Throwing up is not a pleasant experience for anyone‚ particularly because the sign indicates that something is wrong. If you’re a dog or cat owner‚ it can be especially scary when your pet vomits. But if you’re a hamster owner‚ you might have never seen your pet throw up and are wondering if they even can. Hamsters are physically incapable of throwing up‚ so if it looks like your hammy is vomiting‚ they are likely just emptying their cheek pouches. If you would like to learn more about why hamsters don’t vomit and how you can tell when they’re sick‚ read on! What Prevents Hamsters From Throwing Up? It’s not only hamsters that can’t vomit—it’s the case for nearly all rodents. A 2013 study1 examined three species from the three major groups of mammals in the Rodentia family: Mouse related: Rats‚ mice‚ voles‚ and beavers Squirrel related: Mountain beavers Ctenohystrica: Guinea pigs and nutria The researchers used chemicals that could cause vomiting‚ but the rodents in the study did not gag or vomit. The reasons for this inability to throw up are physical and neurological. It was discovered that rodents have fewer muscles in the diaphragm which sits underneath the lungs. Additionally‚ the stomach is not designed to move contents upward effectively. The researchers also found less nerve‚ shoulder‚ mouth‚ and throat activity‚ which are all normally linked with throwing up. This all means that both the bodies and brains of rodents make it physically impossible for them to vomit. Image Credit: Hintau Aliaksei‚ Shutterstock Why Can’t Rodents Vomit? No one knows exactly why rodents are designed not to vomit‚ but it’s believed that the ability to vomit was replaced with different defense mechanisms. For example‚ many rodents eat clay when sick. A 2009 study showed that sick rats that ate clay actually had a better recovery as they ate more and lost less weight. Why Does Your Hamster Sometimes Look Like They Are Vomiting? If you’re new to hamster ownership‚ it might be a little disconcerting to see what looks like piles of vomit come out of their mouths. But this is just your hammy pushing stored food out of their cheek pouches. The name “hamster” comes from the German word‚ “hamstern‚” which translates to “hoard‚” and this is exactly what hamsters do. Their elastic cheek pouches stretch to store large amounts of food. So‚ hamsters stuff them full of food to be transported to their abode where they can eat their food in safety. Domestic hamsters haven’t lost this instinct even though it isn’t technically necessary. You’ll notice your hamster stuffing their cheeks full of the food that you’ve provided‚ only to carry it around for a bit and then push it all out in a different location in their habitat. It does look like they are throwing up sometimes‚ but it’s perfectly natural behavior. Image Credit: dep377‚ Pixabay What Should You Not Feed Your Hamster? While hamsters are typically good at figuring out what they should and shouldn’t eat‚ you should still know what you shouldn’t feed your pet. Since they can’t throw something up that might make them unwell‚ you must ensure they don’t have access to anything harmful. The following are harmful foods that you shouldn’t feed your hamster: Garlic Onions Raw kidney beans Apple seeds‚ cores and skin Citrus fruits Non-food plants Tomato leaves or unripe tomatoes Candy or anything sugary Chocolate Human snacks‚ such as pretzels and chips Beyond these‚ there are a few foods that are fine for hamsters in small amounts occasionally‚ but must prepared in a specific way: Celery in small chunks is fine‚ but remove any strings that can cause choking. Fruits and vegetables must be washed. All foods must be plain—nothing with seasonings or spices. Don’t add fats or oils to any foods offered. One unsalted peanut a week is okay. What Can Make Hamsters Choke? Keep your hamster safe by moving potential choking hazards out of reach. For example‚ certain types of bedding can cause choking. Cotton is one of the worst culprits because it can get stuck in their teeth‚ is difficult to chew and swallow‚ and is known to be deadly for hamsters. Avoid bedding floss or anything else made with cotton. Electrical cords are double the danger—there’s the risk of electrocution and the possibility of choking. Before you let your hamster out to explore‚ you’ll need to hamster-proof the area. Move all cords out of your hamster’s reach‚ as well as anything small‚ such as pellets‚ toys‚ marbles‚ or whatever else they could potentially swallow. Image Credit: KulthiwatS‚ Shutterstock How Can You Tell If Your Hamster Is Sick? Your hamster will display several signs when they have ingested something that they shouldn’t have. These can include: Diarrhea: Normally Hamster poop is solid so if it looks sloppy or watery your hamster has diarrhea. Loss of appetite: Hamsters have a good appetite‚ so if you observe your hamster not eating as much as usual‚ it might be a sign that they aren’t feeling good. Lethargy:When not sleeping‚ hamsters are busy little pets‚ so if you notice that your hammy sleeping more than usual‚ hiding‚ and generally not being alert‚ something might be wrong. Dull coat:Hamsters are fastidious groomers‚ and if you notice that your hamster’s coat is looking dull and not that clean‚ this can indicate that they