Tag: Play

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Enrichment Tips & Toys for a Happy, Healthy Big Cat

healthy big cat playing with enrichment toy

Keeping lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and other big cats emotionally and physically healthy has always been a challenge.

healthy big catStudies and experience prove habitat enrichment is an effective antidote to stress, nipping, and boredom. When the habitat is sufficiently enriched with items the cats like, you’ll see less pacing and prolonged sleeping behavior. 

The Aussie Dog Big Cat Bungee is perfect for enclosures with limited height.

For instance, the bungie has a D-ring for easy attachment. The soft tail and blue color keep lions and tigers interested and occupied in a temporary pen or permanent enclosure. Smaller and young cats will love the Aussie Dog Small Cat Sam. 

It’s no secret cats like to roll and bite a ball.

But big cats need a large, tough ball that is fun and durable. Our 31” Polyethylene ball is designed to be clawed, rolled, and bit by your cats. The ball is available in a variety of wall thicknesses and color options. Tough enough for all weather play. 

Big cats require a variety of enrichment items to satisfy curiosity and prevent stereotypic captive behavior. The Otto 46” box is made of sturdy polyethylene and can be modified to hold meat treats and olfactory stimulants. In addition, it even floats in water. We also offer a 48″ x 20″ x 8″ box that is easy to modify for your cat’s habitat. The boxes are available in many colors and wall thickness options. 

Tigers enjoy the water, especially in summertime. Keep your cats active with the floating rectangular 47” box.

And it’s easy to bite and carry around, even in the water. The Otto 22” box makes a great “throne” for your cats. It provides a comfortable resting place in the shade or in a temporary enclosure. The Otto Cylinder can be used anywhere but really shines in the water. The hollow polyethylene cylinder has safe, smooth edges. It can be rolled, tackled, and bit in the water and on land. Cylinders are available in several sizes for large and small cats. 

Experience shows that effective enrichment devices result in natural behavior. The Lion Sam 2 Bungie Toy is hung from a tree or other overhead mount. Tigers, lions, and other cats love to bat and bite the ball and tail. They’ll tug and pull the Lion Sam bungie as it “fights back”, stimulating hunting behavior. 

The Jingle Ball is a favorite at zoos because it provides big cats with auditory stimulation in addition to the challenge of rolling and biting the ball. The bells are safely sealed inside the tough polyethylene ball.  Visitors will enjoy seeing and hearing the cats playing with the Jingle Ball. The Jingle Ball is available in 18-36” diameter and comes in a variety of colors including bright blue and translucent. 

The key to successful big cat habitat enrichment is to experiment with a variety of enrichment tools. For example, an Ocelot may like one toy while a panther will prefer a different color or shape. Try several products to find out what your cats like. 

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Keeping Your Pigs Happy and Healthy Through Habitat Enrichment

happy healthy pigs

Keeping Your Pigs Happy and Healthy Through Habitat Enrichment

Swine are naturally curious and thrive in social groups. Pigs spend about 75% of their time exploring their surroundings by rooting, biting, pushing and sniffing objects in their environment. If their living space is not interesting, the pigs become bored. This leads to undesirable behavior like biting, tail nipping and fighting. Habitat enrichment solves the problem of boredom and unsafe behavior. Enriching your pig’s enclosure is easy with these time-tested swine enrichment products. 

The EasyFix Luna 142  has been tested at universities and swine environments throughout the world. The Luna 142 consists of 12 food-grade rubber spikes. Pigs can safely chew the spikes and push the LUNA around the piggery or play area. Four sizes are available for piglets, weaners, finishers, and sows. 

Pigs like objects that that can be chewed, licked, and pushed with the snout.

The Pig Bite Ball on a Spring  is designed to be mounted on the floor or wall. Pigs love to bite the plastic ball, but there’s more! The spring provides a challenge by “fighting back” when the pig pulls and pushes the ball.  

If you want to hang chewable balls above your pigs, our Biting Balls are the perfect solution. Made from tough polyurethane, Biting Balls stand up to the roughest play. Installation is easy. Biting Balls have a stainless-steel connecting pin making it simple to attach to a chain or rope. Biting Balls are available in 2” and 3.3” diameter sizes. 

Stop tail nipping with the Bite Block. Designed to be suspended from a chain, the Bite Block allows pigs to bite at “tail level” instead of nipping at their pen mates.  

