It’s natural to want to care for stray cats that hang around your home. It may be easy to simply put an extra can of cat food outside for a cat that shows up at your back door. What should you feed a stray cat that you’re caring for? How can you ensure the food doesn’t spoil and how can you care for strays without creating tension with your neighbors?...
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The American Staffordshire terrier is a medium-to-large, muscular dog breed with a square head and short, stiff fur that was developed in the United States. Also called the Am Staff, this breed is known for its courage and power, but it also generally has an affectionate and loyal disposition....
Calico cats and kittens are reputable for their gorgeous, tricolored coats in hues of orange, black, and white. Calico coats are among various cat breeds and are mostly females. Their genetics, for example, have been the topic of in-depth scientific studies starting way back in the 1940s. In folklore, calicos are revered worldwide for their good luck. Learn more amazing facts about some of nature’s most colorful kitties. 01 of 07 Calico Isn’t a Breed of Cat @stabbytabby / Instagram There is no single calico breed....
Puppy food contains calories that supply the energy for your growing dog’s needs. Puppy energy needs vary depending on the age of the dog, his breed, health status, and activity level. Feeding trials help determine the amount of a given food your puppy will need to be fed to sustain growth and health. Feeding guidelines are on the pet food label only as a starting point for the amount to feed your puppy....
Basic Aquarium Sizes Small Mid-Sized Large Custom-Shaped Tanks Aquariums come in many sizes from as small as 2.5 gallons to as large as 180 gallons or more. That is a wide range, so finding the right one for you is going to depend on your goals and your level of experience. Fish aquariums can be surprisingly heavy when they are full of water, so before filling a new or used aquarium, it is best to know how heavy it will be so you can ensure the table, cabinet—and even the floor itself—is up to the load....
What Is Moon Blindness? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis How to Prevent Moon Blindness Moon blindness, an inflammatory eye condition, was historically named for its misperceived association with the moon’s phases. We now know that moon blindness has nothing to do with the moon but can recur over the course of weeks or months. It causes pain and discoloration of the eye, and affected horses are very sensitive to bright sunlight....
Many aquarists ask: What is the optimal temperature for my saltwater aquarium? Unfortunately, there is not a simple, straightforward answer to this question. The choice of temperatures in an aquarium is as varied as the owners. Some aquarists feel that keeping your tank between 75-77 degrees is best, some say 75-80 degrees. Others feel that some corals and fishes, having come from warm tropical waters, do much better at temperatures of about 80-85 degrees, or higher....
Longing Eyes Tilted Head Direct Stare, Hard Eyes Soft Eyes Herding and Hunting It’s a funny feeling to realize you’re being watched. It’s even weirder to realize that your own dog is staring at you while you brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, or spend time reading in bed. While being stared at by a dog might be less disconcerting than being stared at by a person, it’s still odd!...
Making sure your cat is properly hydrated is one of the best things you can do to promote healthy functioning of their urinary tract, kidneys, and almost every other organ in their body. Just like humans, proper hydration helps flush out toxins, prevents constipation and kidney stones, and keeps the brain and body functioning at optimal levels. There are a number of different types of water bowls that encourage a cat to drink more water including chilled and heated bowls and even drinking fountains....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized Tibetan dog breed in the non-sporting group with long fur, floppy ears, facial hair, and a curled tail over its back. This ancient breed was once revered in its native Tibet and thought to bring good luck to its owners. Tibetan Terriers were raised as companions for Buddhist monks, and they also made excellent guard dogs for the nomadic high-plateau herdsmen....
Walk into any pet store and you will find all kinds of toys for your dog to play with. The most tried and true dog toy, though, is the classic squeaky toy. Why do dogs love playing with these toys so much? Why Dogs Like Squeaky Toys Your dog may enjoy their squeaky toy for a variety of reasons, but most dog behavior experts agree that the three main reasons dogs like squeaky toys are related to hunting instincts, chewing, and the sound itself....
When it comes to the dog breeds that live the longest, it is often the smallest breeds that average longer life spans. Small dogs generally live longer than large breeds, reaching up to 16 years or more, while a medium or large dog’s average lifespan is closer to 10 to 13 years. So, if you want many years with a canine, definitely don’t opt for a giant breed. They rarely live longer than 8 to 10 years....
Behavior and Temperament Housing the Crested Gecko Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Different Species Crested geckos are a low-maintenance pet and are well-suited for children or novice lizard owners who have little time to devote to their daily care. One of their distinctive features is their eyelashes, which is why they are sometimes called eyelash geckos. These lizards hail from New Caledonia, an island country off the coast of Australia....
A dog show is a competitive dog sport that involves the presentation of purebred dogs to be judged for conformity to their respective breed standards. Some people think of dog shows as “beauty pageants for dogs” while others recognize them as an essential step to improving each breed. Why Are There Dog Shows? Also called “conformation trials” or “breed shows,” dog shows are designed to display purebred dogs with the ideal characteristics of their respective breeds....
You probably won’t want to choose your fish based on the first letter of their name, but it’s fun and instructive to see what’s out there. All fish have both common and scientific names, and the fish names listed here include both. Many fish have multiple common names but only one scientific name. If you’re intrigued by a description, explore more deeply by looking up the fish by its scientific name....
What Is Encephalitis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Encephalitis in cats is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease that results in brain inflammation. The causes of encephalitis are not entirely clear but can be linked to various infections and autoimmune disorders. Encephalitis symptoms include seizures, behavioral changes, and pupillary abnormality. Encephalitis in cats shares symptoms with many other neurological conditions, so pay a visit to your vet for a proper diagnosis....
What Is a Hiatal Hernia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hiatal hernias can occur in any breed of dog but they are more prevalent in brachycephalic breeds. These hernias, which occur between the esophagus and the stomach, affect both the chest and abdominal cavities and can cause serious breathing or digestive issues. While severe cases of hiatal hernia require surgery, some dogs’ discomfort from their hernias can be managed with diet and exercise to ensure the maintenance of a healthy weight....
What Is Hypoglycemia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hypoglycemia, commonly called low blood sugar, affects puppies much more often than adult dogs—even puppies that seem perfectly healthy. This condition usually happens because puppies lack sufficient glucose stores in their bodies to sustain them through stressful events or fasting periods. It can also occur because of intestinal parasites or a physical abnormality involving the liver. Untreated, low blood sugar can cause coma, seizures, and death....
At some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by parasites such as fleas, ticks, or roundworms. While fleas and ticks can sometimes be easy for dog parents to spot and identify, that is not always the case, and internal parasites can be present in your dog without you realizing it. These parasites can be extremely irritating to pets and can cause serious health problems or even carry disease....
Many reptiles have specific needs when it comes to heat and light. Meeting these needs is essential to keeping these pets healthy, so it is important to understand why heat and light are so important. The Importance of Heat For all reptiles, providing appropriate temperatures is extremely important. Being ectothermic (“cold-blooded”—although they need warm temperatures) they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature. In the wild, they naturally gravitate to an area with the temperature they need, moving into the sun or shaded areas as necessary....