are sick. Excessive thirst:Toxic material in the system can affect the liver and kidneys‚ so this can lead to a very thirsty hamster. Rapid breathing:If your hamster is breathing faster than usual or panting‚ they might be experiencing heart or respiratory issues. If your hamster exhibits any of these signs‚ you must bring them to your veterinarian or closest emergency animal hospital. Once a hamster shows signs of distress‚ they can quickly deteriorate. Conclusion Since hamsters are incapable of throwing up‚ you’ll need to keep anything that they can choke on or that is toxic for them out of reach. You might also be interested to know that hamsters (and all rodents) cannot burp‚ but they do fart! You should always pay attention to your hamster and their behavior‚ particularly if they aren’t acting like their usual selves. Knowing that they can’t vomit makes feeding them the right food even more important‚ so you can ensure to keep your hammy healthy and safe. Sources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2680461/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/phytohaemagglutinin Featured Image Credit: Victor FlowerFly‚ Shutterstock The post Can Hamsters Throw Up? Vet-Approved Facts &; Explanation appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Before You Begin The Removal Methods Removing Gum From Your Pup’s Paws Things to Avoid We’ve all had it happen at least once—getting chewing gum stuck in our hair. And we all know what a pain it is to try and remove gum from hair; to say it’s a challenge is an understatement! But what happens if your dog somehow manages to get gum stuck in their hair? How much more difficult must getting gum out of dog hair be? And how do you get gum out of dog hair anyway? If your dog has gotten gum stuck in his or her hair‚ you can get it out with one of these three simple methods. Take a look below at our step-by-step guide so you can get your dog back to being gum-free! Note: Be careful not to let your dog ingest any gum when removing it. Many forms of chewing gum contain xylitol‚ an artificial sweetener which is highly toxic to dogs. Before You Begin: Gather Supplies Before you begin the process of removing the gum from your pet’s hair‚ you need to choose the method you want to use and then gather everything you need for that method. Depending on which way you decide to get the gum out of your dog’s hair‚ you’ll need: Ice cubes Peanut butter (xylitol free) Olive oil Butter Mayonnaise Comb Pet clippers Dishwashing soap Dog shampoo Towels Image Credit: Onderwijsgek‚ Wikimedia Commons The 3 Methods for Removing Gum From Your Dog’s Hair Here are three methods for getting gum out of your dog’s hair and all the steps to follow for each method! If you try one and it fails‚ move on to the next one. Contact your veterinarian for assistance if you are unable to remove the gum. 1. The Ice Cube Method First‚ we have the ice cube method. Grab an ice cube. Hold the ice cube on the gum for 3–5 minutes; this step is to get the gum to harden. Hardened gum is much easier to get out of your dog’s hair than soft gum! Once the gum has hardened‚ try to pull it out of your dog’s hair—gently!—by breaking off pieces of it. If breaking off pieces and removing them by hand isn’t working‚ or it is causing your dog discomfort‚ you can move on to using clippers as described below. Once the gum is removed‚ give your dog a bath to ensure no tiny bits of gum remain. We recommend Hepper’s Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo‚ as it’s extremely soothing. 2. The Oil-Based Method You’re probably familiar with this method‚ as it’s the most common method of removing gum from kids’ hair. Grab an oil-based product—either peanut butter (xylitol free)‚ olive oil‚ butter‚ or mayo. Work whichever product you choose into the hair with your fingers near the gum. Let the oil-based substance sit for three or more minutes. Stay with your dog while waiting to avoid your pet eating the substance (or gum) out of their fur. Once the 3 minutes have passed‚ it’s time to break out the comb. Comb the gum out‚ starting from above the gum and combing down. In some cases an old toothbrush can also be useful to remove the gum. If the gum doesn’t come out the first time‚ apply the oil-based product and comb 2–3 more times. If the gum refuses to budge after that‚ you’ll need to move on to the next method. If this method does get the gum out‚ you’ll need to give your pup a bath to eliminate the oiliness and any leftover bits of gum. Image Credit: HomeMaker‚ Pixabay 3. The Fur Cutting Method This is probably the simplest method of getting gum out of dog hair. Make sure your dog’s fur is dry‚ as it’s less difficult to cut dry hair than wet. Hold your dog in place (or grab a friend that can gently hold onto them while you cut). Place your pet clippers above where the gum is located. Move the pet clippers in a downward motion to trim the hair surrounding the gum. If the gum isn’t cut out on the first pass‚ repeat as necessary until the gum is gone. If you aren’t comfortable trimming your dog’s fur‚ then take them to the groomer or the vet instead so they can trim the fur and get the gum out. Then bathe your pet once the gum is removed! Removing Gum From Your Pup’s Paws The skin on your dog’s paws is sensitive