Live sand is natural reef coral sand that is collected live from the ocean or non-living coral sand that is cultured to make it live. What makes it live is the microscopic biological bacteria that grows on it, and the many tiny crustaceans and other micro and macro-organisms that reside in it. Live sand can serve as the main base for biological filtration in a saltwater aquarium, while the organisms help consume organic matter in the sand bed....
Litter boxes are necessities for all indoor cats. They not only provide contained and predetermined locations for a cat to urinate and defecate, but they also allow the pet owner to easily clean up after their cat. Despite the obvious uses of litter boxes, these receptacles are also very important to the mental well-being and overall health of a cat. Cat owners may help prevent several issues in their cats by following a few basics guidelines regarding litter boxes....
What Is Anemia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Anemia is not a disease on its own, but rather, is a sign that there is an underlying health problem of some kind. This blood disorder occurs when an animal’s red blood cell count drops lower than normal. This decrease can be from blood loss, a decrease in the number of red blood cells produced, or an increase in the number of red blood cells destroyed by the body....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized herding breed from Scotland with a sturdy body, floppy ears, and bearded facial hair as part of its coarse, shaggy coat. Affectionately referred to as “Beardies,” these Collies are highly energetic, intelligent working dogs that were originally bred to herd sheep in Scotland....
Here’s a list of fish, from the striking yellow regal peacock cichlid to the shy yellow kribensis, that begin with the letter “Y.” Fish Names That Begin With “Y” Yellow Banded Moenkhausia Scientific name: Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae This community fish is a rambunctious, active swimmer best kept in a group of at least five, but it doesn’t live well with more shy species. It also may nip fish with longer fins. This breed enjoys a planted tank with lots of places to dart and hide....
From dirty socks to plastic toys, puppies put nearly everything in their mouths. Clueless puppies can chew up and swallow dangerous foreign objects or even—God forbid—poisonous toxins like antifreeze, poisonous houseplants, and forbidden people food. When your puppy eats something dangerous, inducing vomiting may be the first step in saving its life. Yet, not all situations warrant this drastic measure. For this reason, it’s just as important to know when you should not induce vomiting as it is to know how to do it....
Sexing hamsters can be difficult, especially if they are young or you don’t necessarily have both male and female hamsters for comparison. The basic differences are similar for all species of hamsters—Syrian, dwarf, or Chinese. However, each species has different characteristics or features that can aid in sex identification. Holding a Hamster to Determine Male or Female Hold your hamster on its back to look at the belly area. You can cup your hand over your hamster and gently turn it over onto its back, or hold the hamster by the scruff of its neck....
History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The lutino is a type of parakeet that belongs to the parrot family. These intelligent and affectionate pets are sometimes called budgies and budgerigars, and come in a wide range of vibrant feather colors and parents. The lutino variation of this species is caused by a specific sex-linked gene mutation that causes its yellow feathers....
With rare exception, aquariums are set up with some sort of substrate covering the tank bottom. The substrate is available in a variety of colors and materials, giving aquarium owners a wide range of options when setting up an aquarium. Because the substrate isn’t as easy to change as other elements in the aquarium, it’s wise to spend some time choosing the type and color of the substrate before setting up the tank....
What Is a Raw Diet? Why Consider It? Is it Safe? Preparing a Raw Diet Commercial Options Alternatives Are raw food diets good for cats? A raw diet requires uncooked animal products instead of regular dry or canned food. Choosing cat food can be overwhelming, especially when we have to worry about commercial pet food recalls. Some owners choose to feed their cats home-prepared diets, so they will know exactly what is in their cat’s food....
Is it OK to Own a Wallaroo? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Purchasing Similar Pets and Breeds Wallaroos, like kangaroos and wallabies, are Australian marsupials that raise their young in furry pouches on their bellies. Pet wallaroos are rare in the United States because most states ban their ownership. Caring for a wallaroo is challenging, at best, as this active jumper is ill-suited to life in a human environment....
History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Tiger Horse for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds The Tiger Horse is a relatively new breed that’s based on the spotted horses of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. They are often sought out for their unique, leopard-like coloration. Tiger Horse History and Origins The Tiger Horse dates back to ancient China around 618 AD....
You are relaxing with your dog and all the sudden notice his eyes are darting back and forth while his head is still. This can obviously be scary to see as a dog caregiver, and it is important to know this is not normal and to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. What Is Nystagmus? Nystagmus is a medical term that describes when your dog’s eyes move rapidly and uncontrollably....
There are few things more exciting as a dog parent than that first year with your puppy, when everything is new and your puppy is growing and learning at an almost unstoppable pace. From the day you bring your puppy home to the day it officially crosses over into adult dog territory, each milestone you hit is a reminder of the joys of life with dogs and the exciting transitions that make all those late night potty breaks (and early morning potty mishaps) worth it....
There are tons of large, family-friendly dogs in the world, but certain breeds are well-known for their loyal, loving, and gentle demeanors—despite their bigger size. Everyone loves a good cuddle with a giant dog that thinks it’s a lap dog, and a calm, patient personality is essential if you have young children. Here are 10 large, family-friendly dogs to consider if you are looking to round out your family pack....
Foaling season is an exciting time around any horse stable. Breeding stables often have many foals being born around the same time, and of course, horse owners are excited to greet a new addition to their four-legged families when beloved mares give birth. If you’ve ever seen a newborn horse or come across videos of mares with their brand-new offspring, you’ve likely already noticed their distinct ability to stand up and walk shortly after birth—but there are plenty more interesting facts about foals that make them unique....
One of the best parts of bringing home a new pet is choosing a special name. Many people turn to their favorite books or movies for inspiration. Harry Potter (both the books and films) have such a devoted following that there’s even a name for it: Pottermania. If you’re a fan, then you know the wizarding world is jam packed with unique and creative names that are perfect for pets of all species....
What Is Babesiosis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Dogs become infected with babesiosis after being bitten by ticks carrying a blood parasite called Babesia. The severity of the illness varies depending on the species of Babesia involved as well as the immune response of the infected dog. The primary manifestation of a babesiosis infection is anemia due to the destruction of a dog’s red blood cells. Untreated, babesiosis can be fatal....
Even though the quality of a bird’s beak is key to the health of the overall bird, it can be difficult for bird owners to assess the health of their bird’s mouth, and even more difficult for them to figure out how to treat beak problems if any should arise. It’s important to know common beak problems that arise in parrots and other types of captive pet birds, look at ways that you can promote and maintain optimal beak health in our feathered friends, and learn how to identify and fix beak problems that can lead to big health issues for our birds....
What Is Dilated Cardiomyopathy? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) affects a dog’s heart, enlarging the chambers and weakening the walls so that the heart cannot function normally. Symptoms are nonspecific early in the disease and may include lethargy, labored breathing, and weight loss. A veterinary evaluation is necessary to achieve a diagnosis, and then the condition may be managed with dietary changes and medication. Untreated, DCM can lead to heart failure....
