Animal care
318 articles
There is quite a lot of interest about possums as pets. In our need to be connected to nature, many people are looking to exotic pets to keep in the home. As with any non-domesticated animal, we need to start with a question. Can we keep possums as pets? Furthermore, is it right to take wild animals away...
Malnutrition is defined as a widespread nutrient deficiency and its causes can be diverse. Causes such as an infestation by intestinal parasites or a symptom leading to the poor absorption of nutrients. However, most cases of malnutrition occur in abandoned dogs.
Taking in an abandoned dog is one of the...
The Fruit Bat is a Megabat, also known in some parts of the world as the Flying Fox. These bats differ in sizes depending on their habitat. Some fruit bats are not more than 2 inches in size whilst others measure 16" in length. Some of these bats weigh an ounce or two while others, a couple of ounces....
Wrinkly faced pups need extra special care. Pugs, bulldogs and other wrinkly dogs need your love, care, and attention when it involves cleanliness of the wrinkles and ridding the skin of infection around their folds. The skin folds and wrinkles may be adorable in appearance, but they provide the ideal breeding...
The Spanish Water Dog is a beloved breed that is famed for being a great assistant to sailors, coast guards, forest rangers, firefighters, and in any situation involving fresh or salt water. As their name points out, they are excellent swimmers.
This breed's coat does not get spoiled by water, a rare...
The American Akita descends from the Matagi Akita, a breed from 17th Century Japan. These dogs were used for bear hunting at first, and later as fighting dogs. Over the decades they were crossbred with Tosa Inu and Mastiffs, originating different Akita breeds which were classified according to their use.
American...
The Siberian Husky is native to a region with one of the harshest climates on Earth: northeastern Siberia. This breed is very old and evolved during thousands of years under the watch of the Chukchi people, who bred them to adapt to their environment.
Northeastern Siberia is terribly cold during the...
Persian or Farsi is a major language descended from Old Persian. This Iranian language falls within the Indo-Irani branch of the languages within the Indo-European family. Farsi is primarily spoken in Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan, as well as other regions influenced by Persian culture: more than 110...
As long as you take a responsible attitude towards the mother and her puppies, to witness the birth of a litter at home is an amazing and very formative event. However, before your dog gives birth to puppies, it is essential that you learn about pregnancy in dogs and the necessary care you must provide...
Many people love keeping rabbits as pets instead of dogs or cats: bunnies look like fluffy clouds, a bit like plush toys to be petted and cuddled all day long. No wonder then that many people ask themselves, "is it bad to sleep with my rabbit?"
Some people may find cuddling with their pets comforting, and...
If you love cats or have a cat at home, you will probably have wondered whether bathing cats is good for them, or whether it is necessary at all. In this AnimalWised article we will answer all these questions and we will give you some tips to bathe your cat.
Is it bad to bathe cats? Many people believe...
Did you know that the Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest breeds of sled dogs? This breed is native to the Arctic and is known for its beauty, great strength and ability to work, which is why this type of dog was chosen for expeditions to the Arctic Circle and rescued wounded people during World War II.
While...
If you are thinking of adopting a Sphynx cat, you must take into account some details about their diet and skincare to prevent possible health problems. While the Sphynx cat's baldness is their most popular trait - it's caused by a recessive gene - they do have some hair.
In this AnimalWised article we'll...
The goldfinch is a small bird with beautiful plumage and a beautiful, cheerful song, points that make it highly prized as a pet among fans worldwide. In some areas, there are even singing contests that showcase this beautiful bird.
Caring for a goldfinch is not complicated, but there are some aspects to consider....
Puppies up for adoption are at what is definitely the sweetest stage of a dog's life, no matter whether they are Pit Bulls, Boxers or German Shepherds. All puppy dogs require the same attention, the same learning process and the same affection. Although this is a fun stage where the whole family works...
Have you ever seen a cat that appears to be abandoned in the street? You will probably have wondered what you should do, such as "is the cat truly abandoned, or is it exploring?", "should I touch it?", "can I give it food?", and most importantly: "can I pick it up and take it home?"
This is a complex...
The cat is an extremely clean animal that can spend many hours preening itself; it is also an exceptional pet that retains its hunting instinct, and it is an independent explorer on top of it all. For all these reasons you may sometimes think that a cat needs less care than a dog, but this is a serious mistake,...
