All Questions
1,411
questions
17
votes
2
answers
967
views
Why should there be one more litter box than the total number of cats?
I've seen it recommended in many places that you should own a litter box for each cat in your home plus an extra. What are the reasons behind this, and is there an upper limit where this strategy ...
8
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why does my cat bite me while I'm petting it?
While I'm petting my cat, she'll start biting me. She grabs a little chunk of my arm (not hard at all, doesn't hurt), then moves her head from side to side, as if she was trying to rip part of my ...
31
votes
5
answers
32k
views
How can I stop my cat from eating too fast and throwing up?
My cat loves his canned food that he gets every morning, and he gets right into it the moment I put the dish down. Normally, this is no problem - he eats, I get ready for my day, everything is ...
30
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How to let an indoor cat have some outdoors time safely?
I have two indoor cats that have an abundance of energy and some behavior problems. I have read that allowing the cats outside occasionally can help with this behavior. Additionally, both cats ...
26
votes
7
answers
98k
views
How can I prevent my cat from extending his claws when being petted?
When I pet my cat, he often curls his toes, and extends / retracts his claws. I guess it's a sign that he enjoys getting petted, however this is not something I appreciate when he's lying on furniture ...
20
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why don't fish grow to their full size in a small tank?
I have heard that when a fish is kept in an aquarium that is too small for the fish to grow to its full size, it will only grow to a portion of its possible size and its lifespan will be shorter than ...
19
votes
1
answer
479
views
How can I introduce a cat into a household with dogs?
My family and I are considering adopting a cat. We currently have a few dogs but they are quite docile. I know that bringing a new creature into the house can cause problems.
What can I do to ...
17
votes
2
answers
20k
views
Can cats survive solely on dry food?
Is it safe to only feed a cat dry food?
Should cats have a more complete diet or not? My cat rarely eats anything else apart from dry food, and I do not know why
10
votes
2
answers
17k
views
What are the pet health concerns with using diatomaceous earth as an insecticide?
A couple of answers (1, 2) on flea treatments have suggested the user of diatomaceous earth (DE) for flea control. I have heard there are possible health concerns for my pet.
Is there any evidence ...
9
votes
8
answers
133k
views
Why does my cat's meow have no sound?
I've looked all over for an explanation. Surprisingly, there's not much information about this (most being theories).
Are there any cat experts that can explain this? I've heard "the sound is too ...
33
votes
5
answers
1k
views
What can I do to ease my dogs' fear of loud noises?
Whether it is my Black Labrador or my parents' American Eskimo, the sounds of thunder, fireworks and sometimes random loud noises can send them into a bit of a panic mode. They shake for an extended ...
27
votes
2
answers
34k
views
Why is iceberg lettuce bad for rabbits?
I have read that rabbits should not be given iceberg lettuce. Why is that?
21
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can I use human medicine on dogs?
Sometimes our doctor advises us to use to use human medicines for our dogs. For example, when my sister's Labrador was small, the doctor advised us to administer children's syrup for stomach disorder. ...
20
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Cats making a mess with litter
Our 2 cats always used to make a mess, so we got this litter box.
They still made some mess, but it was much smaller and we had a carpeted floor, so whatever spilled stuck next to the box and was ...
18
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What, exactly, is "ich"?
I've started seeing tiny white spots appear on one of my fish. After asking a friend, he told me it was something called "ich". What is ich and how do I get rid of it?
16
votes
7
answers
44k
views
How do I stop my cat from biting cords?
My cat bites my electronic cords and chews on them. The cat has chewed through a couple cords already. What is a safe and effective way to get the cat to stop biting the cords?
15
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Can dogs eat yoghurt?
My dog loves eating yoghurt. I'm wondering if this is good for her.
Can dogs eat yoghurt, is it good for them?
Are there any dangers?
What should I be looking for when selecting a yoghurt?
12
votes
2
answers
14k
views
How to react to a mouse biting?