Research shows pigs fare better when their environment is enriched with objects pigs enjoy exploring. The Animal Farm is a wall-mounted entertainment center packed with sights, sounds and textures for pigs to explore. It rattles, rolls, bounces, and even has a refillable treat dispenser.  

Finishers, sows, and other hooved animals benefit from suspended toys, like our EasyFix Astro 200. Hang the Astro 200 at eye level. Hooved animals will bite and pull the rubber legs instead of neighbor’s ears and sides. 

Enrichment Products Should be Swapped Out Periodically

Enrichment products should be periodically swapped out to prevent boredom. For example, The Pig Bite Moon  and Pig Bite Star provide interesting shapes that enrich any hooved animal environment. Designed to be hung from the stainless-steel chain, the Pig Bite Moon makes it easy to keep your animals entertained. These are great additions to the Animal Farm. 

Happier Pigs Eat More

Happy pigs have better feed conversion, so be prepared for hungry piglets. The Easy Pan Feeder dispenses starter food. The circular design, sturdy materials and easy use make it the favorite feeder around the world. 

Our enrichment devices are proven to keep pigs occupied and entertained. This translates into improved mental and physical health. Whether your animals are living in a lab enclosure, zoo enclosure or farm, our enrichment devices will improve your pig’s environment and result in less aggression and a healthy social environment. 

 

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Petting Farms: A Quick Guide to Everything You Should Know

petting farms goat and child

What are Petting Farms?

Petting farms are a collection of farm and exotic species that are calm and friendly enough to be touched and fed. Even though public zoos became popular in the 1700s, the attendance of visitors to zoos in the United States has increased by 20% in the last 15 years. Although they are similar, petting farms and petting zoos are usually geared towards smaller, local operations. On the other hand, zoos are large, commercial businesses with more animals, buildings, and exhibits.

For many people, petting farms are fun and exciting because they give people an opportunity to see and connect with various animals. Depending on the size and operation style of the petting zoo, they may even offer rides on large animals or the chance to hold a small animal. For these reasons and many others, petting farms are getting more popular all the time.

What Animals are Common at Petting Farms?

Petting farms often have numerous species of animals to see, touch, and interact with. A majority of animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs, cows, horses, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and rabbits are domesticated species from farms. Although these animals may seem ordinary to people living in rural or farming communities, people elsewhere will be making lifelong memories.

Also, most petting farms feature some sort of exotic or unusual animals. These can be more exciting to see in person and attract more visitors. Some of these may include deer, camels, wallabies, emus, large parrots, tortoises, iguanas, peacocks, and zebras. These animals are less commonly seen or interacted with in daily life, even in rural areas.

General Do’s and Don’ts

Like any public place, there are rules and expectations about what you are and are not allowed to do there. It can be important to follow these rules for reasons such as the safety of the people, the safety of the animals, and biosecurity.

Do:

  • Follow directions and rules posted by the petting farm
  • Walk around the enclosures calmly
  • Stay in the designated petting farm guest areas
  • Feed the animals what is permitted by the petting farm
  • Wash your hands after touching the animals
  • Have a great time

Don’t:

  • Think that the rules don’t apply to you
  • Run, jump, or climb on, around, or into the enclosures
  • Wander or sneak into prohibited or ‘employee only’ areas
  • Feed the animals treats or snacks you brought with you
  • Put your hands on or near your face before washing them

Where to Find Petting Farms Near You

These days, the best way to find petting farms near you is to search for them online. Local petting farms may come in the form of a functioning farm, mobile petting farm, or even backyard set-ups. You should be able to find information regarding the animals, events, facilities, and more on their website or over the phone. Going to a local petting farm is also a great way to support small businesses in your community.

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Tips for Enriching Your Animal’s Aquatic Habitat

enriching device for aquatic animal polar bear

Summertime brings many visitors to zoos and public aquariums. It is no secret people love watching animals have fun in the water. But as any animal care professional knows, it takes more than just water to keep the animals engaged with their environment.

Ursids are inquisitive. Bears need interesting things to keep them curious and active in their environment. Bears really enjoy wrestling with large objects on land and in the water. The Funny Float is designed to provide large animals like bears and tigers with a toy that is the right size and shape, and able to stand up to the rough treatment dished out by these animals. Instead of taking a one size fits all approach, the Funny Float is available in a variety of sizes and wall thickness so you can match the float to the animal. Funny Floats are available in over twenty color patterns, making it easy to select the right design for your exhibit.

