A healthy dog is a happy dog. And while there’s no guarantee that any dog will be free from illness their whole life, there are dog breeds that face fewer health problems overall. The healthiest dog breeds have a long lifespan and are less susceptible to getting sick. This, when coupled with maintaining an appropriate weight and keeping up with exercise, means pet parents can ensure their dogs have the best life possible.
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If you make this a habit, it will make ferret care that much easier in the long run. Simply look over your ferret when you handle and play with her. “Especially go over their coats to make sure there are no patchy areas,” Kegel says. “That could be a sign of a health issue going on, such as parasites.” Additionally, Kegel notes, making this a regular practice keeps your ferret completely comfortable with being examined and groomed. This helps with veterinarian exams or even being judged in shows. (Yes, there are ferret shows, which Kegel says are a “blast! The ferrets have a great time, and it’s interesting meeting folks who have been involved for decades.”),Ferrets are inquisitive, intelligent, amusing and, of course, adorable! As cute as these increasingly popular, petite-size pets are, before you bring one home, you should be aware that ferret care is a bit specialized and requires specific ferret supplies. True, ferrets don’t need to be walked in all kinds of weather like a dog, but there’s still plenty you need to know about how to care for ferrets as pets. One of the most important aspects of ferret care is grooming. Stephanie Kegel, director at the American Ferret Association, breaks down the process, so you can keep your ferret healthy and happy.
Shooting for the stars? Then landing on this space-themed tank just might be the inspo you’ve been looking for all along. It features an astronaut and a glowing planet, plants, rocks and gravel. “When I decided to get a fish tank, I knew it had to be space-themed,” says Casey Denham, aerospace engineering student at Virginia Tech in Hampton, Virginia. “I really wanted it to be deep space and exploration themed, so I went with glow decorations.” Best advice for taking on a tank theme that’s like nothing on Earth? “Look for items that will look good when they glow together. The purple and blue look well, but the orange provides a good contrast,” Denham says.,Decorating a fish tank can be an incredibly enjoyable part of fishkeeping. Some hobbyists like to keep it simple; others go all out with elaborate themes. How creative you get when decorating your saltwater or freshwater aquarium is up to you. Here are five cool fish tank themes to help inspire you to create an epic tank that all your friends and family talk about.
Nothing beats a trip to the water park on a hot, summer day. Although you might hit up the water park with friends and family, your four-legged companions usually can’t tag along. So, when the pavement heats up during the dog days of summer, spoil your pooch by transforming your backyard into his personal dog water park. Even better, create his own “Backyard Water Bark.” Whether your dog’s a swim-aholic who loves to dive right in or a reluctant water hound who prefers to only get his paws wet, there are many ways to create a splashing good time for your furry best friend. At-home water park adventures with your dog are just a hose hook-up away.
Rabbits are active, intelligent, and social animals that can make excellent companions. All rabbits require a suitable environment, a healthy diet, fresh water, daily exercise, and social interactions with pet parents or other rabbits. While rabbits can make excellent pets, it is crucial to educate yourself about their care. They have specific dietary, housing, and medical needs—all important factors which contribute to their longevity. Lifespan of Rabbits Male rabbits are called bucks, female rabbits are called does, and rabbit babies are called kits. There are at least 60 different rabbit breeds with an average lifespan of seven to 10 years. The oldest rabbit ever recorded lived to 18 years and ten months. Rabbits in the wild can live anywhere from one to nine years of age due to predators, habitat loss, and being hit by cars. Stages of a rabbit’s life include the following: Gestation averages 30–33 days Average litter size: one to six kits Kits open their eyes at about ten days and are fully weaned between 4–8 weeks Puberty starts between 3–5 months of age Does are fully mature around 7–8 months of age Bucks are fully mature around 8–9 months Smaller dwarf breeds can reach sexual maturity between 4–4.5 months of age Senior rabbits are between ages 5–8 years old, depending on the breed Generally, spayed or neutered rabbits live between 8–12 years of age. Unspayed female rabbits have a high risk for uterine cancer and often have a shorter lifespan. Genes also play a role in how long rabbits live. For example, Lionhead breeds can live on average seven to nine years, whereas Flemish Giant breeds may live five to eight years due to health issues but can exceed these averages. When obtaining a rabbit of a specific breed, it is essential for pet parents to research common health issues and discuss with your veterinarian. What Makes Some Rabbits Live Longer Than Others? Regardless of your rabbit’s breed, providing them with a suitable environment, healthy diet, daily social interactions, and exercise is vital. Spaying female rabbits to prevent uterine cancer can significantly extend their life expectancy. In addition, keeping your rabbit indoors safe from predators, extreme weather, and contagious diseases like Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus can keep them happy and healthy for much longer. In general, your rabbit needs: Unlimited timothy or alfalfa hay based on age, fresh greens, a small number of pellets, and fresh water Daily social interactions with you or another rabbit Routine medical examinations by your veterinarian Proper housing Safe toys and exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated How to Improve Your Rabbit’s Lifespan Here are some tips to follow for rabbit pet parents who want the best for their pet: Take your rabbit to the vet every six to 12 months for routine examination and dental checkup Feed unlimited amounts of high-quality grass hay to your adult rabbits such as timothy, orchard grass, oat, or meadow hay Alfalfa hay contains more calcium, fat, and protein and should only be fed to young rabbits and lactating or breeding rabbits Feed high-quality rabbit pellets at 1/4 cup per 5 pounds of body weight per day Feed only a small amount of treats Offer safe vegetables and fruit in moderation Offer new clean potable water daily Allow a minimum of four hours of exercise per day where your rabbit can run around, hop, and play Provide a large enclosure at least four times the size of your rabbit Maintain an environment that is between 60–75 F at all times Clean water and food containers daily Spot-clean the litter box and bedding daily and deep clean everything once a week Provide 1–2 inches of paper bedding in their cage and thick yoga mats or rugs in other areas to prevent pododermatitis or foot sores which can be very painful for your rabbit Provide rabbits with mental enrichment like cardboard boxes and tubes, untreated non-cedar wood chew toys and sticks, hard plastic baby/cat/bird toys, dig boxes, tunnels and platforms Rabbit-proof your home to keep your pets safe from chewing on electrical cords, toxic plants, walls, and baseboards If you see any concerning signs like weight loss, drooling, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, or fecal pellets, contact your veterinarian right away
Planes, trains and automobiles and … dogs! Increasingly, pet owners are taking their dogs along for the ride, whether it’s a short trip, a family visit or even an extended vacation. But do you know how to travel with a dog in the safest and most stress-free way? About 45 percent of pet owners travel with their pets every year, mostly by car, up from 19 percent a decade ago, according to the 2019–2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). And while automobile remains the overwhelmingly preferred option, pet parents also travel by plane and train with their pets. However, it’s not as simple as loading your dog up and taking to the sky, rails or roads. Follow these tips for traveling with a dog by car, plane and train, and you’ll set both you and your pet up for a smooth ride.
Humans aren’t the only ones that snore—dogs can, too. Some causes of snoring in dogs are minor, but sometimes snoring is caused by serious health issues. Here’s what to know about your snoring dog.
The number one thing you need for Halloween? Costumes, of course! There are so many different costumes for dogs and for cats—and yes, even other pets too. (This magical getup for a rabbit or chinchilla who’s a unicorn at heart is the perfect example.) It’s natural to feel giddy at the prospect of pairing your adorable pet with an equally cute costume. But don’t let that excitement distract you from your pet’s wants and needs. Though dogs, cats and even guinea pigs look super cute in costumes, not all pets enjoy wearing them. Your best bet, if your pet has never worn any sort of clothing before, is to start small to see how they react. “A bow tie, bandana or even a themed collar can be great, low-stress, festive attire,” says Rebecca Lohnes, MS, CDBC, ACCBC, training and behavior manager at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester in Fairport, New York. If you go for an all-out costume, buy it early enough to try a few dress rehearsals to help get your pet used to the costume in the days or weeks leading up to Halloween, Lohnes suggests. “Try to place the costume on them in a less restricting way and pair it with treats. Place more elements of the costume on them over the course of a few sessions,” she says.,Silly costumes, trick-or-treating, special treats and more? No wonder Halloween is a favorite among many pet parents and their furry friends. If you’re spending your first All Hallows’ Eve with your pet this year, you’re probably extra excited to celebrate together—but you may not be aware of some common hazards you may encounter along the way. Don’t get spooked! Follow these Halloween safety tips for pets to ensure October 31 is full of fun frights (without any serious scares).
You love holiday decorating and DIY and your dog loves a walk in the woods. Get the best of both by rounding up the pup, tossing on boots and a puffer and sharpening your pruners, because we’re heading out to the woods (or your own backyard!) to gather branches, boughs, cones and berries to make a fresh foraged Christmas wreath. The best part of this easy DIY project? Spending quiet time in nature relaxing and playing with your furry best friend. We asked Stephanie Rose of the website Garden Therapy to show us how she (and her dog Ozzie, a rescue from Mexico, who is an ace at finding foraged materials) makes her gorgeous seasonal wreaths. Here are her tips for gathering greenery to decorate your home and the step-by-step instructions to make a simple, rustic, fresh, foraged Christmas wreath. It’s a simple project you can make in an afternoon.
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