These clever little animals can spend 12 hours a day napping, and in the wild, their napping schedule is a survival mechanism. Gerbils always live in groups, and a few are always on guard to alert the clan if any danger is near or predators are approaching. They do so by stomping their feet to sound the alarm.

There are around 100 different species of gerbils and about 40 different color variations. Mongolian gerbils are naturally golden brown.

Scientists have found gerbils to have a high amount of emotional and social intelligence, which they demonstrate through their complex social skills, spatial awareness, and excellent memories.

These gentle, popular pets are very inquisitive and motivated when they're trained with treats, and they thrive with companionship.

Their teeth should be yellow or orange, and if they're not, it would indicate a mineral deficiency.

They're grateful for bedding that allows them to tunnel, something they'd do naturally, and it must be dust-free for their sensitive respiratory system.

Classified as metaturnal, gerbils are active both during the day and at night.

They communicate using ultrasonic sound. Though we can hear some squeaks they make, we can't hear the majority of their conversations.

We can only hear sounds up to 20 kilohertz, and gerbils use ultrasonic sounds and hear frequencies up to 60 kilohertz.

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Satin, Golden, Teddy Bear, Panda Bear, and Black Bear are varieties of hamsters you'll find at Petland.

This strictly solo-housed species is originally found in Syria. They are the furry, sometimes busy and energetic, but more often than not, the relaxed afternoon napping miniatures of the small animal world......

And the smallest variety you'll visit at Petland are called Roborovski Hamsters! We call them Robo hamsters for short, and they'll often live harmoniously together, especially if they're raised with one another.

These good-natured, entertaining pets can only see a few inches in front of them and have poor depth perception.

They do, however, have a very good sense of smell and exceptional hearing. They can learn their name and recognize their humans by their scent and tone of voice.

Sometimes categorized as nocturnal, they are more often called crepuscular because they are most active near dawn and dusk.

With a love for naps comes a love for comfy beds... & one of their favorite spots is in their hut on cozy hamster fluff. A must for their dreamy leisure time.

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Let's explore how animals express their deepest affections to one another and to their humans...

From cats and dogs to small animals and birds, snuggling and cuddling with each other and their people is a universal way they demonstrate and receive love. Attention and treats are things they all adore!

For other ways specific animals show affection:

• Cats engage in mutual grooming, bumping noses, bunting their heads on you, purring, kneading, rolling, showing you their belly, trilling, meowing, and licking. Their tail posture can also be a sure sign of contentment.
• Dogs sit with you, follow you, wag their tails, jump around, smile, give kisses and licks, and offer huge greetings when you get home. They also give loving gazes, lean on you, bring you their toys, nudge you with their nose, and let out big sighs after cuddling and sleeping near you. Maintaining eye contact with your dog deepens your bond. When your pup looks at you, their brain releases oxytocin, the love hormone.
• Ferrets look for you, play with you, and give kisses.
• Bunnies jump for joy in the air, doing bunny binkies or zoomies, cuddle, purr in the form of teeth chatters, and give kisses in the form of licks.
• Guinea pigs squeak for your attention and sometimes jump in the air. They purr when they cuddle.
• Hamsters get to know their human's scent. They can really enjoy having their people pet them and receiving treats. They show they want to come out and visit by standing on their hind legs when they hear their human's voice.
• Birds cuddle, preen you, chat with you, and share their food with you. They chirp, sing, and some will mimic you because they want to fit in and be part of your community.
• Reptiles show trust and seek attention. They may close their eyes and doze off when you pet them.

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These freshwater fish can breathe air using their trusty labyrinth organ. They're intelligent, easy to care for, fiercely territorial, and named after warriors.

Beautiful Bettas or Siamese Fighting Fish are found in Southeast Asia in the wild, often seen in rice paddies, shallow ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams.

There are 76 recognized species of Betta fish. Crown tail, delta, double, veil, rose tail, and half-moon are a few varieties.

They can be found in an extraordinary array of colors, such as red, black, orange, iridescent blue, green, purple shades, and mustard yellow.

Female Bettas can usually live happily together.

Males attract females by building bubble nests to signal health and strength. Males and females can only be together for a short time and will fight with one another after they mate. After the eggs are laid, it is the male who carefully places them in his bubble nest, fiercely guarding the nest and caring for the eggs.

Betta fish usually live 3 to 5 years, but some can live up to 10 years. They're an extremely popular pet and are happiest with plenty of enrichment in their home, such as plants, caves, and room to explore.

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Aches, pains, stiff joints, arthritis, with a hint of anxiety..... Our pets could be feeling this too...

Hemp 4 Paws created by a Canadian company is CBD oil made specifically for pets and it's 100% natural. It contains CO2 extracted hemp terpenes with organic, cold pressed hemp seed oil. We carry a formula for cats and many sizes of dogs.

Iris, an all natural, 100% pet safe calming formula made from a variety of flowers, also works incredibly well with CBD.

We have a variety of premium pet foods & something not always listed on the bag that is an essential amino acid, especially for cats, is Taurine. It's also a very important part of a dog's diet.

Taurine is found almost exclusively in meat. Humans and dogs can synthesize their own taurine but cats cannot.

For Dogs and Cats, taurine is crucial for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, for normal pregnancy and fetal development, to aid with dental health and maintain a healthy immune system.

At Petland premium diets, supplements, CBD, iris and all regular priced items are always 20% off every first Tuesday of the month!

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The North Pole's Famous Furry Inhabitants are of course, reindeer, who can also be found in Northern Europe and Asia. In North America, we call them Caribou.

We have two types that reside in Canada: Woodland and Barren Ground Caribou.

Some Caribou even undertake the longest migration of any terrestrial mammal on earth!

This is impressive, considering what their closely related magical friends are capable of on Christmas Eve! An exceptionally large male reindeer can weigh up to 700 lbs, and they have the largest and heaviest antlers of any deer species in the world!

They rely heavily on their powerful nose to help them choose their direction, and Rudolph's guidance, of course! Their nose is vital in helping them guide Santa's sleigh. Their reliable noses help them recognize direction. Reindeer also always prefer to travel into the wind so they can pick up surrounding scents. A reindeer's nose is packed with lots of blood vessels to warm cold air on the way in and soak up the heat from their breath as they breathe out.

Their crescent-shaped cloven hooves give them the perfect tools for traction on those icy takeoffs and landings. They have fur between their hooves and on their nose to keep them warm in the frosty north.

Reindeer can see ultraviolet light, and they are one of the few mammals on the planet that can do so. This helps them find their favorite food, reindeer moss or lichen. This lichen absorbs UV light. It's a fungi, mosslike plant that grows on bark, soil, on rocks, and even under the snow. It's easily detected by their powerful, fur-covered nose.

Reindeer and Caribou need to eat about 9 - 18 lbs of fresh vegetation a day to keep their bodies fueled.

In 1823, when Clement Clarke Moore wrote "Twas the Night Before Christmas," reindeer first started getting the recognition they truly deserve.

Merry Christmas & all the best in this coming new year to you and your family from myself, my family, and all the staff at Petland!

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Brought to you by Petland Lethbridge

Welcome to the Petwise Blog!

We know the joy a pet brings to your life.
They’re part of your family. As a family pet store, we get it.

Over the years we've learned what's important to you, and we strive to keep
your pets healthy and happy so we've created this blog to help you do just that!

From everyone at Petland - thank you for supporting our locally owned and operated store.

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