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Congratulations on bringing your puppy home! Now what? It is time to thoughtfully build a solid relationship with your puppy. You’ll be able to build a loving connection with a puppy of any breed, with a combination of love, trust, and respect. If even one of these is missing there will be issues in the relationship. The Hardest Dogs to Train Which breed is the hardest to train? The answer is not breed related—it is relationship related....

It can be pretty overwhelming walking into a garden center or home improvement store and seeing all the different options you have for houseplants. Some plants need more sun than others, thrive in more humid environments, or may even be toxic to your cat. Knowing which plants are safe options to have around your cat can prevent a lot of potential issues in the future. The following plants are good options for cat owners to consider....

Depending on where you live and the species of box turtle you are keeping, an outdoor pen might be a year-round home, a home for part of the year, or just a place for your turtle to enjoy warm afternoons. No matter which, most experts agree that spending at least some time outdoors is very beneficial to box turtles kept in captivity. The aim is to make the outdoor pen match their natural habitat as closely as possible....

What Is Dermatitis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention At-Risk Dog Breeds Frequently Asked Questions Dermatitis is a skin problem that can affect any dog and causes extreme discomfort and can even result in infected lesions. The term “dermatitis” refers to a wide range of skin conditions of varying severity. For example, some forms of dermatitis are caused by environmental allergens, while others care caused by yeast infections. Dogs will typically respond well to treatment, which usually involves antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or steroids....

Water movement in the aquarium helps maintain a healthy habitat in a number of ways. Whether you are setting up a new aquarium, updating an established tank, or trying to solve a nagging problem, it’s always wise to review the water movement to be sure it’s meeting the needs of your fish. 01 of 04 Benefits of Water Movement First and foremost, water movement in the aquarium is a key factor in oxygenation of the water....

What Are Eye Problems? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Guinea pigs, like many other exotic pets, are prone to eye problems. There are a variety of diseases and issues, such as infections and tumors, that can affect the health of your guinea pig’s eyes, but some of these problems are seen more commonly than others. By familiarizing yourself with some of the possibilities, you’ll be better prepared to deal with an eye problem that your guinea pig may have in the future....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) is a rare, giant guard dog breed from Brazil with a muscular stature, distinctive thick and loose skin, powerful jaws, and an unusual topline profile along its back. These colossal dogs were developed on farms in Brazil where they were utilized as guard dogs, cattle herders, and to track, chase, catch, and hold large animals like jaguars until the hunter arrived....

Chinchillas love to chew, and they especially love to chew wood, which helps keep their constantly-growing teeth trimmed and sharp. But not all woods are good for your chinchilla, and some woods are even toxic. Even if you choose a wood labeled as safe, such as from seed-bearing fruit trees, including apple, pear, and hazelnut, make sure that you are giving your pet the real thing and not wood that has been treated, glued, or painted....

While a human bandana can be repurposed, finding the right dog bandana for your dog has more utility than you might expect, offering variable sizing specific to dogs. Dog bandanas can help keep off the sun during your next long walk, or communicate when it’s a special event, such as your dog’s birthday or a holiday. We looked for dog bandanas with high quality materials, useful sizes, beautiful patterns, and even selections with closures you don’t have to knot....

Common Reasons for Wanting to Cook Your Cat’s Food The Unique Nutritional Needs of Cats Risks of Home Cooked Diets Safer Alternatives to Home Cooked Recipes Pet parents may consider home cooking for their pets for many different reasons. This may include concerns related to pet food recalls, health conditions such as food allergies, and/or a desire to provide the best quality foods for their fur babies. The internet is full of recipes and suggestions for the best ways to cook for your cat, so you may be surprised to learn that vets and veterinary nutritionists recommend against this practice....

When you bring home a newly adopted cat or a kitten, coming up with a name for your new feline friend is an exciting part of cat ownership. If you are a fan of the big screen, you can pull inspiration from those cat names. It can be a character you love, or even one that looks like your cat. Take a look at this list of influential movie cats that may help you make a decision or spark your imagination....

With a rich heritage and culture, there are plenty of great ideas for naming your Scottish terrier, Westie, Sheltie, Cairn terrier, Border collie, and other Scottish dog breeds. A wee bit of Scottish culture can really make your dog’s name stand out. Just a few great Scottish names for dogs include Angus, Bruce, Mackay, Iona, Sheena, MacDonald, and Bairn, but there are many others. For Scottish boy dog names, girl dog names, or names inspired by Gaelic words or clans and surnames—these are the top Scottish names for dogs....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Aquatic turtles are fun to watch, especially when they’re as unique looking as the African sideneck turtle. These turtles got their common name because they’re unable to tuck their heads entirely inside their shells, so they tuck them to the side instead. Sidenecks are on the larger side as far as turtles go, and they can live for several decades....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Australian Kelpie Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Australian kelpie is a medium-size herding dog breed hailing from the land Down Under. It’s known for its athletic, muscular, and energetic body. Highly intelligent and driven, kelpies enjoy working hard. In fact, they really need a job to do—hanging around the house simply won’t suffice....

Guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents that not only need but enjoy a variety of hay, vegetables and fruits. Green, leafy veggies and hay should make up the majority of the diet, but some fruits, like peaches, can be offered for some added nutrition and as a treat. Knowing what fruits your guinea pig will enjoy and that are also safe can help you provide a good variety to your pet’s diet....

CBD has grown in popularity for use in humans, dogs, and even cats, but there are still a lot of questions surrounding its use. Pet owners need to know what it might be useful for, whether or not it is legal, and the difference between hemp, CBD, Cannabis, marijuana, and THC. Knowing whether or not a product is safe, effective, and legal for a pet cat to use is of utmost importance in order to avoid harming your pet or breaking the law....

Size Adding Fish Too Soon Adding Too Many Fish Overstocking Incompatible Companions Overfeeding Filtration Water Maintenance Beginning hobbyist fish keepers new to establishing an aquarium should read up on the mistakes of people who came before them and avoid some common pitfalls. Starting Too Small With the availability of mini-aquarium packages, it may be appealing to go small. However, for beginners, choosing a small aquarium is courting failure. When the water volume is small, key water parameters change very quickly and leave no room for error....

Life vests may initially seem like unnecessary accessories for a dog but they serve an important purpose, even if a dog knows how to swim. For dogs that spend time in or near bodies of water, wearing a life jacket could quite literally save their lives but not all vests are created equal or fit a dog properly. Knowing how to properly use a life vest is important for any dog owner who enjoys spending time by the water with their pup....

Fennec Fox Red Fox Silver Fox Arctic Fox Gray Fox Bat-Eared Fox Swift Fox Kit Fox Pale Fox Corsac Fox Foxes can look a lot like domesticated dogs considering they’re members of the canine family. They are the only member of the canine family that can adeptly climb trees. Pet foxes can be cute, comical, and sly little escape artists. However, they also have specific needs when being raised in a household from training to use a little box to being socialized with the family and any other pets....

Types of Cleaning Before You Begin Preparing Understanding the Process Dental Extractions and Special Treatments Cost Preventing Problems Does your dog need a dental cleaning? Perhaps you have smelled some pretty bad breath or seen a lot of tartar on your dog’s teeth. Maybe your veterinarian recommended a dental cleaning during a routine wellness examination. You may be hesitant or worried because you don’t have all the information. Dental health is an important part of every dog’s well-being....