Facts about the animal kingdom of Pets
332 articles
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Cats are animals that are found in abundance in our streets. This is mainly because they have a very short gestation period, which means they can cause overpopulation in a very short period of time, but this is a discussion for another day. In this article we will try to give you some tips for shooing...
Dogs, like all animal species, have a different way of expressing themselves. Dogs use specific body language and vocal sounds to communicate their mood and feelings. As dog tutors, it is important to both understand and respect canine nature in order to learn to communicate better with our furry friends....
Puppies, as with human babies, do not have any teeth at birth. Eventually newborn puppies will develop one or two deciduous teeth (also known as milk teeth) which are only partly developed and temporary. During breastfeeding, puppies will exclusively suckle from their mother's breast and don't require...
When our dog wants to lay their head on us, it is almost impossible to resist. Even when we are busy, the expression of closeness means we don't want to deny it. There is good reason why we enjoy our dog laying our head on us. As an expression of the bond between us, it can help reduce stress and improve...
People have an innate tendency to humanize their cat’s behavior. Many affirm that cats love us when a cat sits calmly on our lap and purrs when we pet them. And if a cat bites or ignores us completely, it’s a natural assumption to believe that our cat hates us. But is this a fair analysis?
Are you wondering...
Our responsibility when adopting a dog is feeding, watering and caring for their basic needs. Our joy when living with a dog is getting to give them all the love they deserve. This means pampering when we can, giving them plenty of caresses and petting them like crazy. Fortunately, for most dogs, this is...
We might stereotype people who watch funny cat videos as people who are easily distracted or who don't have enough taste to do something more productive, but we all know it's not true. Cat videos are for all. This is partly because there are many different types of cat videos. Some are boring and inane....
Black cats, perhaps more than any other type of cat, evoke such a response in we humans. Culturally, black cats have appeared in folk tales, art, films, internet memes and much more. This is not to say that the image of a black cat means to same to all cultures. Some see black cats as ominous figures,...
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....
Cats have a very well develop sense of smell. It is believed they have between 45 and 200 million olfactory receptors. They use these receptors to pick up on aromas of even the smallest concentration within their environment. The privileged nose of felines means they use it as an important tool to find...
Not counting the almost unlimited possibilities for mixed breed dogs, there are over 300 officially recognized dog breeds across the world. Each dog within these different breeds is an individual with a personality influenced by many factors. How obedient any dog will be is informed most by their socialization...
Undoubtedly, one of the best things about being a dog tutor is that we never really feel alone. In fact, sometimes it may feel as if we are constantly being watched by our furry best friends, who’s eyes seem to follow us everywhere.
Have you ever noticed that your dog stares at you constantly, sometimes...
We know that adopting a cat, regardless of breed, color, sex or age, is an act of pure love. In addition, cat adoption gives us the opportunity to live with a charming, caring and beautiful animal. How often have you been genuinely surprised by the skills and abilities that your cat has presented? There...
There's a reason why dogs don't normally wear shoes. The soles of their feet are durable enough for them to walk across different terrain. If we were to go out in the snow without shoes, we wouldn't last very long. Huskies somehow manage to trek across snowy terrain on their paws alone. And yet, a dog's...
Because of their adorable appearance and their restless nature, hamsters often attract attention and arouse a lot of curiosity, especially among children. However, it is very important to inform yourself about everything you need to know about hamsters before adopting one. Once all the important hamster...
Cats have a reputation of being frightened easily. So much so it has lead to the phrase ‘scaredy-cat’. However, some of the things that scare cats the most might be something you haven't considered before. You may be unaware you have been scaring them which has lead to cat anxiety. This is why AnimalWised...
You’ve probably noticed that your dog loves to sleep in a specific position. But have you every wondered what the meaning of this dog sleeping position is? Firstly, it is important to remember that an adequate amount of good sleep is necessary for a dog’s well-being. Therefore, we suggest respecting your...
Did you know that the world’s oldest cat reached up to 30 years old? Scooter was a tomcat and his life totaled to about 136 human years when calculated. As extraordinary as this sounds, a cat that has received all necessary care can in fact experience extraordinary longevity.
