Hot Pets & Animals How-Tos


How To: Create cute reindeer antlers for your dog
Want to get your pet dog into the holiday spirit? Make your dog even cuter for the Christmas season with these reindeer antlers. They're a fun and easy art project for you to make. Just make sure your dog doesn't hide from you when you're done!

How To: Perform passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on your dog's hind legs
Stretching isn't just good for humans, it's a great way to keep animals loose and healthy, especially dogs who have suffered bone deformities, muscle aches or arthritis. This video will show you how to give your dog passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on its hind legs. Perform these exercises daily if your dog has recently had orthopedic surgery or suffers from arthritis. Doing so helps maintain flexibility, reduce stiffness and increase blood flow to painful joints. For more information...

How To: Determine the gender of birds with copper wire, string and a wine cork
If you have some pet birds, but are unbeknownst of their gender, this farmland trick will help you determine if they're male or female birds. Use this technique for any kind of birds… parrots, pigeons, doves, chickens… any bird! You just need some copper wire, some string and a wine cork. See how it's done!

How To: Are There Bedbugs in Your Library Books? Here's How to Spot and Destroy Those Bloodsuckers!
Of all the places you'd think to check for bed bugs, I doubt that library books would be at the top of your list. As odd as it sounds, though, libraries and library books are some of the most common places for bed bug infestations. Libraries all over the country have reported bed bug problems this summer, and some have even had to temporarily close to take care of the problem. But before you vow to never set foot inside a library again, here's a little primer on how to check your books for be...

How To: Remove a tick with Vaseline
In this video, we learn how to remove a tick with Vaseline. First, find the tick on the body of the animal. The tick will be obvious because the skin will swell up around where they are. Use a special tool to help pull the tick off, which has a slit in the middle of it. Now, slide the tool underneath the tick so it's in the middle. Twist the tool a couple of times and then pull the tick off from the body of the animal. After this, apply some Vaseline to the tick and it will kill it off, enjoy!

How To: Palpate a bovine to check for pregnancy
Suspect that your bovine (bull, cow) is pregnant. Well, there's only one way to be sure. Put on a plastic glove and insert your hand into the rectum, with your fingers together. See how to find out if your cattle is pregnant with help of this video tutorial.

How To: Collect a cow's urine sample for veterinary purposes
Urine can be simply obtained from a cow by stroking the escutcheon, instead of laborious catheterization. The urine sample can be a useful diagnostic tool for veterinarians to run a number of medical tests. Learn how to collect a urine sample for a cow by watching this video veterinary tutorial.

How To: Make a homemade cat trap
Needing to trip the feral cat population in your neighborhood. Well, it's time to make a trap, fill it with cats, and shut your trap. This good how to shows a trap you can build yourself, and the necessary tequinique to catch those cats.

How To: Collect canine semen by manual stimulation
How to collect semen or sperm from a male dog. This is a hands on demonstration for dog breeders to learn how-to stimulate the dog's penis, slip a collection hood over the penis and then gather the sperm rich ejaculate.

How To: Care for an Iguana Without a Cage
First of all, I would like you all to meet my good friend Iggy. There he is, in all his scaly reptilian glory. As you can see, he spends a lot more time on top of his cage than inside of it. You see, Iggy here doesn't deal well AT ALL with confinement. I don't know if it's possible for a lizard to be claustrophobic, but if it is possible, then Iggy definitely is. When his previous owner gave him to me, I tried to keep him in the cage, but I quickly realized that it was a bad idea. When confin...

How To: Deactivate (i.e. Calm Down) Your Crazy Cat in Seconds Using This Simple Trick
Cats. Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, you've got to admit—they've got minds of their own. While this makes them incredibly entertaining at times, it can also cause tons of issues for their owners. Trying to "train" a cat is usually an exercise in futility.

How To: Make Dog Bows with Ribbon & Elastic Bands
So, basically I was looking around on the internet trying to find out how to make more intricate bows, and found nothing but a whole lot of very confusing instructional posts with no pictures or videos. Here you'll learn how to make cute little bows for your pets, in 6 simple steps! I'm still learning myself, but I'm hoping this could help others!

