
Awesome Animal Care 
Caring for dogs, cats, fish, horses, parrots and other animals.
Goal of this project is simply to gather verified animal care content written by experts and genuinely passionate people.
Disclaimer: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PROCEEDING
- The information, links and resources provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the health of your animal.
- Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this material.
- If you think your animal has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or local animal hospital immediately.
- Do not self-medicate your animal, always consult a veterinarian for medical advice and treatment.
Contents
Common Resources for all animals
Books
- Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons, Stephen Zawistowski - Presents and evaluates the available research and programs that address both animal and human behaviors associated with the intake, management and rehoming of dog and cats.
- Animal Care and Use Handbook - Virginia State University - Comprehensive guidelines for the ethical treatment, housing and management of laboratory animals at Virginia State University.
- Guidelines for the design and management of animal shelters - International Companion Animal Coalition - Handbook containing guidelines for the design and management of animal shelters.
- The Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters - Association of Shelter Veterinarians - Evidence-based, consensus-driven standards and guidance for improving companion animal shelter care, welfare, design and policy.
- Pet Care Basics - Premier VetCare - Practical home wellness guide covering essential pet care topics like vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental health, disease prevention and emergency care.
- Rescue Group Best Practices Guide - Humane World for Animals - Provide general information about animal rescue best practices.
- The Best Practice Playbook for Animal Shelters - Sara Pizano, Kate Hurley - Concise playbook of proven strategies for animal shelters to reduce intake, improve outcomes, engage communities and build compassionate, data-driven animal welfare systems.
- Wildlife Rescue Handbook: The First 24 Hours - Wildlife Heroes - First-response guide to safely rescuing, handling and providing essential first aid to injured wildlife before transferring them to professional care.
- Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health - Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, Kathryn Bowers - Thought-provoking exploration of the deep connections between human and animal health, showing how a cross-species, collaborative approach to medicine can improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment for all.
Care & Treatment
- Choosing & Knowing Your Veterinarian - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - Guide about choosing a good vet and co-ordinating with them to ensure the best treatment for your animal.
- Emergency Care - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - Immediate first aid and emergency care, strictly as a bridge until your animal can be seen by a veterinarian.
- General Pet Care - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - Health and behaviour information to help pet parents provide the best possible care for their furry friends.
- Management of Specific Wounds in Small Animals - MSD (Merck) Vet Manual - Useful information to treat wounds in small animals like cats, dogs, rabbits, mice, ferrets, etc.
- Pet Health Checker - British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA) - Symtom checker for dogs and cats.
- Resource Center - American Heartworm Society (AHS) - Comprehensive resource center for Heartworm-related information (diagnosis, treatment & care).
- Resources for pet owners - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - Collection of resources for pet owners on proper pet care, first aid and pet health concerns.
- Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines for Livestock and Poultry - DAHD India - Treatment guidebook for diseases in cattle, sheep, goats, camels and other animals.
- Stray Animal Care - FOUR PAWS International - Collection of stray animal care resources including topics like Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR), community engagement, monitoring, evaluation & impact, responsible pet ownership, shelter adoption programme and animal assisted interventions.
- Symptom Checker for Cats and Dogs - PetMD - Useful tool by Chewy’s vet team to quickly find out what might be going on and what to do next. Intended only for non-emergency animal health queries.
- Symptom Checker for Cats and Dogs - Sydney Animal Hospitals - Symptom checker to guide on next steps of treatment. Intended only for non-emergency animal health queries.
- The Problem of Self-Medication in Pets - SAVA Healthcare - Article explains why self-medication your pet is a problem and what you should do instead.
Diet & Nutrition
News
- Daily Paws - Solid info on the everyday stuff (health issues, behavior, questions, challenges) for pet parents.
- Latest News & Blogs - World Animal Protection - News and blogs from WAP, an animal protection and welfare organization.
- National Geographic - Some of nature’s most incredible species through recent discoveries and groundbreaking studies on animal habitats, behaviors and unique adaptations.
- The Dodo - News for Animal People.
- World Animal News - Covers news on everything from wild and domestic animals to threatened and endangered species.
