Animal care

A female dog that has just given birth to a litter of puppies requires a number of special attentions that we, as caregivers, need to know. There are some changes in her diet that we need to consider, especially because a lactating female dog needs a more nutrient dense diet than normal. What your female...

When we are caring for a pregnant dog, everything is building to the moment of delivery. We want both the mother dog and future puppies to be as safe and healthy as possible. Since a prolonged and/or difficult labor will threaten the health of both, we need to know as much as we can before the birth....

The survival of a species is based on adaptation to their environment. Since environments are rarely stable, behaviors need to be adapted to changing conditions. Since some environments can be sufficiently harsh to threaten the existence of an animal, said animal may need to take seemingly extreme measures...

Given the speed and ease with which guinea pigs reproduce, it is not uncommon for owners to have doubts about whether or not their guinea pig has become pregnant. Whether you are breeding guinea pigs or you have unknowingly allowed your guinea pig to get pregnant, there are certain signs that indicate...

With the wide range of cats litter available, choosing the right product for your cat can be a daunting task. Not to mention that some products can be quite expensive. Moreover, there are some products that can even cause allergies or inflammation of the cat's mucous membranes because they contain fragrances...

You have likely seen on social media various examples of a dog's hair being dyed. There are reports of dogs being dyed to look like animals, cats having their coats shaved to imprint with various designs or sometimes the entire coat of a dog being turned a different color. They are popular because they...

It is important to remember that guinea pigs go through heat, which is different in males and females. Like other mammals, they have dimorphic sexes, and their females give birth to live young and feed them milk from a mammary gland. They also have oestrus cycles, which are different from menstrual cycles....

A cat in heat can be a difficult time for their guardians. Their behavior can be erratic and cause upset within the home. However, it is the cat who will be feeling most frustrated, especially if she has no opportunity to mate with a male. For this reason, we need to do what we can to help a cat in heat...

Domestic rats still have a stigma for many, even those who would otherwise consider themselves animal lovers. They are often categorized as vermin and overlooked as pets. When well cared for, rats can make incredible companion animals. Practically speaking, they are small and do not require the same...

There are over 350 different species of parrots within the parrot superfamily, including parakeets, lovebirds, cockatoos, parrots, and macaws. There are many factors that affect the life expectancy of these animals, including their species, habitat, diet, and whether they live in captivity or in the wild....

A dog's extremities play important functions, not only related to mobility. They allow them to interact with their environment, communicate with others and even allow themselves to get comfortable. A dog's paws are almost paradoxical as they are both very sturdy and very sensitive at the same time....

In large part thanks to viral videos of cute small pigs on the Internet, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs have become a popular pet in recent years. At least they have become more popular than they were. Since they were not much available outside their native Vietnam, this increased popularity as a companion...

Although you might not notice it when they are newborn, you may see your cat start to develop a fat pouch on their belly. Even if your cat is otherwise slim and lithe, you might see they have a fat belly. This can make us worry if they are eating too much or are suffering from an inflammation which poses...

The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is a type of lizard that has gained popularity as a pet in recent years. Nowadays, bearded dragons are among the most well-known species in the pogona genus. Their small size, docile nature, and high sociability make them great pets for beginners. Taking good care...

When caring for a longhaired dog, there are certain precautions we need to take in terms of coat care. However, even when we brush them enough and ensure their coat is well-groomed, it is easy for some dogs to get mats or tangles in their hair. The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed noted for their beautiful...

Border Collies are popular dogs for many reasons. Not only are they excellent working dogs on farms, but their supreme intelligence means they can be trained for many purposes and their warm temperament make them loving companions. However, the first thing many notice about the Border Collie is their physical...

A splenectomy in dogs is the surgical removal of the spleen. We often we consider a spleen a non-vital organ. It is possible for dogs to survive without a spleen, but this does not mean they have no health concerns after a splenectomy. There are some important considerations we need to make when caring for...

Cats are very hygienic animals. If they do not spend a large part of their waking life licking and grooming themselves, then it means there is something wrong. For this reason, there are not many occasions where you will need to bathe the cat. In general, the less we bathe them the better. However,...

The environment in which you keep your dog affects your dog in many ways. While we should know it is our responsibility to keep this environment safe, we may not be doing all we can to ensure the well-being of our dog. There are certain elements within a dog's environment which can cause them harm, even...

Like many mammals with a relatively short gestation period, cats are known for having a great ability to reproduce. They become sexually mature at a young age. After this point, they can become pregnant and even have multiple litters per year. This can result in a large feline family, something which may...

The Doberman Pinscher is a very recognizable dog breed, known in particular for their short black and tan coat. Although the coat can also present in red and tan, a white Doberman Pinscher is not something many of us have come across. If we do find a white Doberman it is due to albinism, a condition due to...

In the winter, we can give a dog a coat to warm them up. When temperatures rise, it is not so easily to take layers off. Keeping a dog cool in the summer is not a minor issue. When a dog becomes too hot, it threatens their health. Heat stroke is a real problem, especially for dogs which have a sensitivity...

From the time they are born, kittens will have fur on their body. The only exception for healthy kittens are hairless cat breeds. However, this hair will vary across their lives. Longhaired cat breeds will have fur which grows thicker. At certain points, a cat's hair will shed and make it look thinner....

At AnimalWised, we promote responsible animal guardianship. This doesn't begin when the animal arrives in the home, it begins long before when making the decision whether one should adopt in the first place. This decision require serious consideration of the responsibility a dog's care will require. This...

Hamsters can be wonderful companion animals. They are especially popular with children and they can bond much stronger than many imagine. Since hamsters are such great companions to us, many caregivers wonder if we can provide them with their own companionship when we are not around. For this reason, they...

