makes me thirsty!

I think I'm done here.

Or maybe I could give the wheel a try.

Mickey gives it 4 stars, and I give it 4 1/2. I think it's great and gives him more room to roam.

Mickey's New Page!

Please check out www.sleepinghamsterzzz.blogspot.com for serious Mickey cuteness. 

I will put the link in the Mickey tab as well. 

Sorry I went to all that trouble to give him a page! 

You are welcome, Anonymous, you were the one who suggested to make one.

It's all cuteness anyways!

Introducing A New Member of Our Family: Minnie!

Yesterday the Internet did not really work, but yesterday we adopted Minnie, a sweet beagle/rat terrier mix puppy, so I wanted to get this done today. 

Puppy??

 Yes, we adopted a puppy. She was at an event called Let Me Hold your Paw and she was fostered for 1 month. She is 3 mos old now and is absolutely ADORABLE! She was saved from a kill shelter and her description said she is very cuddly and sweet - which is 100% true! Minnie's name is because of the Mickey-Mouse-shaped spot on her back. (Which she came with, we didn't pick it.)

Rat terriers are great family dogs out of all the terriers there are out there. She is a beagle mix, so her face will look different, she will be slightly bigger, her coloring will be beagle-ish and her ears will possibly stay flopped. So far she has been exciting to play with and very loveable as well. We love her so much! 

Puppy food

Potty Time!(She has already learned to "go" in a certain area!)

Emerson holds the leash.

Rolling in the grass

Getting used to outside noises

Rope toy!

(This is her favorite toy so far)

Play time

Minnie is adorable!

(:

Cuteness!

Nylabone Puppy Play pack

Teething chews

Her crate she uses at night

Info About Rat Terriers

Description	The Rat Terrier is a well-muscled dog with a deep chest, strong shoulders, solid neck and powerful legs. Its body is compact but meaty. The ears can be upright or tipped and are carried erect when the dog is alert. It can be born with a short or full-length tail, each being left in its natural state or docked at two days of age. The coat colors include pearls, sables, chocolates, red and white, tri-spotted, solid red, black and tan, blue and white and red brindle. Breeders concerned with working dogs are not as fussy about the specifics of the looks.
Temperament	The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, alert and loving dog. It is very inquisitive and lively. This affectionate dog makes an excellent companion for those who will enjoy an energetic dog. They are good with children, especially if they are raised with them from puppyhood. They are, for the most part, friendly with strangers. Rat Terriers make good watchdogs. These dogs are quick, very playful and are not yappers. The temperament of these dogs is pure terrier. The lively, feisty, fearless nature can be found in the best of terriers. They are eager to please and respond and pick training up faster than most dogs. The Rat Terrier is a very well-mannered, well-rounded dog. It is easy to train, very eager to learn and to please its owner. They love to go with you and to do what you do. They are also very good swimmers, not bashful or afraid and have no problem with the water. They make good farm dogs as well as excellent family dogs for pets and companionship. This hardy dog is used for hunting expeditions as well as terrier work.

Height, Weight	The Rat Terrier comes in three different sizes. Standard:   Height 14 - 23 inches (35½ - 58½ cm) Standard:   Weight 12 - 35 pounds (5½ - 16 kg) Mid-sized:  Height  8 - 14 inches (20 - 35½ cm) Mid-sized:  Weight 6 - 8 pounds (3 - 3½ kg) Toy: Height  8 inches (20 cm) Toy: Weight 4 - 6 pounds (2 - 3 kg)
Health Problems	-
Living Conditions	Rat Terriers will do okay in an apartment so long as they get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. They are fairly active indoors and should have at least a small to medium-sized yard. Rat Terriers love to dig, and they can get out of a fenced yard relatively easily. Provided they have the proper protection, they are able to spend a good amount of time outdoors. They love to be inside the house and outside to play.
Exercise	The Rat Terrier needs a good amount of exercise. This breed needs to be taken on a daily long walk or jog. It should have at least 20-30 minutes a day, but would enjoy much more. The breed enjoys challenging games and outdoor romps.
Life Expectancy	About 15-18 years
Grooming	The Rat Terrier is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing to remove dead hair is all it needs.
Origin	Named by the perceptive Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier was developed in Great Britain originally from the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrierin 1820. It was brought to the USA in the 1890s. At that time they were all their original color of black and tan. Life Magazine showed President Roosevelt with three black and tan Rat Terriers. American breeders crossed them again with theSmooth Fox Terrier as well as the Beagle and Whippet. The Beagle increased bulk, trailing and hunting ability, along with the red color. The Whippet contributed the speed and agility and probably the blue and brindle colors. The smallest variety was derived from the Smooth Fox Terrier and Chihuahua. The Rat Terrier proved to be one of the best in the rat-baiting pits. One Rat Terrier is reported to have killed over 2,501 rats in a span of only seven hours in a rat infested barn. The Rat Terrier is a hard-working farm hand, able to rid an infested barn of vermin with no problem.
Group	Terrier
Recognition	APRI, UKC, CKC, NKC, UKCI, NRTR, ACR, RTCI, RTBA, ACR, DRA, NAPR, AKC/FSS  APRI = America's Pet Registry, Inc. UKC = United Kennel Club CKC = Continental Kennel Club NKC = National Kennel Club UKCI = Universal Kennel Club International NRTR = National Rat Terrier Registry ACR =  American Canine Registry RTCI = Rat Terrier Club International RTBA = Rat Terrier Breeders AssociationACR = American Canine Registry DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc. NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.AKC/FSS = American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service® Program

Puppy Love

Yesterday I visited a friend's house, and she had a very special surprise! A new puppy for Christmas! Holly, which was the puppy's name, was a West Highland Terrier. Seems familiar from the Cesar dog food advertisements. Remember the cute fluffy dog with seemingly immaculate soft fur? As puppies they are teeny tiny balls of cuddly soft cuteness, but these docile breeds grow up to  14-16 inches in height, and from what I have read, they live 12-16 years.

