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Most ornamental aquarium fish are tropical fish that require warm water to survive, typically 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit (22-28 Celsius). However, there are some species that can survive cooler water than most tropical fish, even down to 50-60 degrees F (10-15 C). Some coldwater ornamental fish may grow so large that they are only suitable for outdoor ponds. Koi can be purchased at fish stores at a few inches long, so you might think they are good cool-water aquarium fish, but they are about three feet long when fully grown!...

Dogs love to chew on bones. And we dog lovers want to give dogs what they want. So, we often give our dogs big delicious bones that make them so happy. However, this might not be the safest way to treat your dog. In general, bones are not the safest or healthiest treats for dogs. Most bones are dangerous for dogs because they can cause certain health problems. While not all pet experts agree on this topic, most veterinary health professionals can tell you plenty of bone-related horror stories....

What Is Dysecdysis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions All reptiles shed, and every species has its normal shedding pattern. Dysecdysis happens is when a reptile sheds abnormally, usually leading to a skin buildup on the limbs and eyelids. If dysecdysis occurs, it may indicate a problem in your reptile’s environment or an underlying health issue. For example, if an enclosure is not adequately humidified or your reptile has a skin parasite, it may develop dysecdysis and require manual skin removal....

What Is Elbow Dysplasia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment & Prevention Prognosis If you notice your young dog is limping on a front leg, it could be due to a condition called elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is an inherited condition and is more commonly seen in large to giant breed dogs such as Bernese mountain dogs, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers. This common orthopedic disorder is caused by abnormalities in the development of the bones in the dog’s elbows....

Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar Great range High-quality materials Effective, adjustable stimulation Optional Pavlovian conditioning Strong vibration Complicated to program Lots of unmarked buttons Antenna must be pointed at receiver Expensive If you’re looking for a dog training collar with a long range, the ET-300 Mini Educator Remote E-Collar may be one of your best options, as it works up to 1/2 mile from its controller. Design Battery Life Range Effectiveness Humane Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the ET-300 Mini Educator Remote E-Collar so our reviewer could put it to the test with her dog....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Griffon Nivernais is a medium-size hound dog breed from France with a long, rough, shaggy coat that gives the dog a somewhat scruffy look. The dog has a moderately long head with bushy eyebrows and drop ears. And overall, this scenthound is slightly longer than it is tall, which helps to give it a smooth stride and good endurance....

Origins and Distribution Colors and Markings Tankmates Habitat and Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding More Species and Research Frequently Asked Questions Guppies have been a staple of the aquarium hobby for generations. Originating in tropical pools in South America and the Caribbean Islands, these fish are now available in a wide variety of colors that have been produced by selective breeding at fish farms. Many guppy keepers may start out with only one or two fish, but being live-bearers with long-term sperm storage, you may be in for a full tank before long....

A critical part of a dental care program for cats is an at-home examination of their teeth and gums. It is recommended that owners perform this routine on their cats for one to two minutes at least two to three times a month. It can help you identify potential problems early so you can schedule an appointment with your vet and keep your kitty as healthy as possible. You will be glad to know that it’s relatively easy and most cats get used to it after the first few times....

Is it OK to Own a Capuchin Monkey? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Exercise Grooming Training Pros & Cons Purchasing Similar Pets & Breeds Capuchin monkeys are energetic exotic animals that require enrichment and an active lifestyle—often, when raised by humans, they rarely get enough stimulation. They may be adorable as babies, but as they get older, capuchin monkeys can get bored easily, which can lead to increasingly destructive behaviors....

We have made many different dog food recommendations on The Spruce Pets, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll find one of our favorite picks available at your preferred retailer. If you need a brand that’s reliably available at Walmart, we’ve done the research to make sure it’s a product that you can trust. Our best overall dry dog food is Rachael Ray Nutrish Premium Dry Dog Food, which uses high quality ingredients, including real chicken....

Characteristics Origin and Distribution Colors and Markings Tankmates Habitat and Care Diet Sexual Differences Breeding Other Breeds and Further Research The blood parrot cichlid is a hybrid aquarium fish species which has created notable controversy. Possibly produced by crossing the Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) or possibly the red devil (Amphilophus labiatus) with the redhead cichlid (Vieja synspilum), the blood parrot cichlid’s genetic mixture has left the fish with a combination of physical traits that compromise the fish’s ability to thrive....

What Is Egg-Binding? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Egg-binding is a serious and sometimes fatal condition that affects female birds of breeding age. It can affect any bird, but among common pet birds, it is most often seen in smaller species including finches, parakeets, lovebirds, canaries, and cockatiels. Basically, egg-binding means that the egg has become “stuck,” and the bird is unable to expel it from its body within a normal time frame, which depending on species, can be anywhere from 24 to 48 hours....

What Is Histoplasmosis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Histoplasmosis is an infection caused in dogs by a specific type of fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum). While it’s non-contagious and not an extremely common type of infection, dogs in certain parts of the country are at a higher risk of contracting histoplasmosis than others. This disease develops when dogs inhale spores from the fungus or ingest it, leading to serious infections that can affect major organs and become serious or fatal when untreated....

What Is Glass Surfing? Reasons for Surfing Health Concerns Stopping It Bearded dragons are popular pet lizards with some unique behaviors including head bobbing, waving, and doing pushups. Despite common belief, not all of these behaviors indicate that a bearded dragon is happy, though. Glass surfing is one such behavior that may appear to be cute but is actually an indication that something is wrong and should be addressed....

Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or you have just adopted an adult dog, your new pet may need to be introduced to a leash. For some dogs, it may be as simple as snapping on the leash and heading out the door. Other dogs may struggle and appear fearful when you first show them the leash. For these pups, you’ll want to introduce them to the leash slowly and do it positively so they get used to this object that will be a big part of their lives....

Is your horse’s or pony’s mane hanging on the wrong side or even on both sides? This is common, especially in horses with pony or draft horse bloodlines that have thick manes. Many horses have a mane that is laying on the ‘wrong’ side; here’s how to tame a frizzy, two-sided mane so it lays neatly on the correct side. Choosing the Correct Side Generally, the mane laying on the right or offside is considered correct....

Horseback riding is one of the oldest sports in the world and fulfills every definition of sport, yet it is often perceived as an easy activity, not a sport. This could be because the only exposure most people have had to equestrianism is television and movies. What the average non-rider doesn’t see is the hours of practice and the sore muscles, bruising, and chafing—not to mention the mental challenge—that riders undergo to make it all look easy....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Buy or Adopt Breed Overview Further Research With a unique, partially hairless coat that lends a wolfish appearance, the lykoi looks like no other cat breed. Lykoi also have a hairless mask that connects the nose, muzzle, eyes, and ears, further suggesting the appearance of a werewolf. It should come as no surprise, then, that the breed name was derived from the Greek word “lycos,” which means wolf....

There are some conditions in senior cats that warrant prompt attention. Knowing how to identify clinical signs early on, will hopefully lead to a quick diagnosis and immediate treatment. A cat is considered a senior when they reach the age of seven. At this time, you can expect to see some physical and behavioral changes occur. It is not unusual for them to develop vision and hearing loss, and maybe some dementia....

Most cat owners like to show they love their cats not only with affection but with treats. However, Dr. Kerri Blackburn of River’s Edge Animal Hospital says cat treats, much like human treats, can be loaded with calories and sodium to help with flavor and encourage palatability (especially dental treats). “This can be problematic when we are focused on weight loss or a cat has health concerns like renal or heart disease....