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Phosphate (PO4) is present in every aquarium, even though many aquarium owners aren’t aware that it is there. If the aquarium is not properly maintained, the phosphate level will continually rise and contribute to algae growth. Testing for phosphate and learning about the sources of phosphate in your aquarium water will help you reduce its effects. The Effect of Phosphate While phosphate does not directly harm your fish, even at high levels, the algae blooms that result from elevated phosphate can ultimately cause problems for the aquarium inhabitants....

The Challenges of Raising a Monkey Legal Issues Medical Issues Behavioral Problems Housing Pet Monkeys The Bottom Line Taking on a pet monkey is not like caring for most other pets. A well-cared-for monkey can generally live to be anywhere from 20 to 40 years old, and it will need your full commitment throughout its entire life. Sweet babies grow up into difficult adult monkeys and do not generally make good pets....

Is it OK to Own a Short-Tailed Opossum? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Exercise Grooming Training Purchasing Similar Pets & Breeds Short-tailed opossums have grown in popularity as exotic pets over the past few years. They are very good pets for beginners due to their cleanliness, omnivorous diet, and general good health. These opossums are small, friendly creatures with easy care requirements—and they’re cute! Not to be confused with the North American opossums that may be rescued by wildlife centers, these shorter-tailed cousins have been imported and bred as pets since 1978....

As an aquarium owner, you have to make a lot of choices to keep your tank and fish safe. The sump reservoir is ideal for aquarium owners who want to keep their filtration equipment out of the main aquarium’s space. Sumps are a staple of most marine and reef tanks, but they can be used on freshwater tanks, too. This extra reservoir can increase the aesthetics of your tank and allow for maintenance to occur without disturbing the tank’s occupants....

From old jack-o-lanterns to piles of leaves, there are plenty of items occupying your yard this time of year that your dog may find intriguing. Many of them won’t cause major issues if ingested, but some can be very toxic. To help you distinguish the harmful from the harmless, we spoke with veterinary toxicologist Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, about nine common items found outdoors during the fall and how they can affect a dog who eats them....

Once you’ve mastered the basics of dog training—sit, down, come, stay—you can move on to the fun dog tricks. Teaching your dog to shake, roll over, spin, beg, or take a bow are mentally stimulating for the dog, a good way for you to bond, and reinforce the basic commands. Even a beginner can teach a puppy or adult dog to do fun tricks. Plus it’s a lot of fun to train a dog some cool dog tricks to show off for friends!...

Both an exotic pet and a “pocket” pet, Sugar gliders are popular in the U.S. and around the world, though some states and countries don’t allow them to be kept domestically. These soft, small marsupials are super-cute, but they are also prone to myriad diseases. By staying proactive through exotic pet research and by forming a relationship with an exotic veterinary team, you can help keep your sugar glider healthier and happier for longer....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Best known for their eye-catching yellow and red-orange colors, tomato frogs can inflate themselves as both a warning as well as to deter any predators, including snakes. When they’re blown up, they tend to resemble tomatoes and become nearly impossible to be swallowed. They can also release a toxic secretion through their skin when threatened....

Whether your cat is a kitten or just a kitten at heart, they will eventually get tired of the same old toys and treats. If your feline friend needs more novelty in their life, consider a subscription box plan to shake things up. These nifty boxes often contain a slew of unique goodies and toys that are tailor-made to keep your cat entertained. What’s more, you can also decide how often you’d like to receive these boxes, and even add on some extra gifts to sweeten the deal....

You may be surprised to learn that indoor cats can and do get fleas. While indoor cats may be less likely to get fleas compared to pets who roam outdoors, they can still be at risk for a number of reasons. It is important to know what to watch for and how to treat a flea infestation to keep your kitty safe and comfortable. What Are Fleas? Fleas are tiny insects that live on a host animal and consume their blood....

