Posts

What Is Pancreatitis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Pancreatitis is a painful abdominal condition that can be life-threatening. Typically, pancreatitis is referred to either as acute or chronic in dogs, depending on how long the symptoms of discomfort and vomiting have been present. Although the causes of pancreatitis are not well understood, miniature schnauzers and a few other breeds are more prone to developing this inflammatory problem. Without treatment, it can be fatal....

When it comes to deciding what to feed your goldfish, there are many options on the pet store shelves. But how do you know which is the best for your fish? Before you grab whatever package looks best on the fish store shelves, you need to take a close look at the ingredient label. All pet food labels contain a guaranteed analysis statement and list of ingredients. If you cannot find these on the package of goldfish food, do not buy it....

Fish excrete ammonia through their gills as their nitrogenous waste product. The toxic ammonia is converted by beneficial bacteria in the aquarium to nitrite, which is also toxic to the fish. Fortunately, in an established aquarium that has completely cycled, other bacteria convert nitrite into harmless nitrate. However, in new aquariums where the bacteria population hasn’t grown adequately to detoxify the wastes from the fish in the aquarium, ammonia can build up to toxic levels quickly....

Broken legs are somewhat common injuries in dogs. If your dog has an accident that causes extreme pain and lameness in one limb, it may be a broken bone. Does Your Dog Have a Broken Leg? You may suspect your dog has a broken leg if there is some kind of trauma followed by limping on one limb, unwillingness to bear weight, swelling of the limb, and pain. Many dogs will vocalize from the pain and show obvious limping....

What can you and your dog do if you’re stuck at home because of social distancing or illness? Just like us, our dogs need exercise, mental stimulation, and interaction in their daily lives. If you are self-quarantined because you’re sick or immune-compromised, here are some things you can do at home with your pup. Hunting Party Cats are well known to be efficient predators, but don’t forget that dogs like to hunt, too!...

There are a variety of things you need to do before getting a puppy to prepare yourself and your home for a new fuzzy friend. There are a lot of decisions to make and factors to consider before you decide to bring home a new puppy—where should the puppy sleep on its first night, who will be around to take care of it, do you have all the supplies on hand?...

The risk of parasitism by worms in dogs is, unfortunately, quite common. Most parasitic worms will reside in a dog’s intestinal system. The most well known exception is the aptly named heartworms, which live within the heart chambers, the pulmonary artery, and surrounding vessels. There are several ways your dog may become a host to worms but, thankfully, there are things you can do to minimize your dog’s risk. Here are the most common ways your dog can become infected with worms....

Most folks will agree that there’s nothing quite as adorable as seeing your dog bark in his sleep. We like to think that they are chasing squirrels in the park or playing with their favorite toy. How can you be sure your dog is having pleasant dreams, though and not a nightmare? How Do Dogs Dream? Dogs dream during REM sleep just like we dream during REM sleep, but dogs reach this stage much faster than we do....

History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Notable Horses Dutch Warmblood Horse for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds The Dutch warmblood horse breed is an extraordinary sport horse that has risen to prominence in the international equestrian world. It is often used as a recreational and competitive horse in the equestrian disciplines of dressage, jumping, driving, and more....

When it comes to a culture’s affinity for cats, there is no contest: Egypt wins hands down. Cats appear in ancient Egyptian art and writings going back thousands of years. In fact, the Egyptians are credited for likely being the first society to live and love domesticated cats. Cats hunted and killed vermin like mice, rats, snakes and scorpions in Egyptians’ granaries and homes, earning them the utmost reverence for their essential assistance....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The German pinscher is a medium-size working dog breed from Germany that has a short, smooth coat and a lean, muscular build. These dogs can be intense due to their high energy and intelligence, and they need an active owner to match that pace. They make great running or biking partners, love canine competitions, and are very affectionate with their owners....

Building a round pen for our equine friends can be an expensive proposition. Depending on the posts, rails, footing, and size of the round pen it can quickly add up to serious dollars. That being said, it is possible to build a round horse pen on a tight budget. Posts on a Budget The first part of the project is the posts. The most economical option here is to use regular, wooden landscape posts....

Not to be confused with the Argentine black and white tegu, the Colombian tegu is often found in homes of herp lovers across the country. These larger lizards don’t make good pets for everyone though so make sure you read up on their care before deciding to get one. With the right care and proper environment, the Colombian tegu can be a rewarding pet reptile. Colombian Tegus in the Wild Breed Overview...

Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research The scissortail rasbora is a sleek, streamlined fish named for its deeply forked tail, which resembles an open pair of scissors. The distinct bar pattern on the tail fin accentuates the scissor-like shape. This active fish cuts through the water, and when swimming and even while at rest, this fish will open and close its tail in a scissor-like fashion, giving rise to the common name for which it’s best known....

Even if daily walks are already a part of your dog’s exercise routine, a treadmill designed specifically for dogs has its uses. For dogs with a constant thirst for activity, a treadmill can keep them occupied once you’ve reached your limit (remembering that they still need supervision). They can also help prevent obesity, curb certain behavioral issues, and provide therapy for joint injuries (and other problems associated with aging). Of course, treadmill exercise has its place, but cannot replace the multitude of benefits that outdoor walks provide for your dog in the form of environmental enrichment; dogs’ senses of smell, sight, and hearing are stimulated outdoors in ways that cannot be mimicked indoors....

Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for both kids and adults because they live almost three times as long as most hamsters and have individual personalities. There are guinea pig toys, treats, and various supplies available to keep your guinea pig happy, but it can be difficult to choose which items it needs the most. Some supplies are purely for fun while others are true necessities. Check out this list of the best basic guinea pig supplies to see what items are most important for your pet....

Most animals make a noise that is different from other species. Dogs bark, cats meow, guinea pigs wheek, and frogs croak. These sounds are made to communicate a variety of things, but it can be confusing to know exactly what these sounds mean if you aren’t of the same species. Find out why pet frogs croak and what they are trying to say. What Is Croaking in Frogs? Croaking is one of the most common noises a frog makes....

Since ancient times, the Japanese have cultivated “inu” or dog breeds. These dogs were historically responsible for hunting wild boar to serving as lap companions for society’s most affluent members. According to the Japanese Dog Preservation Society, six indigenous breeds are “Nihon Ken” or Japan’s national dogs: shibu inu, Akita, Kai ken, Kishu, Shikoku, and the Hokkaido. The ancient roots of these dogs go back thousands of years, dating back to the Paleolithic period....

A rabbit hutch is a great place to keep a rabbit where it can exercise, roam freely, and feel safe in its dedicated enclosure—and you can make a DIY rabbit hutch yourself! If you’re interested in building your own bunny hutch, there are a variety of plans with step-by-step instructions to help you build a sturdy structure that will keep your pet rabbit safe and secure from the weather and out of reach of predators....

History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Notable Horses Breton for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds The Breton horse may be smaller than your average draft, but this breed packs a ton of power into that smaller package. Bretons are suitable for everything from driving to riding, and the breed’s three subtypes create plenty of variety and versatility....