The somewhat different recycling for animal lovers

Compared to other European countries, Germany is the pet country par excellence. Animal lovers keep more than 34 million pets throughout Germany. The cat conquers most hearts, closely followed by the dog. Almost 70% of all pets are dogs and cats, the rest are other small animals such as rabbits, hamsters, multi-pigs and birds.

Packaging for wild animals and pets

Every year, 100 times as many shipments are sent as pets are kept. So it makes sense to alienate cardboard boxes, crates and paper for the pets’ purpose: to play with for pets or to help wild animals through the cold winter season.

Hibernation box for hedgehogs

Hedgehogs bridge the cold season with hibernation for an average of five cold months. However, hedgehogs are suffering from the extreme decline in insects. They need these to build up a fat cushion for hibernation. Due to the change from fields to monoculture and from feral nature to cultivated home gardens, there is also a lack of suitable niches and hedges where the insectivores can sleep and hibernate. The population is declining. In Bavaria, hedgehogs are even on the Red List for threatened animals.

The Netzwerk Igel e.V. shows how to build a stable hibernation box with cardboard, newspaper, adhesive tape and rolls of toilet paper or shipping tubes and help the prickly animals hibernate.

Winter bird feeder made from pallet wood

Blackbird, thrush, finch and starling? Not quite! Probably the most common winter birds are: Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon, Robin and Sparrow.

All species have a different favourite food. The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union reveals who likes to eat what.

With a bird feeder, you can observe the hustle and bustle of the winter birds and take responsibility for the wild birds, because they get used to the place.

“If you are not at home for a longer period of time, ask an acquaintance or neighbour to do the daily feeding,” advises the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union.

What needs to be considered when feeding birds in winter?

• The feeder must be placed so that the birds have a panoramic view. A tree or bush nearby gives them a place of retreat and makes them feel safe.
• In late autumn, small amounts of food (2 tablespoons) should be put out at first to make the birds aware of the feeding place.
• Actual winter feeding begins only after a few days of high, closed snow cover or when temperatures drop below -10 °C.
• Never put out more food than is eaten in one day to prevent contamination and disease.
• The feed must not get wet, otherwise it will mould.
• The feeding house must be regularly cleaned of dirt (excrement, etc.).

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Cats love boxes

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Boxes, cartons and paper bags of all kinds - most cats have a special relationship with boxes and are magically attracted to them. And the cuddly tigers are not choosy. Just put a box down - and that's it! The smaller the box, the better, the cat should just fit inside.

Why is that? There are several theories:

• The cats feel safe and secure in the narrow box.
• The cats need less energy to maintain their body temperature. The body temperature of cats is 38.5-39 °C, which is higher than that of humans.

Search game for dogs

Dogs are known for their nose and playfulness. A cardboard box and filling material can be used to create a search game in a short time to keep the four-legged friends on their toes.

Everything you need:

• A sturdy cardboard box
• Filling material, e.g. wood wool or wine corks
• Treats

The cardboard box should only be high enough for the dog to reach the bottom of the box without twisting. The filling material is placed in the box until the bottom is well covered. Treats are hidden in between. The game is particularly suitable for young dogs, especially for clicker training. On command, the dog is then allowed to look for a treat in the box hiding place.