About Paw Primer

Paw Primer is a reference for dog and cat owners built around one question: is this normal, and is it worth a vet visit?

Most pet advice is written as an article. Ours is written as a judgement call. Every guide separates what is usually normal from what is worth booking for, and ends at the same three-step threshold — watch at home, book a vet, go now.

What you will find here

Everyday care rather than clinical medicine: pet health signs owners can actually see, breeds, feeding and dog food, puppy and kitten basics, the questions people bring to a first vet appointment, and grooming.

Each guide is stamped with the species it applies to, because a lot of advice that is right for a dog is wrong for a cat. Where a sign means something different in each — straining to urinate, hiding, a skipped meal — we say so.

How the guides are written

We describe what owners can reasonably judge at home, and we stop where that judgement runs out. Where a decision belongs to a vet, the guide says so and says why, rather than guessing at doses, temperatures or weights.

Who writes it

Paw Primer is written and edited by Della Ruiz, who writes plain-language guides for dog and cat owners.

Corrections and questions are welcome — details are on the contact page.