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Author: PetGd

CategoriesCats
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Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?

5. They’re Stressed or Anxious As with humans, cats are affected by stress. One way cats express stress or anxiety is by changing their sleep patterns. If they’re suddenly sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about something in their environment. Cats can become stressed or anxious for many reasons, such as when new family members come into the house or if feeding times change. 6. They’re Sick Certain illnesses and diseases can also make your cat sleep more than usual. These include: Hyperthyroidism Diabetes Kidney disease Heart disease Liver disease Cancer Take your cat to the vet right away if you notice any other changes, such as loss of appetite or weight loss. 7. They’re Injured Cats are agile creatures, often jumping from high places or running around at top speed. The downside is that this type of vigorous activity can sometimes result in muscle strains and torn ligaments. To rest and recuperate from these injuries, your cat might sleep more. Your cat might also sleep more if they have a wound or infection because their immune system is working overtime. It’s also not uncommon for cats to develop arthritis and joint pain as they age. To relieve their discomfort, they may become lethargic and sleep more. A vet visit might be in order if your cat is lame or stiff. Your vet can diagnose the problem and come up with a treatment plan to help reduce pain and improve mobility so your cat can get back to napping. Always take your cat to the vet as soon as possible when you notice signs of injury or that your cat is in pain. They can examine your pet and, if necessary, prescribe medication or suggest physical therapy to promote healing.  Is My Cat Sleeping Too Much? If your is cat sleeping more than usual or if you notice any other behavioral changes with their sleeping habits, contact your veterinarian for advice. If your vet finds something wrong, they may suggest dietary changes, extra exercise, medications, supplements, or behavior modification training. But the fix could also be as simple as giving your kitty more toys and playtime!,WRITTEN BY Nicole Zittritsch, LVT, BSc, MPH Veterinarian Technician,Cats, like other animals, need a lot of sleep to stay healthy. But sometimes it might seem like your cat spends more time asleep than he does awake. Why do cats sleep so much? And what factors affect your kitty’s sleeping habits? Here’s what to know about all those catnaps. How Many Hours a Day Does a Cat Sleep? Cats sleep between 12–16 hours a day. To humans, who need about seven hours of sleep during adulthood, that seems like a lot of time spent snoozing. But when you think about it, it’s not too surprising that cats spend so much time resting. Hunting and exploring are energy-consuming activities. As predators, cats need a lot more rest than humans so they can remain alert and focused. The amount of time spent sleeping can depend on a cat’s life stage. Kittens are still growing and developing, so they’re likely to need up to 20 hours of sleep per day, while adult cats need 15 hours or less. It’s common for senior cats (those at least 10 years old) to spend more time asleep than younger cats, as they’re typically less active due to health issues or mobility loss. 7 Reasons Why Cats Sleep Ultimately, how much a cat sleeps varies from pet to pet. Breed, diet, and lifestyle make a difference in how much cats sleep, along with age. For example, cats who lack mental stimulation often become lethargic and sleepy as a way of filling the time. Here are some common reasons your cat sleeps so much. 1. They’re Taking Catnaps It’s believed that cats don’t really sleep for long stretches; rather, they take frequent catnaps that last 15–30 minutes. Catnaps allow your cat to rest his body and mind without falling into deep sleep. These catnaps allow felines to still react quickly to potential threats in their environment. 2. They’re Conserving Energy Cats use a lot of energy when they hunt, play, or explore their environment—so it makes sense that they need to conserve energy by sleeping more. Your cat will be ready to tackle whatever activity he wants when he wakes up from a nap, whether that’s darting up a cat tree or chasing an interactive toy.

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CategoriesFish
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5 Live Aquarium Plants That Even a Beginner Can Care For

 ,So, Which Aquarium Plant is Best for You? If you’re new to fish keeping and are looking for a great plant—any of these five aquarium plants will be great for your tank. Take into consideration the fish you are hoping to keep. If you want to keep larger, more aggressive fish stick with the hardy java moss and java fern. If you’re looking for something that can be used as more of a centerpiece, you might want to consider the Amazon Sword.,Image via iStock.com/rookiephoto19 By Robert Woods of Fishkeepingworld.com If you are thinking of keeping freshwater fish, the likelihood is that you will also have considered keeping live aquarium plants, too. Some people choose artificial plants over living aquarium plants because they think live plants will be too difficult to look after. Don’t let that put you off. Plants not only look great in a fish aquarium, but they provide a whole host of other amazing benefits. They act as great filtration, provide the water with oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide created by tank inhabitants, combat algae growth and provide shelter for your fish to hide in. Here are five of the best beginner freshwater aquarium plants that are easy to care for and will add more color and life to your fish aquarium. Java Moss This is the first plant listed because it’s almost impossible to kill. Java moss is easy to grow and maintain and will attached to a wide range of surfaces, including gravel, rocks, driftwood and decorations. Java moss can be used to cover the floor of an aquarium, create beautiful growths on rocks, create tree-like sculptures and provide the tank with a more natural feel. It is commonly used for aquascaping and is also a great plant to include in breeder tanks, as it gives shelter to the eggs and fry. Java moss grows in most water conditions. It thrives in temperatures between 69 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and will tolerate temperatures up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It will grow in low and high light; however, you’ll find that lower light creates a darker, lankier plant, and high light creates a more compact, dense plant. Java moss is one of the rare plants that is compatible with pretty much all species of fish.

