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Not all exotics have problems with their teeth, but chinchilla teeth can be problematic. Chinchillas, like some other exotic pets, have the type of teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. These teeth may periodically require tooth trims if your chinchilla doesn’t wear them down themselves. Hypsodont Dentition Herbivores such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas have long teeth that continuously grow, often requiring tooth trims. These teeth, called hypsodont teeth, have crowns (the part of the teeth you can see) that extend a great length beyond the gums....

Why Cat Introductions Matter Tour the Nursery Crying Babies New Smells Praise Respect Your Cat’s Space If you’re bringing a new baby into your home, take time to pay attention to how your cat will handle the changes. Excluding your pet from this happy time will confuse your cat and leave it sad, stressed, and potentially poised to act out in unacceptable ways, like missing the litter box. Keep the peace by properly introducing your child and your cat to pave the way for a joyful future....

It’s quite common to catch your dog snatching food off the kitchen counter. You could turn your back for just a moment to find your food has been taken by your dog or your dog has jumped up on the counter. It can be frustrating when your food isn’t safe from sneaky pooches, even when you leave it up high. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to put an end to this annoying habit....

Although not all cats have the urge to suck on soft fabrics, such as wool, it can become an obsession for others. Most commonly, this behavior develops in kittens that are removed from their mother too soon. It may also develop into a habit in mature cats that are feeling anxious or stressed out and turn to sucking wool for comfort. While it may be a harmless behavior, you certainly don’t want your feline friend to swallow wool, so you may need to take action....

Bruxism is the act of grinding teeth together using the jaw muscles. This can include the actions of clenching or striking the teeth together. Teeth grinding is well known among humans, but it can occur in dogs as well. Mild teeth grinding may not cause any issues, but frequent grinding or clenching of the teeth can lead to problems with the teeth and jaw. Why Do Some Dogs Grind Their Teeth?...

If you have a cat then you probably already know that certain things can cause it to hide, hiss, run away, and even urinate or defecate outside of its litter box. All of these behaviors can be due to stress from the environment and it’s important for you to recognize them so you can do something to help your cat. Living a completely stress-free life is impossible but knowing some common causes and triggers can help you avoid unnecessary stress in your cat....

Many pet parents wonder whether a dog harness or collar is the right choice for their four-legged friend. Dog collars have been a mainstay of dog training equipment for decades, but in recent years, harnesses have become increasingly popular. There are pros and cons to both pieces of equipment, and it’s important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of a dog harness versus collar. In addition, some dog breeds or personality types may benefit from one option more than the other....

A cat’s sense of smell defines life for your cat. We used to believe dogs relied more on scent than cats, but current research indicates felines are incredibly scent oriented. Think of your cat’s individual smell as a feline name tag. For cats, scent determines sexual status and is used to communicate, to interact socially, and to identify territory. To put this in perspective, people average five to 20 million scent-analyzing cells lining their nose....

Dog breeds have their origins all around the world. And many breeds can claim their roots in Italy. These Italian dog breeds are quite diverse, consisting of working dogs used to herd and protect livestock, hunting dogs, guard dogs, and simply just companion dogs. They widely range in size, appearance, and temperament, with some being better suited for a quiet life while others appreciating activity and space to roam. Here are 10 Italian dog breeds that could live la dolce vita with you....

Cockatoos are affectionate birds and are known as “velcro birds” because they love spending time with their caretakers. They are members of the parrot family and there are several cockatoo species to commonly keep as pets. However, they aren’t the easiest birds to care for because they require lots of attention, can be noisy, and, if neglected, can become depressed and ultimately resort to destructive behaviors. Despite the obstacles of living and caring for a cockatoo, they are beautiful and loving creatures that have an attractive plumage....

Mississippi Map Turtle Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Aquatic turtles are fun pets to own and watch, but not everyone wants a turtle that grows very big. Mississippi map turtles don’t grow quite as large as some other species like sliders and cooters, but they still do require a relatively large and deep aquarium habitat. These super skittish turtles need the opportunity to flee to deep water whenever they’re scared....

Interpreting Your Dog’s Tail Examples Safety Tail wagging is part of dog language for both puppies and adult dogs. It is a complex system of (mostly) sign language, some vocalization, and even scent cues people can’t detect. Many of these signals define and reinforce your dog’s social position within the family group. That includes humans, other dogs, and other animals. Misreading a dog’s clear signal can lead to a bite....

Displayed as images, this index contains a collection of all the charts, tables, diagrams and more original content we have put together over the years! In the table above, the top row indicates the length of the tank, the left vertical column indicates the depth (height) of the tank. To determine the glass thickness to use for constructing your tank, find the length of the tank in the top row (indicated in feet and cm - centimeters), then follow that column down until you reach the height of the tank (indicated in inches and cm)....

Whether you’re potty training your new puppy, embracing apartment living or your older dog isn’t getting outside fast enough, a dog potty can save you time and energy while keeping pet odors from overtaking your home. “When pet parents are selecting an indoor dog potty, I always recommend that they use materials and products that are environmentally friendly, as well as effective for their specific living situation and home setup,” certified dog trainer Kate Perry told The Spruce Pets....

If you’d love a pet but think you don’t have the space for one, think again. There are many exotic pets that can thrive in homes with limited square footage. Many of these animals are quite small and don’t require massive habitats for exercise and enrichment. They also tend to be fairly quiet. But keep in mind, just because a pet takes up minimal space, that doesn’t necessarily mean the animal is easy to care for....

While some people prefer small dogs, others feel there’s nothing better than massive dogs. Giant canines come packed with plenty of pluses. They’re big softies with sweet, gentle temperaments that think they’re lap loungers. They’re loyal and protective of their family pack. And they’re smart and usually easy to train. There are several factors to consider before adopting a large dog breed. Larger dogs require more of everything, from food to larger-scale supplies to higher veterinary care costs....

While most people are initially attracted the Sun Conures bird species for their stunning looks, those who fall in love with the species do so due to its many other endearing characteristics such as a playful personality and keen intelligence. Take a look at some of the facts listed below to learn more about Sun Conures and what it’s like to keep them as pets. Size Coming in at around 12 inches in length from the beak to the end of the tailfeathers, the Sun Conure is a ​medium-sized bird with a nicely proportioned figure, healthy birds being neither slim nor stout in profile....

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 cocker spaniel is a small sporting dog breed from the United States that has a long, silky coat; big, expressive eyes; and long, furry ears. In the U.S., this breed typically is just referred to as the cocker spaniel. But, outside of the U.S., it’s known as the American cocker spaniel to differentiate it from its close cousin, the English cocker spaniel....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Basset Hound is a medium-sized French hound breed known for its floppy ears, short legs, long nose, wrinkly skin, and short coat. One of the most popular hound dogs, Bassets are second only to Bloodhounds when it comes to their powerful sense of smell and tracking ability. This breed is easily identifiable thanks to its velvety ears, but it also stands out for its signature bay and charming, unique character....

What Are Brain Tumors? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment & Prevention Prognosis Few words can strike as much fear into the heart of a pet owner as hearing the vet say, “Your dog has a brain tumor.” Unfortunately, these growths are not that uncommon in dogs, particularly seniors. There are several different types of brain tumors, or cancers, that can strike dogs, but all are basically a mass of cells that are dividing in an uncontrolled fashion, creating a growth that displaces normal tissue inside the dog’s brain....