Before adopting an animal
423 articles
When you have kids, adding another mouth to feed can seem like an overwhelming prospect, even if it is only a little one. Cats do require responsibility and we need to be financially prepared for their arrival. We also may worry about diseases, fighting and other important health considerations to make when having...
While you may believe that the differences between goats and sheep are obvious - the former have horns, the latter are woolly - this surety falls apart as soon as you come across a particularly hairy goat breed or a male horned sheep. Telling goats and sheep apart, then, is much more complex than that.
In...
Many families prefer to adopt cats when they are still kittens. However, once they have it at home, doubts start to arise: Where will it sleep? What to do if the kitten cries? What are the best toys for kittens to play with? What should I call it? It's normal to have doubts.
We at AnimalWised want to give...
"Terrier" is the generic name for a type of dog breeds that share a common origin. Over the years, they have developed such diverse physical characteristics that in some cases it is difficult to believe they are related. In general, terrier dogs are small or medium-sized, with a restless and determined...
The coati or coatimundi (Nasua and Nasuella) are four different species in the Procyonidae family. This makes them closely related to the raccoon. They share several physical and behavioral traits with this animal, but coatis are recognizable for their distinct long nose. In fact, in some places they are known...
Just because you have a young dog, doesn't mean they don't have an old look about them. Many dogs have whiskers and facial features which give them the look of an old man or old lady, despite only being a few months on the earth. Perhaps they have a beautiful gray coat which gives them an aged look. It...
Choosing if your dog will live inside or outside the house is a decision that will influence your dog's behavior and attitude as an adult. Whether you've decided that your dog will live inside or outside or if you've yet to make up our mind, this article will be very useful to reach a final decision. In order...
There are many cat breeds that are native to Asia. Some of the most beautiful and currently popular cats were first bred there. Some Asian cat breeds share a number of characteristics that make them different to cats from the rest of the world. Many newer breeds of cat also originate from Asia, but it...
If you have decided to adopt a hamster as a pet, it is important to be informed about its specific care, feeding, and even how you should prepare its cage. For this reason, here at AnimalWised we'll offer you a simple step by step guide to preparing a hamster's cage.
Have you decided that a hamster is the...
For some, the only silver fox they want to be around is George Clooney. For others, keeping a silver fox as a pet is a dream. Others still don't even know what a silver fox is. While some may think of them as a separate animal, they are actually the same animal as a red fox. The difference is that they are...
While it is believed that the first molosser dogs originated in southern Europe, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact place and time of origin of the different mastiff breeds. As we said in this article, all mastiffs are molossers but not all molossers are mastiffs.
There are many different mastiff breeds...
Among the most popular pets in India we find, of course, dogs. From the teeming streets of India's most populated cities to its greenest villages, you can notice the wide diversity of dog breeds and types that inhabit the country. After all, there are many different native dog breeds of India! Do you want...
According to the FCI, the German Spitz is a dog breed that includes five variations, namely the Wolfspitz, Mittelspitz, Großspitz, Kleinspitz and Zwergspitz. These five varieties have similar temperaments, characteristic of the German Spitz, but this is where the similarities end. The five varieties of...
When someone is allergic to dogs, it doesn't exactly mean that their body produces an immune response because of the animal itself, but because of particular allergens it produces. The most common allergens are proteins found in their saliva, dandruff and sebaceous glands on their dermis, and consequently...
Many people are allergic to dog hair and can't live with a dog that is constantly shedding hair all over the house. This doesn't mean they can't have a dog, but some dog breeds do not shed hair. Or at least they shed relatively very little. This doesn't mean these are hypoallergenic breeds, but the risk...
The stoat is part of the mustelid family, a group which also contains otters, badgers and ferrets, among other mammals. Larger than the weasel and considered particularly aggressive, stoats weigh less than 260 grams (9 oz). This gives them impressive agility and speed to add to their ferocity. In fact,...
