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The Amazing Taste Buds of Dogs: How Dogs Perceive the World Through Taste (with Videos)

By
Cobra Master
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Taste Buds of Dogs
Photo by Zen Chung on Pexels.com

Dogs have fewer taste buds than humans—around 1,700 in the average dog compared to 9,000 in humans, according to akc.org. Taste buds on different parts of the tongue respond to different microscopic molecules, allowing dogs to detect sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors. Dogs also have special taste buds aimed at tasting only water. Additionally, dogs have chemoreceptors in their jaws, forelimbs, and noses, which allow them to process and interpret the taste of food.

Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell to identify the taste of food. They have the ability to detect a wide variety of smells, due to the wide variety of scent receptors in their noses. This allows them to pick up on subtle differences in taste that humans may not be able to detect. Dogs tend to prefer the taste of meat because it is rich in proteins and fats, which are two of the most important components of their diet.

Here’s a great clip that will help you learn a bit more:

Few interesting points to remember for your loving pets:

1. Look for pet food boredom

In order to determine if your dog is experiencing food boredom, look for signs such as decreased appetite, loss of interest in food, picky eating habits, or behavior changes during meal time. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, you should try introducing a variety of new flavors and textures into their diet, as well as varying their meal times and incorporating interactive toys into their eating routine. If the problem persists, it is best to speak with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.

How Dogs Perceive the World Through Taste
Food boredom? Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash.com

2. Check the Expiration date

ext, it is important to check the expiration date on the pet food. Expired pet food can contain harmful bacteria or toxins, which can make your pet sick. Additionally, expired pet food may lack the nutrition and vitamins that your pet needs to stay healthy. Make sure to check the expiration date on pet food before feeding it to your pet.

3. Clean and hygienic Bowl

When cleaning your pet’s food bowl, it is important to use mild soap or detergent and warm water. Rinse the bowl thoroughly and dry it before adding new food. Make sure to clean your pet’s bowl regularly to keep them healthy and happy.

If you having some trouble experiencing pet behavior, try these points:

1. It is important not to immediately give your dog a new bowl of food after they reject their current food. If your dog refuses to eat, it may indicate that they are not feeling well, or that the food is not to their liking. Try changing the food, or adding something like peanut butter or cooked eggs to the food to make it more palatable, before giving them a new bowl of food. Here are some ideas for dog food recipes you can make at home. 

Here’s a great recipe you can try:



2. It is important to pay attention to your dog’s water consumption, especially during hot months. Make sure your pet always has access to clean, fresh water, and check their bowl several times a day to ensure that the water is full and clean. If your pet isn’t drinking enough water, you may need to change their diet or adjust their exercise routine to help keep them hydrated.

3. It is important to avoid changing your dog’s food too frequently. Changing food too often can cause your pet to experience digestive problems, and can also make it difficult for them to get used to a particular food. If you need to change your pet’s food, it is best to do so gradually, introducing the new food slowly and in small amounts over the course of a few weeks.

After reading the article, if someone asks you the question – Do Dogs Have Taste Buds – you’ll be able to answer. Dogs have an acute sense of taste and can detect different levels of sweetness and bitterness in food.

Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out this article about providing professional medical help to your pets.

Dog Home Safety Tips You Should Be Aware

By
Alex Miles
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Dog Home Safety Tips
Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash.com

Love your dog and want him to be safe at all times? You’ve reached the right place. Dogs sometimes become spooked when in unfamiliar environments, leading them to attempt escape. It’s especially true when traveling, as we’ve covered in our post about how to prepare for boarding your dog. However, even at your own home, your dog can get spooked out. Following these dog home safety tips can help avoid this from occurring.

Cabinet doors should be secured with child-safe locks, and items in drawers should be scanned for potential choking hazards before closing them.

Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Though dogs may enjoy being off-leash, it is essential for owners to keep their pups on a leash while out and about. There are numerous reasons why this is beneficial and these tips will help guarantee your pup’s safety and well-being while you’re out and about. If you are not up to this and you just want a dog for a child, amazing dinosaur themed room decorations are just better. 

Preventing Car Accidents

Loose dogs are much more vulnerable to being hit by cars and causing accidents when they swerve to avoid being struck. These incidents can usually be avoided with proper restraints like leashes.

Preventing Altercations with Wildlife

Leashing your dog will prevent them from chasing wildlife or becoming aggressive towards them, potentially saving you money and possibly saving the life of your furry friend. This could prevent an incident that costs both you and the animal both dearly if left unchecked.

Keep Your Windows Closed

To keep your dog secure while you are away, close all windows in your home. Doing this will help prevent them from escaping out an open window or jumping through a screen.

In addition to making your home safer for your dog, keeping all windows closed will also keep them from getting cold. Check your windows regularly for any signs of damage caused by your pet – such as cracks or holes – so that no injuries occur while you’re gone. If it’s impossible to keep all the windows shut tightly, consider installing a window guard or awning to safeguard your house while you’re gone.

