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Litter-trained cats may be trained to do their business in the litterbox, but if your cat is pooping outside the box and on your rug, that’s a sign of inappropriate elimination. Litter box problems are among the most common behavioral issues experienced by cat owners, and this frustrating behavior can be difficult for cat owners to manage. The key to solving the problem is figuring out why your cat is pooping in inappropriate places, like your nicest rug....

Why Do Dogs Hump? Sexual/Hormonal Stress Excitement Playfulness Dominance Medical Issues How to Stop Humping Seek Professional Help Dog humping is a frequent (and embarrassing) behavior. It’s particularly cringe-worthy if your dog likes to hump people, especially if those people don’t have or don’t like dogs. Some dog will hump their toys, furniture, shoes, or even other household pets. Humping is usually a harmless behavior, though, and there are several ways to resolve the problem that you can handle starting at home....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Saint Bernard is a giant working dog breed from Switzerland with a short- to medium-length coat that typically comes in shades of brown and white with black around the face. There are smooth and rough coat varieties, with the smooth coat being close to the body and the rough coat being denser and longer around the neck and legs....

Aging is inevitable in all living things. Dogs age much faster than humans, so changes in their physical and mental well-being can seem to come out of nowhere. Suddenly your fun loving and ready-for-anything buddy is reluctant to leave his warm bed on frosty mornings and takes his time climbing stairs. It may seem like a shock that your dog is suddenly a senior, but becoming a senior doesn’t mean you and your dog can’t enjoy several more good years together....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Spanish water dog is a medium-size herding dog breed from Spain that has a low-shedding, medium-length curly coat that often forms cords when it grows out. Although somewhat uncommon in the United States, this breed has many qualities that make it a superb companion. It is typically very affectionate, playful, and loyal with its family, and it excels at training....

A pet goldfish is one of the most common species kept by beginner fish owners. However, what starts as a small fish can easily grow to a dinner-plate size behemoth. What tank size is best for goldfish and how should you plan accordingly for their large, adult size? What size is best for a goldfish aquarium? First, decide how many goldfish you want to keep. Goldfish do just fine as only children, so you can start with one, or keep two, three, or more....

No matter how careful you are, sometimes Fido manages to break free from his leash or escape from the backyard in pursuit of a squirrel—or just because he felt like exploring the neighborhood. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to prevent your dog from getting lost—but if your dog does go missing, here’s what to do to help bring him home. Sweep the Neighborhood In many cases, a well-trained dog is the safest dog when it comes to not getting lost....

Dogs use their nails for a variety of purposes. Most importantly they provide traction and stability when standing, walking, and running. They also help when it comes to activities like play, digging, and grasping objects. Ensuring your dog’s nails are kept at an appropriate length and feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet can help to prevent problems from developing, but injuries, diseases, and infections are still possible. Serious nail problems can significantly impact your dog’s quality of life....

Every dog owner needs to know what to do if a dog has been exposed to a toxin or poison. There are many kinds of toxic substances that a dog can come into contact with. If you think your dog has been exposed to a poison or toxic substance, it is important that you act quickly. If possible, take time in advance (before it’s an emergency) to learn what you should do if your dog is exposed to a toxin....

What is Kneading in Cats? Why Do Cats Knead? Is Kneading Normal? Kneading, or “making biscuits,” is a common kitten behavior that persists into adulthood. Cats may often knead soft household items, such as pillows and blankets, or they may prefer kneading the chest, stomach area, and arms and legs of their human companions. While there are several theories that could explain this behavior, many cat companions interpret kneading as a sign of affection and emotional attachment....

Due to their super sweet personalities, serious smarts, and adorable, toothy grins, golden retrievers are a hugely popular breed in the United States. In fact, golden retrievers have snagged the third spot for most popular dogs in the United States for the last several years! These pooches are on the larger side (females range between 55 and 70 pounds, while males weigh in between 65 and 75 pounds) and require lots of exercise, which may make some families shy away....

In need of inspiration for naming your dog? Take a (mental) trip to Egypt, where a rich history and a wealth of mythical beings provide lots of interesting and original options that are sure to stand out at the dog park. Egyptian dog names often have very distinct meanings behind them, with references to ancient gods and goddesses and the rulers who helped shaped the world both in and beyond this transcontinental country....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Bloodhound is a large hound dog from France with a hardy build, short fur, wrinkly skin, extra-long ears, and an incredibly powerful nose. This breed may bring the laid-back family dog from The Beverly Hillbillies to mind, but these immense, powerful dogs are anything but lazy. With the strongest sense of smell in the canine world, Bloodhounds are exceptionally skilled trackers—especially when looking for people—and their scenting abilities are so accurate that their findings are even admissible in a court of law....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Cesky terrier is a small dog from the Czech Republic with a long body, short legs, distinct facial hair, and silky fur that is typically trimmed along the back and sides. This breed is defined by contrasts: Small but sturdy, lively but laid-back, and driven but docile, Cesky terriers are well-rounded hunters that also make lovable family dogs....

Chinchillas are a small rodent native to South America, found in rocky, arid areas in the mountains. They are best known for their incredibly soft, thick, luxurious fur. In the wild, this fur protects them from the elements, but in captivity, it makes them somewhat susceptible to overheating. This must be considered when deciding where to place your chinchilla in the house. A cooler, quiet area of your home is the best place to put a chinchilla cage....

Cropping puppy ears—otoplasty—refers to the practice of surgically altering the shape of the dog’s external ear. The procedure may be done to correct congenital defects or damage from injury or disease. Historically, ears were cropped on protection and “varmint” dogs to prevent ears from being mauled during fights with prey or each other. Also, erect “prick” ears are said to be healthier because they allow airflow that’s blocked in hanging or “drop” ear conformation of dog breeds like Beagles....

Regular exercise is essential to stay healthy and fit. Dogs are no exception to this. Exercise is just one of your dog’s basic needs. Life gets busy, so many of us forget to give our dogs the exercise they need. How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need? In general, most dogs should get one to two hours of exercise daily to help keep them healthy. Your dog may need more or less depending on age, breed, and tolerance....

What Is a Heart Murmur? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention A heart murmur can occur in any dog regardless of its age, sex, size, or breed. While heart murmurs are not always an issue, they can be a sign of other serious problems in the body and may indicate that heart disease is present. Heart murmurs are detected by veterinarians as abnormal sounds during examinations. There are several reasons that may contribute to your vet noticing this sound while listening to your dog’s heart through a stethoscope....

All aquarium power filters need to be cleaned occasionally, and this holds true for the popular hang-on-back (HOB) style. This filter style, which simply hangs on the back wall of your aquarium, is popular because it is easy to maintain and easy to clean. How It Works Power filters draw water up a lift tube and into a filter chamber; from there, the water is pushed through a series of filter media, providing biological, chemical, and/or mechanical filtration....

Cats are fastidiously clean animals. They constantly groom themselves, don’t like to be wet or dirty, and bury their waste matter when they use the litter box. But sometimes cats end up tracking their litter and poop outside of their box. Thankfully there are a few things you can do to keep the mess to a minimum. Why Do Cats Track Litter and Feces? There are a few reasons why your cat might track litter and feces....