Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
If you're looking for a pet who eats only plant-related products, your choices run the gamut from huge to tiny. Although you can safely feed pet birds an herbivore diet, if given their druthers they'd happily consume insects and worms. With all herbivores, make dietary changes gradually, rather than suddenly giving them new types of feed or large amounts of new vegetables or fruits.
Chiweenie, chih-weenie or doxihuahua: They're all the same thing, a cross between the Chihuahua and the dachshund. If you're in the market for one of these designer pups, consider each breed's physical and personality traits. Every dog is unique, but some traits can be appealing while others are deal-breakers.
Working a snake for a clog in a sink is a process that will vary depending on the configuration of the pipes in question. Work a snake for a clog in a sink with help from the president and owner of Source Development Inc. in this free video clip.
Getting a new pet involves a lot of major considerations, whether they pertain to diet, living environment, sleeping patterns or anything in between. If you plan on bringing a hamster into your household, also consider his resting habits. Hammies of all varieties lead nocturnal lifestyles, unlike most human beings.
Hamsters are prey animals in the wild and they use their fight-or-flight instinct to avoid harm or capture. Domesticated hamsters will have a similar fight-or-flight reaction when they feel threatened. They may quickly flee the scene or inflict a very aggressive bite.
Hamsters and squirrels share many characteristics, largely because both types of creatures are rodents. It's like the way that striped tabby cat prowling your neighborhood is related to a lion or tiger. While the two types of rodents share many similarities, they're also quite different. Squirrels, for instance, tend to be much larger than the typical pet-store hamsters.
The world of purebred dogs breaks down into seven basic groups. While different national kennel clubs might not use the same term for a group, it's the same canine category. For example, what the American Kennel Club classifies as the "sporting group," Great Britain's Kennel Club refers to as the "gundog group."
You might find it odd if your furry friend doesn’t gaze into another dog’s eyes, but dogs don’t generally make direct eye contact with each other. What he does with his eyes says a lot about how he’s feeling. By reading the rest of his body language, you should be able to determine exactly what’s on his mind.
Dogs are probably the best known therapy animals, but many other animals can be trained to assist people with special needs. Therapy animals can reduce the anxieties of the people they interact with. Donkeys and goats are popular therapy animals, visiting assisted living facilities, community centers and schools, while accompanied by their handlers.
As a pet parent, it's your responsibility to provide proper care for your animals. You must upply a safe and suitable habitat, sanitary conditions, fresh food and water, physical and mental stimulation, attention and affection. This also includes veterinary checkups and treatment. Regular physical examinations by a veterinarian are essential to tracking your pet's health and catching concerns early to get the best possible prognosis. See your vet right away if you ever notice causes for worry in your pet.
Adopting a parrot is not like adopting any other kind of pet. If properly kept, Amazon parrots can live as long as 60 years -- and having a parrot around will always be like having a toddler in the house. For the right home, Amazons make fantastic companions, but it is not a partnership to be entered into lightly.
Dog whiskers aren't just hairs. They're thicker and more deeply rooted, and they serve a different function than the rest of your dog's coat. In general, they're rooted three times as deep and are surrounded by more nerve cells, which is why whiskers are so sensitive.
Neutering removes the reproductive organs in male dogs; with females, the procedure is called spaying. When gender neutral, "sterilization" or "altering" are used interchangeably. Some people also call it "fixing," though that term has become somewhat antiquated. While animal activists advocate neutering to avoid pet overpopulation, veterinary professionals recommend neutering for other reasons. The health of the animal is always the first priority among vets, and neutering improves a dog's health.
Whether it's a move away from the familiar or the loss of a human or fellow pet companion, your dog is capable of deep feelings of loss. He can also sense the feelings of those around him, deepening his own grief. Once you rule out any serious health problems with your dog's veterinarian, you can help your beloved pet move past his grief into emotional healing.
If your wee hamster ever makes squeaking sounds, it can point to several different things. Although squeaking is normal, commonplace and often no cause for alarm in hamsters, vocalization can also occasionally mean that your pet needs your help.