Keep Your Place Picked Up

One of the best ways to keep your pets safe is to maintain a clean and organized environment. This includes emptying their litter box regularly, changing out their beds at least once or twice a week, and replacing worn-out toys with new ones. Keeping your home tidy also creates an enjoyable atmosphere for your pup. A few simple steps can go a long way toward making sure everyone in the family feels secure at home. Besides some TLC, these tips will keep furbabies happy and healthy for years to come. Remember: your furry member deserves nothing less than our best treatment and tender kisses from us all!

Avoid Leaving Your Dog Alone for Extended Periods

Leaving your dog alone at home for extended periods can lead to several issues, including anxiety, depression, destructive behavior, and even health problems due to lack of physical activity. It’s crucial to provide your dog with regular interaction and mental stimulation to ensure their overall well-being. Thankfully, these days you can find help in this regard practically anywhere. If you’re one of our followers in Miami, for example, just search for professional dog daycare programs near Miami, so if your schedule demands long hours away from home, consider enrolling your dog to keep them active and entertained. These programs offer not only supervision but also valuable socialization opportunities with other dogs, which can greatly enhance your pet’s happiness and quality of life.

Keep Dangerous Items Out of Your Dog’s Reach

Many everyday household items can be dangerous for your pet. From cleaning supplies to medications, these substances could be toxic if your dog consumes them.

Batteries are another common item that dogs may chew on, exposing them to the alkaline and acidic chemicals inside. Keep batteries out of your pup’s reach by placing them high or in a secure cabinet.

Living rooms often contain flammable items such as candles, incense sticks or essential oils. To protect your dog from injury caused by accidentally knocking over a candle or inhaling the vapors from an essential oil-scented candle, keep these items out of their reach.

Some products, like insecticides and herbicides, can be highly toxic to dogs. To keep these away from your pup’s reach, store them safely away in a secure area such as your garage.

Keep Your Dog Separate While You Are Out

Dogs are pack animals and tend to gravitate toward their owners, but they must also learn how to survive on their own.

When out and about with your pup, be sure to keep them separated. This is especially crucial if they are experiencing separation anxiety.

Maintaining your dog’s separation while you are gone will help them avoid becoming anxious or stressed by your absence.

This can lead your pup to exhibit behaviors like chewing or digging, barking, pacing, and urinating in the house. Fortunately, there are several ways you can help your dog overcome this issue. Start by gradually increasing short absences in small doses until your pup feels secure being left alone without stress. After your dog has become less stressed when left alone for extended periods of time, you can gradually increase their time away.

The Ultimate Snake Owner’s Guide: Habitat, Nutrition, and Care

By
Jessica Loticus
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Snake Owner's Guide
Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash.com

Snakes are one of nature’s most fascinating creatures, mainly because they are so different from us mammals. Despite the stereotypes that surround our scaly friends, snacks can and do make fantastic pets. However, keeping a snake is not the same as keeping most pets, thanks to their unique needs, from temperature to diet.

Below, we’ll lay out the basics of caring for these regal reptiles, so you can be the best snake parent you can!

Prep Steps

As exciting as it is to bring a new pet home, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need first. Before you even go to the exotic pet store, you need to do your homework and be as informed as you can about the different types and their specific needs and care requirements.

Start by reading all the forum threads and blog posts you can find about your chosen species. Care sheets and YouTube videos are also a great help at this stage.

If possible, try to find someone local who keeps the species you’ve decided on, and see if they’re willing to talk with you. Other keepers can give you insights into the day-to-day realities of snake-keeping, which is especially invaluable if you’re a first-time snake owner. You may even be able to get some practice with holding and handling their snakes if they’re open to that.

Once you’re set on the species you’d like, it’s time to go shopping! Make yourself a detailed list and try to stick to the basics first. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re already excited about bringing your new pet home.

It’s a good idea to have everything set up and ready when your snake arrives. Having the reptile’s habitat ready for it will go a long way toward calming it down from the trip home and making it feel safe and comfortable with you.

Habitat

The sort of habitat you construct for your new friend will vary a bit based on their species. For example, burrowing snakes will generally need less height than semi-arboreal snakes. As a general rule, it’s best to have an enclosure that’s at least as long as the snake is, and at least 1/3 as wide as the snake is long.

The substrate you choose will also have to be considered. Research is important here, since what would be perfect for a sand boa probably won’t work for a ball python, and vice versa. Once you’ve discovered the common bedding types for your species, test the material to make sure both you and your snake do well with it. You may even want to use paper towels for the first few weeks, as they’re cheap and easy to clean.

The idea of an enclosure being ‘too big’ for a snake isn’t actually valid. After all, snakes evolved to live in the wild, which is massive. It’s not the space itself that stresses these reptiles out – it’s not being able to hide in it. Make sure you give your scaly friend plenty of cover, no matter the size of their enclosure.

Another consideration is temperature. Ectothermic creatures like snakes can’t internally regulate their body temperature, meaning they have to use the environment to regulate it. Ideally, an enclosure will have what’s called a temperature gradient – one end of the habitat will be colder than the other, providing a range of temperatures for the snake to choose from.

Nutrition

What to feed and how often to feed will depend heavily on your chosen species. Most small to mid-sized snakes will eat mice their entire lives, but garter and hognose snakes prefer non-rodent food. In their cases, it’s best to stick as close as possible to their natural diets.

