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.
Tapeworms in Dogs
Tapeworms in dogs are rarely serious but can cause irritation, malnutrition, and weight loss if untreated.
How to Treat Dry Skin on Dogs
Dogs can develop dry skin due to environmental factors, poor grooming, parasites, or underlying medical conditions.
Bartonellosis in Dogs
Bartonellosis in dogs is a rare bacterial infection transmitted by fleas, ticks, or lice, not cat scratches.
Lice in Dogs
Lice infestations in dogs cause severe itching, skin infections, and fur loss, and require prompt treatment to prevent complications.
Neon Tetra Disease: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention for Healthy Fish
Neon tetra disease is a fatal, untreatable condition caused by a microsporidian parasite that spreads quickly among fish.
Are Your Dog's Worms Contagious? Here’s What You Should Know
Multiple types of parasitic worms can be passed from dogs to humans, including roundworms and hookworms.
Giardiasis in Puppies
Puppies often contract giardiasis by ingesting giardia parasites from contaminated water or feces, leading to digestive issues.
Hyposalinity or Osmotic Shock Therapy for Marine Ich
Hyposalinity, or reduced salt levels in water, is an effective treatment for marine fish parasites during their free-swimming phase.
Toxoplasmosis in Cats
Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) is a single-celled parasite that infects many warm-blooded animals , including cats, dogs, and also humans. It is a parasite that, while a real concern for certain groups in the population, is often misunderstood when it comes to our feline companions. The parasite often doesn't cause any significant symptoms or concerns in a cat unless your pet has a weak immune system .
How to Cure Ick on Freshwater Fish: Effective Treatment Solutions
Ich, or white spot disease, is caused by the protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and appears as white spots on fish.
Do Calico Cats Have to Be Female? Unraveling the Science Behind the Trait
Calico cats are not a breed, but a color pattern consisting of black, white, and orange patches, found in many cat breeds.
Can You Use Dog Flea Control on a Cat?
Never use flea medications labeled for dogs on cats, as they can be toxic and potentially fatal.
Feline Breeds, Domestic Shorthair Cats, and Color Pattern Differences
There are over 70 recognized cat breeds, but only around 41 are recognized by the CFA. A breeds' recognition can vary by different cat registries.
How to Successfully Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat
**Preparation is Crucial:** Utilize pheromones, calming supplements, and create separate spaces in advance to reduce stress for both the older cat and the kitten.
Cat Bunting Behavior: What Does It Mean?
Called bunting, cats rub their heads against prominent objects to leave chemical markings as a part of scent communication. Depending on the object of the cat's communication, they may be claiming ownership or indicating pleasure.1
Your Kitten's Development in the First 6 Weeks
The all-important first six weeks in a cat's life will do much in determining its personality and character for the rest of his life. This period is extremely important for the health of the developing kitten.
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.
The Costs of Responsible Cat Ownership
Owning a cat requires financial responsibility, including costs for food, litter, spaying/neutering, vaccinations, and veterinary care.
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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.
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.
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.
The Practice of Cropping Dog Ears
Ear cropping is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed on certain dog breeds to meet traditional breed standards.
Dexamethasone for Dogs
Dexamethasone is a type of steroid that is used both in human and veterinary medicine. It is primarily used to reduce inflammation but also serves various other medical purposes. Used carefully, this medication can provide relief from a variety of diseases but it must be used exactly as directed to avoid serious side effects.
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
The vestibular system is a complex network of sensors within the inner ear and the brain that helps an animal maintain balance, and thus remain upright while walking, standing, or sitting. Most animals have a vestibular system, including humans. This delicate system can be disrupted by many things, leading to difficulty with balance.
Lizzie has over ten years of experience as a veterinary surgeon with particular interests in animal behaviour, dermatology, and geriatrics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Lizzie Youens 50 articles
Lizzie has over ten years of experience as a veterinary surgeon with particular interests in animal behaviour, dermatology, and geriatrics.
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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.