Author: Chewy Editors

What Sea Slugs Are Right For Your Reef Tank?

Sea slugs are well-known to divers and underwater photographers, but are less familiar to aquarists. It is not that they don’t occasionally make their way into the ornamental fish trade — they do. Yet, many stores refuse to carry them because they tend to be difficult to keep and are naturally short-lived, even when they have an adequate captive microhabitat. So, why talk about them? The fact is that they do enter the fish aquarium trade. For example, on a recent visit to Los Angeles, I observed hundreds of these animals waiting to be shipped to retailers at wholesale facilities. There are also a handful that will do well in captivity and that are even employed to help reduce pest numbers in the reef aquarium. There are also some that come in as unwanted hitchhikers with live corals we buy. And they are a fascinating group of animals! So, why not talk about them? Let’s look at some sea slug basics.

July 24, 2025

Pro Pet Grooming Tips

Grooming is part of basic pet care, and doing it regularly not only keeps your best four-legged friend looking good, but will keep him in good health too. Regular grooming will familiarize you with your pet’s body and alert you to any changes or abnormalities immediately—and help you both strengthen your bond for life. Taking your pet to a professional groomer is certainly the easiest way to keep your pal’s coat and skin in great shape. But professional groomers can also be expensive and if your pet is not entirely comfortable with strangers, he may prefer your personal touch anyway. With our expert tips below, and guidance on which tools and products are worth your hard-earned money, you can feel confident about taking care of your pet in the comfort of your own home.

Small pet

Understanding Dominance In Rabbits

People often use the word dominance to explain aggressive behavior. For example, they might describe a dog or rabbit as a dominant individual, which suggests that dominance is an integral part of the pet’s personality. This misunderstanding can increase a rabbit’s aggression if a pet parent believes he must show his pet who is the boss. The truth is, dominance is not a personality trait. Rabbits, people and dogs are not born dominant, though they might possess characteristics that enable them to acquire a high ranking or dominant status in their social group. Dominance actually is a description of the relationship between two creatures. The one with higher ranking is the dominant animal, and one with lower ranking is the subordinate. Another way to describe it is benevolent leadership. For example, I consider myself to be dominant over my dog, my rabbit and my goddaughter. I also consider myself to be subordinate to my mother and my boss at work. So am I a dominant or a subordinate animal? I am both, depending on the relationship.

Cats

Do Cats Get Lonely If Left Home Alone All Day?

People say, “The great thing about cats is that they have no concept of time. So its not like they’re staring at the clock saying, ‘Man, where is he?’ Plus, cats sleep most of the day. How can I explain that to non-cat people?” There is a common misconception that it’s OK to leave a cat alone for hours every day without a human or other animal to interact with. Pet cats need stimuli and interaction. It is not uncommon for cats to develop behavior challenges because they are left alone without companionship. Many of my cat-behavior cases exist because the cats have been left alone all day long without stimulation, such as playing with cat toys, or another animal or person to interact with. If you’re gone for more than a day, arrange for a pet sitter come in and play with your cat during the day. Consider hiring a pet sitter to give your cat fresh food and water and clean the litter box when spending a night away. It’s true that cats don’t look at clocks, nor do they wear watches. They do have their own internal clocks and their own cat-concept of time, however, so cats become accustomed to activities occurring at the same time on a consistent basis. It is one of the ways they measure time. Cats know your regular schedule: knows when you normally wake up, provide breakfast and dinner, clean the cat box, bedtime, playtime, etc. Consistency is very important to a cat. Regular interaction with their human and animal companions is an important parts of cats’ worlds. Depending on the cat and the circumstances, cats can become stressed when taken to different environments. Bringing a cat to overnighters might not be the best option if other animals will be there. Also, many cats do not adjust well to new situations. Cats do best going into different places when they are acclimated to changing environments as kittens.

The Top 6 Pet Skin Problems + Tips to Help

What to Do About It: Dry skin that’s caused by everyday environmental irritants like harsh soaps or shampoos, cold weather or dry air, or lack of proper nutrition can be easily remedied by changing up your routine. If you’ve consulted your vet and know there isn’t a more serious root problem, try a limited ingredient diet dog food or cat food, purchase a humidifier to combat dry air in your home, or swap your current dog shampoo for a gentler, hypoallergenic shampoo. Just be cautious of changing too many things at once; try making one change at a time, then waiting a week or two to see if you notice a difference before mixing up anything else in your pet’s usual regimen. Your vet should be able to advise on the best approach.,Just like people, pets can develop a whole range of skin problems. Many common issues are easily resolved, but can be uncomfortable for your pet or progress into more serious problems if not identified and treated. Some dog breeds are just more prone to skin issues than others. If your pet is one of the following breeds, you may want to consult a veterinarian to determine if your dog has a breed-specific problem: Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and other fast-growing, large and hairless dogs—such as the Xoloitzuintli and Chinese Crested.

How to Make a Glitter Polka Dot Treat Jar for Pets

Not only are the polka dots on the jar cute, they’ll let you see if you’re running low on treats for your pet.

Fish

How To Choose And Care For Freshwater Angelfish

The beautiful and popular freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) has been a staple of the aquarium hobby for more than 100 years. The first importations were recorded in the decade that preceded World War I and created quite a sensation, with aquarists referring to them as the “king” of aquarium fish. For many years, they simply called them “scalare.” The term angelfish became popular in the 1920s and soon became the common name that has remained to this day. In the past decade or so, as the marine hobby became more prominent, some people started referring to them as “freshwater angelfish” to differentiate them from marine angelfish, but when most aquarists say “angel” or “angelfish,” they are referring to P. scalare. Amazingly, they still create quite a sensation to this day, drawing compliments out of folks who aren’t even aquarists. They have a stately bearing that seems to radiate graceful beauty. There’s just no other way to put it.

Cats

12 Athletic Cat Breeds

Kalmatsuy via Shutterstock,You might be familiar with your own cat’s acrobatic skills, from leaping tall bookcases in a single bound to pouncing on feet in the middle of the night, but which breeds take the cake when it comes to skills and athleticism? We’ve asked CABC Steve Dale to name the top sporty cat breeds, along with some tips on how to keep the busy.

July 22, 2025