If you can convince your snake to eat them, Reptilinks offer complete nutrition in places where live or feeder frogs, toads, and fish aren’t readily available. Whatever you feed, frozen and thawed food is preferable since freezing kills harmful parasites. Always try to bring warm-blooded prey to a temperature in the 90s, and cold-blooded prey up into the 70s to 80s.

Activity plays a role in the feeding schedule too. Active colubrids tend to eat more than pythons or boas. A general guideline is to offer food 5 to 7 days after your adult snake poops. This gives their digestive system a break and ensures they’re actually hungry when they eat.

Some snakes will prefer their food bouncing around, while others prefer darkness and solitude while eating. Trial and error will tell you which your new pet prefers.

What If My Snake Bites Me?

Ideally, you’ve had at least some snake-handling experience before now, but even experienced handlers still get bitten from time to time. After the initial two-week adjustment period, you can begin handling your new friend. Try to keep this short, maybe five minutes once a week at first, to avoid stressing them.

If your snake does bite you but then immediately lets you go, that was a defensive bite. Place them back in their enclosure and leave them be for 48 hours. Try to work out what caused the defensive reaction, so you can avoid triggering it in the future.

If, however, your snake bites you and holds on, you can take it as a compliment! ‘Bite and hold’ or even ‘bite and coil’ are feeding behaviors and stressed-out snakes don’t eat. This means they felt comfortable with you and thought you smelled interesting enough to taste. Tickling the snake on the top of the head will often make them let go.

Don’t be surprised by the amount of blood involved in a snake bite! The saliva of most snakes contains an anticoagulant. Wash the bite out with soap and water, like you would for any wound, coat it in a triple antibiotic ointment, and cover it with a bandage. If you were bitten by a mildly venomous species like a hognose, you can take a mild antihistamine as a preventative measure. The effects of cannabis oil have also been studied and seem to be effective in lessening the effects of venom.

In The End…

Keeping a snake can be a tricky experience, with a lot of moving parts and things to consider. That said, if you do your homework properly, incorporating a snake into your family can be fantastically rewarding. Good luck in caring for your new scaly friend!

Providing Professional Medical Help to Your Pets: A Short Guide

By
Karen Simmons
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Medical Help to Your Pets
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

Pets can bring us joy, companionship, and unconditional love – but when they need medical attention, the situation can be daunting. From knowing where to take them for treatment to understanding their needs, it’s essential that pet owners are aware of what is involved in providing professional medical assistance for their furry friends, especially if they need emergency care. 

This guide will provide an invaluable resource for those looking to ensure their pets receive the best possible care. We’ll cover topics such as how to recognize signs of illness or injury and which treatments may be necessary. With this information in hand, you’ll be ready to make sure your beloved companion receives quality care whenever it is needed.

Providing medical assistance to your pets – A full guide

Our pets are not just there to provide us with companionship, they can also be important members of our family, who we have the responsibility to look after and keep healthy. To do this, it is essential that pet owners are aware of what is involved in providing professional medical assistance for their beloved furry friends. 

Now, you can go about this in several different manners. Whether you choose to have in-home visits, as www.bettervet.com provide, or you choose to take your pet to a veterinary office, you want to make sure that your pet is getting the best care possible. More importantly, aside from the regular veterinarian check-up, you will also want to know how to recognize signs of illness or injury and which treatments may be necessary. This full guide aims to give you a better understanding of the different services provided in veterinary medicine, as well as what to look for when it comes to your pet’s health.

Choosing the best veterinarian for your pet

The first thing to do when it comes to caring for your pet is to find a veterinarian who is the right fit for you and your animal. This means not just finding one close to home, but also making sure the veterinarian has experience with the species of pet you have (as some veterinarians specialize in small animals or large animals). 

Additionally, you will want to make sure the veterinarian and their staff have good communication skills and that they are friendly, as this will be important for building trust between you and the vet. Furthermore, ask if the office has emergency services or an on-call veterinarian in case of unforeseen medical emergencies.

Understanding pet health needs

It is essential that you understand what a veterinarian should be looking for when performing check-ups on your pet. This includes examining their eyes, ears, and teeth, as well as checking their overall body condition to make sure there are no lumps or bumps that could indicate something more serious. Additionally, it is important to ask about any vaccinations or preventative treatments that may be needed for your pet, as this can help avoid serious illnesses in the future.

How to recognize signs of illness or injury in your pet?

It is essential that you know how to recognize signs of illness or injury in your pet so that they can get the help they need as soon as possible. If you notice any major changes in their behavior, such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or a lack of appetite, it is best to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian right away. Additionally, if you find any lumps or bumps on your pet’s body that were not present before, have them checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

What types of treatments may be necessary?

Once you have identified a potential illness or injury, it is important to understand the types of treatments that may be necessary to help your pet. Depending on the severity of the condition, your veterinarian may prescribe medication or suggest surgery as an option. Additionally, many veterinarians also offer preventive care services such as vaccinations and parasite control. These can help ensure your pet stays healthy and happy for years to come.

