Facts about the animal kingdom of Pets

Heterochromia irides (in Greek), or “differently colored iris” is a genetic default when a living creature has two differently colored eyes. Seen mostly in dogs, horses, and cats, this condition is present in humans as well. Some of the most common heterochromatic dogs include Australian Shepherds, Siberian...

Statistics show that a very high percentage of dog attacks are involving children, approximately 80% of total cases. Do not overlook this figure, as there is a reason for it. In this Animalwised article we will discuss the main reasons dogs become aggressive towards children, how we can avoid attacks and...

Learning to communicate with your dog is essential for a balanced and happy coexistence. Often a lack of understanding between dog and owner can lead to unwanted behavior, due to poor non-verbal communication. Luckily, you can improve your relationship with them whilst you attempt to figure out what...

The stunning beauty of the feline species is even further accentuated by different colored eyes. This is known as heterochromia and cat. What causes these rare creatures to be odd eyed cats? This AnimalWised article strives to find out why do some cats have different colored eyes? Cats with heterochromia...

The story of Balto is one of the most captivating real events in US history and proves that dogs are capable of incredible feats. So much so, Balto's adventure hit movie screens in 1995, in the eponymous film, Balto. AnimalWised will now tell you the true story of Balto, the dog that became a hero. Keep...

Many people consider Persian cats to be elegant, sophisticated and even strange-looking pets because of their peculiar face and long fur. They have a calm character, and they love to doze and relax no matter where they are. They are also affectionate and intelligent pets. This breed can be found in many...

Dogs usually tremble for two reasons: Because they are cold, or because they are scared and afraid. However, Greyhounds are a breed with very special characteristics. While the previous general rule applies to them, it is also true that Greyhounds can tremble for several other reasons. There are several...

Sometimes people who have adopted a rabbit wonder "why does my rabbit lick itself?" In fact, this question has more than a single answer. Rabbits do not usually communicate using sounds, although they are able to produce a limited range. Due to the fact that these animals are highly preyed upon in their natural...

Does the name Hachiko sound familiar to you? Hachiko was a loyal Japanese dog that waited at a train station for 10 years for the arrival of its owner, who had died while working as a teacher. This dog's faithfulness went on to achieve worldwide fame, and it has a statue at the same station where it...

Cats are often celebrated for their incredible agility and their almost legendary ability to survive falls from high places. But it's natural to wonder, where is the limit? The science behind how cats manage to survive these falls is a fascinating blend of evolutionary adaptations, their quick reflexes,...

While it may appear as if your dog is howling for no reason, this is not the case. It may not be obvious, but understanding a dog's canine instinct and behavioral traits will help you to understand the reason for their howling. To do so, we need to look at the context of the howling. This can include the genetics...

Anyone who has shared their home with a cat knows these mysterious creatures have their own unique ways of communicating. From a subtle tail flick to personalized meows just for their humans, cats speak volumes if we learn to listen. While dogs are more obvious, cats communicate with nuance and subtlety,...

We cannot tell a dog we are pregnant directly. We can intimate it during the pregnancy and they will be fully aware of a baby's presence once they are born. Fortunately, dogs are likely aware of the pregnancy thanks to their own perceptive abilities. It is even possible a dog will be aware that their...

Can dogs sense when their owner is about to go into labor? Many pet owners claim their dogs act differently in the days leading up to childbirth, becoming more protective, clingy, or even restless. But is there any truth to this, or is it just a coincidence? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and intuition,...

Many of us speak about calico cats as if they were their own breed. All calicos share distinct characteristics, both physically and genetically, but they are not a specific breed. The calico is a tricolor coat pattern which belongs to various breeds of cat. Of the estimated 600+ million domestic cats in...

White cats are often associated with deafness, and while there's some truth to this idea, the situation is more complex. Not all white cats are deaf, and deafness isn't exclusive to white cats. However, certain white cats are indeed at a significantly higher risk of hearing loss, depending on their...