and it can be more difficult to get to the gum. Removing gum from the paws may need a slightly different approach‚ although all the above methods can also be used. First‚ mix mild dishwashing soap with warm water. Next‚ soak a towel or cloth in the soapy water. Dab your pet’s paw with the wet towel around the affected area to loosen the gum from the hair and skin. Once your pup’s paw is wet enough‚ see if the gum can be removed. If the gum isn’t coming out‚ wipe some olive oil on the area. Use the rag in a sideways motion to try and loosen the gum‚ so it’ll come out. If the soapy water and olive oil don’t take care of the gum‚ take your pet to the vet so they can get it out. If this process works‚ wash your dog’s paw to remove the soap and olive oil. Things to Avoid You should avoid a couple of things when trying to get gum out of your dog’s hair. Here’s what they are: Don’t try to wash chewing gum out! Leaving the gum as is‚ without trying one of the methods above‚ and bathing your pet could make the gum soften and spread‚ getting it into even more of your dog’s fur. Don’t attempt to comb or brush the gum out without applying something oily first. Doing this is another way to spread gum around. Image Credit: 135pixels‚ Shutterstock Conclusion Getting gum out of your dog’s hair can be challenging‚ but by using one of these methods‚ you’ll hopefully have it out sooner rather than later. Just follow the steps for whichever method you choose to get the best results. And though it isn’t always possible‚ try to keep your dog away from chewed gum to avoid them getting it stuck in their fur again! See Also: 7 Benefits of Regular Dog Grooming Featured Image Credit: Hannah Tu‚ Unsplash The post How to Get Gum Out of Dog Hair: 3 Vet-Approved Methods appeared first on Pet Keen.

There is a need to minimize the negative impact we have on our planet. However‚ our adoption of recent green technologies in the pursuit of minimizing environmental damage has already led to unforeseen and all-too-unmentioned ecological destruction. Is this just the price we have to pay? Note: This article originally appeared in the print issue of Return. From the position of the archaeologist‚ technology is a neutral term. From flint hand-axes to sickles‚ antler harpoons to fish traps‚ the earliest forms of technology leverage efficiency and capability at the interface between the human and the rest of the world. There is nothing unnatural about this – crows‚ otters‚ monkeys‚ even crocodiles make use of manipulated objects to exploit their dietary niche. Where there are concerns about how modern technology functions‚ they shouldn’t be framed as a dichotomy between “good” and “bad” but rather aimed at the specific problems created. Too often what counts for academia today will position any discussion of technology in a framework of “neoliberalism” and “systems thinking.” The question before us is: Do we tear up a unique and important ocean ecosystem in order to fuel the Green Revolution? Some will talk of the Anthropocene‚ barely suppressing their glee at the control such definitions bring. What I want to do here is outline some concrete and non-systemic threats that specific technologies pose. It is my contention that only through approaching risks to the natural world in this way will we actually retain the ability to tackle them. Beyond the nebulous outlines of international agreements and porous commitments lies the bulwark of the nation-state and its capacities. Let us not be shy in demanding it makes use of them. Mining the sea floor: Polymetallic nodules The new Green Revolution and its consequences are rolling like a tidal wave across the world. One of its most insidious children is the “net-zero” mining industry. To be absolutely clear‚ the new eco-friendly techno-complex of electric cars‚ wind- and solar-generated energy‚ and the vast new infrastructure of batteries needed to support these relies precariously on this industry’s ability to extract unprecedented amounts of raw minerals. According to the World Bank’s 2020 report Minerals for Climate Action‚ the increase in mineral production includes a staggering 488% increase in demand for lithium‚ 460% for cobalt‚ 231% for indium‚ and a 189% increase for vanadium. The projections for the U.K. to meet its target for electric cars would require the world’s current output of neodymium‚ almost twice the world’s production of cobalt‚ and three-quarters of the global lithium production. With two of the main countries for nickel‚ cobalt‚ manganese‚ and copper being China and the Democratic Republic of Congo‚ the race has started to find alternative mining venues. European nickel mines are one option‚ but by far the most enticing is the prospect of undersea mining. Back in the deepest past‚ earth’s seawater began to slowly precipitate heavy metals. Manganese and iron oxyhydroxides began to scavenge cations of cobalt‚ copper‚ and nickel‚ freed by the actions of undersea hydrothermal vents and the imperceptible metabolism of microorganisms‚ and they settled over millions of years into polymetallic nodules. But why is this important? These nodules lie scattered all over the sea floor‚ most no larger than a duck’s egg‚ a gift from Mother Nature to a civilization desperate for metals. The Clipperton