🐾 Pet Ownership Guide

• Need daily exercise & time
• Rentals may require deposits/insurance

• Prioritize shelters/rescues
• Responsible breeders (health testing)

• DAPP (distemper/adenovirus/parvo ± parainfluenza) starting 6–8 wks, every 2–4 wks to ≥16 wks
• Booster at 1 yr, then q3 yrs
• Rabies as required by law (often 12–16 wks), booster at 1 yr, then q1–3 yrs per product/state
• Non-core (based on risk): leptospirosis (annual), Bordetella, canine influenza, Lyme

• Puppy series + 1-yr booster
• Annual wellness (many seniors q6 mo)
• Prompt visit for GI upsets, cough, lameness, appetite change

• Complete & balanced AAFCO food
• Typical 2–4% body weight/day (varies by life stage/brand)

• Exercise
• Training reps
• Parasite prevention (heartworm + flea/tick year-round in most U.S.)

• Nail trims q3–6 wks
• Tooth brushing daily ideal

• Crate/bed
• Bowls
• Leash/harness
• ID/microchip
• Toys
• Brush
• Poop bags

• Positive-reinforcement basics (sit/down/recall)
• Crate/loose-leash
• House-training

• 3–14 wks window
• Safe exposures after first vaccines

• Microchip + tag
• Secure yard
• Car restraint

• Hospice planning
• Euthanasia (clinic or in-home)
• Remains options

• Shelters/rescues
• Responsible breeders (health testing)

FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis/herpes-1, calicivirus, panleukopenia) 6–8 wks, then q3–4 wks until 16–20 wks; booster at 1 yr, then q3 yrs.

Rabies per local law.

FeLV: core for kittens (2-dose series), then risk-based thereafter.

• Kitten series + 1-yr booster
• Annual wellness (seniors q6 mo)
• Early visit for hiding, appetite/weight change, vomiting/diarrhea, urinary signs

• Complete & balanced diet
• Wet food can help hydration/weight

• Interactive play
• Litter box 1+ per cat (+1 extra)
• Parasite prevention if risk

• Nail trims q2–4 wks
• Brush long coats
• Dental care

• Litter boxes/scoops
• Scratching posts
• Carriers
• Microchip/ID

• Litter training
• Scratching redirection
• Clicker games

• Gentle exposure to people/sounds/handling early

• Keep indoors or supervised outdoors
• Microchip

• Palliative options
• Euthanasia planning

• Reputable stores/breeders
• Cycle the tank before stocking
• Quarantine new fish

• If available locally—buoyancy issues, ulcers, flashing, rapid breathing
• Water-quality review first

• Species-specific flakes/pellets
• Frozen/live foods as appropriate
• Avoid overfeeding

• Check behavior/equipment
• Top off water
• Test weekly
• 25–50% water change q1wk

• Dechlorinate water
• Gravel-vac
• Filter media on schedule

• Tank (e.g., 20 gal)
• Stand/lid
• Filter
• Heater (tropicals)
• Test kit
• Dechlorinator
• Net

• GFCI outlet
• Covered tank
• Species compatibility

• Humane euthanasia (clove-oil/overdose anesthetic via vet guidance)

• Avian rescues
• Reputable breeders (weaned, hand-tame)

Routine vaccines not typical for most pet birds; polyomavirus vaccine used in young psittacines/breeding operations (2-dose series with annual booster per avian vet).

• Annual avian-experienced exam
• ASAP for puffed feathers, tail-bobbing, reduced appetite, droppings changes (birds hide illness)

• Pellets (base diet)
• Fresh vegetables
• Seeds as treats only

• Out-of-cage time
• Toys/foraging activities
• Cage cleaning

• Nail/wing care (per vet)
• Baths/misting

• Appropriately large cage (proper bar spacing)
• Perches of varied diameters
• Toys
• Carrier

• Positive reinforcement (step-up/recall)
• Target training

• Daily human interaction time
• Species-safe flocking

• No Teflon fumes
• Secure rooms/windows
• Avoid toxic plants/foods

• Hospice care
• Euthanasia via avian vet

• Rabbit rescues/shelters
• Spay/neuter highly recommended

RHDV2 vaccine is now used in the U.S.; protocols commonly start as early as 3–4 wks, booster ≥3 wks later, then annual boosters (follow your exotics vet).

