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1916 results for “pica”
The Secret Behind Cats With Two Different Eye Colors
Odd-eyed cats - sometimes called "strange eyes" - have two differently colored irises and usually turn up in white cats; among purebreds, matching eye color is the norm, so odd eyes are typically from mixing. The condition, heterochromia iridis, is not a disease. Japan once called gold-and-blue eyed cats a symbol of luck, and Thailand's native Siamese region named the look "diamond eyes." The cause is the dominant white (W) gene, which suppresses pigment cells; without them the iris looks blue, and the same missing cells also fail to form the ear's sound sensors, which is why many white blue-eyed cats have hearing loss. About 60-80 percent of white blue-eyed cats have some deafness, and a blue-eyed side in an odd-eyed cat carries a 30-40 percent chance of deafness on that ear.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has Internal Parasites
Internal parasites in dogs often cause poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, dull coat, and itching, and heavy infestations add anemia, rapid breathing, unsteady gait, seizures, or coughing. To confirm, a veterinarian can run a fecal exam, blood test, or imaging such as X-ray or CT to find eggs, larvae, or the parasite's size and location. Prevent infection with good hygiene, regular deworming, and not letting the dog eat waste or raw meat, and treat promptly with the right dewormer if infected.
Pet CoQ10 Supplements Reviewed: Picking One That Genuinely Supports Heart Health
CoQ10 is a popular supplement for pets with heart conditions, but it supports heart function rather than curing disease. It helps the heart muscle generate energy, mildly slows heart failure, and supports immunity and vitality. Yet the market is full of weak or mislabeled products—industry figures suggest most pet CoQ10 labels either understate or omit the actual content, and some use industrial-grade raw materials. When choosing a supplement, look for verified CoQ10 content (ideally backed by independent testing), natural fermentation sources, and a clean antioxidant formula, matched to your pet's age, breed risk, and symptoms. Used alongside veterinary treatment, a quality CoQ10 can be a valuable part of heart care.
Do Cats Bully Each Other?
Bullying does occur among cats, yet owners often overlook it—especially in multi-cat homes. Cats are territorial animals that establish a social hierarchy, so competition over food, water, litter boxes, space, or a newcomer's arrival can trigger one cat to intimidate another. Typical bullying includes chasing, pouncing, biting, resource guarding, and social exclusion, while victims may over-groom, hide, lose appetite, or grow aggressive. Left unchecked, chronic stress harms the targeted cat's health and the household's harmony. The good news is that owners can prevent and reduce conflict by providing ample resources, introducing new cats gradually, intervening calmly when fights start, and avoiding favoritism. This guide explains why cats bully, how to spot both the behavior and its victims, and practical steps to restore peace.
Which Turtles Prefer a Vegetarian Diet?
Most turtles are omnivorous and eat both plant and animal matter, but several species lean strongly toward plants. The Burmese peacock turtle is a rare, almost exclusively herbivorous species, while the impressed tortoise, yellow-spotted side-neck, yellow-headed temple turtle, and Asian giant turtle also prefer vegetation. Because a fully plant-based diet can cause nutritional gaps in side-necks and temple turtles, keepers should supplement with some animal or processed food to keep the diet balanced. Always wash fruits and vegetables before feeding and remove leftovers promptly so the turtle does not eat spoiled food.
What Are the Symptoms of Parvovirus (Parvo) in Dogs?
Canine parvovirus presents in two forms — enteric and myocardial. The enteric form starts with lethargy, poor appetite, drowsiness, and fever, then progresses to soft stools, diarrhea, and vomiting with foul-smelling, soy-sauce- or rotten-tomato-colored watery stool. The myocardial form often shows no warning signs and can be fatal within hours.
What Is Canine Tuberculosis
Canine tuberculosis is a chronic, slowly progressive infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria. Dogs usually catch it from infected people, cattle, or cats through the air or contaminated food and water, and it can pass to humans as well. Early signs are vague - odd appetite, tiredness, and gradual weight loss - but as the disease advances, dogs may develop a persistent cough, digestive upset, abdominal swelling, or skin ulcers depending on which organs are affected. Because the infection forms hardened granulomas in tissues, it is difficult to cure, and open or positive cases are generally humanely euthanized to protect public health. Strict hygiene and prompt testing of sick animals are the main defenses.
Canine Infectious Hepatitis: Can It Be Treated
Canine infectious hepatitis is an acute, often severe viral disease of dogs caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). It spreads through urine, saliva, and nasal discharge and hits weaned puppies hardest, sometimes with no warning signs. Typical signs include a fever that rises then falls, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and a characteristic cloudy "blue eye" in about a quarter of recovering dogs. While there is no direct cure that eliminates the virus, most dogs recover with prompt supportive care such as fluids, liver protection, and antibiotics to control secondary infection. The good news is that the disease is highly preventable through routine vaccination, with puppy shots given at 8-9 and 10-12 weeks and annual boosters for adults.
What Pet Owners Should Know About Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that infects dogs, cats, and people, and because a rabid dog can harm humans, it demands serious attention. The virus travels along nerves to the brain after a bite, and once signs appear the outcome is almost always fatal. Prevention through vaccination and prompt wound care is the only real defense.
What to Do When Your Cat Is Always Begging for Food
Cats beg because wild ones ate 12-20 small meals a day, so the habit stays; they may also be truly hungry from uneven feeding, or in a kitten 'mouthing phase' exploring tastes. Fix it: block access with pet gates and a firm 'no' (a newspaper rustle or cold shoulder builds the lesson that off-bowl food is off-limits), and redirect with cat trees and toys. Build good habits - feed on a schedule, raise portions for big breeds like Maine Coons, and keep amounts steady as they grow (2-month kittens every 4-6h, 3-6 months 3-4 meals, adults free-feed). Some beg for attention, so give more company. A few cats have mild pica (eating plastic or litter) needing trace minerals and vitamins. Never share human snacks - they are salty, oily or sugary and strain the kidneys and urinary tract.