Before adopting an animal

Any dog can get a little smelly from time to time. If they have been exercising, stuck in a humid place or have been somewhere they shouldn't, it's natural for a dog to give off a funky odor. However, some individual dogs are more likely to smell than others. While there are many factors which influence...

We should know that dogs have a very acute sense of smell. This is why they are used in hunting and tracking. But if dogs have such olfactory ability, how come they don't seem to mind when they smell terrible? Most dogs will have a general body odor which often gets described as ‘dog smell’. It is a particularly...

The Border Collie is one of the most iconic dog breeds, known in particular for their intelligence and employment as a type of herding dog. Part of the reason is also because they have a lithe frame which allows them to dart across fields and paddocks longer than the farmer commanding them can. When...

If you are thinking of a adopting a cat, you may not even think about whether you would prefer a male or female cat. While there is no value difference between the two, there are certain considerations we should make regarding the sex of the feline. Making these considerations means you can find a cat...

Are you thinking of adopting a cockatiel into your home? If so, you may be wondering if you should adopt a male or female cockatiel. You may wonder if their sex matters when adopting a bird into your family. For guardians who already have the pleasure of sharing their lives with them, they may wonder...

Snakes are incredible creatures and many are kept as exotic pets. However, snake guardians tend to have a specialized interest. The responsibility for keeping snakes as pets is different to that of a dog or cat. They have different care needs and considerations which need to be made before responsible guardianship...

Pinscher dogs are fairly popular companion dogs. However, did you know there are different types of pinscher dog breeds? These include the Doberman, Miniature pinscher, German pinscher, Affenpinscher and the Danish-Swedish pinscher dog. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk about the different types...

Lovebirds are a small type of parrot which are known for being particularly affectionate. This happens both with animals of their own species, as well as their human guardians. Not only are they affectionate, but they are known to remain monogamous to the same mate for their entire life. Along with their...

If you are a dog lover, you are likely interested in the different breeds and personalities of the domestic dog. One important factor is intelligence. If you are aware of Stanley Coren's book on the intelligence of dogs, you will know the top spot is taken by none other than the Border Collie. Used as a working...

Cats have a reputation for being quite independent and detached from people, but does that mean that cats can't be affectionate? The truth is that the vast majority of people who have lived with cats can say that although cats can be quite independent, they are also very loving and affectionate with their...

Cockatiels are undoubtedly one of the most loved and popular domestic birds. These birds are excellent pets for many reasons. Perhaps it's their affectionate character, elegance and intelligence that win our hearts over. When adopting a cockatiel, we must know how to care for them and understand their behavior....

Some people can be confused between parakeets and parrots. The truth is that a parakeet is a type of parrot, the parrot being a word used for almost 400 different types of bird species from the order Psittaciformes. These are normally tropical birds which share similar characteristics such as a relatively...

Meerkats are undoubtedly cute. Familiar to us from nature documentaries and insurance adverts alike, they have become increasingly popular in the public eye. Such interest has even bred a desire to keep these animals as a pet. Since they are about the size of a small dog and seem to share certain characteristics...

Unlike other animals, female and male rabbits aren't too different physically. This can make it hard for many pet companions to know the sex of their rabbit, especially a newborn. So they will often need to go for a professional to know the gender of their rabbit. In this AnimalWised article, we will...

Adopting another dog into our family requires serious consideration. Not only do we need to consider our resources and ability to provide the right level of care, we need to ensure every member of our family is going to get along. When we already have a dog in this family, we might be quick to think a...

The Miniature Pinscher dog, also known as the Zwergpinscher or Min Pin, is a small dog native to Germany. This breed's earliest ancestors are believed to have included the German Pinscher mixed with Italian Greyhounds and Dachshunds. In general, these dogs are very assertive, outgoing, active and independent....

Some dog lovers may have wondered how many types of bichon dog are there? Others may have only heard of the Bichon Frise. Others still might not know what we're talking about. The bichon is a category of small dog, all types of which share certain characteristics. Currently, the International Cynological...