The hamster is a very popular caged pet and is often the first pet a child has, but how does a hamster’s sleep cycle impact pet owners? Additionally, how do you know if a hamster’s sleep cycle is normal to begin with? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you decide if a hamster is the right pet for you as well as how to monitor your hamster’s health and environment based on its sleep cycle....

Why Do Puppies Chase Cats? Muzzle Technique Carrier Technique Cookie-Cat Technique Moving Forward Puppies and kittens raised together often get along famously. Even dogs and cats that meet later in life can learn to live together if they are introduced properly. But, between these two species, there is a common catch: Dogs enjoy chasing cats. Why Do Puppies Chase Cats? Most dogs feel compelled to chase cats unless they are discouraged through training....

What Is Lenticular Sclerosis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Like humans, dogs’ eyes change as they age. These changes may affect the appearance of the eyes and cause concerns about blindness. Lenticular sclerosis, also known as nuclear sclerosis, is an age-related eye condition that causes a hazy or blueish appearance on the lens of the eyes. Although it can impair a dog’s vision to some degree, this is a harmless condition that requires no treatment and does not lead to blindness....

Rabbits have teeth that never stop growing and these teeth can become problematic. Knowing how to keep your rabbit’s teeth trim and what to do if they appear to be overgrown can help prevent serious issues from occurring. Normal Rabbit Teeth Rabbits have 28 permanent teeth. Most herbivores, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses, have long, continuously growing teeth that are very long above and below the gum line. The front teeth are called the incisors and they are typically the most noticeable but rabbits also have molars in the back of their mouths which can become problems since they are more difficult to see....

Virtually every pet in America is on Instagram these days, but Marnie the Dog stands out among the rest. Not only is she adorable, but Marnie is also an advocate for rescue dogs everywhere. Originally a street dog in Connecticut, Marnie absolutely adored city life in the big apple. She sadly crossed the rainbow bridge in 2020 after living happily with her owners who gave her the sweetest ending to her one-of-a-kind life....

Snails can make great pets. They don’t need to be walked, they don’t shed or smell, they make no noise, they don’t require a lot of space, and it’s rather relaxing to watch them glide serenely along their terrarium. Most often, the brown garden snails (Cornu aspersum) is the variety kept as a pet. While very common—and destructive—in the garden, this species of terrestrial mollusk is actually European in origin, and is considered an invasive species in many areas of the world, including North America....

As you prepare for holiday get-togethers and all the tasty food that comes with them, don’t forget to think about your pets. Festive celebrations with plenty of guests and food can be the perfect environment for dogs to sneak some human food, whether it’s dropped from the dinner table or snagged from an appetizer display. Prevention is the best practice, and while you should try to keep everything out of reach and warn guests not to fall for those begging puppy dog eyes, it’s still important to have a plan in case your dog gets into something they shouldn’t....

CBD has quickly risen in popularity for use in pets, but there is a lot of confusion as to what it’s for, whether or not it is legal, and the difference between hemp, CBD, Cannabis, marijuana and THC. Knowing whether or not a product is safe, effective, and legal for your dog is of utmost importance prior to purchasing and utilizing it. Is CBD Oil Good for Dogs? Since very little research has been done supporting the safety of CBD use in dogs, there is a lot that is still unknown, such as whether or not there are side effects, especially with long-term use, the efficacy for use in supporting a variety of bodily systems, contraindications with medications, and dosages for specific uses in dogs....

Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research Few people know about the amazing little freshwater flying fish, better known as the hatchetfish. Likewise, many aquarists who keep these popular fish have also never learned of their flying ability, which is really quite remarkable for their small size. In nature, hatchetfish make long, gliding flights using their powerful “wing-like” fins to fly over the top of the water....

Like people, dogs need to digest their food in order to absorb nutrients, but the amount of time it takes for digestion to occur is not the same as it is in humans. Cats, horses, ferrets, and dogs all digest food at slightly different rates due to their anatomy, size, diseases they may have, and other factors. What is Digestion? Digestion is defined as the process by which food is broken down so that the body can absorb it....