Pet care guides

Dogs

• Dog Years to Human Years: Chart by Size
  Dog years to human years chart for small, medium, large and giant dogs from 1 to 16 years, plus the 2020 DNA formula and why the 7 year rule is wrong.
• How Long Do Dogs Live?
  How long dogs live on average, by size and breed, what a large 2024 study of over 500,000 dogs found, and what helps a dog live longer.
• How Much Should I Feed My Puppy?
  How many calories and cups of food a puppy needs a day by weight and age, worked out with the vet RER formula, plus how many meals a day and when to switch to adult food.
• How Often Should a Puppy Eat?
  How many meals a day a puppy needs at 8 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, how much to feed by weight, a sample schedule, and when to switch to two meals.
• How Long Is a Dog in Heat?
  A dog's heat usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks and comes about every 6 months. The four stages, signs, when she can get pregnant, and when the first heat happens.

Dog safety

• My Dog Ate Chocolate: What to Do Right Now
  Your dog ate chocolate? What to do in the first minutes, how to tell if the amount is dangerous for your dog's weight, symptoms and timeline, and when to go to the vet.
• How Much Chocolate Is Toxic to Dogs? Chart by Weight
  How much milk, dark or baking chocolate is dangerous for a 10, 20, 50 or 80 lb dog, with the toxic doses from the Merck Veterinary Manual and what to do if your dog ate chocolate.
• Can Dogs Eat Apples?
  Can dogs eat apples? Yes, without the core and seeds. Benefits, risks, how to serve apples safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
  Can dogs eat avocado? Better not. Benefits, risks, how to serve avocado safely and what to do if your dog already ate some.
• Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
  Can dogs eat bananas? Yes, in moderation. Benefits, risks, how to serve bananas safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
  Can dogs eat blueberries? Yes. Benefits, risks, how to serve blueberries safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
  Can dogs eat cheese? Yes, small amounts. Benefits, risks, how to serve cheese safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Chicken bones?
  Can dogs eat chicken bones? No, never cooked bones. Benefits, risks, how to serve chicken bones safely and what to do if your dog already ate some.
• Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
  Can dogs eat cucumbers? Yes. Benefits, risks, how to serve cucumbers safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
  Can dogs eat eggs? Yes, cooked. Benefits, risks, how to serve eggs safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Grapes? No: Here Is Why and What to Do
  Grapes, raisins and currants can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Signs to watch for, what to do right away, and which fruits are safe instead.
• Can Dogs Eat Peanut butter?
  Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes, if it has no xylitol. Benefits, risks, how to serve peanut butter safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
  Can dogs eat pineapple? Yes, fresh and in small amounts. Benefits, risks, how to serve pineapple safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
  Can dogs eat strawberries? Yes. Benefits, risks, how to serve strawberries safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
  Can dogs eat tomatoes? Ripe tomato flesh in small amounts only. Benefits, risks, how to serve tomatoes safely and how much per day by dog weight.
• Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?
  Can dogs eat watermelon? Yes, without seeds and rind. Benefits, risks, how to serve watermelon safely and how much per day by dog weight.

Cats

• Cat Years to Human Years Chart
  Cat years to human years chart from kitten to 25 years, with life stages, and why the 7 year rule is wrong for cats.
• How Long Do Cats Live?
  How long cats live on average, indoor vs outdoor, which breeds live longest, and what helps a cat live longer.
• Can Cats Drink Milk?
  Most adult cats should not drink cow's milk: they are lactose intolerant and get diarrhea. What to give kittens instead, lactose-free cat milk, and how much is too much.
• How Often Should I Feed My Cat?
  How many meals a day to feed a kitten and an adult cat, how many calories per meal by weight, free feeding vs scheduled meals, and tips from feline vets.

Small pets, birds and reptiles

• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
  Guinea pigs can eat a grape as an occasional treat, but they are high in sugar. How many grapes and how often, which fruits and vegetables are better, and foods guinea pigs must avoid.
• How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?
  Bearded dragons usually live 10 to 15 years in captivity. Lifespan, age in human years, growth by age, and the care mistakes that shorten their lives.
• How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live?
  Guinea pigs usually live 5 to 7 years, sometimes 8 or more. Age in human years, the care that helps them live longer, vitamin C needs and signs of an old guinea pig.
• How Long Do Hamsters Live?
  Hamsters usually live 2 to 3 years. Lifespan of Syrian, dwarf and Roborovski hamsters, hamster age in human years, and how to help yours live longer.
• How Long Do Parrots Live?
  Parrot lifespan by species: budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, conures, African greys, Amazons, cockatoos and macaws, plus parrot age in human years and how to help them live longer.
• How Long Do Rabbits Live?
  Pet rabbits usually live 8 to 12 years. Lifespan by breed size, rabbit age in human years, what shortens a rabbit's life, and how to help yours live longer.
• How Long Are Cats Pregnant?
  Cats are pregnant for about 63 to 67 days (about 9 weeks). Week by week signs, how to confirm pregnancy, litter size, signs of labor and when to call the vet.
• What Size Tank Does a Bearded Dragon Need?
  An adult bearded dragon needs an enclosure of at least 4 x 2 x 2 ft (about 120 gallons). Tank size by age, why bigger is better, and the heat and UVB setup.

Fish and ponds

• How Many Fish in a 10 Gallon Tank?
  How many fish fit in a 10 gallon aquarium: why the inch per gallon rule is only a rough start, real stocking examples, which fish do not belong in 10 gallons, and the real water volume.