Hamsters are known to be pleasant, easy-to-care-for caged pets, but not everybody knows they're solitary creatures. You need to know how hamsters react to each other before you set out to acquire more than one. Some breeds of hamsters, are suited to hermitude, while others tolerate only their own species.
Double yellow-headed Amazons (Amazona oratrix) are mid-sized parrots that originated in the Americas -- specifically in Mexico, South and Central America. These bold and confident birds are much appreciated as household pets, not only for their friendly and bright overall dispositions, but also for their strong talking and copying talents.
With thousands of years of animal instincts in their genes, even long-domesticated creatures exhibit the behavior of hiding when they're unwell. A pet who is sick or dying is liable to hide his symptoms and even hide from his loved ones, and for a combination of reasons. It isn't because he dislikes you or wants to avoid your company; it's because he's programmed to stay away from other creatures when he is in a state of poor health.
Backpacks to carry dogs will vary depending on both the size and the breed of the animal in question. Learn about using backpacks to carry dogs with help from an experienced pet expert in this free video clip.
All dogs need plenty of daily exercise for developing healthy muscles and providing mental stimulus. Canine backpacks enhance the benefits of walking, giving your pet added mental and physical health benefits. Dogs over 2 years old can carry 10 to 20 percent of their body weight, distributed evenly on both sides of their body. Start with an empty pack, and gradually add weight as your dog gets used to carrying it.
If you'd like to add a bird to your family and are wondering what type you should adopt, you can't get much further apart on the spectrum than finches and parrots. Both make pleasant companions, but for different reasons. To help with your decision, find out what makes finches different from parrots as pets. Those facts will help determine which bird will better fit your expectations and lifestyle before bringing one home.
Adding a dog to your family is a big decision. One of the first choices you'll need to make is what breed of dog to adopt. Much will depend upon your lifestyle -- how much time and space you have, whether or not you have other pets or children -- and you'll also need to consider the pros and cons of adopting a purebred dog versus a mixed breed. While there are quite a few advantages, there are some disadvantages of purebred dogs.
Bonding with your pooch is tough -- he growls and yaps nonstop. In his mind, he's doing the best he can to communicate with you, although his behavior is clearly not appropriate. With some extra care though, you'll be able to nix his annoying behavior in no time and make him a beloved part of your family.
Owning a dog can have many benefits for a teen, including promoting a healthier lifestyle, according to the ASPCA. However, dogs are not in a "one size fits all" category. What works for one teen may not work for another. There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a dog for a teen.
Training your dog to count requires you to associate certain things with barking. Train your dog to count with help from a certified professional dog trainer in this free video clip.
Training assistance dogs requires you to help the animal learn how to become more independent. Train assistance dogs with help from a certified professional dog trainer in this free video clip.
One tool that you're going to want to make good use of when training a hyper, disobedient dog is a training collar. Train a hyper, disobedient dog with help from a certified professional dog trainer in this free video clip.
Taming animals as a hunter in "World of Warcraft" requires you to be at least at a level ten. Tame animals as a hunter on "World of Warcraft" with help from a video game expert in this free video clip.
As you eat your small bowl of cashews and almonds, your adorable pooch looks up at you hoping you will share. All he knows is you are enjoying a treat and he wants to enjoy it too. He doesn’t know how to watch out for safe and healthy foods and leaves that job up to you. Cashews and almonds are safe for most pooches in moderation, but there are some things to consider.
Dogs are often referred to as "man's best friend," so it's only natural that you would want to pick up hobbies that involve your dog. Whether you want to focus on competition, training, companionship or sport, with some research you will find the perfect hobby for your lifestyle and your dog's personality and abilities.
A dog with smelly gas is not fun for anybody -- not for you, who have to live around it, and certainly not for him, who has to endure the discomfort that comes with it. Rather than spraying the room with deodorant or shopping for a gas mask, try a few home remedies and lifestyle changes to deal with the smelly gas.
Many local governments and homeowners go straight for the standard ice melt to make walking or driving on icy sidewalks and roads safer. The sidewalk might be safer for you, but perhaps not for your dog. Ice melt often contains salt and harmful chemicals that can irritate your dog's skin, paws and digestive system. In the worst cases, it can be fatal.
