Although dogs generally really are man’s (and woman’s) best friend, they can still be dangerous. Too often we forget that our family pet has the potential to inflict serious injury on us, our children, our friends, or our neighbors. Thankfully, we can reduce these risks through proper training and socialization but it’s also useful to…
Cats are very clean animals. When they feel the need to get clean, they take the initiative and groom themselves. When grooming, the cat will contort its body to reach seemingly unreachable places and lick each area clean. The tongue is lined with hooked barbs that grab onto the hairs and pull out dirt and…
Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most popular breeds in the United States but, like all dogs, they can be subject to their share of health problems. Some problems are congenital, meaning the dogs are born with them; and other problems are genetic. Some of the breed’s problems are due to the very small size…
Many people today don’t understand the canine heat cycle but it is similar in many ways to the heat cycle of other animals, with a few differences. In the wild, the female wolf usually comes in season once a year. Dogs have evolved away from this pattern in many cases. Some primitive breeds, such as…
It’s not as simple as it seems, being a Crazy Cat Lady… A lot of work goes into reaching true CCL status; you can’t just adopt a few cats and achieve this prestigious rank. Think of it as holding the position of Foster Mother to orphans but with a lot less paperwork! Traits of an…
To determine the size of the space and whether it is too small, cats use their whiskers to act as feelers of the area. They can determine if they will be able to fit or not. If you put cat urine under a black light, it will glow. This is a great way to find…
If you’re interested in low-exercise dog breeds, it’s generally best to consider Toy breeds. Most of these small dogs have minimal exercise requirements that can be satisfied by playing in the house or by going for a walk when you take them outside to potty. Some of these breeds will also enjoy playing in a…
Although there are no dogs connected with any specific Western astrological sign, in Chinese astrology the sign of the Dog is highly regarded. Those born under the sign of the dog are honest, faithful, and sincere, like the dog himself. He is loyal and dutiful and makes a good companion. In the West, Canis Major…
Kennel cough is an extremely common respiratory ailment affecting dogs. The disorder, which can also be called infectious tracheobronchitis, is not a single disease but rather is the way in which dogs react to a number of infectious microorganisms. The bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica is implicated in many cases of kennel cough, but other bacteria and…
We live in a chocolate society. Chocolate milkshakes, hot chocolate, chocolate cookies, chocolate breakfast cereal, chocolate cake, chocolate bunnies, chocolate Santa, chocolate ghosts, and even just plain, scrumptious, mouth-watering chocolate. Every candy bar comes coated in it and most ice cream bars are dipped in it. Chocolate is even sold as a mood elevator and…
You say excitedly “Sing, Fido, sing!” and your dog breaks out into a melodious howl. Unfortunately, this also backfires because when you do start to sing, so does your dog. Why do dogs howl? And why do some dogs never howl? Howling dogs are not uncommon – most dogs howl for one reason or another….
Apparently, puppies get hiccups the same way that babies or children can. And for some of the same reasons. Hiccups in puppies less than six months old are often an involuntary, harmless contraction of the diaphragm that can occur in any breed or size of puppy. The hiccup episodes tend to last for just a…