Fracture Zone‚ 4.5 million square kilometers rich in manganese nodules‚ is just one prime example of the embarrassment of riches lying untapped and unused. The world has just realized that these treasure troves now need to be harvested‚ and companies are applying for exploratory licenses everywhere from Nauru to Mexico. Specialized sea craft with submarine vehicles now pioneer the extraction of nodules‚ suctioning‚ grinding‚ harvesting‚ and crushing the metals before sending them up to the surface. “What’s the problem?” I hear you ask. “Surely we need this?” The problem is that these nodules are not sterile globules of free resources‚ like some computer-game world. They are in fact the underpinning keystone in a complex food web that we barely glimpse through the handful of studies that have focused on them. What we do know is this: The nodules themselves are coated with living beings‚ and one in particular‚ the stalked glass sponge‚ is considered a key structural species. The trophic webs that exist in these deep abyssal zones rely on the nodules as the only physical structural support to anchor onto‚ the soft sediment being incapable of supporting these species. The cascading effects of removing the nodules flow upward to the sediment and filter feeders‚ the scavengers‚ omnivores‚ and carnivores. Equally as devastating are the fine sediment plumes created by the harvesters and the waste dumping after extraction. These clouds smother species to death and choke up life on the precarious reefs. Added to these known factors are the unknown risks. A 2016 study of the Clipperton Fracture Zone found that half of all the collected species were new to science. More dangerous (and ironic) is the possibility that deposits of frozen methane‚ known as methane clathrates‚ could be accidentally disturbed‚ potentially releasing unknown quantities of natural gas into the ocean and the atmosphere. The question before us is: Do we tear up a unique and important ocean ecosystem in order to fuel the Green Revolution? The cost-benefit analysis here should look at what this revolution actually offers and whether it is desirable. It seems unlikely that all the ocean’s metals are going to remain unused‚ and no amount of international pressure will stop a country like China from exploiting its own shoreline. But we needn’t all rush onward with the charge for an electric battery-powered world. There are alternatives. Stripping the dunes: Sand extraction Tim Graham via Getty Images On a list of conversational topics bound to cure insomnia‚ sand has to be near the top. Yet this basic and seemingly ubiquitous material is rapidly becoming a coveted resource. How is this possible? Sand is required for a number of fundamental industries‚ including construction‚ road building‚ electronics‚ plastics‚ cosmetics‚ detergents‚ and water filtration. Regrettably‚ it is also essential for the production of solar panels‚ something that gets very little mention. Due to the nature of the grains‚ desert sand is practically worthless‚ being too fine to bind together. This makes rivers‚ lakes‚ and any accessible ocean the major targets for sand extraction and mining. On the face of it‚ this sounds reasonable. However‚ we have two huge problems here — firstly‚ the amount of available sand in the world is shrinking faster than it can be replenished; secondly‚ the damage caused to the environment‚ ecology‚ and human habitation around the mined areas. Sand extraction accounts for 85% of all mineral production globally by weight. Roughly 32 to 50 billion tons of sand are used annually‚ which‚ according to some models‚ will lead to demand outstripping supply before the century is out. Virtually every country imports sand‚ with the leading exporters‚ such as China and the United States‚ shipping 300 million tons in 2019. These figures are notoriously unreliable‚ however‚ since‚ as we’ll see later on‚ the illegal mining of sand is likely the largest supplier. As an example‚ between 2006 and 2016‚ Singapore imported 80 million tons of sand from Cambodia‚ but only 4% of that was through legal export channels. Since Singapore desperately needs sand for land reclamation and skyscraper building‚ the nearby countries have scoured billions of tons of sand for illegal export‚ so much so that Indonesia has physically lost over 20 islands and another 80 are at risk. Ecologically‚ sand mining at scale presents a number of problems: It lowers water tables‚ depletes wells‚ physically destroys habitats‚ alters the shape and flow of rivers‚ disrupts food webs‚ creates riverbank instability‚ collapses bridges‚ changes the velocity of the river flow‚ which can cause flooding and damage to property‚ and leaches salt into agricultural land. Dune removal can cause flooding‚ dust plumes can increase airborne radioactivity and damage health‚ and so on. The standard method for sand extraction is to dredge‚ at different scales and in a number of different ways. Ranging from Nigerians physically wading into the surf and carrying baskets of sand away on their heads and Tamil truck drivers parking on tourist beaches and filling up using spades to huge Chinese commercial ships complete with conveyor belts and barges‚ the nature of the work depends on the country and its legality. At the risk of