Chances are, if you have had an aquarium long, you have kept the playful and beautiful Wagtail Platy at some point. The Wagtail Platy is not only one of the most beautiful of all Platys, but it is available in several color varieties and it breeds true to color and to the tail and fin blackness as well. One would think this fish to be a well-established species in nature with a proper name, classification and place of origin in the world....
There are three Olympic Equestrian sports: dressage, three-day eventing and show jumping. Horse sports such as chariot and riding races were part of the early Olympic games. Riding was first included in the 1900 Olympics and reappeared in 1912. Originally in the modern Olympics, only commissioned officers were allowed to compete. Beginning in 1952, the rules were changed to allow civilians and women. Olympic equestrian events are one of the very few Olympic sports where women compete equally with men....
Being insectivores, hedgehogs need nutrients that may not be found in many other pet foods. Historically, cat food was often used to feed these spiky pocket pets, but there are also quality hedgehog foods that provide ideal nutritional components for a hedgehog to eat. Besides pet food, hedgehogs enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables. By knowing what a hedgehog should be eating you can make better food decisions for your pet....
History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research Origin and History Species Overview The bird was first described and categorized in 1788 by Swedish naturalist Anders Sparrman. Its numbers are prolific in the wild. Temperament Speech and Vocalizations The lesser white-fronted is slightly smaller and darker in color, while the Sonora white-fronted has more greenish-blue on top of the head....
For homesteaders interested in raising angora rabbits for wool production, the show table, 4H, or as pets, there’s sure to be an angora breed to suit you. Before you decide, it’s best to research all of them and talk to breeders. It goes without saying that breeders love whatever they are raising in their rabbit barn. But if you listen to them talk about their rabbits, sometimes they will reveal a bit of information or clues that will let you know if the breed is right (or not) for you....
Although most people know that the vast majority of calico cats are female, they don’t always know that calico refers to a color pattern, not a breed of cat. Let’s take a deeper look at what exactly is a calico cat, which breeds can have calico colors, and why there aren’t more male calico cats. What Is a Calico Cat? Calico cats are popular choices for cat lovers because of their gorgeous coats....
During the holiday season, you’re likely overwhelmed by your to-do list—picking the perfect gifts, cutting down the most beautiful tree, and baking mouth-watering goodies to share. With the many tasks filling your days, you may not be able to dedicate as much time as you normally do to your furry friend, allowing your pet to find mischief. Exciting household items emerge from the attic once a year, tempting your pet into causing trouble if you’re not careful....
Bird owners must constantly be on the lookout for signs that their pets are becoming ill. Even the most subtle symptoms can be “red flags” that their pet is in dire need of veterinary treatment. Because illnesses can be such a serious issue for pet birds, it is important to become familiar with the most troublesome health problems that can arise in our feathered friends. Take a look at the bird health problems outlined below to learn more about some of the biggest bird health problems that could possibly affect your pet....
Ever wonder if it’s possible, or normal, for dogs to get pimples? Yes, dogs can get pimples just like we can get pimples. The reasons behind them, though, aren’t always the same as our hormonal zits and a lot of the over-the-counter zit creams and salves you might use for yourself are not safe for your pooch. Learn more about why your dog gets pimples, what underlying issues they could be facing, and when to worry....
Sometimes snake owners want to know how to sex their snake. The problem is that it’s not as simple to find out if a snake is male or female as it is in many other animals. On the outside, male and female snakes look similar. However, with a bit of experience, there are ways to differentiate between the two. The following methods of sexing snakes should only be done by experienced caretakers or veterinary staff....
If taking your reptile out of the house in the winter scares you then you’re not alone. Traveling with your reptile to the vet can be stressful if you don’t prepare ahead of time and make sure you keep your pet warm. Importance of Temperature A cold shock is all it takes to seriously harm or even kill a small and sickly reptile. Many pets come into the animal hospital worse off than when they left home just from being out in the cold....
What Is Renal Failure? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Renal failure is a relatively common progressive condition in senior cats, but it can occur suddenly in younger cats as well. When a cat’s kidneys fail over time, it will begin to feel very ill and lose weight. Acute kidney failure in response to toxic exposure is an emergency that can rapidly lead to death if untreated. While chronic renal failure cannot be cured and is ultimately fatal, it can sometimes be managed to help keep a cat comfortable....
Many of us have heard about how important it is to eat plenty of vegetables throughout our lives, and those who have owned pet birds for a while have also likely heard about the many benefits that vegetables can give our feathered friends. Fresh vegetables should make up the bulk of any hookbill’s diet. Not only will veggies boost your bird’s nutrition levels, but they will also help keep things interesting for your pet in terms of introducing new flavors, textures, and colors to his or her dinner bowl....
To school a horse, or schooling a horse is to practice whatever you are training it to do. Generally, English riders tend to use the word schooling more than western riders. This may be because the roots of the word in reference to horses comes from the military riding schools of Europe such as the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, where the famous Lipizzaner dressage horses are trained. The term haute ecole, which refers to high level dressage movements, comes from the same background, ecole being the French word for school....
What is a Sialocele? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention A sialocele is a condition of the salivary glands or ducts. The condition appears as swollen structures in the neck near the jaw, under the tongue, or by the eye. It is a buildup of saliva that can often resemble a cyst and it is usually treated by surgery in dogs. What is a Sialocele? A sialocele is an accumulation of saliva that develops in the tissues near a salivary gland or duct due to leakage....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The soft-coated wheaten terrier is a medium-size terrier dog breed from Ireland that sports a silky and wavy, medium-length coat in its trademark wheaten (gold) color. Puppies actually are usually born with a dark coat, which grows out to the wheaten color as the dog matures. The coat doesn’t shed much and instead continuously grows and must be trimmed....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The Spanish Galgo is a medium-size hound dog breed from Spain with a short, smooth or rough coat and a narrow, lanky build. Also known as the Spanish greyhound, these dogs closely resemble the more common English greyhound dog breed—likely a relative of them. Galgos are athletic, with good swiftness and endurance....
Kitten adoption doesn’t include instructions on how to love cats. So how do you show your cats you love them? As a responsible cat owner, look for the best way to show your kitty kids how much you love them. 01 of 10 Love Cats With Special Attention Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 Special attention can involve any one or combination of the below—plus so many other ingredients specific to your special cat companions....
The terms “eye pinning” and “eye flashing” both refer to a common behavioral display in pet parrot species. During this display, the bird will quickly dilate and constrict its pupils. Eye pinning might look a little bizarre and possibly alarm some bird owners, so it’s key to understand what causes the behavior. How Birds Use Their Eyes Vision is an extremely acute sense for our feathered friends. Birds perceive motion and detail much better than humans do....
Cats have digestive tracts that are quite similar to a human or a dog so they are not exempt from passing gas. But if a cat is farting more than you think is normal it may be an indication of something else going on inside its body. Regular monitoring of your cat’s normal gastrointestinal functions will help you be a better pet owner and know when your cat may need to some veterinary attention....
