Terriers were originally bred to search for and destroy vermin. Most hunted rats, mice, and other rodents, but some were used to hunt foxes, rabbits, and other larger game. Many terriers would “go to ground,” which means they would dig down into the earth and crawl into underground dens and tunnels when chasing their prey. Typically energetic, playful, adaptable, and outgoing, terriers love to be in the middle of the action....
What Are Eye Boogers? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Eye boogers may look unpleasant, but almost all dogs will experience ocular discharge at some point in their lives, and it usually doesn’t indicate a health problem. If eye boogers are a result of an illness or irritation, then ignoring them can lead to bigger eye issues. So, knowing how to differentiate between problematic eye discharge and normal eye debris will help you keep your dog’s eyes bright and healthy....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The flat-coated retriever is a medium-size sporting dog breed from England with a medium-length flat coat from which it derives its name. Flat-coats strongly resemble golden retrievers, except rather than coming in an array of golden hues they are usually only black or liver. They are known for their energetic and cheerful nature, and many retain a puppyish personality even into their senior years....
What Is Hip Dysplasia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hip dysplasia is a fairly common orthopedic problem in dogs that affects the stability and function of the hip joint. It is caused by abnormal growth and development of the joint, which can happen for a multitude of reasons, but mostly due to genetics. Hip dysplasia can affect any dog but is most common in large dogs breeds, including German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, St....
Can you speak dog? Every puppy owner should know the basics, and the older your dog gets, the more important it becomes to learn how to translate puppy talk. We love puppies for their cute, loving nature but too often puppy talk gets misunderstood. Puppies communicate using yelps, whines, growls, and silent body language with the flick of an ear, tail position, body angle and even smells. Once you know how to translate puppy communication, you can “talk” to your puppy in a way he/she understands....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Lynx Point Siamese is not a separate breed but is one pattern seen in the Siamese cat, according to The International Cat Association Breed standard for the Siamese. The Cat Fanciers Association does not recognize the lynx-point pattern in Siamese; only solid-colored points in four colors (seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac) are permitted in the CFA breed standard....
Panther chameleons exhibit many different brilliant color morphs or phases named after the geographic location they come from in their native habitat of Madagascar. Females show less variation in color (often orange or brownish) and have a less dramatic “helmet” than males (comprised of ridges along the sides of the head), as well as being smaller. Behavior and Temperament Panther chameleons are territorial and should be housed individually. Handling tends to be stressful, so as with other chameleons, they are pets that are better suited to being watched rather than handled a lot....
Rabbits, much like cats, are fastidious groomers and practice very good hygiene. They are often seen licking their paws, smoothing the fur on their ears, and even cleaning their bottoms. But when cleaning their bottoms, they may also consume a special type of poop. While this may sound like quite the opposite of a good hygiene practice, there is actually a good reason why rabbits do this. What Is Coprophagia? Coprophagia occurs when feces is consumed....
A seat protector can help shield your car’s interior from anything your dog bring along on your next drive, such as hair, wet paws, drool, a muddy ball, crumbs, and every other mess in between. To help you find the right car seat protector for cruising around with your canine, we researched and purchased 18 of the latest and greatest protectors available. We then sent each one to a tester who was tasked with recording their experience using the seat protector in their vehicle with their dog....
Cats might not understand the holidays, but they certainly can benefit from them! From cat caves to automatic litter boxes, there are endless ways to spoil your cats or your friends’ cats this Christmas and holiday season. You can make a cat owner’s holiday very special by giving them a gift that reminds them of their favorite feline. Several of our favorite gifts can even be personalized with a cat’s name or likeness....
On average, cats sleep 12 to 16 hours per day. It’s not just to spite us or because they’re lazy. Their wild ancestors evolved to sleep that much in order to conserve their energy to hunt for their next meal. Even though our pets no longer need to search for their dinner, our domesticated feline friends retain that need for deep, prolonged rest. Since they spend so much of their lives in repose, it makes sense that pet parents would want them to be cozy and comfortable....
You might have driven past a field of horses and noticed one horse squirming around on the ground with its legs flailing in the air. Or, after you unsaddle your horse and turn it into its paddock, it might lie down and scrub its back and sides on the ground. In either case, what you are seeing is a natural behavior of horses called rolling. There are several reasons why horses roll....
Aquarium lighting is an important but often overlooked and sometimes confusing aspect when keeping an aquarium, especially for a beginning aquarist. This confusion is caused mainly by the many available types of aquarium lighting. Bright lighting systems are the key to seeing all the activity that goes on in an aquarium and brings out the colors of your fish. Additionally, without adequate lighting, aquarium plants won’t grow and your fish won’t be at peak health....
While many dogs are simply companions, other dogs have serious jobs. Working dogs generally have natural instincts that are carefully honed with intensive training to perform a specific task. Kennel clubs and dog breed organizations categorize certain breeds into a “working group.” While those breeds traditionally worked (such as herding or guarding), today those dogs may or may not perform those functions. In fact, many canine jobs can be done by multiple dog breeds as well as by mixed breed dogs....
Large parrots are well-established as popular pets. While they’re fun to have around the home, there are some key points to know before taking one on. These are intelligent and get bored easily if not offered enough mental stimulation. Moreover, inadequate social interaction can lead to behavioral problems and even illnesses. But for people who care for them properly, large parrots can offer unmatched companionship and a unique pet experience. Here are eight of the best large parrots to keep as pets....
Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Different Species Day geckos are a common name of a group of over 60 species of small lizards that vary in size, appearance, and behaviors. They are native to the islands of the southwest part of the Indian Ocean; most live in Madagascar and Mauritius. Popular pet day geckos include the giant day gecko that can live for up to 15 years but more commonly lives six to eight years in captivity....
What Is Alopecia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Is Alopecia Contagious to Humans? Alopecia is a medical term that refers to baldness or hair loss on areas that normally are hairy. There are many reasons a dog can develop alopecia, including allergies, skin infections, parasites including fleas or mange mites, overgrooming, lack of protein in the diet, and genetics. Depending on the cause, the alopecia might be a temporary condition that can be treated, or it might be a permanent condition....
It’s a scary thing to see a pink bulge coming from the rear end of your pet bearded dragon while they are straining but this prolapse of the cloaca can occur due to a number of reasons. This is something that should be addressed with the utmost care and you should not be lazy with getting or performing the treatment. This article will cover the common causes of a cloacal prolapse and what you can do to treat it....
The Birman cat is a medium-sized breed with long, silky hair. The Birman is color pointed, which means it has a light-colored body with darker “points” of color on the face, ears, legs, and tail. The points come in a rainbow of shades, including seal, blue, lilac, chocolate, and red, and may be solid or include subtle tabby or tortoiseshell patterning. Regardless of color, all Birman cats should have four white paws and blue eyes....
Overfeeding is the most common mistake fish owners make, and it can lead to a multitude of serious problems in the aquarium. Overfeeding clogs the filter, and breaks down into toxins that are harmful to fish. This is why fish food packaging includes clear warnings regarding the dangers of overfeeding. In nature, fish search for food when are hungry, but will also eat whenever food is available. If food sources are plentiful, they will eat several times a day....
