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Which Small Pets Need To Be Kept In Pairs, And Which Are Best Housed Alone?

Which small animals should be housed solo, and which need to live in pairs or groups?

Ready to adopt a new pocket pet… or two?  Owning more than one small pet means extra care costs, but they’ll keep each other from getting lonely when you’re not around. Some small animals are social creatures that live together in the wild, while some are strictly solitary, prone to fighting when housed together. Here are some of our favorite social and not-so-social small animals: Guinea Pigs At the top of our list of most social small pets is the guinea pig. Sweet, cuddly and intelligent, they are herd animals that need lots of love and affection. Guinea pigs always need[…]Read More…

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How To Choose Between Grain-Free And Grain-Inclusive Pet Food

In recent years, pet foods have become complicated, to say the least.  With so many different formulas to choose from, dozens of new brands, and very little information on the label besides flashy marketing terms, you might feel like shopping for pet food has become extremely overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know when choosing the right food for your pet: Ingredients In Grain-Free And Grain-Inclusive Pet Foods The “grains” in grain-inclusive pet foods are usually corn, rice, wheat and barley. Grain-free pet foods contain other sources of carbohydrates that are included as an energy source and to hold the[…]Read More…

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How to Keep Your Pets Safe on Your Deck

The summer heat is here and our decks are ready for family, friends, sunbathing, barbeques, and of course, hanging out with our pets! While our pups love watching us barbeque on the deck or our cats enjoy basking in the sun, as pet owners we need to make sure they are completely safe. As amazing as our decks are, they can be dangerous. However, danger can be easily prevented! Let your dogs and cats be protected and happy this summer with these tips to keep your pets safe on your deck! Tip 1: Check the deck’s temperature Whether your deck[…]Read More…

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What To Do If You See A Dog In A Hot Car

What To Do If You See A Dog In A Hot Car

Isn’t it wonderful to be able to take your dog with you when you go out, instead of leaving them at home? Most dogs love car rides, especially if they know they’re going to the park or the dog beach. However, taking your dog with you can be inconvenient. They’re not allowed in most public places. People sometimes resort to leaving their dog in their car while they run into the store “for five minutes.” Even if you run in, grab what you need, and don’t have to wait in line, it only takes a few minutes for the inside[…]Read More…

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How To Dehydrate Your Own Healthy Pet Treats

How To Dehydrate Your Own Healthy Pet Treats

Cheap pet treats aren’t healthy, and healthy treats aren’t cheap. Ounce-for-ounce, biscuit-type treats are typically cheaper because they are made with fillers like flour or starch. Treats made with mostly meat tend to be healthier for cats and dogs, though some are made with artificial preservatives that can lead to chronic health issues when fed long-term. While it’s perfectly fine to offer your pet’s favorite store-bought “junk food” treats, especially if your pet finds them highly motivating for training, you need to feed them in moderation to prevent excess weight gain and watch out for pet product recalls. Making treats[…]Read More…

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How To Tell If Your Pets Are At A Healthy Weight

How To Tell If Your Pets Are Overweight

In 2017, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are clinically overweight. This epidemic is putting pets at greater risk for certain cancers, kidney failure, diabetes, and puts excessive strain on their bones and joints. We can only blame ourselves for these shocking statistics. Most of the time, pet owners decide what their pets eat, and when. We might be substituting food for love and attention when we’re busy, or choosing foods that are marketed as “healthy” when they’re really not. Sometimes we don’t realize when our pets are overweight because we see[…]Read More…

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How To Choose The Perfect Name For Your New Pet

How To Choose A Name For Your Pet Cat Or Dog

Those tiny paws, big eyes and little snout are absolutely perfect – how will you possibly choose a name that is just as perfect as your new addition? Whether you have dozens of names that you can’t choose between, or you’re completely drawing a blank when thinking up names, it won’t be long until you find a name that just “sticks.” Keep in mind your pet’s personality, how they’ll change as they grow, and what that name will sound like after the twelfth time you’ve yelled it from your back porch. The Science Of Pet Naming Both cats and dogs[…]Read More…

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What To Include In Your Pets’ Emergency Kits

What To Include In Your Pets Emergency Kits

No matter where you live, there’s always the possibility that your family will be affected by an emergency or natural disaster. Medical emergencies, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and other events can find us blindsided when we neglect to plan for them. When you have pets, it’s even more important to plan ahead. You don’t need to spend a lot of time or money to prepare kits that could save your pet’s life. With any luck, you’ll never actually have to use them. Steps To Take Right Now Approximately 15,500 pets needed to be rescued during Hurricane Katrina, and 80-85 percent of[…]Read More…

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How To Choose The Right Aquarium Tank Size

How To Choose The Right Size For Your Aquarium

Are you ready to set up an aquarium in your home?  You may have already taken into consideration where you will put it, what it will look like, and how it will fit into your home. The aquarium is your fish or aquatic pet’s home – it’s their bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, all in one. That’s why aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures thrive in an aquarium that is adequately sized. When fish and other underwater animals release wastes, it creates a build-up of ammonia in the tank. Fish can be poisoned by their own ammonia if the water is not changed[…]Read More…

