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 Solve Behavior Problems in Cats
Rule out medical issues before addressing behavioral problems.
Living with Cats: Navigating Cat Allergy Symptoms for Pet Lovers
Allergy testing and gradual exposure to cats can help manage symptoms for potential cat owners with allergies.
Neurological Disorders in Cats
Just like in humans and other animals, cats can occasionally experience neurological disorders. Witnessing your beloved cat suffer from seizures or display unusual behaviors due to a neurological condition can be alarming. Here's essential information for cat owners about neurological disorders, covering signs, types, causes, and treatment.
Roundworms in Cats
Roundworms, primarily Toxocara cati and Toxascara leonina , are common intestinal parasites in cats, especially kittens.
Is Cat TV Safe? Learn How Much Feline Screen Time is Too Much
Cat TV can be a great source of mental stimulation and enrichment, especially for indoor cats.
Highlander: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care
Developed to resemble big cats, the highlander cat is medium to large, muscular, and athletic, with a naturally short tail. The highlander comes in both short-haired and long-haired versions, and may come in any color in solid, tortie, tabby, or silver/smoke patterns. The breed’s most distinguishing features are a straight to slightly convex forehead, wide nose bridge, blunt profile, and wide-based ears that are loosely curled at the top.
The Costs of Responsible Cat Ownership
Owning a cat requires financial responsibility, including costs for food, litter, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and veterinary care.
Kitten Development in the First Six Weeks of Life
The first six weeks of a kitten's life are crucial for development. Kittens grow quickly but are susceptible to various threats. Now outside the womb, a kitten will need warmth, food, and protection from infectious diseases and parasites (such as fleas).
Is Your Cat a Pure Breed?
Most cat breed standards allow for several different eye and fur color or coat patterns within the physical appearance descriptions. This can make it difficult if you are trying to determine what kind of cat you have by reading what colors and patterns each breed of cat can come in. Just because you have a black cat with golden eyes does not mean you have a Bombay, nor does your large longhair tabby automatically become a Maine Coon since you read Maine Coons can come in that pattern. Domestic h
Are Hydrangeas Poisonous to Cats?
Hydrangeas contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when ingested and can be toxic to cats.
Fact or Fiction: Can Cats Get Frostbite?
Cats can get frostbite, just like people and other animals. Though their winter coats will protect them to some extent, cats can easily get too cold in extreme temperatures. You may be wondering how stray and fetal cats survive the winter—sadly, some of them don't.
Kidney Disease in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of kidney disease in cats, causing gradual loss of kidney function over time.
Understanding Cat Eye Boogers: Causes and Solutions
When your cat’s sparkly, expressive eyes are suddenly goopy with eye boogers, you may be caught off guard. How did that happen so quickly? What’s causing it and how do you stop it? The good news is that there are many effective ways to provide your cat relief and get their eyes looking enchanting in no time. The first step is to figure out what’s wrong with your cat’s eyes.
Bladder Cancer in Cats: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Care Options
Bladder cancer is rare in cats, with transitional cell carcinoma being the most common type, affecting fewer than 2 in 1,000 cats.
Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs
Elbow dysplasia is a genetic orthopedic condition common in large dog breeds, causing joint abnormalities and lameness.
Heat Exhaustion in Dogs
Heat exhaustion is a term used for moderate overheating, and it is very important to be aware of the signs to know when to seek help and to prevent more serious problems. Just like people, dogs can suffer many health effects from overheating and these can range from mild to life threatening . By knowing what to look for, you can intervene quickly and help your pup by getting treatment right away.
Heat Rash in Dogs
Heat rash in dogs occurs in hot, humid conditions when their skin cannot cool properly, causing irritation and discomfort.
Subscribe Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news, updates, and exclusive offers. Join our community today!
Dog Paw Burns
Paw burns can cause injury to the bottom of your pup’s feet, known as the paw pads, and these injuries can range from mild to severe. These pads serve a very important role in protecting your pup’s feet and supporting them in all activities from walking to running to jumping. Injuries like burns can occur in many different ways, including walking on hot surfaces or encountering chemicals.
Hypothermia in Dogs: What a Vet Wants You to Know
As cold weather descends on some parts of the country, you may be prepping your winter gear and considering how best to keep your pup warm, too. The change of seasons can bring a number of important considerations for our pets including how best to protect their paws from snow and ice melt products, traffic safety for walks after early sunsets, and how to keep our dogs warm on the coldest of days.
Lumps on Dogs
Regularly examine your dog for lumps and consult a vet promptly to determine if they are benign or malignant.
How to Care for a Three-Legged Dog
Three-legged dogs, or tripawds, can live happy, active lives with proper care and exercise.
Dealing With Pet Health Emergencies on Holidays
Keep your pet’s routine consistent during the holidays to minimize stress and avoid potential health issues.
Dog Blood Types
Dogs have different blood types, and giving incompatible blood can cause life-threatening transfusion reactions.
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.