Veterinary Reference
Welfare Organizations
- American Bird Conservancy (ABC) - Conserves birds and their habitats through policy advocacy and direct action.
- American Heartworm Society (AHS) - Leads the veterinary profession in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) - Dog registry that promotes responsible dog ownership and maintains breed standards.
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - One of the largest animal rights groups in the world, focused on awareness, rescue, protection and placement.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - Not-for-profit organization that represents over 108,000 members, aiming to advance the veterinary profession while protecting animal and human health.
- Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) - Provides resources and support to help shelters and rescues save “at-risk” dogs through awareness and training.
- Association of Shelter Veterinarians - Advances the practice of shelter medicine to improve the health and well-being of animals in rehoming centers.
- BirdLife International - World’s largest nature conservation partnership, uniting 124 national NGOs to protect birds and global biodiversity.
- Blue Cross of India - One of India’s oldest animal welfare charities, recognized for pioneering humane stray population management and wildlife rehabilitation.
- Brooke India - Branch of Brooke that works directly with equine owners in India to improve the health and working conditions of donkeys and horses.
- Brooke International - Global charity focused on the welfare of working equines, helping to sustain the livelihoods of people in developing countries.
- Cats Protection UK - UK’s leading cat welfare charity, focusing on rehoming stray cats, neutering campaigns and education.
- Dog’s Trust - Largest dog welfare charity in the UK, famous for its “A dog is for life” slogan and its commitment to never euthanising a healthy dog.
- Eurogroup for Animals- Brussels-based federation that lobbies the EU for stronger animal protection laws and better enforcement across member states.
- FOUR PAWS International - Rescues animals in distress (such as bears from private keepings or strays in disaster zones) and runs sanctuaries worldwide.
- German Animal Welfare Foundation (Deutscher Tierschutzbund) - Europe’s largest animal welfare umbrella organization, representing over 800 local animal protection societies in Germany.
- Humane Fort Wayne - Indiana-based organization providing low-cost spay/neuter services, wellness clinics and pet adoptions.
- Humane World for Animals - Promotes animal rights through international campaigns against animal testing, factory farming and wildlife exploitation.
- International Bird Rescue - Leader in the rehabilitation of aquatic birds, specifically known for its expert response to man-made environmental disasters like oil spills.
- International Companion Animal Coalition - Coalition of global NGOs that creates standard frameworks for humane dog and cat population management.
- International Cat Care - Works to create a world where all cats are treated with care, compassion and an understanding of their unique needs.
- People for the Ethical Treatement of Animals (PETA) - International organization known for high-impact campaigns against the use of animals for food, clothing, research and entertainment.
- People For Animals India (PFA India) - India’s largest animal welfare organization, founded by Maneka Gandhi, which runs a network of shelters and hospitals.
- Pet Nutrition Alliance (PNA) - Collaboration of veterinary organizations that provides objective nutritional tools for pet owners and veterinary teams.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) - Founded in 1824, it is the world’s oldest animal welfare charity, focused on investigating animal cruelty and rescuing animals in need.
- Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB)- UK’s largest nature conservation charity, managing over 200 nature reserves to protect birds and their environments.
- Save The Snakes - International conservation organization that protects snake populations and mitigates human-snake conflict through education.
- The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) - Provides free and low-cost veterinary treatment to the pets of people in financial need across the UK.
- The Gabriel Foundation (TGF) - Parrot welfare organization providing sanctuary, rehabilitation and adoption for companion parrots.
- World Animal Protection (WAP now, formerly WSPA) - International non-profit working to move governments and corporations to protect animals in farming, the wild and disaster zones.
- World Animal Protection India - Indian office of WAP, advocating for animal-friendly policies in Indian livestock management and wildlife protection.
- World Horse Welfare - Focuses on the prevention of abuse and suffering of horses through education, campaigning and hands-on rehabilitation.
- World Parrot Trust - Works globally to protect wild parrots from the illegal pet trade and to improve the care of parrots in captivity.
Food Hazards & Poison Control
Note: If your animal ingests any of the known toxic substances, contact your vet immediately.
