The nitrogen cycle of a marine aquarium (it is essentially the same in freshwater aquariums) is a chain reaction in nature resulting in the birth of various types of nitrifying bacteria, each with their own job to do. Each new bacteria born consumes the previous one, and in turn, gives birth to the next bacteria. The three components involved to make this happen are ammonia (NH³ or NH³+4), nitrite (NO²), and nitrate (NO³)....
What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks, can affect dogs of all ages and breeds throughout the United States. The symptoms of RMSF vary and range from mild lethargy to extreme joint pain, swelling, and seizures. Early antibiotic treatment is often effective, but preventing ticks from biting dogs is the best defense against this infection....
Ever wonder how exactly a fish can swim, balance and consume food underwater? Check out how fish seem to hold themselves up and thrive in their aquatic atmosphere. 01 of 04 How Fish Swim The Spruce Pets, 2016. Most fish swim by body movements and fin movements. The fins are mainly balancers, except for the tail fin, which acts as a final thrusting member, propelling the fish through the water. In normal, medium-paced to fast swimming, the action is initiated at the head end of the fish, and waves pass down the body, culminating in a flick of the tail....
If you just brought home a new puppy or have ever wandered the aisles in a pet store, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by dog food choices. There are so many formulas, flavors, sizes, and types. One great place to start is checking the label for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement. “Other things to look for on the label include mention of the company’s quality control process, and if the company provides contact information and is available for questions,” says Dr....
Wet dog food has one substantial advantage over dry dog foods. “Dry foods contain 6 to 12 percent moisture. Wet foods typically contain 65 to 78 percent water, which may have health benefits for some dogs,” Lindsey Bullen, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., told The Spruce Pets. “For example, wet food may help with hydration in senior dogs with orthopedic issues, which make it uncomfortable for them to get up and down so they’re not drinking as much as they should....
We love our cats, but there are certain spaces we need to keep them away from, whether it’s to protect furniture or house plants. Cat repellents use a variety of mechanisms—bitter scents, unpleasant textures, water sprays—to keep cats away from certain spaces or objects. Cat repellents are also useful to deter feral or neighborhood cats from entering your yard and using your flower bed as a litter box. “Choose something that follows the humane guidelines of LIMA (least invasive and minimally aversive),” recommends cat behaviorist Mieshelle Nagelschneider of The Cat Behavior Clinic....
The liver is an internal organ that is very important to the health of a dog. This organ is located in the abdomen under the diaphragm with most of it being on the right side of your dog. It is dark red in color and has multiple lobes. The liver plays a vital role in detoxifying the body, producing important factors for blood clotting, producing bile used in digesting food, and many other functions necessary for life....
Once a young horse has weaned, it becomes a weanling. Weaning can take place any time after 3 months of age although many breeders believe it is healthier for mare and foal if it is left as late as possible. It will depend on the health of mare and foal, growth rate and other factors. During this time, the young horse is learning how to become a horse—it is learning socialization skills within the herd (however small that might be)....
With news of recalls and information about commercial dog foods constantly shifting, more and more dog owners are opting to prepare their own dog food at home. Dogs love home-cooked food, but making homemade dog food is not the same as cooking a meal for yourself or your human family members. There are some important rules to follow in order to keep your dog healthy. Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?...
If you’re an animal lover, it’s normal to want to step in to help if you find a lost dog. And you should! Chances are that there is someone out there who is very distraught over their missing pet and who would much appreciate a kind stranger making sure their dog gets home safe. Likewise, if you find a lost dog and it doesn’t have a caretaker, you can help ensure that it gets on its way to a forever home....
Like most female mammals, cats go through physical cycles that prepare their bodies for fertilization and birth. In humans, this cycle is called the “menstrual cycle.” In felines, it is called the “estrous cycle.” When female cats are experiencing estrus they are said to be “in heat” and are hormonally receptive to both intercourse and reproduction. Cats can go into heat in late kittenhood. Thus, it’s necessary to spay them if a pregnancy is unwanted, or the responsibility of raising and finding good homes for kittens is undesirable....
Winter is a time for cozy sweaters, warm booties, and snuggly blankets—not just for you, but for your dog, too. Whether you enjoy splurging on canine apparel for any occasion, or only consider dressing your dog up to suit the weather, wintertime brings many opportunities for both practical and adorable accessorizing, from bundling up your pup in warm clothing and booties, to swaddling him or her in fleece blankets and plush beds....
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator Effective on old and new stains and odors Pleasant citrus smell Small, concentrated bottle helps avoid waste Doesn’t require a carpet cleaning machine Needs to be mixed with water Concentrate requires a separate spray bottle If you’re looking for an effective pet odor eliminator that smells nice and offers great value, the Angry Orange Odor Eliminator may be your best bet. Process and Ease of Use Effectiveness and Scent Ingredients Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator so our writer could put it to the test....
Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research The pretty little bandit cory is a scaleless fish, so it requires good water quality. As a peaceful addition to a community tank, they get along very well with other small species. Very social, they do best in groups of three or more, but they are nocturnal feeders, so they may be shy during the day....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Bedlington Terrier Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Bedlington terrier is a small-sized and unique English dog breed that looks like a lamb with a touch of poodle. It’s known for its lamb-like tufted face, pear-shaped head, curly coat, and gracefully arched back. Bedlington terriers are named for the mining town in England where they first originated....
History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research Beautiful, captivating, intelligent, and majestic, blue and gold macaws are one of the most popular large parrots. These brightly colored beauties have much more to offer than just a pretty face; they are full of personality and comical charm. They are one of the more recognizable birds in the world and are an extraordinary pet for people who can handle a large parrot that demands attention....
We love to give our dogs treats, whether it’s a reward during training, for general good behavior, or just for no reason at all. Choosing the appropriate treat varieties can help keep our dogs healthy and happy. Treats can enhance a healthy diet and should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily food intake. Learn about the types of dog treats available and decide which are best for your dog....
Some dogs will eat just about everything, and most crave the tasty human foods that we enjoy. You may be tempted to offer your dog a treat from your plate after looking into those puppy-dog eyes. Can dogs eat grapes? The simple answer is no; grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and should never be fed. Fortunately, there are other human foods that dogs can safely eat, such as apples and carrots....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview The medium-sized Entlebucher mountain dog belongs to the Sennehund family, a group of four herding breeds that hail from the Swiss Alps. They are the smallest of the four Swiss mountain dogs, with stocky legs, a tri-colored coat, and a friendly face that has earned them their unique nickname: der Lach Hunden, which means “laughing dog....
Cat lovers who are not actively involved in the Cat Fancier’s Association or other breed registries often are confused about identifying terms of cats, such as purebred, domestic shorthair, or tabby. Because there seems to be some confusion, we’re going to clarify the difference in semantics so that the uninitiated cat lover will have a better understanding of these terms. Breeds, “Purebred,” and Pedigree There are currently over 70 breeds of cats recognized by one cat registry or another....
