5 comments about Why Does My Rabbit . . . ? (Pet Care).

1. Anne McBride's book on rabbit behavior describes both the normal and abnormal in rabbit actions. It is easy to use for reference, and many common problems are arranged in alphabetical order, and even deals with wild rabbits, a bit of history, and affects on behavior as separate chapters. In all, it is a handy book for rabbit lovers and owners to use in discovering more about these unique and lovable animals.



2. I read this book straight through the day I bought it, and it was a fascinating book on rabbit behavior. It was a good book to read through, and it provided a whole lot of information about rabbit behavior. I'm going to have to read it multiple times to glean all of the information it presented.
   
   There were some things that bothered me though. Because the heart of the book, information dealing with specific rabbit behaviors and how best to deal with them, was based on letters from specific people with specific rabbits a lot of the information was too specific, and as such many, many behaviors were missing, although I suppose it would be impossible to cover all of them.
   
   Another thing that I found difficult was that it was written from a very Brittish perspective, so some of the terms and information were at best unrelatable and at worse contridictary to the way things are in America. I suppose this is something that is rather hard to avoid considering she is in England and all the experience and research as the base of this book is from there.
   
   All in all, this was a very good book, but for me the omissions and cultural differences lowered the book's overall appeal.



3. Before you buy one, read up! Before you give up on a bunny, read this book! Before you know it, your bunny with be your buddy, too! My bunny and I bonded immediately but he wasn't always mindful of my rules... now I know why he needs to dig and chew and I provide alternatives for him. He has his own bedroom that has been completely bunny-proofed and is allowed in the half of the house that has no carpet. Cords are covered in cloth and he seems to leave them alone now. He is the best pet I have ever had and is as affectionate as a dog and as playful as a cat. He is litter trained, and I feed him only vegies and hay. This book helped me understand his fear of being in the open yard with me, and to expect him to chew and dig because he is a rabbit.



4. I got this book from the library, after my shipment was canceled by the sender. I am happy I didn't pay for it, as it did not help me at all. I wanted to know why my rabbit did normal things, like running around our legs, pooing around his litterbox, ect. This book only covered major problems that people might have with a rabbit, like aggressivness, stealing food or clothes, and fear. If your bunny is fine, get it from the library. If your bunny has some issues, get it from the libary, and read how to stop it. If your bunny needs a lot of help with many issues, then I think the book would be helpful.



5. This is the most comprehensive easy-to-read book on rabbit behavior I have found. I've had rabbits for five years and read a lot about their behavior. However, this book taught me so much more. I now have a much better understanding of why my rabbits do the things they do. What I especially like about this book is that it addresses issues for both indoor and outdoor rabbits. I didn't realize how many mistakes I was making when I let my rabbits "roam free" outside in nice weather. For example, I did not realize that vast, open spaces in the outdoors are frightening for rabbits, especially if they don't have some enclosure in which to hide. I will not make that mistake again.

   Overall, this is an excellent book. It has given me much deeper insight into my rabbits' behaviors.

5 comments about Hop To It: A Guide to Training Your Pet Rabbit (Pet Series: Training).

1. I've recently read this book, and I agree that this is a good back-up, but shouldn't be your only source of information. When I was in the 4-H Rabbit Club as a kid, we focused more on the ARBA standards and breeding. Then, the preferred methods of raising rabbits were similar to those recommended in this book (handling, diet, etc.). It should be taken into consideration when reading it that *it was written in 1991*. The book is 14 years old--times have changed.
   
   I wish that this book would have been brought up to date, or that someone would write a new book solely dedicated to training your rabbit. This is one of the reasons that this book has value, despite its age and a few factual errors: there just aren't any other books out there entirely dedicated to the subject.
   
   If you want some great information on rabbits, read The House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman, which has been revised this year--and visit Rabbit.org
   
   There is a new book called The Rabbit Whisperer by Ingrid Tarrant (currently available only in the UK) that I hope tackles this subject for the more "advanced" rabbit-person. Otherwise, to somebody out there willing: Please re-write this book!!



2. I've been a house rabbit owner for around 4 years now, and I'm part of a couple local rescues, along with the House Rabbit Society. I decided to read this book just to see how it held up to the information I know about rabbits, which has been given to me by the HRS (www.rabbit.org), other house rabbit owners, biologists, and rabbit-savvy veterinarians. Sorry to say, the book ranks poorly in my mind, and I'm sure in many other house rabbit owner's minds. Here are some of my reasons for disliking this book to so much extent:

   -The methods in which she "trains" her rabbit practically have a boot camp air to them.

   -Advocates scruffing a rabbit, which is definitely not a safe way to pick him/her up (rabbit's skin is very thin and can tear easily).

