Facts about the animal kingdom of Pets
377 articles
The first thing you might think about petting a cat is the physical experience. As very clean animals, cats keep their coat in premium condition. This not only benefits their hygiene, but it keeps their coat soft to the touch. Petting them simply feels great. However, there are many hidden benefits of petting...
Cats are capable of finding amusement out of most anything. They can make a box into a playhouse, string into a snake or even play for hours with a piece of trash. While me not see why these activities are so entertaining, they don't usually impact on us. When our cat starts licking our hair, we might...
People who share their lives with cats know they will constantly surprise us with their antics. Even if we think we know felines well, they can often do something which seems completely out of the ordinary. When cats are inclined to do so, they can really perform some cool feats. Their abilities to...
There are many unexpected events which occur when you adopt a cat. While we do everything we can to prepare for the arrival of a feline into our family, we need to expect the unexpected. For example, we need to ensure we have the means to pay veterinary bills if some threat to their health occurs. For...
Those of us who share our lives with a feline will know they exhibit some seemingly odd behaviors. When we interrupt our cat licking their privates, rolling around in the dirt or any similar activity, they may even look surprised when interrupted. It is of the utmost importance as cat guardians we understand...
Cats are independent and playful animals, but they are also very affectionate and loving. Many new cat caregivers may not know this and may even be surprised when their cat decides to curl up next to them at night. It's actually very common for cats to sleep on top of their caregivers at night for a...
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,...
Cats have beautiful eyes. This is not just because of the shape of their eyes, but also due to the colors their eyes can be. The most common colors are: blue, green, yellow, hazel/brown or mixed. However, each cat will have their own shade of these colors. And then, there are other, rare colors that...
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...
All cats are beautiful, but there is no doubt that white cats have a particular allure. Their beautiful white coats give them an elegance and grace which makes them particularly popular pets. However, such a beautiful appearance often comes at a price. This is because white cats are more likely to be...
Understanding feline behaviour can help us create a better bond with our cat as we learn to understand their type of communication. Cats communicate with a number of different movements. They use their ears, paws, and even their tails.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why a cat wags their...
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...
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,...
Cats are well-known for enjoying heights. With their supreme jumping ability, it would seem a shame not to use their natural skills. Cats will not only jump up to high places, but they can spend long periods sleeping there. It is a behavior of both cats in the wild and domestic cats. Although the impulse...
Food shortages and low temperature pose two serious challenges for small rodents living in the wild. These two factors become more serious during winter. This is why we can observe many species hibernating through winter for survival.
However if you have a domestic hamster, you may be asking yourself whether...
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...
There are many different species of birds, not all of which you will want to keep in your house. Although all animals are beautiful, trying to keep a seagull in a cage is not going to be a happy experience for anyone. This is why some birds are kept as pets and others are not. Some pet birds are suited...
Chimpanzees share 99%of our DNA, yet they can't speak like us. So, why can parrots talk like humans, but other animals can't? When observing birds imitate sounds and even pronounce English words, we are often left amazed about how these small creatures can speak our language. They don't have lips and...
Cats often “meow” to communicate certain things, however we've all seen videos of cats meowing similarly to an English word. Can cats talk like humans? In this AnimalWised article we are going to elaborate on cat communication.
We will share with you how a cat communicates with humans, if cats can really...
Rabbits are small mammals that are now a common domestic pet. We are oftentimes surprised and entertained by our pet's behaviour. We try to understand their behaviour and experience so as to provide them with a good quality of life.
A common question rabbit companions have is, what do rabbits see?...
Communication is the foundation of any relationship. For a dog, this includes the relationship they have with us and with any other animal. We know much of what we do about canine communication thanks to studying how dogs interact with each other. However, it is often too easy to make assumptions on...
Having a companion animal in our life is known to be beneficial for people with anxiety. Petting them and reciprocating affection can be great ways to ease stress. Even just watching them sleep can be a very relaxing experience. When we see that our cat is twitching in their sleep, this relaxation may...
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...
Even for those who have kept rabbits as pets for a long time, it is common to refer to them as rodents. As a small furry animal which runs about on all fours, they bear certain similarities to other rodents such as mice, shrews and rats. In behavior, they procreate rapidly, gnaw continuously and live in...
Many feline behaviors make sense from a human perspective. The way they wolf down their food, curl up in a cosy ball or even purr in delight all seem reasonable to us. Walking in between our legs as if to trip us up or rubbing against us doesn't seem to be quite as understandable. When we guess reasons...