If you are caring for polar bears, penguins, otters, turtles, and other animals that enjoy the water, the Ice Flow has proven to be a winner. The Ice Flow is a floating platform for penguins and other birds. It’s also something for bears and tigers to push around. To increase engagement and curiosity, the Ice Flow has a food chamber that slowly releases food scent and flavor through six grooves molded into the structure.

Creating the proper environment for penguins is key to their long-term wellbeing. Many of the more common enrichment tools are not interesting to the birds. Some Penguin keepers have given up on the idea of using enrichment toys. Georgia Podmore from Penguins International notes that birds are sometimes nervous around the balls and other objects. She suggests experimenting with a mirror suspended under water. This is good advice. Our Underwater Mirror is built for this purpose! The exhibit-safe Lexan mirrors and stainless-steel hardware are durable and will not corrode. The Underwater Mirror provides penguins (and other aquatic life) an engaging focal point within the underwater environment.

An otter environment requires land and aquatic habitats to reduce stress and keep the family groups cohesive. It is recommended to provide otters with complex shapes in the aquatic side of the display. Aussie Dog Zoo designed their Otter Float with this in mind. The Float provides a stable platform for lazing in the sun and playing with others in the group. A Lexan mirror completes the package for full sensory, physical and interactive enrichment. Penguins and other seabirds also find the floating platform appealing.

A simple way to stimulate many of the animals in your care is with our Teaser Balls. More than a regular ball toy, Teaser Balls are a ball within a ball. This design has proven popular with many animals because it provides physical and auditory stimulation. The sights and sounds of the rattling balls are like a puzzle to solve. Whether on land or in the water, your animals will love chewing, pushing and playing with a Teaser Ball.

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Customer Favorite: Kong Quest Wishbone

dog excited by kong quest wishbone

Like most animals, dogs need to play. It is how they socialize, explore their environment and burn off excess energy.

A good game of fetch or tug-of-war can be great fun for you and your pup, but there are also a few games that only dogs can play alone – like the Kong Quest Wishbone.  

kong quest wishboneDogs that don’t have the opportunity to play with different toys or people can get bored quickly and begin to exhibit problem behaviors, like anxiety, chewing, digging, jumping up, biting, and even depression. As with all animals, it’s essential to have a variety of dog toys.  

Dog toys like the Kong Quest Wishbone have different functions, and to get the most fun out of your dog toys, you can also stuff them and freeze them for your pup and keep some other toys hidden away for later on.  

Dog toy trunks come in handy for this, especially if you’re like us and enjoy perusing the pet product sections, whether for dogs, horses, cats, or livestock. 

The Kong Quest Wishbone is an excellent toy for dogs that like to chew. It’s crafted from non-toxic, durable rubber and has a hollow center that you can fill with treats as a tasty reward. The Kong Quest Wishbone is also great for interactive playtime. You can hold one end of the toy while your dog chews on the other or use it to play tug-of-war. 

The Kong Quest Wishbone is available in two sizes: small and large, and is crafted in a few colors like purple (large breeds) and orange (small size).  

Kong toys are known for their durability and quality, and the Kong Quest Wishbone is no exception. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to last. It’s also dishwasher proof for an easy wash!  

If you are looking for a fun pet toy that will keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated, the Kong Quest Wishbone is a good chew interactive dog toy. Here’s the takeaway: 

The Wishbone is a treat dispensing toy with loads of personality! 

  • Features a unique design to challenge and engage 
  • Cleans teeth and helps with teething 
  • Allows for high-value treats and kibble insertion for fun, interactive play. 
  • Crafted in assorted colors 
  • Suitable for all breeds and life stages 

Fill the Kong Quest Wishbone with your dog’s favorite treats or kibble, and watch them have a blast trying to get to the goodies inside. Not only is the Kong Quest Wishbone a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, but it also helps to clean their teeth and massage their gums.  

