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Dogs are social creatures that live together, and so they need a dog language in order to get along. How dogs communicate with one another is based on a system of common signals. Obviously, dogs can’t talk, so their “language” is comprised of other signals—primarily body language, such as movement and positioning of the ears and tail, as well as how a dog positions himself near other dogs. Your dog’s ancestors survived by forming packs that hunted together, communally protected young, and defended territory from outsiders....

It’s natural to want to help if you find a lost cat. But how can you help, and how do you know if it’s a feral cat or someone’s pet? Choosing the right steps in this scenario is key, since you don’t want to end up assuming a lost or stray cat is feral. Nor do you want to take a feral cat into your home or to a shelter, since a cat who wasn’t socialized in kitten-hood is unlikely to ever adapt to life with humans....

Not all cats dislike water. Cats who have had positive experiences around and in water, especially during their key socialization period (early socialization occurs between 3 and 8 weeks, late socialization between 9 and 16 weeks), often like water. There are also specific breeds that love water! It’s important to treat your cat as an individual without any expectations. Many Cats Evolved to Dislike Water It is believed that cats were domesticated 9,500 years ago in the middle east....

If you’re looking to acquire a pet bird but aren’t interested in any of the most popular companion bird species, consider one of the best kept secrets of the bird world. Many of these lesser-known pet bird species form close bonds with their caretakers, and they come in a variety of sizes and care requirements. Here are eight bird species that aren’t commonly seen in people’s homes but still can make great pets....

What Is Cross-Country Jumping? Cross-country jumping is a test of endurance, skill, and agility following a prescribed course through forest and fields. The horse and rider are required to negotiate natural obstacles like logs, ditches, streams, banks, hills, and fences. The course may be over two miles (4000 meters), although at the lower levels the distance and pace will be much less. Cross-country jumping is often part of a three-day event or horse trial that may include stadium jumping and dressage....

Deafness and hearing loss can occur in dogs for a variety of reasons. Living with a deaf dog may be confusing for owners who do not have the right tools and knowledge. Fortunately, most deaf dogs can live long, happy lives. The key is to learn effective communication and proper care of your deaf dog. The canine ear has an intricate structure consisting of soft tissues, nerves, cartilage and tiny bones that work together with the brain to collect, transform, conduct and interpret sound....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heating and Lighting Humidity and Hydration Diet Choosing Your Pet Common Problems Similar Breeds Veiled chameleons are hardy, striking-looking lizards with tall casques (helmet-like structures) on the tops of their heads. The casque is present in both males and females and aids in steering water that falls onto their heads into their mouths. Veiled chameleons have bodies that are banded in shades of green, yellow, and brown which adjust to varying shades....

Preparations Sump Equipment Aquarium Equipment Run a Wet Test Add Substrate and Sea Salts Live Rock and Aquascaping Lighting System Add Livestock and Cycle Putting together a saltwater aquarium takes a lot of work. You may be surprised to find how many items are needed to run one. Once you have planned what kind of saltwater aquarium you want and purchased everything needed to put it together, follow these instructions to get your new marine aquarium running in a safe, orderly fashion....

Adjusting Preparations Treats Holding Your Hamster Moving Around Problems and Solutions Handling a small pet can be one of the joys of having it around, but not all pets enjoy being handled right away, including some new hamsters. Some hamsters need to be tamed before you can safely hold them. Thankfully there are a few tried and true steps you can take to get your hamster in your hands in no time at all....

Is it OK to Own a Giant African Land Snail? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets & Breeds Purchasing Giant African land snails are not your typical pets, especially in the U.S. These invertebrates are not native to the country and can cause serious harm to the ecosystem. Because of this, there are laws involving these large snails, so it’s important to learn the details surrounding them before attempting to purchase one as a pet....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Singapura cat, one of the most miniature domestic cat breeds (only four to eight pounds when fully grown), stands out with its sepia fur, big bright eyes, large pointed ears, and muscular physique. Despite its small size, the Singapura is energetic and athletic. There is some controversy on the origins of the Singapura, but consensus is that the breed occurred naturally in Singapore, where it was collected and brought it back to the US to start a breeding program in the 1970s....

Red-eared sliders are very common turtles both in nature and in captivity. They live primarily in the water, but because they are cold-blooded, they do emerge to sunbathe to modulate their temperature. They live in diverse habitats—from mud holes to ponds, streams, lakes, and large rivers. Red-eared sliders are native to the southern United States, though they are prevalent around the world because they are so popular as pets. This turtle is thought to have the highest volume of reproduction worldwide and they are often sold to people as hatchlings....

They say there are plenty of fish in the sea. We say, there are just as many perfect names for your newest white fish—and maybe even more! Whether it’s your first fish or fiftieth fish, choosing the perfect name can be fun and challenging, especially if you have a massive fish tank. Not sure where to begin? We’ve rounded up 70 names for your white fish inspired by nature, languages from around the globe, television and movies, and more....

A veterinarian has a challenging and rewarding career. It could be ideal for someone that enjoys critical thinking, isn’t afraid of hard work, and of course, loves animals! Learn what it is like to practice as a vet in a typical small animal clinic where dogs and cats are cared for. Education and Training Requirements To become a veterinarian, one must obtain a four-year college degree and then complete a four-year program to obtain a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)....

Parakeets are small- and medium-size parrots with a slim body and a long, slender tail. In fact, the word “parakeet” means long tail. They are extremely social, active birds, and they love attention from their owners. It’s no surprise that they are at the top of the list of bird pets. Parakeets have a wide color range that includes green, yellow, red, orange, blue and violet. Parakeets can learn to “talk” – meaning mimic words....

The firefish goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a terrific little ornamental saltwater fish that makes a great addition to any mini or nano reef tank. This fish’s bright colors make it stand out. Owners of this fish say that it has tons of personality. The name “dartfish” comes from this fish’s habit of darting quickly back into hiding whenever it feels threatened or frightened. It spends its days flitting around the aquarium, then suddenly diving into cover....

The grooming needs of short-haired guinea pigs are minimal but if you have a breed with long hair, you will need to invest more time into caring for them. Regardless of their hair length though, all guinea pigs require regular nail trimming. How to Cut Guinea Pig Nails You can use human nail clippers or nail clippers designed for cats and other small animals. These look like little scissors with small notches toward the end of the blade for cutting the nail....

When you purchase equipment like water pumps and filters for your saltwater aquarium, they typically come with a gph (gallons per hour) rating. However, there are sure to be sources of resistance that reduce the rated flow. For example, the flow may be slowed by a power filter or canister filter, a filtering sponge, or head pressure from pumping water uphill. Testing the water flow after the equipment is installed gives you a more accurate picture of the actual flow rate....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Norwegian Buhund is a hardy, medium-sized herding breed from Norway with upright pointed ears, a thick double coat, and a classic spitz tail that curls over its back. Also called Northern breeds, spitz dogs are indigenous to mostly cold and snowy regions. Norwegian Buhunds can either have black or wheaten fur, which can be several different tan hues....

Obesity is a problem no matter what species you are, including rabbits. Just like in humans, dogs, cats, and even birds, being overweight unfortunately plays a major part in the health of your pet rabbit and is considered a pet welfare issue. What Causes Obesity in Rabbits? Overeating is typically the reason for obesity in rabbits but this factor alone may not affect a very active rabbit. Rabbits need to take in more calories than they are exerting in order to pack on the pounds and since many pet rabbits are unfortunately caged for the majority of their lives, obesity is a common problem when they don’t get the exercise they need....