   -Also advocates keeping rabbits on wire-bottomed cages. This, like mentioned in the chapter written by a veterinarian, causes sore hocks in most rabbits. Wire flooring in a cage can also cause arthritis and can rip off toenails.

   -Deems rabbits as "dumb" before "properly trained." An animal is never, ever dumb. The only way they can be perceived in this light is if the person calling them that is completely uncompassionate towards animals in general.

   -Even the chapter written by the, supposedly, rabbit-savvy veterinarian is chocked full of incorrect information. She states that pellets should be the main staple in the diet, when in actuality, timothy hay should be, followed by fresh greens, and very limited pellets.

   -There's typos in the book, making it seem a great deal less professional.

   This book is definitely not worth reading, whether you're just starting out, or you're a rabbit enthusiast. If you're looking for books to learn more about house rabbits, check out the House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman, along with Stories Rabbits Tell by Susan E. Davis & Margo DeMello.




3. HOP TO IT is a compact book on rabbit care written by a woman who obviously and unashamedly loves rabbits. Much of the information in the book is based on her experiences with rabbits as pets and it does have some helpful information based on lessons she has learned the hard way. Her stories about her own pet rabbits as well as the rabbits of friends are helpful, and in some cases amusing. It has helped me understated some rabbit quirks which is, of course, important. I would not recommend this book as a primary care manual for rabbits, but rather as a supplement to a book such as WHY DOES MY RABBIT? by Anne McBride or THE HOUSE RABBIT HANDBOOK, both of which are chock full of helpful information and seem to have veterinary expertise.



4. The book is very easy to read and has some practical advice.

   However, some of the advice doesn't seem right. For instance, she advocates de-clawing a rabbit. How inhumane! Also, the parts about walking the rabbit outside on a leash. Just putting a leash on a rabbit: no wonder she had him declawed. The advice about giving the rabbit commands doesn't jive with the way trainers teach other animals. They say to use one word commands only. Her commands have 2-4 words.

   Pictures of her husband cleaning the cage in the living room were a little humorous. I liked the part about Mr. Rabbit coming to inspect the clean cage. Mine does that.




5. This book was written in 1991. Much of the very important information regarding nutrition, health concerns and treatments and how to appropriately pick up a rabbit is out of date. Nutrition section is especially alarming. Some sections, such as traveling and working with an aggressive bunny are good.
   Overall, I would recommend a more recent rabbit care manual.

5 comments about The Guide to Owning a Ball Python.

1. I have owned snakes but just bought my first ball python. I picked up this book at the pet store and read it cover to cover--a couple of times over. While it offers some good information to start, it leaves out so much. It leaves out common sense info that the new ball python owner will search high and low for. Such as: what do those rotten little mites REALLY look like, what are some real ways to REALLY get rid of them, what humidity level to really strive for--in actual numbers, when the first shed will occur, the fact that they are supposed to have "wrinkled corneas" (he didn't fail to shed his eyeball), how to gauge when your baby ball is ready to move from fuzzies to hoppers to adults, etc. After doing a lot of day-to-day research to supplement this average book, we found a FABULOUS vet who has personally owned and cared for hundreds upon hundreds of ball pythons. (If you live in/near Murrieta, CA, email me for her contact info.) I am really looking for a new book that will give me more confidence and comfort that I am caring for my sweet snake much more properly. And thank goodness for my vet!!



2. I read both books. Whenever I encounter problems , I refer to the ball python manual. Many pictures posted are Boa constrictors. All the informations in this book can be found in web sites.



3. This is a good book to own but should not be the first in your collection. It has excellent photos and can be very good for a reference but I find some of the information in it is inaccurate compared to other sources of information, which is why I don't think it should be your first Ball Python book.



4. The Guide to Owning a Ball Python and The Ball Python Manual form the cornerstones for the Ball Python Owner's Library. Both are available here at a great price. The hi-res pictures and information found in this book, combined with the information in the Ball Python Manual are informative and everything you need to know about your Ball or Regal or Royal Python.



5. this book has great pictures that will fasinate you and it tells everything you need too know about the ball python

1 comments about Hamsters For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This is a really great hamster book, one of the best I've ever read. I've been keeping pet hamsters for over a decade, and I found that all of the information presented in this book was both fascinating and accurate. The author did an excellent job in making this book accessible for all ages. While the target audience of this book is adults, children who are ten and up should have no trouble reading it. The book is uses fun, lighthearted language to communicate the information. It is a very enjoyable read, no matter if you're a beginning hamster owner, or one who has been keeping hamsters for years. No matter what, you'll find lots of facts about the little furry rodents that you didn't know before. I highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Your Rabbit: A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing.

