Animal care

If you share your home with one or more cats, you will know that their claws have to be reckoned with. Cats don't have the same appreciation for furniture and walls as we might do. What we think of as a cherished family heirloom might be little more than a mahogany scratching post to our cats. Reconciling...

Deworming is an essential part of maintaining our dog's well-being. There are some who see it as a waste of time and expense. Doing so is to trivialize the many serious health problems which your dog can contract through parasitical infestation. Many of these remain asymptomatic as the disease takes...

Is your cat pregnant? If so, you may be wondering how long cats are pregnant for in months. Knowing whether or not your cat is pregnant is important in terms of making sure your cat is ready for the pregnancy. In addition, you will need to make sure that you too are prepared for the arrival of a littler of kittens. If...

If you share your home with one or more cats, you will know how they like to be cosy. While they may have a natural fur coat to keep them warm, this is not always sufficient in the winter months. If you have a hairless cat, then staying warm is an even greater concern. Even if they will still need to find...

Knowing if our cat is pregnant can, at first, be slightly complicated. But there are several signs and symptoms which can tell you about cat pregnancy. It is important to remember that if your cat is pregnant, we recommend consulting a veterinarian in order to make sure your cat experiences a healthy...

When living with a cat it, is extremely important that a caregiver learns about a cat’s estrus phase. This is predominantly because a cat in heat presents specific characteristics that can affect the way in which they act and behave. Cats in heat can become jealous, aggressive and/or stressed. Therefore,...

Dogs are, without a doubt, the best and most loyal friends any person could have. Our dogs are always ready to accompany us in all our adventures and misadventures. Dogs are caring, love, loyal and more. However, there are some things humans do that dogs hate. This is either because it causes them discomfort...

When we see our cat in pain, we want to do everything we can to stop it. Some human drugs are prescription based, usually due to their availability and potential to cause harm. Others are over the counter as they are used more commonly and are not at a strength level conducive to addiction. Ibuprofen is an...

Reasons why your dog needs a shot generally fall into two categories, preventive medicine and curative care. The former includes vaccinations which are usually administered to puppies, although a booster shot may be required later on. Curative medicine injections are used to treat a condition or a disease....

The responsible possession of pets is not a simple task. This is because, as sentient beings, domestic animals need to receive care throughout their lives. As their guardians, naturally we want our animals to be happy and healthy and in order to do this, we need to understand the specific needs of each...

The death of a rabbit can be emotionally devastating for anyone who has formed a strong bond with their bunny. Unfortunately, due to the much lower life expectancy of rabbits compared to humans, the great majority of those who care for rabbits will experience their death at some point. Death is a natural...

The history of cat breeding is a rich and fascinating one. While different cats are bred to emphasize certain features, many of the initial cats from which the breeds originate seem to appear by magic. After kittens in a litter are born, we sometimes see one of them with certain distinctive and unique...

If you take a cursory look at microchip implants on animal blogs, you will see they are almost unanimously recommended for domestic dogs. This is not simply the opinion of bloggers or lay animal lovers. It is generally accepted by the veterinary community and has been enforced by different governments...

We all love the idea of adopting a new furry friend into our family, but we must make sure that that we are a good fit for them. When it comes to special breeds, like boxers, we must be sure that we know about the specific care that this breed requires. This is important to ensure that they live a happy...

One of the main behavioral problems often mentioned by dog caregivers has to do with the hyperactivity of the dog. This high energy level can make a dog appear; restless, nervous and/or anxious, thus making coexistence in the household or with other people, difficult. A loud and hyperactive dog is, in...

We should all know the benefits bathing in water can provide our dogs. The occasional bath allows us to improve a dog's hygiene as well as better maintain their coat. Swimming in the sea can provide great joy for the animal, although this will depend on their spirit of adventure. Even hydrotherapy can be...

The delivery process of a cat is a phase which can cause great agitation to feline caregivers. It is a process which occurs mostly internally for the cat. With the inability for cats to communicate verbally, it may be difficult for us to know how well the labor is going. This inadequate communication...

