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How Do Vaccinations Work? Frequency Dangers Protection Testing Titers While many pet owners are preferring more natural, holistic methods of caring for their furry friends, vaccinations should still be given in accordance with state laws and veterinary guidelines. Preventive medicine is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your pet remains happy and healthy, and appropriate vaccinations are a crucial part of that. Since rabies is such a serious, fatal disease, and vaccination is the only way to keep you and your pet safe, most states have laws and regulations regarding rabies vaccines in pet dogs, cats, and ferrets....

Dog paw balms are thick ointments that are applied to the skin of your dog’s paw pads. Like human moisturizing creams, dog paw balms heal and protect dry, cracked skin, and are especially helpful in winter to keep your dog’s paw pads in good shape because snow, ice, and salt and deicing chemicals can wreak havoc on paw pads. Dog paw balms are specifically made to be safe and nontoxic to dogs, and to penetrate the tough, thick skin of the pads while sealing in moisture....

Undergravel filters are a type of aquarium filtration that is located beneath the substrate (or under the gravel), and using them avoids the need for a clunky filter hanging on the back of your tank. There is some controversy about undergravel filters, for several reasons. Although these filters eliminate a dirty maintenance routine of frequent filter cleaning, once they are in your tank and the substrate and decor is placed, you cannot access them....

Most people generally know what it means when a dog growls. When you hear a dog growling, it can be very frightening. That’s because growling is often the first sign of aggression seen from a dog. It is a warning that a dog might bite, so it’s important to be very careful near a growling dog. For this reason, it’s important to understand why your dog is growling so you can figure out the degree of aggression and the best way to deal with the problem....

Toxicity Toxic Parts Quantity Symptoms of Toxicity Treatment of Toxicity Safe Alternatives Garlic brings delicious flavor to all sorts of savory dishes and has a wide array of health benefits for humans. It has been shown to help with cholesterol, blood pressure, heart disease, and can even help combat the common cold! Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for our dogs. Garlic, and all other members of the allium plant family, which includes other cooking staples such as onions, scallions, and chives, are all toxic when ingested....

Puppy training techniques have changed over the years, and modern puppy training methods are good news for you and your canine friends. Many dog trainers learned their trade while training dogs for the military of the 1940s and 50s. Military dog training was based on the notion that the dog is your adversary in the training field, and you must dominate him before he dominates you. The training process became an extremely rigorous temperament test, very physical, almost brutal....

When animals kept as exotic pets show up in the wild it is usually difficult to know whether the animal escaped or was purposely released. Of course, owners should be taking precautions to make sure their pets do not escape but some people believe that when their exotic pets get too difficult to manage that it is okay to release them into the wild. The reasons for choosing to release them into the wild are endless....

Some animals are definitely smarter than others. Through the years, several studies have been done to assess the intelligence level of many different kinds of animals, many of which we often call pets. But which pets are the smartest? And how is intelligence measured in animals? It is difficult to rank animals based on an intelligence scale since this is something that is measured differently in different species. In people, intelligence is ranked by asking questions, problem-solving, and assigning them with an IQ score....

Wirehaired dog breeds were initially developed to offer more insulation and protection for dogs working in harsh and cold terrain. Wirehaired breeds have a coarse, short coat that feels harsh and bristly to the touch. It’s also described as broken-coated. Some dog breeds only have a wiry coat, and others may also have a smooth coat. Breed Characteristics Most wirehaired breeds are terriers, which were developed in the British Isles. Breeds with this coat often have pronounced and characterful beards, mustaches, and eyebrows....

American cat breeds are more abundant than you might think. Over a dozen breeds have originated throughout the United States, bringing some unique and beautiful cats into existence. Some cat breeds developed in the U.S. were the result of spontaneous genetic mutations while others were bred for a specific purpose, such as to achieve a certain coat type, look, or personality. Some of these American cat breeds are closely related while others are more distinct....

There are several solutions to hide that unsightly pet accessory, the litter box. By making a hidden litter box enclosure, you can prevent unwanted litter, odor, and mess around the house and give your cats a private place to do their business. However, before you go and rock your cat’s world by moving, changing or altering the litter box area, there are a few things to consider. What are your cat’s preferences?...

When we hear the word “parrot,” an iconic image comes to mind: a large, colorful bird whose most distinguishing characteristic is its ability to mimic human speech. As much as you may want to find a bird with exceptional speech abilities, it is far more important to only adopt a bird whose traits are compatible with your personality and lifestyle. Read about these eight species to get an idea if one of these birds would be a fitting pet for your household....

Characteristics Origin Color and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research If you’re looking for an attractive addition to a community tank, the emperor tetra may be your ideal choice. Not only is it a handsome, iridescent species with impressive reflective rainbow hues, but it’s also a peaceful and hardy fish in a mixed community of South American freshwater fish. Emperor tetras are easy to find and relatively inexpensive....

Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research The horseface or horsehead loach is a relatively shy bottom-dweller that likes to burrow into the substrate; it will sift the sand through its gills in search of microorganisms or other food. Its long snout is reminiscent of a horse muzzle, hence its name. Peaceful and tolerant of aquarium life, this interesting looking fish is fun to watch as it successfully hides from other fish right near by....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Your Jackson’s Chameleon Jackson’s chameleons were not discovered by a scientist named Jackson; rather their name comes from an ornithologist and prior governor of Kenya, Frederick Jackson. These chameleons were native to East Africa, but in recent years have been introduced into California, Hawaii, and even Florida. Young Jackson’s chameleons are brownish, developing brighter green coloration at about four or five months of age....

Exercise is an essential requirement for all dogs. It allows dogs to burn energy, stay in shape and healthy, and has many mental health benefits! Walking dogs outside can be a great way to get some exercise for both you and your pet! But for some larger and more athletic dogs, being able to accompany you on a bike ride can be even better. Some dogs crave exercise and have high energy levels....

Once in a while, a rabbit will give birth somewhere other than a nest box. The husbandry terminology for this is “a doe kindling on a wire.” When it doesn’t have the tight confines of a nest box, a baby bunny, or kit, can get separated from its littermates or the mother doe. This is dangerous for newborn bunnies since they are born blind, deaf, and hairless with thinner-than-paper skin. They become chilled quickly, and exposure can kill them in minutes....

Hypothyroidism is a common disease in people, but dogs can also develop it. Some breeds are more likely to get it than others; however, it can still affect any dog. Thankfully though, this condition is usually easily diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian but as a dog owner, it’s important that you be able to recognize the potential signs or symptoms of this endocrine disease. What Is Hypothyroidism in Dogs? Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when your dog’s thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones....

Imodium is sometimes used in dogs to help with runny stools, but as with any medication, it’s prudent for dog owners to ask a vet prior to administering and understand what you are giving to them. Knowing how Imodium works and whether or not there are potential side effects can help prevent any surprises later on. What Is Imodium? Imodium is a brand name for a medication called loperamide hydrochloride. Loperamide is a type of drug called a synthetic opioid but unlike other opioids, this one doesn’t help with pain relief so it isn’t a concern for addiction....

What Is Limping? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Limping is almost always a sign of pain, but the cause may not be obvious. There are several reasons why a cat may limp, many of which are injuries that require veterinary care. Sometimes, however, a thorn or splinter may simply need to be removed from your cat’s paw. What Is Limping? Limping is the act of walking with a raised or stiff limb....