A friend just got a pair of fancy mice for her children. They are trying to get the mice accustomed to the humans, and my friend said one mouse already bit her, "but it didn't hurt too much".
I've ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How can I help a dog to lose weight?
My uncle's dog is obese (too fat) and my uncle wants him to lose weight. As the dog is currently staying with me, I was thinking of reducing his food intake and not giving him food as regularly as ...
9
votes
1
answer
228
views
How can I keep my pet dry if they wet the bed?
I have a geriatric bunny (11 years) who is having difficulties getting to in and out of the litter box, sometimes when he is not feeling well he will pee in his bed and it gets him all wet. Urine ...
8
votes
7
answers
15k
views
How to stop cat from going to a risky area
A year ago, my cat had broken her leg (two compound fractures) after she fell off the balcony (7 stories). Miraculously she survived and lived two months with a bandage. Me and my girlfriend were ...
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Positive reinforcement to diminish barking
This is a question for my friend who has a (female) Chihuahua (8 years old) named Maple. She has a tendency to bark at pretty much every person who enters the house, even if it's family and friends.
...
6
votes
3
answers
18k
views
Betta fish fin tear or rot?
Does my fish have fin rot or is the tail simply torn?
I got him a few days ago and his fins were a bit like this, I'm unsure if it's gotten worse. He is in a cycled 16L tank with a filter, heater, ...
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What do I need to consider when buying litter for a rabbit?
We know that rabbits are easy to litter box train. At the pet store there are some litters in the cat area, and there are different litters in the rabbit (small mammal) area. Can I use a cat litter? ...
4
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How can I regain my dog's trust after accidentally hurting them with a toy?
I just purchased a chuck it tennis ball that comes with the throwing handle for my dog. Just about 15 mins after I bought it and tried it out with the dog, she loved it. The throwing handle is a ...
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Aggression in my 9 month old golden retriever
My dog is 9 months old and I know him only from the past 3 months. He was pampered and loved by my mum and dad. He was very friendly, he loved me and he used to sleep with me all the time. He allowed ...
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How often should cats eat?
Is it better to leave the bowl always with food, or to put it when it's "time to eat"?
My cat has her bowl available 24/7 and I'm starting to worry that she might become obese. She seems to eat very ...
21
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How can I train my cat to not jump on the kitchen counters?
My cat jumps onto our kitchen counters frequently, sometimes causing major accidents. What is the best way to break that habit? Would I need one of those electric shocker things?
18
votes
2
answers
45k
views
Should I worry if my cat accidentally ate some chocolate?
I know I shouldn't feed a cat chocolate, and I also know dogs can get sick from it. Do I have to worry for my cat's health if (s)he eats some chocolate?
18
votes
6
answers
93k
views
How much space does a hamster need in its cage?
How much space does a hamster need in its cage? My friend's always tries to get out, and I think he might be a bit cramped.
15
votes
1
answer
361
views
How can I manage a big change in my cat's environment?
My cats and I are moving to a new apartment, and I am considering the impact of such a dramatic change in environment on my pets.
From common sense, I've come up with these few points:
Get the cats ...
14
votes
2
answers
84k
views
What's the best way to clean a contaminated aquarium?
I had an aquarium apocalypse a while back. Overnight, some white fungus grew over everything and killed most of the fish in my 25 gallon aquarium. Rather than cleaning it right away, I ignored it ...
14
votes
1
answer
466
views
Is chocolate harmful for dogs?
There's all this fuss over feeding dogs chocolate and how it can be harmful and even fatal.
I had never heard of this growing up and we never had a problem all the years we had dogs, but looking back ...
13
votes
3
answers
30k
views
How do I motivate my rabbit to eat more hay?
I'm well aware that hay is a fundamental part of a rabbit's diet. However, my rabbit has become very picky with its food, over time. He eats mostly fruit peels, some vegetables, carrots, and about ...
