Animal care

The birth of newborn puppies brings many emotions to human guardians. While we are overjoyed about these beautiful new lives, we also must feel the responsibility of their care. Fortunately for us, the mother is doing most of the hard work. Our job is to support her and provide the best possible environment...

For female dogs which have not been spayed, their heat cycle is a part of their life and yours. Occurring an average of twice a year, a dog's behavior will become erratic and difficult for some to handle when they go into heat. While it may lessen in intensity as they age, it is something a dog guardian...

Whether your dog's pregnancy was planned, you want to do everything you can to ensure it proceeds without problem. Ensuring the puppies are born happy and healthy is vital, but so too is safeguarding the well-being of the mother. In certain circumstances a ‘natural’ or unassisted birth is not possible....

The rise in popularity of the French Bulldog has been meteoric. While all Bulldog breeds have their charm, there is something about the French Bulldog which sets them apart. Perhaps it is their particularly adorable presence, with their bat-ears and doleful eyes. It could be that not only do they go from...

The Chihuahua is a dog known for many things, but its size is often what people first register. If we can imagine a scale of dog size, at the tallest end would be the Great Dane and the Chihuahua would be the smallest at the opposite end. Since the adult size of a Chihuahua is small enough, when we adopt...

Cats are curious animals by nature, so it is not surprising that they approach, sniff and often nibble on newly introduced objects in our homes, such as new plants. If you are a cat guardian who keeps plants at home - whether indoors or outdoors in your garden - you may be worried about the risk of them...

Tortoises are often common choices as house pets. Before you go out and adopt a pet tortoise, however, it is important to know the basics of looking after a tortoise. Although they are known to be long-lived animals in the wild, they need special attention and care to live out healthy and long lives...

When we make the decision to live with a dog, we need to be considerate of their reproductive cycle. Whether you intend to breed the dog, knowing what to expect is necessary for their health and well-being. For female dogs, we particularly need to know about their heat cycle, i.e. their different stages of...

Having newborn puppies or kittens at home is always brings great joy, but also many questions. Did your dog just have puppies? Are you are tempted to pick up them up, but not sure if you should? They look fragile, and perhaps you have heard that the mother dog will reject her newborn pups if a human touches...

Did you know that rabbits reach sexual maturity just a few months after they are born? That's right, rabbits can mate after just 4 to 8 months of life. So if your pet rabbit has a mate, you may be surprised with a litter sooner than you expected. After all, we all know the phrase ‘breeding like rabbits’....

Rabbits are among the five most popular house pets. As first time owners, more and more people want to know the best ways to look after their pet bunnies and improve the health and quality of their lives. Looking after a rabbit Rabbits need specific care to stay healthy and happy. AnimalWised is here...

After a cat gives birth, it is important to be mindful of a mother cat's behavior toward her kittens. Even with first-time mothers, her instincts will kick in and look after all of the kitten's needs. From the second they are born, the mother cat helps them to feed, defecate, stay warm and even move around....

Dormancy is more than just sleeping. It is a period when and organism slows down its physical activity until it has essentially stopped. It can even seem like some animals are not alive since their metabolism is almost stopped and it can look as if they are not respiring. The reason for this is so that...

The appeal of turtles as pets rests with the individual. Some people prefer cats and dogs because they play with their guardians, are cuddly and are a larger part of pet culture. For others, the turtle has their own charm. They are adorable in their own way, their pace of life can help us to relax and...

Cats are reputed for their ability to produce quickly and at a young age. When it comes to having a cat, knowing your cat’s sexual cycle is key in understanding your animal better, and taking the necessary measures to avoid unwanted litters. Keep reading here at AnimalWised for more about cat mating,...

In this AnimalWised article, we deal with a topic which has raised the concern of many dog guardians. The topic of dog breeding is important because a dog will follow their natural desires and try to breed given the chance. It is also a controversial one due to the problem populations of dogs caused...

Snakes have different ways of reproducing, depending on the species to which they belong. Some snakes are oviparous and others are viviparous. Are you wanting to expand your knowledge about snakes? If so, you’ve come to the right place! For more about snake reproduction and fun snake facts, keep reading...