For more specialized treatment options, particularly for pets with unique or ongoing medication needs, consulting a specialized place this pet compounding pharmacy in Newbury Park, for example, can offer tailor-made solutions. These pharmacies are equipped to provide custom dosages and formulations, ensuring your pet receives their medication in a form that is both effective and easy to administer.

Providing Professional Medical Help to Your Pets
Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

Providing at-home care for your pet

This includes providing them with a clean living space, regular exercise, and a balanced diet. Additionally, you should make sure that your pet gets plenty of mental stimulation by engaging in activities such as playing fetch or taking them on long walks. By providing your pet with the proper care and attention, you can ensure that they remain happy and healthy for years to come.

How to handle emergencies

If your pet is suffering from a serious illness or injury, it is important to know how to handle the situation. First and foremost, remain calm and call your veterinarian immediately for advice.

If you are unable to reach them in time or if the situation requires immediate medical attention, take your pet to a nearby animal hospital as soon as possible. Additionally, make sure to bring any medical records or medications that your pet may need in case of an emergency.

Providing professional medical assistance to your pets is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. By understanding their health needs and recognizing the signs of illness or injury, you will be better equipped to provide the necessary care for them.

While your veterinarian should always be your first line of defense, it is important to have a plan in place for emergency situations and to understand how to provide proper at-home care. With the right knowledge and resources, you can ensure that your pet receives the best possible medical attention available.

Pet Turtles vs. Pet Tortoises: An Introductory Pet Guide

By
Jessica Loticus
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Pet Turtles vs. Pet Tortoises
Photo by Wexor Tmg on Unsplash.com

Searching for a short guide on Pet Turtles vs. Pet Tortoises? You’ve reached the right place. In casual conversations, the words turtle and tortoise are interchangeably used to refer to shelled reptiles. However, they are two different species. The difference between the two species is not well-known, but you must know the difference to care for your pet correctly. The critical differences between turtles and tortoises are as follows.

Turtles Tortoises
They have a lightweight shell. They have a thick dome-shaped cover.
Turtles are primarily aquatic animals. Tortoises only live on land.
Turtles have thin flippers to aid them in swimming. Tortoises have stumpy and clubbed feet for traversing on the ground.
They can survive on a mixed diet. They live on a plant-based diet.
Turtles have a shorter lifespan of around 20 to 40 years. The lifespan of a tortoise is approximately 60 to 80 years.

 

It is crucial to consider your pet’s spatial requirements, health support, diet, and workload to provide proper care. Guides specifically tailored to a specific organism are available on the internet. Reptile Direct has a lot of excellent guides on different species of turtles and tortoises. Here is how turtles differ from tortoises. 

Pet Turtles vs Pet Tortoises
A pet turtle. Photo by Fernando Maté on Unsplash.com

Spatial Requirements

Turtles and tortoises both start small. Their smaller size can always be appealing to keep as your pets. However, they require far more space to grow than we imagine. This is because they can grow faster and more significantly. Female turtles, which can grow relatively bigger than their male counterparts (8 to 12 inches), require a 75 to 100-gallon aquarium for a suitable living space. 

Some species of tortoises can grow significantly more than turtles. Most tortoises will need a custom-built cage or fenced-out area to live comfortably.   

Diet

The difference between the two species is most prominent in their diet. A turtle’s diet is much easier to arrange than a tortoise’s. They can consume turtle pallets,  earthworms, and shrimps, either fresh or sun-dried. Unlike turtles, tortoises require a diet high in fiber and calcium and low in protein, fruit, and fat. The tortoise diet can also vary between different species.   

Maintenance

It is not easy to care for a reptile like a turtle. They are very messy eaters, which is why they pollute their tanks every time they are fed. Cleaning their aquarium and living space is a massive hassle among turtle owners. Since turtles are susceptible to the quality of water around them, they are prone to getting sick if their habitat is not adequately maintained. You will need powerful jets and good-quality filters to circulate water properly in their aquarium. 

On the contrary, tortoises are relatively peaceful dwellers and just require cleaning up after them. While turtles only demand full cleaning of their aquarium twice a year, they also require you to provide them with clean water at all times. This means that you have to skim their aquarium for debris regularly. Maintaining and changing their water filters on time is also a painstaking and costly task. Compared to turtles, tortoises only require a biweekly cleaning of their leftover food and waste.

Endnote

I hope you’ve learned something from this short Pet Turtles vs. Pet Tortoises guide. The differences between turtles and tortoises can confuse new pet owners, but knowing them is essential if you aim to get one of these species. Learning about their diet, space requirements, and workload is the first step to deciding whether they are a suitable pet for you. Make sure you choose a pet that best suits your lifestyle, available space, and work routine.

7 Most Common Metabolic Disorders In Animals And How To Cure Them

By
Karen Simmons
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Common Metabolic Disorders In Animals And How To Cure Them
Photo by Daniel Quiceno M on Unsplash.com

Metabolic diseases are a type of illness that affects the metabolism, or the way the body handles energy. In animals, these diseases can be caused by a variety of things, including genetics, diet, and environment. While metabolic diseases are not always preventable, there are things that you can do to minimize your animals’ risk. This article will explore some of the most common metabolic diseases in farm animals and why they occur.