In our opinion, keeping a marmoset as a pet is not a very sensible idea. While marmosets really are adorable animals, in most cases they have been furtively and illegally hunted. This has caused some of the 22 marmoset species to become threatened; in fact, simply possessing a marmoset is punishable by...
There are many canine organizations and associations in the world that work on developing breed standards, but they also work towards an alliance of dog breeders with the aim to protect specific breeds from exploitation. Their work has influenced current breeds but also animal rights policies.
There are...
The leopard cat is often confused with the Bengal cat because of their similar names and appearances. Both cats have reddish coats from gray to olive with spots or rosettes that remind us of those of leopards or ocelots. However, the leopard cat and the Bengal cat are not the same breed - they are not...
Both the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd have similar origins, their establishments dating back to 1897 and 1891, respectively. As you may be able to determine from their names, both breeds had similar functions, specifically guarding and herding livestock in their roles as herding dogs. Their...
While it is true that all dogs are equally great and worth loving, it is also true that not all dogs look alike. Chihuahuas and Alaskan Malamutes belong to the same species, but they look completely different. Like all species, dogs have evolved particular traits to adapt to their habitat and climate.
However,...
Many people have doubts before getting a dog, especially with there being so many breeds of dogs and cross breeds in the world. It will be crucial to focus a little bit on the temperament and requirements of certain dog breeds in order to work out if the dog is compatible with your lifestyle.
In this case...
If you have a love of Finland and its culture, you may be looking for names that come from this beautiful Scandinavian country. Whether you have a personal connection, have been there to visit or are simply desperate to find a unique name for your dog, you may find inspiration with our AnimalWised list...
The world of companion animals is becoming more and more diverse. When it comes to getting a household pet with which you can share an emotional bond, there are many animals that can make excellent pets beyond cats and dogs. One of these modern popular pets is the ferret, a kind of mustelid.
The ferret...
Everybody wants unique names for their pets, and there is nothing better than a meaningful, beautiful name from an equally beautiful and meaningful culture. Whether you live in southern India, you may find the perfect choice in a list of Telugu names for pets with their meanings.
Telugu is the main language...
Have you ever wondered where do the different breeds of spaniel dog come from?
Spaniels were originally bred to be hunting dogs; more specifically, they were gun dogs, used to find and retrieve birds, not to kill them. Spaniels would work close to the hunter and provoke the birds - usually pheasants - to fly;...
If you are looking for Bengal cat names, you are either looking for names for a Bengal cat or cat names in the Bengali language. Fortunately, you can use this AnimalWised list for either purpose. Bengali or Bangla is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the East Indian subcontinent, which includes Assam,...
Adopting a dog can be the best choice you ever make. No matter the breed or type, dogs are incredibly clever and caring animals that can form deep bonds with their human companions. However, getting a dog is not a choice to be taken lightly. As their guardian, you'll have the responsibility of covering...
If you want to adopt a guinea pig as a pet you should take some things into consideration, such as how long will it live for and how to prepare its cage to fulfill all its needs and ensure a long and happy life.
Did you know there are different breeds of guinea pig? They all have different traits, but...
If you're thinking of getting a dog and think that the Schnauzer type is perfect for you, you may be wondering just how big can each breed can grow. In this AnimalWised article we will tell you about the different Schnauzer breeds: Miniature, Standard and Giant.
We'll go over the main differences between...
Many people who aren't experienced in keeping and training dogs aren't sure what is the best kind of dog for them. Should they choose a particular breed? Some breeds aren't recommended for new owners because of their size, and others because of their intellectual or physical requirements. Are you looking for...
This article will discuss two extremely intelligent dog breeds: Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Both breeds have some characteristics in common, and their morphology, while different, can look similar from a distance. Both kinds of retriever dogs have a fairly similar build and used to fulfill...
There are currently 14 species of macaw living in the wild in the forests of America, from Mexico to Argentina. Sadly, more than half of these species are threatened, and some have disappeared completely from their native habitats.
However, macaws adopted in reputable shops come from breeding farms. As...