The betta fish, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is a freshwater fish from Southeast Asia. It can measure up to 2 inches in length and can live up to 3 years. It is widely coveted due to their spectacular fins and bright colors. However, many people get them without knowing which fish are compatible...

Especially in cities, the amount of people living in apartments continuously increases. But what does this mean when choosing a pet to adopt? What are the best pets for apartment living? Living in an apartment doesn't change the desire to have the joy a pet can provide. However, it is important to consider...

Africa is a continent is known for so many things, particularly its rich cultural history and traditions. Its flora and fauna have an incomparable diversity. If we are to mention animals and Africa in the same sentence, many of us will immediately think of areas like the savanna, desert or jungle. Within these...

One of the most beautiful coat colors of any dog is grey, but not all dog breeds are able to exhibit this color on their coat. Those that do can have various tones and shades, either as a solid color or part of a pattern. For this reason, many people want to look at types of grey dogs to see if they...

The Chihuahua is one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas. Originating in Mexico, they are also well-known for being the world's smallest dog breed. Although many trace their name to the state of Chihuahua, there are some who refute this theory. The word ‘Chihuahua’ itself means an ‘arid and sandy...

Have you decided to expand your family with a pet with a piglet? As long as their needs are well-covered, pigs can make outstanding pets. They are also some of the most characterful animals. If you have made the decision to adopt a pet pig, whether a pot-bellied pig, minipig or similar breed, giving them...

When we adopt a new dog into our family, we won't always be able to give them a name. Especially when adopting an animal from a shelter, the dog may already have one. Calling them something different can cause confusion. However, if we are adopting a puppy or a dog with an unknown name, choosing the...

At AnimalWised, it is easy to forget not everyone is an animal lover. We spend all day thinking about animals, their care and how we can make their lives better. Not everyone carries them in the same regard. While they may not encourage animal cruelty, some people prefer not to share their domestic lives...

Choosing a good name for your dog is one of your first tasks as a pet guardian. Naturally, we all want to find the best dog name, and sometimes this can be difficult. As the name will identify the dog for the rest of its life, it makes sense to take your time choosing. Some people look to the dog's personality,...

Have you just adopted a new dog or puppy? Congratulations! There is nothing like the love of a pet to fill our days with happiness. It is not surprising that we want to give back the unconditional love of our furry friend with the loving care and, of course, by choosing the perfect dog name. Pet guardians...

We all know that cats were revered in Ancient Egyptian civilization. Not only is there artistic and fossil evidence for this, the Ancient Egyptians even worshiped a cat in the form of Bastet, the cat-headed goddess of healing and womanhood, protector of the home. So, it is hardly surprising to find that the...

Are you looking for a unique name for your newly adopted cat? Many pet guardians like to choose original names from different languages, and German cat names are among the most popular. Whether you love the language or think a German name best suits your cat's personality, you've come to the right place. You...

Herding or shepherd dogs have been bred and trained as working dogs since dogs were first domesticated. They are known for their ability to control or ‘herd’ groups of farm animals and protect them from predators. Although they are most associated with sheep herding - hence the names ‘shepherd dog’...

There's no greater joy than adopting a dog and bringing home this new member of the family with whom you will build a lifelong bond. While many people tend to look for purebreds, adopting a mutt or mixed breed dog is a unique experience, and highly recommended for any animal lover. Perhaps you have already...

Bringing a new pup into the family is a great joy, even more so if it's a lively and adorable dog like the Jack Russell terrier. Not only will you find the Jack Russell a faithful companion, it is also a great friend to children and will provide plenty of love and hours of fun. Adopting a Jack Russell...

There are a wide variety of domestic and hybrid cat breeds around the world, each with unique physical and behavioral characteristics. Depending on whom you ask, the actual number of recognized breeds varies from around 40 to 70. The FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline) recognizes 43 breeds, the CFA (Cat...

