All guides
Pet Health Guides
Every evidence-based guide we've published, for every species.
Bearded Dragon Care: A Beginner's Guide
A conservative, fact-checked beginner's guide to bearded dragon care: enclosure size, heating and temperature gradient, UVB lighting, substrate, feeding, hydration, handling, and knowing when to see a vet.
Read the guideSupplements for Dog Joint Health: What Actually Helps
Dog joint supplements are heavily advertised, but studies tell only part of the story. Here's what the evidence and veterinary charities like PDSA and RSPCA say really helps stiff joints — and why your vet's advice comes first.
Read the guideCat Litter Tray Problems: Causes and How to Fix Them
If your cat is toileting outside the litter tray, it's worth taking seriously. Here are the common causes — including medical ones — and gentle, practical ways to help.
Read the guideYour First Fish Tank: A Beginner's Setup Guide
How to choose and set up your first freshwater fish tank, from tank size and cycling to filters, heating, décor, stocking and feeding.
Read the guideChoosing a Healthy Pet Bird: What to Look For
A healthy-looking bird isn't always a healthy bird. Here's what to check — eyes, nostrils, feathers, breathing, droppings and behaviour — plus the questions to ask before you bring a bird home.
Read the guideChristmas Pet Hazards: Festive Dangers for Cats and Dogs
The festive season is full of hidden dangers for pets, from rich Christmas foods to tinsel, baubles and poisonous plants. Learn what to avoid, how to protect your cat or dog, and what to do if they eat something harmful, based on guidance from PDSA, the RSPCA and Blue Cross.
Read the guideCold Weather Dog Care: How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Comfortable
Cold weather can take a real toll on dogs. Learn the signs your dog is getting cold, which dogs are most at risk, how cold is too cold, winter walk safety tips, and when to call your vet — based on the advice of PDSA and the RSPCA.
Read the guideRabbit Health: Common Problems & When to Call the Vet
The most common health problems in pet rabbits — dental disease, gut problems, flystrike and snuffles — plus the red flags that mean an urgent vet visit.
Read the guideCorn Snake Care: A Beginner's Guide
A conservative, fact-checked beginner's guide to corn snake care: setting up the vivarium first, getting the heating gradient and humidity right, substrate, hides, feeding frozen-thawed rodents, handling, shedding and signs of ill health.
Read the guideDog First Aid: What Every Owner Should Know
Knowing basic dog first aid can make a difference in an emergency. Learn what to do for bleeding, heatstroke, choking and more — and when to call your vet.
Read the guideDog Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance: What's the Difference?
A food allergy and a 'sensitive tummy' after a food change are different things. Learn the signs of a true food allergy in dogs, what an intolerance usually means, and when to see your vet.
Read the guideFireworks and Cats: How to Keep Your Cat Calm on Bonfire Night
Fireworks can be genuinely frightening for cats — loud bangs and flashes trigger hiding, stress and fear. Learn how to prepare ahead, what to do during the fireworks, what NOT to do, and when to speak to your vet, based on the advice of PDSA, the RSPCA and Blue Cross.
Read the guideFireworks Anxiety in Dogs: How to Keep Your Dog Calm
Fireworks can be genuinely frightening for dogs — noise phobia is common. Learn how to prepare ahead, what to do during the fireworks, what NOT to do, and when to speak to your vet, based on the advice of PDSA, the RSPCA and Blue Cross.
Read the guideYour Fish Tank Health: Water Quality & Spotting Unwell Fish
Why clean water matters most for aquarium fish, the checks that keep your tank healthy, and the everyday signs your fish may be unwell.
Read the guideGuinea Pig Health: What New Owners Should Know
The basics of keeping a guinea pig healthy for the first time — daily health checks, teeth, diet, and the signs that are worth a vet visit.
Read the guideHamster Care: Housing, Diet & Health Basics
A beginner's guide to keeping a hamster happy and healthy — housing and minimum space, bedding, diet, handling and the signs that call for a vet.
Read the guideHow to Spot an Unhealthy Puppy: What to Check Before You Choose
Puppies can hide illness, and buying a sick puppy is heartbreaking. Learn the warning signs of an unhealthy puppy and exactly what to check before you take one home.
Read the guideLeopard Gecko Care: Housing, Heating & Handling
A conservative, fact-checked guide to caring for a leopard gecko: enclosure size, temperature gradient, hides and substrate, feeding live insects with calcium, gentle handling, and when to see an exotic vet.
Read the guideParrot Diet: What to Feed Your Pet Parrot
A balanced parrot diet starts with nutritionally complete pellets, plus fresh vegetables and fruit — not a seed-only mix. Here's what to feed, what to limit, and what's toxic.
Read the guideRabbit Housing & Enrichment: A Happy Home
How to set up rabbit housing — indoor or outdoor, space requirements, hiding places, toys and enrichment — plus why rabbits always need a companion.
Read the guideRabbit Neutering: What It Is & Why It Matters
Why neutering (castration and spaying) matters for pet rabbits — the health and behaviour benefits, when to do it, what the procedure involves, and how to care for your rabbit after surgery.
Read the guideReptile Care for Beginners: Heating, Lighting & Humidity
A practical, conservative beginner's guide to keeping reptiles healthy: getting the enclosure ready before the reptile arrives, the basics of heating, lighting and humidity, and how to choose a healthy reptile.
Read the guideSenior Cat Care: Keeping an Older Cat Healthy & Comfortable
Cats are middle-aged by about age seven and many live into their teens. Here's how to keep your older cat comfortable, spot age-related problems early, and adapt your home as they slow down.
Read the guideSeparation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs & What Helps
Separation-related behaviour (separation anxiety) is common in dogs. Learn the signs to watch for, why it happens, and kind, practical steps that can help your dog feel calmer when left alone.
Read the guideSigns Your Cat Is Unwell: What to Look For & When to Call the Vet
Cats hide illness well, so owners have to look for subtle changes. These are the signs to watch for, and when it's worth calling your vet.
Read the guideSigns Your Dog Is In Pain: 12 Signs to Watch For & When to Call the Vet
Dogs are very good at hiding pain. Learn the movement, appetite and behaviour changes that can signal a dog is hurting — and when to call your vet.
Read the guideSigns Your Pet Bird Is Unwell: What to Look For & When to Call the Vet
Birds hide illness, so by the time you notice something is wrong it matters. Here are the signs to watch for and when to call an avian vet.
Read the guideWhite Spot in Fish: What It Is & How to Treat It
The tiny white spots of white spot disease (Ich) on aquarium fish — how to recognise them, what causes an outbreak, and the safe first steps while you consult a specialist fish vet.
Read the guideRabbit Diet: What to Feed & How Much
What rabbits should eat — unlimited hay and grass, fresh leafy greens, high-fibre nuggets and fresh water — plus the amounts vets recommend and the foods to avoid.
Read the guideWhy Cats Scratch & Spray: Causes and How to Reduce It
Scratching and spraying are normal cat behaviours, not spite. Learn why cats do them and how to gently redirect scratching and spraying instead of punishing.
Read the guideDental Disease in Dogs: Signs, Prevention and When to See a Vet
How to spot dental (tooth and gum) disease in dogs, what to do day-to-day to prevent it, and when a cracked or wobbly tooth needs the vet.
Read the guideIs My Dog Drinking Too Much Water? When to Worry & What to Do
Why dogs drink more, how to tell if it's genuinely excessive, and when increased thirst plus increased weeing warrants a trip to the vet.
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