Like human beings, newborn cats are totally dependent on their mother at birth. Since they have not yet opened their eyes and their senses of: smell, taste and touch are very limited, at this stage. they are especially delicate and require special care. Among several doubts, many new cat owners tend to...

Blindness in cats can be either loss of partial or total vision. Either way, for a creature renowned for their visual acuity, it can be a great hindrance to their practical requirements. However, this doesn't mean they can't have a happy and fulfilled life. All it means is they need a little different consideration...

In general, female dogs experience bleeding at least twice a year, also known as menstruation. This, however, only occurs in bitches who are unspayed. However, menstruation in dogs is referred most commonly as heat and is different to what human women experience. It is important to understand how your...

With the arrival of high temperatures this summer, our animals can easily suffer from too much heat. Therefore, we must be incredibly attentive to the well-being of our animals to avoid problems such as a overheating and fevers. Such temperature related problems can can lead to heat stroke in our dogs,...

For canine caregivers who look have female dogs in their family, prohibiting pregnancy is an understandable concern. The time and resources rearing puppies consumes makes it something which is inadvisable for a guardian's savings, mental health and, of course, the dog's general well-being. Some have...

Before adopting a cat, or any other animal, it is very important to take into account all the responsibilities that this adoption entails. In particular, where to leave your cat when you go on vacation is an issue that cannot be overlooked. We are aware that feline health can be adversely affected when...

The first time you adopt a kitten is a unique experience. It's not just about making a friend for life, it's also our introduction into the specific care needs of these delightful creatures. While there will be a lot to get used to, the joy of the new experience more than outweighs any trouble in adapting...

A guppy fish, also known as a millionfish or rainbow fish (Poecilia reticulata), is a species native to South America. Nowadays, however, you can find guppies all around the world. The reason for their popularity among aquarist fans is that they are very easy to care for. They are known to be able to...

When we decide to adopt a dog into our family, it is important we recommend spaying or neutering. This is so that we can avoid unwanted pregnancy which can both strain our resources and contribute to the overpopulation of abandoned dogs. Some may find they have a pregnant bitch either by design or accident....

Have you every wondered whether a dog’s hair can turn gray? When dogs grow older, you may notice that their coats start to change color. This however is not always because of age. There are many reasons despite age that a dog’s hair can turn gray. This reasons can range from diet to anxiety or stress....

A cat’s sandbox allows a cat to defecate in the home as well as practice its natural instinct of covering its own tracts. A cat’s litter box is therefore essential for the hygiene and well-being of our cats. We, as their owners, must ensure that this litter pan is constantly clean. Cleaning a cat’s sandbox...

Cats have an undeserved reputation of being animals with little time for affection. The truth is that the vast majority of our feline companions will enjoy enormously the caresses and massages we happily provide them. Those which don't enjoy massages usually have issues with socialization or human interaction,...

A female cat will exhibit some interesting behavior when in heat. It may seem abnormal to us, but it is natural behavior which allows the domesticated cat's wild ancestors to procreate. However, keeping cats as pets is not the same as them being in the wild. Without a partner with which to mate and being unable...

Blood tests are very necessary tests carried out, specifically a dog falls ill or is growing old. These tests are very common as they allow people to obtain a lot of information in a short time and in a relatively inexpensive way. In this AnimalWised article we will cover the most important parameters...

With good weather comes the arrival of high temperatures. Naturally, all animal caregivers worry about keeping their animal well away from the dangers of heat. This safety is important in maintaining your animal’s well-being and preventing it from suffering potentially fatal heat stroke. If you are wondering...

Do you think your cat is in her period of heat? It is important that you know how to recognize when your animal is in heat so that you can understand its attitude and take care of it with the appropriate attention. It is important to know that even though it is only a female that goes into heat, this period will...

