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A popular summer fruit, strawberries are a warm-weather staple. As you’re incorporating more fresh fruits into your diet this summer, you may wonder if it’s OK to toss Fido a couple of strawberries from your plate—and, fortunately, the answer is yes. Here’s how to safely share strawberries with your pooch this summer. Are Strawberries Safe for Dogs? While there are some summer fruits that aren’t exactly pet-friendly, like grapes or cherries, strawberries are a fruit that can be safely offered to your pet, as long as they are properly cleaned, the leaves are removed, and they’re served in pieces to prevent choking or intestinal blockages....

Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum Versatile with several attachments Incredible suction Easy to maneuver Removes tons of pet hair Whole-machine HEPA filtration Confusing setup Segmented brush roll Stiff hose Awkward standing mechanism Expensive Despite a few awkward features, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 is still the gold standard of pet hair removal machines thanks to its ridiculously powerful suction. Setup Design Cleaning Performance Size Noise Level Additional Features Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the Dyson Ball Animal 2 so our reviewer could put it to the test....

Are you the proud pet parent of a new animal? If you’ve just brought home an exotic pet—that is, anything that’s not a cat, dog, or domesticated farm animal—you might be looking at naming options. But finding the perfect pet name isn’t always so simple. Many people draw inspiration from their animal’s appearance or species traits. For instance, you might want to name a pet rabbit with lots of spots Freckles....

Ready to get started with a saltwater aquarium? Great! Although setting up your first saltwater tank can be a little challenging, if you follow all the below steps, you and your fish will be happy for years to come! Step 1: Planning Your Tank Make a list of your desired species. Will they all get along and how much water will you need to make them happy? What substrate or decor would be preferred for your fish?...

Welcoming a new baby into the family is exciting. It can also be stressful, especially if you already have a dog. Hopefully, you’ve spent the last few months preparing the dog for the baby’s arrival. Even if you haven’t thought of it before now, there are several things you can do to make the introduction between your dog and newborn go smoothly. None of these techniques are hard, but do be patient and consistent with your dog....

At the end of a long year of 4 million TikTok fans and teaching the world that it’s OK to have a “No Bones” day (especially during a nearly two-year-long pandemic), Noodle the pug took the time to speak with The Spruce Pets. Alright, so it was his owner, Jonathan Granziano, who did the talking, but Noodle was there, too! Jonathan and his 13-year-old pug, Noodle, rose to fame earlier this year when their TikTok videos of Jonathan checking to see whether Noodle “has bones” (aka whether he can stand up in his bed or flops back down) went mega-viral....

Even as the winter freeze begins to thaw, the chill can last well into spring. Many breeds need to be all bundled up in coats when they’re outdoors, but some owners opt to dress their dogs up in sweaters. Although you might see a sweater that looks perfect for your pup, it still might not be the right choice. There are several factors to consider before putting your dog’s paws through the armholes of an adorable sweater....

It can be difficult to tell if your cat is in pain for many reasons. Cat owners may often miss the subtle signs of pain in their cats or do not notice until their cats are showing more obvious signs, such as loss of appetite and lethargy. In some cases, cats only show more obvious symptoms after being ill for an extended period of time or if they are very ill....

History and Origins Size Breeding and Uses Colors and Markings Characteristics Diet and Nutrition Health and Behavior Grooming Notable Horses Azteca for You How to Adopt or Buy More Horse Breeds Versatile, noble, and with a smooth, enjoyable gaits, the Azteca excels in countless disciplines today. You’re likely to find this horse competing in dressage, exploring the trails, or working hard on a cattle ranch. This athletic breed is sensible, hardy, and agile, and while it once hailed from Mexico, this breed has become highly popular among American riders, too....

Whether you’re going out of town or searching for the perfect dog walker to keep your best furry friend happy and well-exercised during the day, dog-sitting services can help. In years past, hiring a sitter often involved asking your neighbor for a favor or posting a local ad. Today, it’s far more high-tech, with dozens of online platforms dedicated to the sole task of connecting you with the perfect caregiver for your four-legged family members....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Types Breed Overview Further Research Also referred to as the Don Sphynx or Russian Hairless, the Donskoy is a medium-sized, muscular cat that, like the sphynx breed, has little (or no) hair due originally to a genetic mutation. These friendly, active cats are known for being very loyal—in fact, their loyalty is often compared to that of dogs—and they are also both intelligent and affectionate....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions Some might view chickens as strictly farm animals. But it’s relatively common for homes in the suburbs and cities to have pet chickens as well, as long as local ordinances permit them. There are many chicken breeds to choose from, including Silkies, Rhode Island Reds, Easter Eggers, and Brahmas. The breeds range in coloring and size. Chickens make for fairly quiet and low-maintenance pets....

Pepto-Bismol is a popular option for humans experiencing gastrointestinal distress. Many people keep it around because it’s so effective. If your dog is having tummy trouble, you may be tempted to give a little Pepto-Bismol to offer relief. Unfortunately, this may be a bad idea. Although Pepto-Bismol can sometimes be given to dogs, it should be used with caution. What Is Pepto-Bismol? Pepto-Bismol is a brand name that contains the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate....

Characteristics Breed History Care Health Problems Appearance Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Breed Overview Further Research The ragdoll cat is a large, affectionate cat that goes with the flow. Ragdolls are ideal lap cats because they simply go limp with pleasure when they are being petted, giving them their name. This cat breed is one of the largest, but don’t let the size intimidate you. Their big blue eyes and loud, throaty purr let you know they’re just big softies....

Cats bite for a variety of reasons. Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Kittens bite, mouth, and paw things to explore their world—they’re all natural behaviors. But while a kitten bite may be cute, an adult cat bite can be painful. Allowing a cat of any age to bite as often as they wish could lead to many painful bites for the owner later and an added risk when it comes to getting your cat to do anything, from taking a medication to visiting the vet....

With Valentine’s Day and National Love Your Pet Day around the corner—February 14th and February 20th respectively—we’ve rounded up the best seasonal dog treats to help you express your puppy love. Boutique dog treat creators are offering special discounts, bundles, and flavors, all in celebration of the lovey-dovey season. Our Picks Why Trust The Spruce Pets? Roses are red, violets are blue, so give your dog three treats to say “I love you....

Cats are known to have many keen senses. They have acute hearing, eyesight that is wired for motion and darkness, and a highly sensitive sense of smell. Cats’ sense of taste, however, is much less intricate than that of humans, dogs, and some other animals. Cats have little to no ability to taste sweetness but they have a greater ability to detect bitter tastes. The reason for this may come down to evolution....

Feeding fish seems like it should be simple, right? Not always! One fish may bully others away from the food. Strong water currents may suck food into the filter before the fish get to it. Shy fish may not want to dine with the others in their tank, or finicky eaters may only eat one type of food. Using a fish feeding ring can solve all those problems in one fell swoop....

Many benefits can come from the company of companion animals, but you may be surprised at just how much the company of little birds can increase the quality of life of an older person. If you’re looking for chatty companions, pet birds may be for you. Here is a list of the seven best pet bird species for senior owners. Tip So many caretakers have noted success in using small pet bird species that retirement communities and nursing homes have been studying the benefits of animal companionship with programs such as The Eden Project....

Prospective bird owners have many choices when it comes to adopting a new pet. If you’re not interested in any small bird species and can’t accommodate a large bird, a medium-sized pet bird might be the perfect fit. These birds generally make less of a mess than a large pet bird. And they’re still highly playful, affectionate, and intelligent. Here are eight of the top medium-sized bird species to keep as pets....