Click to Skip Ahead Sandalwood Overview Other Toxic Essential Oils Signs of Essential Oil Toxicity Sandalwood Incense Sticks Safer Alternatives Essential oils and other fragrance-smelling objects can make your home smell wonderful and pleasant. Many people like to use such items to freshen up the odors inside their homes when they have cats. However‚ is this safe? One such wood used for essential oils and incense is sandalwood‚ and it is not safe for cats. In fact‚ it is downright toxic.  If you’re a cat owner and wondered if it’s safe to use this wood for such purposes‚ now you know it’s not safe for your cat. Let’s explore further to find safer alternatives to use around your kitty for a fresh-smelling home and what to avoid. What Is Sandalwood? Sandalwood is a tree or large shrub with an earthy and woody fragrance. It is often used to make essential oils‚ incense‚ perfumes‚ cosmetics‚ and more. Sandalwood describes a number of smaller trees belonging to the genus Santalum‚ and it’s been used for centuries in India‚ its native land‚ for its anti-inflammatory‚ antimicrobial‚ and antiproliferative properties. You can also find this tree or plant in Hawaii and Australia. The flowers and wood of sandalwood are harvested when the tree is between 10–30 years old due to increased potency of the oils with age. In Hawaii‚ Australia‚ and India‚ the leaves and bark are used to make laundry soap and medicated shampoo to treat lice and dandruff‚ and they are also used to treat body aches and wounds. Image Credit: joanna wnuk‚ Shutterstock Is Sandalwood Essential Oil Safe to Use Around My Cat? Essential oil made from sandalwood is toxic to cats if ingested. The problem with cats is they can walk by an essential oil diffuser and easily get the oil on the fur. As all cat owners know‚ cats are expert groomers and groom constantly. So‚ when a cat licks the fur‚ the essential oil can become ingested and cause oral and skin irritation. Another issue with using essential oils around cats is their inability to metabolize the chemicals the scents emit. Cats have a lower number of certain liver enzymes compared to humans‚ which causes increased risk of toxicity to many seemingly harmless items.. What Other Essential Oils Are Toxic to Cats? Many essential oils are used for aromatherapy‚ but many are toxic to use around your kitty. It’s tempting to use essential oils when you have a cat due to litter box smells‚ which can be rather unpleasant if not cleaned often‚ but in doing so‚ you’re putting your cat at risk. Here are other essential oils to avoid: Cinnamon oil Peppermint oil Eucalyptus oil Clove oil Citrus oil Tea tree oil Pine oil Ylang Ylang oil Pennyroyal oil Sweet birch oil Wintergreen oil If you just purchased an oil diffuser‚ you don’t have to toss it just yet. You can still use the essential oils mentioned above if you have a cat‚ but you need to take extra precautions if you choose to do so. The only way to safely use these oils if you’re a cat owner is to place the diffuser in a room your cat cannot access. The room should be well-ventilated with no way your cat can enter and be exposed. Image Credit: Halil ibrahim mescioglu‚ Shutterstock What Are Signs of Essential Oil Toxicity to Cats? It’s important to know the signs of essential oil toxicity in case your cat is accidentally exposed. It only takes a small amount on the skin or a couple of licks to become problematic. Here’s what to look for: Drooling Lethargy or weakness Difficulty breathing Fragrance of oil on fur‚ skin‚ or breath Muscle tremors Redness on lips‚ tongue‚ gums‚ or skin Pawing at the face or mouth Vomiting If you notice any signs of toxicity‚ it’s vital to contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment. Is It Safe to Use Sandalwood Incense Sticks Around My Cat? Unfortunately‚ burning incense is also harmful to your cat. The smoke from burning incense sticks can cause respiratory problems in cats. Cats are sensitive to smoke‚ and exposure can cause coughing‚ watery eyes‚ sneezing‚ and congestion. Exposure can also trigger asthma in cats. Image Credit: 4174332‚ Pixabay What Are Safer Alternatives to Use to Keep My House Smelling Pleasant? While it’s tempting to use essential oils and incense‚ whether sandalwood or a different fragrance‚ it’s best to refrain from these options for the safety of your feline companion. However‚ you can try a few other ways to freshen up your home that are also safe for your cat. Air Purifier Air purifiers are an excellent way to keep your home smelling fresh. They don’t just mask the odor; rather‚ they absorb pet smells from any room. However‚ ensure you buy one with an activated carbon filter. Other filters‚ like HEPA filters‚ only rid the air of pet dander but don’t eliminate odors. Air purifiers are pricey‚ but investing in one is a superb way of ridding your home from pet odors‚ and it’s safe for your cat. Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin‚ Shutterstock Clean the Litter Box Regularly Keeping the litter box clean and scooped often can help cut down on litter box smells. It’s recommended to scoop the litter box at least twice daily and refill it with fresh litter as needed. A rule of thumb is to keep the litter at a height of 2–3 inches. Another excellent way to keep smells down is to dump old litter and replace it with new litter once a month. After discarding the old litter‚ clean the empty litter box with hot water and a mild‚ unscented soap. Scrub thoroughly and rise before adding new litter. Conclusion While sandalwood gives off a pleasantly warm and earthy scent‚ it’s unsafe to use around your cat. Sandalwood is commonly used to make essential oils and incense sticks‚ but neither is ideal for cat owners. Essential oils can be problematic for cats if ingested from grooming and can cause oral and skin irritation and liver issues. Incense is problematic due to the smoke‚ so it’s best to avoid these items altogether. Remember to clean the litter box regularly and use an air purifier with an activated carbon filter for safer alternatives to essential oils and incense. Sources  https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/essential-oils-for-cats?lightboxfired=true https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/essential-oil-and-liquid-potpourri-poisoning-in-cats https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/ Featured Image Credit: Madeleine Steinbach‚ Shutterstock The post Is Sandalwood Safe for Cats? Vet Approved Facts &; Safety Guide appeared first on Pet Keen.

