Posts

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The American foxhound is a medium-sized hound dog breed with a lean and athletic build, long legs, floppy ears, and a short, smooth coat that is typically a mix of white, black, and tan. This distinguished dog breed has plenty of history and heart, and while it may share a resemblance with one of America’s most popular dogs, this hound is much more than a larger Beagle....

Anal sac disease results from infected or inflamed anal glands and can be very painful for a cat. When the anal glands do not routinely release their fluid, the buildup can cause symptoms like thick secretions, foul odor, and blood in the stool. Anal sac disease can result from various factors that make a cat unable to expel its anal fluid, including soft stools, tumors, and obesity. A vet will diagnose anal sac disease using a physical examination and diagnostic tests....

The rocks you put into an aquarium are not only decorative, but they provide housing for the fish and other animals in the tank, shelter against aggression that may occur from other tankmates, and are an important part of the biological filtration platform. Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to arrange either non-living or live rocks in a saltwater system for maximum efficiency when you are aquascaping or arranging rocks in your aquarium....

There are plenty of videos online showing the humorous, albeit slightly twisted, reactions of dogs eating and tasting various foods that have a strong flavor. Several years back, one such video trend was to record your dog eating a lemon. This trend became so popular, in fact, that a four and a half minute compilation video of dogs reacting to eating lemons has five and a half million views! With so many folks subjecting their dogs to this super sour citrus fruit and so many others getting a good laugh out of these videos, one has to wonder if any of them every stop and ask two simple questions: Can dogs eat lemons and should you be feeding lemons to your dog?...

What Are Cataracts? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment & Prevention Prognosis Frequently Asked Questions Cataracts are a relatively common condition in dogs that cause clouding in the eye and can lead to vision loss. Symptoms are primarily the milky appearance of the eye and the effects of vision loss, such as hesitance to walk in dim or dark areas and the inability to move up and down the stairs. Cataracts are mainly inherited but can also form secondarily due to diseases like diabetes and glaucoma....

Signs of Labor Birthing Supplies The Birth Process Problems During Labor Frequently Asked Questions If you have a pregnant cat (queen), and it looks like she is ready to birth her kittens (queening), chances are that you will not need to do anything except encourage her. You may even wake one morning to discover that your cat has given birth during the night and is comfortably nursing her kittens....

When the holidays roll around, will you travel with your puppy or leave them with a pet sitter or boarding kennel? Plan now so that your puppy knows what to expect and you ensure they’ll have a safe and stress-free vacation, too. Many of us will travel to visit family and friends, have people over to visit, or spend vacation time away from home. Time off from work and a change of routine offer humans much-needed stress relief....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Irish setter is a popular medium-to-large dog breed for families and sporting enthusiasts alike, thanks to its elegant and even-tempered companionship. Originally bred for bird hunting, Irish setters have become prized for their beauty, friendliness, and work ethic. They adapt well to life with children and other pets but do have a natural prey drive, so you’ll need to watch them with small animals....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Irish wolfhound is a giant hound breed native to Ireland with a medium-length, wiry double coat and a lanky but muscular build. A true gentle giant, the wolfhound has an imposing stature but calm demeanor that makes it a wonderful companion. It was originally bred as a big game hunter but now is primarily a family dog....

Olive oil has an array of health benefits for humans, and many of these are also applicable for our four-legged friends. These range from boosting the immune system to improving coat and skin condition. Though it’s always important to monitor your pet’s caloric intake, olive oil might just be worth adding to your pet’s diet in moderation. Health Benefits of Olive Oil for Dogs Among olive oil’s many benefits for dogs (and humans) are the fact that it is rich in phytonutrients as well as vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research One of the rarest dogs in the world, the löwchen (pronounced lerv-chun) is a European breed known for its petite frame, mane-like fur, and playful attitudes. The löwchen’s unique name actually means “little lion” in German, which is why this breed is often affectionately referred to as the little lion dog....

Temperature and light are important. The optimum temperature for fastest development of the brood inside of a female is between 77 F and 80 F and development will take approximately 4 weeks in the average live-bearer. At 68 F, the interval lengthens to some 35 days or more. It is important that ​live-bearers be kept in good bright light to simulate sunlight In dull light, the development also lengthens, and cool conditions plus dull light conditions will sometimes stop reproduction completely since this simulates winter conditions....

If you have horses and a garden, you’ll have to be careful that you do not have certain plants on your property. These common weeds, trees, plants, and shrubs, shown below, are toxic to horses and ponies. Learn to identify these plants in your pastures and yards and be sure to remove them as soon as possible to keep your horses safe. 01 of 11 Deadly Nightshade Merma1d / Getty Images Deadly nightshade can thrive even in dry conditions....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Pomeranian is a perky and bold toy dog breed with a long coat and distinctive neck ruff that hails from what’s now Germany and Poland. Also called a Pom, this breed is typically friendly but can be bossy at times. Still, it is extremely loyal to its loved ones and can be an effective guard dog despite its diminutive stature....

Saddle trees are a common component of many horse saddles. This solid, rigid structure is the piece around which the leather and padding of the saddle are built. The tree is made so it conforms to the horse’s back and the rider’s seat. Saddle trees were originally made of wood, but today, they can be made of materials such as fiberglass combined with metal, plastic, or even still with some wood in their construction....

Birds are social creatures, so many owners allow their pets to be included at mealtime. While sharing food with your bird is a lot of fun and can be wonderful for your pet’s emotional health, there are many common human foods that can be harmful or even fatal to your bird. Owners need to know which foods are fine for sharing and which pose a serious risk. 01 of 10 Chocolate The Picture Pantry and Eve Voyevoda / Getty Images Chocolate is a wonderful treat to share with human family members, but it can be harmful or fatal to your pet bird....

Of the hundreds of dog breeds globally, there are at least 12 breeds that exclusively sport white coats. Many types of breeds can have white pups—among many other color combinations—but a dozen canines only come in white. While many of these dogs are small companion dogs, a few are strong, powerful large breeds. Some of the dogs have snowy white coats that match their Arctic or mountain environments, such as the Samoyed, Great Pyrenees, and Japanese spitz....

In birds, the term “Color Mutation” refers to a bird whose feathers exhibit a different color than you would normally find in the wild. Color Genes The code for feathers of a certain color is carried on a bird’s genes. Therefore, it is possible to breed birds with genetic codes for different colors together, creating new and different color mutations.Breeding for color mutations has become especially popular in the bird trade as of late, with breeders of many species striving to create the perfect bird in an array of beautiful and sometimes unusual colors....

What Is an Ear Infection? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Ear infections are common among cats, and they can be tricky to treat because they have numerous causes. Cats’ ears can be invaded by various parasites, irritated by allergies, or plagued by polyps. A veterinary diagnosis is crucial in determining a targeted treatment plan. Left untreated, ear infections can lead to hearing loss or more serious systemic infections. If you notice your cat scratching an ear or tilting its head, schedule a vet visit to investigate....

It’s no secret that turtles are known to live longer lives than many other pets. Some species of tortoises can live 100 years or more. Several common species of pet water turtles can live into their 40s, though there are many factors that will influence how long your pet turtle lives. Your turtle’s lifespan depends on its species, its diet and other aspects of its environment that you can control....