Ferrets are popular pets, but many people note that they have a distinct odor to them. This musky smell is something that most ferret owners get used to and eventually don’t even notice, but sometimes the stink is worse than it should be. By understanding the cause of the normal smell and what might cause it to be problematic, you can keep your ferret’s odor to a minimum. Why Do Ferrets Stink?...
Whether you want to honor your German heritage, love German culture (and its delicious food!), or are bringing home a dog with German origins—like a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, or Pinscher—Deutschland has produced tons of cool, unique names for female dogs. Check out our favorite German-inspired names for your family’s brand new Hund! Top German Names for Female Dogs Ada: If your new dog has a sweet, gentle personality, consider naming her Ada—it means “kind” and “noble....
Terrestrial Tank Semi-Aquatic Tanks Aquatic Tanks What Kind of Water? Filters Ammonia Water Quality Temperature Light Cleaning Salamanders and newts have sensitive and porous skin; they are very susceptible to changes in their environment. When setting up a tank for these species, try to emulate the natural habitat of the particular species of salamander or newt. Once established, continue to ensure the quality of the environment is carefully monitored and maintained....
Saltwater aquariums can be challenging in many aspects, but the appearance of “red slime” causes a chill down the spine of all marine aquarists. Coating substrate, live rock and even sessile invertebrates if left to flourish, red slime can feel like an uphill battle. What Is “Red Slime?” Not to be confused with red algae, “red slime” is technically cyanobacteria that contains a red pigment. Cyanobacteria is typically classified as “blue-green algae,” but can come in various colors....
What Is Giardiasis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Is Giardiasis Contagious to Humans? Not all cat owners may be familiar with giardiasis, but this infectious disease can cause serious symptoms when our feline friends experience it. Caused by the ingestion of a parasite, various genotypes of Giardia can infect cats, dogs, and even humans. Thankfully, giardiasis in cats is not usually contagious to other species. While this condition is treatable, it can be difficult to eradicate and often spreads quickly among groups of cats in homes, shelters, or catteries....
The egg scatterers include many species of tropical aquarium fishes – such as the Danios, Barbs, Rasboras, and Tetras. Even the Goldfish is among the group of fish that scatter their eggs among plants and gravel, both in nature and in an aquarium, while offering no parental care whatsoever! In fact, given the opportunity, most egg scattering fish species will eat the eggs they have just laid and fertilized as soon as the breeding process has finished....
Unlike hamsters, gerbils are best kept in pairs or trios. The introduction of new gerbils that are older than 10 weeks old can be difficult. Typically, trying to introduce a new gerbil to an already established group is discouraged as the group may gang up on and kill what it views as an intruder. Instead, try to introduce single gerbils to each other. A younger (less than 10 weeks old) gerbil mixed with an adult seems to work particularly well with males....
Leash laws may require your puppy to walk nicely on a leash and know how to heel when off your property. But, even if they don’t, it’s simply polite puppy behavior to know leash etiquette. With proper leash manners, your dog has more freedom to safely explore the world beyond your front or backyard. Large breed puppies can grow into powerful, tugging tanks that can pull the leash from your hands or drag you all over....
Brown patches on the gravel or glass of the tank is a kind of film known as a Silica Algae or Brown Algae. Once established, it can rapidly coat most surfaces of the aquarium’s interior with a thin, dark brown coating. This problem is especially common in new aquariums, which may cause concern for people new to fish keeping. The good news is that this issue is pretty easy to clean up; for the most part, it is easily removed....
Sugar gliders are interesting animals for many reasons, but one of these reasons is shared by only a few animals in the world: the pouch. The pouch has one primary purpose for all marsupials, but as pet owners, we need to be aware of other things that may involve your sugar glider’s pouch besides a joey. Sugar Glider Pouch Purpose Only female sugar gliders have a pouch (called a marsupium) and its main purpose is to protect, raise, and carry young (called joeys)....
For cats, clawing is a way of life. They naturally crave the sensation of sinking their nails into the surfaces they encounter and, according to the ASPCA, this behavior psychologically helps cats mark their territory. Physically it allows them to stretch, play, and keep their claws manicured. They instinctually use their sharp paw extensions as tools to climb, hunt, and hold down their prey. But if you have a cat in your home, you’ll soon realize that your furniture is the target for a lot of this fierce feline behavior....
Reaching for the treat jar can be a great way to reward your dog, but it’s not always easy knowing whether or not your dog’s snacks are the healthiest and tastiest choice for your furry friend. According to Barbara Hodges, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and program director of advocacy and outreach for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, ingredients are the single most important factor when choosing dog treats. “You can use small pieces of cooked meats, fish, eggs, cheese, fruits, and vegetables as treats,” Hodges says....
Big Barker 7 Inch Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed Multiple sizes, including XXL Contains orthopedic foam for joints High-quality materials Machine-washable Easy setup Made in the USA Expensive Not for every dog The Big Barker Headrest Edition Dog Bed gives senior dogs a comfortable rest on orthopedic foam, but it may take them some time to get used to it. Size Materials Comfortability Washing Durability Price: Not cheap Warranty Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the Big Barker Headrest Edition Dog Bed so our reviewer could put it to the test....
Depression in pet birds is more common than you might think. Check for the signs that mean your bird is not in its usual cheerful mood. Many symptoms of depression also could point to an illness, so it is a good idea to visit the avian veterinarian for a checkup. Learn the small changes that can bring back those happy chirps Causes of Bird Depression Depression in pet birds has a number of causes, both mental and physical....
Clownfish were made famous by the movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory; movie viewers learned that all clownfish make their homes inside sea anemones, safe from intruders. They also learned that clownfish are attractive, relatively small saltwater fish that are sometimes kept in aquariums. Most clownfish, like Nemo and his father, Marlin, have bright stripes; the fire clownfish, however, loses its stripes as it grows into adulthood. Characteristics Breed Overview...
Seeding a new aquarium has become a popular practice. It is the process of transferring nitrifying bacteria from an established aquarium to a new aquarium. Seeding gives the new aquarium a jump start on the cycling process. Normally, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the growth of beneficial bacteria to complete the nitrogen cycle in a new aquarium. It is not unusual for seeded aquariums to fully cycle in half the time it would normally take, thus allowing you to stock more fish in the new tank sooner....
There are few things in life that are more frustrating for an aquarist than a leaking aquarium. It usually starts out with you noticing a drop or two of water hanging off the bottom edge of the tank, which soon develops into a drip…drip…drip, at which point you grab a handful of paper towels so you can start sopping up the water while you try to figure out where the leak is coming from....
Catnip and Marijuana How Cats Are Exposed Symptoms Medical Marijuana Alternatives Marijuana is not safe for cats to consume in any form—not by nibbling on some dried pieces, inhaling secondhand smoke, snacking on an edible, or chewing on the leaves of the plant. While some cat owners may consider marijuana similar to catnip, they are not at all the same. In households where there is marijuana present, residents should be informed of the health dangers that marijuana poses to cats....
Dogs have an instinctive need to chew, and most dogs enjoy the taste and texture of rawhide chews. Is rawhide bad for dogs? The answer ultimately depends on the size and contents of the rawhide chew. Some rawhide products are safer than others. What Is Rawhide? Rawhide is made from processed animal skin, specifically the inner layer of cow, horse, or pig hides. Some rawhide used for dog chews is a by-product of the leather industry....
Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Japanese bobtail is a petite yet outgoing cat companion. The most notable feature of the breed is the short tail, sometimes referred to as a “pom” by breed enthusiasts. Resulting from a natural gene mutation, it can be straight, bent, or kinked, but it most often resembles a bunny’s bushy tail....