Hamsters are an all time favorite rodent to have as a pet. If you have chosen to adopt a couple of hamsters, it is possible that your female might become pregnant. In this case, it will be essential to offer her the optimal conditions she needs for the development of her pregnancy and the growth of her...

A dog’s pads perform similar functions as the soles of its feet: providing protection to the legs and cushioning the body during movements. The skin of this region is thicker and more resistant than the skin of the body. This aids to withstand impact and erosion caused by direct contact to the ground....

It is recommended that a puppy stays with its mother for a minimum of 8 weeks. However, sometimes, due to unfortunate circumstances such as abandonment or death, this cannot happen. In such cases, these puppies need help to do things, such as defecate. For this reason, in this AnimalWised article,...

If you have vaccinated your cat, the first thing you can do is congratulate yourself. You have helped your cat to build their immunity against potentially lethal diseases and stop certain pathologies from spreading. Many of these diseases are passed on due to cats living in unhygienic circumstances. Much...

Dog’s eyes are a extremely delicate and sensitive. If your dog’s eyes look: dirty, present eye discharge or ulcers, appear itchy, you need to make sure that you address the situation. Taking care and cleaning out a dog’s eye boogers can be a tricky process, and therefore needs to be done with extreme...

Taking care of your dog's teeth is as important as giving them their vaccines and being attentive to their health, for that reason on AnimalWised you will be able to find articles on the importance of canine dental hygiene. There are many methods to perform proper cleaning of your dog's teeth, and among them...

There are several parasites that can affect dogs. These can cause serious health problems and even transmit diseases with a high mortality rate. Therefore, when a dog is pregnant, it is logical to ask if it is possible to apply some antiparasitic. Dog caregivers often express doubts about the care of their...

There are often many doubts over how to bathe your cat. The first one is over whether it should be done at all. Caregivers know that many cats don't like water (although this is by no means an exclusive group), but they also know that cats need to be clean. Cats generally don't need to be bathed as they...

Dogs are considered one of the most genetically diverse species on the planet. The never-ending list of dog breed types and subtypes might seem frustrating to a dog owner who wants to identify the breeds making up their dog. However, the recent advent in dog DNA testing makes such identification possible....

In recent decades hamsters have become an increasingly popular pet, as much loved by adults as by children. This is in part due to their easy adaptation to environments, relatively simple care needs and, of course, the fact that they are adorable. Their care needs include maintaining a clean cage, providing...

Keeping a dog's nails in good condition is for more than just aesthetics. It is a health issue as it can prevent the appearance of wounds on their paws and other problems resulting from claws which are too long. In the wild dogs would naturally trim their nails on rocks and other parts of their landscape...

If you have taken your dog for a walk in the rain, been to the beach or just given your dog a bath, then you may be familiar with the infamous ‘wet dog smell’. If you have a large dog or more than one dog in a household, a dog's smell can be particularly noticeable to outsiders. One of the most common...

In an ideal world, we would be able to spend all day with our dogs. Even if we still had to go to work, being able to pat our furry pals during boring meetings would make often stressful days that much easier. Unfortunately, we all need to survive somehow and that means for the most of us, we need to go...

Despite their tiny size, fleas are a major nuisance. They are attracted to other living beings as they can use them as hosts for warmth, protection and, most importantly, a source of sustenance. Their presence for the host, however, is not mutually beneficial. They can cause skin irritation which leads to a...

There are many factors which may lead to our dogs losing hair. There are many genetic, environmental and circumstantial reasons why you may see more fur than usual coming off when brushing. You may even have noticed hair trails on the couch or simply floating its way through your home. Your dog's hair...

When a female dog is in heat, it can make their pet care needs more difficult. Their psychological state can be anxious, but they may also become aggressive. When you have male dogs in the home or you are taking the dog out for a walk, your main concern may be keeping male dogs under control when they sense...

Caring for our cats is not usually a chore. While we may have to provide them with food and shelter, the responsibilities we need to meet in terms of socialization and engagement are as fun for us as they are necessary for our pets. If we decide to breed our cats for kittens, then this responsibility...