Extra animal care
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45 articles
You may be aware that it is a legal requirement to vaccinate or even microchip your cat in certain jurisdictions. While the exact rules differ according to country or state, pet owners can get in trouble if we don't follow them. It is also a legal requirement to have insurance for certain activities such...
Whether hereditary, congenital or acquired, blindness in dogs is a condition which will significantly affect the level of care they will need. Blind dogs will need their guardians to provide specialized care that will ensure their safety despite a loss of vision. The level of vision loss can vary in the...
There are many reasons you may want to help your cat to get to sleep. Some cats may be having a period of stress or hyperactivity which is making them restless. Helping them to sleep better will hopefully help with the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Another reason is the disruption even happy cats can cause...
Wet dog smell is a unique odor which often has the uncanny ability to linger for a long time. It is instantly recognizable and can infuse itself into soft furnishings as if they were the dog's own coat. Peculiar and unattractive, it is a smell that can also work its way into the fabric of our clothes and...
If you need to eliminate cat pee odor from your house it will be due to the cat urinating outside their litter box. There are various reasons why this will occur. It could be due to their age. Kittens may not have learned to use the litter box and senior cats often suffer incontinence in their old age....
The best toys for Chihuahuas are similar to the toys all dogs need, but they have some specific considerations we need to make when caring for them. Chihuahuas are one of the most popular breeds in the world. The fact they are the smallest may be one of the reasons for this, but it is their uniquely charming...
You may need to know what to feed a baby pigeon if you come across one which appears abandoned or injured. However, before we can think about feeding a baby pigeon, there is a certain protocol we need to follow. Such a protocol is to protect the health and wellbeing of both the pigeon and ourselves. Part...
Keeping our dogs comfortable in hot weather is a top priority for responsible dog owners. As temperatures rise, we often seek ways to cool down ourselves, such as turning on the fan or cranking up the air conditioning. But what about our pets? Do fans and air conditioning have the same positive effects...
Mobile apps are a great tool to help us manage different aspects of our daily lives. For dog and cat caregivers, they open a door to multiple possibilities that will allow them to take better care of their welfare, among other benefits. To illustrate this, in this article we will talk about Flockr, one...
Neutering or spaying a dog is a surgical procedure in which the reproductive organs are removed: In female dogs, the ovaries, and uterus are removed; in males, the testicles are removed. This procedure is becoming more common as the importance of neutering a dog and its benefits become better known among...
Cats love heights, but their penchant for altitudes can often get them in trouble. There is a reason for the clichéd trope of firefighters having to remove cats stuck in trees, but the real danger is not the cat going up to heights. The problem is the risk of falling from them. Falling from heights in cats...
When we adopt a turtle, we should know what we are likely to experience. We won't be able to play fetch or run in the country. This doesn't mean turtles aren't incredibly rewarding pets, but they are slow movers. They can remain still for long periods, even if they are not asleep. However, they do move...
When a dog is experiencing their heat cycle, we can expect certain changes. Such changes apply to both their physical state and their behavior. As dog guardians, we need to ensure we provide care adapted to their changing needs. While this will involve a lot of practical care, it is possible a dog's emotional...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Newborn rabbits, also called bunnies, are very vulnerable. Normally, their mothers are very responsable and take great care of them. Nevertheless, we need to be informed as pet companions so we can provide them with whatever they may need to grow happily and healthily.
In this AnimalWised article we are going...
While we should clean our dog's paws after a walk where they might get dirty, the current COVID-19 pandemic means extra precautionary measures need to be in place. Containment of the novel coronavirus means anything that possibly comes in contact with contagious material needs to be cleaned. In the case...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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....
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...
Despite the great amount of coexistence between humans and cats, we are still surprised by aspects of their behavior. Therefore, in this AnimalWised article we will pay attention to how to recognize and calm a hyperactive cat.
We will first define the behavior we are going to refer to, then explain what guidelines...
Cats are especially clean animals. If we spent all day licking our extremities, we might not end up being the cleanest creatures on the planet. For cats, however, the opposite is true. Unfortunately, while performing these ablutions, they also end up ingesting a fair amount of fur. This can lead to nasty...
The ability of rabbits to go into a trance state seems like an odd quirk of nature. This must be the reason behind many of the Youtube videos of pet owners putting their bunnies into this odd state. Lying on their back, the bunnies will seem as if they are unconscious, not moving their limbs even if they...
You've probably heard of the term environmental enrichment on some occasions, but you are not entirely clear what it means or how it can benefit your cat. Although many cats are lucky enough to be welcomed in a comfortable house, the innate curiosity of cats can lead to boredom and character changes as time...
As time goes by, our pet may encounter certain situations in which their digestive or reproductive system means that they may suffer urine or blood leakage. Although we love our dogs, we may not want them to leave a trace on our floor or stains on our clothes and furniture. This is why diapers come as...
All those who have decided to welcome a dog to their home know they have just acquired a great deal of responsibility. Our furry friends need plenty of care and attention to avoid behavioral problems and health concerns.
However, there are factors that may be harder to control as they pose a threat to...
Who doesn't like being caressed and receiving affection? We all do, but especially dogs! One of the things that most fascinate our furry friends is a good round of affection and hugs. The longer they last, the better for them. Dogs will never tire of receiving love.
Stroking a dog has many benefits, even...
Olive oil is considered a “superfood” thanks to its many nutrients and nutritional benefits. Olive oil is just as healthy for cats as it is for humans.
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to discuss the benefits of olive oil for cats. We'll also look into the different uses for olive oil for cats.
Many people love keeping rabbits as pets instead of dogs or cats: bunnies look like fluffy clouds, a bit like plush toys to be petted and cuddled all day long. No wonder then that many people ask themselves, "is it bad to sleep with my rabbit?"
Some people may find cuddling with their pets comforting, and...
Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest breeds of sled dogs? This breed is native to the Arctic and is known for its beauty, great strength and ability to work, which is why this type of dog was chosen for expeditions to the Arctic Circle and rescued wounded people during World War II.
While...
Cuttlefish bone, or cuttlebone, is the inner shell of the cuttlefish, a kind of invertebrate mollusk. Cuttlefish are the only cephalopods that have this kind of shell, as squids have a very different inner structure that resembles a long and very thin cartilage known as squid pen.
This shell is made of...
When the heat comes, it is very important to take certain precautions so that your dog stays cool and without any risk of suffering heatstroke or sunstroke. This is especially important for long-haired and dark-haired dogs, as they are more susceptible to suffering from these problems.
At AnimalWised...
Adopting a kitten or looking after a cat's newborn litter fills the entire home with love. However, even if these animals are known for being very independent and instinctive, they also require specific care and attention, and even more so during the first few months of their lives.
If you provide your...
Everyone who owns or wants a canary is delighted when they hear this bird sing. In fact, a happy canary that enjoys your company and likes its home will even be able to learn different songs. Whether your canary sings or not will depend on many factors such as the condition of its cage, its diet, mood...
A canary is the perfect pet for those of us who enjoy listening to this wonderful bird's melodies at home. Moreover, canaries love living with others, have beautiful colors you can never get tired of, and are appreciative to their owners. Each canary is special and has its own unique personality. This...