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Health & Wellbeing
What people have experienced, in their own words.
Community stories
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Small lizard — Our unexpected summer visitor
A little brown lizard appeared on our terrace in Valencia one summer. My daughter named her Lola, although we had no idea whether she was female. She often appeared near the same flowerpot w…
The afternoon we lost Teresa
To the most wonderful Tortoise. Our Hermann’s tortoise, Teresa, is twelve years old, with a yellow-and-black shell and dark grey legs. One afternoon, she vanished from her garden enclosure.…
The missing slipper collection
To Oscar! Living with our ferret, Oscar, meant accepting that things occasionally disappeared. First it was my slipper. Then my husband lost his. We blamed each other until I saw Oscar dragg…
Studio — Giving our dog and cat their own spaces
Our dog, Bruno, and cat, Cleo, share our studio, but they don’t share the same idea of personal space. Bruno wanted to follow Cleo everywhere. We moved a bookcase, fitted secure cat shelves…
Adapting an Apartment for an Older and Younger Dog
Our older dog, Max, liked quiet afternoons. Our younger dog, Ruby, thought afternoons were for wrestling. In our one-bedroom apartment, we fitted a gate across the bedroom doorway so Max cou…
Dwarf hamster — The night Milo disappeared
Our dwarf hamster, Milo, escaped one evening after I failed to close his enclosure properly. We shut the room door and spent ages searching, checking every corner twice. It was amazing how s…
Community questions
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Air Purifiers for Bird Rooms: What Should You Check?
Hi guys, Choosing an air purifier for a bird’s room can be confusing because a product marketed for home use is not automatically suitable for birds. An air purifier should not replace smoke…
Are Tilt-and-Turn Windows Safe for Cats?
I’m looking at how to ventilate a home with tilt-and-turn windows, but I’m worried about the narrow gaps they leave when tilted open. Could a cat get trapped or injured while trying to climb…
Can You Keep a Bird in a Studio With an Open Kitchen?
I’m considering keeping a pet bird in a studio apartment where the kitchen and living area share the same room. I’m trying to understand how bird owners manage cooking, cleaning and the bird…
What can you do when a neighbour’s smoke enters a home with ferrets?
Hi, can you help? Smoke from a neighbouring apartment can be worrying when you share your home with ferrets. If it drifts in through a window, ventilation grille or gaps around doors, what p…
Do Ferrets Really Smell in an Apartment?
How noticeable is ferret scent in your apartment, and what does your normal cleaning routine involve? We would like honest accounts from people who live with ferrets, including what visitors…
Can Ferrets Live in a Studio Apartment?
If you live with ferrets in a studio, how do you provide a secure living area and daily opportunities to explore and play? How do you manage sleeping places, litter trays and the boundary be…
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