Category: Pets

Greek Tortoise: Species Profile

Native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Southwest Asia, Greek tortoises are commonly kept as pets, and their affable personalities make them enjoyable companions. Greek tortoises sport a shell that's tan to yellow with dark brown to black. They're generally easygoing pets, as long as owners meet their specific care needs....

Black Phantom Tetra Fish Species Profile

The black phantom tetra comes from northern Paraguay and central Brazil. It is a peaceful schooling fish and a great choice for a community aquarium. The black phantom tetra gets its name from its "eye patch" behind the gills as if a phantom is peering back at you. Although the males are mostly a smokey-silver, the females display some brilliant color....

Hognose Snake: Species Profile

The name "hognose" refers to multiple snake species with distinctly shaped upturned snouts coming from three related genera: Heterodon , Leioheterodon , and Lystrophis . These animals are fairly small and generally have thick bodies and round eyes. They're often found in homes as pet snakes. Hognose snakes tend to be timid, preferring to hide from predators in the wild rather than attack....

Gold (Chinese) Barb Fish Species Profile

Originating from the Red River basin in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, this fish is known worldwide as the Chinese barb, but the species is naturally green in color. The gold-colored, captive-bred variant is highly popular in the aquarium trade, giving rise to the name gold barb, by which it is commonly sold....

Red-Eared Slider Turtle: Species Profile

Native to North America, red-eared slider turtles can be rewarding pets. They sport attractive yellow and green markings, along with distinctive red patches behind their eyes. And they often are quite sociable with their owners. However, they are a fairly substantial undertaking when it comes to their care....

The 8 Best Carpet Cleaner Solutions for Pets in 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator at Amazon "A powerful carpet cleaner that doesn't require a whole machine to do its job....

Light Shock: an Overlooked Cause of Coralline Algae Bleaching Woes

Why are my coralline algae bleaching out and turning white? Do a search on the Web for information on "coralline bleaching" and you'll see just how often this question is asked. Browsing through the many forum postings that pop up in the results, it is amazing that in the quest to find an answer for coralline algae bleaching woes, seldom is light mentioned or seriously considered as a possible cause....

Rat Food and Tumors

Rats are sensitive and short-lived rodents, but many people have had the opportunity to discover what intelligent and personable pets they make. These people also know how prone to tumors and other life-threatening diseases their little rodent friends are and probably don't want to do anything to harm them....

The 8 Best Cat Litter Boxes of 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan at Amazon "This litter box is super simple to clean and refresh with new litter....

Ringworm in Puppies

All dogs are at risk for ringworm, but the condition is most common in puppies less than a year old, and in older dogs with compromised immune systems. It is contagious to humans and causes a crusty, itchy skin rash. In humans, ringworm typically displays as round, ring-like sores. What Is Ringworm? Ringworm is a fungal parasite that causes skin disease in pets and people....

How to Care for Your Dog's Basic Needs

As a dog owner, you want to know that you are taking proper care of your dog. This means learning about basic dog care and meeting your dog's essential needs to ensure its health and happiness. Proper nutrition, preventive veterinary care, health monitoring, grooming, a place to call its own, and plenty of exercise and affection will create an environment in which your dog can thrive....

Eye Problems in Rabbits

Rabbits have very large eyes that are located on either side of their heads. This eye placement is helpful in the wild because it enables rabbits to see things coming at them from both sides. Rabbits' eyes are also usually farsighted so they can easily see predators approaching from far away. Unfortunately, because of their anatomy, rabbits are prone to a variety of eye problems....

Head and Lateral Line Erosion Disease (HLLE)

This disease stems from the lateral line that fish have, thus appropriately named Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE). It is also referred to as Lateral Line Erosion (LLE), Lateral Line Disease (LLD) and Hole-In-The-Head Disease. It appears as open pitted wounds around a fish's head and along the lateral line as if something is slowly eroding away the flesh....

Understanding Snake Hearing

In the past, it was a common belief that snakes couldn't hear much if anything since they have no external ears and don't seem to respond to noises. However, scientific research refutes this common misconception. Snake Ear Anatomy Many people don't realize that snakes have ears but they are in fact there....

Phosphates in Your Saltwater Aquarium

P hosphate, or PO4, is a compound of Phosphorus ( P ), one of the top 14 out of 70 trace elements found in natural seawater that are considered to be essential for saltwater aquarium and reef tank systems. The normal PO4 level in the ocean is 0.07 ppm (remember this number for future reference). How Do Phosphates Affect the Saltwater Aquarium?...

Kribensis Cichlid Fish Species Profile

A dwarf cichlid, kribensis is a colorful fish that's easy to care for. Its Latin name translates to "beautiful belly." During the spawning season, the female sports a brilliant, cherry-red colored belly. Kribensis fish originate in the African waters of southern Nigeria and the coastal areas of Cameroon....

Pet Rabbit Names That Start With 'A' Through 'E'

Naming your new pet bunny can be tough. You might want to pick a name that fits with your rabbit's appearance. For instance, you could name a snowy white bunny Blizzard or a reddish-brown bunny Cinnamon. Or you might prefer to take some time to get to know your rabbit's personality to find a name that goes well with it....

Neon Tetra Fish Species Profile

The dazzling crown jewel of aquariums everywhere, the hardy little neon tetra fish was originally imported from South America. Their popularity resulted in a thriving captive breeding trade in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. More than 1.5 million neon tetras are imported each month to the United States....

Diarrhea in Puppies

Diarrhea is a common issue for puppies, so being familiar with dog diarrhea treatments is important for pet owners. Mild cases can be treated at home, but more severe cases of diarrhea can be deadly for puppies. While diarrhea isn't a disease, it is a sign of illness, caused by many different conditions....

Canine Coronavirus

Canine coronavirus (CCV) is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It was first identified in 1971 in a group of military dogs in Germany. The virus has since been found in Europe, North America, and Australia and occurs throughout the world. Coronaviruses occur in all kinds of animals and often look similar or cause similar signs....