Posts

There are over 900 species of blenny that are known, with dozens of species common to the aquarium hobby. They vary in color significantly, with one genus containing blennies with venomous fangs! Once they have a happy cave to call their own, blennies are a peaceful addition to many well-secured community saltwater tanks. Species Overview Common Name: Blenny Origin and Distribution There are many different genera and species of blennies. “True” blennies are members of the order Blenniiformes....

There’s a lot to love about oatmeal. The popular breakfast food is made from hulled oat grains, and can be found in a number of varieties, including milled, rolled, and steel-cut. Health-wise, it offers a nutritious boost to any diet, with a high protein content and a big dose of dietary fiber. Oatmeal also contains lots of vitamin A, as well as iron, calcium, vitamin B-6, and magnesium. That it’s delicious too is just an added benefit...

History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The cherry-headed conure, also known as the red-masked conure, is a medium-sized parrot that is very intelligent and loveable and known for showing off its clownish antics. Easy to train, the cherry-headed conure is one of the most talkative birds among the conure species. It also tends to be a loud bird that isn’t suitable for apartment dwellers....

Skin problems are extremely common in dogs. Most canine skin problems cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), pruritus (itching), and alopecia (hair loss). Some skin conditions become painful for dogs. Without treatment, skin issues often get worse and can negatively affect a dog’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are many treatments available for common skin problems in dogs. 01 of 13 Acral Lick Dermatitis Scarring and redness on a dog’s foot die to lick dermatitis claraveritas / Getty Images Acral lick dermatitis is a skin problem that develops from long-term licking or chewing of the same skin area....

Many horses live to be over thirty years old, much longer than even the oldest cats or dogs. In fact, many horses live beyond the age of 30 with good care; some senior horses are still ridden or driven lightly. Variations in Horse Longevity Advances in the understanding of animal care and veterinary medicine have increased the lifespan of horses, just as improved medical and nutritional knowledge has benefited humans. This means horses and ponies are living longer than ever just as many people are....

What Is Lyme Disease? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Dogs that contract Lyme disease can develop arthritis, kidney disease, nervous system disorders, and heart issues. Symptoms don’t always present but include fever, swelling, and lameness when they do. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors in tick-ridden environments are at a heightened risk for contracting Lyme disease, and swift diagnosis and treatment are essential to preventing long-term complications....

History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research Sweet-natured, vibrantly brilliant rainbow lorikeets are long-lived, medium-sized parrots that grow to just over a foot long from the beak to the tail feathers. They are busybodies that like to be in the midst of the action. Of the seven species of lorikeet that reside in Australia, the rainbow lorikeet is most commonly known....

Possessive aggression in dogs is a serious problem for dog owners and a common reason that dogs are referred to as companion animal behavioral specialists. When a dog behaves aggressively toward people or other animals that approach valued objects such as a toy, treat, or food, the behavior is described as possession aggression. If you determine that this is the cause of your dog’s aggression, you may be able to stop it with some training....

You brush your teeth at least twice a day, but what about your pup? Dental health is just as important for your canine BFF as it is for you. If their teeth aren’t cared for, dogs can develop oral pain, halitosis, and other serious conditions like periodontal disease, which is the most common dental condition in dogs and can lead to tooth loss. “Dental care is extremely important in dogs. In fact, dogs are an excellent model for humans, so you can think about the need for periodontal (gum health) in a similar fashion,” says veterinarian Dr....

Looking to get started in the freshwater aquarium hobby? It’s important to remember that starting and maintaining an aquarium can take some work, but some fish are much easier to start out with than others. Some of the easiest fish to take care of include white cloud minnows, cherry barbs, goldfish, guppies, neon tetras, and cory catfish. All of these species are relatively peaceful, non-demanding fish that do well in a beginning fish tank....

Unless they have some sort of birth defect, disease, or have experienced trauma that affects their sight, dogs have excellent vision. But just because they can see well doesn’t mean they can see all the same colors that humans can see. Many people think dogs can only see black and white, but that simply isn’t true. What Is Color Blindness? Color blindness is also known as color deficiency because someone with color blindness cannot see colors normally....

Chinchillas are very sensitive rodents and can develop ileus, also known as gastrointestinal stasis. Ileus is when the intestines stop moving the normal ingesta through the colon and out through the rectum resulting in the bacteria to produce excess gas. This can be very painful for your chinchilla, and you will need prescribed medications or veterinary help to relieve it from the pain. It’s crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of ileus, so you can act fast if you chinchilla gets sick....

It’s no secret that a marine aquarium is more work than a freshwater aquarium. Marine fish require stricter water quality parameters especially regarding pH, temperature and salinity. In order to keep these in the correct range, you will need to have a regular maintenance regimen. The best way to make aquarium maintenance easy is to plan ahead. Setting up your aquarium correctly the first time will make a significant difference to your maintenance routine....

Before You Begin What You Need Fill The Tank A Basking Area Tank Decorations Tank Heat Ultraviolet Light Cleaning Preventing Problems Frequently Asked Questions In their natural habitats, red-eared slider turtles are semi-aquatic turtles, meaning they spend a good deal of their time in the water, but also spend a significant amount of time basking in the sun. While this basking may look like the turtle is just lounging around, it’s actually important for the animal’s health....

Some basics of equine reproduction and horse pregnancy include mating, the gestation period, and foaling. A mare (or female horse) can typically produce one viable foal per year. A mare is capable of producing a foal at about 18 months of age, but it’s healthier if the mare is at least 4 years old, as she will have reached her full size. A mare may continue to have foals until she is in her late 20s....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Known for their distinctive blue-tinged coats, the Texas heeler is an energetic and intelligent working breed. These dogs are a mix between an Australian shepherd and an Australian cattle dog and boast characteristics from both these “parent” breeds. Named for the state where they’re most likely to be found, the breed earned its “heeler” nickname from the Australian cattle dog, because they are often referred to as the Queensland heeler or blue heeler....

There are several different components of an aquarium filter that clean the water for your fish, but perhaps the most important is the filter media. Responsible for removing dirty, unwanted substances from the water, these pieces of material are essential to maintaining healthy water quality in your fish tank. Various types of filter media can be installed in your aquarium. The conditions in your specific tank will dictate which types of filter media you will need, along with the correct order to pack them in....

Flying with a dog in tow is not always easy, so many pet owners opt for a road trip instead. A road trip with your dog is not only doable, it can be lots of fun, too. A little preparation ahead of time goes a long way toward making a road trip comfortable and enjoyable for your pup. The Spruce Pets talked with dog trainer Megan Stanley, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, owner of Dogma Training & Pet Services in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for some of her best advice about hitting the road with your pup....

Does your dog have bad breath? You have probably heard of “doggie breath” and wondered if it’s normal. Some people assume dogs naturally have bad breath. However, bad breath is not considered normal in dogs; it is usually a sign of another problem. If your dog has bad breath, it’s time to investigate the problem and take action. Why Do Dogs Have Bad Breath? There are a few possible causes of bad breath, or halitosis, in dogs....

Many popular dog breeds have their origins in the United Kingdom — specifically in England. Bulldogs, beagles, and golden retrievers are just three out of the many English dogs that are favorite pets. Several of the English dog breeds were developed for their working skills. This included hunting, retrieving, and pest extermination. These English breeds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as they were bred to excel at their intended jobs....