Tag: stress relief

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Nesting Boxes

nesting box

Animals have a strong desire to nest in a secluded area of their environment. Nesting boxes are an essential enrichment method for stress reduction, bully prevention, and improved well-being.

Find the right nesting box for your animal!

 

Nesting Box – Small Animal

Nesting Box – Small Animal

This nesting box is designed for small animals like hamsters, hedgehogs, mice, rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. The box is made of 3/8″ thick white polypropylene. It has an inner chamber for added seclusion. The nesting box has pre-drilled holes for hanging and drains. The box is available with an optional removable floor. We also can build boxes to your specifications. The nesting box is suitable for all animal care facilities requiring effective environmental enrichment including zoos, animal rescues, veterinary clinics, and research settings.

Features:

  • Can be suspended
  • Dimensions: 17″ x 15″ x 11″
  • Reduces stress and aggressive behavior
  • Autoclavable and washer safe

Nesting/Transfer Box

Nesting/Transfer Box

We designed this dual-purpose box with the help of animal care specialists. The clear polycarbonate box is 12” x 12” x 12” and has a sliding door that is controlled by a metal rod. This makes it easy to safely capture an animal by luring it into the box with food. It also serves as a handy animal transfer chamber. Small animals like hamsters, hedgehogs, mice, rats along with ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas find the box ideal for nesting. The clear 3/8” plastic allows you to observe behavior. Three side ports accommodate 60 cc syringes. All hardware is rust-proof stainless-steel. The nesting/transfer box is suitable for all animal care facilities requiring effective environmental enrichment including zoos, animal rescues, veterinary clinics, and research settings. The box is autoclavable making it easy to maintain hygiene and IACUC standards in laboratory settings.

Features:

  • Door can open from left or right
  • Included eye bolts for hanging
  • Makes capture and transfer easy
  • Autoclavable & washer safe

Small Animal Nesting Box

Small Animal Nesting Box

The Small Animal Nesting box is made of stainless-steel with a removable ½” polycarbonate floor. It is ideal for laboratory and zoo use where durability and ease of cleaning is paramount. Options include a solid or perforated floor. Ideal for rats, rabbits, hamsters, hedgehogs, mice, rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. 10″ x 10″ x 20″ long. The box is recommended for all animal care facilities requiring effective environmental enrichment including zoos, animal rescues, veterinary clinics, and research settings. The box is autoclavable making it easy to maintain hygiene and IACUC standards in laboratory settings.

Features:

  • Rust-proof 304 stainless-steel
  • Rugged construction
  • Removable floor
  • Autoclavable & washer safe

Nesting Box (3 Variations)

Nesting Box (3 Variations)

We designed three variations of this popular nesting box, based on requests from animal care professionals. These nesting boxes are suitable for all animal care facilities requiring effective environmental enrichment including zoos, animal rescues, veterinary clinics, and research settings. Use this nesting box with tamarins, spider monkeys, capuchins, marmosets, squirrels, and similar animals to provide a quiet space for rest and stress reduction. These products are autoclavable making it easy to maintain hygiene and IACUC standards in laboratory settings. Custom sizes are available.

White and Black Nesting Boxes

  • Made of 3/8” polypropylene
  • Sliding access door
  • 3 7/8” opening
  • 6.5″ x 10″ animal space

Stainless Steel Nesting Box

  • Made of rust-proof stainless-steel
  • Sliding access door
  • Includes stainless-steel eye bolts for hanging
  • 3 3/4” opening
  • 8″ x 10″ animal space

Jerboa Nesting Box

Jerboa Nesting Box

Jerboas are secretive and thrive in zoo, pet, and laboratory settings only when they have proper environmental enrichment. Their natural predator avoidance instinct is to dart for shelter. Our Jerboa Nesting Box is a dual chamber design with an inner quiet nesting area for sensitive rodents like Jerboas. The box and inner divider are constructed of polypropylene with a stainless-steel hinge on the lid. Measures 14.5″ x 6.75″ x 6.75″. Use this nesting box with jerboas, mice, rats, gerbils, hamster, moles, and similar animals. The box is autoclavable making it easy to maintain hygiene and IACUC standards in laboratory settings.

Features:

  • Reduces stress and satisfies nesting instinct
  • Durable construction
  • Easy to clean
  • Autoclavable & washer safe
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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.