How To: Make homemade baby bird food
This is just a quick video on a simple way to make homemade baby bird food, preferably for wild baby birds such as sparrows, starlings, robins, etc. This is a great starter recipe. If you've rescued an orphaned chick or taken one in as a pet, can be tricky to feed, but this simple feed is easy to make from cat food. Watch this video animal care tutorial and learn how to make baby bird food at home.

How To: Clean your crayfish of worms
If your cray fish or crawfish has tiny tiny worms crawling over the shell, watch this how-to video to fix the problem.

How To: Train Your Pet Rat to Play Basketball
Train your pet rat to shoot hoops! This rat training instructional video demonstrates the steps you need to teach your pet rat this fun trick. All you need is a "basketball hoop", rat treats, a ping pong ball and an inquisitive pet rat.

How To: Give your dog medication
Giving your dog any oral medication is never easy! This video will give you the hints and tips necessary to help make giving tablets or liquid medication easier. Such suggestions include making sure you are ready to give the medication before starting by taking the top off liquid medicine or removing the tablet from its wrapping. Then, hold your dog around the muzzle and place the medicine as far back on his tongue as possible. Encourage him to swallow by massaging his throat. Also, try hidin...

How To: Scissor the top knot of a poodle
This video slide show tutorial gives a step-by-step guide to scissoring a poodle topknot. 1. After clipping the face against the grain with a close blade, the line is first scissored from the outside corner of the eye to the top of the base of the ear.

How To: Express a disabled dog's bladder
This is an example on how to express the disabled dog's bladder. Prop the dog in a standing position with their feet flat on the ground. Either place the dog facing you or facing away from you. In this video, you will see the dog face the woman, as it works best for expressing her dog in that direction. Males should be faced away from you, as you do not want to have him urinate on you. Place both of your hands on the sides of the bladder. Keep in mid the bladder is known to move. The bladder ...

How To: Handle and restrain a hamster for injections
This Animal Welfare Foundation two-part video tutorial is from expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small mammals for clinical examination and medication. Its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the the welfare of the animal. This video guide will show you practical animal handling for a hamster.

How To: Remove hair from a dog's ear
Fur can build up and mat on the inside of a dog's ear. Cutting it doesn't completely remove the problem, and pulling it out can hurt a dog's ear. A veteran pet groomer demonstrates one way of pulling ear hair from inside the ear of a toy poodle. Watch this video pet grooming tutorial and learn how to remove hair from a dog's ear.

How To: Dissect a wasp
If you find a dead wasp in your room (and it has been "un-living" for a while you may want to dissect it for pure science--even if you use a screwdriver.

How To: Remove a tick from a dog
In this video, we learn how to remove a tick from a dog. First, brush the hair away from the tick so you have a good view of it. After this, take the removal tool and place it underneath the tick. Slide it all the way underneath the tick and then gently pull while twisting. This will remove the tick from the dog without leaving the rough parts on the inside of them. When you are finished removing the tick from the skin, make sure you kill it and give your pet a flea and tick collar. Do this f...

How To: Teach a dog to target an object with its front paws
In this how-to video, you will teach your dog how to target objects with its front paws. You will need a clicker, treats, and a target such as a yogurt lid or ball on a stick. Take a treat and hide it under the object. Click when the dog does any paw movements towards the object. After ten successful tries, pretend to put a treat. Once the dog paws the object, show that there is no treat but still give the dog a treat. Once this is done, wait until the dog paws the object, and give a treat. I...

How To: Train your dog to perform the "cop-cop" trick
In this Pets & Animals video tutorial you will learn how to train your dog to perform the "cop-cop" trick. In this trick the dog learns to put its feet on your feet. Step 1 – teach the dog to target a book or a mat with their feet by offering them some treat. You can do this either by appreciating or clicking when both the feet touch the book. The next step is getting the dog to target the book with their feet while they are between your legs. You have to continually reinforce the dog to ma...

How To: Train dogs to weave though legs
This is a quick video tutorial on how to teach weaving through the legs using luring or shaping. This dog training video helps train your pup to weave through your legs. This is a basic step in teaching dogs agility for courses and competition.

How To: Put a cone or medical collar on your pet safely
If your pet has recently had surgery or been ill, they may need to wear a medical collar. A medical e-collar or a cone will prevent your pet from chewing or licking an area of their body that they shouldn't be touching. In this video from Dr. Lauren, you will learn where to get an e-collar and how to secure it to their head so that they stay safe and happy.