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CategoriesFish
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How to Control and Remove Phosphates in Your Aquarium

The emergence of nuisance algae in an apparently “clean” tank can be as perplexing as it can frustrating, especially for those who are still learning about nutrient cycles. Though they may be invisible, dissolved nutrients may accumulate over time, resulting in excessive aquarium algae. Without some effort to remove and control these fertilizers, algal plagues will become the norm. One of the main nutrients to be concerned about here is dissolved phosphorus. The Phosphorus Cycle Phosphate is not present in the Earth’s atmosphere in any significant quantity. Therefore, the oceans take in very little phosphorus from air-water exchange. Instead, phosphorus is carried to sea by way of rivers from terrestrial sources. Phosphorus is thus more concentrated in coastal than in open ocean environments. In water, it may take the form of particulate organic phosphorus (such as that found in detritus), dissolved organic phosphate (such as that found in some fats and proteins) or dissolved inorganic phosphorus (such as phosphate). As a vital component of every cell in every organism, phosphorus cycling plays a major role in shaping marine food webs. Phosphorus primarily enters marine ecosystems through the uptake of phosphate by primary producers (mostly phytoplankton). The main pathway in the cycle (known as the “biological pump”) takes phosphorus locked up in biomass in the form of carcasses, feces and so on to the seafloor, where it becomes part of the detritus. Detritivores consume and metabolize the material, releasing phosphate into the surrounding waters. Wave action and oceanic water currents return this inorganic phosphorus to the surface, where it can again be utilized by algae and other autotrophs.

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CategoriesRabbits
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What Do You Feed a Rabbit?

By Helen-Anne Travis What do you feed a rabbit? The answer is simple. Rabbits thrive on high-fiber diets rich in grass hays including timothy, brome and orchardgrass hay. Those new to rabbit ownership may think the big bags of pellets for sale at the local pet store are all a rabbit should eat. Instead, the pellets are more like a rabbit multivitamin, providing supplemental minerals, protein and fiber. “Pellets are far too rich to make up the bulk of [a rabbit’s] diet,” said Dr. Peter Helmer, a specialist in small mammals at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Clearwater, FL. “Rabbits have evolved eating grasses and roots; there are no pellet dispensers in the wild.” You can also feed your pet rabbit fresh vegetables, but not the carrots we associate with Bugs Bunny. Carrots have more sugar than adult rabbits’ digestive tracts prefer. Small amounts are fine as treats, Helmer said, but dark leafy greens are preferred. Broccoli leaves and stems and dark leaf lettuces make more suitable rabbit snacks. What to Feed a Baby Rabbit Versus an Adult Rabbit For the first seven weeks of life, a baby rabbit’s diet should consist of mostly its mother’s milk, according to the House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned rabbits and educating the public on rabbit care. At three weeks, alfalfa hay and pellets can be slowly introduced, giving them free range to both at seven weeks. During this period you can also give your pet small tastes of romaine lettuce and carrots, but should avoid the dark leafy greens until your rabbit is a bit older. While baby rabbits (which are called kits) thrive on the protein and calcium-rich alfalfa hays, adult rabbits need something a bit more substantial. “It’s like feeding a dog puppy food,” Helmer said. Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults. If you are feeding alfalfa it’s a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. This stops your rabbits getting so hooked on alfalfa that it’s difficult to make the transition to grass hay when they reach adulthood. You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old. Around six months, slowly start swapping out alfalfa in favor of grass hays and ease up on the pellets. Adult rabbits should eat around 1/4 cup of pellets per day for every five pounds of weight they have, according to Helmer. By the end of its first year, your rabbit’s daily diet should consist of unlimited grass hays, a small portion of pellets and two to four cups of at least three different fresh vegetables for every six pounds of weight. Wash and chop all vegetables thoroughly and serve them moist to help aid digestion. Always introduce new foods slowly, and remember to keep your rabbit’s water dish clean and filled with fresh water. What Not to Feed Rabbits The most problematic foods for rabbits, according to Helmer, include foods that have a high amount of sugar and foods that have a high amount of carbohydrates, as these items throw off the balance of the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts. High-carb foods, like breads, crackers and cereals can cause diarrhea, while fruits, which we normally think of as healthful, often contain more sugar than a rabbit’s stomach can handle. The House Rabbit Society recommends feeding healthy, non-dieting adult rabbits no more than two tablespoons of high-fiber fruits (think apples, blueberries and plums) per day for every five pounds of body weight. Wash everything thoroughly and be sure to remove any pits and seeds. Too much fruit will not only overwhelm their stomachs, but can cause them to turn up their noses to the more healthful grass hays and dark leafy greens that should make up the bulk of their diet. Where To Buy Rabbit Food Fortunately, you don’t have to go to a farm to get your rabbit hay, as it is sold both in pet stores and online. When shopping for hay, there isn’t much that separates one brand from another, Helmer said, but make sure the package isn’t moldy or foul smelling. For pellets, the House Rabbit Society advises you look for brands that contain at least 18 percent fiber. It’s also not advised to buy more rabbit feed than you need, as six weeks or more worth of your rabbit’s food can easily spoil. Image:  MaxShutter / Shutterstock

