We’ve all seen those adorable puppy dog eyes that our pooches give us—they’re so easy to get lost in. But have you ever wondered why dogs give us those cute puppy eyes? If you want to learn more about the science behind dog expressions and how to interpret them, read on to find out what’s behind those puppy eyes and how dog body language really works.
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As winter sets in, so does cabin fever—that restless, stir-crazy feeling that often comes with the season. With cold weather driving us all indoors, our pets may be experiencing those winter blahs, as well. So what’s a pet parent to do? Steal some inspiration from your own hobbies and consider cat and dog puzzle toys for your pet. Here’s how these interactive toys can help your fur family.
While any horse can have parasites, foals, older horses, or those that have compromised immune systems are most likely to develop colic or become otherwise ill due to parasites. Having a deworming schedule for your horse helps reduce the number of parasites living in their gut. A few of the most common internal parasites that affect a horse’s health include: Strongyles Ascarids (roundworms) Tapeworms Pinworms Botflies Hairworms Stomach worms Roundworms are most likely to cause issues in foals, whereas tapeworms or small strongyles are most problematic in adult horses. Most—as much as 90%! —of internal parasites come from the environment. Most parasite species enter the body while the horse is grazing on grass. However, horses can also get parasites when grooming themselves, particularly while licking their legs, where botfly larvae typically lay their eggs. Left untreated, parasites in horses can lead to: Poor body condition Pot belly Weight loss Less than optimal performance Gut slides or impactions in young horses, which is rare but fatal However, sometimes horses with lots of parasites may not show any signs at all, says Sandra Tasse, DVM, who works for Rood & Riddle in Saratoga, New York. That’s why it’s so important to test your horse for parasites—and, more importantly, keep them at a manageable level by using dewormers. ,Left unchecked, internal parasites can cause health issues in horses. Administering regular horse dewormers can help prevent illnesses and other complications brought on by a high parasite load in a horse’s body. Here’s what you need to know about horse dewormers.
It’s heartbreaking—and messy!—to tend to a dog with upset stomach symptoms. A sick dog can quickly become dehydrated and malnourished, so it’s important to do everything you can to stop acute symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. As in humans, there are a range of underlying triggers for dog illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting typically indicates an infection or irritation in the stomach and upper small intestine, while diarrhea indicates the problem is focused in the intestinal tract. A bland diet, which provides nourishment and hydration while calming the digestive tract, is an important part of the healing process.
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So, you’re thinking about bringing a parakeet into your life. And, like any responsible pet parent, you want to learn everything you can about your new feathered friend before adding them to your family. Parakeets are some of the best birds around (that’s why they made our list of the 13 best pet birds). Ahead, we’re here to help get you up to speed on this wonderful bird, with an overview of the most important information and supplies you’ll need to provide the proper care for a parakeet.
I talk to my dog. I also talk to all the other dogs at the dog park. I may not be a “normal” person in all respects, but I don’t think this is one of my questionable character traits. I think it’s totally normal to talk to animals—and not just to ask if they want to play fetch. From the time I was a little kid, I talked to my dog. I could tell him anything, and he wouldn’t judge me or tell me what I should do. As I’ve grown up, the contents of the conversations have changed, but I still turn to my animals to say things that I can’t or don’t want to tell another person. Sometimes we just need to say what’s on our minds, and cats and dogs lend a willing ear. There is no need to hold back what we say for their sake. Pets Can Recognize Human Emotion Some people say that talking to my pets means I am anthropomorphizing them, or assigning human characteristics to non-human entities. I disagree. Dogs and cats have evolved side by-side with humans for tens of thousands of years to understand human emotion. Much of that is probably based on our body language, but the tone of our voice also tells our furry family members how we feel. Those clues tell our dogs and cats what we need from them. I don’t think that my dog knows what I’m telling him, but he knows the way my voice sounds when I’m sad, tired, or frustrated, and he tries to make me feel better. There were many nights during veterinary school when I put my head next to my cat to listen to his purr as I cried to him about feeling overwhelmed. Talking to my pets helps me feel better and, bigger picture, it’s a way to strengthen our bond. On the flipside, your dog will learn to understand more words than just “sit” and “dog park.” Be consistent when you are talking to your pet with the intention that they learn the meaning of what you say or take an action as a result of the word. For example, “off” and “down” might mean the same thing to you when your puppy jumps, but you might also use “down” to mean a laying position. That can be confusing for your pup, which can slow down the training process.
WRITTEN BYJennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary…,CBD has taken the pet world by storm; however, scientific research on the impacts of CBD on dogs and cats is still in its infancy—especially for cats. Let’s look at what cat parents should consider before giving their cats CBD oil or CBD cat treats. What Is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it’s the second most common active ingredient found in the cannabis plant. While CBD is present in all cannabis plants, it’s primarily derived from the hemp plant—which a recent study defines as, “Cannabis sativa with a total THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) less than 0.3% dry weight in leaves and buds.” It is also important to note, that legally, a hemp plant cannot contain more than 0.3% THC or else it is considered a Schedule I controlled substance (illegal narcotic). Unlike hemp oil and hemp seed oil, CBD is extracted from the stalks, leaves and buds—not just one part of the plant.
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