Dogs require water to survive just like humans do. Fortunately‚ dogs inherently understand the importance of drinking water‚ so if it’s available to them‚ they will drink it. They’ll even drink from puddles‚ rivers‚ and any other source of water that they come across outdoors—if we let them. The problem is that dogs don’t know what water is safe to drink and what isn’t. For example‚ they don’t understand that there could be car oil lurking in those street puddles. At home‚ you can easily give tap water to your dog to satisfy their thirst. But is tap water safe for dogs to drink? In general‚ if your tap water is safe enough for you to drink‚ it is safe enough for your pets. Here is what you should know about this important topic. The Safety of Your Tap Water The safety of your tap water supply depends on various things‚ such as how well your municipal water system is managed‚ monitored‚ and maintained‚ where the water comes from‚ and whether you’re getting water from a well. So‚ if you don’t drink tap water out of concern of contamination or for other reasons‚ you may not want to give that water to your dog either. Let’s discuss the possible contaminants in tap water and how you can improve its safety to make it better for your dog to drink regularly. Possible Contaminants in Your Tap Water There may be contaminants in your tap water without your knowledge‚ even if it looks clear and smells normal. Some contaminants to be aware of include: Lead — While it’s safe to bathe in water that’s contaminated with lead‚ it is not safe for humans or dogs to drink said water. Lead pipes are no longer legal for building‚ but if you live in an old home‚ there might still be lead pipes throughout your plumbing system. Trihalomethanes — This is a human-made chemical contaminant that develops when organic matter is exposed to chlorine water treatments. Fortunately‚ this chemical evaporates‚ but it could be present in the water that comes out of your sink because there hasn’t been an opportunity for evaporation. Pesticides — Pesticides from farming and pest control practices can contaminate groundwater and travel long distances. The closer you live to agricultural areas‚ the higher the risk that pesticides are getting into your water supply. Giardia — This tiny protozoan parasite can’t be seen with the naked eye. When ingested‚ it can cause giardiasis. Giardia may or may not result in any signs or problems for your dog‚ but your dog can pass it on to you. Signs that giardia can cause in dogs and people include diarrhea‚ abdominal pain and vomiting. Radium — Sadly‚ more than 100 million people (and their animals) drink tap water that contains radioactive elements including radium‚ radon and uranium. According to the Environmental Working Group‚ these contaminants may increase the risk of developing certain cancers. Image Credit: kaboompics‚ Pixabay How to Know If Your Tap Water Is Contaminated There are a few things that you can do to learn about the quality of your water and whether there are any contaminants in it that you should be worried about. Here are your options: Request a Consumer Confidence Report — If your water is supplied municipally‚ your local water treatment plant should be able and willing to provide you with an annual consumer confidence report that breaks down exactly what is in your water. You may find that there are things in your water that your water department is working to rectify‚ but you can do something about yourself at home (like invest in certain filters). Do Your Own Testing — You can take a sample of your water and bring it in or mail it to an EPA-approved testing facility to find out exactly what is in the water that’s running directly into your home. Your local government may offer a free testing site to utilize. Testing can cost anywhere from $20 to $300‚ depending on the complexity of the test that you choose to utilize. Image Credit: luchschenF‚ Shutterstock Ways to Make Your Tap Water Safer for Your Dog Whether you decide to have your water tested or not‚ there are a few things that you can do to make your tap water safer for your dog to drink without spending thousands of dollars on upgrades. Consider the following: Install a New Water Filter — You can find a variety of add-on water filters that can be installed under your sink or next to your faucet‚ which will help eliminate many contaminants that might be lurking in your water supply. If you don’t want to install a filter on your water system‚ consider investing in a filtering pitcher that can be filled from the faucet and stored on the counter or in the fridge. Regularly Clean Your Dog’s Water Bowl — Contaminants can get into your dog’s water from the environment‚ so cleaning their water bowl two or three times a week can help ensure that contaminants do not get stuck on the bowl’s walls and get into the drinking water. Utilize a Water Fountain — A pet drinking water fountain usually contains a filtration system to help remove contaminants and other impurities from the water‚ it also continually cycles the water to help keep it fresh and clean. Final Comments If your tap water is clean and safe enough for you to drink‚ there is no reason that you can’t serve it as-is to your pup and any other animals that might be living in your house. If you are unsure whether your tap water is safe for your dog‚ you can have it tested by an EPA-approved testing facility. You can also install extra filters or consider getting a filtered pitcher. Sources EWG: 170 Million in the U.S. Drink Radioactive Tap Water WaterDefense: Most Common Water Contaminants CDC: Giardia CDC: Giardia and Pets PetMD: Is Tap Water Safe for Dogs? Capital Home Veterinary Care: Is Tap Water Safe for My Pet?   Featured Image Credit: Andres Siimon‚ Unsplash The post Can Dogs Drink Tap Water? Vet-Reviewed Facts &; Concerns appeared first on Pet Keen.