Cats
Cat Books
Cat Care & Treatment
Cat Behaviour & Training
Cat Diet & Nutrition
- Feeding Kittens 101 - Hannah Hart, DVM on PetMD - Article covers when, what, how much and how often to feed kittens and transitioning them to adult cat food.
- Feeding Your Cat - Cornell Feline Health Center - Things to consider when selecting an appropriate diet for your cat.
- Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics of Feline Nutrition - Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, CatInfo.org - Website covers the Basics of Feline Nutrition. Shortened version of website available here.
- Is Grain-Free Cat Food Better? - Matthew Everett Miller, DVM on PetMD - Article about things you need to know about grain-free cat food.
- Nutrition for Your Cat - Jaqueline Brister, DVM, Veterinary Partner by VIN - Article discussing cat nutrition constituents like proteins & carbohydrates, water intake, raw diets and medical management through food.
- Proper Nutrition for Cats - MSD (Merck) Vet Manual - Discusses what, when, where and how much to feed your kitten or cat, feline nutrition standards and the need for a water bowl.
Dogs
Dog Books
- Adopter’s Guide to Rescue Dogs, What to do and expect in the first few months - Ruth Hegarty, M.S.E., Dog Trainer in association with Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) - Practical roadmap for new adopters on helping rescue dogs adjust, build trust and thrive during the critical first months.
- After You Get Your Puppy - Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dog Star Daily Blog - Step-by-step guide to raising a well-behaved puppy through early training, socialization and habit-building from day one.
- Bark!, The Official BCSPCA Dog Care Guide - British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA) - Comprehensive guide to responsible dog ownership covering health, behavior, training and daily care essentials.
- Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy and Well-Behaved Dog - Dr. Ian Dunbar with Michael Page - Complete, positive-training manual covering everything from choosing a puppy to raising a well-mannered, socially confident dog.
- Before You Get Your Puppy - Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dog Star Daily Blog - Preparatory guide to choosing the right puppy and setting up a strong foundation for successful training and lifelong wellbeing.
- Dog Owner’s Guide - Humane Fort Wayne - Comprehensive handbook for dog owners covering health care, behavior management, training basics and home integration.
- Feeling Outnumbered?: How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household - Karen B. London, Patricia B. McConnell - Behaviour-focused guide to managing multi-dog households and fostering harmony between dogs.
- I’ll be Home Soon: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety. - Patricia B. McConnell - Concise guide to understanding, preventing and treating separation anxiety in dogs.
- Rescuing Rover: A First Aid and Disaster Guide for Dog Owners - Sebastian E. Heath, Purdue University - First aid and disaster preparedness guide to help dog owners respond effectively in emergencies.
- The Healthy Dog, An Intro to How to Keep Your Dog Healthy - American Kennel Club - Introductory guide to maintaining canine health through nutrition, preventive care and routine wellness practices.
- The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier and Longer - Rodney Habib, Karen Shaw Becker - Science-backed exploration of nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors to help dogs live longer, healthier lives.
- Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy - Zazie Todd - Evidence-based guide to improving dog wellbeing through positive training, enrichment and understanding canine behavior.
Dog Care & Treatment
- Calculate Your Dog’s Age: How Old Is Your Dog? - Alyson Powell Key, Annie Stuart on WebMD FETCH - Provides a dog age chart to calculate your dog’s age the right way.
- Canine Heartworm Guidelines - American Heartworm Society - Includes guidelines for prevention, diagnosis and management of heartworm infections.
- Checklist for Puppy Proofing Your Home - Cathy Madson on Preventive Vet - Provides a simple checklist of things to do when getting your new puppy or dog home.
- Common Dog Diseases - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - Information about diseases and other medical inflictions that frequently impact dogs.
- Dog Care - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) - Wide range of dog health and behaviour tips that will help you provide the best possible care for your canine companion.
- Dog Health Center - FETCH by WebMD - Collection of information resources related to dog health.
- Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (Bloat) - Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York - Discusses bloat in dogs, a deadly but preventable condition with its causes, signs, treatment, prognosis, prevention and care.
- Heartworm Disease in Dogs: Testing - VCA Animal Hospitals - Information about the heartworm disease in dogs.
