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What Is Jaundice? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a symptom of more serious diseases that causes parts of your cat’s body to turn yellow. This condition can be alarming to pet owners, and cats that present this symptom should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Some breeds of cats are pre-disposed to developing a disease that can cause jaundice. These include the Siamese and Oriental Shorthair cats, or Abyssinians and Somali cats....

History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The adorable Owl Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii) is a small, long-tailed grass finch that hails from Australia. The Owl Finch’s characteristic black and white markings make it look a lot like a tiny owl. The Owl Finch might not be the most colorful finch, but its unique markings are striking and this finch has sweet and gregarious personality....

Does your dog beg for a taste of fish when you are cooking? Perhaps you have been tempted to toss your dog a bite of raw fish while you are preparing a meal. Fish is a common ingredient in dog foods and dogs often love the taste of it. It’s high in healthy protein and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are essential to dogs. But is it safe for dogs to eat raw fish?...

Big breed puppies like Labradors are so happy—and so large—that happy wagging can bang the tail tip and cause it to bleed. A painful tail can get in the way of proper tail talk. Pet tails can also be shut in doors, stepped on, or otherwise hurt. Once injured, tails are very prone to re-injury and can stay sore and battered. Finding the Wound Hair can hide the wound, and may become matted with blood....

Although all cats will benefit from probiotics, they are particularly important for rescued animals, including pregnant and feral mothers and their kittens, because street cats are more likely to have been exposed to disease-causing bacteria. “Look for a probiotic that says it is designed for cats. Some probiotics are designed for both dogs and cats, while there are some just for cats. Both should work,” says Dr. Debra Eldredge, DVM and co-author of the Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Types of Toyger Cats Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions Toyger cats are medium-sized, tiger-spotted, exceptionally rare short-haired cats. The toyger was developed in the United States in the 1980s and remains one of the newest, most unique-looking cat breeds. Much of the toyger’s appeal lies in its wild tiger-like appearance while being a domesticated cat....

One of the most joyous parts of owning a pet is cuddling. Many of our dogs seem to love having their bellies rubbed. They happily flop on their backs, tongue lolling and tail wagging as they await tummy scratches. But why? What’s so great about having their belly rubbed? Submissive Behavior vs. Wanting a Belly Rub Dogs expose their bellies to us for two main reasons: as a submissive display, and as a request for a belly rub....

Naming your fish can be the cap on building and stocking your aquarium. Unlike a dog, fish probably won’t respond to their names. You’ll have to tap the glass to call your fish rather than using the name you give them. Humans have an irresistible urge to name things, all the way back to Adam in the biblical Garden of Eden. This list comes from names given to their fish by aquarium owners like you....

If your cat is scratching and itching nonstop, you see bits of what appear to be dirt in its coat or on its bed, or worst of all, you yourself are getting bitten, then chances are good that your feline has fleas. Fleas can be a natural (and unpleasant) part of life with a cat, but they are potentially harmful to your pet and to your family with their terribly itchy bites....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Selection Similar Species Taking its name from the corn granaries, which attracted mice and then these mouse predators, the corn snake makes an excellent pet snake. It is generally docile, relatively easy to care for, and does not get very large; it’s a great choice especially for beginner snake owners. However, these reptiles are also favorites of even experienced keepers due to the array of beautiful colors and patterns selective, captive breeding has produced....

The right planted aquarium substrate won’t alter your aquarium’s pH, supports the beneficial bacteria that contributes to the nitrogen cycle, and has the micro- and macronutrients your plants need to thrive. We sought the best substrates with help from Nic Tiemens, co-founder of Infinity Aquarium Design, researching substrate options for their composition and ease of use. The best substrate for most planted aquariums is CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate, which is easy to use and contains a good initial balance of macronutrients....

What Is Feline Chlamydia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Is Feline Chlamydia Contagious to Humans? When cats live in multi-cat homes, catteries, or shelters, they’re more susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases. Feline chlamydia (Chlamydophila felis) is a very common bacterial infection, and this illness can also spread to the lungs when left untreated. Unlike chlamydia in humans, this disease typically affects the eyes and upper respiratory tract in cats....

If you are seriously interested in researching a fish species for your aquarium, knowing its common name is not enough. If you check an encyclopedia for “tetra,” for example, you may get some basic information, but you may learn a lot more if you research the fish by its official Latin name. While common names often are based on visual appearance or observed behavior, each fish is categorized genetically and scientifically for classification purposes....

What Is Congestive Heart Failure? Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Heart disease can cause a variety of health problems in dogs, but some complications are more severe than others. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a severe heart condition that can affect dogs, cats, and humans, occurring in some cases of advanced heart disease. Like other types of heart failure, CHF can cause symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing, panting, loss of appetite, distended abdomen, and pale or blue gums....

As you probably already know, cats make a variety of noises. Some breeds, such as Siamese cats, are known to be naturally noisy, but any cat can meow loudly for a number of reasons. Although you may find excessively loud meowing to be annoying, it may also be an indication that your cat isn’t feeling well. Pay attention to your cat and what else is happening while it’s crying. If you can figure out the reason for your kitty’s loud meowing, you might just be able to stop it....

Ferrets are extremely entertaining exotic pets but just like dogs and cats, they are prone to a variety of illnesses. By learning about the common diseases your ferret can get you’ll be better prepared to recognize the signs and symptoms of them or even possibly prevent your ferret from getting sick. Ferret Distemper Due to vaccinations for this disease, distemper is not as widely seen as it used to be, but it is still a major concern to pet ferrets....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a petite spaniel with Dutch roots and a distinctive white and orange (or red) coat. The compact size and friendly nature of these sporting dogs have made them a reliable companion for duck hunters for centuries, but today they’re masters of canine competitions and loveable family dogs....

Finding the right cat litter scoop is just as important as choosing the best litter box and litter. With an effective, ergonomic, and easy-to-use scoop, there’s a much greater chance that you will do a better job of litter box maintenance. That has benefits long-term for your cat’s health and bathroom behaviors, preventing embarrassing cat odors in your home. “What’s most important is that the litter scooper blades are not too far apart, or dirty litter pieces will fall back into the litter box,” says cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider, founder of The Cat Behavior Clinic and the host of “My Cat from Hell” on Discovery Plus....

While cat dander remains a mystery to some people, it poses a concern to those who suffer from allergies. Here are the details on what exactly is cat dander, the mystery of Fel D1, and how and why it affects allergy victims. For years, it was thought by many people that cat hair was the source of allergens. Later, it was recognized that cat dander was the cause, but many cat lovers confused the term with dandruff, which is visible to the eye....

Tall, pointed fins and distinctive markings on its scales give the angelfish its signature look. Varieties of this fish are some of the most popular picks to feature in freshwater aquariums. With marbled patterns, stripes, spots, and even all-white albinos, there are many different types of angelfish to choose from within this species. The group of freshwater angelfish is comprised of three different native species in the genus Pterophyllum: P. scalare, P....