There are many reasons why you may need to weigh your cat. It could be to keep track of their weight gain in an attempt to help them gain or lose weight. You may want to find out their weight so that you know how much medicine or food to give them. Regardless of the reason‚ it is a way to keep an eye on your cat’s health in a more precise way than judging off their appearance. Knowing how to weigh your cat is the tricky part. Not many cats are happy to be placed on a cold scale and sit there patiently while you jot down their measurement. Taking your cat to the vet is one way to determine their weight‚ but that takes time‚ effort‚ and money. Weighing your cat at home can be done more frequently and is often the easier option. Below are a few tips on how you can accurately weigh your cat at home. The 5 Steps to Weigh Your Cat at Home 1. Cuddle Your Cat Doing anything out of your cat’s routine can be a bit stressful for anxious personalities. A usually relaxed cat may start to get frantic when picked up to be weighed‚ which may result in an inaccurate reading. Start off by holding your cat‚ stroking them‚ and speaking softly to them so that they relax in your arms. Image Credit: New Africa‚ Shutterstock 2. Use a Quiet Room A loud and busy environment may feel overwhelming for your cat‚ so place your scale in a quiet room‚ separate from other pets‚ children‚ and noise. For an accurate reading‚ you and your cat need to be still‚ so the less chaotic the environment‚ the better. 3. Use Your Bathroom Scale If you don’t have a fancy pet scale‚ don’t worry! There is no need to go out and buy one if you have a bathroom scale at home. Place your scale in your quiet room and stand on it with your kitty‚ jotting down the combined weight. Image Credit: svf74‚ Shutterstock 4. Weigh Yourself You’ll need to repeat the last step‚ but this time without your cat in your arms. You can place them beside you on the floor or let them run out of the room as their part in this process is complete. Get on the scale alone and record your weight. 5. Do a Bit of Math Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for the math boffins)‚ this step requires a bit of math‚ so whip out your calculator or paper and pencil! You will need to subtract your weight from the weight you recorded while holding your cat. The result will be your cat’s weight. Alternative Ways to Weigh Your Cat at Home Depending on how anxious your cat is‚ your cat’s energy level‚ and the equipment you have at home‚ you can try out a few alternative options to weigh your cat. 1. Use a Cat Carrier If your cat will not settle in your arms and is causing the readings to be inconsistent‚ you can opt to use their cat carrier. The process is similar to the guide above‚ except this time‚ you’ll hold your cat in the carrier instead of in your arms or place cat in carrier on the scale. Once you have the combined weight‚ release your cat and weigh yourself‚ holding the empty cat carrier (or similarly‚ weigh the empty carrier). Subtract the last reading from the first‚ and the result will be your cat’s weight. Image Credit: Zossia‚ Shutterstock 2. Place Them on The Scale If you have a baby scale‚ pet scale‚ or just a simple bathroom scale and your cat is happy to sit still on it by themselves‚ then use this method because it is the fastest and easiest option. A baby scale or pet scale will provide you with the most accurate measurements because it is very sensitive to lighter weights. All you need to do is turn the scale on and place your cat on it. The number that it stops on is your cat’s body weight. 3. Use a Luggage Scale A luggage scale is another good option for cats who won’t sit still long enough for you to get their weight from the bathroom scale. This type of scale has a hook to which a bag or carrier can be attached. The scale will read the weight of whatever the hook is holding. You can place your cat into a cat backpack or carrier‚ place it on the hook‚ and take down the measurement. You’ll need to repeat the step with the empty bag or carrier. Subtract the two measurements‚ and you’ll be left with your cat’s weight. Conclusion You may want to weigh your cat to keep an eye on their health or because you’re curious about what it is. Thankfully‚ weighing your cat can be done at home in a few simple steps. You can use a bathroom scale‚ a luggage scale‚ a baby scale‚ or a pet scale if you have one. Holding your cat on the scale is one of the best methods to use‚ but there are several others if it doesn’t work well for you or your cat. Sources https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/cat/cat-advice/cat-maintenance-and-safety/how-to-weigh-your-pet-at-home/   Featured Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin‚ Shutterstock The post How to Weigh Your Cat at Home: Step-by-Step Guide (Vet Approved) appeared first on Pet Keen.

