Animal fun facts

Overweight cats are prone to serious health issues such as diabetes, liver diseases, arthritis and more. This is why it's so important to make sure our cat stays within a healthy weight. In this AnimalWised article we're going to tell you how to tell if your cat is overweight, the health risks that come...

A cat’s whiskers, otherwise known as vibrissae, are incredibly interesting touch receptors. These sensory tools help cats maneuver in the dark or in threatening situations. Are you wondering, why are my cat’s whiskers so long? or whether or not cat whiskers fall out? if so, you’ve come to the right place....

Contrary to what many believe, there are many very shy and peaceful animals that are extraordinarily lethal. A sample is the sea serpent, who will flee before creatures that do not enter into their food alternative. Another example is the stoat, a diminutive being of only 300g, capable of successfully...

Dogs are animals with qualities, instincts and reactions different from those than we humans possess. The fact we live longer, but seem to take so long to mature implies animals have certain advantages over us. Too many people see animals, even dogs, as inferior. At AnimalWised, we see things differently....

The American Pit Bull Terrier and related Pit Bull types are among the most controversial dogs, often appearing in heated media debates. Under these circumstances, it is normal that several myths have developed surrounding this breed. How can you separate the myths from the facts? There are a number of...

Just like human babies, the younger an animal is, the more tender and cute they are. Nature is so magical and incredible that it has made some creatures look this way for their whole life. Most of these animals are unique and very delicate, living in remote areas, as far as possible from any human development...

Few reactions a cat makes receive the attention of hissing. It is a sound not quite unique to cats, but it is one we don't want to hear with any regularity. If we get scared, worried or defensive when we hear a cat hissing, it is not surprising. This is the point of the cat making this particular sound....

Some people only see horses alone in a stable, rarely in a field with other company. For this reason, it is too easy for some to see them as solitary animals. This is not the case. As with humans, horses are social animals which need contact with others to maintain their well-being. Horse communication...

While we may love our dog enormously, too many of us see petting them as a right rather than a privilege. Even though a healthy dog will want interaction, it doesn't mean they don't have boundaries. Dogs have sensitive areas on their bodies just like us. These are places where they either don't like to...

The Boxer dog breed is a very popular animal with many guardians. People fall in love with their affectionate and playful character as much as their distinct features. However, there are many people unfamiliar with the dog who find them intimidating. Since they are an athletic and muscular breed, some...

Using a hamster wheel, also know as an exercise wheel, is many a hamster's favorite activity. Unless you have a silent hamster wheel, you can hear them rotating with gusto in the early hours of the morning. While every hamster is an individual, if your companion doesn't seem to want to use their wheel,...

Cats like to explore. Their curiosity leads them to running around the house and investigating every nook and cranny. You can also see it in evidence when they stare out the window for long stretches at a time. The interior world holds much interest, but going outside can become a deep fascination for...

There are many important reason to neuter your dog. For the larger animal community, sterilizing dogs lessens the problems caused by overpopulation. For the individual, sterilizing can help the dog avoid various behavioral and health problems caused by the reproductive organs. These can range from avoiding aggression...

Have you ever looked for your cat everywhere, only for them to emerge from the most unlikely of places? Cats love to hide in remote, dark, warm and quiet places. This is a common behavior among all felines and its origin lies in their wild ancestry. Despite having lived with humans for thousands of years,...

If we see our dog has bit a rat, we will likely think about the reputation of these rodents. Although any wild animal can be a vector, rats are particularly associated with the spread of disease. This is partly due to their history, but it is largely a result of their nature. Rats live in close proximity...

Have you ever noticed the hair on your dog's back stand on end? It might be the hair along their spine stands up, almost like a hedgehog backed into a corner. These hairs are known as hackles and raised hackles are a normal reaction for the dog, similar to how we humans can experience goosebumps. Similarly,...

