A power outage may only be a minor inconvenience for you but, for your aquarium fish, it can be deadly. A power outage is a minor convenience for most people – it simply means that you have to take a break from television, computer, and charging your cell phone. As long as the outage doesn’t last too long there will likely be no damage done. When it comes to your aquarium, however, a power outage can be a major problem. In order to maintain the delicate balance in your tank you need to keep your filtration system and heater running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether the outage lasts for a few hours or a few days, there are several things you can do to minimize the damage.
Types of Power Outages Before getting into the details of how to protect your aquarium during a power outage, it is important that you understand that different types of outages will affect your aquarium in different ways. A localized power outage occurs when the main source of power to the aquarium is disrupted. This could be due to a power strip coming unplugged or a fuse being blown. In some cases the problem is easily remedied – you can just plug the cord back in or flip the switch on the circuit breaker. If the problem is due to an equipment malfunction, like a cracked heater, you may not even realize the problem right away. You may want to consider installing a plug-in alarm that will alert you if the power to your tank is interrupted – this is an especially good investment if you have a very large tank full of expensive fish. It is also a good idea that you use different plugs for different pieces of equipment so they do not all go out at once in the event of a localized power outage. To read more on this story, click here:How To Keep Your Tank Safe During A Power Outage
When you get into your car what is the first thing that you do? Of course, you buckle your seatbelt. When you put your young child in the car…you buckle their seatbelt. When it’s time to take you dog out for a trip…to you allow them to run freely in the car…or do you buckle their seatbelt? If you let your dog run freely, you are not only endangering their life, your life, but the lives of others. A sudden stop can send your dog flying over the seat. Your dog can get frightened and jump on you causing you to lose control of the car. You love your dog and do everything to protect them at home, so why not protect them in the car. Remember, never leave your dog in a hot car. Four Reasons to use a Pet Safety Belt A Pet Safety Belt for your dog will help: 1. Prevent Car or Truck Driver Distraction 2. Protect Passengers from injury in an accident 3. Reduce injury during travel to pet 4. Help rescue workers by keeping a dog restrained Walking your dog Dogs are great walking companions! If you begin walking with your dog, you may soon find that they are ready to walk when you are The great health benefit is that you can combine your walk as a weight loss program! Your dog should never be running ahead of you, and should never be leading you. You should always have complete control over your animal. When you get a new puppy, Start attaching your dog's leash the day you bring him home, and venture out together as soon as possible. Equipment for Walking your dog Begin by selecting the right leash and collar for your dog. Make your choices not only on your dog's breed, but also on his current size, and behavior level. . Fixed collars made of nylon are a much smarter choice for smaller pets. Head collars are also available for dogs of all sizes.
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore welcomed five African penguin chicks in October. “We are thrilled to continue our breeding success every year, and so far have hatched out another five chicks to kick off the beginning of our breeding season,” said Jen Kottyan, avian collection and conservation manager. “We anticipate we’ll have more chicks hatch soon.” Penguin chicks will hatch 38 to 42 days after the eggs are laid. “With African penguins, both the male and the female take turns incubating the eggs,” said Kottyan. “Once the eggs hatch, parents take turns caring for their offspring; they each protect, feed, and keep the chick warm for 2-3 days and then switch off.” At Penguin Coast, chicks stay with their parents for about three weeks after they hatch and are fed regurgitated fish from their parents. Zoo keepers will keep a close eye on the chicks, weighing them to make sure they are growing properly. When the chicks are three weeks old, they’ll be removed from their nest and must learn that staff are the source for food. It’ll help the chicks acclimate to the daily feedings, health checks and more.
