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Yes, dogs can have underbites just like people can have them, but the snaggletoothed gaze of a dog with an underbite can certainly be endearing. Treating an underbite in a dog, though, can be vastly different than treating one in a person. What is an Underbite? An underbite is a type of malocclusion. The prefix, “mal,” comes from Latin and literally means “bad,” so a malocclusion is a bad occlusion. In underbites, the lower jaw juts out too far, leading to misalignment of the bottom and top teeth when the mouth is closed....

Any dog owner will tell you, dogs can have some quirky behaviors. Things like obsessively devouring socks, trancing under curtains and houseplants, compulsively barking at reflections and light, and yes, even licking your ears. Though ear licking can be a seemingly strange behavior, it’s a relatively benign behavior for your dog to develop. Why Does Your Dog Lick Your Ears? Dogs can become infatuated with ear licking for a variety of reasons....

Is it OK to Own a Kunekune Pig? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Exercise Grooming Pros & Cons Purchasing Similar Pets & Breeds Frequently Asked Questions Kunekune pigs may not be as popular as pot-bellied pigs, but more and more people are getting them for pets. Like the pot-bellied pig, kunekune are small domestic pigs—but unlike pot-bellies, they have long hair and are originally from New Zealand....

Tortoiseshell cats are named for their bi-colored coats that look like the shell of a tortoise. Affectionately referred to as “torties,” these colorful kitties are favorite pets in many homes. They have such interesting and unique coats that it’s often the first thing people comment on when they see your cat. You might be wondering how they have evolved to have such gorgeous markings. Much like calico cats, tortoiseshell cats have some pretty interesting genetics, and they’ve become mainstays in folklore all over the world....

It’s amazing that a horse’s back can withstand the weight of a person, especially considering most riders aren’t perfectly balanced all of the time. Back, pelvis, or limb soreness are common problems that may benefit from an equine chiropractor. A chiropractor is a health professional that uses manual manipulation to correct imbalances and abnormal range of motion, especially in the spine. Learn here how a chiropractor performs adjustments on horses, what conditions they may be needed for, and how long treatment may need to last....

Many cats enjoy the feeling of being pet by people, a fact that pleases cat lovers everywhere. It is well known that petting cats can reduce stress and even lower blood pressure in humans, and it may also reduce stress in some cats. Of course, some cats dislike petting and will hiss, growl, swat, or bite when someone tries to pet them. There are several reasons cats can be so opinionated about petting....

Emotional support animals provide their humans with therapeutic benefits, including anxiety relief and comfort in social settings, without any requisite training. While all dogs can offer support, certain breeds have traits that make them more likely to excel in the role. They tend to be gentle, laid-back, and sociable. These dog breeds also typically are highly trainable and want to please their humans. Here are 10 dog breeds to consider if you’re looking for an emotional support animal....

Dog breeds have been developed in many countries and on every continent except Antarctica. The United States in particular has given the dog world some incredible breeds. From California to Massachusetts, these all-American dog breeds are as unique and varied as the 50 states. They range in appearance, temperament, and purpose. Some were bred to work while others were developed more as lovable companions. Here are 10 dog breeds that were born and bred in the United States....

Behavior and Temperament Turtles and Children Housing Diet Choosing a Turtle Common Health Problems Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles are popular as pets. The best-known species is probably the red-eared slider, but it’s only one of several species of aquatic turtle that are commonly kept as pets. Many people do not realize how big aquatic turtles can get. Red-eared sliders, yellow-bellied sliders, and a couple of other commonly available pet turtle species will grow to 10–12 inches long and therefore require correspondingly large enclosures....

History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Notable Horses American Standardbred Horse for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds If you’ve been to a track to watch harness racing, you’ve likely seen the American standardbred in action. This solid horse breed with excellent stamina has bloodlines reaching back to the 18th century. And its abilities aren’t limited to the track....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions Chinchillas are small rodents native to rocky, arid regions in South America. They are typically active and playful as pets. And, with gentle handling from a young age, most chinchillas can become quite tame and bond closely with their owners. But don’t expect them to like being held and cuddled like many dogs and cats. They usually don’t, though they’ll often express their affection for you in other ways....

In the past, keeping corals in a closed saltwater system (aquarium) was considered next to impossible. As the water quality science improved and hobbyists learned how to keep toxins (primarily nitrates and phosphates) that corals are sensitive to under control, and essential trace minerals at their proper levels, more corals were being successfully kept in aquariums. As coral lighting requirements became better understood and more powerful lighting systems were developed, corals are now being kept successfully....

When it comes to devotion in parenthood, few species surpass the aggressive and pugnacious nature of the African cichlid known as the jewel fish. In the aquarium cichlid hobby, two different species are known as jewel fish, the one discussed in this article is the Hemichromis bimaculatus. The other is the larger Hemichromis fasciatus that is totally undesirable for the home aquarium. The jewelfish will not hesitate to attack a human hand and bite hard to discourage any threat to its young....

Banging a tail means to cut it off blunt at the bottom. Traditionally horse’s tails were banged to avoid them becoming soiled and straggly at the bottom. Not all horses should have their tails banged. Arabians and Welsh ponies and cobs should have manes and tails left natural. If you are showing in breed shows check to see what the requirements are. If you are headed for the jumper or hunter ring or ride western tails are not generally banged....

What Is Neosporosis? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Is Neosporosis Contagious to Humans? Neosporosis is a neuromuscular disease caused by infection with a protozoan, which is a one-celled organism. Although many infected adult dogs do not have any symptoms, the disease is still potentially very serious as it can cause paralysis of the hind legs, inflammation of internal organs, and even death in some dogs. Puppies are particularly susceptible to the disease and likeliest to have severe symptoms....

Chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for rabbits. In captivity, though, a restless rabbit’s need to chew can quickly become destructive. A rabbit that’s wandering around looking for things to chew may ingest stuff that’s bad for it if left to its own devices for too long. To help keep your rabbit from chewing on everything in sight—and potentially getting sick in the process—the key is to teach it what’s appropriate for chewing and what’s off-limits....

What Are Rodent Illnesses? Symptoms Types Prognosis Prevention Does your cat catch mice, voles, and rats—or maybe chipmunks and squirrels? Cats love to hunt rodents of all kinds and will often bring home what they catch. Unfortunately, they may also bring home rodent illnesses: infections, parasites, or toxins that they contracted from their prey, some of which can be fatal if left untreated. Recognizing the signs of these varied illnesses, which range from gastrointestinal distress to neurological problems, is critical because prompt veterinary attention may be required to save your cat’s life....

There are so many types of dog breeds out there and lots of definitions that get thrown around. Many definitions actually mean the same thing, they just have different connotations (both negative and positive). Understanding the Difference To start with a basic understanding of dog breeds, it can be helpful to begin with purebred dogs. These are simply dogs that have registration papers that indicate both parents were registered and of the same breed....

What Is a Tick? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Finding a tick embedded in your dog’s skin can be disturbing. Not only do these parasitic arachnids cause itching and soreness, but they also carry diseases—some of which are life-threatening. Removing a tick can be tricky, but it must be done, and you need to know how to assess your dog’s health after a tick bite. Learn the proper way to tackle ticks and prevent them from biting your dog in the first place....

It is widely understood that a cat’s urine pH can be directly related to the health of its urinary tract. Is your cat in danger of developing crystals in its urinary tract, crystals that can lead to the development of stones and a potential urinary blockage? How does its diet affect your cat’s urine pH and risk of crystal formation? Here is help in removing the mystery of the desired range of feline urine pH and how these numbers can correlate to a cat’s urinary tract health....