1. Lipidosis

Lipid metabolism disorders involve the abnormal metabolism of fats and lipids. These disorders can lead to the accumulation of fats in the liver, which is known as lipidosis, as well as kidney disease, and heart disease. Cows with lipidosis tend to show signs of depression, as well as weight gain and decreased milk production. Treatments include administering glucose and insulin twice daily.

2. Milk Fever

Milk fever is also known as hypocalcemia. This disease in cows is due to low blood calcium levels. Calcium is vital for normal bodily function in cows, such as keeping the heart and muscles working properly. A cow suffering from milk fever will be drained as its body is working very hard to maintain blood levels in the normal range.

Cows are susceptible to milk fever late in pregnancy, during the rapid growth of the calf, and early in lactation, once the calf is born. Experts at Grow have created treatments for this and other metabolic diseases in animals. Make sure to use the recommended dosage when treating a cow with milk fever.

3. Ketosis

Ketosis is also referred to as pregnancy toxemia. This is a deficit in energy that manifests in cows and sheep as a drop in blood glucose levels. This drop will happen when the cow or sheep has an increased need for energy. For instance, in the late stages of pregnancy and early lactation, similar to milk fever.

If the animal cannot or does not eat enough during this time, their bodies will start to burn body fat for energy instead. This causes the production of large amounts of ketone bodies in the animals’ system. If this sounds familiar, it is because this is what happens in the human body when they are on the keto diet!

Animals with poor-quality feed, experiencing overall poor health, or dealing with any level of stress are more likely to suffer from ketosis. Stressors can include environmental conditions such as overcrowding or inadequate shelter. For instance, temporary farm buildings can play a crucial role in providing proper housing during critical times like late pregnancy and early lactation. These structures help protect animals from harsh weather and create a controlled environment, reducing stress and the likelihood of metabolic diseases like ketosis.

4. Grass Tetany

Grass tetany can also be called grass staggers or hypomagnesemia. This disease is caused by low levels of magnesium in the blood. Magnesium is vital for normal muscle and nerve function. Magnesium deficiency occurs when cows or sheep do not get enough in their diet or if their bodies are not able to absorb the substance properly. This can be caused by having too much potassium from fertilizer in the system.

As with the above-listed diseases, grass tetany occurs most often during late pregnancy and early lactation, when the body is under more pressure. Moreover, as with other metabolic diseases, more aged or stressed animals are more susceptible.

5. Sleepy Sickness

This is a kind of Encephalitis that can occur in sheep during pregnancy. Sleepy sickness is also known as twin lamb disease, and it is a common metabolic disease in sheep in the weeks before lambing. Ewes that are carrying two lambs or more are most at risk of getting sleepy sickness.

Look out for signs of lethargy, loss of balance, and pregnant sheep not eating. The main cause of sleepy sickness is underfeeding sheep in late pregnancy. You should give ewes more feed near lambing if they are carrying multiples.

Common Metabolic Disorders In Animals
Sleepy sickness can occur in sheep during pregnancy. Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash.com

6. Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Equine metabolic syndrome, shortened to EMS, is a metabolic disease caused by blood insulin levels that are too high. This can lead to increased fat deposition in the horse’s body and a reduced ability to lose weight. This syndrome affects horses bred to survive in harsh conditions, such as ponies, donkeys, Arabians, and mustangs. These horse breeds use glucose in the body very efficiently to make sure they have sufficient energy reserves when food is scarce.

EMS is treated with dietary management. This means limiting non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) consumption.

7. Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders

Carbohydrate metabolism disorders involve the abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates. These disorders can lead to the accumulation of sugar in the blood, which is called hyperglycemia, and in the urine, glycosuria. Moreover, cows with carbohydrate metabolism disorders can experience weight gain and diabetes.

Talk to a veterinarian about the special diets, supplements, and medications that can treat carbohydrate metabolism disorders in farm animals.

So, there you have it. This has been a very brief look at metabolic diseases in cows, sheep, and horses. These diseases come in many forms and are a major health concern for farm animals. They can cause a variety of serious health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to preventing or treating these conditions, early detection and intervention are critical to ensuring the best possible outcome for your pet. If you suspect your animal may be suffering from a metabolic disease, talk to an expert as soon as possible.

Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out this post about dogs and cheetahs living together in a Zoo.

The Best Vegetarian Household Pets that might surprise you!

By
Alex Miles
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The Best Vegetarian Household Pets
Photo by Степан Галагаев on Unsplash.com

Are you a vegetarian? Can you keep pets that do not eat meat? Or how do you go about keeping pets that eat meat? Can you include meat in the diet of such pets? Well, these are questions that many people who are vegetarian ask. Since there are pets that eat some brassicas like broccoli and other kinds of nutritious vegetables, then you can buy such pets and keep them at home. One of the things that vegetarians do not want to do is engage in the handling any kind of meat, whether for themselves or for their pets. For this reason, most vegetarians will prefer to keep pets that can comfortably live on a vegetarian diet.

Before we dwell on some of the pets that vegans can keep, we want to discuss a few pertinent issues that have to do with vegans and pets.