Flying squirrels are a type of squirrel with unique adaptations to surviving in their environment. Squirrels can live in trees or on the ground, but flying squirrels are distinct for their ability to glide between trees. They are not a true flying mammal like the bat, but they have a membrane of skin between...

Squirrels belong to the taxonomic family Sciuridae which includes about 286 species. These are grouped into three main types known as tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels. These small mammals stand out for their agility, with even ground squirrels being very nimble when climbing or running. They...

During the holiday season, decorations can help bring cheer to the cold winter months. Some of us may have modest tastes, but making more elaborate and large-scale Christmas decorations is a growing trend. We may find them appealing, but they can also be irresistible to pets. Since many of the decorations are...

A cat's sense of hearing is much more acute than our own, an evolutionary trait which has allowed them to continue to be the incredible hunters they are. There are important reasons for this. Humans have adapted to rely more on social communication and agriculture to meet our survivals needs. Since cats...

There is a widespread belief in many cultures that a dog howling means death is about to come. While not as prevalent as it once was, this belief was once very common in European, Asian, Middle Eastern and Native American cultures. Dogs were seen as having a paranormal connection with the spirit world, meaning...

Understanding how cats perceive humans has been an aim of feline ethologists for many years. While biological research has helped us to understand the physical perception of cats, our knowledge of how cats see us emotionally is impeded by the limitations of interspecies communication. Put simply, we cannot...

If you look at a cat tongue up close, you will see there are tiny little white hooks covering its surface. Although we expect the tongues of a fellow mammal to be smooth like our own, different animals adapt their body parts for different reasons. A cat's tongue feels rough to the touch. If we are cuddling...

Curiosity, hunger, stress, affection, and grooming are just a few of the reasons why a cat might lick your hands. Cats are very particular about their hygiene and use licking to keep their skin and fur clean. If you’ve ever wondered why a cat licks your hands, it’s often tied to their grooming habits, which...

Sniffer dogs, renowned for their exceptional sense of smell, are specially trained to detect and locate a wide range of substances and objects. These breeds are highly intelligent and can be easily trained to follow specific commands and perform their tasks with accuracy. These skilled canines play a crucial...

The Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Xoloitzcuintle are two dog breeds that are often confused with each other. This is understandable since they have many key characteristics which are similar. They are both from Latin America, an area of the world from which only a minority of recognized breeds originate....

When a male dog mates with a female, the copulation process involves a period where the two dogs are stuck together. This is due to engorgement of the genitals and its purpose is to ensure that as much sperm as possible can be introduced to have the best chance of egg fertilization. When intertwined, the...

Mexico is known for its vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, but did you know they are also the native home to some really interesting dog breed? With a rich history dating back centuries, this Latin American nation has produced some of the world's most unique and beloved dog breeds. From the tiny...

For millennia, dogs have held a unique place by our side, offering companionship, service, and unwavering loyalty. But how deeply does this bond extend? Can they truly understand the complexities of human emotion? Research suggests that dogs are highly sensitive to human feelings, often responding to...

Sometimes referred to as making biscuits, kneading is a peculiar behavior in cats. The feline extends out their paws and draws their digits back and forth as if they were a baker kneading bread. They do it on many different surfaces, but usually those that are soft and give some resistance. These can...

Cats are known for their cleanliness, exhibiting meticulous grooming habits in their surroundings. If your cat has taken to grooming itself on you, you may wonder about the reasons behind this behavior. While it may seem unusual, this behavior aligns with typical feline actions like rubbing against...

If you are a rabbit owner, understanding their behavior is crucial. These charming creatures have certain natural habits, from munching on hay to exploring. However, sometimes, you may notice quirky chewing habits, like nibbling on nothing. It's a subtle hint that something might be up, whether it's a...

The average life expectancy of rats can be up to three years of age, but this will depend on various factors. One of the most important is whether they are wild or pet rats. This is because the lifestyle of these different rat types has a great bearing on their health and well-being. Rats of the genus Rattus...