West Highland Terriers, or Westies, as they are more popularly known, originated from Scotland. The name "Scottie", and "Westie" can confuse you into thinking they are two different breeds, but the names are all for the same dog. Right? Wrong. Just remember that the dog with a mustache is a Scotland Terrier. The dog with a beard under his chin is a West Highland Terrier. Also, the two differ  in the length of their snouts--West Highland Terriers have shorter muzzles, while Scotland Terriers have very long noses.                        

So cute....so fluffy.........Who doesn't want one?


Even the cutest puppy still needs for his puppy pads to be cleaned, his bed to be washed, and his fur to be cuddled. Before you rush off and buy your pup before you finish reading this post, you need to know about them. So come on and please please don't stop reading this, because we have just started.

Consideration #1: The Amount Of Care. When they get older and they can actually run outside, Westies are frisky breeds and should only be for people who have enough time to let them outside to play fetch often. They are active dogs that love to run and play, which is surprising since they have really short legs! Westies also are very courageous dogs that will do anything, even if it means death, to protect you and your home--another surprising fact since a lot of small dogs get easily frightened.

Consideration #2: Other Pets. Westies are known as "rat dogs" because they were used for hunting rats underground when they were first introduced to the U.S.  Therefore, any small rodents could get stressed around a dog like that, and to make matters worse, he could possibly be killed. Just because there isn't any rats in your home doesn't mean nobody will get "hurt". Animals get jealous about the attention others recieve. You may notice your cat is more in hiding than usual when you first bring your pup home. Other dogs aren't as jealous, but they probably will do something considered naughty to get extra attention, and they probably don't know that "going" on the floor and chewing the puppy's toys will cause the wrong kind of attention! Avoiding this is easy. Spend one-on-one time alone with your jealous pet often, and it surely will wear off.





To learn more about Westies, go to www.wikipedia.com/west highland terriers. Thanks!

New Mouse Checklist

Mice are fairly different from rats; they are very active and don't show as much affection towards owners as rats do. They are extremely social with other mice, though, and they are fun to watch and take care of.

If you are thinking about getting pet mice, you need to pass a "test", which is really something you should think about every time you commit to something. Ask yourself these questions:


Am I sure that I am fine with the idea of that mice do not live long?
Am I a person who does not mind touching and holding a rodent?
Do I enjoy noises that mice make?
Am I careful that I will not injure the mouse on purpose?
Have I figured out what to get for my mouse?
Have I found an ideal place for him to live?
Do I describe mice as nice?


If you answered "no" to any of these questions, then you should possibly re-think your choice of pet!


But if you said "yes" to all of them, it is time to go to the next step!

Pt. 2: Getting the supplies

The next thing you should do is get all your supplies and then pick out your mice.

• A wire cage with half-an-inch bars
• Pelleted/ recycled fluffy paper bedding(Pelleted for the litter area and fluffy for the sleeping area)
• Small Nesting box or a flower-pot on its side: store-bought or home-made
• A good exercise wheel without rungs
• Tubes(In one of the videos I posted, I talked about hamster cages. The cage Peanut has is great for mice!)
• Pellet Food---Mouse or hamster food works well
• Grass hay for the mouse to nibble on or nest in
• Hanging water bottle(Tip: Attach it so the tank itself is on the outside but the tip is sticking in. Why? Because mice like to climb the wire hangers and that can be unsafe!)
• A wood block or a dog biscuit to chew on
• Swings, hammocks and ropes for fun play
• A ceramic food dish(to avoid tooth action-- the plastic food bowls are always chewed)

After you purchase the supplies, pick out your mice--choose the ones with bright eyes, clear noses, shiny fur and non-crusty skin, and well-trimmed teeth and nails. The mouse should be playful and wide awake, not cowering in the corner. Bring your pet home in a special carry-home box provided at the pet-store. This can be used for a cool sleeping house for the time-being! 

Crafty Critters

I have some exciting news, everyone! Every week on Wednesday I am going to do a CC(Critter Corner) craft! This month I am going to introduce some of the crafts you might see here on the blog.

Critter-lovers, I have decided to take up knitting. It is cool to make stuff like scarfs and washcloths, but what if I made things for my pets? I know some readers may knit, but far more do not, so I won't make it too complicated. It will simply involve paper crafts and whatnot. One craft I am particularly good at is a hamster hammock. You can make one of these by cutting a flap in a cardboard paper-towel tube and punching two holes on either side. Fill it with paper shreds or another favorite bedding, and then hang it by string in your hamster's cage! Easy, right? For a little harder crafts, I will take some pictures to show you the instructions in order. Maybe a video, too! I hope you enjoy this new "Crafty Critters," and I'll see you next Wednesday!

Welcoming a new arrival

No, this title has nothing to do with me having another pet!!!

Today I am going to tell you what to do if you want a pet when you have another, (and that other pet may not be too keen on the idea of another animal) and how to keep the peace. So, you want to get a pet, huh? You've researched, gotten supplies, and now its time to get the pet and bring the pet home. Or maybe you haven't done all that just yet. Maybe you know what you want(like a hamster), but you also have a pet that cound threaten your newbie(like a cat). Here's what to do. First, you know the pet in mind, right, so do your homework. (What do they eat, etc.) Now, you may notice a potential danger or worry by now. Will your dog really like the idea of a bunny sharing his territory?

Practice with your pet before you introduce them to the newbie--oh, but, with a natural predator, like a cat, snake or others, maybe you should put more thinking into that!!!