A goshala is a protective shelter for cattle in India. Cows are considered sacred in the Hindu religion and so goshalas are a refuge for them. In a goshala, cattle are respected, venerated and treated with dignity. Goshala is a Sanskrit term which combines go or “cow” and shala or "shelter". Providing...
Peafowl are commonly known as peacocks, although that is actually the name for only the male of the species. Females are peahens. Differences between male and female peafowl are quite obvious as they display strong sexual dimorphism. Males have beautiful bright blue and green tail feathers, whereas females...
Common or ring-necked pheasants are known by the scientific name Phasianus colchicus. They are common game birds, but they are also reared for poultry and can make good pets if you have a wide outdoors space and a place to shelter them.
A moot point while raising pheasants is how to distinguish between...
Caring for a Persian cat has some specific requirements which are not applicable to all cat breeds. While we need to ensure our cat has all their basic dietary, security and emotional needs met, Persian cats have traits which not all cat breeds have. For example, Persians are longhaired cats. This means...
It is important to understand that an albino cat requires special care. You may choose to adopt a cat with albinism because you like their physical appearance, but due to the characteristics associated with this condition, the albino cat may experience problems such as deafness, blindness, cancer or eye redness.
Albino...
The domestic donkey or ass, scientifically named Equus africanus asinus, belongs to the equine family, which also includes the wild ass, the zebra and the horse. The domestic donkey is considered a farm or work animal, as they have been used to carry heavy loads since ancient times. Nowadays, donkeys...
The Maine Coon cat is one of the largest domestic cats, with adult males weighing between 6 to 11 kg (13 to 24.5 lb). However, there have been cases of Maine Coon cats who have reached 20 kg (44 lb). This cat breed comes from the state of Maine, in the US. However, there are various theories about its...
Australian green tree frogs do not require excessive care and rigorous maintenance, because they are quite tough and resilient animals. Even so, if you decide to adopt an Australian green tree frog as a pet you should pay attention to a particularly important element in their basic care: their terrarium.
At...
From the white-tailed deer to Sambar deer, these gentle and majestic creatures are wild animals that belong to no individual. In many countries, deer are held in trusts and safe parks for their benefit and our own. It is illegal for people to hold or confine deer without a permit in most states and countries...
The most important aspect of keeping a Savannah or Ashera cat is indirect, but completely relevant to their care. It's a hole - specifically the hole that will burn into your pocket if you decide to take in a Savannah or Ashera cat, whose current price varies between 17,000 and 100,000 US dollars.
If...
Cats hate bathing and in fact, apart from certain breeds, they do not really need it because they can spend up to four hours a day preening themselves with their rough tongue. However, there is an area that cats cannot reach with their tongue to clean: the eyes.
The task we explain below will not be...
The Himalayan cat was originally a cross between Persian and Siamese cat. In Europe it is considered a variety of the Persian cat. In the United States it is considered a breed.
Because of their long hair and their morphology, the Himalayan cat requires special care for it to retain its beauty and natural...
If you want to adopt a cat but suffer from allergies, and using an HEPA air filter or taking antihistamines is not working, choose a hypoallergenic breed and watch all your problems disappear. Hypoallergenic breeds are less likely to start in an allergic reaction as they produce fewer allergens than other cats.
People...
The Bobtail or Shepherd's Dog, currently known as the Old English Sheepdog, is an English dog breed of quite spectacular size. Old English Sheepdogs weigh between 30 and 45 kg (66 to 100 lb), and their height to the withers is about 63 cm (25 in).
However, Old English Sheepdogs are most notable because of their...
If you have decided to bring a pet rat into your home, you may be wondering if it can swim. After all, rats are delicate animals that you should always handle properly and with care.
Because of rats' small size and tendency to flee from water, there are some methods and very useful tricks you can use when...
The English Bull Terrier or "Bully" is a unique and sweet-looking breed. Their affectionate, protective and loyal temperament have made them a very popular dog appreciated by millions of people worldwide.
If you are thinking about having Bull Terrier puppies, this article is the right one for you. We...
