Facts about the animal kingdom of Pets
332 articles
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....
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
Dogs love to sleep with their beloved tutors, because they feel more secure when it comes to enjoying a healthy sleep. Therefore it is not uncommon that animal’s often choose to sleep with or at the feet of their guardians. Animals will take any opportunity to receive affection, and this act of sleeping with...
The strong reputation dogs hold as main prominent protectors is undeniable. If looking for protection, a person is more likely to adopt a dog than a cat. However, we must not forget that cats too are able to establish a very special bond with their owner as well as protect them from any harm.
Many people...
It is not often we have someone try to make eye contact with us when we do our personal business. When a dog looks at us when they poop, it can seem disconcerting. It may even make some people feel uncomfortable as we don't quite understand why a dog wants to share this personal moment with us. Making...
Are you passionate about Siberian Huskies? Whether you have adopted one into your family or are simply love watching YouTube videos of these fantastic beasts, you might want to know more about this fascinating breed. If so, you're in the right place. AnimalWised brings you the 10 things you didn't know...
We all have stresses in our lives which are often exacerbated by life outside the home. This is why coming home to an excited furry friend can be a great antidote to a stressful day. Sometimes our pet can hear us coming along the drive and is right at the door waiting before we can even put the keys into...
Our dogs are faithful and intelligent animals. And even though they sometimes do things we don't quite understand, we love them nonetheless. Although, most people don't know that most of the weird and funny things that our dogs do are supported by reasonable explanations.
Do you want to find out the...
Some people believe cats have a preternatural ability to find their way home. While they have better olfactory function than humans, the idea that they can find their way home whatever the circumstance is both false and dangerous. Cats get lost every day and some may never make it back home. Additionally,...
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...
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...
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...