A cat sticking out their tongue can be a curious behavior which is often caught on video for memes. It gives the cat a strange appearance which can mimic similar human gestures. Although this can be funny to us, any behavior which is out of the ordinary for a cat must be understood in context. While most...

A cat purring on top of you is one of the most relaxing states in which we can find ourselves. The low hum of their contented purring benefits both cat and guardian, with the simple fact of spending time together encouraging their bond. The eagerness with which the cat will lay on top of their guardian...

Rabbits can recognize their owners with the right level of care. Although they can be sensitive and timorous, rabbits are much more social animals than their reputation would sometimes suggest. In the wild, rabbits will create large and complex social groups. When living in captivity, they can forge very strong...

Rabbits have between 26 to 28 teeth, which might be a surprising number since we can only clearly see the front set. Rabbits are famous for having buck teeth at the front of their mouths. These teeth are very important for a rabbit as they are specially adapted to their diet. Without them, a rabbit's...

Yawning is a common behavior that we often associate with tiredness or boredom in humans. But have you ever wondered why dogs yawn? Dogs, our loyal and beloved companions, also engage in this intriguing behavior, and it carries significant meaning in their world of communication. Understanding why dogs...

Cats vibrating their tail are communicating with others in their environment. Different tail positions and movements in cats will have different interpretations. To understand what they mean, we need to study feline communication and body language. We also need to look at the context of the situation. Understanding...

Cats are known to love to sleep. They often sleep for hours during the day. In fact, it is not uncommon for a cat to sleep up to 16 hours a day, with some cats sleeping even more. Although this may seem excessive to some, this is completely normal behavior for cats. Even though it is normal for cats...

When in natural light, we can look into our dog's eyes and see the deep coloration. Although a dog's eyes can be a range of colors, they are all patterned delicately and do not have any natural bioluminescence. For this reason, it can be quite an eerie sensation to see our dog's eyes light up like some...

While there will be general consistency, most cats will have a somewhat capricious nature. Sometimes they will want to preserve their personal space and have some moments alone. Other times they will be appear desperate for company. As long as you have a good relationship with your cat and a strong bond...

If your cat is pregnant, it is a good idea to prepare for the time of birth and the birth of the kittens. A very common question is how many kittens can my cat have. Usually it is between four and six kittens, but larger or smaller litters are not uncommon. Furthermore, if we take into account that female...

We know cats are very hygienic animals. They will spend much of their day grooming themselves senseless. Although we need to help them with brushing their coat and general maintenance, too many guardians neglect their dental care. Since a domestic cat's diet is different to their wild counterparts,...

As you know, the teeth of animals are specially adapted to the type of food they eat. Dogs, being carnivores, have incisors and canines with which they can grasp, tear and rip meat, and premolars and molars with which they can cut and grind food. Our dog's teeth can tell us a lot about our dog's health,...

It is no secret to anyone that cats are unique and extraordinary animals. We who live with them are always amazed at all the things they can do. Cats have always aroused our curiosity and have even given rise to some myths and legends around the world. The following AnimalWised article lists some of...

Dogs and cats are much more like us than we think, to the point that they are also ticklish. This is a sensation they feel when we stroke certain areas of their body where a large number of nerve endings are concentrated. However, unlike humans and primates, our pets are not able to feel all types of tickling. Read...

You may be aware that a dog can sense a woman's pregnancy. This is mainly thanks to their incredible sense of smell which allows them to observe cellular changes in a woman's body that we are ill equipped to perceive. It is also because our dog pays attention to us. When we build a strong bond with our canine,...

You may have heard that cats' behavior changes when a woman living in the same household becomes pregnant. Some even claim that cats are able to tell if a woman is pregnant even before she knows it herself. But how can this be? There are few scientific studies on the subject, but everything we know so...

Any animal lover who walks out on the street and sees a stray cat in a bedraggled state will feel a certain amount of pity. When they come to our property, we may even feel compelled to feed them since we have the resources. AnimalWised asks should you feed stray cats? In asking the question, we are not...