Tap a fish to try it
Games for Cats
Fish, mice and bugs dart across the screen, freeze, then bolt again, just like real prey. Lay a phone or tablet flat on the floor and let your cat have a go.
Start the gameCan my pet eat it? Is that plant toxic?
Look up 98 foods and plants, with separate answers for dogs and cats and the sources behind every one.
Plant
Popular:ChocolateGrapes and raisinsLiliesXylitolPothosAvocado
Answers follow the ASPCA, the Merck Veterinary Manual and other veterinary references. They do not replace your vet.
In season nowThanksgiving Pet SafetyWhich Thanksgiving foods you can share with your dog or cat, why cooked bones, fatty scraps, stuffing and raw dough are risky, and how to handle guests and open doors.Read guide In season nowChristmas Pet SafetyHow to pet-proof your Christmas tree, why tinsel and ribbon worry vets, which holiday plants and foods are risky for cats and dogs, and how to handle a busy house.Read guide In season nowDog or Cat Scared of Fireworks or Thunder? How to HelpSigns of noise fear in dogs and cats, how to prepare for fireworks and storms, why comforting your pet is fine, and how to work on the fear year-round.Read guide In season nowWinter Safety for Dogs and CatsHow to keep pets safe in cold weather, including antifreeze poisoning, de-icing salt, signs of hypothermia and why you should knock on your car hood.Read guide In season nowLunar New Year Pet SafetyHow to keep dogs and cats safe over Lunar New Year, from firecracker noise and debris to chocolate coins, melon seeds, cured sausage, narcissus, lilies and a house full of relatives.Read guide In season nowKeeping Pets Safe in Hot WeatherHow to protect dogs and cats in summer heat, recognize heatstroke early, and what to do in the first minutes. Includes the 7-second pavement test.Read guide In season nowHalloween Pet SafetyHow to keep dogs and cats safe at Halloween, from chocolate, xylitol and raisins in the treat bag to glow sticks, candles, costumes and a front door that keeps opening.Read guide
Common questions, quick answers
Each card opens a full page with the reasons, the warning signs and the sources.
- Dogs · No
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?
No. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.
- Cats · ToxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Are Lilies Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
For cats, yes: true lilies and daylilies can cause fatal kidney failure. For dogs they are much less dangerous and usually cause only mild stomach upset.
- Dogs · No
Can Dogs Eat Grapes or Raisins?
No. Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount.
- Cats · With care
Can Cats Eat Tuna?
Cats should have tuna only as a small, occasional treat. Plain cooked or canned tuna is not toxic, but cats fed a lot of tuna meant for people can develop serious nutritional problems.
- Cats · Mildly toxicDogs · Mildly toxic
Is Pothos Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Pothos is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing pothos causes mouth irritation and drooling, but serious illness is rare.
- Dogs · With care
Can Dogs Eat Avocado?
Avocado is best avoided for dogs. A little plain avocado flesh is unlikely to poison a dog, but it is very fatty and the pit is a serious hazard.
Play and see
Two things to try with your pet
A screen game your cat can pounce on, and a look at your home through a dog’s or cat’s eyes.
How Dogs and Cats See
Point your camera at anything, or pick a photo, and compare it side by side with what a dog or cat sees: fewer colors and softer detail.
See it through their eyesPhoto: Natalya Ukolova / Unsplash
National Animals of the World
Many countries have an animal that stands for the nation. Some were chosen by law, others earned their place on a coat of arms, a coin or in a popular vote. Here is one animal for each of 84 countries, with its story and how it is doing in the wild today.
All national animals National birds of the world: 60 countries Take the national animals quiz
Reader vote
Which national animal is your favourite?
Give a vote to every animal you love, from the giant panda to the kiwi. The ranking opens once 100 votes are in.
Vote now
Top 3 right now
Tools
Simple calculators that explain their method and cite their sources.
Dog Age CalculatorConvert your dog’s age to human years, adjusted for size, with the life stage it is in.Cat Age CalculatorSee how old your cat is in human years, which life stage it is in, and what care it needs now.Pet Food CalculatorEstimate daily calories and grams or cups of food for your dog or cat, using the formula vets use.Pet Name GeneratorName ideas by style and gender, from cute and classic to food, nature and mythology.Lost Pet Poster MakerMake a clear lost or found pet poster with a photo and QR code, then print it or save a PDF or image.How Dogs and Cats SeePoint your camera at the room and see it in the colors and sharpness a dog or cat sees, based on vision research.Games for CatsA free screen game for cats: fish, mice and bugs dart across a tablet, and every pounce is a catch.Cat TVFree animated videos for cats to watch: birds, a fish tank and squirrels, full screen for up to an hour.Pet Bead Pattern MakerTurn a photo of your pet into a Perler, Hama or Artkal bead pattern with color codes and a bead count.
Pet Care Guides
Clear, practical guides to keeping pets safe through the seasons, solving everyday behavior problems and caring for smaller companions, with the sources we used.
Safety and first aid
- Keeping Pets Safe in Hot Weather
- Winter Safety for Dogs and Cats
- Pet First Aid
- Halloween Pet Safety
- Thanksgiving Pet Safety
- Christmas Pet Safety
- Lunar New Year Pet Safety
- Dog or Cat Ate Rat Poison? What to Do Right Now
- Caring for a Senior Cat
- How Many Treats Can a Cat Have? The 10% Rule, Explained
- Dog or Cat Ate Something It Shouldn't? What to Do in the First Hour
- When to Spay or Neuter a Dog or Cat, and How to Care After Surgery
- Cat Throwing Up or Hairballs? When It's Normal and When to Worry
- Cat in Heat
Behavior problems
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs
- How to Stop Puppy Biting and Destructive Chewing
- Why Does My Dog Bark So Much? Causes and How to Stop It
- Why Is My Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box? Causes and Fixes
- How to Stop a Cat Scratching Furniture (Without Declawing)
- Dog or Cat Scared of Fireworks or Thunder? How to Help
- How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Cat (and Keep the Peace)
Small pets, birds, fish and reptiles
Found a stray animal?
Get clear, safe next steps in under a minute, from kittens without a mother to a lost dog.