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1023 Questions

What's the recommended dose for coconut oil? I've read it's anywhere from 1/2-1 tsp per 10 lbs. my dog weighs 17 pounds and I've been giving her 1/4 tsp. Once per day. Will I still get the benefits at this dose? She also gets 1/4 tsp. Of fish oil daily, so that's 20 calories of oil which is about 8% of her diet. It seems like any more oil would be too much for her? Is what I'm doing ok?

There are no proven benefits of administering coconut oil to dogs orally or topically. However, there are risks of feeding dogs additional fatty foods and oils, such as the development of pancreatitis and anecdotal reports of causing coronary artery disease. I never recommend feeding coconut oil in any volume due to the risks and lack of benefit.

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my dog is a pit bull terrier she is itching and scratching her hair i have her on 1000 mg of fish oil daily but she is still itching and scratching can you please advise me what to do

Your poor pup! This scratching can be caused by fleas, mites, ringworm, or allergies. If she isn't up to date on her flea treatment, she will need a spot on treatment such as Advantage or Revolution. You will need to disinfect the environment as well. If she is up to date on his flea treatment, I recommend taking her into your vet for an exam. Your vet can do blood tests, skin scrapings, and use a Wood's lamp to diagnose allergies, mites, and ringworm. Once the cause of the itching is found, your vet can prescribe the appropriate treatment. I recommend taking her into the vet today or tomorrow.

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Is it possible to keep wild caught saltwater fish as pets?

Yes it is possible, however, unless you have a lot of experience keeping saltwater fish, please do not even attempt it. Most wild caught saltwater fish will not feed when they are in an aquarium, and only a small percentage will ever learn to feed. Please leave them where they are happy and healthy and where they belong, the sea.

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how do I add a heater to my aquarium? Do I remove the fish and wait till it reaches the desired temperature and Acclimate the fish then re add him or Do I put him in after adding the heater while the heater is heating up ? Which is safest ? Thank you!

I would recommend using an aquarium thermometer to check the starting temperature and that the heater is working correctly. The heater should have a thermostat which switches on and off to keep the temperature constant. You can leave your fish in the tank during this process if you can monitor with a thermometer.

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Hi, I was wondering if my Dwarf Gourami fish are male or female and why one keeps chasing the other and nipping at it?

Dwarf gouramis can be very territorial. If your tank is not big enough, one will chase the other. Removing one fish or transfer to a larger tank may be necessary. You can determine sex by looking at the dorsal fin. The male's dorsal fin is pointed, while the female's is rounded or curved.

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Hello. I don't have water conditioner yet for my fish tank but may I add distilled water to the tank in the meantime?

Hi I don't recommend using distilled water in your tank as the "osmolarity" of the water can cause problems for your fish. Either pick up a bottle of water conditioner from a pet store or draw a large bucket of tap water and let it sit for 4 or 5 days. Some of the chemicals will evaporate out when left to sit, but it's not such an ideal option.

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My betta fish is turning white!please help!!

White formations on Bettas and other fish are typically an indicator of the condition Ich. You should be able to purchase medication that is placed within the water that may help with this condition. Here is a link to a page all about the condition and how best to manage the situation. https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/how-to-cure-betta-fish-ich Hope this helps!

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ok my gold fish wont stop bleeding from the gills i have two gold fish and thay arnt eating

Goldfish owners sometimes become concerned when they notice a red color inside a their pet’s gills and think they are bleeding which is not actually the case. This is not usually cause for concern. It is really hard for me to say without seeing them. Can you repost your question with a photo? That might assist us in helping you better. Not eating, however, is a huge problem. Environmental effects will alter a goldfish's eating patterns. These include unclean water, the presence of chlorine in its water, a dirty water filter or another dead fish in the tank with your goldfish. Check the water quality in your tank, making sure that you recently added water conditioner to your fish tank and the filter is working correctly. Look at the water in the tank, and check to make sure it is clear. Also look at the glass around your tank, checking to see if the glass is collecting stains or becoming discolored. Goldfish react negatively to food that is no longer good. Check the expiration date on your fish food and make sure it is up to date. Also, check the conditions where you keep the food in conjunction with the instructions on your fish food. Some fish food requires you to keep it at a certain temperature or away from direct light. Keep your fish food stored in a safe place, noting the specific needs of the food. If the fish are becoming ill this may reduce or eliminate the appetite. Look for symptoms of illness in your goldfish, such as any unnatural growths on its body, small white spots, raised scales or unnatural bloating. They may have inflamed gills, gills that flicker at an increased rate, bleeding on its body or rotting around its fins or gills. Look for behavioral changes, such as listless floating or constant hiding. If this is the case you may need to find a veterinarian to examine them. I hope this helps. Best wishes!

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why does my betta fish lay on it's side while resting at the bottom?

Bettas are not particularly active swimmers and it is not uncommon, especially for male Bettas to lie on their side. Keep in mind that male Bettas have large flowing finnage that are rather cumbersome to mange. Some Betta may rest tucked in between leaves of plants or aquarium décor to support their fins. That being said, it is important to always monitor water parameters to ensure ideal water conditions. Poor water quality including low or extremely high water temperatures can contribute to lethargy and overall lack of vitality. Be sure your Betta setup it properly filtered to ensure best living conditions.

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