How To: Perform dog arthrocentesis veterinary medical tests
An aging dog in poor health might be a candidate for a variety of clinical tests. Arthrocentesis, also known as joint aspiration, is a medical procedure in which synovial fluid is collected from a joint capsule via syringe that in turn is tested to diagnosis gout, arthritis, and certain types of infections. This video veterinary tutorial demonstrates the process of performing the procedure of canine arthrocentesis.

How To: Give subcutaneous fluids to a rabbit
Sub-q fluids should only be administered to an animal under the instruction of a veterinarian, but some pets, like rabbits, will need to receive them at home, when the veterinarian is not around. Proper procedure should be followed to ensure that the subcutaneous fluids are reaching the rabbit, and that the bunny doesn't get hurt from malpractice. Watch this video veterinary tutorial and learn how to give Sub-Q fluids to a pet rabbit.

How To: Handle and restrain a rabbit for injections
This Animal Welfare Foundation three-part video tutorial is from expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small mammals for clinical examination and medication. Its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the the welfare of the animal. This video guide will show you practical animal handling for a rabbit.

How To: Make a homemade fish aquarium filter
This is a short video of a DIY filter for a small aquarium. It works off the same concept as a sponge filter, but could be built to use and common HOB filter. You will need a Cool Whip container, a PVC pipe, silicone, airline and a pump. Watch this video pet care tutorial and learn how to make an aquarium filter at home for your pet fish.

How To: Handle and restrain a guinea pig for injections
This Animal Welfare Foundation two-part video tutorial is from expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small mammals for clinical examination and medication. Its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the the welfare of the animal. This video guide will show you practical animal handling for a guinea pig.

How To: Prepare venison dog biscuits
Here is a venison recipe that is sure to keep you out of the dog house. Well at least keep your dog out of the dog house. Watch this how to video and learn how to make venison dog biscuits for your dog. This deer meat is sure to be a treat for your pets.

How To: Make a Chicken Feeder Using a 5 Gallon Bucket - Tutorial
This video will show you how to make a feed bucket for chickens. A 5 gallon bucket holds about 25 LBS of food.

How To: Feed a baby sparrow
A baby sparrow eats about every 45 minutes, but they eat very little at a time. This video animal care tutorial shows how to administer food to a baby sparrow, in this case a helpless three day old. Watch this instructional video and learn how to feed an orphaned bird chick.

How To: Insert a catheter into a cow for a urine sample
Sometimes it is necessary to insert a catheter into a cow to obtain a urine sample. Catheterization can be a tricky process, but urine samples are a helpful diagnostic tool for many veterinarians to detect illness and other medical problems in cattle, as well as other animals. Learn how to insert a catheter into a cow to collect a urine sample by watching this video veterinary tutorial.

How To: Give your cat a shot of medicine, safely
Cats are notoriously bad at taking medicine, especially if it comes in the form of a needle. In this clip, Dr. Lauren will teach you how to give your furry friend an injection for things like diabetes and other illnesses. So, follow along to avoid the scratches and do it the easy way!

How To: Handle and restrain a rat for injections
This Animal Welfare Foundation two-part video tutorial is from expert veterinary staff demonstrating the correct procedures for handling small mammals for clinical examination and medication. Its aim is to show that the primary consideration should be for the the welfare of the animal. This video guide will show you practical animal handling for a rat.

How To: Build a Self-Ventilating Litter Box for Your Cat
One thing the whole Internet can agree with is that cats are cute and (sometimes) cuddly. But what those endless cat videos you find yourself watching for hours on YouTube don't tell you is that cats stink. While cats aren't the source of the smell, owning a cat means a stinky litter box.

How To: Fix a live butterfly's broken wing
This video tutorial from Live Monarch shows you how to fix a live butterfly's broken wing. You can help restore flight to a butterfly in need -- you can be a hero and make a real difference.

How To: Properly trim your cat's nails using the regular and "kitty burrito" methods
One of the most painful, but necessary things to be done for cats is trimming their nails. Trimming your cat's nails is beneficial any pet owner, because it helps prevent scratched furniture and helps reduce scrapes and punctures in the skin. But it's also great for cats, because if left unkempt, can grow abnormally, creating tons of pain for your feline friend. Also, if the claws are left too long, they could get caught in carpet or furniture and pull them out while trying to escape. So, cli...