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Many mammals, including cats, have special glands called anal glands or sacs located around their rectum. These glands typically go unnoticed until a cat owner smells the secretions from the glands or there is an issue with them. Knowing the purpose of these glands, as well as the potential issues that they can develop, will help you keep your cat happy and healthy. Cat Anal Gland Anatomy Both male and female cats have two pea-sized anal glands located around their rectal openings....

Sometimes your chinchilla loses large clumps of hair when he jumps out of your hands, but it’s not because he is getting old and his hair is just falling out. It’s called fur slip, and there is a reason for it. Why Does Fur Slip Happen? Fur slip can occur if your chinchilla is being held tightly and trying to escape, if he is stressed out or if he gets his fur caught on something....

If what you see in your saltwater aquarium is a green, feathery looking mass, it is probably green hair algae. Once green hair alga has a foothold in a saltwater aquarium, it can soon cover everything in your tank if prompt measures are not taken. The cure for green hair algae is the same as the prevention: starve it into oblivion. Green hair algae require not only light but also nitrate and phosphate to survive....

What Is Dementia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Senior dogs, just like humans, can experience changes in the brain that affect memory, comprehension, and more leading to senility and dementia. It’s not uncommon for dogs with dementia to experience symptoms including confusion, irritability, and disorientation. Even less severe occurrences, like your dog forgetting your daily walking route, can be indicators of this progressive disease. It can affect a wide variety of breeds, but canine dementia is most often observed in small and toy dogs....

Fear aggression is the most common type of feline aggression. A percentage of cats simply inherit the “shy gene” and act aggressively every time they become frightened. Poor socialization also results in fear aggression. Punishment by the owner can make it worse. Cats may develop “stranger danger” fear of people, places, other cats, certain noises, or even odors, and react with aggression. They can generalize one scary experience (such as a car ride to the vet) with all future car rides....

Importance of Play Start Slowly Reward Interest Get Involved Teach the Rules Choose Games Accordingly Problems and Proofing Behaviors There are many reasons why a dog may not instinctively engage in play with its human owners. For example, a dog kept in a kennel for breeding may have little positive interaction or experience with humans. A rescue dog may have been injured by its owner, or a puppy may simply be shy....

What is a filly? This is just one of several words used to describe a horse’s age and gender. The word is used to differentiate between a young male and female horse. All baby horses are called foals, but a filly or filly foal means that the foal is female. Definition of Filly A female horse under four years of age is called a filly. A female horse over the age of four years is called a mare....

What Is “Vacuuming?” What Does It Do? Will I Remove The Good Bacteria? Planted Tanks What if I Don’t Have a Vacuum? Vacuuming Timetable Your aquarium’s maintenance needs can vary based on your setup, equipment, and time. Along with installing the proper filtration systems to maintain water quality, it’s also important to clean the gravel at the bottom of your tank to keep conditions healthy for your fish. The simplest way to carry out this procedure is by using a gravel cleaner, or gravel siphon....

Horseshoes are designed to protect horses’ hooves, the same way shoes protect our feet. As horses became domesticated, horseshoes were popularized as a way to protect the horse’s hooves in inhospitable environments. Many breeds of horses were not bred with hoof strength in mind, leading to weaker hooves in some breeds. However, under normal conditions, horses may not need horseshoes and can go without, which is referred to as going barefoot....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Spanish mastiff is a working dog breed from Spain with a short, thick coat that can come in a variety of colors. The breed originated as a guard dog, and its enormous size is certainly imposing. Overall, it has a well-balanced, muscular build. Its head is very large and broad with almond-shaped eyes and triangular ears....

In the spring and summer, there is a threat that mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus may bite a family member and infect them. The Zika virus is carried by the Aedes species of mosquito and if you have a garden pond, adding guppies may help to stop it’s spread How the Zika Virus Is Spread One way the Zika virus is spread is by the bite of the Aedes mosquitoes, which can breed in a pool of water as small as a bottle cap and usually bite during the day....

Interested in adding some live plants to your aquarium? Here are 14 great floating plant options to add to your pre-existing fish tank. Keep in mind that any plants coming from other fish systems need to be quarantined. Will My Fish Eat My Plants? Probably. Even if you feed your fish to satiation, fish are curious and will likely nibble on your plants regardless of how “full” they feel. (Not really “full,” since most pet fish species don’t have a true stomach)....

Whale eye is an example of dog communication through body language, and it could be a sign that they are feeling anxious or under stress. Often, a dog will avert its head slightly and the whites of its eyes will appear in a half-moon shape. Canine body language is a powerful way to indicate to owners and other animals what a dog is feeling and thinking. Read on to learn more about what noticing whale eye in your dog could mean about your pet....

Is your cat losing weight? Unintended weight loss is usually a sign of an underlying health problem. Many owners think that weight loss is normal for senior cats, but this is not the case. It’s important to take action if you notice unexplained weight loss in your cat. How to Tell if Your Cat is Losing Weight It is hard to tell if your cat is really losing weight if it happens gradually....

There are a number of reasons your dog can become sick. While taking good care of your dog can decrease their risk of problems, there are still some health issues that can occur. Taking steps to keep your dog healthy can minimize the incidence of issues like these. In addition, seeing your vet for routine wellness exams can help you discover health problems before they get out of control. Always watch your dog for any signs of illness....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Belgian Sheepdog is a medium-sized herding breed from Belgium with pointed ears, a long snout, elegant posture, and a thick double coat with coarse black fur. This breed is the epitome of a hard-working livestock dog. Highly trainable and extremely intelligent, Belgian Sheepdogs were designed to perform a job—but they also have a sensitive, gentle temperament that craves human companionship, making them ideal family dogs....

Characteristics History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Calico cats comprise many breeds of domestic cats that boast a bounty of beautiful colors—almost like patchwork quilts. One calico may be a bold combination of vibrant red and black, while another is a more subdued shade of cream mixed with blue. In feline genetics, the latter is known as a “dilute calico....

What is Hemangiosarcoma? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Affecting dogs more than humans and other animals, hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer that can become very serious and spread quickly throughout the body. Like many other cancers that affect dogs, hemangiosarcoma causes tumors, but it can affect many different body parts. Growths typically occur in the spleen, liver, heart, and skin. Any dog can develop this disease, but breeds including golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers are the most diagnosed....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions Guinea pigs are large rodents that don’t have tails, and their fur can come in a variety of textures and colors. Teddy guinea pigs are a specific breed with coarse, short fur that doesn’t require much grooming. They are slightly smaller than the main species and tend to be very friendly and docile. They require a moderate amount of care, though it is fairly straightforward....

Training your puppy to come when called is a basic command that all dogs should learn. It not only promotes polite behavior, but it can also save your puppy’s life. Curious puppies get into trouble without constant supervision. Even when you are watching, that teasing squirrel can tempt your pup to run into oncoming traffic before you can stop it. A recall—coming when called—allows owners to prevent trouble, even from a distance....