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When it comes to selecting the best tank for your goldfish, size is key. Goldfish are messy fish that need lots of space to swim and dilute out their waste. Even if you have a large system, the key is to keep your bioload low so your fish stay healthy and your maintenance routine minimal. “Goldfish tanks are frequently overstocked when they are new, leading to New Tank Syndrome,” Dr. Jessica Fox, DVM and CertAqV—a certification for experts in aquatic veterinary medicine—told The Spruce Pets....

We often hear about the negative aspects of puppy mills in the media, through animal welfare and advocacy groups, and from fellow dog lovers. What actually defines a puppy mill? Why are puppy mills a problem? What can we do about them? There are several differences between these mills and responsible breeders to take into consideration before choosing where to adopt a dog. What Is a Puppy Mill? The term “puppy mill” is used to describe a large-scale commercial dog breeding enterprise....

Red-eared sliders need a diet that is a mixture of both animal and plant materials. Young red-eared sliders eat more animal protein, so babies should start with a diet that’s more on the carnivorous side. It’s still a good idea to offer vegetation to young turtles, even though they may not start eating it until they get a little older. Offering it early on could make it less likely that your slider will shy away from trying vegetation as it ages....

Skunks are native to North and South America and are related to such critters as badgers, and otters. Many closely related species are able to create their very own, pungent, musky odor in their scent glands but skunks are the only ones with the ability to forcefully spray it up to 15 feet. Cat owners may unfortunately become aware of the discomfort and inconvenience of a skunk spray situation. It may surprise some people to hear that cats also get sprayed by skunks from time to time....

Does your dog roll on its back in the grass a lot? Maybe it rolls around in smelly stuff out in the yard. Or what if your dog’s go-to move during puppy play is to expose their belly? A dog will roll on their back for a number of reasons. Some of them are simple behavioral cues and quirks but other instances could be a sign of something more. Your Dog Has an Itch They Can’t Scratch One of the most common reason for a dog rolling on their back is not as complex as you may first think....

Top Names Naming Tips Girl Names Boy Names Unique Names Funny Names Names From History and Fiction A to Z Turtle Names Picking a name for a pet turtle or tortoise may come easy to you if your pet has unique markings, characteristics, or movements. However, if nothing stands out, it may be hard to pick a fitting name for your hard-shelled friend. Here are 100 names that range from funny names to popular fictional references to inspire a name that’s suitable for your reptilian slowpoke....

Aquarium fish that constantly hide among the plants and tank accessories aren’t much fun, since the whole point of having an aquarium is to watch and admire all of the members of your ecosystem. But like any other animal, a fish hides because it is scared or uncomfortable with its surroundings. The important consideration is to address whatever it is that is making the fish frightened in the first place. Consider some of the following possibilities....

The Great Pyrenees was historically used as a flock guardian, watching over and protecting sheep from any threats, including theft and predators. The breed is still used in this capacity today, though the most important job of many Great Pyrenees is that of a beloved family companion. With family, Great Pyrenees are exceptionally devoted and protective, something that extends to both humans and other animals in the family “pack”. Read on to learn more interesting facts about the Great Pyrenees....

What Are Seizures? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Like humans and other pets, rabbits can have seizures—periods of involuntary physical movement usually accompanied by some kind of mental aberration. In some cases, loss of consciousness can also occur. Seizure episodes can be scary, especially if you’ve never seen a rabbit or any other pet have one. While many rabbits recover fully from seizures, some do have lasting symptoms. Seizures may either be caused by less severe issues (like injury or ear infections) or symptoms of other rabbit diseases that can be fatal....

What Is Slobbers? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions If you notice your horse drooling profusely during cool and damp weather, the excessive salivation is likely slobbers or slaframine poisoning. Slobbers is caused by Rhizoctonia leguminicola, the fungus found on vegetation that produces the drool-causing slaframine compound. Slobbers symptoms are usually limited to the slobbering itself, but complications may arise if the condition goes untreated. Slobbers should go away on its own and can be prevented by keeping your horse away from vegetation that may be infected with the fungus....