If your cat just gave birth and you’re wondering what to do‚ the answer is likely not much‚ at least not right away as long as everything has gone well with the delivery and you’re looking at a bunch of happy‚ healthy kittens. Mother cats generally manage to make it through labor and delivery without human assistance‚ and most don’t need help dealing with their newborn kittens. However‚ ensuring that your cat and her babies are doing well is important. Take a look to ensure the kittens’ noses and mouths are clear of fluid and mucus and that the mother has removed the sac from the kitten completely. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have concerns or think a kitten may need assistance. It’s also important to ensure the kittens start nursing relatively quickly after birth. If a kitten hasn’t started suckling within two hours of birth‚ reach out to your veterinarian for advice‚ as you may need to step in and try to encourage the kitten to nurse. Are There Other Things to Do Right After My Cat Gives Birth? Giving your cat a comfortable‚ warm place to stay‚ plenty of food and water and space to move around are all critical to creating a comfortable and inviting environment that supports your cat and her kittens. Warmth Make sure your cat has a nice‚ warm place to care for her kittens. Kittens don’t have the ability to regulate their temperatures for the first 2 weeks of their lives‚ so they rely on their mother and each other to stay nice and toasty. Keeping kittens warm is critical to their overall health and development‚ so try to ensure they have an environmental temperature of around 89°F to 93°F for the first few days after birth.1 This temperature can gradually be decreased over time. By the end of the fourth week of life‚ kittens will be comfortable at 75°F. Image Credit: Abessinier‚ Pixabay Quiet Provide a quiet space for your cat and her kittens to be. Reduce disturbances and loud noises as they can cause a nursing queen to become anxious. Unfamiliar surroundings‚ strangers or frequent disturbances can affect the queen’s milk production and lead to maternal neglect.  First time mothers are often particularly sensitive to environmental disruptions. Solitude Most queens prefer to be left alone entirely when their kittens are tiny and vulnerable‚ so try to give your cat and her babies a bit of space to allow nature to take its course. Some new cat mothers prefer well-loved humans to refrain from touching newborn kittens. Veterinarians often suggest limiting the amount of contact people have with kittens until they’re a few weeks old and their eyes are open. Bedding Provide clean bedding for your cat and her kittens‚ but avoid moving her or the kittens for the first few days. Once everyone has settled in‚ you can change the bedding when your cat decides to have a snack or go to the bathroom. Good options for bedding include easily washable items like old towels and pillowcases. Image Credit: Azkia A. Mardhiah‚ Pixabay Pets If you have any other pets‚ it is a good idea to keep them out of the area where the kittens are nursing to keep your cat from becoming stressed and protective. As mentioned‚ anything that makes a mother cat feel vulnerable can interfere with her natural mothering instincts and can make it more likely for her to abandon her litter. Are There Potential Post-Delivery Complications to Be Concerned About? Most cat pregnancies go off without a hitch‚ but occasionally‚ problems can pop up. Reach out to your veterinarian if your cat shows signs of vaginal bleeding or discharge‚ but remember that a small amount of post-delivery spotting is normal. Inflammation of the uterus and mammary glands can also be a problem‚ as can uterine prolapse. Metritis‚ or uterine inflammation‚ results when part of the placenta is retained in the uterus. A bacterial infection is typically also present due to the material left behind in the uterus. Signs of metritis include vaginal discharge‚ fever‚ and lethargy. Cats suffering from the condition often have trouble caring for their kittens and need veterinary attention promptly. Kittens who are crying and having difficulty settling can indicate that a queen may be suffering from a condition such as metritis. Uterine prolapse is very rare in queens but can be caused by straining during labor and delivery. Mastitis (inflamed mammary glands) is also quite rare in cats but it can occur. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection and may involve one or several glands. Signs include painful and swollen mammary glands‚ and as the inflammation progresses‚ the infected glands will become increasingly discolored (red or purple) and painful. Milk from the infected glands may contain blood and pus. The condition can usually be resolved with antibiotics‚ but depending on the severity of the infection‚ the queen may need additional supportive care and the kittens may need bottle feeding while the queen is unwell. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see signs indicating your cat may be developing complications. Image Credit: Chaikom‚ Shutterstock Do Cats Ever Reject Kittens? Yes. Cats are usually quite affectionate with their kittens‚ often licking them and giving them loving attention‚ but sometimes things can go wrong. Cats can reject kittens for a few reasons‚ including stress and the inability to care for several babies at once. This can be particularly common in first time queens. Queens who become particularly stressed can reject and even kill kittens. It’s one of the reasons providing a quiet‚ safe place for your cat to give birth and stay with her kittens while they’re young is so important. Cats can also neglect kittens who they sense are particularly weak or ill. Some queens reject kittens who are handled too much in the first weeks after they’re born. Signs a cat may not be bonding with her kittens include not permitting newborns to nurse‚ leaving babies without supervision‚ and generally not paying attention to the litter. Reach out to your veterinarian if your cat is having issues with one or more of her kittens. How Can I Tell if The Kittens Are Doing Okay? During the first few weeks‚ kittens aren’t usually all that active; they mostly sleep and eat‚ and that’s about it. Kittens who cry when they’re awake may not be feeling well or may be having trouble getting enough food. Make arrangements for your cat and her kittens to be seen by your veterinarian if your kittens appear to be uncomfortable when eating or if there’s lots of crying. Contentment and a steady weight gain are both signs that newborn kittens are doing well. Reach out to your veterinarian if it appears that one of the kittens is losing weight‚ as healthy ones generally increase their body weights by about 10-15g a day.2 Kittens should have periods when they’re awake and trying to get on their feet by the second week‚ and they should generally be trying to explore the world outside of the nest by the time week three rolls around. Image Credit: Rashid Valitov‚ Shutterstock Do I Need to Feed the Kittens? Newborn kittens don’t require anything but their mother’s milk in their first few days and weeks of life. The first milk queens produce is called colostrum‚ which is full of antibodies and gives a kitten’s immune system an essential boost. They can generally start the weaning process (introducing solid