Here’s a little fact: there are 4,000 black rhinos in the entire world, down from 70,000 in the 1960s. Here’s another fun fact: the purpose behind the permit to kill one old black rhino in Africa for $350,000 was to help encourage the rest of the rhino population to flourish. Like survival of the fittest - with a gun. At least, that’s the reason, according to the club’s executive director, Ben Carter. “Science shows that selective hunting helps rhino populations grow,” he said in a prepared release. “Removing old, post-breeding bulls, which are territorial, aggressive and often kill younger, breeding bulls, cows and even calves, increases survival and productivity in a herd.” He also said the money raised from the auction will go toward rhino conservation, but his critics have their doubts. But let us assume that what Carter says is true. That the killing of this essentially space-hogging black rhino will serve to ...
Could Your Dog’s Food Be the Cause of His Allergies?
One of the main reasons why dogs end up at the vet's office is because they suffer with persistent allergies. When pet parents and veterinarians are at a loss for what could be causing these allergies, they often resort to using medications like corticosteroids that reduce inflammation, discomfort, and itchiness. But this isn't a long-term cure for the problem, especially since some medications can cause other, more serious, health conditions in the long run, so they definitely shouldn't be used over long periods of time. To get rid of canine allergies for good, you should take a more holistic approach to your pooch's health. Once you know what could be the culprit behind your dog's discomfort, you can then attack the problem at its source. Potential Causes of Canine Allergies First, check your dog's fur and skin for any signs of parasites, such as mites or fleas, which could be causing discomfort, pain, ...
The Complexity of Parrots: Keeping Them Happy and Friendly
That adorable baby bird you purchased at the store may be very sweet as a youngster but may turn into the equivalent of a rebellious teenager after it grows in both size and confidence. Parrots that are kept as pets can be lovable companions, showing off their intelligence while being easily handled by their owners, but others may become quite nasty if not properly cared for. The Reasons Why Some Parrots are Angry or Mean Parrots are highly intelligent creatures who are keenly aware of their environment and their relationships with their human companions. When not given the right care and attention, they can lash out at their owners or even become bored and depressed to the point that they begin to abuse themselves. Self-mutilation, especially in the form of plucking out their own feathers, is quite common among parrots who are truly unhappy or who aren't kept in a healthy environment. The ...
Things You Should Consider Before Getting a Pet Reptile
Although you might be tempted to make a spur-of-the-moment purchase on an adorable baby lizard or even a frog or snake while browsing your pet store, these exotic animals are more complex than you probably realize and, as a result, require quite a bit of commitment on your part in order to keep them healthy. So before making that purchase, consider the following important factors in order to ensure that you'll be able to handle owning and caring for any kind of reptile or amphibian. Feeding Requirements One of the first things you need to think about before purchasing or adopting any pet, whether it's a dog or cat, reptile, or bird, is whether or not you can afford to feed it the very best nutrition that will maintain its health and wellness. And when it comes to reptiles, different species have different needs, so research is definitely necessary prior to making ...
Why Are There Still Birds Up North In The Winter?
You hear that chirp in the brisk morning of January and you say “what?” And for good reason. You wouldn’t be caught dead outside with three coats, two socks, a hat, mittens, all while you’re standing directly on top of an open fire. Baby … it’s cold outside! So what on earth are those birds doing up north. They have no job, no reason to stay here. Most birds fly south for the winter, don’t they? So what gives? Here’s what gives. Birds typically migrate south for the winter for food, not because they’re chilly. Apparently they’re tougher than the food they eat (or they don’t like eating tough, frozen grubs), because they can handle freezing weather. Worms and bugs are another story. In fact, birds have no problem with low-dipping temperatures. They’re far more equipped for the cold days then a snowboarder in Colorado. They store fat during the winter to help keep themselves ...
Animals That Mourn Their Dead
Sometimes we forget that despite our amazing and seemingly human-specific characteristics, we are, in fact, still animals. Which is why it shouldn’t be so surprising that animals share similar emotional responses as we. This includes the emotional need to mourn. Here are a list of some animals that mourn their dead, and how they get through the grieving process. Chimps - Chimps are extremely related to humans, genetically speaking, which is why it’s likely not all that surprising that they mourn after losing a loved one. Their responses include refusing to eat, pouting and even crying. Dogs - In a different take on “losing a loved one,” while we consider dogs to be a man’s best friend, there seems to be no doubt that man is a dog’s bestie. If a dog outlives his owner, that dog very often will show signs of deep loss, including long battles with lethargy, and, for ...
Why Purebred Dogs Need Extra Love and Attention
To those outside of the complex world of dog breeding, the obsession with purebred dogs can seem confusing. Though we may all have our individual preferences in canine breeds, most dog lovers can agree that all pets deserve love and care, regardless of their pedigree. However, there is some science behind why purebred dogs need some extra attention from their owners as well as from veterinary specialists. As purebred pets are often bred very close together in order to keep their lineage pure, these dogs often suffer from genetic issues that make them prone to sickness, from increased occurrences of colds and parasites to higher risks of cancers and other fatal illnesses. For this reason, owners must be sure to give their purebred pets more attention, and practice preventative care to compensate for their increased risk of illness. The Science Behind Purebred Dogs Though we have only begun to understand the science ...
How To Keep Your Dogs Off Your Furniture
There I was, at the furniture store, excited to buy a spanking-new couch for the first time since … well, ever, when a thought hit me: How will my dogs do with this couch? The answer is, of course, not as good as I hope. But maybe, with some handy skills and dedication, I can keep my dogs off the furniture … this time. Here are some tips to help you if you find yourself in the same predicament. 1. Foil your dog’s plans - Tin foil can actually serve as a mighty good deterrent for your dog … if you don’t mind living in a world of tin foil. If your dog is obsessed with one spot on the couch, you could place pieces of tin foil on the cushions. They don’t like the rustling sound, and the feel is probably not so friendly either. Of course, they may just move to ...
Anti-Parasitic Drug Linked to Hundreds of Dog Deaths
Dog owners routinely give their pets medications that are sold both over-the-counter and through veterinary offices in order to avoid infestations of fleas, ticks, heartworm, and other parasites. But some drugs can do more harm than good, and it isn't uncommon to hear about these types of medications causing serious illnesses and even death in dogs that receive them. Reports regarding the drug Trifexis have been hitting the news media, and as of November 2013, the drug has been linked to hundreds of deaths. Continue reading to learn more about this medication and what it has done to dogs who received it. Hundreds of Dog Deaths Attributed to the Use of Trifexis Up to 700 dogs have died as a result of the use of Trifexis in 2013 alone, and that figure may continue to climb as more pet owners step forward. In the meantime, that number has already outdone the number of ...
Could Your Pet Be Suffering from Depression?
Although veterinarians don't yet have a definitive answer, at least based on clinical research studies, as to whether or not pets can become depressed, some do believe that depression can, indeed, occur in animals. But despite the lack of scientific evidence, pet owners know full well that their animals have unique personalities and that they do get bored, depressed, lonely, and even grief-stricken when death occurs. Dogs and cats can show signs of depression at any point in their lives. Are you taking the right steps to make sure your pet isn't only physically happy but emotionally happy as well? Cats and Stress-Related Depression Many people tend to think that cats are aloof, but they do experience stress when their owners don't spend enough time with them or when changes in their environment occur. According to the Huffington Post, felines have been known for changing their behavior, even right down to avoiding use ...