Tools
Work it out.
Some questions need more than an answer. Score it, tick it, add it up, then take the result to your vet. Free, no sign-up, and nothing you enter leaves your browser.
- Pet age calculatorYour pet's age in human years by breed, the life stage they are in, and what changes now.
- Symptom checkerSay what you are seeing. It shows which signs mean go now and what to read about the rest.
- Quality-of-life scaleScore the seven things that matter, keep a log of good days and bad days, and take both to your vet.
- Can my dog or cat eat this?Type a food. See whether it is fine in small amounts, only with care, or a no, and read why.
- Is my pet overweight?Three hands-on checks vets use, ribs, waist and belly, to tell whether a dog or cat is the right weight.
- Calorie calculator for dogs and catsA starting range of daily calories for a pet at a healthy weight, and what that is in cups of your food.
- Euthanasia and cremation cost estimatorClinic, home or emergency visit, with or without cremation. A typical range before you call for quotes.
- Is it time? A checklist for dogsThe things vets weigh when a dog's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.
- Is it time? A checklist for catsThe things vets weigh when a cat's quality of life is failing, set out so you can see where yours stands.
- Dog dementia quizTick the changes you have seen. The six areas vets ask about, and what to bring to the appointment.
- Cat dementia quizNight yowling, staring, forgetting the litter box. Tick what fits and see what it adds up to.
- Poop color chart for dogs and catsBlack, red, yellow, green, grey, white specks: what each can mean and which need a vet today.
- Breathing and heart rate counterTap along for 30 seconds to get your pet's resting breathing rate, and keep the log vets ask for.
- Water intake calculatorHow much a dog or cat of your pet's weight typically drinks in a day, and when more means a vet visit.
- Is my dog in pain?Dogs hide it. A checklist of the quiet signs, grouped the way a vet looks for them.
- Is my cat in pain?Cats hide it better than dogs. The small changes in jumping, grooming and face that give it away.
- Breed lifespan and senior age chartEvery breed on the site: how long they live, when they become a senior, sortable and searchable.
- Gum color chart for dogs and catsPale, blue, bright red or yellow gums, what each can mean, and why most are an emergency.
- How old is my dog?No birthday on file? Estimate a dog's age from teeth, eyes, coat and muscle in five questions.
- How old is my cat?A stray or rescue with no history? Estimate a cat's age from teeth, eyes, coat and claws in five questions.
- What to say when someone loses a petChoose who it is for and what happened, and get kind, plain messages to copy or change.
- Hand signals for deaf dogsCommonly used signs for sit, down, stay, come and more, with how to teach each one to an older dog.
- Dog body language chartTail, ears, eyes and posture: what each signal usually means, including the ones that say pain or back off.
- Cat body language chartTail positions, ears, eyes and posture: what each usually means, and the quiet signs of pain in older cats.
- How much sleep is normal?The typical hours for dogs and cats by age, and how to tell rest from a pet that is unwell.
- Is this normal? Temperature, heart and breathingEnter a temperature, heart rate or breathing rate and see how it compares with the usual range.
- Vet visit checklistBuild your list for the appointment: what you have noticed, the questions to ask and what to bring.
- Human years to dog yearsThe age calculator backwards: enter your own age and see the dog or cat age that matches it.
- Old-soul pet namesOld man names, old lady names, classic, western and bookish. Page through and keep a shortlist.