Pawsitive Guide: Pet Care Resource Hub

Evidence-informed tools, trackers, and daily checklists to help you feel confident caring for your dog or cat—nutrition, behavior, safety, and more in one place.

Portion Calculator & Feeding Guide

Use this framework with your pet’s food label and your veterinarian’s advice. Always adjust based on your pet’s body condition score and energy level.

Illustration of pet food bowl and measuring cup for portion calculator

How to estimate a starting portion:
1. Check the kcal per cup (or per can) on your pet’s current food label.
2. Confirm your pet’s ideal body weight with your vet.
3. Ask your vet for a daily calorie target, then divide by kcal per cup to get cups per day.
4. Split into 2–3 meals for dogs and 2–4 meals for cats.

Quick Feeding Guide (Dogs)

Puppies: 2–3x the adult portion split into 3–4 meals/day (vet-guided).
Adult dogs: 2 meals/day; adjust up for high activity, down for low activity.
Seniors: focus on lean body condition; more frequent weight checks.

Quick Feeding Guide (Cats)

Kittens: 3–4 small meals/day; rapid growth needs close vet monitoring.
Adult cats: 2–4 small meals/day or measured wet + dry; avoid free-feeding if overweight.
Always pair dry food with consistent access to fresh water.

Daily Symptom Tracker

Use this checklist to log changes before vet visits. Track patterns in itching, stool, vomiting, coughing, appetite, behavior, and energy.

Skin & Gut

Itching / licking: location, intensity (1–5), time of day.
Diarrhea or stool changes: color, consistency (1–7), mucus or blood.
Vomiting: frequency, appearance (food, foam, bile), before or after meals.

Respiratory & Coughing

Coughing: dry vs. wet, triggers (exercise, excitement, night).
Sneezing or nasal discharge: color and thickness.
Breathing effort: open-mouth breathing in cats is urgent—call your vet immediately.

Appetite, Drinking & Energy

Not eating: when it started, full meals vs. partial meals.
Not drinking or drinking much more: note water bowl refills.
Energy: normal, lower than usual, or restless/hyper.

Behavior & Mood

New hiding, clinginess, or aggression.
Changes in play, sleep, or interest in family members.
Any sudden personality shift deserves a vet check.

Safe Food Chart: Dogs & Cats

This chart is for healthy adult pets and small, occasional portions only. Every pet is different—if in doubt, call your veterinarian or pet poison control.

Fast rule of thumb

Avoid onions, grapes/raisins, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, marijuana/THC, and any medication not prescribed for your pet.

Generally Safe (Dogs & Cats)

Plain cooked chicken, turkey, or fish (no bones, no seasoning).
Plain cooked pumpkin or sweet potato (no sugar, no spices).
Small pieces of carrot, cucumber, or green beans.

Dog-Only (Avoid in Cats)

Small amounts of plain peanut butter (xylitol-free).
Plain Greek yogurt or kefir (if not lactose intolerant).
Some fruits like apple slices (no seeds) and bananas.

Toxic / Avoid for All Pets

Grapes, raisins, currants; onions, chives, leeks.
Chocolate, coffee, energy drinks, alcohol.
Xylitol (in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters).
Cooked bones

Body Condition Score & Food Transition Schedule

Your pet’s body condition score (BCS) is more important than the number on the scale. Use this visual guide and the transition schedule to change foods safely.

Dog and cat body condition score silhouettes ranging from underweight to overweight

Quick BCS Check (1–9 scale)

1–3: Underweight — ribs and spine very easy to see and feel.
4–5: Ideal — ribs easy to feel with a slight fat cover and visible waist from above.
6–9: Overweight — hard-to-feel ribs, no waist, belly rounding or sagging.

Food Transition Schedule (7–10 days)

Keep in mind every pet is different

Days 1–3: 75% old food, 25% new food.
Days 4–6: 50% old food, 50% new food.
Days 7–9: 25% old food, 75% new food.
Day 10+: 100% new food if stool and appetite stay normal.

Pause or slow the transition if you see vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to eat. Call your veterinarian if signs last more than 24 hours or your pet seems painful, weak, or distressed. Please keep a record of the feeding process for your personal reference and if your pet needs to go to the veterinarian.

Enrichment & Mental Stimulatifron Ideas

Boredom can show up as barking, meowing, chewing, or withdrawal. Rotate activities so your dog or cat has something to sniff, chase, chew, and solve every day.

For Dogs

Snuffle mats or scatter-feeding kibble in the yard.
Puzzle feeders and frozen stuffed Kongs.
Short training sessions (2–5 minutes) for tricks and manners.

For Cats

Vertical spaces: cat trees, shelves, window perches.
Interactive play with wand toys and chase toys (5–10 minutes).
Food puzzles, treat balls, and foraging boxes.

Calming Routines

Predictable meal and walk/play times.
Quiet decompression space away from children and visitors.
Gentle massage, slow breathing beside your pet, or calm music.

Emergency: Pet Poison Control Hotlines

If your pet may have eaten or been exposed to something toxic, call your veterinarian immediately. If they are closed, contact one of these 24/7 hotlines:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (USA): +1 (888) 426-4435 (fee may apply).
Pet Poison Helpline (USA/Canada/Caribbean): +1 (855) 764-7661 (fee applies).
Check your local emergency vet hospital’s number and save it in your phone.

If your pet collapses, has seizures, trouble breathing, or severe bleeding, go to the closest open veterinary hospital immediately—do not wait for a call back.