repeating previous talking points‚ sand mining clearly has an immediate and long-term impact on the ecology of the region. The physical removal of beaches‚ dunes‚ sandbanks‚ and riverbeds negates the ability of dependent wildlife and flora to survive‚ but another consequence is the spillover into violence in the human world. Illegal sand mining seems like one of those minor headline topics‚ but the scale of the organization goes far beyond what most people understand. Unauthorized sand extraction is the largest criminal enterprise in India‚ in particular the southern state of Tamil Nadu. In China‚ the Yangtze River has been a target for illegal extraction for decades‚ since the state banned mining in 2000. In 2019 alone police seized over 300 vessels carrying approximately 100 million cubic feet of sand. Yet the theft continues‚ in part due to sophisticated GPS spoofing‚ which prevents authorities from accurately monitoring ship movement in real time‚ resulting in lethal collisions. Thane Creek‚ the river inlet from the Arabian Sea to Mumbai‚ swarms with hundreds of small wooden boats‚ all illegally scooping up sand from the riverbed by hand. The divers used to make the plunge down to 20 feet. A few years later they are at their physical limits of 40 feet. Soon the riverbed will simply disappear. Like many similar illegal mines and dredge sites in India‚ they are run by mafias with the power to buy off local officials and murder journalists and protesters. On the larger geopolitical level‚ the tensions between Singapore and Indonesia/Malaysia have reached the point where the Indonesian navy has been deployed to arrest illegal sand miners in its territory.

What are the best DayZ servers to join in 2024? We’ve scoured the internet looking for the top DayZ servers and server clusters to cater to all experiences. Whether you’re looking for some intense PvP‚ a relaxed PvE sandbox‚ a modded server that offers something fresh‚ or even a place to roleplay like DayZ Underground‚ where a creative community has lived out years’ worth of stories‚ creating authentic in-universe lore. We’ll also talk about what awaits you on the official servers. Dean Hall‚ perhaps the leading figure in the survival game sandbox revolution of the early 2010s‚ first created the zombie game as a mod within ARMA 2‚ then joined Bohemia Interactive to work on a standalone release. While Hall has since moved on‚ Bohemia has continued to update the game‚ and it has come a long way from its first form as a zombie-survival sim. Dozens of additional systems have almost turned it into a life sim‚ and endless mod-ability means that if you can’t do something in the vanilla release‚ you can probably do it on a modded server somewhere. But all this flexibility has produced a varied range of online experiences‚ and navigating that landscape can be confusing. That’s where we come in. Read on for our list of some of the best and most populated official and community servers‚ and a breakdown of exactly what they offer to the discerning DayZ player. Continue reading The best DayZ servers 2024 MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Does DayZ have crossplay?‚ DayZ system requirements‚ DayZ base building tips

Brighter Shores‚ a free-to-play MMORPG‚ has been unveiled by the creator of the much-loved and still very much played‚ RuneScape. With a release date set for 2024‚ there’s a lot to know about this vigorously developed title from Gower’s studio‚ Fen Research. Continue reading Runescape creator unveils new free-to-play MMORPG‚ Brighter Shores

What are the best Backpack Battles recipes? This overview of all Backpack Battles recipes will help you find the best item combinations. In strategy game Backpack Battles‚ you can link certain items together to create a more powerful item. The only problem? The game won’t reveal the recipes until you’ve crafted the item. As combined items are usually stronger than default items‚ you can use this Backpack Battles list of all recipes to find every combination and improve your chances of winning. We’ve also included a Backpack Battles tier list for every item obtained through recipes‚ so you’ll know which ones are the best. Combining items in Backpack Battles is quite simple. If two items in your possession are compatible‚ you’ll see a blue glowing line when hovering over them. To combine these two items‚ place them next to each other in your backpack‚ which will spark an orange glowing line. Win a battle while the connected items remain in place‚ and the Backpack Battle recipe is complete. As soon as you return to the preparation phase of the roguelike game‚ you’ll find the new item in your backpack. Continue reading All Backpack Battles recipes list MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best puzzle games‚ Best strategy games‚ Best multiplayer games

A new series dramatizes Edwin Stanton's hunt for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators in the aftermath of the president’s 1865 assassination

Students can continue to anonymously report on one another and their professors in order to rectify ‘bias.’

The state senate expects to vote Thursday on a bill that would require localities to comply with ICE detainer requests.

Without dollarization‚ Argentina is destined to remain miserable.