If a person is choking, they may be unable to talk, but most people know the universal sign for choking and will wrap their hands around their neck to indicate they need help. Dogs, on the other hand, are obviously unable to give the same type of signal, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need help if they aren’t able to breathe. Knowing what to watch for and, more importantly, what to do if your dog is choking can be life-saving skills....
Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The Miniature Pinscher is a toy dog breed from Germany that looks like the Doberman, but with a much smaller body to pair with its pointed ears, long nose, and short, shiny coat. These compact dogs are still robust with their lively and lovable personalities. Affectionately called the “King of Toys,” the Min Pin is a loyal, smart breed with a stubborn streak....
What Is Tetanus? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Tetanus is a potentially life-threatening infection that dogs can contract through open wounds. This soil-borne bacterial disease causes muscle stiffness and ultimately death if left untreated, so it is important for dog owners to be aware of the causes, treatments, and prevention of tetanus. What Is Tetanus? Tetanus is an uncommon infection in dogs caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria in the soil....
A surprise birth isn’t uncommon with hamsters since they are often incorrectly sexed and purchased as adults from a pet store. While it is best to make sure you get your hamster from a store that separates males from females at a young age to avoid surprises like this, it isn’t always possible. Sometimes you’ll bring a hamster home from a store where they were housed with many other hamsters, and they’ll already be pregnant without you even knowing it....
Your unique pet needs a name to fit its feathered personality. Whether you are getting a pair of ducks to inhabit a small backyard pond or adding some new ducklings to a growing flock, finding the right duck name is important. Here are some classic, cute, and funny duck names to help you find the right option for your pet. Top Duck Names AflacBillBubblesDaffyDaisyDownyErnieMalloryPuddlesWaddles Tips for Naming Your Duck Ducks make entertaining, lovable pets that are sure to make you smile....
Rabies is a virus that can be passed onto people and pets from the bite of an infected animal. Once clinical signs are observed, the disease is almost always fatal. This is a preventable disease in dogs who are vaccinated against rabies. There is a lot of information out there about this virus. Here are eight common misconceptions about rabies and the actual truths. 01 of 08 My Mainly Indoor Dog Doesn’t Need to be Vaccinated Against Rabies Justin Paget/Getty Images Wildlife are the main carriers of the rabies virus, however, there have been reports of rabid domestic animals....
Vaccines are an essential part of a puppy’s health care plan. Certain basic immunizations are essential to keep your puppy from getting sick and prevent the spread of disease. Why Vaccinate Your Puppy? When puppies are born, their immune systems are not fully developed, so they cannot fight diseases as effectively as older dogs. Puppies receive protective antibodies from their mothers through nursing. During the first few hours of a puppy’s life, nursing mothers provide an especially antibody-rich milk called colostrum....
What Is Hair Loss? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention While there are two breeds of guinea pigs that are naturally not completely covered in fur, if they begin to experience hair loss, this is an indication of a problem. Hair loss can be localized or generalized, slow or sudden, and obvious or hidden. Knowing the causes of hair loss in guinea pigs can help you avoid it as well as help you know what you need to do to identify and treat it....
If you are hoping to add a goldendoodle puppy to your family, you might be wondering how much it might cost to purchase a goldendoodle. The answer to the question “How much are goldendoodles?” varies depending on where you obtain your goldendoodle, whether you want to acquire a puppy or adult goldendoodle, what color or size of goldendoodle you have your heart set on, and many other factors. Goldendoodles can cost anywhere from about $200 dollars to more than $5,000, depending on whether you adopt an adult goldendoodle or buy a puppy (or adult) from a breeder....
When choosing a blanket for your horse, you’re faced with many different choices. There are blankets for cooling horses out and ones for warming them up. Some have therapeutic properties, while others keep dust off the horse’s coat. Some people believe a horse should never be blanketed, while others have a complete wardrobe of rain sheets, turn out rugs, summer and winter stable blankets, and coolers. If you feel your horse needs a blanket, you’ll need to determine just what type you need....
Often referred to as “clowns,” quaker parrots are known for their fun-loving, comical personalities and their energetic, spunky nature. Not everyone can meet their care needs, as they prefer a lot of attention. But for the right person, a quaker parrot can make an affectionate and entertaining companion. Before you bring a quaker into your home, first it’s important to fully understand this charming parrot species. Spruce Pets / Kaley McKean...
What Is Social Anxiety? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Social anxiety is a troubling disorder for both dogs and their owners. Some dogs experience nervousness or fear in situations that involve other dogs or people. It may happen when you take your dog to the park, crowded events, or the veterinarian. Shyness or trembling are signs of anxiety; aggression may also occur. This condition is easier to manage early in a dog’s life, but there are strategies you can use to help an older dog cope with social stressors....
Guinea pigs, are also commonly referred to as cavies, are great pets for both children and adults because they don’t take up a large amount of space and are fairly quiet. As long as you provide them with what they need to thrive, they are also pretty easy pets to care for. Like most pets, what you feed your guinea pig is a very important part of providing them with what they need, so choosing the right food for your cavy should not be a decision you take lightly....
Why Do Puppies Get Constipated? Constipation in Adult Dogs Treatment Help from the Vet Home Treatment Prevention Constipation refers to the infrequent passage of dry, hard feces. If defecation is delayed and feces remain in the colon for two or three days, too much moisture is removed from the material by the colon, which makes elimination difficult and painful. A constipated puppy may squat and strain unproductively for long periods of time....
Guard dogs are those breeds that have been bred for years to protect their people and property against intruders. Owning a protective dog can give out peace of mind that someone is always watching out for the family. Breeds known for their excellent protection instincts come from different backgrounds. Many guard dogs are found in the American Kennel Club’s Working Group, but some herding breeds are also excellent guard dogs. Guard dogs are not fighting dogs, and should not be aggressive unless provoked....
A crate is an excellent tool to use during puppyhood and beyond. Dogs enjoy den-like spaces, which keep them warm and help them feel safe. A crate provides a safe place for your puppy or dog to sleep or rest. Since dogs don’t like to eliminate where they sleep, crates are great to use for potty training. They are also a convenient place to keep your puppy out of trouble when you can’t watch him like a hawk....
When choosing a cage for your dwarf hamster, you must consider the size of the cage, if it has protections against escape, safety, and how easy it is to clean. Unfortunately, many cages that you will find at the pet store do not meet all these requirements when it comes to dwarf hamsters or Chinese hamsters since they are much smaller than their larger Syrian hamster cousins. Here’s how to choose a cage for a dwarf hamster and properly equip it....
It’s easy to think that horses and other animals perceive things exactly like we do. There’s no way to know exactly how horses see because we can’t see the world with a horse’s eyes and brain, but by studying the individual components of the horse’s eye, scientists can gain an understanding of what it is capable of. The structure and position of their eyes are somewhat different than humans’, which makes a difference in the distance, color, vividness, and visual field a horse experiences....
In the wild, looking for food is one of the three things that saltwater fish spend their time doing (the other two are reproducing and staying alive by not being eaten by a bigger fish). Feeding Your Fish If you watch saltwater fish for a while, especially in the wild, you will notice that the herbivores are constantly looking for food or “grazing,” while the carnivores just cruise around, looking for the next easy meal....
Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions Gerbils are popular pets that are relatively inexpensive and easy to care for. They are burrowing rodents that come from Africa and Asia. While there are several species of gerbils in the wild, most pets are captive-bred Mongolian gerbils. In the wild, they have an overall grayish color. However, through selective breeding, several color variations are available, including white, black, and gold....