The saying claims that dogs are ‘man's best friend’, but it is often with adolescents and the young that dogs are most connected. A well-educated and positively reinforced dog often creates a very strong bond with their human family. Some are particularly fond of children and babies. While they may be willing...

Cats are very special animals, full of curious behaviors that may seem like crazy attitudes for humans, but which, in general, respond to a survival instinct that they preserve from their life in the wild. When living with a cat you quickly start picking up on the things that they like: sleeping next...

Occasionally, a cat's behavior can be inexplicable to humans. Things that seem funny to us, like chasing strings or climbing up curtains, are completely normal to them and are actually based on their feline instinct. If you've ever seen your cat rolling on the ground, chances are you've wondered what...

A dog's nose can change color due to benign changes in skin pigmentation, but there are some pathological reasons for a dog's nose to change color. The color of a dog's body is determined similar to humans, even their nose. Melanin is a pigment which binds to amino acids to create various shades and...

When we speak of emotional balance, we are referring to the ability of a living being that can offer appropriate emotional responses within their environment. But what are the characteristics of a balanced dog? What prevents a dog from being balanced? In this AnimalWised article we will show you 10...

What do dogs express with their tails? Are they simple movements or are they really part of their body language and communication? If you have always wanted to know more about the language of dogs, you cannot miss this AnimalWised article in which we show you all dog tail positions and what they mean. Do...

Are you a fan of hairless cats? In this AnimalWised article we're going show you 5 hairless cat breeds. We'll talk about each one of them, include a photo and even talk about the famous Elf cat and the recent Lykoi “werewolf” cat. Keep reading to learn more about these adorable hairless cat breeds!

It is a very common question that dog owners and people who live with dogs on a daily basis to ask themselves. How does my dog see me? Do dogs see in two dimensions? Does my dog see the world in the same way I do or other animals do? To answer this question, at AnimalWised we have created this article,...

Our first interesting fact about Peruvian guinea pigs is that they are not pigs, they are not from Guinea and they may not even be Peruvian. One of the oldest guinea pig breeds, the Peruvian guinea pig still has their wild cousins roaming across many parts of South America, not just Peru. They are just...

They may look cute and practical to take out in your handbag, but these genetically modified dogs have more health problems than you may think. There are many breeds that have their version of teacup dogs, such as the Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Chihuahua. Although they may be confused with toy...

Cats drool for various reasons, including both benign and potential health-related causes. Drooling in cats can be triggered by contentment and relaxation, where they enter a state of deep satisfaction. Excitement or anticipation can also lead to drooling, especially when they are eagerly awaiting something...

We are forever trying to interpret our dog's behavior. We know that a dog scratching at doors is likely because they want to get out, often as a result of separation anxiety. But when dogs scratch at the ground, it seems to be more from habit than out of concern. There are also different times when...

Wolfdogs are hybrids between different wolf sub-species and domestic dogs, most commonly those that look like wolves such as the Alaskan Malamute, Husky or German Shepherd. They are often bred as military dogs or for guarding purposes. Although owning a purebred wolf in the United States and most countries...

It is difficult to choose a single dog as the strongest dog breed in the world. There are several characteristics that give great strength to a dog, such as their body and bite. Despite the strength of a dog, they should never be used to fight. They must be educated from an early age with positive reinforcement...

If you have witnessed two cats mating you will know that they make a lot of noise. The truth is that meowing begins when the cats go into heat, to attract the attention of males. They also respond with meowing and this is how the procession begins. But it is during copulation that the screams and meows...

Today, we'd like to take the opportunities to share some highly compelling stories, those that are not usually told in the media, but that definitely make this world a better place, as it is not only humans that have acts of kindness and bravery, more often than not, animals are the kindest and altruistic creatures...

If you've seen a dog with a blue tongue, your first thought might be ‘where did they get the money to buy Jolly Ranchers?’ However likely this might seem, there just might be a more natural explanation. The Chow Chow is a dog which is estimated to have originated in China 2,000 years ago. Their distinctive...