1. We love this book. Such a well written, informative book. Great for children and adults alike.
   Condition was as stated by seller and great for the price.
   Even full price this book is completely worth every cent that you pay.
   Wonderful for 4H projects or just further learning about rabbits.



2. This books, FFA, 4-H, and all breeders are out of touch with the reality of rabbit populations. One female rabbit can in the right conditions give birth to 200 baby bunnies a year!
   
   The amount of buns in shelters is staggering and overwelming. In this day of age breeding not a hobby, it is abuse.
   
   If you want to raise a bunny go to your local shelter or House Rabbit Society and adopt one. Let is live freely in a bunnyproofed house and NOT IN A HUTCH OUTSIDE or a cage!
   
   LOTS of research and preparation must be done before adopting a bunny, they are wonderful creatures but are not as resilient as cats and dogs and need proper care (especially PROPER DIET) for survival, otherwise you are abusing the bunny.
   
   I could go on but stop the breeding people.



3. I breed rabbits and I continually come back to this book for reference. It is a great book and well worth it, whether you are going to breed, show, or just own a rabbit as a pet. I recomend it to everyone.



4. Recently added to the New York State 4-H list of recommended books for the Rabbit Project Curriculum, Nancy Searle has done an excellent job of organizing information about the care of rabbits. Well-written, but easy enough for a child to understand, as well as adults.



5. This book told me lots about rabbits and made up my mind to breed them. This book is filled with lots of good information, but I think its best quality is the breeding part of it

5 comments about The Proper Care of Fancy Rats (Proper Care).

1. I have read the book The Proper Care Of Fancy Rats (t.f.h.) - repeatedly - and have found the information to be invaluable. It covers basic care, illnesses, varieties and standards, breeding and some of the basics of rat genetics. It also includes a lot of beautiful full color photos. I've read a few other books on rodent care, none of which were as detailed as this (those books all ended up in a used book store). I would HIGHLY suggest that every rat owner purchase this book and keep it handy. Its easy to follow and covers all the bases!



2. More than just a guide to the proper care of rats, Nick Mays' excellent book is also a history of human-rat relations, an introduction to rat genetics, and a full color guide to many of the breeds of "fancy" rats. Well-written and logically organized, this is the best kind of reference book: both informative and fun to read. Although the book's historical survey of the "rat fancy" concentrates primarily on the United Kingdom, this fascinating story will surely be appreciated by rat lovers throughout the world.

   Mays not only creates an accurate and affectionate portrait of the domesticated rat, but he also creates a comparable portrait of those rat fanciers who have for generations taken these intelligent and personable creatures into our homes and hearts. This book is a tribute to the strength of the bonds that can exist between members of different species.




3. I had at one time purchised This book, And i didn't have the money to keep it so I took it back. Days after, I yearned to have it back. So I went back to the store were I had bought it and they told me they Didn't have it anymore. I felt so sad, and up to this day I havn't been able to find it anywere.Now that I found it, I will be sure to buy it, and to keep it. I say it is the very most helpful, Wonderful book you could ever have on The Care and Keeping of Fancy rats. -Brie



4. The first time I read this book, I was astounded! Mr. Mays is a true expert, presenting the information in an easy to read, clear style. Where other authors have failed, Mr. Mays includes almost everything on breeding, illnesses, and showing. I highly recommend this book to a novice rat owner or shower. Good work, Mr. Mays!



5. Nick has done it again! This outing proves to be his best, by far. Thoroughly readable and very enjoyable.

2 comments about Black & Decker 24 Weekend Projects for Pets: Dog Houses, Cat Trees, Rabbit Hutches & More (Black & Decker).

1. If I'd had this book when I built my first 2 cat trees they would've been MUCH improved!! For me, the beauty of this book isn't so much the projects themselves but the techniques, such as cutting a block to fit inside a length of PVC pipe so that legs can be securely mounted to the base, or building a miter box to cut said pipes squarely. I have to say, though, I can't wait to try the window sill cat bed!!
   
   If you have elderly or disabled critters you should note that one of the projects is a carpeted vehicle ramp, and instructions allow you to customize it to the height of your vehicle.



2. This is the most poorly written project book I have ever seen. We had to make repeated trips to the hardware store for more parts because of the poor instructions and missing information. There is no accurate shopping list. Other building instructions and photos are unclear. We would have done better looking at a finshed photo and guessing on how to build the project. Pass this book by.

5 comments about A Grown-Up's Guide to Guinea Pigs.

