Exotic Pets You Can Own Without a License: State-by-State Laws
Every state has laws that determine what kind of animals can be kept as pets. These laws can change at any time and over the years, many states have added to their list of prohibited animals. Game and fish commissions, departments of fish and wildlife or conservation, and other state divisions dictate these rules that are found in state statutes and regulations. These documents can be difficult for some to discover and decipher because they are written in complicated legal language.
Tea Tree Oil for Fleas: Evaluating Safety and Effectiveness
Tea tree oil should never be given orally to pets as it is toxic if swallowed.
Deworming Your Dog: How Often Is Necessary for Optimal Health?
Puppies should be dewormed regularly for the first few months of life, typically during scheduled vaccination visits.
Hole-in-the-Head Disease in Saltwater Fish
Hole-in-the-head disease (HITH) causes erosive pits in fish and is primarily an aesthetic issue but can lead to secondary infections.
Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms in dogs are rarely serious but can cause irritation, malnutrition, and weight loss if untreated.
Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms are a common parasite in cats that live in the intestines. They can be excreted in the feces and passed along to other animals. Some owners may notice tapeworm symptoms in their cat such as vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated belly, changes in appetite, or segments of the worms in the stool, but many cats can have tapeworms and not show any signs. For this reason, regular prevention and screening is important to keep your cat free from tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.
Ear Mites in Puppies and Dogs
Ear mites are highly contagious parasites that cause itching, inflammation, and discomfort in pets, requiring prompt treatment.
Velvet: Aquarium Fish Disease Identification and Cure
Velvet disease is a serious condition caused by dinoflagellate parasites, requiring immediate attention to prevent fish mortality.
Anchor Worms in Freshwater Fish: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Anchor worms are crustacean copepod parasites common in freshwater fish such as koi and goldfish, and they are visible to the naked eye.
How to Give Fish a Freshwater Dip or Bath
A quick freshwater dip is an effective first step to treat saltwater fish for parasites before quarantine.
How to Cat Proof Your Home
Whether you’re preparing to bring home your newest family member or you’re considering getting a cat in the future, it’s important to know how to prepare your home to make it suitable for a cat. Cats are curious by nature and love to explore their environment, whether it’s indoors or out. However, like most pets, cats don’t have a sense of what is dangerous to their health or well-being, especially when it comes to everyday items that you might not even think of as a hazard.
What to Feed a Pregnant Dog
Whether intentionally or not, if your dog becomes pregnant, you must provide her with the extra care and attention she needs, especially regarding her diet. People often say when they’re pregnant, they’re eating for two. Pregnant dogs may be feeding as many as 12 puppies (or more!), so ensuring their nutritional needs are met is essential for the health of both the mother and her pups.
Complete Guide to Size-Specific Dog Foods
Dogs are one of the most diverse species on the planet, from the smallest Chihuahua to the biggest Great Dane, which is why the idea of there being a one-size-fits-all dog food is ludicrous. When finding a food for your dog, there are many factors that need to be taken into account, including their breed, age, overall health, predisposed health, and more!
Fireworks Anxiety in Pets & What You Can Do to Help
There’s no arguing that fireworks are stunning, but those colourful sparks that fill us with joy can be incredibly distressing for our pets and local wildlife. The RSPCA even calls them "a terrifying ordeal" for animals.
How to Keep Pets Calm During Fireworks
Bonfire Night, also called Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, is a UK holiday that occurs on November 5th each year. Originally a celebration of a failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder in 1605, Guy Fawkes Night is now celebrated nationwide with sparklers, bonfires, and, of course, fireworks.
Do I Need Pet Insurance?
Our pet’s health is always at the forefront of our minds, and the thought that something might go wrong with our furry friends is enough to keep anyone up at night. Luckily for us, there are plenty of options for pet insurance available on the market so we can find the best policy to ensure our pets are covered whatever happens.
The Complete Buyers Guide to the Best Cat Litter
Any cat owner will tell you that not all cat litters are made equal, and with cats being finicky animals at the best of times, choosing the wrong litter could be the difference between them using the litter tray or ignoring it entirely.
How to Care for a Senior Dog
As dogs get older, the requirements of their care change, much like with people. While these changes will vary from dog to dog, there are a few general aspects of their care to bear in mind if your dog is reaching senior age or you’re planning to adopt an older dog.
Complete Guide to Pet Supplements
The health and well-being of our pets is always our top priority, but with so many products claiming to offer total care for your pet, it can be easy to get overwhelmed which may lead to you feeling you’re not doing all you can for your pet.
Can Cats Get Separation Anxiety?
Unlike dogs, cats are naturally quite solitary animals, and many are perfectly fine not being with their human every second of the day. That said, cats are lovers of routine and even the slightest change–the kids going back to school or you going back to work—can be enough to put them ill at ease and trigger symptoms of anxiety.
Is It Safe to Buy Pet Prescriptions Online?
Buying your pet's prescriptions online is a quick and simple way to get the medications your pet needs, and with the rise in veterinary treatment costs, buying pet meds online is becoming a popular alternative for pet parents across the UK.
Giardia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Parasites can be a pain, and while these little critters are small, the damage they do can be disastrous! This blog will look closely at one of the smallest (microscopic, even) parasites that can impact your dog - Giardia.
How to Prevent Car Sickness in Dogs
It’s likely we’ve all felt a little woozy while on the road, but did you know it’s also possible for dogs to get car sick? For some, it’s just a passing bout of nausea that clears up with time to adjust to the motion, but with others, car sickness in their dog can become a real obstacle.
Why is Your Cat Vomiting?
Anyone who has owned a cat knows the sound of a retching cat and what immediately follows. While vomiting isn’t necessarily unusual for many cats sometimes. However, if your cat is sick frequently or displays any other symptoms such as diarrhoea, lethargy, or stress, then it might be a sign something is wrong.
Archives
Join Us
Share your perspective with confidence. Your experience could inform, inspire, and help someone live better.
Authors
More ...-
Lara Hew 27 articlesLara is a photography major at UArts in Philly! In her free time, she likes to walk dogs and, of course, take photos. She also loves reading and movies, hiking, kayaking, and just anything that involves being outdoors. She has grown up with animals since she was little and currently has two dogs and a cat of her own.
-
Peyton Shine 26 articlesPeyton originally from Michigan, but have lived in Philadelphia for 10 years. She grew up surrounded by animals, both at home and on her grandparent's farm. She now has one dog, a golden retriever-boxer mix named Cooper.
-
Tiffany Salmon 47 articlesI focus on empowering my team through collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose. I believe in leading by example, maintaining a mindset of continuous learning, and encouraging others to think creatively and take calculated risks.
-
Dana Minacapelli 47 articlesDana started her journey in the veterinary field in 2004 at an animal shelter in Corpus Christi, Texas. She immediately fell in love with the profession and nurtured her passion for helping animals that were in desperate need of a second chance. Here, she began implementing improved policies that mitigated disease control, managed a low cost spay/neuter program for the community, and made recommendations to the Board of Directors on best practices for the clinic as well as the shelter as a whole.
-
Lizzie Youens 50 articlesLizzie has over ten years of experience as a veterinary surgeon with particular interests in animal behaviour, dermatology, and geriatrics.
-
Hannah Clark 25 articlesHannah has worked at Pet Drugs Online for over three years, researching, writing, and publishing all of our blog content. She currently lives in Cardiff with her 5-year-old cat, Margot, and 2-year-old Cavapoo, Merida.