While you probably don't have to worry about your pup inviting all the neighborhood canines over for a party involving cheap dog treats and chicken broth drinks while you're away, you still might want to spy on him. Your computer serves as a perfect spy tool, but you can go with a less technological approach, including third-party spying and peering through your blinds.
The chihuahua and the xoloitzcuintle, known as the Mexican hairless, are the two miniature dog breeds that originated in Mexico. The chihuahua was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The xoloitzcuintle, the national dog of Mexico, was named after the Aztec god Xolotl combined with the Aztec word for dog, itzcuintl. Both breeds were believed to be sacred animals.
Don't be confused by the term "bird dog." It doesn't refer to a genetic oddity or a mutant animal that is part dog, part bird. A bird dog is a hunting dog, one who's trained to hunt, flush out and retrieve game birds during a hunt. Proper training hones the dog's natural skills, making him a valuable partner and often creating an unbeatable team of the hunter and his dog.
Stabling a hunter pet in WoW requires you to first speak with the stable master. Stable a hunter pet in WoW with help from a World of Warcraft expert in this free video clip.
Renaming a hunter's pet in WoW first requires you to have that pet selected. Rename a hunter's pet in WoW with help from a World of Warcraft expert in this free video clip.
You can make a wide variety of fondant animals right at home depending on your tastes and preferences. Mold fondant animals with help from a cake designer and decorator in this free video clip.
Picasa isn't just a way to store your images online - it is also a way to edit them. Fix your pet's eyes in Picasa with help from a nationally-recognized thought leader on topics of marketing and digital media in this free video clip.
There are two tameable animals in Minecraft - the ocelot and the wolf. Catch animals in Minecraft with help from a devoted tech power user, gamer and gaming fan in this free video clip.
Hamsters make good first pets, as they are inexpensive to care for, don’t take a lot of room or effort and can be sociable. However, proper handling is paramount in keeping your hamster healthy and happy. While you may be tempted to play with your hamster, always handle him gently and be careful not to drop him. If you do drop your hamster, you could do serious damage to his small body.
Hamsters originated in parts of the Middle East, Asia and Europe and belong to the rodent family. Of the 26 hamster species, approximately five are available as pets. Wild and domestic hamsters are nocturnal, and most are solitary creatures. Even the smallest hamsters need a lot of space to exercise, forage, explore and hide. All hamsters’ vision is limited, so they rely on their sense of smell and their sensitive whiskers to navigate different aspects of their environment.
Nature designed many toxic plants to have a bitter taste that animals typically avoid. Nevertheless, a hungry horse might ingest plant toxins under a variety of circumstances. As a horse’s caretaker, you should learn to recognize toxic plants and to regularly check pastures and nearby property to ensure the horse has no access to poisonous matter. In many cases, you'll have to dig up toxic plants to keep them from growing back. Look around after storms to see if potentially toxic plant debris blew into your horse’s living or grazing area, and check hay bales for signs of unknown plants.
Much of the time, human anatomy and animal anatomy are very much alike. This is the case when it comes to the heart and the arteries and pathways running to and from the heart. Most air-breathing mammals’ hearts have two large veins that feed into them, one of these veins being the anterior vena cava.
Animating words to drop and bounce on an iPad will require the use of Apple's own Keynote application. Animate words to drop and bounce on an iPad with help from a mobile strategist in this free video clip.
Checking serum potassium in dogs is something that you have to do in a very particular way. Check serum potassium in dogs with help from an experienced pet professional in this free video clip.
Pet insurance is very popular and common in the United States. Get information on animal insurance with help from an experienced pet professional in this free video clip.
Administering an inhaler to a dog is something you need to do in a very particular way for the maximum effectiveness. Administer an inhaler to a dog with help from a partner in the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in this free video clip.
There are a few key things you can do to help with your dog's bronchitis and get the animal up and running again. Help your dog's bronchitis with help from a partner in the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic in this free video clip.
The ingredients that go into the mash that horses eat is very important. Find out what goes into mash for horses with help from an experienced equestrian professional in this free video clip.
