The pet knowledge library

Everything you need to care for an animal — properly.

Petarium is a reference library for pet care, animal health, behaviour, nutrition, training and welfare. Written in plain language, grounded in veterinary and welfare science, and built for the moment you actually need an answer.

Browse the encyclopedia Is this poisonous?Breed database

Species profiles: 75Species profiles
Dog & cat breeds: 120Dog & cat breeds
Guides & articles: 195Guides & articles
Toxic substances: 57Toxic substances
Condition guides: 44Condition guides
Food guides: 63Food guides

Owner reading a pet-care book on the sofa while a golden retriever rests on the rug, a tabby cat watches from a cat tree and a planted aquarium glows nearby

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Start with your animal

Every section gathers the species profiles, care guides, health information and equipment advice for that group.

Illustration of a golden retriever and a wire-haired terrier sitting together

Dogs

Breeds, training, health and daily care

1 species profiles

Cats

Behaviour, indoor welfare and feline medicine

2 species profiles

Illustration of a macaw, a canary and a goldfinch perched on branches

Birds

Parrots, finches, aviaries and enrichment

12 species profiles

Fish

Aquarium chemistry, stocking and fishkeeping

15 species profiles

Rabbits, guinea pigs and a hamster each in their own separate enclosure with hay and hides

Small Mammals

Rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and ferrets

13 species profiles

Illustration of a bearded dragon, a tortoise and a coiled python on warm rocks

Reptiles

Heating, UVB, humidity and husbandry

14 species profiles

Illustration of an axolotl and a tree frog among aquatic plants

Amphibians

Axolotls, frogs, newts and water quality

9 species profiles

Illustration of a hedgehog, a chameleon and a ferret

Exotic Pets

Specialist species, legality and ethics

9 species profiles

Emergency and poisoning

If your animal has eaten something dangerous, collapsed, is struggling to breathe or is bleeding heavily, phone a veterinarian immediately — do not wait and do not attempt home treatment.

Toxic substance database Find an emergency vet

Featured

Editorially selected reading across care, health and behaviour.

Family at a kitchen table comparing illustrated cards of a dog, cat, rabbit and goldfish beside a floor plan and calendar

Before getting a pet

How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Life

A structured way to match an animal to your household, budget, schedule and housing — before emotion makes the decision for you.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Bringing a pet home

The First 24 Hours With a New Pet

Calm, quiet and predictable beats exciting. What to do — and what to resist doing — on day one.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19

Long-term care

Caring for a Senior Pet

Ageing is not a disease, but it changes what good care looks like. Practical adjustments for older dogs, cats and small animals.

Petarium Editorial · 4 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Travel

Travelling With Pets: Car, Train and Plane

Planning, paperwork and welfare for journeys from a short drive to an international move.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Puppy exploring a puppy-proofed living room with a playpen, bed, water bowl and chew toys as its owner watches

New pet guides

The Complete New Puppy Guide

Everything the first sixteen weeks demand: toilet training, sleep, socialisation, vaccination and biting.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19

Tabby kitten exploring a room prepared with a litter tray, bed, scratching post and bowls

New pet guides

The Complete New Kitten Guide

Litter training, play biting, indoor safety, vaccination and how to raise a confident adult cat.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Reference databases

Structured, filterable data rather than loose blog posts.

Species

Pet encyclopedia

Standardised profiles covering lifespan, housing, diet, temperature, behaviour, legality and care complexity.

Breeds

Breed database

Dog and cat breeds with energy, grooming, trainability, health risks and honest ownership challenges.

Nutrition

Food & ingredients

Which foods are safe for which species, how to prepare them and where the real risks are.

Safety

Toxic substances

Foods, plants, chemicals and medications that harm animals, with symptoms and urgency.

Equipment

Products & equipment

How to judge harnesses, litter boxes, filters, UVB lighting, carriers and enrichment.

Interactive

Tools & calculators

Pet age, feeding portions, cost of ownership, aquarium volume and readiness checklists.

Latest

Newly published and recently updated entries.