Posts

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Native to areas along the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Coast box turtles are the largest subspecies of the common box turtle. They have a large, domed upper shell that’s typically dark brown or black with yellow stripes or blotches. They’re not aquatic turtles, but they do love to be around water. In the wild, they’re often found in marshes and swamps....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Alaskan Malamute may look like a wolf, but this large working dog is a domestic Alaskan breed with pointed ears, a sturdy build, and the classic spitz tail that curves over its back. Prized for its strength and heart, this breed is popular among families and active individuals....

A Hydra is a soft-bodied polyp of the Phylum Cnidaria, one of the most ancient animal groups in evolutionary terms which includes corals, jellyfish, hydras, and myxozoans. A Hydra has a tubular body with a sticky foot at one end and a dozen tentacles at the other. Like jellyfish, these tentacles possess stinging cells that allow the Hydra to immobilize their prey. They primarily eat small aquatic organisms such as cyclops, daphnia, and other aquatic crustaceans, but can catch and ingest small fish....

Temperature Changes Location Lighting Water Equipment New Fish Cold Water vs. Tropical Breeding Temperature Best Temperature Aquarium water temperature is an important factor in the health of your fish. This is particularly true when breeding fish, treating disease, and even when selecting fish to keep together. Rapid or Frequent Changes Experts disagree about the need for a constant temperature that never wavers at all. Some feel that fish that do not experience the typical day/night temperature changes that occur in nature may develop a less robust immune system, and therefore are more susceptible to disease....

Kittens, just like other pets, can develop gastrointestinal upset from time to time, which may result in loose stools. But sometimes diarrhea is an indication of a more serious underlying problem, and your kitten is depending on you to help it. Causes There are many reasons why a kitten may develop diarrhea and some are more common than others. But regardless of the reason for diarrhea, it should never be ignored if it lasts more than a couple of days....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Gordon setter is a medium-large sporting dog breed from Scotland with a silky, medium-length double coat that comes in black with tan accents. There’s feathering on the ears, chest and stomach, legs, and tail. And typically the tan is on the muzzle and throat, lower legs, eyebrows, and rear....

What Is Heatstroke? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Heatstroke seems like an unlikely affliction for Guinea pigs, which are native to South America and can be found in a variety of areas from forests to swamps to savannas. But, these rodents are surprisingly sensitive to sudden changes in their environments. High temperatures, in particular, can be harmful, potentially causing lethargy, seizures, and even death. Knowing how to prevent heatstroke and recognize signs of Guinea pig distress may help save your pet’s life....

Your cat’s age may be a mystery to you if your new feline was adopted or rescued. You might have heard that one year for a cat is equivalent to seven years for a human, but that’s not entirely accurate. You can of course generally tell if your new feline is a kitten or an adult just by looking at it, but that still leaves a lot of guesswork. The best way to determine a cat’s age is to consult a trusted veterinarian who can determine an approximate age of the cat by examining its teeth, eyes, fur, and overall maturity....

What should you do if you find a tick on your dog? Ticks are not just disgusting; they pose a health risk to your dog. It’s important to remove ticks and prevent more from affecting your dog. Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of their hosts. They can carry a variety of diseases that can affect dogs as well as humans. The best way to keep yourself and your dog safe is to prevent ticks from attaching to your dog in the first place....

History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research Major Mitchell’s cockatoos are beautiful salmon-pink, medium-sized cockatoos that are smart and social. These birds bond strongly with their keepers and have a reputation for being one-person birds. Because they require so much attention, experienced bird owners who are familiar with keeping large parrots are a better match for these birds....

Most bird owners have heard from bird experts that a variety of fresh fruits can be a vitally important part of their feathered friend’s diet. While this is true, it’s important to know which varieties of fruits are safe for your bird, and which provide essential nutrients that can help make your pet healthier, stronger, and happier. 01 of 05 Bananas Daisy De Los Angeles / EyeEm / Getty Images This long yellow fruit is a favorite of many birds (and their owners)....

Are you thinking about getting a second dog? As a dog lover, you might be thinking the more, the merrier! While this is true in some ways, you still need to know that adding another dog to your household is a big decision. Think it over carefully before you decide on dog number two. There are several factors you should consider before getting a second dog. Is Your Dog Ready For a Housemate?...

Most dogs are not capable of surviving outdoors in winter conditions and should not be left outside during the winter months. Except for very specific and well-insulated breeds, if you’re cold, they’re cold. As such, a heated outdoor dog house should never be your dog’s primary home during cold months—make sure they spend plenty of time indoors. But if your dog loves staying outside to play in the snow, or if they spend time in a sheltered place that could use a little supplemental heat—such as in a garage—then there is probably a heated dog houses that would make their winter more comfortable and enjoyable....

Training your cat to use a leash is a great way to let your pet enjoy nature without the fear that they’ll run away or get lost. However, leashes should never be attached to a cat’s collar for safety reasons (cats can easily slip out of collars), so you’ll need a harness for any leash activities. The expert-approved Travel Cat Reflective Cat Harness is the top pick for most cats. However, if your cat is a true escape escape artist, the Kitty Holster Cat Harness may be your safest choice....

Dogs possess a third eyelid, known as the nictitating membrane. This eyelid sits diagonally in the inner corner of the eye. The eye is lubricated by tear film, which consists of water, oil, and mucus. Each eye has two glands, one just above the eye and one located in the third eyelid. The gland in the third eyelid is believed to produce between 30 and 60 percent of the total tear film water; so it is important to maintain this gland’s function....

The defined cheekbones and wide-set eyes of the Sphynx cat personify their ancient Egyptian namesake. Often hairless and cuddly, these cats make for a unique pet. They love human attention and excel at agility and tricks despite their pot-bellied appearance. Sphynxes are loyal, easygoing and great with other pets. Everyone will fall in love with their sense of humor and charming personality. Sphynxes appear hairless, which isn’t attractive to all pet-lovers....

There have been many debates in recent years having to do with snake lights. In the past, we used the same lighting set-ups for snakes as we did other reptiles, but now we know some kinds of lighting elements are not necessary for most kinds of pet snakes, including ball pythons. UVB Lighting and Ball Pythons With the exception of some uncommon pet snakes, it is widely viewed as not necessary for captive snake species....

Have you ever wondered if it’s okay that your dog eats from your cat’s food bowl? Dogs are not big cats, so their digestive systems are not designed to eat cat food. Long-term feeding of cat food to a dog can cause some health issues, so it’s helpful for a dog owner to be aware of some of the differences in these similar pet foods. Nutritional Needs of a Dog When you are talking about nutrition, there are six basic nutrients that are discussed: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins....

There’s a pretty good chance your dog will get injured at least once or twice in its life. Dogs are often adventurous and some are even fearless. Most dogs explore the world barefoot and uninhibited. Unfortunately, the world is full of things that can harm your dog. Accidents happen; do your best to be prepared for them in advance. Whether minor or serious, it’s scary to see your dog get injured....

When it comes to the phrase “domestic cat,” some people may get confused. A domestic cat by the sheer definition of the word is supposed to be a cat the resides in a domicile—however, not all domestic cats are house cats. Domestic cats can be a purebred, mixed breed, live in a house or farm with humans, or reside in a neighborhood as a stray or feral cat. Millennia in the Making Domestic cats or domesticated cats came to be thousands of years ago through selective breeding....