Here are some questions about vegans and pets and their answers:

1. Can you keep a pet as a vegan?

The fact that vegans do not approve of eating animals and animal products means that some of them may not approve of keeping pets. Well, whether a vegan can keep a pet or not is purely a matter of personal decision. The fact that pets are companion animals may make it necessary for a vegan to keep a pet. We can say that some vegans do keep pets and others do not. It is a matter of personal conviction to make such a decision.

2. Is it vegetarian to keep animals?

This is another common query for people who would like to be vegans. For animals that are vegans such as rabbits, Guinea pigs, and others, it is easy for one to decide to keep these. However, those who need to keep cats will be in a tricky situation since such animals are largely omnivorous. The fact that the nutritional needs of animals have to be met means that one would be in a fix when it comes to keeping omnivorous animals.

3. Can your dogs and cats survive on vegan diets?

For the vegans who decide to keep cats and dogs, one of the questions you need to ask is if these animals can survive solely on vegan diets. It is possible to find a dog that can easily get its nutritional needs from a vegan diet. For the cats, however, it becomes quite tricky.

They cannot survive without meat because they need some proteins that they get from other animals. Just like bears survive on vegan diets, dogs can also do the same. The right thing for one to do is think deeply about the need to keep these animals if you cannot meet their full dietary requirements.

The Best Vegetarian Household Pets:

1. Rabbits

Rabbits are some of the most suitable pets that vegans can keep. These animals are happy vegans and you can be sure they will be comfortable with diets based on hay and vegetables. With rabbits, you will love their soft movements and mannerisms as a vegan.

2. Guinea Pigs

These are purely vegan animals that can suit you as a vegan family. Just like rabbits, guinea pigs survive on a diet that is 100% vegetarian. They can eat cauliflower, brassicas such as broccoli, and so on.

Vegetarian Household Pets
Guinea Pig. Photo by Amjith S on Unsplash.com

3. Hamsters

These are wonderful vegetarian animals that you can keep. Just like rabbits and mice, these animals can do without meat in their diets. Most of the owners of these pets give them food from the store and you may not always know what such food is made from.

4. Mice

Mice are good pets that can survive on a vegan diet. However, if they are kept on a free-range basis, these animals will eat anything. Therefore, if you are interested in keeping them as a vegan animal, then you must be observant. You should supply them with a vegan diet that has the mix of vitamins and minerals that they require.

5. Chicken

Chicken can also be fed on a vegan diet if one is observant. However, you must keep them close and in an enclosure where they do not become free range. You can buy vegan chicken feed and ensure that your chicken gets all the dietary requirements they need.

They will however not produce as many eggs if they are fed a purely vegan diet. If you keep these animals as pets, then you may not have to worry about the eggs. You may see them scratching for worms when they are not satisfied with the vegan diet.

13 Fascinating Facts About the Burmese Python

By
Karen Simmons
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Facts About the Burmese Python
Photo by Soubhagya Maharana on Pexels.com

Did you know that the Burmese python is the world’s longest snake? Or that it can weigh up to 200 pounds? These are just some of the incredible facts about this fascinating creature. The following are 13 additional facts that will fascinate you about the Burmese python.

A python is a BIG, non-venomous snake that basically constricts its prey. Pythons can be found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. The Burmese python is a distant relative (subspecies) of the Indian python and is native to Southeast Asia. The Burmese python can be found in the wild, but it is also a popular pet among snake lovers. Here are 13 fascinating facts you might not have known about the Burmese python.

1. It Can Grow LONG

The Burmese python can grow BIG and LONG and can reach also 20 feet in length. The usual length of a Burmese python is between 12 and 18 feet. 

2. The Heaviest Is More than 400 Pounds

The heaviest recorded Burmese python weighs in at 402 pounds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this Burmese python is kept by an owner in Gurnee, Illinois, in the United States.

3. It Can Live Long

The Burmese python can live up to 30 years in captivity. In the wild, however, its lifespan is much shorter, usually only reaching about 20 years. The difference is due to the lack of hazards when a snake is kept in captivity.

4. It Can Eat BIG Animals

The Burmese python is an apex predator, meaning it has no natural predators. This allows it to hunt and eat animals as large as deer. In the wild, however, Burmese pythons will usually eat smaller mammals like mice, rodents or rabbits. 

5. There are Some Rare Albino Burmese Pythons

Albino animals are those that lack pigment in their skin, hair or eyes. Albino Burmese pythons are very rare and are often sought after by snake collectors. While the usual color of a Burmese python is dark brown, albino Burmese pythons are a creamy white color, with orange-colored rings or shapes on them.

6. It Hibernates in the Winter

Like many other snakes, the Burmese python hibernates during the winter months. It typically finds a warm, dark place to sleep, such as a cave or burrow. When it hibernates, the snake’s metabolism slows down and it doesn’t eat for several months.

7. It Is a Good Swimmer

The Burmese python is a good swimmer and is often found near water. It is not afraid of the water and will even dive underwater to catch its prey. As a matter of factt, a Burmese python can keep his breath and stay underwater for up to 30 minutes at a time.

8. Pythons Are Not Venomous

Given the size, weight and length they can grow to, many people believe pythons to be a deadly poisonous snake. In fact, pythons are not venomous snakes. They kill their prey by wrapping their body around it and squeezing it until it suffocates. This means they are still deadly, but not because of venom. 