Among the many myths which circulate about cats, the idea that cats are contemptuous of humans is one of the most damaging. While they are more independent and self-reliant than dogs, this does not mean cats don't have an important bond with their human companions. In extreme cases, such a view can encourage...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Looking into another pair of eyes can be an intense experience. We call them the window to the soul for a reason. If a person has eyes of two different colors, the effect can be magical. When a dog displays this feature, the impression is no less enchanting. The medical terminology for this phenomenon...
Losing your cat can be a terrible and devastating experience. However, it is crucial to get to work as soon as possible in order to find the missing cat and bring it back home. The more time you let pass, the more difficult it may be to recover your cat. Cats are real survivors, and will be able to use...
There are more than 400 dog breeds, each with their own peculiarities that distinguish them from one another. Some of these characteristics might seem quite strange, for example dog breeds that have blue tongues. Although they are normally referred to as blue, the dark pigmentation on a dog's tongue...
If you have lived with cats you will already be familiar with their characteristic meows. You have probably also noticed that cats emit different meowing sounds depending on what they want to convey or achieve. If you can understand a cat's language you will be able to care for them better. So, it is important...
Cows go ‘moo’, pigs go ‘oink’ and dogs go ‘woof’, right? Canine communication is a little more complicated than children's books may lead us to believe. Dogs are capable of a range of vocalizations and barking is just one of them. Not all dogs will do it to the same degree. A dog's system of communication...
Cats are supposed to be excellent hunters. The fact that various cats have been brought onto ships, into businesses and even into the Houses of Parliament in the UK shows they are valued for their hunting abilities. Like working dogs, these cats are used as mousers as their hunting instincts draw them...
Are you looking for short dog quotes or sentimental dog quotes? Do you want to express your friendship with your pup with a photo and a quote which does your relationship justice? Whether you are looking for funny dog quotes, dog quotes for Instagram, short dog quotes or cute dog quotes, this article...
Few animals have had as complex relationship with humans as cats. It is believed the domestication of cats began around 9,000 years ago, but the actual date is difficult to determine due to the limits of historical and archaeological evidence. We do know they were revered in antiquity as incarnations...
The use of a muzzle in dogs is sometimes an unfortunate necessity. For example, some jurisdictions have laws requiring dogs to be muzzled on public transport. Dogs with traumatic backgrounds or with poor socialization may need to be muzzled when walked in busy areas. Some people think they should be...
When you look your canine best friend in the eye, it is undeniable to some they have feelings. On a daily basis, we build the bond of friendship and mutual trust with our dogs. Each shared moment is further evidence to support dogs having emotions and expressing them through body language and vocalizations....
Although rabbits have the reputation of being quiet animals, this doesn't mean they don't make noise. In fact, rabbit sounds have a wide variety of function and purpose. Rabbits make noise to communicate with other rabbits, other animals and even we humans. As rabbit guardians, it's imperative we learn what...
The anatomy of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is something which is difficult to qualify. The main reason for this is because there are so many dog breeds in the world. More than 300 are officially recognized by standardization bodies such as the FCI as well as the many mixed breed variants which...
There is no doubt over the adorability of kittens. While they will eventually turn into a cute adult cat, it can seem their kitten stage passes by in moments. Cats go through various stages in their development process, evolving as much in physical appearance as maturity and temperament. Each stage is unique,...
As a dog lover, you’ve probably noticed that your dog shakes itself a lot, but why? Dogs shake themselves for many different reasons, some being shaking to relieve stress, tension or irritation and or as a symptom of a health problem. If you’re wondering why do dogs shake when they get up and more, this...
Dogs are complex, fascinating and interesting animals that do things which sometimes, we as humans, do not quite understand. One of the most common dog habits which people tend to question is butt smelling. ‘‘Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?’’ Did you know that the main reason dogs smell each other’s...
You may have noticed your cat keeps their mouth open when they smell something. When they do this, they make a kind of grimace with their face. You may think they are surprised by a certain odor, but there is something much more fascinating going on. We humans have a certain tendency to associate certain...
It is estimated that dogs and humans have lived together for around 3,000 years. Despite our long and happy time together, there are still some new discoveries to be made. Every year new studies in canine ethology are produced, enlightening us about a dog's biology and behavior. Some of these revelations...
All dogs have whiskers, be them short or long. These whiskers are visible on a dog’s snout as rigid and firm textured hair. Some people cut their dogs’ whiskers for aesthetic reasons in an effort to meet certain breed "standards." This is, however, incredibly dangerous and can cause unnecessary damage.
For...
A navel reminds us of the deep union that once existed between child and mother before birth. It’s quite normal that, as an animal tutor you may to wonder, do dogs have belly buttons? And if they do, where is my dog’s belly button?
For more about which animals have belly buttons and whether or not dogs...