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.
- Species profiles
- 57Species profiles
- Dog & cat breeds
- 94Dog & cat breeds
- Guides & articles
- 108Guides & articles
- Toxic substances
- 34Toxic substances
Start with your animal
Every section gathers the species profiles, care guides, health information and equipment advice for that group.
Dogs
Breeds, training, health and daily care
1 species profiles
Cats
Behaviour, indoor welfare and feline medicine
1 species profiles
Birds
Parrots, finches, aviaries and enrichment
9 species profiles
Fish
Aquarium chemistry, stocking and fishkeeping
8 species profiles
Small Mammals
Rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and ferrets
11 species profiles
Reptiles
Heating, UVB, humidity and husbandry
11 species profiles
Amphibians
Axolotls, frogs, newts and water quality
8 species profiles
Exotic Pets
Specialist species, legality and ethics
8 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.
Featured
Editorially selected reading across care, health and behaviour.
Before getting a petHow 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.
Marcus Cole · 9 min read · Updated 2026-08-04
Bringing a pet homeThe First 24 Hours With a New Pet
Calm, quiet and predictable beats exciting. What to do — and what to resist doing — on day one.
Priya Raman · 6 min read · Updated 2026-06-11
Long-term careCaring 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.
Dr Elena Marsh · 10 min read · Updated 2026-09-01
TravelTravelling With Pets: Car, Train and Plane
Planning, paperwork and welfare for journeys from a short drive to an international move.
Marcus Cole · 10 min read · Updated 2026-09-05
New pet guidesThe Complete New Puppy Guide
Everything the first sixteen weeks demand: toilet training, sleep, socialisation, vaccination and biting.
Tom Brennan · 14 min read · Updated 2026-09-02
New pet guidesThe Complete New Kitten Guide
Litter training, play biting, indoor safety, vaccination and how to raise a confident adult cat.
Priya Raman · 12 min read · Updated 2026-08-19
Reference databases
Structured, filterable data rather than loose blog posts.
Pet encyclopedia
Standardised profiles covering lifespan, housing, diet, temperature, behaviour, legality and care complexity.
Breed database
Dog and cat breeds with energy, grooming, trainability, health risks and honest ownership challenges.
Food & ingredients
Which foods are safe for which species, how to prepare them and where the real risks are.
Toxic substances
Foods, plants, chemicals and medications that harm animals, with symptoms and urgency.
Products & equipment
How to judge harnesses, litter boxes, filters, UVB lighting, carriers and enrichment.
Tools & calculators
Pet age, feeding portions, cost of ownership, aquarium volume and readiness checklists.
Latest
Newly published and recently updated entries.
Emergency careBuilding a Pet First Aid Kit That Is Actually Useful
What belongs in a home and car kit, what to leave out, and how to use the first fifteen minutes well while you arrange veterinary care.
Dr Samuel Okoye · 8 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
Puppy developmentThe Puppy Socialisation Window, Used Properly
Why the first months matter so much, what quality exposure looks like, and how to avoid the flooding that creates the fears you were trying to prevent.
Priya Raman · 9 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
Cat welfareKeeping an Indoor Cat Genuinely Well
Indoor life removes road and predation risk but adds boredom, conflict and weight gain. Here is how to design a home that answers what a cat actually needs.
Aisha Nkemdirim · 8 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
Costs and planningWhat a Pet Really Costs Over a Lifetime
A realistic framework for setup costs, monthly running costs and the unpredictable veterinary bills that decide whether ownership stays sustainable.
James Whitcombe · 7 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
CommunicationReading Canine Body Language Before the Growl
Dogs signal discomfort long before they snap. Learning the early, quiet signals prevents most bites and makes daily handling kinder.
Priya Raman · 8 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
HydrationWater Intake: The Most Overlooked Part of Pet Nutrition
How much animals should drink, why cats are chronically under-hydrated, and which changes in drinking are a reason to book a veterinary appointment.
Dr Hana Lindqvist · 7 min read · Updated 2026-09-21
Most read
What owners are consulting most often right now.
- 01How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Life
- 02The Complete New Puppy Guide
- 03How to Recognise a Veterinary Emergency
- 04The Complete New Kitten Guide
- 05The First 24 Hours With a New Pet
- 06Reading Dog Body Language
- 07Hot Weather Safety for Pets
- 08Why Your Cat Scratches Furniture — and What to Do
Long-term careCaring 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.
Dr Elena Marsh · 10 min read · Updated 2026-09-01
End-of-life careQuality of Life, Hospice Care and Saying Goodbye
Compassionate, practical guidance on assessing quality of life, palliative options, euthanasia decisions and grief.
Marcus Cole · 11 min read · Updated 2026-08-29
How Petarium is written
Reference material is only useful if you can trust it.