• Annual exotics exam
• ASAP for GI slowdown
• Not eating/pooping
• Dental issues

• Unlimited grass hay
• Leafy greens daily
• Measured pellets
• Fresh water

• Litter box maintenance
• Chew toys
• Exercise time
• Bond-building activities

• Regular brushing
• Nail trims
• No baths (rabbits clean themselves)

• X-pen/hutch
• Litter boxes
• Hay rack
• Water bowl
• Hides
• Chew toys

• Litter training
• Handling desensitization

• Often thrive with a bonded partner
• Gentle handling required

• Chew-proof electrical cords
• Block baseboards
• Supervise roaming time

• Palliative care options
• Euthanasia planning

• Rescues
• Responsible breeders

• Annual exotics exam
• Urgent for not eating/pooping
• Respiratory noise
• Foot sores

• Unlimited grass hay
• Vitamin-C fortified pellets
• Fresh vegetables
• Require vitamin C daily

• Spot-clean daily
• Full clean 1–2×/wk
• Floor time for exercise

• Nail trims
• Long-haired grooming

• C&C-style cage
• Hides
• Chew toys
• Water bottle/bowl

• Handling desensitization
• Target for weigh-ins

• Same-sex pairs/groups preferred

• Chew-proofing environment
• Stable temperatures

• Palliative support
• Euthanasia planning

• Nocturnal
• Generally solo housing
• Gentle, brief handling

• Rescues/responsible breeders
• Avoid tiny cages/wheels

• Lumps
• Wet-tail
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Overgrown teeth

• Quality hamster mix
• Species-appropriate fresh foods

• Deep bedding for burrowing
• Spot clean daily
• Full clean q1–2 wks

• Sand baths for dwarfs
• Nail/dental checks

• ≥450–600 sq in floor area
• Solid wheel
• Hides
• Chew toys

• Hand-taming
• Simple targeting

• Minimal
• Stress if forced

• Escape-proof enclosure

• Short lifespans
• Humane euthanasia via vet

• Low-dander
• Handling varies by species
• Enclosure-centric care

• Captive-bred only
• Avoid wild-caught

• Annual exotics check & fecal
• Urgent for anorexia
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Swelling
• Prolapse

• Species-specific (insects/greens/whole-prey)
• Calcium + UVB for baskers to prevent MBD

• Temperature/humidity gradients
• Fresh water
• Spot clean

• Replace UVB bulbs on schedule
• Sanitize décor
• Hand-wash (Salmonella risk)

• Correct-size terrarium
• UVB/heat
• Thermostat
• Gauges
• Hides
• Substrate

• Minimal
• Some target/handling tolerance

• Usually solitary

• Escape-proof lids
• Secure heat/lighting

• Vet-guided euthanasia
• Long lifespans for some

• Require land/facility access
• Daily commitment essential
• Experience strongly recommended

• Rescues/sanctuaries
• Reputable breeders
• Pre-purchase exam essential

• Core vaccines: Tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Rabies
• Annual boosters typically
• Risk-based: Influenza, Rhino (EHV), Strangles

• Annual wellness/dental
• Urgent: colic symptoms
• Lameness
• Wounds/injuries

• Forage-based (hay/pasture)
• Grain as needed
• Salt/mineral supplementation

• Feeding/watering
• Turnout/exercise
• Visual health check

• Daily grooming
• Hoof picking
• Regular farrier care

• Shelter/barn
• Fencing
• Halter/lead rope
• Grooming tools
• Feed buckets

• Ground manners
• Leading/handling
• Professional training often needed

• Herd animals
• Benefit from companionship

• Secure fencing
• Safety equipment
• Experienced handling required

• Euthanasia planning
• Body disposition arrangements

• Higher complexity than freshwater
• Significant startup costs
• Experience recommended

• Reputable marine dealers
• Captive-bred preferred
• Proper quarantine essential

• Disease outbreaks
• Persistent water quality issues
• Specialized marine vet preferred

• Species-specific marine foods
• Variety essential
• Supplement feeding for corals/inverts

• Monitor salinity/temperature
• Check equipment function
• Regular water testing

• Protein skimmer maintenance
• Regular water changes
• Substrate cleaning

• Marine tank system (50+ gal recommended)
• Protein skimmer
• Live rock/sand
• Marine salt mix
• Refractometer
• Quality lighting

• GFCI protection
• Backup systems
• Stable salinity/parameters

• Humane euthanasia methods
• Proper disposal

• Active/playful
• 4+ hours daily out-of-cage time
• Ferret-proofing required

• Ferret rescues/shelters
• Reputable breeders
• Check local legality

• Distemper: 3-dose series starting 6-8 wks, then annual
• Rabies: 12+ wks, then annual

• Annual exotics exam
• Urgent: lethargy
• GI upset
• Difficulty urinating
• Respiratory signs

• High-protein ferret kibble
• Multiple small meals daily
• Fresh water always available

• Out-of-cage exercise/play
• Litter box maintenance
• Interactive play

• Nail trims q2-3 wks
• Ear cleaning as needed
• Occasional baths

• Multi-level cage
• Hammocks/bedding
• Litter boxes
• Toys
• Harness/carrier

• Litter training
• Basic commands
• Bite inhibition

• Social with other ferrets
• Human interaction important

• Ferret-proof environment
• Secure small gaps/holes
• Supervision during free-roam

• Common health issues in seniors
• Quality of life assessment
• Euthanasia planning