The Ferret’s Long Journey – European Polecat to Human Companion

Mustela putoriusFerrets seem so “mainstream” these days that it’s easy to forget their unusual natural and “unnatural” history.  Please read on…

Classification:  Just What Exactly is a Ferret?

The domestic ferret is classified in the order Carnivora, family Mustelidae, along with 75+ species of weasels, otters, skunks, badgers, wolverines and related animals.

Ranging in size from the least weasel (which, at 2.5 ounces in weight, is the world’s smallest carnivore) to the 7-foot-long, 100 pound Giant Otter, the family Mustelidae includes familiar animals such as skunks and sea otters as well as the little-studied Chinese Ferret-Badgers and tayras.  Read More »

Ten Tips for Trouble-Free Dog Training

Over the course of the last year, I’ve learned a lot about training new dogs, especially puppies. I thought I might share some of the tips I’ve learned and found useful with my “kids”.  Here goes, hope you find them helpful! Read More »

The Manx – Though They Lack in Tail, They Don’t Fall Short in Personality

I don’t really consider myself a “cat person”.  Though I don’t have anything against cats, and grew up with lots of them, I typically prefer the company of dogs. But despite minor allergies and my preference for canines,  I find myself developing an admiration for a specific cat breed, the short-tailed or tail-less Manx.  My mother has always had a thing for this unique breed, and for as long as I can remember there was at least one Manx in the family.  The more I watch them, the more I understand why they are easy to love. Read More »

Rats as Pets – Looking Past Stereotypes and Misconceptions

Hooded RatOf all of the animals we carry in Critter Corner’s Small Animal Room, rats evoke the biggest reaction. Most people who see pet rats for sale cringe at the idea of having one in their home, let alone as a well loved companion. Who would want a pet rat? What could you possibly get out of having a pet rat? Well, despite the stereotype of rats being flea carrying bringers of disease, domesticated pet rats are clean, intelligent, personable animals that rarely bite, can be trained to do tricks, and make wonderful pets for gentle children and adults alike. Read More »

The Guinea Pig or Cavy – Wild Ancestors and History in Captivity

When the Spanish conquistadors breached the Andes Mountains and entered Peru, they found that the Inca people were breeding an animal unlike any that had ever been seen in Europe. The wild ancestor of these rodents, later christened guinea pigs or cavies, was lost in antiquity, as cavies had been domesticated as a food source 5,000 or more years earlier. Read More »

Escapades of the Sometimes Not-So-Great Gatsby – An Introduction

Gatsby's destruction started earlyLet me give you a little history. For as long as I can remember, I have loved animals of all shapes and sizes. At the age of 6, I got my first pet (a Bichon Frise named Francis). When I was in middle school, my mom bought me another dog, a Bichon named Mandee. A few years later, we brought home her sister, a bichon/poodle mix named Mollie. Mandee and Mollie were my responsibility to train and care for when I lived at home, which gave me my first glimpse into responsible pet ownership.

When I was in college, my now-husband and I took in some feral kittens. Kitten ownership was a challenge, never having owned kittens before I did not know how to prepare myself or my home for such chaos! We got through it with minor bumps along the way. Fast forward four years. A few months after we bought our first home, we wanted a dog (we finally had a yard!) Read More »

Welcome to That Pet Blog!

Hello, and welcome pet lovers! That Pet Blog is compiled by pet people, for pet people, focusing on the furry animals that make our lives complete.  Post your comments, request a topic, add to the discussion.
Since our start in 1973, That Fish Place/That Pet Place has the place for everything pet! Our on-staff experts will be blogging on fun and informative topics from hamsters to horses. We’re here to share our experience and affection for companion animals with readers around the globe.

Scroll To Top