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Most Triggerfishes are brightly colored and marked with patterns of lines and spots. They are easily recognized by their deep flat bodies, small pectoral fins, small eyes placed high upon the head, and rough rhomboid-shaped scales that form a tough covering on their body. Near the area in front of the tail, they have some prickly, spike-like rows of spines that discourage predators. Also because of the rough, spike-like texture of these fish’s bodies, they can easily get snagged in an aquarium net, causing some scale damage....

Pet skunks are the kind of pet where a little research will go a long way. Vaccines, diet recommendations, and behavior of skunks should all be researched before acquiring a pet skunk and finding a veterinarian who is familiar with skunks can be very difficult. In some states, pet skunks are even illegal to keep, but if you cover all your bases before trying to care for this exotic pet you will find yourself with a rewarding new friend, and some strange looks from your neighbors....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Turkish van is a rugged, large-bodied cat that originated in the Middle East. It is all-white with colored markings on the face and tail only. This type of color pattern is so distinctive that when it appears in other cat breeds it is often called a “van” pattern. These active and athletic felines love to climb, jump and explore....

If you are not familiar with the term, an Alpha Roll is when you physically force your dog onto its side or back into a submissive position and hold it there, supposedly to show them that you are the dominant one in the relationship and they should defer to you. Advocates of the technique liken dogs to wolves and suggest that to have a successful relationship, you must take charge, or your dog will try to assert its dominance over you....

Many people, including veterinary technicians, were taught to grab a cat by the scruff when they need to be restrained. Although long believed to be a harmless way to provide restraint and mimic how a mother cat picks up her kittens, scruffing is not a secure way to restrain a cat, is forceful, and induces fear and anxiety in most cats. What Is Scruffing? Scruffing is a general term for a variety of holds on the skin of a cat’s neck....

What Are Abscesses? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hamsters are fairly low-maintenance pets when it comes to health concerns, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t prone to certain problems. Abscesses are one such problem that hamster owners may need to address. These infections occur in wounds from minor accidents or fights with other hamsters, and they can be life-threatening without treatment. Knowing how to recognize abscesses and administer first aid can help you keep your hamster healthy....

Origin and History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research African grey parrots can do it all: they make great pets, mimick human speech, and with the right training, can understand hundreds of words and phrases. Some say that the African grey parrot was kept as a pet for thousands of years—there are records of these birds as household pets in biblical times....

What Is Arthritis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes symptoms like stiffness, inflammation, and pain. Just like humans, horses can develop and suffer from arthritis. Arthritis is almost unavoidable as horses age, but early diagnosis and conscientious care can slow its advance and minimize pain. A vet can run many tests and a thorough body examination to determine whether or not your horse has arthritis....

The health benefits of blueberries are abundant. Blueberries contains vitamins, antioxidants, fiber and other compounds that help boost health in many ways, from supporting urinary-tract function to fighting cancer. People and dogs enjoy blueberries, but what about cats? Can cats eat blueberries safely, and if so, how many blueberries can a cat eat? Some fruits are safe for cats to eat and some are not. As it turns out, blueberries are safe to feed to cats....

Mucus is a clear, slimy and thick fluid that helps lubricate stool moving through your dog’s digestive system. Small amounts of visible mucus in your dog’s poop on occasion is not usually cause for concern. Mucus can appear on dog poop naturally due to the lubrication of intestines. But if you’re seeing it on a regular basis or large amounts are present, that can be a sign of a problem, particularly if your dog is also having diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or bloody stools....

Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs Easy to clean Affordable Comfortable to grip Short bristles tough on long coats Retract button hard to push Bulky brush head too bulky for tight areas May be too large for small breeds The Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is a bit bulky, but if slicker brushes work well on your pet’s coat, you’ll appreciate the retractable bristle feature which makes it easy and pain-free to clean fur from the bristles....

Desert regions are known for having hot temperatures during the day for most of the year. Temperatures in the summer can be above 100°. Having pets while living in desert areas requires owners to take some specific cautions to ensure their pets remain safe and healthy. Inside or Outside? Your decision on where your dog will live comes with additional responsibilities regarding the outside temperatures. Inside Dogs Ideally, your dog will be an inside dog, able to enjoy an air-conditioned environment while it is hot outside....

Most cat owners enjoy the sound of their cat purring away. If your cat isn’t really a talker, it may be normal cat behavior but look for signs that it’s something more serious. Is It Unnatural for a Cat to Be Quiet? If a normally vocal cat suddenly falls quiet for extended periods of time, some concern might be warranted. Especially if your pet seems lethargic or depressed, a vet visit is a good idea....

Cats are well known for their weird, lovable antics, and eating dirt is definitely one of their more-puzzling behaviors. If you are noticing your cat eating dirt, the cause can be simply a kitten exploring and playing with dirt or due to a medical issue. Possible Causes for Your Cat Eating Dirt There are several possible causes of why your cat may be eating dirt from curiosity and boredom to medical issues....

Not only are birds capable of becoming depressed, but prolonged depression can lead to self-destructive behaviors, lowered immune response, and an array of other problems. If you suspect that your bird may be depressed, compare its behavior with the points listed here. Signs pointing to depression may signal that you need to change something about your bird’s environment or your level of interaction with your pet. 01 of 05 Appetite Loss Julia Kuskin/Stockbyte/Getty Images Although it can be a symptom of several different types of issues in pet birds, one big indicator of depression is appetite loss....

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, can occur in any dog but some may be more likely to develop them than others. Symptoms of a UTI can vary in severity from dog to dog but most experience similar signs. Ignoring signs of a UTI can lead to bigger, more serious issues like a kidney infection, not to mention discomfort or pain for your dog. Causes of UTI Symptoms in Dogs Commonly seen UTI symptoms are: urinating frequently, urinating in the house, licking at the urinary opening, a foul urine smell, blood in the urine, and others can be caused by a few different things....

A cat eye blink, often referred to as kitty kiss, is a common cat behavior. Cats’ eyes communicate information depending on how open the eyelids are, as well as what the eyes do. Cats’ eyes demonstrate strong emotion, easily recognizable by other cats and by humans … with a little practice. A prolonged, unblinking stare between cats is an intimidating gesture that often will cause a lower-ranking cat to turn tail and leave....

Japanese cat names are unique and often have beautiful meanings to them. Felines are revered in Japan as they are thought to bring good luck and fortune. Here are 75 Japanese cat names to browse through and find one that suits your special feline. Popular Japanese Cat Names In the United States, certain cat names are very popular. You will find many kitties named Max, Tiger, Kitty, and Lucy. The same phenomenon is true in Japan....

Trimming a bird’s beak sounds kind of scary, but it is a necessary procedure for some pet birds. Much like our fingernails, a bird’s beak is made of keratin and grows continuously throughout its life. Because of this, the beak must be constantly ground down—either via the bird’s everyday activities or a manual beak trim—for it to stay healthy and function properly. Bird Beak Maintenance Normally, a healthy bird’s daily activities include plenty of chewing, eating, and foraging, which helps to naturally keep the beak ground down to the proper length and shape....

What Is Chocolate Poisoning? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Chocolate poisoning is common in dogs around certain holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter—when lots of candy is available in people’s houses. Any dog with a sweet tooth is at risk if chocolate is within reach, but puppies ingest chocolate more often because of their curious nature. Chocolate is dangerous for dogs because it can damage their nervous and cardiovascular systems....