Your little dogie is matted…don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it seems. The very first thing that you DON’T do, is use scissors to try to cut it out. When you pull a dog's hair you will noticed that the skin will move with the hair. For this reason you should not try and cut your dog’s mats off with scissors. There is a good possibility that you will cut through the skin, which will need to be sutured closed by a Veterinarian Having two Shih-Tzu’s, I have experienced this first hand. If you have a long-haired dog you can’t wait for their hair to get long like the ones in the dog shows. I quickly found out that the dogs in the dog shows were being groomed every day and several times a day at dog shows. I tried to keep my Sugar’s hair up in the topknot, but Domino wasn’t having it! I would brush both of them and they would look cute…for about 10 minutes! Domino would pull her topknot down and I would find her bow in the floor. After working everyday, coming home and trying to tackle them to brush their hair, I gave up. I started seeing matting on Sugar. I took them to the groomers and they suggested that I get them the puppy cut. I kept them with the puppy cut. I no longer felt the need to see them with the long flowing hair like the show dogs. They liked it, especially in the summer!
If your dog is matted you have a couple choices: 1. If your dog will let you comb their hair, start combing as a regular habit while watching tv and sitting on the floor with your dog. A little at a time. Don’t rush and no pulling. Just slow, methodical combing a little at a time, and before you know it, the mats will be gone. It’s good to start the combing method on puppies. This way as they grow they will get used to the grooming. Never attempt to cut mats around their private areas. Matting in this area should always be removed by a professional groomer. . 2. Finally, depending on the type, and location of the mat, your dog may require shaving.
Kitty is matted…don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it seems. The very first thing that you DON’T do, is use scissors to try to cut it out. When you pull a cat or dogs hair you will noticed that the skin will move with the hair. For this reason you should not try and cut your cat’s mats off with scissors. There is a good possibility that you will cut through the skin, which will need to be sutured closed by a Veterinarian You have a few choices: 1. If your cat will let you comb it’s hair, start combing as a regular habit while watching tv and sitting on the floor with your cat. A little at a time. No longer than 15 minutes at a time. Cats unlike dogs will not sit for long periods. Don’t rush and no pulling. Just slow, methodical combing a little at a time, and before you know it, the mats will be gone. It’s good to start the combing method on kittens. This way as they grow they will get used to the grooming. Never attempt to cut mats around their private areas. Matting in this area should always be removed by a professional groomer. 2. You can try and find a professional cat groomer in your area. 3. Finally, depending on the type, and location of the mat, your cat may require shaving. Helpful Videos:
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I hope you never have to use this, but this information is worth reading. Most of the time when we think about choking or cpr, we think about this happening to a person. However, it can happen to your pet. Would you know what to do in an emergency in the middle of the night if your pet was choking or needed cpr? This post has several videos, please take time to look at them. I decided to write this post after hearing about a 7-year-old yellow lab, in Wisconsin, named Coda who was rescued from a burning home and revived a group of firefighters using mouth-to-snout resuscitation. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Unfortunately, accidents do happen. When a medical emergency befalls our furry friends, pet parents may find it difficult to make rational decisions, especially if something occurs during the middle of the night. That’s why it’s crucial to have an emergency plan in place—before you need it. How to Perform CPR on a Dog: How to Perform CPR on a Cat:
What to do if your dog is choking: What to do if your cat is choking: I know that this post is on emergency care for pets, but I also decided to include: How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on People:
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We have the best, most complete list of dog food recalls. Fully updated with every dog food recall of 2018. Petful has been researching U.S. dog food recalls for several years now, and we’ve compiled the following list. Is your dog food on our list? Recalls are listed in order from newest to oldest. (Looking for cat food recalls? Go here.) To see the full list, click here:Dog Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?
We have the best, most complete list of cat food recalls. Fully updated with every cat food recall of 2018. Petful has been researching U.S. cat food recalls for several years now, and we’ve compiled the following list. Is your cat food on our list? Recalls are listed in order from newest to oldest. (Looking for dog food recalls? Go here.) To see the full list, click here: Cat Food Recalls: Is Your Brand on the List?