food) when they’re between 3 to 4 weeks old. Reach out to your veterinarian if the kittens seem to be crying a lot or if you notice a kitten has lost or not gained weight in 24 hours. Weighing kittens daily is extremely important as a way of assessing their health. Do Cats Move Kittens Around? Yes. It’s usually nothing to be terribly concerned about if your cat decides to move her kittens from one location to another. It’s relatively common for cats to look for places that feel less exposed or provide more warmth. Image Credit: Biamillah Jaya‚ Shutterstock Do Cats Sometimes Avoid People After Giving Birth? Yes. Queens can be less interested in interacting with their favorite people in the period immediately after giving birth‚ but things usually get back to normal within a few weeks. Do I Need to Worry About Socializing the Kittens? Yes‚ but not right away! Socialization is the process of exposing kittens to new experiences and getting them used to being handled by and comfortable around people. The prime kitten socialization period is generally when they’re between 2 and 7 weeks old‚ but you may need to wait longer before getting started. When Should Kittens Have Their First Veterinary Checkup? Kittens and queens should be seen by a veterinarian just to make sure everything is moving in the right direction. Give your veterinarian a call soon after your cat gives birth and advise them of the situation; they can provide you with specific advice about the best time to schedule a check up for the queen and her kittens. Conclusion There’s usually not much that owners need to do immediately after their cat has given birth. Queens take care of all their babies’ needs for the first month or so after they’re born. They provide food and warmth and help their kittens stay clean and go to the bathroom. Most mothers prefer humans to keep their distance from newborn kittens. Veterinarians advise pet parents to minimize the time spent handling kittens until they’re at least a few weeks old to prevent mother cats from becoming stressed and rejecting their kittens. Sources https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/pregnancy-and-kitten-care/after-birth https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/pregnancy-and-kitten-care/care-of-newborn-kittens https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mastitis-in-cats https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/socialization-and-fear-prevention-in-kittens https://www.msdvetmanual.com/cat-owners/reproductive-disorders-of-cats/reproductive-disorders-of-female-cats Featured Image Credit: Akhmad Sopiyan‚ Shutterstock The post My Cat Just Had Kittens‚ What Do I Do? Vet-Approved Guide appeared first on Pet Keen.

If you’re considering adding a pet hamster to your family‚ you may wonder about the animal’s sleeping patterns. These little rodents can make excellent pets and are often a child’s first pet. Hamsters are a terrific starting point to get your child acclimated to caring for an animal‚ and you’ll need to know how to care for the hamster properly. New hamster owners generally have questions about when and how long they sleep. To answer this question‚ hamsters sleep up to 8 hours per day during the daytime. Why Do Hamsters Sleep During the Day? Hamsters in captivity are crepuscular‚ meaning they are most active from dusk to dawn and sleep during the day. Once the sun goes down‚ your hamster will come to life. However‚ they typically do not sleep straight through; hamsters have multiple sleep-wake patterns throughout the sleep cycle. You often won’t see your hamster sleeping because they do this while you’re active and going about your day. In the wild‚ hamsters are prey animals‚ and they must avoid predation. However‚ hamsters in the wild have been shown to be diurnal (awake and foraging through the early and late daylight hours)‚ which is different to their relatives in captivity.1 Scientists aren’t sure why this is‚ but it’s an interesting finding. Image Credit: IRINA ORLOVA‚ Shutterstock What if My Hamster Sleeps More Than 8 Hours a Day? If your hamster sleeps upwards of 10 to 14 hours per day‚ a trip to your veterinarian is warranted to ensure they’re not sick. Hamsters will sleep more often if in pain or generally not feeling well‚ and it’s best to have your hamster checked out. Aging hamsters will sleep more‚ but it could be an underlying medical problem‚ too. Noise and distractions like dogs barking‚ TV‚ talking and shouting‚ doorbells‚ etc. can keep your hamster up during the day‚ making them sleep more than usual. The enclosure should be kept in a quiet room‚ and it’s important not to leave the lights on at night. Just because your hamster is awake doesn’t mean they need lights to see. The enclosure should mimic nature as much as possible‚ which means keeping the room dim or dark at night when they are most active. If your hamster really is sleeping more than it usually does‚ it could be that it is entering a state of torpor. Torpor is described as “a state of lowered body temperature and metabolic activity assumed by many animals in response to adverse environmental conditions”. It is similar to hibernation‚ but the animal wakes periodically to eat and drink. Hamsters in captivity shouldn’t need to enter this state‚ so ensure you are feeding them adequately and that they aren’t too cold. If you place the cage in a warmer area (over 50℉)‚ your hamster should start to come out of torpor. How to Properly Care for a Hamster Before bringing a hamster home‚ it’s best to familiarize yourself with the essential requirements to take care of the hamster properly. They are not too demanding; as long as you feed them well-balanced commercial hamster pellets‚ timothy hay‚ and fruits and vegetables and provide an adequate enclosure with all the necessities‚ your hamster can live a healthy life. Keep in mind that hamsters have a short lifespan of 2 to 3 years with proper care. The enclosure or cage should be of adequate size so that your hamster has plenty of room to roam. In the wild‚ hamsters love to run‚ and providing an exercise wheel is an excellent way for your hamster to get exercise. Ensure you place a few hideaways in the enclosure to give your hamster somewhere to retreat to‚ a deep bed for your hamster to burrow through‚ and don’t forget to provide fresh drinking water 24/7. Image Credit: HASPhotos‚ Shutterstock Final Thoughts Hamsters are fun little rodents that can be kept as pets‚ but one thing to remember is they are active while you’re sleeping‚ and odds are you won’t see them at their most active‚ unless you’re a night owl. Here’s a bit of advice: if you want a hamster you can interact with‚ go with a Syrian hamster‚ particularly if you have children. Although they will mostly sleep through the day‚ they are much more amenable to being handled when they are awake than the dwarf breeds‚ and are not quite as quick or easily damaged as the smaller ones. Sources https://be.chewy.com/hamster-sleep-schedule/ https://www.petmd.com/exotic/care/evr_ex_hm_how-to-care-for-your-hamster https://www.britannica.com/science/torpor https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/small-pet-advice/hamster-hibernation/ Featured Image Credit: Alex Milan‚ Shutterstock The post When &; How Long Do Hamsters Sleep For? Vet-Verified Care Facts appeared first on Pet Keen.

