Posts

No matter what kind of pet you have, it’s normal to have concerns about leaving them unattended when you go on vacation. And while some birds can manage lots of time on their own, most birds are highly social creatures that form close attachments with their owners. Before you leave on your vacation, you may be wondering if your bird will be traumatized by the separation, if you can find someone who will be able to properly care for them, or if they’ll be angry with you when you return....

Cats are one of the most popular pets yet they are often misunderstood. This is, in part, due to the many myths and stereotypes that are commonly shared about cats. It’s time to separate fact from fiction by dispelling four common myths about cats. Myth: Cats Can’t Be Trained There is a common misconception that cats cannot be trained, or that training them is more difficult than with dogs. Both of those statements are false and can be detrimental when a cat owner believes them....

What Is Cryptorchidism? What Dogs are Affected? Treatment Neutering Post-Surgery Some dogs experience a common defect known as cryptorchidism, which requires special attention. Dogs with cryptorchid testicles are prone to testicular torsion and cancer. Neutering is recommended to prevent future problems. Cryptorchid dogs that have both testicles removed, and no other defects, can lead a normal life. What Is Cryptorchidism? Cryptorchidism is a condition in which a male dog’s testicles have not completely descended into the scrotum....

Ever have a friend adopt a new puppy? Ever find a reason to hang out at said friend’s house every day for the next year? It never fails that every time you visit the home of a cute little puppy, you mention to them that you would love to house sit or take care of their puppy! Who wouldn’t want the joy of getting to love, play with, snuggle and wrestle with a new dog and then get to send them home for all the expensive parts like vet care and boarding and daycare?...

What Is False Pregnancy? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention If your female dog is showing signs of pregnancy when she has not mated, you may be surprised to learn that this is actually a common occurrence in the canine world. False pregnancy in dogs presents with symptoms including nesting behavior, lactation, swelling of mammary glands, distended abdomen, and even signs like anxiety or loss of appetite. This condition mimics pregnancy in dogs that are not actually pregnant....

Pregnancy presents a few challenges when you have a cat. But with a little understanding and planning, you’ll overcome all of them while still enjoying your pet. After all, pregnant women, babies, and felines have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Cats love to snuggle up to warm bodies, and they probably like the fragrance of milk on a baby’s breath. Here’s more information that’ll help ease any other anxieties. Cat Litter and Toxoplasmosis Concerns Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that can infect your cat....

Dogs need vaccines as a part of preventative health care to be protected against some or all of certain diseases. Core vaccines should be given to all dogs, whereas non-core vaccines are given where indicated by your dog’s lifestyle or the geographic area in which you live. Core vaccines include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and more, while non-core vaccines include shots such as Bordetella, Lyme, and Giardia. With the exceptions of legal requirements for rabies or vaccination requirements for kennels or travel, many veterinarians recommend vaccinating adult pets every three years, as per the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Guidelines....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions Native to England, miniature bull terriers (or MBTs) are compact dogs with triangular eyes, egg-shaped heads, stout builds, short fur, and larger-than-life personalities. Part of the terrier family, this breed has tenacity but is teeming with affection and antics. Their demeanor and appearance are largely similar to the standard bull terrier—but make no mistake about it, the MBT is a breed all its own with a devoted ‘egghead’ following....

Salmonella is a bacteria which can cause illness in people and pets and can contaminate homemade puppy food as well as commercial dog foods and cause pet food recalls. There are nearly 2000 kinds of salmonella bacteria. Most are found naturally in the environment and can remain alive for months or years in manure or soil. Some types are normal inhabitants of animals and don’t cause problems. Others prompt a variety of illnesses from diarrheal disease to a life-threatening illness that causes a variety of salmonella symptoms you need to watch for....

