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It is well known nowadays that companion animals can have positive mental and physical health benefits for humans like us that are lucky enough to share our lives with them. We know that dogs can work as service animals for some medical conditions, being active with your pets can encourage your healthy lifestyle, and having the love and companionship of a household pet can provide relief of stress and anxiety. When it comes to cats though, there have been scientific studies into the health benefits of not only owning a cat but the benefits their purr can offer their human companions....

If you are a dog breeder, you probably have several dogs running about that can cause quite a mess while they play. Cleaning it up can be quite a chore, especially if you don’t know where to begin. To help you out, we’ve assembled a list you can follow along with to tidy up your kennel to make sure it’s up to breeding standards and can pass any inspection. We’ll discuss how to clean, how often, where to begin, and much more to help you keep your breeding area clean and healthy....

It can be really difficult to deal with a sick or elderly cat that is struggling to get enough nutrition. Loss of teeth, neurological issues, jaw problems, and a variety of other issues may cause your cat to require a liquid diet. Liquid diets can be difficult to come by, though, and may be costly. It’s important to understand the nutritional needs of your cat before switching to a liquid diet as well since just offering things like broth, cat milk, goat’s milk, and other liquids isn’t going to provide your cat with adequate nutrition....

The answer to this question is a bit complicated. Back when ferrets first became popular in the United States, they lived for about 10 years. They were imported from Europe during this time. However, ferrets typically aren’t living this long anymore. Many are only living a maximum of 5-7 years. This lifespan is significantly shorter than it used to be, primarily because of captive breeding. Breeders began breeding ferrets for aesthetic purposes instead of health, which has led to an overall decrease in their lifespan....

Dogs and cats are the planet’s most popular companions, but small animals like hamsters and hedgehogs also make excellent pets. Unlike active breeds of canines and felines that require a great deal of space, small pets can live in practically any home with a suitable cage. Hamsters and hedgehogs are ideal for pet owners who prefer quiet animals with fewer costs related to food, vet care, or supplies. Both creatures have brief lifespans, but they enjoy interacting with human caretakers when they’re introduced to them shortly after birth....

It’s easy to dismiss the intelligence of small rodents. After all, how can such a little body have such big thoughts? Well, this species is one of great capabilities, small but mighty. Hamster owners won’t be surprised to discover just how brilliant hamsters are. You know that a lot is going on, a brain full of problem-solving and survival skills. But just how smart are hamsters? Let’s ask science. The Hamster Brain A hamster’s brain is a small organ—about the size of your pinky nail....

Every reptile enthusiast knows that cold-blooded creatures have a very different way of eating and digesting food. If you’re new to snake-owning, you’re probably brushing up on all the tidbits of knowledge that will help you care for your ball python. Ball pythons have relatively easy eating requirements. Even though you can skip several days between feedings—you don’t want to skip too many. An adult ball python can survive up to 6 months without eating, but such a long period can be disastrous for the health of the reptile....

Whether your dog is a puppy or has a white face, your dog can learn a new name. Teaching your dog a new name is one of the easiest things to do when adopting a new pet. All you need is some treats, a quiet space, and patience. That’s it! Once your dog learns its new name, you can move on to other training sessions. But your dog has to understand its name first....

Height: 7 – 11 inches Weight: 8 – 12 pounds Lifespan: 10 – 15 years Colors: Black, white, blue, orange, gray, beige, tan, brown, sable Suitable for: Families with children and other cats Temperament: Affectionate, social, and inquisitive The Manx cat is a crossbreed between the Himalayan, Persian, and other long-furred cat breeds. The Manx has no properly developed tail, and it instead looks like a stump. Other distinguishable characteristics are the elongated hind legs and rounded head....

Height: 7 – 9 inches Weight: 4 – 32 pounds Lifespan: 12 – 15 years Colors: Black, white, grey, lemon, chestnut, yellow, tan, cream, fawn Suitable for: Owner looking for a small, cuddly, and active dog, people who live in apartments, family with older children Temperament: Energetic, affectionate, adaptable, prone to separation anxiety If you want a small mellow pup with the softest coat ever, you can’t go wrong with the Mauxie....

With so many dog food options on the market, it’s easy to walk away with your hands empty and your head buzzing. If you’ve been buying dog food for some time or have recently adopted a puppy and have been doing research into good dog food brands, you’ll recognize the brands Orijen and Blue Buffalo. These two names are some of the most loved and supported dog food brands on the market....

Few birds have the stories and unique life histories as the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). How many species can boast of the enthusiasm of an honored statesman such as Benjamin Franklin? However, for the record, he never publicly praised this ground-dwelling upland game bird. Nevertheless, understanding the turkey’s roosting behavior reveals a lot about this fowl. Species and Subspecies We can begin with the species and subspecies to determine what time of day these birds roost....

Most of us have heard the idiom “scare the sh*t out of someone,” but it’s generally a rare sight in the modern era. However, it does have some truth to it. When you’re scared, your brain sends a nerve signal to the digestive system stimulating contractions and motility. The urinary system is also controlled by the nervous system, that’s why urine and feces can be forced out of your body when you’re afraid....

Cats bring joy into our lives and never cease to surprise us, but they can also fill the air with dander, dust, and pollen. Pet parents who suffer from cat-related allergies can benefit from buying an air purifier. Purifiers remove allergens and keep your home smelling fresh, but some models are more effective than others. Smaller, less-powerful units are suitable for small rooms, but they’re not capable of improving the air quality of an entire home....

Welcoming a Goldendoodle puppy into your home is fun and exciting! The right toys, beds, leashes, bowls, and food are all important things to acquire when you get a new dog. When it comes to puppies, they need different nutrition than adult or senior dogs. With so many puppy foods on the market today, though, it can be hard to choose the best one. The other challenge is that Goldendoodles come in 3 sizes so a one size fits all approach to nutrition is not appropriate....

If there’s any guarantee for pet owners, it’s that we all will have to clean up pet messes occasionally. Dogs, cats, and other pets will have accidents of all kinds that need cleaning up. Dog urine is a common pet cleaning issue, especially if you’re house training a new puppy. You’ve probably seen lots of products that say they clean pet urine in carpet, but what if you have hardwood floors?...

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By Dr. Lorna Whittemore Veterinarian, MRCVS Reviewed & Fact-Checked By Dr. Lorna Whittemore Veterinarian, MRCVS The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. A litter box is undoubtedly one of the first purchases you’ll make when inviting a cat into your home. The industry has seen a bump in sales in recent years as more people have opted to get a pet. Experts expect the clumping litter market alone to reach $1....

Many aquarists rely on the internet to provide them with all the information they need to know about their aquatic pets, however, books can be a great source of information too, and make a fantastic collector’s item. There are plenty of goldfish books out there that can provide you with great information on how to care for your goldfish, and sometimes reading this information in your own hands can help you get a better understanding of a specific fish species....

If you’ve decided to take on a new challenge, raising pigs can be a fun family activity and is great for teaching kids responsibility. The first thing you’ll need is a shelter and pigpen, and these can be made from standard hog panels, t-posts, and wood or pallets you can find in your local hardware store. The living area should be kitted out with plenty of straw but also a few extra necessities to keep your drift happy....

The croton (Codiaeum variegatum), also called garden croton, is a superb perennial plant native to Malaysia.1 Its leathery, lobed leaves take on beautiful bright colors when exposed to light. During the summer, tiny yellow star-shaped flowers may appear in clusters. However, if you are a cat owner, you probably already know the attraction that your beautiful indoor plants have on your curious little feline. While most are safe for cats, the croton sadly is not....