Pets

Debating whether a dog or cat makes a better pet is all a matter of opinion and personal preference. Cats can have a tendency to be much more independent whereas dogs do seem to need their owners...

Dogs are wonderful pets and companions. They are loyal, devoted, friendly, nonjudgmental and love unconditionally. Humans and dogs have a relationship going back thousands of years, and it looks...

Hyperthyroidism is the most common hormone disorder among cats, according to Doctors Foster and Smith of Pet Education. Symptoms of the disease, which most often occur in middle-aged to older...

Java moss has become a very popular plant for aquascaping planted aquariums because it is cheap and easy to grow. Java moss thrives in a wide range of water parameters. But the speed and ease at...

Oat hay is extremely nutritious and primarily consumed by horses and other animals. The Kentucky College of Agriculture says oat hay is especially recommended for older horses because it is high...

A pet door for a sliding glass door attaches to the door frame within the opening side of the door. It is generally five inches wider than the pet flap and the same height as the door opening.

Pet owners know the value of a product that helps to keep their home cleaner. Swiffer picks up pet hair easily and is convenient. But many animal lovers question whether the chemicals in the...

Worms are not uncommon in cats. Cats contract these parasites through the bite of a mosquito or by ingesting worm eggs in contaminated water or food. If your cat is a hunter, it can get worms from...

Hostas, shade-loving plants that many people have in their gardens, are dangerous to dogs if ingested. The toxicity comes from saponins, a glucoside, in the plant. A dog that eats hosta plants may...

Canine neutering has become commonplace surgery in today's world. Despite its common nature, some complications can occur. Post-surgical swelling is one moderately serious complication of which...

Dogs and humans are both mammals, thus the overall chemical composition of their urine is remarkably similar. The urinary system of a dog consists of kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and...

Your cat has decided to do some redecorating when it comes to your home. He's scratching your sofa and you're wondering how to stop it. Your friends tell you to get your cat declawed or get rid...

Adding a kitten to your family can be a big decision. It is a good idea to hold a family meeting and make sure that all members are willing to help out with the responsibility of taking care of a...

Ear pain usually occurs with infection, ear mites, obstruction or physical damage. Signs of ear pain include scratching or rubbing at the ear, frequent head shaking, or whining when the head is...

Your LitterMaid automatic litter box should work correctly to sort the litter and gather the soiled litter in a collection area for your disposal. Three main problems might cause you to need to...

"Watch me" is an important command that every dog should know and every dog owner should have in their repertoire. Use the "Watch me" command to get your dog's attention, whether you're training...

If you are thinking of adding a cat to your household, do so when you will be home during the day, every day, for about a week. This is a good time to plan a vacation from work, if necessary. Cats...

There's nothing more heart-warming than a litter of newborn kittens, and cat breeders get to see many of them. But if you've ever wanted to start breeding cats yourself, it's not something that...

Birdwatching is a popular pastime, as some birds are among the most beautiful creatures in the wild. While you can see many birds by going on hikes in the woods or in parks, you can also bring the...

Having an invisible dog fence keeps your dog from running off, and it saves you the expense and view obstruction of having a traditional type of fence. However, if you ever have to repair a hole...

Azaleas are flowering bushes used as foundation plantings in yards and as well houseplants. Their popularity can placement can make the easy for the family pet to chew, dig, claw and climb on and...

The popularity of xylitol has been increasing for several years, but unfortunately for many dog owners, so have the cases of xylitol poisoning. Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, is found in...

In rare instances, operating on a sick dog is the only way to save its life. In other instances, however, the risks outweigh the reward.

The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is a common mammal found throughout most of Canada and the United States. This animal not only frequents rivers, but can also be found living...

Being careful about what to plant can be quite an endeavor for some but finding pet safe plants does not have to be hard. One plant that is safe to use around dogs and cats is garden phlox.

The lymphatic nodes, vessels and tissues of your dog's immune system help combat disease. Lymphatic cancer, or lymphoma, can strike almost anywhere in a dog's body. According to CanineCancer.com,...

Having a litter of puppies in your care is a large responsibility. While the mother dog will do most of the work, you still must keep an eye on her, plus the babies, to ensure that all is going...

A radio dog fence is a device that prevents dogs from leaving an area. A radio transmitter that is set to a certain frequency is sent along wires underground. The dog has a device attached his...

There are many health factors to consider when caring for any lizard, but for the Bearded Dragon there are generally two skin diseases that reptile owners should be aware of, Yellow Fungus and...

The liver secretes enzymes that aid a dog's body in metabolizing fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Elevated levels of these enzymes may indicate liver failure; however, they can be indicative of...

Finding toys for your pet hamster does not have to break the bank. Use household items to create play items for your furried friend. Not only will you save money, but you also will help to save...

Nearly every puppy and kitten is born with some type of worm. Roundworms are the most common among cats and dogs, and many times kittens and puppies are born infected with roundworms. Roundworms...

One of his hardest-working organs, your dog's liver has enormous reserves and won't show signs of damage until it's at about 30 percent capacity. Then his blood liver enzyme levels will rise as...

Canine hemangiosarcoma ranks among the most aggressive cancers, affecting primarily the heart and spleen. Because this form of sarcoma targets blood vessels, it tends to grow and metastasize...

The pH of an aquarium is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the water. The pH scale goes from 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. A pH of 7 in considered neutral,...

Toxins produced by or contained within some types of algae are extremely poisonous. One such lethal organism is referred to as blue-green algae, so named because the foam or scum it produces gives...

Going to a pond and throwing bits of bread to the flocks of ducks and geese is an enjoyable pastime for many people, but it might not be such a good idea for the birds themselves.

Your cat likely has more mercury in its body than you do. So concludes a 2008 study from the Environmental Working Group, which found average levels of mercury in cats at 5.45 times that of humans.

Fleas are nasty little bugs that can cause real problems for our canine friends. These problems range from simple episodes of scratching to intense allergic reactions leading to skin infections...

Avoiding equine muscle injuries or quickly treating them are crucial for horse owners. Cod liver fish oil supplements are being used to treat horse injuries related to sports, because of their...

While urinary tract infections (UTIs) are fairly common in dogs, they respond quickly to the correct treatment. Veterinarians usually treat mild UTIs with oral antibiotics. One they frequently...

Thyroid disease, most commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism, is common in older cats but can occur in cats of any age. It is the most common disease affecting the thyroid gland in cats.

Anesthesia is used to put cats under for a variety of reasons, including surgeries, such as a neuter or spay surgery, and routine dental cleaning. With any medication that is introduced to a cat,...

If your dog is drinking large amounts of water and urinating more frequently, it might be time to see if kidney disease is the cause. Kidney disease is also known as chronic renal failure...

A rooster does not need to be present for a hen to lay eggs. However, if a rooster is not present, then the eggs will not be fertilized and will never hatch.

Lethargic goldfish or koi is an indication some infection has infested your pond. It is important to know and recognize the symptoms of the various afflictions that can affect your pond.

Most dog owners want only the best food for their pet. With hundreds of brand names on the market, it can be confusing to know which dog foods are of the highest quality. There are some brands...

Before buying a guinea pig, it is important to understand how to care for it. The most important element in caring for your guinea pig is feeding it the correct diet, along with offering fresh...

Puppies love to chew on just about anything. The rubbery nature of electrical cords make these items especially inviting for puppies. A puppy's risk for burns to his mouth and electrical shock are...