Combined Driving is a test of obedience, endurance, skill, and agility. It is somewhat like eventing, with driven dressage, an obstacle course, and a marathon phase. Single horses, pairs or teams pull vehicles through the required elements. Competitors perform prescribed tests much like a dressage test. The obstacle phase requires the driver to negotiate a series of pylons with a ball perched on top without knocking them down. Marathon competitors negotiate obstacles like bridges, streams, hills, and labyrinths....

Despite what a certain song in the 2003 Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q might have taught you, the internet is decisively for pets. There are hundreds of thousands of animal accounts across social media, but over the years we’ve seen internet-famous pets turn into real household names. For many of us, these furry friends played a very real part in our everyday lives, lending happiness and support when we needed them the most....

As a dog lover, you may want to learn how you can give something back to help pets in need. Our pets do so much to brighten our lives, don’t they deserve the same in return? You can help homeless, sick and unfortunate animals by volunteering your time, donating funds and supplies, or just setting a good example. Here’s how to start giving back right now. Volunteer Your Time Your time is valuable, so volunteering to help pets in need is truly a selfless act....

A healthy rabbit makes for a wonderful pet. Like other pets, though, your bunny must be cared for to avoid serious health conditions. Regular trips to the vet and a healthy diet can go a long way to ensure that your bunny stays healthy and happy, but keep an eye out of signs that your rabbit might be sick. Why Do Rabbits Get Sick Like most pets, there are a number of reasons that rabbits get sick....

Mechanical filtration and vacuuming remove large bits of uneaten junk in a saltwater aquarium. However, one of the great advantages that marine aquariums have over freshwater aquariums is that there are all sorts of natural critters in the ocean that can be put to work to do a majority of the small-scale cleaning and maintenance for you. Reef-safe “sand sifters” are the category of animals that process the sandy substrate at all levels, consuming algae, detritus​, and uneaten food without adversely affecting fish, corals or other invertebrates in your aquarium....

Live plants were the norm back in the days when I set up my first aquarium. We’ve come a long way since then. The fish keeper of today can opt for very attractive plastic and silk plants that come close to passing for the real thing. So what is the best choice for aquarium plants, real or artificial? Even the most experienced fish keepers don’t agree. Why? Because there isn’t a right or wrong answer....

Angelfish Discus Rams Egyptian Mouthbrooder African Cichlids South American Cichlids One of the largest families of freshwater tropical fish suited for the home aquarium is the Cichlids. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this diverse species is that the rays in the front of the dorsal fin are spiny, such as those of a sunfish or bluegill, although this is not absolute in almost all Cichlids. A large and varied assortment of Cichlids are found in freshwater throughout the southern half of North America, Central and South America, and Africa, and a few are known from Asia Minor and India....

So, you want a pet parrot. You aren’t alone – pet birds rank 3rd as the most popular pets in the world behind cats and dogs. But what if you already own a cat, a dog, or both? Can a parrot learn to get along with other animals that are already established pets in a household? Read on to learn more about integrating a pet parrot into a home that already has pets....

What Is Fading Kitten Syndrome? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Prognosis Treatment and Prevention Fading kitten syndrome (FKS) is heartbreaking for cat owners and rescuers who care for newborn kittens. For those that regularly attend cat births, it can be frustrating to helplessly watch some kittens inexplicably “fade” and die under the most attentive care. But, an extremely perceptive caregiver might be able to recognize the signs of FKS, increasing kittens’ chances of survival....

Have you decided to get your first dog? Congratulations, this is a big step and it’s important that you do it right to become a dog owner. Decide what kind of dog is right for you and find out where to find your first dog. 01 of 06 Make Sure You’re Ready to Get a Dog Hero Images/Getty Images Before go out and get a dog, it’s best that you ask yourself this question first....

Some pets are as slow as sloths so it can be difficult to tell if they are alive. Snails are one such animal that some pet owners have a hard time determining whether or not they are sleeping. It’s important to know if your snail is sleeping, or doing something else that is more concerning, to ensure its enclosure is appropriate, though. Do Snails Sleep? Snails do sleep, but not very much....