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Why Your Dog Is Red, Itchy, Smelly And Balding – Common Dog Skin Issues

itchy dog redness hair loss causes

It is not unusual to see your dog use a hind leg to give herself a long, relaxing scratch. But if your dog seems to lick or scratch excessively, they could be suffering from a medical issue. Redness, lesions, hair loss and a strange odor are all symptoms of an underlying condition. Here are some common causes of itching in dogs. You won’t be able to diagnose your dog on your own, but you can get some ideas so you’ll know what to ask at your next vet visit. Allergies Dogs, like people, can have allergic reactions to just about[…]Read More…

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Ticks On Pets – Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention

Pets like dogs and cats are likely to get ticks if they go outdoors even for a short period. When ticks attach themselves to a host, they can transmit infection within 24 to 48 hours. That is why you have to be prompt in removing these parasites. As a matter of fact, a Tick Check should be part of your everyday pet care routine especially if you have wooded areas or long grass nearby. Ticks are Ectoparasites, meaning they are the parasites that live outside of the host animal. Identifying one is not hard because they have some unique characteristics.[…]Read More…

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10 Ways To Get Any Cat To Like You

10 Ways To Get ANY #Cat To Like You

Cats have unique personalities, but they all speak the same language. Learn how to get a cat to like you, and you’ll quickly befriend every cat you meet, whether you’re adopting a new kitten or visiting a friend’s house. In ten simple ways, you can easily become a “cat whisperer.” 1. Wear soft clothes.  If you’re planning on meeting a new cat, wear something soft – a sweatshirt, sweatpants, a loose dress, or any garment that would make your lap a comfy place for the cat to snuggle. Laying together is a powerful way to bond with a cat. All you[…]Read More…

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The Best Fresh Foods To Boost Your Pet’s Kibble

Boost your cat or dog's dry kibble with these healthy, fresh, cancer-preventing foods.

Dry kibble is the most affordable way to feed your pet – but it’s not the healthiest. Just like people, animals thrive on fresh food diets. However, it’s not always practical to prepare your own pet food at home. You can boost your pet’s kibble and add enticing variety to their diet with healthy add-ins. Are Fruits And Veggies Good For Dogs And Cats? Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat both meat and produce. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they actually do not need produce to thrive. In fact, the carbohydrates in cat and dog kibbles are difficult for your[…]Read More…

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How To Trim Your Cat’s Nails Without Getting Scratched

Trim your cat's nails without getting scratched using counter conditioning and desensitization

Your fluffy, cuddly kitty is equipped with 18 long, razor-sharp claws of death – maybe more if your cat is a polydactyl cat. If you don’t trim your cat’s nails, they’ll continue to curve downward as they grow. They’ll be more likely to get caught in fabric and cause serious, painful scratches on your skin that can easily become infected. In extreme cases, the nail begins to grow into the cat’s paw pad, making it difficult for them to walk. Veterinarians are happy to trim your cat’s claws for you. However, your vet will need you or a vet tech[…]Read More…

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Dog Stress Signs Most People Miss

These stress signs means your dog needs your help.

“It was so sudden,” they always say. “He attacked her out of nowhere.” So many children and adults suffer from dog bites that seemingly occur out of the blue. Of course, this is rarely the full story. Dogs give off many signs of stress before they resort to a bite. When a dog is in a situation that makes him feel overwhelmingly scared, he simply can’t help but bite to get out of it. It’s tragic. Dogs are typically euthanized after severe bites, even if they have no history of aggression. It’s also understandable; few people would feel safe living[…]Read More…

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What’s Growing On My Dog? Common Canine Lumps And Bumps

What's Growing On My Dog? Common Canine Lumps And Bumps

You’re petting your dog, and you feel something that wasn’t there before. It might be soft, hard, round or oblong. It might be covered with hair or completely bald. It might be alone or appear in groups. Get to know some of the common growths that appear on dogs. This list isn’t meant to help you make a diagnosis – it should instead inspire you to seek treatment, as most lumps and bumps are easily curable and will not affect your dog’s lifespan. Should You See A Vet? Ideally, you should see a vet as soon as you notice anything[…]Read More…

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Plants Poisonous To Pets (Series #1) : African Evergreen

Plants are great additions to any house or apartments. Whether inside or outside, a lot of plants and pets can live alongside in harmony. However, there are plants that pose some kind of threat to pets. Oftentimes some curious pets venture to try the plants and suffer the consequences. Sadly, educating pet animals to keep them away from this kind of danger is nearly impossible. Over the holidays, that is exactly what happened. My Dachshund ‘Rooga’ chewed on the African Evergreen plants I had on my balcony. I had no idea that African Evergreens were poisonous to dogs and even worse[…]Read More…

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Common Eye Disorders In Fish: Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Eyes are so precious indeed. It lets you see the beautiful world. Not to forget that it is also one of the most sensitive areas of all the living creatures; with eyes that is (O: A small scratch in the eye can make you scream in pain. Sadly, fish cannot raise their voice and it becomes difficult for us to understand how much the poor little fish are suffering. It is the duty of the fish-keeper to take proper care of the adorable creatures and offer them a clean environment. Eye diseases are very common in fish kept in tanks with[…]Read More…