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Two West Point cadets’ prank on the Air Force Academy’s football team went seriously awry over the weekend, injuring the rival team’s falcon mascot. The bird was bloodied during a botched kidnapping, but the injuries aren’t life-threatening and she appears to be on the mend, according to the Air Force Academy. The West Point pranksters snatched two falcons belonging to the Air Force Academy: Aurora, a 22-year-old gyrfalcon that serves as the official mascot, and Oblio, a younger Peregrine falcon. The Air Force Falcons football team was at West Point for Saturday’s game against the Army Black Knights, which Army won. The Army cadets reportedly threw sweaters over the birds and locked them in a dog crate. When they returned the birds, Aurora’s wings were bloody, likely from thrashing in the crate. “I think they had them for a couple hours and then they realized it was a bad mistake,” Sam Dollar, the Air Force Academy’s falconry team adviser, told The New York Times. “When Aurora started thrashing around in the crate, they decided that wasn’t a good thing.” To read more on this story, click here: Air Force Academy's Falcon Mascot Hurt In Army Football Prank
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Meet Razzy, this is my brother’s second black cat. Razzy was found near his home in South Carolina, and he and his wife took her in when she was just a kitten, she is now about 4 years old. He also had an all black cat named Blackjack that lived for 18 years. Razzy has a 3-year-old yorkie bother named Tiki…and they get along just find. I have been around both cats, and found them to be the sweetest cats! My sister once had a calico that hid all of the time. Both of his cats would come out to greet you and rub up on your leg. I think that movies, superstitions and old folklore has caused the scare in people not wanting black cats. One of the prevalent black cat superstition alive in our western culture today, is if a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck. Interestingly, in most other cultures, the black cat is a prized possession and owning one is said to bring the owner good luck. Did you know that in England the white cat is considered unlucky, the black bought good fortune? I have heard these sayings as a child, but as an adult, I realized they were not true. Lucky 7 reasons to adopt a black cat:
You will truly save a life
They will love you unconditionally forever
When you love a black cat, luck is on your side
Their coat shimmers & their eyes will mesmerize you
They don’t care what you look like!
Holding a black cat is slimming
Black cats will match any decor
Good luck associated with black cats include:
Possessing a black cat.Having a black cat greet you at a door
Having a black cat enter your home.
Meeting three black cats in succession
Touching a black cat.
Do cats really have 9 lives? I don't think that cats have nine lives, that's just a metaphor. Cats seem to be able to pull themselves out of dangerous situations more than anything else. Example, landing on their feet. If something were to happen to your cat that it couldn't get out of, it would die the same as anything else would.
Large breeds are most likely to get hip dysplasia, though there are some large dogs such as Borzoi that have a low risk of hip dysplasia, and there are some medium sized dog breeds that have an increased risk. Breeds that are at a high risk of hip dysplasia include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes, Rottweilers and Cocker Spaniels. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic polygenic trait that is affected by environmental factors. It can be found in many animals and occasionally in humans, but is most commonly associated with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds. Hip dysplasia is one of the most studied veterinary conditions in dogs, and the most common single cause of arthritis of the hips. Hip dysplasia is a genetically transmitted disease that has been seen in over 82 recognized breeds of dogs. Since first diagnosed in 1935, it has had the highest incidence in the larger breed animals. Hip dysplasia is an inherited, developmental disease with a polygenic mode of inheritance. This means that there are multiple genes which must be present for this disease to express itself. Surprisingly, the hip joints of dogs which develop dysplasia are normal at birth. In most cases, dysplasia will occur in both legs bilaterally http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bilaterally. However, in approximately 7% of the cases only one hip will be affected. Treatment Once the patient usually an adult dog has radiographic evidence of degenerative arthritis, it is no longer a candidate for a triple pelvic osteotomy. Over time, many of these dogs will become less responsive to analgesic medications and surgical therapy should be considered. There are two procedures available. . Removal of the femoral head and neck and total hip replacement.