Many cat carers always...
It is important to know that if your dog is urinating where it eats, it is considered an unequivocal symptom of a problem. The act of a dog peeing beside or on food can be due to many causes and can manifest in dogs of all ages.
In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing some possible causes...
If you share your home with a cat, you will be privy to a whole host of seemingly odd behaviors. Lying on their back an exposing their belly to you is just one of them. What is even stranger is that they do this, but then attack you like a jackrabbit if you try to pet their stomach. Adding to the confusion...
Many guardians wonder if their cats like kisses or if this kind of display of affection is uncomfortable for felines. Unfortunately, many others do not make this consideration. Instead they kiss and cuddle their kittens without considering their comfort and tolerance levels. It's important to remember that...
Of course, there are many reasons why a cat might cry, mewl or yowl. Each circumstance needs to be considered and the well-being, health and behavioral characteristics of the cat will help us to determine why your cat is crying al the time. However, there are some general reasons and common situations...
The reasons why cats run away from their poop can be due to instinct, but it is also possible they do so because of a problem in the home. For this reason, when a cat has a zoomie out of the litter box, it doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem, but we have to determine the cause in case there is...
It is common for your dog to always want to sleep next to you in bed or simply in the same room. Although not all dogs will do so, this behavior is related to their canine nature. Being social animals, wanting to sleep next to their guardians is a way to encourage our bond and feel secure. It is a behavior...
Cats use their bodies to communicate with us, other animals and their environment. Thanks to their postures and facial expressions, our felines are able to transmit their state of mind and perceptions about their environment.
By understanding your cat’s postures and expressions, you will not only better...
When it comes to choosing a toy or a dog training tool for your dog, it is important to take into account which colors are the most striking for dogs. In this way, you can ensure that your dog can distinguish toys from other objects, include floors.
In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing...
Although black cats have been victims of a bad reputation for centuries, this stigmatization has decreased in recent years. Unfortunately, it has not gone away completely. For some, their mysterious appearance and inclusion is various folklores makes them the ideal pet. For others, black cats have negative...
Cats can run very fast, making it difficult for humans to catch them if they run somewhere they shouldn't. They can dart about easily through our legs and even run up vertical surfaces with seemingly little effort. Although they have great speed in small spaces, does this mean cats can run faster than...
Animals have many ways of communicating with each other. This may be through sight, sound, body language and smells. Humans share these methods of communication, but one which has yet to be verified by a peer reviewed study is our use of pheromones. The same cannot be said for cats as scientists have been...
For any close relationship to work, you will need to build trust. Whether it is a friend, a family member or a partner, living without trust will cause a stressful living environment. The same goes for your pets. If you have recently adopted a cat, whether a kitten or an adult, you will want to know...
Hedgehogs are cute mammals which hold an incredibly interesting appearance. Part of the subfamily Erinaceinae, they sport an upturned nose and spines, otherwise known as modified hollow hairs which are stiffened. These spines are commonly known as hedgehog spikes. It is important to keep in mind, that...
If you have a cat you've probably seen it lying in the sun many times before. But as we know, lying in the sun for humans can sometimes be dangerous but does this apply to our cats as well? Cats lie in the sun in order to relax, that much is clear. Any opportunity they have at enjoying sunshine, they will take...
To know what physical changes have occurred in dog breeds over the last 100 years or so, then we have to go back to 1873. This is when the Kennel Club was founded. This British breeders club was designed, in part, to standardize the morphology (the study of physical shape and form) of dog breeds for the first...
Cats are animals which possess unique and distinctive character traits and behavioral patterns. So much so, that there are many myths surrounding the feline species with some stating that cats can absorb negative or bad energies. One of the main examples of these is the popular saying and belief that black...
Asian dog breeds have unique features in terms of physicality and personality. Much of this has to do with the history of their domestication and their interaction with their native land. However, while breeds from China and other parts of Asia (such as Japan) are popular, there may be some you have not...
