Dog & Cat Welcome Guide Dog & Cat Welcome Guide 日本語

Dog & Cat Welcome Guide

What do I need? How much will it cost?
Everything to prepare for a dog or cat, in one place.

Check with the tools

A dog and a cat sitting together on grass

Dog or Cat? Suitability Quiz

Eight questions to find out whether a dog or a cat fits your life.

Take the quiz
Golden retriever puppy sitting in a bowl on the grass

New Pet Preparation Checklist

Pick species, age and experience to generate your preparation list.

Build my list
Cat eating from a blue bowl

Initial Cost Simulator

Estimate the startup cost, itemised from animal price to equipment.

Run the simulator
Small puppy sitting in the sunshine

Pet Name Generator

Name ideas in four styles - Japanese, Western, food and nature.

Generate names

Prepare the welcome

Puppy relaxing on a plaid blanket

Preparing for a Dog

Equipment, timeline and the dog-only legal formalities.

Read the guide
Cream-coloured cat relaxing on a bed

Preparing for a Cat

Equipment, room setup, day one, and introducing a resident cat.

Read the guide
Brown puppy sleeping on a mat

Puppy Care Basics

Feeding, training and health, month by month to 5 months.

Read the guide
Two kittens nestling against a person's hand

Kitten Care Basics

From bottle-feeding to 4 months - rescued kittens included.

Read the guide

Training & environment

Dog training on a lead with its owner

Dog Training Basics

Toilet training, play biting and recall - adults included.

Read the guide
Two cats relaxing on a cat tower

Cat Habits & Behaviour

Scratching, litter box and meowing - fixes without scolding.

Read the guide
FeaturedGrey cat gazing out of the window

Escape Prevention & Pet-Proofing

Entrance, screens and balcony, plus swallowing hazards - with products and DIY.

Read the guide
Small dog held by a veterinarian at a clinic

Vet Visits & Vaccinations

Dog legal duties, cat vaccine guidance and choosing a clinic.

Read the guide

Where from & comparisons

Rescue dog looking through a wire fence

Adopting a Rescue Dog or Cat

Adoption conditions, the trial process and what fees cover.

Read the guide
Sheltie puppies lined up on a blanket

Pet Shops & Breeders

The three routes compared, and how to judge a seller.

Read the guide
Cat relaxing on a veterinary examination table

Pet Insurance: How to Choose

Coverage shares, plan types, renewal terms - and the savings alternative.

Read the guide

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How to use this site

  1. Still deciding? Start with the Dog-or-Cat Quiz and the Initial Cost Simulator to check the fit with your life
  2. Decided? Build your shopping list with the Preparation Checklist and follow the dog or cat preparation guide
  3. Welcoming a cat? Read Escape Prevention BEFORE homecoming - the first day is the riskiest