Special Species

Get insights for your birds, small mammals, reptiles, or other unusual pets to give them the special care they need, from dietary to veterinary requirements.
pets therapeutic exercise
Special Species

Injured or Disabled Pet? Design the Perfect Rehab Program

There are many things to consider when designing a rehab program for your injured or disabled dog, cat, horse, rabbit or other pet. Know the nine conditions for which rehabilitation therapy is a must and one of my favorite types of therapy that can ease pain and help injuries heal.
— 5 min read
can birds communicate using cellphones tablets
Special Species

Can Birds Communicate Using Cellphones and Tablets?

Unbelievably, these whip-smart birds have taken feathered friendships to a whole new level. Learning how to use tablets and cellphones to make calls in a three-month study (147 calls were actually made by 18 birds), Ellie and Cookie continue to call each other more than a year after the study ended.
— 4 min read
dolphins alzheimers
Special Species

Beached Dolphins and Whales: Is Alzheimer's to Blame?

Why do large groups of dolphins - and even whales - sometimes get stranded in shallow water? Researchers from the University of Glasgow have a hunch: The leader of these groups may be suffering from brain changes not unlike those that occur in humans with Alzheimer's.
— 4 min read
rat behaviors
Special Species

The Truly Affectionate 'Pocket Pets' Few People Own

It's too bad only a small percentage of pet parents adopt these intelligent and charming creatures, as they offer many of the benefits that draw people to dogs and cats. Requiring only a fraction of the space as other pets, they will quickly become part of your family if you let them.
— 6 min read
toxoplasma gondii
Special Species

The Link Between a Common Parasite and Mental Illness

The jury is still out on whether this brain parasite associated with certain household pets is causing mental illness in humans, but there does seem to be a link between the infection and schizophrenia. It’s known to change the behavior of rodents, and now wolves at Yellowstone.
— 5 min read
opossums living fossils
Special Species

The Greatly Misunderstood One-of-a-Kind ‘Living Fossil’

Many consider these critters loathsome, dirty and disease-ridden, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, they provide many benefits, as they are pros at making ticks, slugs and snakes vanish. The next time you see one in your neighborhood, I invite you to view it with different eyes.
— 6 min read
10 most intelligent animals
Special Species

The Most Surprisingly Smart Animals

Many people already know that dogs and elephants are intelligent, but what about these other species? One 8-year old girl feeds one of these species in her back yard and has accumulated over 70 'gifts,' including a 'best friend' charm they've brought her in return.
— 5 min read
pet snakes
Special Species

The Exotic Pet That Ends Up Suffering More Often Than Not

A survey of 744 owners shows more than half don't provide adequate housing, and that can lead to both physical and behavioral issues. Others simply don't give their exotic pet the special care they need. And that's too bad, because when they receive the right care, they make wonderful pets.
— 5 min read
Subscribe to our newsletter for FREE pet updates
Thank you! Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.
Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.
bark & whiskers disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Specific questions about your pet's medical issues or recommendations cannot be answered without first establishing a client-patient relationship with a veterinarian. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from bark & whiskers is required. For media and partnership inquiries, please email media@barkandwhiskers.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.