Some people have to get the latest and greatest electronic gadget, other people need to wear the latest fashions. Only a pet lover would understand how I felt when The Midwest Ferret Nation came out. I wanted it. I needed it. I had to have it.
My ferrets were living in a Midwest Cat Playpen (Model 131). A nice cage, but not my ideal ferret cage. The cage came with 2 not-wide-enough-to-do-anything shelves. 
Ferrets need more room and full levels are better. Buying additional shelves would have been to expensive, so I macgyvered the cage so there were 3 full-size levels. My ferrets liked and it worked well, but cleaning it was another thing. It has two good size doors, but I couldn’t access all 3 levels I had put in there without taking down a level. (Midwest nows makes a Cat Playpen with doors that provide more access.)
The has everything I want in a ferret cage. You can start out with one level and add an additional 2 levels at any time. Three levels makes for a very big cage, about 86 inches high. I am 5′9″ and have to use a step stool to access the top level with 3 levels. Each level has a lot of room. All 5 of my ferrets live in the 3 level Nation and I feel I could add another 2 without compromising space (my girls are out of their cage for about 4 hours during the week and all day on the weekends). The cage is solidly built and will last for a long time. The hammertone finish wipes clean very easily. The trays sit down a bit inside the levels so they don’t move when the doors are open plus it makes it a little harder for ferrets to burrow under them (I won’t say it makes it impossible, these are ferrets we are talking about!). You can close off the levels to separate ferrets. I have to do this when I go out of town and my mom takes care of my ferrets. She can’t tell them apart so I separate Spice, my insulinoma girl, so I can be sure she gets her twice daily medication. The shelves in each level are half the width of the cage, so you can actually use them for bedding, litter boxes, what ever you need. They are also adjustable so you can move them up and down or put them on the opposite side. At first glance, it may not look like there are a lot of places to hang hammocks, but each shelf and the ceiling of each level offers a more than enough places.
The best feature of all, though, are the doors. They open completely, making it SO easy to access the inside of the cage with out having to maneuver your body in there somehow. The doors close tight and the only way to open them is by squeezing the handles together making it hard for escapes.
The only issue I have had has been with the shelf is an issue others have had. Luckily, Midwest cared enough to listen to consumers and make a change. The shelves had an area at the front where 2 bars run parallel to each each. They provide a space for the ramp to attach. Ferrets were getting their toes caught when getting off the shelf (because ferrets don’t always like to use a ramp) and many ended up hanging upside down. Luckily, the incidences I have heard of this happening (including mine) occurred when the owner was nearby. The manufacturer has changed the design and has been sending replacements to those who contact them. I do wish the ramps came in different sizes for when you adjust the shelves (they can be put at 3 different heights, but my ferrets don’t seem to concerned.
The picture shows the 3 levels of my cage. The stand doesn’t appear in the picture. I added the Marshall Mini Mansion cage cover to the top of my Nation to provide my ferrets with a dark area to sleep. It covers the top level.
When you look at the prices of ferret cages, this one is well worth the money. It may be the last ferret cage you need to buy.
Likes-
The doors open completely up so you can access the inside of the cage with no problem
You start with one level and add more for a total of 3.
You can close off levels, making individual cages. Great for those with ferrets that don’t get along.
Dislikes
Wish they offered ramps in different lengths for when the shelves are moved. When put at their highest, the angle is very steep.
March 4th, 2007
In an effort to spare my furniture and wall moldings from damage, I offer my cats several different types of cat scratchers. They have a floor to ceiling cat tree with 3 shelves on it, great for sleeping on. They also have a 2 level cat condo, also a great place to hang out and sleep. Then there is their favorite, a cardboard cat scratcher. Okay, so it’s not trend-se
tting and it doesn’t match my decor, but you can’t beat the price!