Beet Pickled Eggs are so easy to make and a wonderful addition to any holiday table. We especially love them for Easter! If you love these eggs you will want to try out these delicious Zucchini Refrigerator Pickles. They are so easy to make and a wonderful summer treat! ❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE We...

As more and more Americans find ways to work for themselves‚ the government is doing everything in its power to make that nearly impossible. Under the Corporate Transparency Act‚ small-business owners with fewer than 20 employees and less than $5 million in revenue will be forced to register with FinCEN — or face fines and potential jail time. In addition to the new act‚ the U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final rule that will force companies to treat some workers as employees rather than less expensive independent contractors. The rule is expected to increase labor costs‚ which would put more than 70 million American freelancers' work in serious jeopardy. “It’s a big country‚ and there’s exceptions to every rule‚ but the number of people who were adversely affected prior to this versus the number of people who have now lost the freedom to work the way they want is mind boggling‚” Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" tells Glenn Beck. “You want to set your own schedule? Forget it. You want to eat what you kill? Forget it‚” he adds. Glenn is infuriated. “There’s no opportunity‚ none‚ to actually become something because the government has you so pigeonholed‚ and people just accept it‚” Glenn says‚ adding‚ “I don’t want to live in that kind of country.” To hear more‚ watch the clip below. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling‚ thought-provoking analysis‚ and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

A Minnesota school district stated "there will be conflicts" in response to cellphone video showing at least two students beating up a lone student at one of its middle schools — and observers were not happy with the district's words. — (@) Libs of TikTok got the video from X channel CrimeWatchMpls‚ which stated that the physical attack took place at Eagle Ridge Middle School in the city of Savage‚ which is about 20 minutes south of Minneapolis."We're told this assault on a student by several others took place on Friday‚" CrimeWatchMpls noted in its Saturday post‚ adding that the school is part of the @ISD191 Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District.The Daily Mail reported that it reached out to the Savage Police Department and Eagle Ridge Middle School for comment‚ noting that police confirmed they did not receive any report about the incident.As for the school district‚ a Facebook user asked a question about the attack‚ and the district had the following to say:Violent behavior is absolutely unacceptable at Eagle Ridge and all District 191 schools. When this incident occurred‚ staff intervened immediately and nearby students took appropriate actions so that the incident didn’t escalate‚ and it ended quickly. School administration has investigated‚ and will follow school policies and procedures for student behavior as outlined in the student handbook. As always‚ we can't share private student data.Unfortunately‚ in a school with hundreds of teens and pre-teens‚ there will be some conflicts. Our goal as educators is to make sure students know what's expected and that they have the skills and support to manage those conflicts peacefully and productively so everyone has the safe learning environment they deserve.'There will be some conflicts'To say folks weren't pleased about the district's response is an understatement:"How was this 'a conflict‚'" one Facebook commenter wondered."THIS. THIS is a serious red flag when coming from a SCHOOL‚" an X user stated. "If it is so bad that you're blaming the fact that teens are wild‚ then DO BETTER! Get more security‚ and make teachers and staff stand in hall doorways on between classes‚ AND make discipline quick and unpleasant.""Their definition of conflict is a lot different than mine‚" another X commenter said."This isn’t 'normal teen conflict.' We all went to high school &; saw fights. These are wild animal gang beatings &; this isn’t the 1st time‚" another X commenter stated. "Teens &; preteens have gotten the msg re: our state’s impotence in terms of [law enforcement]‚ crime‚ &; punishment. Now preteens [are] DEFIANT ...""LOL that was not conflict‚" another X commenter said. "It was a kid getting jumped. Nobody stepping in to help him.""Didn’t look like conflict to me!" another X commenter opined. "Looked like a hate crime.""Conflict??? A mob of students attacked ONE kid. That’s not conflict‚" another X commenter declared. "What a crock!!!"Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Former CNN host Don Lemon sparred with owner of the X platform and entrepreneur Elon Musk over alleged hate speech on the app‚ which Lemon said is need of content moderation.Lemon launched a talk show across most social media platforms after being fired from CNN in 2023. The first episode of "The Don Lemon Show" featured and interview with Musk inside a Tesla manufacturing plant.After discussing Tesla and pressing Musk on who he will support in the 2024 presidential election‚ Lemon began a lengthy segment endorsing the idea that X is in desperate need of content moderation."These are just a handful of extremely ... anti-Semitic and racist tropes and tweets‚ and as of this morning they're still on X‚" Lemon said‚ while showing Musk printouts of offensive memes of varying degrees."We delete things if they are illegal‚" Musk replied."But these have been up there for a while‚" Lemon came back."Are they illegal?" Musk asked."They're not illegal‚ but they're hateful and they can lead to violence‚" Lemon decried‚ showcasing the crux of most of the former network anchor's argument. Lemon then cited studies purporting to show an increase in "hate speech" on X — which Musk refuted — and argued with the billionaire at length as to why the platform should have stricter controls on speech.Musk took Lemon's remarks as an advocacy for censorship."So‚ Don‚ you love censorship is what you're saying‚" Musk asserted."No‚ I don't love censorship. I believe in moderation‚ but I don't believe in censorship‚" Lemon stated."Moderation is a propaganda word for censorship. ... If something's illegal we're going to take it down‚ if it's not illegal‚ then we're putting our thumb on the scale and we're being censors‚" the SpaceX operator explained. Don Lemon wasn't interviewing Elon Musk; he was just promoting the mainstream media propaganda.