9. It Is Native to Southeast Asia

The Burmese python is a subspecies of the Indian python and is native to Southeast Asia. It can be found in countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. By contrast, the Indian python is the largest subspecies of python and can grow to be even larger than the Burmese python. The Reticulated python is another subspecies of python that can grow to be just as large as the Burmese python.

10. It Is Now Considered an Invasive Species

The Burmese python is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, including the United States. This is because they are not native to these areas and can cause harm to the local ecosystem. In the United States, they are often found in the Everglades in Florida. It is estimated that there are now over 100,000 Burmese pythons in the Everglades. This is a problem because they are eating native animals and disrupting the food chain.

11. Females Lay Up to 36 Eggs

The female Burmese python can lay up to 36 eggs at a time. They typically lay anywhere between 12 and 36 eggs in March or April. The eggs are incubated by the female for about two months before they hatch. Once they have hatched, they immediately go off on their own. 

12. They Are Solitary Creatures

Burmese pythons are solitary creatures and typically only come together to mate. They will often fight each other if they are in close proximity. After mating, the female will typically leave the area and go off on her own to lay her eggs. Newly hatched Burmese pythons do not try to stay near the mother or near each other.

13. They Eat Every 1 to 2 Months

The Burmese python is a relatively slow-moving snake. It does not need to eat very often and will typically only eat every one to two months. When it does eat, it will consume a large amount of food. This is because the snake’s metabolism is very slow and it takes a long time to digest food. Some Burmese pythons have even gone for several months without eating.

Burmese pythons are fascinating creatures. While they may be considered a nuisance in some parts of the world, there is no denying that they are unique and interesting snakes. If you ever get lucky to see one up close, don’t forget to take a closer look. You may be surprised by what you see and learn.

 

Everything You Need to Know About Owning a Dog and Turtle Together

By
Alex Miles
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Owning a Dog and Turtle Together
Photo from Pixabay.com

Dogs are social creatures and can live together with other animals and humans after a bit of training.

Dogs and turtles can co-exist in the same place, but you will need to monitor both strictly as they can cause harm to each other. For instance, if your dog is enormous and the turtle is small, always be present because a dog has a strong jaw that can crack open a turtle’s shell. Or they might mistake the turtle for a toy and injure it.

Therefore, if you consider having the two together, never leave them alone in the same room.

Can Dogs Get Along With Turtles?

Although dogs can get along with other animals you bring to your house; it can’t be for all of them as some might show aggressive tendencies towards the new pet. So when two different animals are in the same space, consider introducing them first and see how they fare.

A dog may view a turtle as a toy, as the turtle is small and encased in a shell. Therefore your dog will treat it as a chew toy and bite into the shell, which would be dangerous if the legs and head are protracted or fail to retract on time.

Since your dog treats your turtle as a toy, the dog will throw it around and bite into the shell, which can be stressful, causing harmful effects. Stress can compromise their immune system and make them prone to diseases and infections.

Getting your dog to treat your turtle as another animal will take many lessons. And even after training, never leave them alone.

Turtles can also be dangerous to a dog, particularly if you have giant turtles. For instance, if you have a large turtle and a miniature poodle, your poodle can end up being killed by the turtle, as it’s hard to train a turtle to coexist with other animals. Therefore, if you know you won’t always be available to supervise them, avoiding having the two together would be best.

Can Dogs Eat Turtles?

Dogs are hunters; even when they are well-fed, you will still find them foraging for food. Therefore, seeing a small turtle may excite them, and they will treat it as a chew toy and start biting into the shell.

Although the shell is hard to crack, your dog might take up the challenge and end up breaking the shell.

Owning a Dog and Turtle
Photo from Pexels.com

Signs of Your Dog Attacking Your Turtle

Dogs make great pets as they are friendly, highly sociable, and easy to train. Thus, they are found in many homes. On the other hand, turtles are also great pets, especially if you have small children; however, they require more care than any other pet.

Owning a dog and a turtle is not a task for the faint-hearted, as their temperaments can cause them to lash out at each other. If you observe any of these signs from your dog, it’s time to separate them.

  • Barking non-stop at the turtle
  • Growling
  • Crouching in an attack position
  • Biting the shell
  • Anxiousness        
  • Stalking the turtle

These are aggressive signs and might end up causing harm to your turtle. Therefore, before putting a dog and a turtle in the same place, consider their temperament and keep them apart during training.

Training Your Dog to Live With a Turtle

If you have a dog and a turtle, you must train your dog to coexist with the turtle. For the best results, you’d better introduce them when the dog is still in the puppy stage, as they will grow up knowing that the turtle is part of the family. If you need assistance along the way, you can always rely on Crittertips for all sorts of dog and pet-related tips. 

In the case of an adult dog, it would be best if they know how to follow basic commands, including ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘leave it.’ With these commands, you can easily control your dog during the introduction, ensuring no harm to the turtle.

During the introduction, your dog must be leashed as it would be easy to control them if they become aggressive. Also, if your dog displays sniffing, growling, or barking behavior, it would be best to stop the introduction as it could be stressful for your turtle.