Have you ever owned a betta fish? If you have then you know the beauty of this little fish! If you have not…Then you don’t know what you are missing! Several years ago my husband came home from work and surprised me with a beautiful burgundy fish in a vase with a peace lily flower in it. After staring at it for several seconds, I asked where he had gotten it. He told me that a lady on his job was selling them and that he had previously ordered it for me. She told him that I should keep it in the vase and that it would eat off of the roots. I ended up getting my betta fish, who we named, fishy-fish, a one gallon aquarium and fed him flakes. He was so cute. He would come close to the glass when he saw us, and would wave his fins. He lived to be 2 years old. Facts about betta fish:
They originate in the shallow waters in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and parts of China.
The water for keeping healthy bettas should be soft, warm, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
They thrive on heat, and will become increasingly listless when the water temperature falls below 75 degrees.
They are one of the most colorful and amusing breed of pet fish to have.
Betta fish can live for up to 5 years.
90% of problems with bettas start from stress
Poor tank conditions make them sick live foods are best for the betta, however, they will adapt to eating flake foods, frozen and freeze dried foods.
Their digestive tract is built to digest meat, rather than vegetable material.
Their upturned mouth is designed to grab insects that have fallen into the water.
Water movement should be kept to a minimum, which means that power filters and powerheads are not suitable.
Only one male may be kept in each aquarium, unless they are separated by a barrier, they will fight.
They may be kept in a community tank as long as the water conditions are met, and there are no aggressive fish.
When it comes to owning a pet, most people prefer to start small. Some like to start with hamsters, fish in aquariums. Some people think that the smaller in the pet, the less work!
I did not write this story, but as an animal lover, I feel that I must share it: Hi...do you know me??? I am a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. Pardon my appearance, maybe you didn't recognize me. I've been so busy making babies and it's hard to stay pretty when you live in filth and never bathe. Maybe you know one of my children, there are hundreds of them out there in the world. I know not where. They were taken from me so young. I hope they have forgotten me, anyway, and this horrible place I can never leave, this tiny cage with its wire floor is my world, I have never left it, it all I know. Is there something else? I know this cage, I know loneliness, I know fear, I know pain, I know sickness, I know hunger, I know thirst...I know I make babies. That's all I know. Is there more? Why are you here? I only know humans mean hurt. What do you mean help? What is Kindness? What is love? What is there beside what I know? Will you show me? Will you not forget me here? I want to know what else there is beside this hell I live in. Help me please, I can not help myself. ♥ There is a bill in the US Congress that will help dogs in puppy mills all over the country, the PUPS Act. House-HR835, Senate-S707. So far 25% of representatives have signed on in support. PLEASE SHARE!!! PUT AN END TO THIS INDUSTRY FOREVER! TOGETHER WE WILL BE HEARD! MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT LISTEN AND DO NOT STOP UNTIL PUPPY MILLS ARE OUTLAWED AND ANIMALS ARE PROTECTED! Be their voice and their guardian angel, end the suffering of these innocents, once and for all. Please look at the video below:
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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) , states that rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. Rabies is one of the most well known of all the viruses. Fortunately, through active vaccination and eradication programs, there were only 3 reported cases of human rabies in the United States in 2006, although 45,000 people were exposed and required post-exposure vaccination and antibody injections. Bats are the most common animals responsible for the transmission of human rabies in the United States. Rabid bats have been reported in all states except Hawaii. There are two forms of rabies: paralytic and furious. In the early symptom (prodomal) stage of rabies infection, the dog will show only mild signs of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities. This stage will last from one to three days. Most dogs will then progress to either the furious stage, the paralytic stage, or a combination of the two, while others succumb to the infection without displaying any major symptoms. There is no cure or effective treatment for rabies. Animals with obvious and advanced signs of rabies must be euthanized. Next to vaccination, minimizing exposure is the best way to prevent rabies. Do not allow your dog to roam out of your sight, especially in wooded areas where wild animal encounters are more common. Keep your dog on a leash, and avoid interactions with unknown animals. If your dog does get an animal bite, see your vet right away.
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