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Manage Weight Maintain an Active Lifestyle Get a Good Dog Bed Cover Floors Use Ramps Keep Nails Short Assist Your Dog Be Patient and Realistic Canine osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects one or more joints in the body. Dogs with osteoarthritis (sometimes simply called arthritis) tend to be painful and stiff. Their mobility and overall quality of life may suffer. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are various ways to treat the disease....

Whether you let your dog on the furniture or not is a hotly debated topic. Some people are very passionate about their stance on their dog’s couch surfing. So, what’s the big deal and how do you keep your dog off the couch should you desire to? Should You Let Your Dog on Your Couch? When it comes right down to it, whether you want your dog to remain off the furniture or not is mostly a personal preference....

Pet a black cat for just a second and you’ll make a loyal friend for life. But over the centuries, these dark, handsome, and friendly felines have endured the stigma of cultural and historical myths, superstitions, and tales that make them either revered or feared. It’s a myth that black cats are adopted less frequently than cats of other colors. However, shelter workers may notice a bias against black felines thanks to lingering perceptions....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Newfoundland is a giant dog breed with a hard-working and gentle disposition. Often called the Newfie, the breed is intelligent, sweet, and very loyal. They make for affectionate companions, and they naturally take to work in water rescue and other jobs. These dogs were bred for life on the water with a thick coat to insulate them and webbed paws for swimming....

Many people wonder if it is possible to ride a horse without a bit in its mouth. Riding with a bit seems normal to many people, and there are many ancient examples of bits, so bits have been in use for a very long time. You may wonder, though—can a horse go from being ridden with a bit, to being ridden with a bitless bridle? Or, can a horse be trained right from the beginning without using a bit at all?...

Fish gasping for air at the surface of their aquarium or pond is a serious problem for all pet fish owners. This is a sign that your fish cannot breathe properly and is looking for the water with the highest oxygen concentration, which is the surface water. You may see fish congregating around the filter outflow or by the waterfall, other areas of high oxygen content. There are many potential causes behind your fish gasping for air and the sooner you figure out the cause, the faster your fish will recover and be less likely to die....

Indian ringneck parakeets are quite popular companion birds, thanks in part to their beautiful coloring, medium size, and social nature. These birds are highly intelligent and enjoy learning new things. But they do require an attentive caretaker who can spend time handling them every day to keep them tame and prevent them from becoming bored. If you’re interested in bringing home one of these birds, first learn about some of the fascinating traits Indian ringneck parakeets possess....

What Is Actinomycosis? Symptoms Diagnosing Treatments Prognosis Prevention Actinomycosis is a complex and serious infection. Actinomyces are bacteria that naturally live in dogs’ mouths and nasal passages, but they can wreak havoc when they enter other regions of the body through wounds. Different species of Actinomyces can cause infections, some of which can penetrate deep within the body cavity or bones and be fatal—even with aggressive treatment. Early treatment with targeted antibiotic therapy offers dogs the best chance of recovery....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research With its shimmering, jet-black coat, rounded head, and brilliant golden eyes, the Bombay cat resembles a miniature panther, but the similarities stop there. This breed has no wild blood. A mix of the American shorthair and the Burmese breeds, the Bombay is friendly and sociable, making it a dream-come-true for feline fanciers who love the idea of cuddling a wild cat....

One of the important parts of many bridles, especially English bridles, is the noseband. The noseband is the part of the bridle that goes around the horse’s nose, and the plain versions on English bridles are called cavessons. The cavesson doesn’t attach to the main part of an English bridle, but rather hangs on its narrow cheek pieces that sit beneath the cheek pieces of the headstall of the bridle. On western and other types of bridles, the noseband may be attached directly to the cheek pieces of the bridle....

Epica Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper Good for extra large dogs Very sturdy Sharp blades Affordable Too large for most dogs Bulky to hold Can’t rely on safety stop The Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers are well-made and effective, but unless you have an extra-large pooch, they’re probably unnecessary. Size Effectiveness Durability Comfort Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers so our reviewer could put them to the test....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The harrier is a medium-size hound dog breed from the United Kingdom with a short, smooth coat and strong resemblance to beagles and foxhounds. The breed is larger than a beagle but smaller than a foxhound. It’s a well-balanced and muscular dog, bred for good endurance. And it has an excellent nose for catching scents while on the hunt....

Syrian hamsters are solitary animals and should always be kept with one hamster per cage, yet it seems that pet stores often violate this rule. It is not unusual to see groups of hamsters apparently living in peaceful coexistence at pet stores, but there’s a reason you should not do this at home. Most hamsters seen at pet stores are quite young, and even Syrian (also known as golden) hamsters can be kept together at a young age....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Kerry Blue is one of the larger AKC-recognized terrier breeds. This Irish terrier was born and bred to work, and they have all the typical terrier tenacities, which makes them effective hunters but sometimes challenging canine companions. Born an inky black color, the soft and wavy coat of the Kerry Blue is considered to be progressive gray....

While dog bites can happen for many reasons, fear aggression is a common concern. Just like humans, dogs can inherit a tendency to be anxious, and the dog’s environment, life experience, and breed tendencies also play a role. That can lead to scared puppies as well as adult dogs, that react with aggression to frightening events. Poor socialization increases the potential for many kinds of aggression and other behavioral problems later in life....

What Is Osteosarcoma? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Osteosarcoma is a form of bone cancer that occurs in dogs, commonly affecting the long bones of their legs. It is more prevalent in large and giant breed dogs. Many dog owners worry about their dogs being stricken with cancer, and a diagnosis can be extremely difficult to face. Understanding osteosarcoma can help you acquire a swift veterinary diagnosis so that you can determine the most appropriate course of treatment and give your dog supportive care as well as the best possible quality of life....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Peterbald cat is a loyal and affectionate feline companion. What it lacks in hair it makes up for in affection, playfulness, and loyalty, earning it the compliment of being a “dog-like” cat. A product of Russian breeding, Peterbalds are always eager to interact with their human owners and get involved in daily household activities....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Skye Terrier is a medium-sized terrier breed from Scotland with either upright or dropped ears, short legs, a long body, facial hair, and plenty of fur in its long double coat. There’s something regal about these dogs, and it’s not just that they were the preferred breed of Mary Queen of Scots....

Gaited horses are very popular with riders of all experience levels, but are particularly appealing to those who may be getting into riding later in life or who experience back pain. Even riding another horse at a sitting trot helps loosen up your back, and the Tennessee Walking Horse—with its smooth-as-silk running walk similar to a single-foot gait—is a popular breed that is desired by many riders for its steady movements....

Before you bring home a new little gecko, it’s important to know what to feed your pet. Like most lizards, geckos are predators that prefer to eat a variety of insects. The exact type of insects, feeding schedule, supplements, and amount of food will vary based on your gecko’s species, age, and activity level. General Pet Gecko Food Guidelines Most geckos do best eating live prey. Unlike dogs and cats, geckos don’t generally do well eating pre-packaged kibble or prepared food....