When a dog is considered geriatric depends on different factors. While age is the most significant, this can differ slightly depending on the size of the dog. Generally, smaller dog breeds are considered senior at a slightly later age than large dog breeds. Regardless of size, once they become elderly,...

All dogs are beautiful and have their own characteristics which make them special. However, it is true that the Shar Pei has some traits which make them stand out on their own. Perhaps the most noticeable is their wrinkly skin which gives their coat very distinct folds and somewhat doleful expression which...

Cats are known for their self-grooming. It is rare we should see our cat be dirty since they spend such a large part of their day licking themselves clean, often in highly contorted states. While this can be amusing, it is also reassuring. It shows us the cat is healthy and ready to take care of themselves....

Angora rabbits are becoming much sought after companion animals. This is, in part, due to the rising popularity of rabbits as pets. They are more loving animals than many people think and can be great for families with children. With the Angora, in particular, their popularity is also due to their look....

Since the quality of a dog's coat is a good general indicator of their overall health, dandruff alone can be cause for concern. When our dog has dandruff and bald spots at the same time, we should know it is something which needs to be addressed. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, has various causes,...

Cats are excellent companions who will treat us with love and affection, but only if we do the same for them. This means we should do everything we can to make them happy. It also means we need to avoid the things that make them unhappy. Unfortunately, even for loving cat guardians, there are some things...

No other species of mammalian animal is as diverse as the domestic canine (Canis familiaris). Such diversity affects almost every part of their physical anatomy, resulting in dogs with vary greatly in appearance. This includes their ears. Some are large and pointed, others small and rounded. While all dogs...

When caring for a puppy, we need to be vigilant against any possible symptom of disease. Some will be obvious or include changes of behavior. Others may be a little more subtle. When a dog has a dry nose, many of us think this is abnormal and a sign of a problem. This is partly due to the perceived wisdom...

Can a cat freeze to death? The answer is yes, cats can suffer from hypothermia from low temperatures which can lead to their death. This is why in this AnimalWised article we're going to answer common winter safety questions about cats, such as how cold is too cold for outdoor and indoor cats and how...

There are many reasons an adult cat might be scared. Fear often develops due to experiences from their youth. If they become scared all of a sudden, it is usually due to a change in their environment or a recent traumatic experience. However, with a young kitten, the reasons for being scared are often...

All dogs are unique individuals. They have multifaceted personalities which are our privilege to get to know. However, some breeds have a signature which makes them stand out compared to others and the Old English Sheepdog is one of them. The first thing most people notice with the Old English Sheepdog is their...

The care a mother provides for her young is instinctual and comprehensive. They do everything for them, from keeping them warm to cleaning up after them. As a human assuming this role, we don't have the same instinct. We need to meet all of these needs, but we also need to do in the circumstances of the...

When caring for a pregnant dog, there are many factors to take into account. We want to do everything we can to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and puppies, so we need to look at all of their needs. This means providing them with the right diet, ensuring their environment is stress-free and...

When the seasons change and the year starts to warm up, there are a lot of advantages for a cat. Although warmer weather means they can enjoy the outdoors more, it can bring other challenges. External parasites are one of the most problematic issues which can affect a cat's well-being. Not only can they...

The Shih Tzu is a breed native to Asia, likely Tibet or China. They are characterized by a small body, brachycephalic snout and, perhaps most noticeably, their beautiful long hair. Their features make them a much sought-after animal, but they are only for guardians who can meet the responsibility of all...

In most circumstances, we will ideally want to leave catching a stray cat to the professionals. Feline protection volunteers and wildlife welfare services are trained and experienced in humane cat trapping so it can be done as safely as possible. However, there are some circumstances where we are required...

Lice are one of the external parasites which most affect cats. However, they often not discussed as much as fleas and ticks in cats. They most commonly affect strays or cats with access to the outdoors, but they can occur in indoors cats also. However, cats which are young, old or have a compromised immune...

If a dog suddenly wants to be alone, it is something contrary to canine nature. While sociability levels will differ according to the individual, dogs are social animals at their core. They thrive in a group environment and can suffer serious harm if they are unable to mix with others. If a dog is not as...

Grass is safe for dogs to eat as long as it doesn't have any toxic chemicals. It's a great source of fibre in our dog's diet and many dogs even enjoy eating it just for the taste. However, what does it mean when a dog keeps eating grass and throwing up afterwards? In this AnimalWised article, we're going...

Dogs are very sensitive and observant animals. When their human companion becomes pregnant they realise early on thanks to the subtle change in odor, body shape, mood and behaviour. This may cause your canine to also behave differently than usual. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain why...

When caring for a domestic rabbit, trimming their nails is part of their grooming routine. However, how do you trim rabbit nails at home? In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain how to trim rabbit nails and why it's important to trim your rabbit's nail. Continue reading to learn more!

Although we may have an idea of what is a tabby cat, the term has become a loose definition. Many of us refer to a cat with no distinct breed, using it to make the distinction between a purebred and a mixed-breed cat. However, this terminology is not completely correct. To make it even more confusing,...

As a cat caregiver, you must already know that each cat is different when it comes to their personality. Where some cats will enjoy being indoors all day and rarely go out, others will need more time in nature to exercise and satisfy their curiosity. However, what should you do if your cat keeps trying to...

Dental hygiene for cats is often overlooked by those entrusted with their care. We might buy chew toys or special treats which claim to help clean their teeth. However, in many cases, this will not be enough to keep their teeth and gums healthy. There are many commercial cat toothpaste brands on the...

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world. They are loyal, playful and affectionate dogs that make great companion dogs! In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain how to care for a Labrador Retriever puppy. We'll go through their diet, exercise, training, health care...