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Characteristics History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Otterhound is a large English hound breed with long ears, a sturdy build, and signature shaggy fur. The first time you see this adorable dog, you might mistake it for a doodle or another mixed breed, but the Otterhound is actually a breed all its own. It’s believed that these dogs date back to medieval times in England when they were prized for their otter-hunting skills....

Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Catching your dog sneezing can be a cute moment, but is it a cause for concern? Just like in humans, sneezing can be explained by a simple tickle in the nose or it may be an indicator of an oncoming illness. There are many reasons that your dog could be sneezing, ranging from entirely negligible to quite concerning. Let’s explore some of those reasons and when to get help for your dog’s sneezing....

Is it OK to Own a Capybara? Legality Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care House Training Purchasing Similar Pets & Breeds Frequently Asked Questions Capybaras are affectionately called giant guinea pigs, but they are not as simple to care for as their smaller cousins. Smart, sociable animals, capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, weighing up to 170 pounds. They are relatively pleasant household pets that fare best in pairs or groups, so you must get more than one....

Considering that grasses are the most natural food sources for a horse, it surprises many people to learn that there is a proper technique for turning a horse out to graze in lush pasture and that problems can occur if you don’t do it correctly. If your animal has been eating hay or browsing on sparse pasture all winter, suddenly turning it out onto a very lush pasture can cause colic and laminitis (also called “founder,” a painful inflammation of the hooves)....

Does your cat sometimes make a weird sneering face? Cats lift their lips after a particularly long sniff and hold the mouth slightly open to sniff cat pheromones. Flehmen—a German word that means “lip curl”—might be mistaken for an aggressive snarl but is a perfectly normal and peaceful cat behavior. Pheromones Cats use pheromones, or scent hormones, to communicate with other cats. Each animal has its own unique pheromones, which can signal different messages to other cats....

Health Problems Smelly Litter Box Wrong Box Location Change in the Household Recently Adopted Kitty Stress Prevention When to Call the Vet Your cat could be pooping outside the litter box for a variety of reasons, including health problems, stress, a smelly litter box, the litter box in the wrong spot, a change in their household, or a new family member. If the behavior continues to happen for an extended period of time, it’s best to take your cat to the vet so they can determine if your cat has a health issue or if a behavioral issue needs to be addressed....

Symptoms Treatment Recommendations Preventing Re-Infestation If your aquarium fish have developed white spots, around 0.5 to 1.0 millimeters in size, on their fins and skin, they could be suffering from saltwater ich, also known as white spot disease. Caused by parasitic protozoa, Cryptocaryon irritans, saltwater ich can cause respiratory distress, lethargy, and rapid breathing in your fish. But if detected early and treated promptly upon an outbreak, the chances of recovery are high....

What is Diarrhea? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Diarrhea is a common issue for many different kinds of pets, and guinea pigs are no exception. Soft, unformed stool is not only difficult to clean but can indicate a serious problem in your cavy. Knowing what could be causing this diarrhea and how it is safely treated can help keep your guinea pig healthy and clean. What is Diarrhea? Diarrhea is defined as loose, unformed, or watery stool....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Himalayan cats, also known as “Himmies,” are a hybrid breed of Persian and Siamese cats first developed in the United States. The result is a beautiful feline with a long, silky, Persian-like coat and Siamese-like pointed coloring on the ears, tail, face, and paws. Their bright blue eyes are also a nod to their Siamese ancestry....

We know horses need to eat either grass or hay. When horses eat grass, you will need to keep an eye on their condition and make sure that they are neither eating too much nor too little. Horses can overeat grass, especially if the pasture is lush, but it is also easy to let a horse get too fat from eating hay. And, sometimes too little hay can mean a horse will lose weight....

PetSafe Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box Auto-rake removes waste Sensor detects cat’s presence Effortless cleanup Big and bulky Cats didn’t like using it Only works with brand’s silica litter Disposable trays are expensive and wasteful We appreciated the PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box’s effortless cleanup and effective odor prevention, but it’s not for all cats, and the disposable litter pans are expensive and wasteful. Setup Process Cat-Friendliness Odor Prevention Design Ease of Cleanup Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the PetSafe ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box so our reviewer could put it to the test in her home....

Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Litter Low-tracking for less mess Environmentally friendly Good for sensitive paws Not scoopable Slow transition for cats Minimal odor trapping The Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter is a solid alternative to non-clumping litter but might not be for every cat. Odor Elimination Clumping Ease of Use Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased Purina Yesterday’s News Unscented Paper Cat Litter so our writer could put it to the test....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Love the Siamese and the Burmese, but only have space for one cat? You’re in luck—the Tonkinese cat is the best of both worlds. Smart, sweet, and sociable, the Tonkinese is a hybrid (mix) of the Siamese and the Burmese. This beautiful, pointed cat has soft, muted colors with a lean yet sturdy build....

Rainbow fish are a common freshwater community fish, but are you aware how many species are out there? All members of the Melanotaeniidae family, rainbow fish are a wonderfully diverse group of fishes with multiple international origin points. Almost all rainbow fish species are community players and get along with a variety of different freshwater fish species in an aquarium. Keep in mind, fish from different parts of the world will often have different water quality requirements, so not all species can be mixed harmoniously....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Azawakh Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Azawakh (pronounced AH-ZA-WAHK) is a medium-sized, but tall and ancient dog breed originating from the West African Sahara Desert. It’s known for its graceful, slender body and expressive almond-shaped eyes. The dog is generally fiercely loyal and calm around the home, but can be aloof or wary around strangers along with a high prey drive....

Guinea pigs are popular kid’s pets for several good reasons, but this doesn’t mean they are indestructible. Unfortunately, broken guinea pig legs are seen far too often by exotic animal vets and these injuries are often due to accidents involving children or problems with the guinea pig’s cage or toys. If you find yourself with a guinea pig that has a potentially broken leg, there are things you can still do to help your pocket pet....

Puppy fur is made up of individual hairs. The characteristics of a dog’s coat depends on the texture and color of the individual hairs, which are thread-like structures made of keratin that grow outward from hair follicles in the skin. What Is Fur? Fur serves as a protective barrier that shields the puppy’s skin from the elements, regulates body temperature, and protects puppies from sunburn, heatstroke, frostbite, and hypothermia. Hair also acts like a candle “wick” to route scent chemicals related to identification and sexual status, sending scents from the skin into the air....

Giving kisses on command is a favorite dog trick for many people, especially children. It also happens to be one of the easiest tricks to train a dog to do. Some yummy treats are all that you need to teach this basic trick. Peanut butter or cream cheese works well because it’s easy to smear a small bit on your cheek or hand. You may also want to keep a towel on hand, especially if you are working with a dog known to be a big drooler, like a St....

If you have a baby bird in the house, they are likely going through the completely normal molting process where they experience feather loss. Birds molting their feathers is a normal process in nature. It is similar to human beings shedding hair that may be damaged and needs to be replaced with fresh strands. Bird feathers also get damaged and can’t be repaired because they are made of keratin. Molting in birds also happens in response to seasonal changes and the hormones they produce....

When panting and perspiring through their foot pads aren’t enough, your dog will need a little help cooling down—it’s time to break out the water toys, doggy pools, and sprinklers. Sprinklers are great, because they not only provide a cooling jet of water, but also engage your dog’s attention so that they take the steps to cool themselves down. If you’ve ever seen a dog play with a standard yard sprinkler, then you already know how appealing these devices can be....