Guides for pet owners

Practical, plain-language help with the paperwork side of pet care. General information only — your vet is the authority on your pet's health.

• What to bring to a vet visit

  A checklist for checkups, sick visits and your first visit to a new vet.

• Dog vaccine schedule: core vs non-core

  Distemper, parvo, rabies, Bordetella, leptospirosis and more — what they are and how often they're usually given.

• How to keep track of your dog's medications

  What to record for every dose, and how to share the job without double-dosing.

• Proof of vaccination for boarding and daycare

  Which vaccines kennels and daycares usually require and what counts as proof.