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Understand your pet, one guide at a time.

Practical answers about dog and cat nutrition, safety and wellbeing. Every important claim links to the evidence supporting it.

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28 guides found
The Amaeru dog stays behind a screen while a sand fly remains outside
Prevention01

Canine leishmaniosis: sand flies, signs and prevention

How sand flies transmit leishmaniosis to dogs, how long the risk season lasts in southern Europe, which signs to watch for and how to protect your dog.

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat moves across a low warm resting place in winter
Prevention02

Osteoarthritis in dogs and cats: pain, movement and winter comfort

How to recognise arthritis pain in older dogs and cats, why regular movement and weight matter, and how to make your home more comfortable in winter.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat observes its litter box beside a water bowl
Prevention03

Cystitis in cats (FLUTD): signs, emergencies and prevention

How to recognise urinary problems in cats, when a blockage is an emergency, and which environment, water and diet measures have the most evidence.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog avoids an antifreeze puddle and de-icing salt
Safety04

Antifreeze and de-icing salt: risks for dogs and cats and what to do

Why ethylene glycol antifreeze is an emergency even in small amounts, which signs to watch for and how to protect dog and cat paws from de-icing salt.

5 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog stops before a houseplant
Safety05

Toxic plants for dogs: which are riskiest and what to do

Which house, garden and holiday plants are most dangerous for dogs, which ones are over-rated and what to do if your dog chews one.

13 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog shelter indoors while fireworks glow outside
Prevention06

Fireworks: how to help dogs and cats that are afraid

How common fear of fireworks is in dogs and cats, how to recognise it, how to prepare your home for New Year’s Eve and why to see your vet in good time.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog on a mat for a health checkup
Prevention07

Senior dogs and cats: which checks to do and what to watch at home

When a dog or cat is considered senior, what a veterinary check-up includes, how often to have one and which changes you should report.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru puppy and kitten beside a veterinary care kit
Prevention08

Puppy and kitten vaccinations: schedule and socialisation

Why puppies and kittens need several vaccinations up to 16 weeks and beyond, which vaccines are core and how to socialise your puppy safely meanwhile.

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog stops away from a line of processionary caterpillars
Safety09

Pine processionary caterpillars and dogs: risks, signs and what to do

Why pine processionary caterpillars are dangerous for dogs, when they come down from the trees, which signs to watch for and why to see a vet at once.

5 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog beside bowls and a clock for mealtime routine
Nutrition10

Diabetes in dogs and cats: feeding, routine and signs to watch

How to organise meals, treats and activity for a diabetic dog or cat, why the two species differ and which signs mean you should call your vet at once.

8 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat eats beside a scale for weight monitoring
Prevention11

Hyperthyroidism in cats: signs, treatments and ongoing monitoring

How to recognise hyperthyroidism in older cats, which treatments exist, why it should always be treated and which check-ups help protect the kidneys.

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog in a flowered meadow among spring pollen
Prevention12

Atopic dermatitis in dogs: pollen, itching and long-term management

How to recognise atopic dermatitis in dogs, why pollen makes it worse, how a diagnosis is reached and what helps in long-term management.

3 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog stays behind a screen while a mosquito remains outside
Prevention13

Heartworm in dogs: mosquitoes, signs and prevention

How mosquitoes transmit heartworm to dogs, why it now affects central and southern Italy too, which signs to watch for and how to plan prevention with your vet.

3 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog drinks from a travel bowl on a summer walk
Nutrition14

Dog hydration in summer: water, walks and signs to watch

How to keep a dog hydrated in summer, which signs of heat stress and heatstroke to recognise, and why drinking too much water is dangerous too.

3 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog chooses a shaded path beside hot asphalt
Safety15

Hot asphalt: how to protect your dog’s paws

Why summer asphalt can burn a dog’s paw pads, how to run the hand test before going out, and what to do if the paws are already burned.

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat stops before a potted lily
Safety16

Toxic plants for cats: what to know and what to do

How to check which plants may harm cats, why true lilies are an emergency, and what to do straight away after a possible exposure.

5 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog keep away from chocolate, grapes and onion
Safety17

Toxic foods for dogs and cats: what to avoid and what to do

Chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and other hazards: how to prevent exposure and when to call a veterinarian immediately.

2 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog moves from the sun toward shade and a water bowl
Safety18

Heatstroke in dogs: signs, risk and prevention

How to recognise overheating in dogs, which dogs are more vulnerable, how to prevent it and when immediate veterinary care is needed.

3 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog avoids a pond with blue-green algae
Safety19

Blue-green algae and dogs: lake risks and what to do

How to recognise suspicious water, keep your dog safe and act quickly after possible contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog checks a foxtail caught in the fur of its paw
Safety20

Foxtails in dogs and cats: signs and prevention

Where foxtails can enter, which signs to watch for after a walk in dry grass and when to take your dog or cat to the veterinarian.

2 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat touches the water in its bowl with one paw
Nutrition21

Cat hydration: water, wet food and changes to watch

How to consider drinking water and food moisture, offer more water locations and recognise changes that need veterinary advice.

5 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog holds a toothbrush beside a tooth as the cat points to it
Prevention22

Dental care for dogs and cats: prevention and signs to watch

How to look after your dog’s or cat’s teeth and gums, which signs not to ignore, how to introduce brushing and which products have evidence.

5 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog beside a scale and a soft measuring tape
Nutrition23

Body Condition Score for dogs and cats: how to interpret it

What Body Condition Score measures, how to observe it and why weight, muscle and the feeding plan should be assessed together.

7 checked sources
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The Amaeru dog keeps away from wild mushrooms in the woods
Safety24

Toxic mushrooms and dogs: risks and what to do straight away

Why wild mushrooms are a risk for dogs, which signs to watch for and what to do straight away if your dog has eaten one, even if it seems fine.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat brushes the dog’s coat between two autumn leaves
Prevention25

Seasonal shedding in dogs and cats: brushing and signs to watch

Why dogs and cats shed in spring and autumn, how to brush them, how to limit hairballs and when hair loss is not normal and needs a veterinarian.

9 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog protected from ticks and fleas year-round
Prevention26

Parasite control for dogs and cats: why protection matters all year

Why ticks, fleas and worms do not disappear in the cold, how to plan your dog’s or cat’s protection with your veterinarian and which mistakes to avoid.

4 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog inspect a pet food package with a magnifier
Nutrition27

How to read a dog or cat food label

A practical guide to pet food labels: complete or complementary feed, composition, analytical constituents and feeding directions.

6 checked sources
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The Amaeru cat and dog record meals and treats in an illustrated diary
Diary & signs28

A dog or cat food diary: what to record

What to record in a pet food diary to reconstruct meals, amounts, treats, signs and changes for a veterinary consultation.

4 checked sources
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How we work

We do not ask you to take our word for it.

Every guide follows the same path before publication. Sources remain accessible after the review.

01

We select

Veterinary guidelines, universities, public institutions and peer-reviewed literature.

02

We connect

Every sensitive claim is connected to the sources supporting it.

03

We update

Review dates, limitations and emergency guidance always stay visible.

Guides inform and help you prepare better questions. They do not replace diagnosis, treatment or veterinary examination.