\n\n\ud83d\udcf9 youtube/thedonlemonshow — (@) Lemon attempted to connect online "hate speech" to mass shooters across the world and the "great replacement theory‚" which he called a "Jewish conspiracy." Lemon complained that conspiracy theories have perpetuated on X‚ again due to a lack of content moderation.Just when it seemed the two were going to move on from the topic‚ Musk reiterated that Lemon was advocating for censorship outside United States laws."You want censorship‚ and I don't‚" Musk insisted. "No‚ I don't want censorship; I want responsibility‚" Lemon attempted to explain."You desperately want censorship‚" Musk retorted. "You want censorship so bad you can taste it. ... We have a responsibility to adhere to the law‚ and if people want the law changed‚ they should talk their elected representative and get the law changed‚ and then we will adhere to the law." "You want censorship and I don't‚" @elonmusk tells @donlemon over and over he doesn't want censorship and believes in free speech in accordance with the law -\n\nLemon continuously rewords it as 'moderation': — (@) Lemon's new show was originally supposed to be an X-backed show‚ as part of a new lineup that included sports host Jim Rome and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii). However‚ Lemon reported that their deal had been squashed by Musk just hours after their sit-down was recorded.Soon thereafter‚ it was reported that Lemon had made incredible requests as part of his contract‚ which included a podcast in outer space via SpaceX‚ a Tesla Cybertruck‚ a $5 million advance on an $8 million salary‚ and equity in the X platform.Agent Jay Sures from the United Talent Agency told the New York Post that the allegations were "absolute‚ complete utter nonsense without an iota of truth to it."X declined to comment on the details of the partnership.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday concerning whether the Biden administration violated the Constitution when it ostensibly leaned on social media companies to censor and suppress Americans' protected free speech in the interest of advancing preferred narratives during the pandemic and in the years since. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed last year with a district court's assessment that there was ample evidence of a "coordinated campaign" of unprecedented "magnitude orchestrated by federal officials that jeopardized a fundamental aspect of American life." Displeased with the courts' characterization of its censorship efforts as both problematic and unlawful‚ and altogether keen to keep it up‚ the Biden administration now seeks a favorable result from the high court. Quick overview Liberal justices were especially resistant Monday to the notion that the Biden administration had engaged in unlawful coercion. Justice Elena Kagan expressed skepticism over there being demonstrable causation between the Biden administration's pressure campaign and the clamp-down on speech that ultimately occurred online during the pandemic. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared to regard the administration's actions as a matter of persuasion contra coercion and shared hypothetical situations where censorship resulting from state pressure on private actors might supposedly be in the interest of the public good. Justice Sonia Sotomayor suggested that Louisiana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguiñaga‚ arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs‚ distorted key facts in his brief. Even nominally conservative judges did not altogether appear convinced by the arguments against the Biden administration. On the whole‚ it does not appear the chances are great that the injunction granted by the Fifth Circuit and stayed by the Supreme Court will be reinstated. Background The states of Missouri and Louisiana were joined by other plaintiffs‚ including the coauthors of the Great Barrington Declaration‚ Drs. Jay Bhattacharya and Martin Kulldorff‚ in taking legal action against President Joe Biden‚ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre‚ Anthony Fauci‚ and various Biden administration officials. The case‚ Missouri v. Biden — now called Murthy v. Missouri before the high court — came about in response to the Democratic administration's well-documented efforts to shut down critics and questioners of its COVID-19 policies and preferred narratives during the pandemic. U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty issued a preliminary injunction in July 2023‚ barring Biden administration officials from engaging social media companies regarding "the removal‚ deletion‚ suppression‚ or reduction of content containing protected free speech posted on social-media platforms." Blaze News previously reported that Doughty made clear in his ruling that the Biden administration "used its power to silence the opposition. Opposition to COVID-19 vaccines; opposition to COVID-19 masking and lockdowns; opposition to the lab-leak theory of COVID-19; opposition to the validity of the 2020 election; opposition to President Biden's policies; statements that the Hunter Biden laptop story was true; and opposition to policies of the government officials in power." "All were suppressed‚" wrote Doughty. "It is quite telling that each example or category of suppressed speech was conservative in nature. This targeted suppression of conservative ideas is a perfect example of viewpoint discrimination of political speech." The Biden DOJ filed an appeal but had its hopes dashed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in September‚ which largely upheld Doughty's ruling. In October‚ the Fifth Circuit went a step further‚ expanding the injunction to include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency‚ noting that "for many of the same reasons as the FBI and the CDC‚ CISA also likely violated the First Amendment." The U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Fifth Circuit's order later that month‚ allowing the Biden administration to resume its practice of having American citizens' speech online censored and suppressed. The high court granted a review of the case by writ of certiorari. The Biden administration maintains that public officials should be able to "inform‚ to persuade and to criticize" social media platforms. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) suggested in the amicus brief he and 44 other lawmakers filed with the Supreme Court supporting the plaintiffs that "this official coercion has undermined the marketplace of ideas on issues of public importance ranging from COVID to federal elections to Biden family misdeeds." Persuasion version coercion Brian Fletcher‚ the principal deputy solicitor general for the Biden administration‚ opened up oral arguments Monday by striking a distinction between governmental coercion and persuasion. Fletcher suggested the Biden administration‚ when coordinating with social media companies to cure an approved narrative online and suppress dissenting opinions‚ was engaging in persuasion‚ not outright coercion — which he defined as "adverse government action." Justice Samuel Alito‚ who appeared uncertain the Biden administration had been on the "persuasion side" of things‚ alluded to emails‚ meetings‚ and the general appearance of collusion between Biden administration officials and social media company personnel‚ saying‚ "I cannot imagine federal officials taking that approach to the print media‚ representatives over there. If you did that to them‚ what would the reaction be?" Fletcher maintained that the back-and-forth and "language of partnership" between the Biden administration and social media platforms was not "unusual‚" insinuating the companies were big enough to resist the government's influence. He further likened the effort by the Biden administration's supposed persuasion efforts during the pandemic to the efforts by lawmakers in recent months to persuade colleges to deal with anti-Semitism on campus after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. Alito suggested that in the case of social media companies‚ the government has "Section 230 in its pocket‚" referencing a section of the Title 47 of the United States Code that protects social media companies from lawsuits over the content that appears on its sites. With "these big clubs available to it‚" Alito said the government has been "treating Facebook and these other platforms like its subordinates." Justice Neil Gorsuch similarly noted that potential threats on the part of government officials to reform Section 230‚ might constitute coercion just as accusations — such as Biden's — that social media companies' failure to change their policies are "killing people" could be interpreted in the absence of desirable outcomes on the platform as threats of imminent adverse government action. While Justice Brett Kavanaugh indicated it is "not uncommon" for government officials to caution traditional media to run with a story that may put Americans at risk‚ he added that persuasion becomes "problematic" if the state tacks on‚ "and if you publish the story we're going to pursue antitrust action against you." The discussion shifted from whether the government was coercive to whether it had in fact engaged in coercion. Justice Alito zeroed in on the case of one of the plaintiffs‚ Jill Hines‚ co-director of the conservative Health Freedom Louisiana group‚ whose criticism of mask wearing was suppressed on Facebook. Alito noted that two lower courts found that the injury in this case "was traceable to the government's actions." Fletcher agreed it amounted to an injury but suggested both courts were wrong in observing traceability to the government. Justice Elena Kagan later suggested that the case could be axed by saying the plaintiffs were not entitled to an injunction because they could not demonstrate an imminent threat of future harm. Kagan expressed a strong skepticism of causation‚ suggesting the censorship may have been solely a private decision — that Facebook and Twitter acted on their own volition‚ despite all of the Biden administration's urging. Louisiana Solicitor General Benjamin Aguiñaga countered that it is clear from the communications between the Biden administration and social media platforms that there was "unrelenting government pressure." After the White House "went nuclear" on social media platforms‚ Aguiñaga said the companies began reversing course on their own policies — "an example of platforms moving beyond what their own policies require." "Pressuring platforms in back rooms‚ shielded from public view‚ is not using a bully pulpit‚" said Aguiñaga. "That's just being a bully." Aguiñaga underscored that while the government is welcome to persuade companies‚ it "cannot induce‚ encourage or promote" private parties to do what the Constitution does not permit itself to do directly. Justice Clarence Thomas asked whether the government working with private actors to remove content would violate the First Amendment in the manner that direct coercion does. Aguiñaga responded‚ "Regardless of the means that the government tries to use to pressure the platforms to commit censorship against third parties‚ the Constitution really doesn't care about that. It's the fact that what the government is trying to accomplish is the suppression of speech." Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson suggested there were various situations in which the government could weigh in and encourage or require censorship. She provided an example of a social media challenge that's getting kids killed — a situation that is a "health emergency." Aguiñaga made the case that the government can lean on social media companies to amplify its own narrative but cannot lean on them to remove undesirable speech. "Nothing prohibits the government from going to [a social media] platform and saying‚ 'We've seen a lot of false information about election activity‚ and COVID and vaccines and the like‚'" said Aguiñaga. "Nothing prohibits the government from saying‚ 'Here's a list of everything we say is true‚ [or] that is true in our view. And you should amplify our speech‚ and anytime that false speech arises‚ you should put our post right there next to it saying this is the government's view on this issue.'" Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!