The takeaway with this interactive dog toy is that it keeps your pup entertained while also being suitable for their health! The Kong Quest can be helpful for the following: 

  • Separation anxiety 
  • Puppy teething 
  • Boredom 
  • Canine depression 
  • Excessive barking 
  • Noise sensitivity 
  • Minimize destructive behaviors 
  • Anxious behaviors 
  • Mental stimulation 
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder 
  • Recouping from surgery 
  • Suitable for rescues and shelters to ease boredom and stress 

All-in-all, remember that dogs feel a bunch of emotions just like us. From boredom, sadness, anxiety, and stress to excitement and a need for play, our interaction with our dogs via interactive dog toys allows for further bonding and a deeper understanding of our dogs.  

Ultimately, interactive dog toys like the Kong Quest Wishbone help to create a well-rounded dog that is happy and healthy. Also, they are less likely to develop problem behaviors when combined with positive training, dog sports, pet vacays, and more.

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Making the Right Choice for Enrichment

When making choices for animal enrichment Jeff Otto, owner of Otto Environmental, emphasizes the importance of choosing the right product to meet the specific needs of the animal and its unique situation.  Jeff stresses the need for enrichment as a means for captive animals to duplicate species-typical behavior in order to reduce boredom and stress associated with captivity.  “It’s important to find the right enrichment product to achieve your enrichment goals.”

In order to provide proper enrichment,  Jeff recommends asking a few simple questions before making any decisions:

  • Is durability important?
  • What materials work best for your
    situation—rubber, vinyl, plastics, stainless
    steel, etc.?
  • Does color matter?
  • Do existing products meet your needs, or
    should we consider custom-made
    products?
  • What are your size requirements? What
    will fit in your cage?
  • Do you want a toy or a treat?
  • What is your budget?

But regardless of what specific enrichment program you determine is right for your situation, no program is possible without the dedication of your staff.  The most successful and rewarding programs are those that give the animal treats and toys with enthusiasm, and are routinely rotated.

Our Otto Environmental online store offers a full line of enrichment products organized by species for your convenience, although you may find the right item for your situation in any category, so browsing is suggested.  Many of them are custom-made products available exclusively through Otto.  Whether it’s for large animals or small rodents, Jeff and his staff are able to find the right enrichment solution to meet both your animal’s needs and your budget.

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Swine Housing & Enrichment – Over 70 Products in Our Online Store

With five dozen enrichment items in stock, our online store provides lots of solutions to boredom for swine everywhere!

And the options we offer for housing and caging have been known to make our customers’ lives better, too.

See more of our swine enrichment items in our online store, starting at $3.49.

And check out the Swine Pens category of products, too!

 

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Animal Enrichment: We Are Molding Products to Fit Your Needs

How things are made can be fascinating to most people, so we thought you might want to see how some of our own exclusive Otto Environmental’s animal enrichment items are produced – right here in the USA!  Many of our most fun and creatively designed toys are made of colorful thermoplastic, injection molded here in Southeastern Wisconsin, and ready to stand up to amazingly extreme punishment from a host of various animal species, from canine to primate.

Click on an image below to go to our online store and find out more about some of the most durable and unique enrichment items you’ll ever see.

The Zoy ($9.45) The Zigg ($10.45)
The Z-2 ($9.45 ea.) The Zyro ($8.80 ea.)
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Wintering Zoo Animals in Northern Climates

Zoos across North America are home to many species of animals from around the world that are not native to cold climates and, in fact, would perish if special care were not taken during the Winter months.

The most obvious consideration is temperature.  Many species only require what might be considered a relatively wide range of temperatures and can be housed indoors during the Winter, in an environment controlled by a somewhat standard thermostat and heater.  Some species need to be kept at a more even level constantly, with a variance of as little as five degrees Farenheit in some  cases.  These animals typically live in completely enclosed habitats year-round, but may still require special treatment in Winter months.

Another factor in keeping animals healthy and happy is their food, which can be affected in Winter.  Animals whose habitats include edible trees and shrubs that they are used to eating in Summer may not even have leaves in Winter.  Some zookeepers harvest the plant foliage in the Fall and freeze dry it for Winter feeding.

Animals that are moved inside during the Winter still need exercise, so regular exercise periods in and out-of-doors may be called for.

Enrichment is key for Wintering animals, with strategies deployed to make foraging for food more challenging and to encourage daily play.

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Some Happy “End Users” of Otto Environmental Products

In today’s technological world we usually think of an end user as someone with a mouse in hand, but here at Otto Environmental we think of the mouseas the end user… and the tiger… and the horse… and the kangaroo… and the ferret… and, well, you get it!

Check out our online store for more animal enrichment items to make your end user happy!