Dogs like to chew. Not only is gnawing fun, it also helps relieve boredom and keeps teeth and gums healthy. But not all doggy chews are the same. Bully sticks are popular chews made from the penis of a bull or steer—an ingredient commonly called “pizzle.” Also known as “bully bones” or “pizzles,” these chews are typically 100 percent beef. Bully sticks can be safe as long as you give them in moderation and supervise your pet when they chew on them, says veterinarian Erin Katribe, medical director of Best Friends Animal Society....

A Christmas stocking is a festive way to include your dog in holiday traditions, and to thank the furriest member of your pack for being a little helper all year long. A dog Christmas stocking is a great gift for pet pawrents too—watching a dog’s reaction to a stocking full of treats and surprises can be a pure expression of the season’s joy. Our favorite Christmas stocking for dogs is the Classic Velvet Bone Stocking from Pottery Barn....

Finding the perfect name for any pet can be difficult. Unlike mammals such as cats and dogs, lizards such as leopard geckos, bearded dragons, blue-tongued skinks, monitors, and others may not have distinctive markings or unique personalities. But that doesn’t mean they can’t sport an awesome and unique name. Here are a few ways to choose the perfect name. Names from Literature and Movies Lizards are a staple of literature and movies....

What Is Uveitis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Uveitis is a painful eye inflammation affecting a cat’s uvea that can potentially occur as a result of another underlying cause and it should not be ignored. It can progress to permanent blindness if left untreated. Knowing how to recognize the sometimes subtle signs can help keep your cat comfortable and fully sighted. What Is Uveitis? Uveitis occurs when the uvea, a part of a cat’s eye, becomes inflamed....

Vomiting is considered to be a nonspecific symptom. It could be associated with an array of health concerns. If your cat vomits undigested food, it can be a sign of a serious illness. Some of these can include things like hairballs, internal obstructions, pancreatitis, eating too quickly, constipation, indigestion, parasitic infections, poisoning, stress, depression, or even anxiety. It’s essential to know the specific reason why your feline is throwing up its food and ways you can treat it before seeking veterinary help, if serious....

Poodles are considered to be among the most intelligent of all dog breeds, and they also happen to make ideal family pets because of their loyal, protective nature and sociable personalities. What’s great about naming poodles is that they’re associated with countries like France (where they’re an incredibly popular choice for pet) and Germany (where they originated)–not to mention their unique coat that comes in various colors–so the name options are seemingly endless....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Burmese originated from Southeast Asia, although they have become an invasive species in Florida. These snakes are magnificent animals with beautiful brown and black markings. They make fascinating pets for the right owner. However, they are not suitable for beginners and are generally best left in the wild. They are massive snakes, both expensive to keep and potentially dangerous....

Most people use common names when talking about aquarium fish. Unfortunately, common names can refer to more than one fish. When searching for information, it is preferable to use the scientific name, which is normally in Latin. In most cases, the official scientific name will be shown italicized, with the first work ​capitalized. For example, a dwarf gourami’s official scientific name is Trichogaster laium, where the first word represents the animal genus and the second is the precise species within that genus....

History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Notable Horses American Saddlebred Horse for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds Commonly referred to as the horse America made, the Saddlebred originated in Kentucky and remains a highly popular breed today. Known for their friendly, calm temperaments and sculpted, sloping necks, Saddlebreds are popular for both riding and driving, and they serve as both pleasure mounts and competition horses....

Replacing aquarium gravel in an established tank is debated because of the potential impact on the bacterial colonies that neutralize wastes in the tank. Some feel that most beneficial bacteria live in the substrate, and therefore the gravel should be disturbed as little as possible. Others believe the lion’s share of beneficial bacteria lives in the filter medium rather than the substrate. Where Does Bacteria Live? Beneficial bacteria live on many surfaces within the aquarium....