There are a couple different styles of cardboard cat scratchers. My cats have no interest in the cardboard scratchers that hang from door knobs, but really tackle the ones that come in the slanted cardboard holder. Basically, these cat scratcher have a cardboard frame, usually the outside is decorated. The ones I have seen also have a small hole on each side where a cat can reach inside to play with a little toy hanging inside the frame (none of my cats have shown any interest in the toy or the holes). The part the cat scratches is made up of pieces of cardboard bonded together.
Cats like to be able to really stretch and scratch and with this even my biggest cat can stand on it and use it. Inexpensive when compared to other scratching posts, the cardboard cat scratcher has inserts that can be turned over so both sides can be used. Once that insert is worn, replacement inserts can be purchased. To get your cats interested or to keep them interested, you can rub some dry catnip or use a catnip spray on the insert. My cats will use it without catnip, but I occasionally put some on it to give them some excitement!
Likes:
The cost- very inexpensive, especially when compared to other scratching posts.
Replacement inserts- very easy to replace. When my carpetted cat scratchers get trashed, there is not much you can do to revive them (unless you have some basic DIY skills, which I don’t). Since the insert is the part that gets destroyed, you can have it like new it just a few seconds.
My cats like it- A cat scratching post is worthless if a cat won’t use it.
Dislikes:
Appearance- it would be nice if someone could design a nice frame something that would look better when company comes over
February 24th, 2007
 
The dog in the picture is my Parson Russell, Ricochet, with one of his favorite toys, a Tuffies Rumble Ring. Can’t you just see the glow of adoration in his eyes for his toy? Okay, so that is my lousy picture taking, but honestly, it is one of his favorites and one of the most durable toys he has.
Made with 3 layers of material, 2 of those are industrial strength nylon. It has stitching across the toy and has multiple rows of stitching on the edges to make it harder for your dog to chew through. The toys also contain squeakers but because they are under the layers of fabric they are MUCH quieter making it nicer for the humans in the household. For dogs who are a bit harder on their toys, they have Mega Tuffies which are made with 7 layers of material, 3 of them PVC! They offer a Tuff Scale on their site for you to see what level of toy your dog would do best with. Check out their site to see which Tuffies toy is best for your dog.
Remember, even with all this durability built into it, the toy is not a chew toy. All play should be supervised and if you have a dog who is super destructive, it would be best for you to play with your dog using the toy rather than letting your dog play by himself. We have had the Rumble Ring that is in the picture for over 6 months and it is almost as good as new. I bought the Jr. Tuff Log (Tuff Scale 5) and Malarky put a hole in it the first night and finished it off a few days ago. I will probably stick to the thinner Tuffies, like the Rumble Ring (Tuff Scale 9) that don’t have as much stuffing although you never know, Ricochet really enjoyed the Jr. Tuff Log. They also have some real cool dinosaurs(Tuff Scale 7) and then there is the Sting-ray (Tuff Scale 6). Decisions, decisions….
Likes:
- very sturdy, should stand up to the activity of most dogs
-quiet squeakers, great for those dogs who have a lot of prey drive and just want to kill the squeaker, plus much easier on our ears.
- Tuff Scale, love having a guide to go by to see what toy is best for my dog
Dislikes:
-I really can’t think of any. This is the toy I would have liked to have invented to stand up to some tough terrier play.
Find more Tuffies at Just4Pooches.com - A Unique Boutique for Your Furry Friend
February 18th, 2007
Hello! I started this blog to help give other people my view and experience withdifferent pet products so they could have more information before they make a purchase. People are spending more on their pets every year. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc that consumers spent an estimated 38.4 billion dollars on their pets in 2006. Of that amount, 9.3 billion was spent on pet products and over-the-counter medications. How much of that amount did you spend on your fur family members? I know I spent a lot. Working for a pet supply retailer does not help!
Since my current fur family includes dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits, those are the products I will be reviewing and commenting on. Since not all pets are like every other pet, I’d appreciate your comments and input as well, so let me know what you think!
February 17th, 2007
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