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CategoriesSmall pet
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Enlarged Liver in Ferrets

Hepatomegaly in Ferrets Hepatomegaly is the medical term used to describe an abnormally enlarged liver. Often occurring due to certain diseases and conditions that can either directly or indirectly affect the liver’s ability to function, the liver may increase in size, taking on a diseased condition of its own. Hepatomegaly usually occurs in middle-aged to older ferrets. Symptoms and Types Depending on the underlying cause, the enlargement may involve the whole liver or only part of it. For example, infections and/or inflammation may lead to generalized symmetrical enlargement of the liver, whereas tumors, hemorrhages, cysts, or rotation of liver lobe may lead to asymmetrical or focal enlargement. That is, only a part of the liver may be enlarged. Symptoms can vary depending on the cause. Enlargement of the abdomen is the most commonly observed symptom. On examination your veterinarian will find an enlarged liver or a palpable mass in the abdominal area. The mass is usually observed behind the rib cage and may even be visible with naked eye. However, it may be difficult to detect an enlarged liver in obese ferrets via physical examination.

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CategoriesDogs
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Balanced Dog Training vs. Positive Reinforcement

The goal of dog training might seem simple: helping your dog learn how to be a good canine citizen. It might come as a surprise that training your dog isn’t just about instilling manners to produce a polite, happy, confident companion. Sure, knowing how to sit, stay, and come when called are vital, but it’s far more important to preserve your growing bond with your dog by using dog-friendly, science-backed techniques. So, what’s the right way to train your new puppy or rescue dog? The experience of training can vary dramatically depending on who’s on the other end of the leash and the method they’re using. It’s no wonder if you’re confused, since there’s no shortage of advice when it comes to dog training methodologies. First, we need to understand the four types of operant conditioning and what people mean when they say “positive” or “negative” reinforcement. Then we can talk about balanced training and how it compares to positive reinforcement. The Four Types of Operant Conditioning Learning something new begins with the idea that behavior has consequences, both good and bad. With dog training, the learning process involves a form of operant conditioning, where you either reinforce a behavior to increase the likelihood that your dog will repeat it or punish the behavior so your dog won’t do it again. But the terminology associated with operant conditioning, like “positive punishment” and “negative punishment,” can be very misleading. “Punishment” carries negative associations, but in the operant conditioning quadrant, it simply means a behavior will become less likely to happen. The four types of operant conditioning are: Positive reinforcement: A good consequence happens when your dog performs a behavior, which increases the likelihood that they will repeat it. For example, you ask your dog to sit; they do it, then you give them a treat. Negative reinforcement: A bad consequence is removed when a behavior is performed, which also increases the likelihood that a dog will repeat it. For example, a trainer using a shock collar on a dog that jumps will turn off the shock mode when the dog keeps four paws on the ground. Positive punishment: A bad consequence is introduced when a behavior is performed, which will reduce the likelihood that a dog will repeat it. For example, a trainer tells a dog to sit; the dog goes into a down position; and the trainer uses a choke collar to jerk the dog into a seated position. Negative punishment: A good consequence is removed when your dog performs a behavior, which will decrease the likelihood that they’ll do it again. For example, your dog paws at your arm to get you to pet them, and you ignore them instead of giving them attention.

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