- Parvo in Dogs and Puppies - Ellen Malmanger, DVM on PetMD - Exhaustive guide on Canine parvovirus (CPV) causes, symptoms, treatment and recovery.
- Routine Health Care of Dogs, Pet Owner Version - MSD (Merck) Vet Manual - General dog care information for pet owners. If you have a puppy, see Puppy Care.
- The Dog Symptom Checker - PetCareRX - List of most common dog symptoms and which illnesses they may be linked to. Intended only for non-emergency animal health queries.
Dog Behaviour & Training
Dog Diet & Nutrition
Fishes
Fish Books
- Encyclopedia Of Aquarium & Pond Fish - Illustrated reference covering hundreds of fish species alongside practical guidance on selection, care, compatibility, and aquarium or pond setup.
- Freshwater Aquarium Handbook - Elmer’s Aquarium - Beginner-friendly manual covering aquarium setup, maintenance, water quality, and essential fish care practices for freshwater tanks.
- Sunken Gardens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Freshwater Aquariums - Karen Randall - Comprehensive guide to designing, planting, and maintaining beautiful aquascapes, combining aquatic plant science with practical aquarium care.
- Tropical Fish, A Beginner’s Guide - William Berg, AC Tropical Fish - Introductory guide to keeping tropical fish, focusing on tank setup, species selection, and basic care for new aquarists.
Fish Care & Treatment
Fish Behaviour & Training
Fish Diet & Nutrition
Horses
Horse Books
Horse Care & Treatment
Horse Behaviour & Training
Horse Diet & Nutrition
Parrots
Parrot Books
- Good Parrotkeeping: A Comprehensive Guide to All Things Parrot - Robin Deutsch - Comprehensive guide to responsible parrot care, covering behavior, nutrition, health, and creating a suitable home environment.
- How to have a HAPPY HEALTHY PARROT - World Parrot Trust - Concise, welfare-focused guide to proper parrot care, emphasizing diet, enrichment, and physical and psychological wellbeing.
- Happy Healthy Parrot Guide, A Reference for Beginners - World Parrot Trust - Beginner-friendly handbook introducing essential parrot care practices, including housing, nutrition, behavior, and welfare needs.
- Parrot Parenting: The Essential Care and Training Guide to +20 Parrot Species - Carol Frischmann - Practical guide to caring for and training multiple parrot species, with a focus on behavior, bonding, and daily care routines.
- Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion - Step-by-step introduction to building trust and training parrots using gentle, behavior-based techniques.
- The A to Z eBook on Parrot Care - Nathalie Roberts - Broad reference guide covering key aspects of parrot care, from basic needs to behavior and long-term wellbeing.
- The Bird Owner’s Manual - Emily Strong - Practical, accessible guide to companion bird care, focusing on behavior, training, enrichment, and welfare.
- The Parrot Enrichment Activity Book, Version 2.0 - Kris Porter - Hands-on resource of enrichment ideas and activities designed to improve parrots’ mental stimulation and quality of life.
Parrot Care & Treatment
- Beyond Bird Basics (BBB) - The Gabriel Foundation (TGF) - Series of educational presentations and quizzes, free to the public. Covers health and anatomy, enrichment, food and nutrition and behaviour and training.
- Bird Health & Anatomy Part 1 of 2 - The Gabriel Foundation (TGF) - Covers topics like bird poop, bathing your bird, laying eggs, bird dust and dangar, feather plucking and sleep time.
- Bird Health & Anatomy Part 2 of 2 - The Gabriel Foundation (TGF) - Covers topics like bird respiratory system, boogers, nosebleeds, food digestion, regurgitation and vomiting, beak health and some common illnesses in birds.
- Parrot Enrichment - The Gabriel Foundation (TGF) - Covers various types of bird enrichment activities.
- Parrot Care - World Parrot Trust - Parrot care resources, including easy enrichment ideas, important dietary tips and videos.
Parrot Behaviour & Training
Parrot Diet & Nutrition
Contributing
Your contributions are always welcome! To get started, refer to contributing.md.
Since we cannot afford to rely on unverified AI-generated content when it comes to animal health, let’s try and abide by the Not By AI 90% Rule for this project.