Pet care, researched from published sources.
Breed guides and care guides for dogs, cats and every fur baby in between, researched from published sources and written plainly.
581 breed and species guides and 106 articles so far.
Fresh reads
All articles
How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth
Brushing is the most effective home care for a dog's teeth. Which toothpaste to use and why human toothpaste is out, how to get a dog used to the brush in small steps, which surfaces to clean, and the signs that mean a vet visit.
Best Canned Dog Food: What to Compare
What to check on a can of dog food - the AAFCO statement, the first ingredient, calories per can and the water in the guaranteed analysis - what the Merck Veterinary Manual says about canned versus dry for teeth, and two canned adult dog foods compared on what their makers publish.
Is Any Dog Breed Most Dangerous?
Is there a most dangerous dog breed? What the American Veterinary Medical Association says: any dog can bite, a breed's bite rate cannot be calculated from the data that exists, and the factors that do predict bites - a dog's history and behavior, size, supervision, neutering and socialization.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Why cats eat grass: what two UC Davis surveys of cat owners found about how common it is, illness, vomiting, age and coat length, and which houseplants on the ASPCA list are toxic to cats. A reading guide, not veterinary advice.
Cat Vaccines: Core and Optional
Which vaccines cats need, indoor cats included: core and noncore vaccines, the kitten series, boosters for adult cats and the small risks, from the Cornell Feline Health Center and the Merck Veterinary Manual. A reading guide, not veterinary advice.
Best Cat Food: What to Compare
How to choose a cat food the way the Cornell Feline Health Center describes - the AAFCO statement, life stage, meat first, wet or dry - and five indoor, urinary and everyday foods compared on what their makers publish, with a rough dry-matter comparison of wet and dry.
Meet the animals
All 581 profiles
Browse by species.
Every guide covers history, temperament, care, health, training, and the pros and cons.
Dogs
124 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every dog.
Cats
70 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every cat.
Small Mammals
41 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every small mammal.
Birds
47 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every bird.
Fish
93 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every fish.
Reptiles
32 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every reptile.
Reptile Morphs
64 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every morph.
Amphibians
38 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every amphibian.
Exotic
72 breeds · full guidesDetailed care, training, and health info for every exotic pet.
Frequently asked questions.
The things new pet owners ask us most.
How do I choose the right pet for my home?
Start with your space, time and budget, not the animal you like the look of. A high-energy dog in a small flat with long work hours is a common mismatch. Every profile lists pros and cons, energy and care needs, and our comparison tool puts two breeds side by side. If you are new, Start Here walks you through the questions to ask first.
Are Pawholt's care guides free to read?
Yes. Every species profile and care guide on the site is free, with no login or paywall. We fund the site through clearly labelled affiliate links in buyer guides, which never change what we recommend.
Where do your care recommendations come from?
Guides are written from reputable veterinary and welfare sources and reviewed for accuracy, then written in plain language. We flag where advice is debated and where you should ask your own vet. See our editorial policy for how we work.
My pet has a health emergency. Can Pawholt help?
No. Pawholt is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your animal is unwell, injured or you suspect poisoning, contact your vet or a local emergency clinic straight away. Our toxic foods list can help you describe what happened while you call.
How often are the guides updated?
Profiles and buyer guides are revised when we find an error or when products and published advice change. Care guides are living documents rather than one-off articles.