Budgerigars, shell parakeets or budgies are a kind of parakeet characterized by their friendly and sociable character, as well as for their easy adaptation to living in a home. As such, it's not surprising that the majority of bird lovers choose budgerigars as pets.
When it comes to budgerigars, two...
Are you passionate about hedgehogs? At AnimalWised we are great lovers of this small spiky mammal with their pointy nose and little feet. They are an independent and beautiful animal. While they have an adorable and unique appearance, we need to think of them more as playthings. They are animals which...
Many people love horses, as they are noble, beautiful and athletic animals. Horses have accompanied humans for years, as transport or farm workers; over the years, many different sports with horses have been developed. One of these equestrian sports is show jumping.
Show jumping is a type of equestrian competition...
The raccoon dog, also known as mangut or tanuki, is an East Asian animal native to China, Korea, Japan and the far eastern regions of Russia. Nowadays, however, it's been introduced to Northeastern Europe. Its scientific name is Nyctereutes procyonoides.
The raccoon dog is a very old species, but until...
The hamster is one of the most popular pets in the world, especially among children. Quite often, hamsters are the first pet that people bring home. This animal is easy to look after, and everybody falls in love with its sweet expressions and mousy movements.
However, it is important to explain to children...
Sexual dimorphism is not a rule that can be applied to all species of parrots, as in most cases the differences between males and females cannot be seen at first glance. The only possible way to distinguish them is through analysis or by consulting an expert.
However, in certain species of parrots and parakeets...
If you live in Australia, you will know that having a dingo as a pet is possible. Adopting dingo puppies and raising them as if they were domestic dogs has become enormously popular on the Australian continent.
If you live elsewhere, however, it will be very difficult to have one because the exportation of...
Do you have an outdoor pond? Adding fish is a great way to liven up your outdoor pond. In this AnimalWised article we're going to tell you the top 9 outdoor pond fish.
Having a mixed-breed dog often has many advantages. What's more, in many cases these dogs are very beautiful, intelligent and good-natured.
Some pedigree dogs have not been bred or brought up in the correct way, and some breeders produce inbred litters. This impoverishment in their gene pool greatly affects...
The Persian cat is the feline with the most widely recorded pedigree. This very old cat breed comes from old Persia (modern-day Iran), hence its name. It was introduced to Italy in 1620. Nowadays, there are many different varieties of Persian cats.
Moreover, each type of Persian cat can be subdivided...
There are many different dog breeds around the world, and they all have particular appearances, temperaments, characteristics, and different qualities and special features which distinguish each breed from one another. If the quality you're interested in is speed, you probably already know that greyhounds...
Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys) are interesting and unique mammals, and it is for this reason why many people consider keeping one as a pet. Despite the name "kangaroo", this tiny animal is a rodent; the name comes from its long hind legs and huge tail, which it uses to keep its balance.
There are actually...
There are many species of Betta fish, although too often they're just simply referred to as "Betta", which makes them difficult to classify and clarify. They can be identified by taking a look at their morphology, especially regarding their fins and tails.
The most popular kind of Betta fish - especially...
It may appear to be very difficult for these two animals to live together, if not impossible, but nothing is further from the truth. In fact, rabbits and cats can become great friends as long as the first stages of communal living are taken properly and progressively.
If you're thinking about keeping...
There are many types of domestic rats across the world. Contrary to popular belief, these animals are as intelligent and sociable as other rodents such as rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs.
More and more people are deciding to adopt these animals because of the wide range of qualities they offer as a domestic...
Are you ever unsure when people talk to you about Bulldogs? This AnimalWised article will teach you how to differentiate the different wrinkly Bulldog breeds; namely, English, French and American Bulldogs.
Each of these three breeds of dog stand out for their different physical features, although you...
Have you recently adopted a parrot and you're thinking of what to name them? In this AnimalWised article, we're going to give you some ideas of famous parrot names. We'll go through celebrity parrots and even fictional parrots in movies, series and even books.
Keep reading to find the best names of...