Calico cats are appropriately named. Calico is a material which is easy to produce, but is also able to be dyed in many different colors for printing and clothing. Calico cats are a common variety which take different colors from their ancestors and combined them in a three colored coat. This can make...

It is easy to see the link between domestic cats and their big cat brethren. They have sharp canine (or should that be feline?) teeth which mimic the ferocious pictures we see in magazines like National Geographic. While their prey may not be as big as the beasts of the plain, you can see them pounce...

If you see your male dog mounting other male dogs, then it can may seem like confusing behavior. It raises certain questions about their actions and it may even embarrass some others at the dog park, not that it should. Much of dog behavior can seem odd to the uninitiated or uninformed. We also often attribute...

If you have more than one cat at home, you will know the joy of communal cat living. Not only do you have more felines to share your life with, but they have pals they can socialize with when you're unavailable. They can form a great bond together and it is not uncommon to witness real sadness when one...

Any cat owner will be aware that felines like their independence. Unlike dogs, they are solitary animals in the wild. This doesn't mean they don't require socialization, but it does mean it's not unusual for them to spend most of the day outside and barely greet you when they return. On the contrary,...

In the wild, an animal's eyes might be the first thing you see as they walk toward you in the dark. While your cat may be a domestic animal, they are no exception. This is because the glow in your cat's eyes derives its purpose from their wild ancestry. Just because they are not as large as a tiger or...

How many times have you seen your dog scratching their bed before laying down? It's not quite the same as fluffing your pillow before you rest your head at night, so why do they do it? This behavior may seem pointless or compulsive, but understanding this compulsion simply requires us to think the way...

Viviparity is a form of reproduction that is found in most mammalian creatures as well as some reptiles, fish and amphibians. It isn't, however, limited to the animal kingdom as viviparous plants also exist. Viviparity is a term which has some variation, but is generally accepted to refer to live birth of...

Cats can lick for hours. When you have that much fur, being clean takes dedication. Removing dirt accumulated over the day or detangling knots from their fur, cats use their specially adapted tongues to maintain proper hygiene. However, sometimes this cleaning ritual doesn't stop with their own bodies....

Mexico is a country located in the central zone of Latin America. It is known for its historical past, delicious food and its celebration of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los muertos), which have all given the world picturesque images of its culture. The characteristics of its environment vary. Some areas...

There are many reasons animals go extinct. They tend to come under the general groupings of those caused by human interference, loss of habitat, rivalry with other animals in the same ecosystem or even natural selection. Of course, there are many other reasons we do not have the resources to, at least as...

The part of our day leaving your dog home alone is one of the most difficult of the day. The undeniable look of sadness in your dog’s eyes when you have to go to work can easily form a lump in your throat. Many animals then howl and cry in reaction. The howling from our animals can cause many problems,...

Among the South American countries, Brazil stands out not only for its continental dimensions and its multifaceted culture, but also for its enormous natural diversity. From North to South of the Brazilian territory, we find diverse ecosystems that make up a privileged bio-diverse landscape. Although...

It is not uncommon that, as dog keepers, we sometimes observe distinct behavior in our dog when it sleeps. This behavior can be presented through shaking, twitching, leg movement, eye movement and breathing agitation. And soon after, your dog will either wake up as if nothing has happened, or continue sleeping...

There is the widespread belief that cats are independent animals and are not sociable or affectionate. Although some felines can be more aloof than others, this description does not apply to the majority of domestic cats. Most often displays of affection are welcome and signify a health bond. When this...

Dogs communicate through smell, vocalization, body language and more. One of the most common ways a dog communicates is through licking. From the moment a dog is born it’s mother licks it, this is can be sign of protection, love or cleanliness. Therefore, one must understand that this habit is habitual...

Have you ever stopped to imagine how our 5 senses as humans help us perceive the world? Due to the difference in anatomical structure between animals and humans, our perception of the world differs. We see color differently and many animals, due to evolution, have gained senses which have been specifically...