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wild animals

Spot the Differences Between Leopards, Jaguars, and Cheetahs

Updated 05/19/12 7:29 PM · Posted by PetSugar · 6 comments

A jaguar by any other name would still look as sweet . . . but it wouldn't technically be a jaguar. You see, even though some people call out these species interchangeably, I've zoomed into the photos from our big cats quiz to illustrate the spotty difference between the three.

  • Leopard (Scientific name: Panthera pardus): These cats have a pattern that looks flower like — called rosettes — in large numbers with a slightly different color inside.

  • Jaguar (Scientific name: Panthera onca): Jaguars' markings also include rosetted dots but they sometimes have spots in the center as well as a darker, thicker outline. Typically, there are larger rosettes in smaller numbers on this species.

  • Cheetah (Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus): No rosettes here, the Cheetahs have solid, evenly-distributed spots.

Go forth, kitty expert, there you have it!

Source: Getty
Food

Which Fruits Are Toxic to Dogs and Cats?

Updated 05/19/12 9:50 PM · Posted by PetSugar · 24 comments

So many delicious fruits come into season during Spring and Summer, but if you're considering a tasty fruit salad for yourself, I hope you remember that some sweet treats are poison to pups! Before you serve up something unsettling, test your knowledge on different fruits and their toxicity to pets!

Source: Thinkstock

Question 1 of 12
Grapefruit?
Source: Getty
pet Advice

Pet Peeves: My Cat Won't Stop Meowing!

Updated 05/08/12 9:05 AM · Posted by PetSugar · 31 comments

Q: My kitty is a chronic meower. Every morning when I get up, she just follows me around meowing very loudly. Really, I don't mind too much, but the fact that I live in an apartment is what really troubles me. I'm scared that some of the other tenants might start to complain about her meowing so early in the morning. And it's not just friendly, tiny meows . . . these are like loud, long, irritating meows. What should I do?

A: Before I talk about ways to work through kitty's continuous meowing, there are a couple of things to check out first:

  • Make sure the cat has food, water, and a clean litter box. Your kitty could simply be communicating that she wants something to be done about one of those things.
  • Figure out when your cat is not meowing. Is it a certain time of day or during a certain activity? If you pay attention to kitty, does she continue to meow? When does she start again? Then, try to find a way to continue whatever activity stops the meowing (for example, if kitty consistently meows after you stop playtime, get some games for her to amuse herself with after you go to bed).
  • Consider a trip to the vet. When cats are vocal, they are usually trying to communicate something to us. Check with your vet to make sure your pet is healthy. There are certain times when cats are noisier, like when they are in heat or pregnant.

To hear more tips for solving the problem, keep reading.

Spring

10 Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Pets

Updated 04/25/12 11:51 AM · Posted by PetSugar · 2 comments

Spring 'tis the season for allergy flare-ups for many humans, but what about pets? My pal Samson suffers from some droopy, goopy eyes and itchy, red paws that clued his owner into their dilemma. If you're not sure whether a pooch has an issue like this, check out 10 signs of skin or allergy problems:

  • Constant paw licking
  • Rubbing body against objects/ floor
  • Excessive scratching or chewing fur
  • Hair loss
  • Change in odor
  • Redness of fur and skin rashes
  • Flaky or greasy coat
  • Drippy eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Increased sneezing and wheezing

While it's true that a variety of illnesses can cause these symptoms, if you see several of them at the same time, now is a good time to take your pet to the vet to get checked for a clean bill of health!

Source: Flickr User The_Poenisher

Animal Videos

Celebrate Earth Day With TV Night!

Updated 04/23/12 9:31 AM · Posted by PetSugar · 0 comments

If, like us, you were wowed by Blue Planet and awed by Planet Earth, you're in for a real treat. Just in time for Earth Day this Sunday, BBC Home Entertainment has released the epic series Frozen Planet on DVD and Blu-ray! The seven-part special delves into harsh Arctic and Antarctic environments with never-before-seen footage of animals above and below the ice. What better way to celebrate this amazing planet than by participating in a community cleanup event topped off with a quiet evening curled up watching critically-acclaimed footage of nature's iciest landscapes? The series certainly reminded us of the importance of preserving this frigid habitat.

We, of course, love that polar bears take center stage, and these cute little cubs in this clip just melt our hearts, not unlike the Summer sun on the ice!

Eco

30 Great Ideas to Make Earth Day Last All Year

Updated 04/18/12 12:40 PM · Posted by PetSugar · 2 comments

Just cause Sunday's the holiday, doesn't mean your eco-tastic efforts should stop on Monday at 12:01 a.m. Remember 30 of my best tips to go green for days (and months and years) to come!



5 Ways to Green Your Pet's Routine
4 Green Kitty Litter Components
5 Cleaning Products to DIY

4 Ecofying Toy Box Solutions
6 More Tips For Wildly Green Living
6 Ideas Just For Kitty Owners
Source: Getty
Eco

4 Earth-Friendlier Kitty Litter Substances

Updated 04/26/12 11:18 AM · Posted by PetSugar · 3 comments

Choosing kitty litter is a tough decision! There are so many options out there, and changing litter types can upset your cat and cause naughty "elimination" behaviors. Many users shy away from the traditional clay or silica gel varieties which can contain carcinogens and burden landfills, and choose more eco-tastic styles instead.

To see my four earth-friendly alternatives, keep reading.

Source: Thinkstock
Spring

April Showers Bring Must-Have Raincoats!

Updated 04/02/12 9:05 PM · Posted by PetSugar · 3 comments

May flowers are still on the horizon, and until then, pups will just have to deal with this month's drizzles and downpours. The upside? Adorable Spring rain gear! From functional to fashionable, we've rounded up our must-have April raincoats, suits, and booties for pups who like to splish and splash!

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cute animals

Nominate Your Pet Pal For Pet of the Day!

Updated 03/30/12 4:00 AM · Posted by PetSugar · 0 comments

We love your pets! Thank you to everyone who has submitted their photos to our Pet of the Day group. We simply can't get enough of your adorable pals! If you'd like to see your pet in the spotlight on our homepage, upload your favorite photos to our group (just make sure you use the largest image size possible). Then check back to see if we pick them for our featured spot!

cute

30 Lil Stinkers Stop and Smell the Flowers!

Updated 03/26/12 1:05 PM · Posted by PetSugar · 1 comment

I don't know about you, but I've had about enough of chilly Winter weather! At least the arrival of March means we're on the home stretch and on our way to Spring. In the meantime, I've gathered up a bunch of cute pups stopping to smell the flowers. There are plenty of funny furry faces and reactions to the blossoms, so check out the budding superstars and start this slideshow.

Source: Flickr User GCSE Jack, kayak_b007, Wonderlane, and Getty

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