Dog-Proof the Turtle Tank

The basics of owning a dog and a turtle are dog-proofing your turtle tank. Place it in a place your dog can’t access as they will try to knock it down. The best will be to keep your turtle in a room your dog can’t access if it’s indoors.

If you are housing your turtle outdoors, ensure the tank is fortified against predators such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and wild dogs. You can create a whole new play area with a strong foundation that would prevent other animals from digging under the wall. You must also ensure that the walls are at least 2 feet tall and smoother to prevent them from stacking up if you are housing several turtles.

The top part should be covered with a mesh lid to prevent other animals from getting in.

What is the Risk of Owning a Dog and a Turtle

Having a dog and a turtle comes with several risks; therefore, the owner should be meticulous about the well-being of their pets.

 

  • Dogs Attack Turtles

 

Although dogs are known to be friendly and sociable, they can be aggressive toward turtles, especially if the introductions were done when the dog was an adult. This is because turtles are tiny and tend to look like toys. Therefore, your dog may haul them around or bite them. This could lead to injuries, and the process of pulling and biting them is stressful to turtles, thus impacting their immune system and making them susceptible to diseases and infections.

 

  • Diseases

 

Turtles are reptiles, and they can carry salmonella. Therefore, if your dogs lick and bite the turtle, they could be in danger if salmonella is transferred into their body. Salmonella is pretty dangerous and if you notice the following symptoms: diarrhea, fever, dehydration, lethargy, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, depression, rash on the skin, or vomiting, take your dog to the vet. And the worst part is your dog can transmit salmonella through saliva and fecal matter, so you are also at risk of contracting it.

Final Thoughts

Owning a dog and a turtle is possible, but taxing on the owner as they need constant supervision. And a turtle requires a lot of care and attention. That said, ensure that your turtle’s tank is dog-proofed and the dog has been trained and introduced to the turtle.

Awesome Facts About 5 Ancient Fish You Probably Never Knew

By
Karen Simmons
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ancient fish
Photo from Pixaby.com

Fish are finely-tuned finned aquatic vertebrates that live in a constant search for food as they avoid becoming food to larger fish and, more recently, the efficient human fishing industry. Science has discovered and classified over 33,500 species of fish alive in the oceans, lakes, swamps, and all bodies of water present in the world today. 

But what about those that lived long ago? Many of the most ancient forms of fish have adapted into the species we see today, or they died out and new species filled their niche in the ecosystem.  

Want to learn more? Then, join us now to learn a bit more about the fascinating world of ancient fish! 

1. The Earliest Recorded Fish 

Little is known about the creatures that inhabited this world long before the arrival of humans. What we do know comes from carefully preserved fish fossil evidence that gives us a glimpse of what lived in the primordial oceans. The oldest fish on the fossil record is called the Metaspriggina Walcotti, a 6cm (2.36”) monster with buggy outward-pointed eyes and seven rudimentary gills. 

We still know very little about the life and sudden disappearance of these fish, but we do know they lived well over 400 Million Years ago. The Metaspriggina Walcotti lacked a bony skeleton that makes good fossil records. It is quite likely there are older fish that have vanished leaving no trace.  

2. The Coelacanth is a “Living Fossil”  

One of the oldest fish in the world was discovered through fossil evidence, dated at roughly 400 million years, and generally believed to be extinct. Then, to everyone’s surprise, and the delight of ichthyologists everywhere, the strange-looking Coelacanth (pronounced: Cee-le-canth) was discovered at great depths. 

Studying these fish is no easy task because they have adapted to life in the deepest reaches of the ocean. Because they were first discovered, named, and classified from fossil records, they have been affectionately known as “living fossils”. 

3. The Jurassic Fish

The coelacanth and leedsichthys are just two of the fish that lived during the times of the dinosaurs. Science has shown that these fish were the early ancestors of the fish we see in the oceans today, although they have adapted and diversified. Even though they are extinct now, traces of their distinct genealogy can be seen in modern fish.  

Watch this amazing video to see the Coelacanth:

4. Ancestor Of The Great White Shark 

It is awe-inspiring to see that the efficient design of the shark has evolved little from sharks that swam the oceans 66 million years ago and even survived the great Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction. The Megalodon is an early ancestor of the Great White Shark and was large enough to feed on the great whales of its time. 

But an even closer ancestor has been found. The Mako shark is an important and closely-related ancestor to the Great white and is still alive today in much the same form as it did 60 million years ago.  

5. Slow Breeders and Sparsely Populated Oceans 

Ancient fish lacked the designs and lifestyles they would need to survive the eons and exist in the world today. For this reason, the vast majority of ancient fish have died out or evolved into something more practical. For example, ancient fish had slow breeding habits — the coelacanth had a 5-year gestation period— and took a very long time to mature sexually. Fish populations were also spread thin across the great oceans. 

Furthermore, ancient fish were slow and incapable of escaping predators, which contributed to their early demise. As the eons passed and environmental changes culled all but the most adaptive species of the earth, many ancient fish populations died out.

Want to read more of our latest posts? check out this guide on how to choose fish tank accessories and plants.

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