Spaying or neutering your cat is the responsible way to care for your pet, and it’s important for both health and behavioral reasons. Female cats may go into heat and get pregnant at four to five months of age. Male cats can impregnate female cats around this age as well. Spaying and Neutering A spay is the lay term for performing an ovariohysterectomy on a female animal. This surgery involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries....
These intelligent canines are known for their jobs as police assistants, search and rescue pups, contraband sniffers, service dogs and more. There’s no doubting the fact that German Shepherds love to work! The American Kennel Club describes their temperament as confident, courageous, and smart herding dogs. They’re fiercely loyal protectors, but don’t let their intimidating looks fool you—they’re friendly and adorable, too (keep scrolling for photographic evidence). German Shepherds are one of the most popular and recognizable dog breeds in America, and for good reason....
History Temperament Speech and Vocalizations Colors and Markings Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Exercise Where to Adopt or Buy Further Research The Catalina macaw is a rainbow-colored hybrid parrot that is desired for the traits it shares with its parents—two of the most popular macaw species. Its flashy colors make it highly attractive for prospective parrot owners. However, it is often its comical personality, intelligence, and the ability to respond to training that seals the deal....
Cats are amazing, intelligent creatures. Their lifestyle reflects the predatory skills and behaviors needed to hunt food in the wild. A cat’s day includes the need to rest, stalk, chase, pounce, kill, play, eat, and groom among other things. When we don’t provide them opportunities to do these things, they get bored. Boredom can lead to a variety of problems such as destructive behaviors, aggression, anxiety, and more. We all want our cats to be living their best lives!...
Get Everyone Involved Establish Communication Offer Mental Stimulation Keep It Fun Strengthen Your Bond Problems and Proofing Behavior Using positive reinforcement to train your dog means you reward the behaviors you like and ignore the behaviors you do not like. You can use praise, life rewards (such as games, walks, or car rides), or treats to reward your dog’s good behavior. Clicker training is one effective method, but it’s possible to use rewards without the clicker....
Kitty Cot Cat Perch Easy to install Moves from window to window in seconds Sturdy enough for heavy cats Occasionally falls off Can’t close the blinds around it Moves with the window Because you can’t open the windows while it’s in place, the Kitty Cot Original World’s Best Cat Perch isn’t a perfect cat perch solution, but it’s still a good place for your cats to take their midday naps....
Stress can play a large role in the overall health of both humans and their companion animals. Because pet birds are naturally very sensitive creatures, they tend to be unable to deal with stress as easily as other types of pets such as cats and dogs. Being able to recognize stress in your pet bird is important for maintaining an environment that your feathered friend can mentally and physically thrive in....
Just like the various materials bits are made of, horse bits come in many mouthpiece styles. Choosing the right bit for your horse can take some trial and error. Some factors to consider include the size and shape of your horse’s mouth, how your horse has been trained, and what your riding skill level is. Ultimately, you should pick the mildest bit that still allows for clear communication with the horse....
If you know cats, then you probably know that most cats love bathrooms. Does your cat follow you into the bathroom? Perhaps it rubs on your legs while you are in there. Maybe it jumps on the counter to lounge in the sink even when you’re not around. It might meow loudly and paw at the closed door. Some cats seem to want more attention when you are in the bathroom than they do when you are anywhere else in the house....
Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Food and Water Common Health Problems Choosing Similar Species The common musk turtle, also known as the Eastern musk turtle or the stinkpot, is a popular choice as a pet because of their size and relative ease of care. They are an aquatic turtle that comes from eastern North America. If they feel threatened, they can release a foul, musky odor, which is how they got their alternative name of stinkpot....
The Black & White Bandit Angelfish (Holacanthus arcuatus) is a beautiful fish which is found in the deeper waters outside of the reef, most commonly in the Hawaiian and Johnston Islands of the Pacific. A shy angelfish that should be provided lots of places to hide, and best kept in a well-established aquarium with ample live rock growth to graze on. Characteristics Breed Overview Common Names: Black and White Bandit Angelfish, Bandit Angelfish, Black and White Banded Angelfish, Black Banded Angelfish...
Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research The black ruby barb is a peaceful, beautiful small barb from the forested streams of Sri Lanka, off the southern coast of India. Best described as a friendly omnivorous tank mate, it may have issues with being out-competed by larger, more carnivorous fish. In the wild, both deforestation and over-collection have put this species at risk....
What Is Color Dilution Alopecia? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis for Dogs With Color Dilution Alopecia Prevention Color dilution alopecia (CDA) is a genetic condition that strikes dogs with dilute fur colors—these are soft colors, such as bluish or silvery gray, fawn, and cream. It leads to patchy hair loss which eventually can spread over the dog’s entire body. Although blue Dobermans are the most commonly affected dogs, any breed with dilute coloring can develop CDA....
Dog grooming is one of your dog’s basic needs and an important part of dog ownership. Just like people, dogs need physical maintenance to look and feel their best. Fortunately, dogs do not need to bathe as often as people, but you do need to learn how much grooming your dog requires and keep it on a schedule. Generally, a dog’s grooming needs depend upon the breed, hair type, lifestyle, and health....
What Is Hair Loss? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Hair loss, also known as feline alopecia, is a common problem for many cats that can have a variety of causes. While it may be alarming for owners to notice missing patches of their pet’s furry coat, many reasons behind this condition can be treated by your veterinarian. Some cats (like the easily recognizable Sphynx) are bred to be hairless, but hair loss on otherwise fully-coated cats indicates another problem....
Kittens are born with blue eyes. They can stay that way, but more commonly, their eye color will start to change as they mature and the production of the pigment melanin occurs. Adult cats with blue eyes aren’t widespread. When it does occur, it is a result of their genetics, which often means the cat is a pointed breed. The production of pigment in their irises doesn’t occur, and when light reflects off the rounded surface of their eyes, they look blue in color....
It’s no surprise that so many people love Boxers. These high energy pups have tons of personality, sweet dispositions, and a unique look that’s pretty hard to resist. Part of the Working Group of dogs, Boxers are just as adept at taking on training and agility as they are at cuddling up with their humans for a long afternoon nap, and they’re also quite playful and silly to boot. When you’re choosing a name for your Boxer, you want something that perfectly captures this bright spirit, and we’ve got some great ideas....
What Is an Abscess? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Abscesses form as part of the body’s response to infection. Essentially, they are pockets of pus that grow around wounds or areas of infected tissue. Some abscesses may go unnoticed by a cat owner until they rupture and leak fluid. Knowing what to watch for and how to treat abscesses may save your cat’s life. Untreated, abscesses can progress into life-threatening systemic infections....
What Are Food Allergies? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Frequently Asked Questions While worrisome upon discovery, food allergies in dogs are rare but manageable. Usually, a food allergy will appear suddenly after prolonged exposure to a food allergen. Food allergy symptoms vary in severity and often overlap with other conditions, so it’s important to take your dog to the vet to narrow down the possible causes. Some of the more notable symptoms include ear infections and gastrointestinal issues....
The Many Uses of Cats’ Claws Positive Ideas Reward Good Behavior Discourage Undesirable Behavior A kitten’s paws are like babies’ hands in many ways. As they grow, they will become more and more important tools for life, and claws are an essential part of cats’ paws. Like babies, kittens may use those tools in destructive ways unless they are trained. Please learn to respect your cat’s claws. As you learn more about the many functions of their claws and how important they are for everyday cat behaviors, it will become more clear as to why declawing is no longer considered a humane procedure in cats....