1. I purchased "A Grown-Up's Guide to Guinea Pigs" because it is recommended by Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, and I'm glad I did! There are a few things I disagree with (mainly, the cage sizes listed are way too small), but this publication has a lot of tips and tricks that are very helpful, especially for new guinea pig owners. This is a must-have for any cavy lover!



2. I bought this book because I am a new owner of a guinea pig which I adopted a guinea pig from a rescue. The title caught my eye because I am a adult guinea pig owner. I have read this book a few times to refer to some questions I had about my guinea pig. I recommend this book



3. This book is great, especially for those behavior's that you just can't explain. It has been helpful for me when I take my pigs to the vet for check-ups or any health problems because I can understand most of what they tell me may be wrong. I adopted one of the pigs from reviewer bunsnpigs and she recommended this boook now I'll recommend it to anyone with a pig.



4. This book would be a great addition to any guinea pig owners library! I like the list of guinea pid foods and the vitamin and calcuim contents. It has a nice section on how to better take of an aging guinea pigs and other medical problems in guinea pigs.
   The author obviously has a love and great knowledge of these little furry friends.



5. The guy who wrote this book is CRAZY! But in a good way, he has 35 cavies in a small apartment. Good book with good info. He does say a couple of things I don't agree with but overall excellent book.

5 comments about Lop Rabbits As Pets.

1. I loved this book very much and rate it highly, but in my mind, the only drawback to this book is the fact that it mainly focussed on breeding, showing, and outdoor rabbits. Which is all perfectly fine if you plan on doing those things with your pet (or are intrested in that aspect of rabbits). But I (as the owner of a spoiled "urban rabbit") do not necessarily enjoy that part of the book very much. Sandy Crook presents her information in a wonderful and pleasing manner and has loads of CUTE bunny photographs. There is also useful information on just about every aspect of rabbits. A must for new owners!



2. This has to be the BEST rabbit book out there! It's chock full or information sure to please and delight both the pet owner and the rabbit breeder (and those who are somewhere in between!).
   Mrs Crook is known as "Mother of the Lops" - and she proves that she is rightly named so in this wonderful book about rabbits.
   Although the title is "Lop Rabbits As Pets" the information in here is applicable to any breed of rabbit, and if you only ever buy one rabbit book - this is the one!

   Be sure to check out Petbunny.com for all your rabbit needs!




3. We own a lop rabbit named Benjamin, and we bought this book. It has quite a bit of good information on rabbits as pets, but the strongest aspects of this book are the collection of photographs of all kinds of lop bunnies and the listing at the end of all the breeds of lop rabbits.



4. I had a pet lop rabbit who, sadly, recently joined the ranks of the bunny hereafter. I found this book after her passing, and discovered that even though I took care of her to the best of my abilities, there was still a lot I had to learn.

   Sandy Crook's guide book covers just about all aspects of raising lops, including proper maintenance and grooming. This was the data I needed to know the most. What feed to use & how much, what tools to use for grooming and trimming the claws, the proper temperature & dimensions of the hutch, and so much more. There's also a few comprehensive and insightful chapters on breeding and raising lops for show competition. I'll likely never venture into the art of lop breeding myself, but for those that are, the information in this book is invaluable.

   There's also spades of photos of just about every breed, size, & color lop imaginable. And they're all so danged CUTE!

   'Late!




5. This book is not only a great help for any lop rabbit friend, but a very-well written book with wonderful pictures. A very warm and friendly book. I enjoy reading it over and over again!

3 comments about My Guinea Pig and Me (For the Love of Animals Series).

1. After reading so many guinea pig care books with often inaccurate to down-right dangerous information, this book was a delightful surprise!! Wonderful and truthful information about environment and care!

   I would have given it 5-stars but had to take one off for emphasizing the need for guinea pig companionship with their own kind and then *not* adequately dealing with prevention of the breeding. (The author, a behavioral biologist, believes in the animal's innate right to breed. Unfortunately, there are so many unwanted pets needing homes, it seems irresponsible not to address other possible solutions such as same-sex pairing.)

   Overall, though, this book ranks as one of the best that I've seen and any guinea pig lucky enough to have an owner that follows the guidelines in this book will be very happy and very spoilt indeed!




2. This book is pretty good at providing quality information. However, this book offers few tips about grooming, specific breeds, and safety information (ex: what they can't eat) This book has many good tips and great pictures. It also covers how to get acquainted with your guinea pig, which I have not seen in many other books. Overall, I would reccomend it highly.



3. This is a well organized book on guinea pigs for both the novice young owner and a more experienced owner. The graphic designs and page layouts are especially well done. "Tips From the Vet" are highlighted effectively for the reader and there is a sprinkling of humor throughout. Almost all phases of guinea pig care are covered in a practical manner for both adults and younger cavy owners. I recommend it highly.