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If you just adopted a dog from a shelter, rescue group, or other organization, congratulations! Dogs adopted from a dog shelter or animal rescue can make wonderful pets. No matter the reason they landed in the shelter, with a little time, patience, and training, shelter dogs can become happy, well-adjusted family members. Training your rescue dog will be a top priority. But, are rescue dogs harder to train? That depends. Your newly adopted dog may have some level of obedience training already, or it may not have any....

Saltwater aquarium lighting requirements differ depending on the type of organisms kept in your aquarium: Fish, invertebrates, or corals. Fish-Only or Fish/Invertebrates Fish-Only (FO) aquariums require the least lighting. Primarily, the lighting for a fish-only aquarium is for your enjoyment of seeing the fish in the aquarium. The fish only need limited lighting during the daytime. It is easy to set a timer on your light fixture to turn it on for a dawn to dusk light in the aquarium....

Metronidazole is a commonantibiotic medication that may be used to treat diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and infestations of Trichomonas and Giardia in dogs, which are both common parasitic infestations. Often, due to parasitic resistance to this medication, other drugs may be used along with metronidazole. You should always use the medication according to your dog’s veterinarian’s directions and should not stop the medication early, even if signs of the illness resolve....

Toys are crucial to the mental and physical health of birds and yet, historically, not much has been written as to just why they are so important. Leading authorities on companion birds are finally sighting both foraging and nest building enrichment as very important aspects of companion bird care. Experts now say that toys for your pet birds are just as important as their nutrition; they are a necessary part of maintaining good health....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The Siberian cat is a medium-sized, semi-longhaired cat that is both breathtaking to behold and an affectionate pet. Siberian is a forest cat native to snowy Russia, where it needed its luxurious triple coat to protect against cold. This breed has a delightful personality—outgoing, affectionate, friendly, and energetic—making it an exceptional feline companion. They enjoy the company of other cats and even dogs and are good with gentle, respectful children....

Most cats will tell you, in their way, that they love to be up high. (It seems to have something to do with predator/prey instincts.) A cat perch not only gives them a vantage, but also allows them to observe the outside world so they can salivate at the squirrels and birds passing by. A cat perch is especially useful if you don’t have window sills. In our search for the best cat window perch, we looked for perches that support any sized cat, reliably attach, and offer a comfortable vantage....

A dog with well-maintained, gorgeous long hair is a sight to behold. To keep those hairstyles manicured and luscious requires hours of extra brushing and meticulous grooming. The beauty of having a long-haired dog is that you have the option of hours of maintenance or cutting your pooch’s hair short. Although, if your dog’s hair grows fast, you’ll need more frequent grooming appointments. There are many kinds of long coats—some are thick and dense, others are silky and fine, while a few are corded or intentionally kept in mats....

Not all hermit crabs are considered safe for reef tanks. In fact, many hermit crabs are known to destroy corals, eat other invertebrates, and even eat fish. However, there are some options that can coexist in a reef tank. These hermit crabs are fairly small species that won’t disturb the other tank life. They can squeeze into the cracks and crevices that larger crabs can’t to eat algae and other debris that otherwise would pollute the tank water....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Golden geckos, which are native to Vietnam and southeast Asia, are intriguing lizards even though they aren’t as popular as many other pet lizards. Males can be yellow-golden in color (sometimes with markings), while females tend to be darker and have more green on the body. Female golden geckos tend to be a bit smaller than males....

Apples are one of the most popular fruits and you can find them almost anywhere. Coming in countless varieties, there’s an apple for every palate. But are apples as nutritious for cats as they are for people? What should you be aware of before offering your cat apples? Are Apples Safe for Cats? While apples can be considered a healthy snack, there are things to consider before offering them to your cat....

Any dog can contract cancer, but it mostly occurs in older dogs, partially because better nutrition and vet care mean dogs are living longer than in the past. Cancer strikes one in every three dogs, according to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. For dogs over 10 years of age, approximately half of the deaths are cancer-related. As in humans, there are many types of cancers that affect dogs and many clinical signs that can be observed....

Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Red Wagtail Platy Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding The red wagtail platy is a pleasant and peaceful freshwater fish that’s both hardy and active. It’s also small, pretty, and a great fish for hobbyists of any level; in fact, it’s one of the most popular in the fishkeeping industry. You can find platies in several different colors which make for an eye-catching tank....

Having a pet can be a messy business. We evaluated a wide range of spray solutions, stain removers, and deodorizers for tackling any pet mess. Our favorite carpet cleaner for pets is Hoover Paws & Claws Carpet Cleaning Solution. But if you have an especially smelly mess, try out Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain and Odor Carpet Cleaning Shampoo. The best carpet cleaning solution is not only effective at cleaning up the mess, but also won’t stain or damage your carpets....

Learning to read cat food labels can be a daunting task, especially with all those mysterious ingredients. For the health of your cat, you want to choose a cat food that is good for them and provides a well-balanced diet for their needs. By understanding what you’re reading on the label, you will be better equipped to make educated food choices that may impact the longevity and vitality of your cat....

Mutual butt-sniffing is one of the first things that happens when two dogs meet. This may seem disgusting or embarrassing to you, but your dog sees it differently. Why do dogs sniff each other’s rear ends? Is this a healthy and normal thing to do? Your Dog’s Sense of Smell A dog’s olfactory system is complex and advanced, making its sense of smell far superior to that of a human. To give you an idea of the difference, consider the fact that humans have about 5 million olfactory receptors in their noses and dogs have about 220 million....

Just because you love to run with the big dogs doesn’t mean you like to get their hair all over your clothing and your home. Luckily, while there is no breed of dog that doesn’t shed at all, there are breeds that shed less than others. Some of these non-shedding breeds of dog are also hypoallergenic, which can help reduce the chances of triggering allergy symptoms to dog hair. Some big dogs that don’t shed include Airedales, standard poodles, Afghan hounds, and salukis....

Blackberries are sweet, juicy, delicious, packed with vitamins, and can be included in a variety of dishes, but is it appropriate to share this fruit with our canine friends? The short answer is yes, blackberries are safe for your dog to eat and they may even offer some benefits when fed in small amounts regularly. The Benefits of Blackberries For Your Dog Although there are many benefits to eating blackberries for humans, it is fair to mention that not all of these are fully understood when it comes to dogs....

Paper Towels Sand Paper Carpet Prepackaged Bedding Slate Rocks Substrates to Always Avoid Choosing a substrate can be one of the more confusing aspects of setting up a tank for leopard geckos. There is much debate over which substrates are safe and best for your specific age and size of a gecko. Paper towels, though not as attractive in a terrarium as some other options, are one of the most popular substrates available....

Feeding snakes is a controversial topic among reptile keepers. Some people feel it is best to feed the most natural diet in the most natural way possible, regardless of the risk to the pet, while others feel it is safer to feed a natural item more safely. The key points to remember are that feeding pre-killed prey to pet snakes is safer and more convenient than feeding live prey. If your snake is unable to quickly kill a live prey item, the prey can inflict some nasty wounds on a snake since they are kept in a confined area....

Most horses with sway backs weren’t born that way. Most often, they occur because the horse has not been taught how to carry a rider properly. A horse that has a hollow or sway back will carry its head up, with its back concave or “hollowed.” The horse will typically have a stiff, stumpy gait, and although the neck and head may look elegantly arched, the bend is not correct. Hollow backs can lead to other problems, such as lameness....