13
votes
5
answers
13k
views
Is overhead cable running leash suitable for all dogs?
I have been told that such a running leash is not recommended for pyrenean shepherd dog. The advice was, that if I want to let a dog of this breed out alone, I should build a fenced place for him to ...
12
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Crate-training our puppy is not working - help!
We have had our puppy for about 6 weeks and have been unsuccessful at house-breaking him. We are at wit's end.
We have been doing strict crate-training for about 4 weeks now. It has worked to some ...
11
votes
1
answer
475
views
How can I train my cat to use the toilet?
I asked a question How do I manage a cat litter box to maximize hygiene? and received this answer suggesting to train my cat to use the toilet.
How can I train my cat to use the toilet?
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Should I put a collar on my indoor cat?
I have a very strictly indoor cat, that has tried to dart outside a couple of times and sometimes succeeded, only making it to the edge of our patio before we caught him. My absolute worst nightmare ...
9
votes
4
answers
73k
views
How can I stop my hamster biting the bars of her cage?
My hamster absolutely loves to bite the metal bars in her Rotastak enclosure. I know that this is to wear her teeth down but it's so annoying. How can I stop her from doing it? I have already tried ...
9
votes
2
answers
863
views
How to properly train a dog to come when I call him?
I think that the most important command that every dog should know and obey is "Come!". Or "Here!" which is more like the word I use in my own language. I have no trouble with my own two dogs obeying ...
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
My cat is terrified ALL THE TIME. How do I fix this?
Three years ago, my wife and I adopted a cat from a coworker's relative. She's a very small calico/manx, and she was about 1 year old when we adopted her. We have no reason to believe she has ever ...
8
votes
2
answers
19k
views
How long do subcutaneous fluids (lactated ringers) keep?
I had a cat with kidney disease who I treated with subcutaneous fluids (latated ringers) for the last few years of his life. I had bought a new case of one-liter bags not long before he died. I hope ...
7
votes
1
answer
474
views
Rabbit integration tips & tricks?
I am currently trying (and failing miserably) to integrate my two outdoor rabbits.
My first rabbit (Diego) is a neutered male 1 year old Lionhead, he is very friendly, confident and usually very well ...
7
votes
3
answers
8k
views
How can I train my cats to only eat from their own bowls?
My vet recently put two (of our four) cats on a prescription diet. We're having trouble getting all of the cats to accept it, and it would be easier (now and in the future) if everyone ate off of ...
7
votes
2
answers
603
views
Is it possible to feed a cat a healthy meat diet?
I was given 3 kittens by a friend whose cat had a litter. Not wanting to separate them, I took all 3. They were great kittens, they played, they loved the house and they seemed healthy. 2 boys and 1 ...
7
votes
1
answer
50k
views
My rabbit just lost a claw. Should I be concerned or not?
My rabbit just lost a claw and it's been bleeding for 5 minutes. Is it normal for rabbits to lose claws?
6
votes
1
answer
18k
views
How accurate does the 30 day span when applying revolution flea treatment need to be?
We treat our house rabbits with Revolution flea and tick treatment the directions say to reapply every 30 days.
Life happens and sometime exactly 30 days just does not work, If you use "monthly" ...
6
votes
1
answer
6k
views
How do I gut load a cricket
Someone told me that I should gut load my crickets before I feed them to my lizard.
What is gut loading, why should I do it, and how do I gut load my feeder crickets?
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to befriend 14 week old kitten?
I've adopted a new, 14 week old kitten, who seems to be rather skittish. He has been avoiding being handled and he tends to hiss and run when picked up, and prefers to play with us from a distance.
We'...
6
votes
5
answers
481
views
Cat Toy(s) For Energetic Cat
One of our cats (male, 3yo) is very energetic and almost dog-like, personally I love it! Our other cat (female, same age) is quite the opposite, she is far more sedentary and gets quite annoyed when ...