Canine reproduction is complex and there are numerous different factors when breeding is considered. All dog caregivers should have knowledge about their dog’s reproductive cycle, sexual maturity and more, especially in the case of avoiding unwanted litters. With male dogs, it is our responsibility as...

A male cat's penis has certain peculiarities which may, at first, appear somewhat shocking to some cat owners. A male cat’s penile is formed in such a way that it allows a cat to fulfill its necessary function within the reproductive cycle of the species. Keep reading here at AnimalWised to find out...

Heat in dogs is one of the biggest concerns that caregivers express when they live with dogs, whether male or female. Many dog owners want to prevent their dogs from having offspring, and in this case, it is essential to be able to recognize the characteristics of a female dog’s fertile period and to...

Taking a cat's temperature is not something you will necessarily need to do a lot. If we are going to share our life with a cat, it is still an important thing to know. This could be in case we see them acting differently or suspect they may be showing symptoms of disease. Fever is a common symptom for...

If you live with chickens or have found orphaned chicken eggs, you may be wondering, ‘‘How are chickens born?’’ The first thing you will need to do is verify that the eggs have in fact been fertilized. Once confirmed, there are a series of recommendations to take into account to ensure the proper development...

Frogs are amphibians that are present in a variety of ecosystems all over planet Earth. Encompassing the order Anura, they are the largest group of amphibians and their habitats range from tropical rainforests to subarctic regions. With over 6,000 individual species, it should be no surprise that frogs are...

Due to a horse’s impressive beauty, elegance, intelligence and sensitivity, they have managed to adapt to diverse activities and sports. For these above mentioned reasons, their breeding is now widespread throughout the world. After centuries of coexistence, however, we still have so much to learn from...

If we say that a dog is in heat, many of us know that it has something to do with their sexual maturity. If we have dogs of our own, then we may associate it with problematic behavior they exhibit during this time. However, many people apply the term ‘a dog in heat’ to male dogs also. But does the same...

If you’ve just adopted a rabbit it’s very important that you understand what basic care your rabbit basic requires. One of the most common doubts when it comes to rabbit care is about whether rabbits drink water, and above all, how much water rabbits need to be happy and healthy. It’s incredibly important...

There are several causes that can result in a cat reducing its habitual water consumption. Some of the many causes behind a cat not drinking water include, illness, excessive heat and behavioral problems. If your cat is not drinking water, this cannot be ignored. Dehydration in cats is extremely dangerous...

We have already spoken about how to tell if your dog is dying. Unfortunately, even with early detection, our dog may not be able to respond positively to treatment. If this is the case for you and your dog, then the next step is not going to be easy. If you have received the bad news that your dog is...

When we see a cat, the first thing we want to do is pet them. They are adorable creatures with a soft coat, not to mention the fact that petting cats has been known to reduce stress in humans. It may be surprising to know that even cat guardians don't always know how to pet a cat properly. The result can...

There is a reason for the term ‘breeding like rabbits’. Their reputation for prolific reproduction is not unfounded. They mature sexually early compared to some other mammals, they are receptive to mating for long periods and their mating act itself is relatively quick. For some countries, this has become...

The Pomeranian breed is known for many things. They have a little bear like face which belies the fact they are one of the sweetest and endearing dogs you could find. But it is the fluffy mane of fur from which this face emerges which many come to associate the most with the Pomeranian. With the highest volume...

The death of a pet is hard to deal with on many levels. There are practical and emotional responses which can make the process difficult if you are not prepared. While we can only prepare ourselves so much when a bunny dies, it is important to know that this is part of a rabbit's natural life cycle....

In this AnimalWised article, we are going to discuss ranitidine, a drug which is used to treat various conditions. Most of these conditions are related to gastrointestinal issues such as inflammation and acid reflux. Not all drugs safe for humans are safe for dogs, but ranitidine is one of them. Although...

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...

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 signs a rabbit is dying are not always obvious. It is important we know what to look out for, especially if we have a rabbit in their old age. Most of us will outlive our rabbits, but looking out for signs of illness or the last stages of life are important to ensure we either provide treatment or...

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...

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...

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...

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...