The English Bull Terrier, often simply called "Bull Terrier" or "Bully", is a dog breed characterized by the shape of the head and the small, triangular-shaped eyes. Bull Terriers are considered potentially dangerous dogs in some places, so in order to adopt one you'll need to consult the town council...
Ragdoll cats are a relatively new breed from the United States. Its interesting name, "Ragdoll", was coined due to a unique feature of the breed. When you hold a Ragdoll cat in your arms, it immediately relaxes all its muscles and goes limp, looking like a rag doll.
Do you have a Ragdoll cat? If you don't,...
When caring for a Miniature Schnauzer's hair, we need to take into consideration this breed's distinctive double-layered coat. This means we have to both protect the silky smooth undercoat, as well as condition the coarser outercoat. Caring for a Miniature Schnauzer's coat will also differ according...
The Netherland Dwarf is a very popular rabbit breed, notable for its small size. You only have to see a picture of these tiny rabbits to fall in love with them, which is why millions of people now have a sweet and small dwarf rabbit at home.
This kind of rabbit needs specific care to in order to grow...
Caring for a canary is simple, but it also requires constant monitoring to ensure everything is functioning correctly; as an owner, you will need to develop regular habits and do some research so that your beloved pet stays healthy, happy and well in its small habitat.
In this AnimalWised article we...
Cuttlefish bone, or cuttlebone, is the inner shell of the cuttlefish, a kind of invertebrate mollusk. Cuttlefish are the only cephalopods that have this kind of shell, as squids have a very different inner structure that resembles a long and very thin cartilage known as squid pen.
This shell is made of...
English Cocker Spaniels have medium-length, silky coats with feathering on their ears, chest, belly and legs. To keep their coats healthy, prevent matting and maintain their elegant appearance, regular brushing is essential. This not only means grooming the English Cocker Spaniel regularly, but it requires...
If your best friend is over 7 years old, you'll probably start noticing these 10 signs of old age in dogs as we explain below. These are basically a series of factors which appear as a result of aging and that you must take into account. Being familiar with these signs will help you to better understand your...
Do you want to prevent your Golden Retriever from leaving hair all over your house?
Golden Retrievers have a double coat, meaning that they have a layer of fur that protects them from water and sun, and underneath it lies an inner layer. This inner layer below molts with the seasons, which is why Golden...
The Malinois dog is an excellent choice for a pet, both because of its remarkable intelligence and its beautiful and dignified figure. The Malinois dog has many similar characteristics to Belgian Shepherds, and some people consider it a variety of that breed.
Other Belgian Shepherds include the Laekenois,...
We will never get tired of repeating that any pet that you decide to take into your home is going to need your time and care. Your pet should undergo regular veterinary checks, as its health and well-being should be assessed by the corresponding professional.
Birds are no exception. Even though they...
When the heat comes, it is very important to take certain precautions so that your dog stays cool and without any risk of suffering heatstroke or sunstroke. This is especially important for long-haired and dark-haired dogs, as they are more susceptible to suffering from these problems.
At AnimalWised...
Adopting a kitten or looking after a cat's newborn litter fills the entire home with love. However, even if these animals are known for being very independent and instinctive, they also require specific care and attention, and even more so during the first few months of their lives.
If you provide your...
When summer arrives, many dog owners ask themselves a question: Is it bad to give dogs a haircut in the summer?
In the majority of cases, and for almost every breed, the answer is yes. Under some circumstances and for some breeds a slight trim is advised, but never a close shave.
Keep reading AnimalWised...
If you have decided to welcome a dog into your home, you must know one of the fundamental mistakes that as an owner you cannot allow, but that it's sadly all too common: Humanizing your dog. Dogs do not need to be held like a baby, they don't need coats in winter - in most cases -, and they do not need...
Rats are very intelligent and sociable small rodents. While they have suffered a bad reputation, many people have come to enjoy the company of pet rats. These animal guardians have realized that rats are actually very sweet and loving animals. Even when pet rats enjoy good overall health, they may sometimes...
Turtles reproduce by internal fertilization, requiring a male and a female to do so. If you have a male and female tortoise at home, pregnancy is a real possibility. Similarly, if you have a female tortoise at home and they are exposed to a male for any length of time, pregnancy can occur. Tortoises are...