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Rabbits are often referred to as “guts with fur,” because they are so prone to ileus, also known as gastrointestinal stasis. If something goes wrong in a rabbit’s body, their intestines—or guts—will typically be the first things affected. What Is Ileus? When the intestines of a rabbit stop moving food out through the colon and finally the rectum, it is called ileus, or gastrointestinal stasis. A rabbit should always be eating and defecating, but when they stop doing one or both of those things the bacteria inside their intestines start producing excessive gas....

Physical Development Behavior Changes Health and Care Food and Nutrition Training A kitten is born, its eyes and ears open, it gets teeth, and then weans from nursing to eating solid kitten food. There are a lot of changes that happen in just the first couple of months of a kitten’s life. But the next few months are also full of changes and new experiences for a growing kitten....

Many people have microchips implanted in their dogs for identification purposes. If your pet does not have a microchip, you might want to consider having one implanted into your dog. Microchipping has multiple benefits. Millions of pets get lost and end up in shelters every year, but a microchipped dog can easily be reunited with owners. Whether your dog is microchipped or not, it is important that your pet has identification at all times....

It’s easy for some cats to gain too much weight—especially indoor-only cats. Even an extra pound or two can increase a cat’s risk for a number of health issues including arthritis, skin infections, and diabetes. If your cat needs some help losing weight, there are a number of things you can try, like playing games together, investing in an automatic feeder for portion control, and putting weight-loss formulated food for cats in their bowl....

Training a dog can be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. Dog trainers are wonderful resources, as are a number of websites, but a book on the topic can give you a more comprehensive understanding of dog training principals and common mistakes to avoid. It’s also good to have a book on hand to reference when you need it. Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution is our go-to reference book when it comes to learning how to train your dog....

While dogs are usually happy and healthy in their bare paws, there are some weather conditions where boots can offer much-needed protection and insulation, particularly in winter. Ice can easily accumulate in the hair between your dog’s toes, putting them at greater risk for injuries like cracked paws and bleeding. The American Veterinary Medical Association urges pet owners to check their dog’s feet frequently when out in winter weather and to wash their paws after returning home to remove de-icer and salt....

Thanks to mysterious and low-quality ingredients found in name-brand dog foods, dog owners are increasingly switching to a raw food diet for their dogs. Many owners who have moved their dogs to a raw food diets report shinier coats, increased muscle mass, and cleaner teeth. But while surveyed dog owners report improvements in the health of their dog on raw food diets, scientific evidence of the diet’s benefits are thin, while the risks are substantial....

Found My Animal, the New York-based pet brand celebrating and promoting pet adoption with every piece they sell, has teamed up with a quintessentially New England-nautical lifestyle brand, Vineyard Vines, to release a limited edition collection of walking essentials for dogs. The very best of both brands, complete with the instantly recognizable Vineyard Vines’ whale logo, have come together just in time to be wrapped up and gifted this holiday season....

It sometimes seems that horses have a talent for getting themselves in trouble. Usually, it’s the environment we keep them in that is the real problem. No doubt, wild horses occasionally get cast, but it’s common in our domestic horses, and while it can happen to horses in pastures, getting cast is more likely to happen when a horse is in a stall. What Is Cast? A horse is said to be cast when it gets stuck on its back or side and a bit like a turtle, can’t get its feet under it to stand up again....

Dog marking behaviors use smell communication and leg lifting to spray urine and mark territory. Although they primarily use urine, some pups also scratch the ground after eliminating to leave visual signs while the paw pads leave scent cues. The timing of leg lifting behavior coincides with puppy developmental stages but varies from puppy to puppy, with some starting much earlier than others. A puppy’s leg lifting also can be influenced by spay and neuter surgeries, although both intact and “fixed” pets use urine to mark....

Cats love to play with small items that they can bat around with their paws, and yarn is no exception. It’s lightweight, changes shape, and can be picked up easily by any cat. But yarn can also cause some serious problems in cats, so it’s important to understand the risks as well as find some alternative toys for your cat. Concerns With Yarn Choking - Chewing on yarn can be appealing to some cats....

Thanks to their larger-than-life statures and good, calm, and loving nature, the Great Pyrenees—sometimes referred to as a Pyr—is a gentle giant of the dog world. And for good reason: Many Pyrs measure 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder and ranging from 85 to a whopping 150 pounds. Despite their massive size, Pyrs are gentle, loyal, and loving family dogs with a life’s mission to protect their flock. Originating sometime around the 18th century B....

Need a good laugh? Head to Instagram. That’s where you’ll find endless pet accounts where owners post videos and photos of their cute and funny pets all day long. Tuna the Dog is just one of the pet accounts that has risen to fame. People across the globe have fallen in love with Tuna for his funny-yet-adorable face and his crazy antics. Tuna’s owners share all his adventures on Instagram so the whole world can see....

Caeruleus - Labidochromis caeruleus Callolepis Cichlid - Cichlasoma callolepis Calophysus Catfish - Calophysus macropterus Campbell’s Tigerfish - Datnioides campbelli Candy Stripe Goby - Awaous strigatus Cape Lopez Lyretail - Aphyosemion australe Cape York Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia splendida Cardinal Tetra - Paracheirodon axelrodi Carolina Pigmy Sunfish - Elassoma boehlkei Carpinte Cichlid - Cichlasoma carpinte Chain Loach - Botia sidthimunki Chankaensis Bitterling - Acheilognathus chankaensis Channel Catfish - Ictalurus punctatus Checkerboard Cichlid - Crenicara punctulatum...

There are a number of reasons to crate train your dog. Most puppies and adult dogs feel more secure in a small, enclosed den-like area, and young puppies are especially eager to find a safe place. A carefully-chosen crate and proper crate training can help your puppy discover that a crate is a safe, happy place to spend the night. A youngster should be introduced slowly to the crate when possible and not left unattended longer than the dog is able to “hold it” for potty training....

Hard water is the preferred habitat for certain fish species; unfortunately, it isn’t so great for the clean, transparent glass of our fish tanks. If you’ve ever noticed a white residue forming on the top of your glass in a freshwater aquarium, you’re probably seeing the result of the evaporation of hard water. The residue left behind is likely a lime (calcium carbonate plus additional ions) build-up on the glass called “limescale....

Riding two-point or half seat is useful for a number of reasons. Western riders may wish to ride two-point when their horse is trotting faster than would be comfortable to sit. English riders will adopt a two-point position when going over jumps and those riding in hunter shows may be required to show how they can ride two-point at both the trot and the canter. When you’re learning to ride, it’s a good way to learn how to keep a secure leg position, increase balance, stretch your legs, and ride with your heels down....

There are many types of bit mouthpieces, made of many different materials. All are designed to enhance the rider’s aids and give clear signals to the horse while being comfortable and easy for the horse to carry. Many bits have a port. It may be very shallow, or it can be very high, with other additions that spin or rattle. What Is a Port? A port is an inverted “U” in the middle of the mouthpiece on some bits....

Pinworms, also known as threadworms, are a common problem for people and especially children. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), pinworms are the most common worm infection in the United States. However, there is often confusion about where this worm comes from and how it is transmitted. Pinworms in People The type of pinworm that people are susceptible to is known as Enterobius vermicularis. This infection is also sometimes referred to as enterobiasis....

Chinchillas are highly active rodents, so it’s important to provide them with a space where they have room for both acrobatics and playing with their toys. They also love to chew, so the best cage for your chinchilla needs to be made from metal, preferably wire, though chinchillas also prefer a solid floor since they have sensitive feet and can develop conditions like bumblefoot. Chinchillas are also social animals, so having enough space for a partner or mate should also be a priority....