When hay becomes scarce it often leaves horse owners scrambling to keep their horses healthy and well fed. Any number of natural disasters can affect the growth of hay fields. In most areas of North America, farmers are able to harvest two hay crops per season. Some areas may even be able to get a third ‘cut’. Drought, late springs, floods, and other disasters can mean the growth will be sparser and the cuts will be fewer....
What Is Hip Dysplasia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic condition of the hip joint that, though uncommon, can affect cats. It results from abnormal development of one or both hip joints and causes instability and degeneration of the joints. Cats don’t always exhibit clear signs of hip dysplasia, but symptoms such as limping, avoiding exercise, and irritability may point to a diagnosis....
Sugar gliders need special cages to keep them safe and secure. Some cages can be purchased from the pet store to house your sugar glider, but you need to do a few things before welcoming your pet to their new home. Other times you may have to make your cage if you can’t find one that is pre-made to buy. Regardless of where your cage comes from, you can be sure your glider will love his new home if you follow these simple steps....
It can be tricky to invite a new adult cat into your home. If you’re adopting an older cat, you may not know exactly what kind of treatment that cat has experienced at the hands of its former owners. If you’re blending cat-loving households, multiple cats will have to figure out a “pecking order” and decide whether their new housemates are friends or competitors. Fortunately, most adult cats can figure out how to live together—and many, over time, become friends....
If you can’t get to a vet immediately, you may look to use home remedies for ear mites when your dog seems to have them. Ear mites are very itchy for dogs, and highly contagious to other pets in the home. If one pet has ear mites, all of the other dogs, cats, and ferret friends also need treatment. Your veterinarian can help after diagnosing the mite, but that can get pricey, so it’s also helpful to learn how you can treat ear mites at home....
Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research For many reasons, rosy barbs are one of the most popular and readily available fish for aquarium hobbyists. They are an active fish with a peaceful temperament and bright color. The rosy barb is one of the larger members of the barb species, and it can grow up to six inches in the wild. This fish enjoys company, and if its school is large enough, it will not bother other fish in the aquarium....
When it comes to apparel that can benefit your favorite pup in brisk or inclement weather, you usually can’t go wrong with a well-made and comfortable dog sweater. While large breed dogs and dogs with long hair don’t typically need sweaters to stay warm, there are many dogs that can benefit from an extra layer of insulation. Hairless or short-coated breeds lose more heat than dogs with an undercoat. A sweater can also help smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas or dachshunds, retain body heat....
It’s fun to treat your puppy, but people food is not the best for them. While an occasional table scrap treat may not be harmful, these should be limited, especially when your dog is young. Learn the healthy ways you can treat your dog and which foods are best. Why Puppies Love Treats For dogs, eating can be a communal event and hand feeding your puppy helps reinforce the bond of love you share....
Whenever possible it is best to purchase live rock from a local fish store or wholesaler, because most have live rock in stock that is cured and ready to go, and you can physically see it before buying. Here are some buying points on what to look for and questions you should ask. Tips for Buying From a Local Fish Store If you are not able to have a separate set up for curing fresh live rock, buy it cured....
Persians are a distinctive looking cat. Most have adorable flattened faces and elegant, calm beauty. When looking for inspiration, you can consider regal names. But, if you are going for a cute name, think of your kitty’s color, size, and personality to serve as your guide. Take a look at the most adorable names, some male and female options, and names inspired by foods and colors. Top Adorable Persian Cat Names AkiraBleuChanelCleoDivaEverestJasmineJewelLattePrincessSaharaShadowShebaSimbaThunder Tips for Naming Your Cat When thinking of a name for your cat, make sure you pick something that has lasting power as Persian cats can live from 10 to 18 years....
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge into pet ownership with a dog or cat, a smaller companion, such as a hamster can often be a good first step. These tiny rodents are considered to be low-maintenance pets, although as with any animal, it’s important to know how to properly care for your new pet, from the supplies you’ll need to how to feed them. Hamsters are very popular pets for kids and with good reason—they live for a couple of years, are often happy to be housed alone, and their food/supplies are readily available at pet stores....
Aquarium water is the most important environmental component for your fish. Unfortunately, aquarium water quality is often overlooked by fish keepers, and sometimes neglected. While humans can leave a smoky room or one filled with deadly car exhaust, fish are in a closed environment and can’t escape if the water becomes toxic or dangerous. Learn about water elements—like ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, and pH—that can cause harm for fish if not maintained properly and balanced carefully in an aquarium....
Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research Many say that goldfish are the first-ever pet fish as there are records dating back 500 to 2,000 years. However, when you are talking about the first species of fish displayed in aquariums, circa the mid-1800s, paradise fish were the vicious beauties that made the tropical freshwater fish-keeping hobby catch on and take hold as a popular pastime....
Phenobarbital is the medication that is most commonly used to treat seizures and epilepsy in cats. It is a barbiturate medication that acts as an anticonvulsant. As an anticonvulsant, it is used to prevent recurrent seizures. Phenobarbital acts by decreasing the activity in the brain cells (neurons) that cause the seizures to occur. Because it is a barbiturate, phenobarbital is a controlled drug and can only be obtained with a prescription from your pet’s veterinarian....
What Is Pseudomoniasis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Is Pseudomoniasis Contagious to Humans? There are many bacteria species present in your fish tank, including Pseudomonas. Most aquarium bacteria are benign, and some are even beneficial for your fish, including those residing in your biological filtration system. Other bacteria, however, wait until your fish’s defenses are lowered so they can take advantage of a weak immune system, leading to symptoms such as ragged fins, body ulcers, and loss of appetite....
We have all experienced it. You set up your new aquarium, install all of your live rock and arrange it just right, including the perfect arch in the center of the substrate. Next, the beautiful corals are put in perfect position, so as not to offend each other, and then you carefully acclimate the perfect fish and invertebrates and turn them loose in the tank. Everything is working wonderfully for about four weeks until all of a sudden everything is covered with a blanket of ugly brown algae....
It takes more than a name to find a truly “natural” dog food. Our favorite natural dog food is Castor & Pollux Organix Grain Free Butcher & Bushel Organic Adult Canned Dog Food, which uses high quality ingredients, including USDA-certified organic chicken. If your dog prefers dry food, try Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Original Recipe Dry Dog Food. “There is no regulation when it comes to using the definition, and all foods that call themselves ‘natural’ are not necessarily created equal,” points out Jamie Richardson, the medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary, a NYC-based practice....
While you may have heard the term “feral” used interchangeably with “stray” or “outdoor” cats, it’s not an accurate comparison. So then what is a feral cat, exactly? Feral cats are defined by a unique set of characteristics; they are considered wild and in many cases, cannot be content living indoors. For this reason, they usually live outdoors for their whole lives, which can lead to controversy. What Is a Feral Cat?...
The season of giving is upon us, and there are countless animal shelters in need of your generosity. Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty or give back from the comfort of your own home, there are plenty of ways to make a difference this holiday season. Foster, Foster, Foster If you’re looking to make a direct impact over the holidays, consider welcoming a foster pet into your home. Allison Seelig, head of Marketing and Fundraising for Hearts & Bones Rescue in Dallas, Texas, and New York City, says fostering is absolutely crucial this time of year....
What Is Addison’s Disease? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Addison’s disease is a disease of the adrenal glands. It causes decreased production of a vital steroid hormone called aldosterone. While many animals, including humans and dogs, can develop Addison’s disease, it is rare in cats. When it does occur, it mostly strikes middle-aged cats, leading to symptoms that include vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If left untreated, Addison’s disease can eventually cause kidney failure or cause the cat to go into shock....
