Taking your dog for daily walks provides numerous mental, emotional, and physical health benefits to nearly all dogs. Walks provide exercise, which is good for your dog’s body. Walks are also mentally stimulating for your dog, who can sniff interesting smells, meet other people and dogs, and simply explore the great big world outside. Walks can break up long days in the house, alleviating boredom and leading to a happier, more relaxed dog overall....
If you’re thinking about adding a new four-legged friend into your family, you have some prep work ahead of you. But getting ready to bring home a new puppy or rescue dog is only half the equation—the real work begins the second you bring your new dog into your home. To ease the transition, some people take paid (or unpaid) time off work, giving rise to a new term: “pawternity leave....
Mosquitoes and other insects are not only bothersome but they can transmit deadly diseases to your dog through a simple bite. Thankfully there are various products that can help to repel these bugs and therefore decrease the likelihood of disease transmission. Not all products that work in the environment or on people are safe for a dog, though, so it’s important to both protect your dog from mosquitoes and other insects and also make sure you aren’t hurting your dog in the process....
Dogs have been a part of Chinese culture for more than 7,000 years. Dogs have been woven in cultural stories, found in artworks, and skeletal remains from Chinese archaeological digs. They have been used as guardians, hauling, herding, hunting, and regal companions from the time they were domesticated. The breeds span all types and sizes, from fluffy lapdogs like the shih tzu to wrinkly-faced guard dogs like the well-known shar-pei and rarely mentioned Kunming wolfdog....
Whether you have a horse to ride, drive, or just as pasture décor, here are the eight ground manners your horse should have so both you and the horse are happy and safe. These manners are also essential for safety. 01 of 08 Lead Quietly in Hand Every horse should be trained to be well behaved while being led. Cavan Images/Stone/Getty Images When you lead your horse he should walk beside you quietly paying attention to you....
What is Oodinium? Marine ich, Velvet disease or Coral Fish disease is caused by an infestation of the parasite Amyloodinium ocellatum, which is a member of a large group of flagellated protists that are traditionally subdivided into two groups: the animal-like protozoa and the plant-like algae. Amyloodinium ocellatum belongs to the same group of single-cell alga organisms that cause red tides in marine waters. Although this organism does not cause red tides, it is parasitic on fish at one stage in its life cycle, which depending on the temperature of the water can be completed in six to 12 days....
Valentine’s Day is another excuse—not that we need one—to shower our dogs with love, and there’s no better way than with some stylish, handcrafted collars, bows, and bandanas. The Foggy Dog has you covered with its Valentine’s Day collection, featuring everything from full walk sets (collar, leash, and poop-bag holder) to squeaky toys made from sustainable materials. The collection features 23 new products, some ensconced in gingham or even velvet. Plus, each time someone buys something, The Foggy Dog will donate half a pound of dog food to a rescue shelter....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Scottish terrier is a small terrier dog breed from Scotland that sports a medium-length wiry coat with its trademark beard and longer hair around the legs and lower body. The coat typically comes in black but can be seen in wheaten and brindle patterns as well....
Feral cats (another name for homeless cats who have lived their entire lives outside) are born in the wild, and thus, have had very little contact with humans. Many animal lovers who find themselves in contact with a feral cat wonder if they can be domesticated, trained, and ultimately welcomed into their home as a pet, particularly if you’ve discovered a cat living outdoors in either cold weather, or a heavily trafficked and/or potentially unsafe environment....
When you hit the sidewalks or the trails with your dog, the right leash isn’t just a restraint, but instead the best way to communicate with your pet. A good leash helps guide your dog and keep them from bolting in an exciting or scary situation. Leashes come in different configurations of materials, sizes, and features, like added handles for maneuvering or loops for hanging poop bags. This makes different leashes appropriate for different scenarios....
What Is Toxoplasmosis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) is a single-celled parasite that infects many warm-blooded animals, including cats, dogs, and also humans. It is a parasite that, while a real concern for certain groups in the population, is often misunderstood when it comes to our feline companions. The parasite often doesn’t cause any significant symptoms or concerns in a cat unless your pet has a weak immune system....
What Is von Willebrand Disease? Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Prevention Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a hereditary bleeding disorder that is characterized by a deficiency of von Willebrand factor, a specific protein needed to help clot blood. Sometimes called pseudohemophilia, vWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in both dogs and humans. Many dogs with this disorder never show symptoms, which include spontaneous bruising and bleeding or excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery, and are mostly unaffected by the disease, but for dogs with more serious cases, heavy bleeding can lead to death if not treated promptly....
As the holiday season reaches a crescendo, it’s important to remember how the excitement and stress of the season can impact your dog. “Dogs are very attentive and they read our energy,” said Dr. Kristien Wuellner, a veterinarian on staff with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “It’s important to stick to your dog’s normal routine as much as possible to give them the structure they need during this odd time of year.” We spoke with Dr....
No one wants to see—or hear—their dog throwing up, but unfortunately, an occasional attack of vomiting is just part of pet ownership. It’s not uncommon for dogs to vomit, especially dogs that are fond of eating scraps from the trash or odd items they find on the ground. Not surprisingly, this can lead to stomach upset, which is usually relieved by throwing up the offending object. However, there are other reasons why your dog might be vomiting, and particularly vomiting yellow bile....
It’s no secret among dog owners that some dogs are terrified of fireworks. In fact, more pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. For us, fireworks are a much loved staple of this summertime holiday. Why do so many dogs get anxious around them? Why Are Some Dogs Scared of Fireworks? The reason some dogs are scared of fireworks can actually be due to several factors....
If you’re searching for the perfect name for your new feline friend, pick a smart and snappy nerdy cat name. Whether you’re a science buff, bookworm, video game enthusiast, or tech guru, there are an abundance of nerdy cat names to choose from when adopting a new cat. Pi Math nerds know that Pi equates to 3.1415926….and so on. This indefinite decimal has no end and is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter....
Do your ears hang low and wobble to and fro? For these pups, the answer is a clear and resounding “yes”. Long ears on dogs are thought to help funnel scents directly from the surrounding environment to their sensitive noses, which helps explain why they’re a common feature on scent hounds and other tracking breeds. These days, you probably don’t need your dog to be able to use their ears to track your next meal, but those long ears are as cute as they are useful, and remain a distinctive trait on many popular dog breeds....
Just as with humans, there are a number of things you can learn by looking into your cat’s eyes. A cat’s pupils should normally be the same size. A change in the size of the pupil in one eye can indicate a number of conditions, ranging from mild to serious. These include: Inflammation of the eye Horner’s syndrome (a neurological disorder) FeLV (may cause pupillary spasms) Tumors Central nervous system injury The “Third Eyelid” Cats have an inner third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, which protects the eye from dryness and/or damage....
What Are Ear Mites? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Are Ear Mites Contagious to Humans? Ear mites are extremely contagious, and puppies often catch them from their mother or when multiple pets in the home have been exposed. These small parasites cause your dog’s ears to become itchy and inflamed. Ear mites can also affect cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other pets. If one animal has ear mites, all those in contact with that pet must be treated to prevent reinfestation....
If you’ve just acquired a new exotic pet—that is, any animal outside of a cat, dog, or domesticated farm animal—you’re probably looking for the perfect name. Some pet owners choose a name before they meet their animal while others wait until the animal has shown some personality to help inspire a name. You also can draw inspiration from your favorite TV shows, movies, books, songs, and more. For instance, you might name a pet fish Nemo after the movie “Finding Nemo....