Dogs with gray coats are not uncommon and they tend to be a striking lot. In fact, there are several well known gray dog breeds, from the solid blue-gray weimaraner and Irish wolfhound to the partially gray Siberian husky or the silvery schnauzer. Their impressive appearance is just one of the reasons people...

Although there are cheap rabbit hutches and cages on the market, many rabbit guardians choose to build a bunny hutch themselves, so as to ensure their rabbit is housed in the best possible conditions. Making your own rabbit hutch allows you to customize your pet's space. With a DIY rabbit hutch you can choose...

When adopting a dog, the most important thing is to ensure you are able to meet the responsibility and have all the practical measures in place to ensure their well-being. Choosing a name for your dog is the fun part, but not everyone finds it easy. Some people want to get it perfect so much, they struggle...

The letter P is a bilabial consonant, just like B, because of the way we put our lips together when pronouncing it. P comes from the Greek "pi" and is associated with energy and strength. For this reason, names starting with the letter P are ideal for active dogs full of vitality, energy and enthusiasm....

Even if you are not someone who reads up about different dog breeds, you may have heard of the Cavapoo or Cockapoo. While having official recognition of a new breed takes time, some breeds become popular so extensively, they become a recognizable breed regardless. Such is the case with both the Cavapoo and the...

There are over 400 dog breeds officially recognized by different canine institutions and international kennel clubs. More still are being developed every day. These dogs are bred for particular characteristics, whether behavioral or physical. One of the most common physical characteristics breeders seek is...

Breeds of water dogs come for a large and diversified family of medium-sized dogs that stand out for their woolly and/or curly mantle, active behavior and remarkable vocation for aquatic activities. Historically, these dogs were associated with fishing and games, working mainly as bird and small aquatic...

While chickens are commonly thought of as farm animals, their popularity as a pet is ever growing. This could be due to less people eating chicken as meat. It could also be a result of developing industries around urban development and greater resources. Equally, it might simply be people starting to realize...

Over time, hedgehogs have become an incredibly appreciated companion animal, mainly thanks to its adorable appearance. Of course, to ensure that your hedgehog lives a life free of stress and illness, it is essential to offer it all of the necessary care, hygiene and food it requires. Did you know that...

If you’re wondering at what age dogs stop growing, it’s important to know that veterinarians are the only professionals able to accurately determine the age and future size of a dog. This is especially relevant when it comes to cross-bred or mixed-breed dogs, that vary largely when it comes to their growth and...

Are you thinking of adopting a dog but live in an apartment? When adopting a dog, you need to take your environment into consideration. All dogs need space to develop both physically and cognitively, however, some dogs need more space than others. So when it comes to adopting the right dog most suitable...

Without doubt, one of the most renowned dog breeds is the Poodle. This dog has a long and regal history. They were the companions of courtiers of Louis XVI in France. With such a storied past, it is understandable the breed will have gone through some changes through various breedings over the years. This...

Mastiff dogs are characterized by a muscular and incredibly strong body. Mastiff dogs are considered one of the most ancient dog breeds and records of its ancestor, the molossus, date back to roughly 5,000 years ago. There are, however, various types Mastiff dog breeds that all share common elements...

Did you know there are around 800 different dog breeds in the world? Hundreds of breeds with their own characteristics in terms of personality, appearance and character appeal to all kinds of animal lovers. With so much variety, many people wanting to adopt a new dog into their family have a lot of options...

The Belgian Shepherd is a dog with over a hundred years of breed recognition. Often confused with the German Shepherd dog, both breeds have a loyal fanbase all over the world. This is appropriate since the Belgian Shepherd bonds closely with their human guardians and fosters a strong loyalty of their...

Have you ever fancied having a pet tiger? While it would be incredible to see these majestic animals up close, they are wild animals which should not be kept domestically. Also, the possibility of being disemboweled makes it a tricky proposition. If you enjoy the look of a tiger and want to have a less dangerous...

The Boxer is a medium to large sized dog breed which originated in Germany during the 18th century. They were developed as a cross between a Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser dog breed. The latter was a Molosser-type dog which was used to hunt big game before being bred out into the current Boxer...