About PetVitals
Free, science-backed pet health tools for the modern pet parent. No paywalls, no premium tiers — just reliable information when you need it.
Our Mission
PetVitals was built to solve a simple but frustrating problem: when you're standing in your kitchen wondering whether your dog can eat that grape that just rolled off the counter, you need an answer right now. Not after scrolling through 12 pages of ads, personal anecdotes, and conflicting forum posts.
We provide instant, clear, evidence-based answers about what's safe for your pet — and we do it for free. Every tool on PetVitals is built using veterinary-standard formulas and data sourced from established toxicology references, peer-reviewed research, and professional veterinary guidelines.
Our core belief: reliable pet health information should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. Pet ownership already comes with enough costs — access to basic safety information shouldn't be one of them.
Who We Are
PetVitals is an independent project created and maintained by a small team of pet lovers, developers, and health data researchers. We're not a large corporation, a veterinary chain, or a pet food company. We don't sell pet insurance, pet food, or supplements — and we don't accept payments to feature or promote specific products or brands.
Our work is supported by advertising (via Google AdSense), which allows us to keep every tool free for every user. We chose this model deliberately: it means we answer to our users, not to corporate partners or investors.
Our Tools
Toxicity Checker
Search over 500 foods, plants, medications, and household items to instantly check safety for dogs and cats. Each entry includes toxicity level, symptoms, emergency steps, and clinical source references. Data sourced from ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, and veterinary toxicology textbooks.
Try the Toxicity Checker →Feeding Calculator
Calculate exactly how much to feed your dog or cat using AAHA and WSAVA veterinary-standard formulas. Enter your pet's weight, age, activity level, and body condition score for a personalized daily calorie target and portion guide. Supports multiple dog food brands with accurate kcal/cup values.
Use the Feeding Calculator →Weight Tracking
Track your pet's weight over time with built-in Body Condition Score (BCS) assessment. Visualize weight trends, export data for your veterinarian, and catch unhealthy changes early. Free account required to save your pet's data.
Start Tracking →Pet Health Blog
Evidence-based guides covering pet nutrition, toxicity, weight management, and wellness. Every article cites clinical sources, veterinary guidelines, and peer-reviewed research. We don't publish listicles, personal anecdotes without sources, or sponsored content.
Read the Blog →Our Data & Methodology
Accuracy matters when it comes to pet health. Here's exactly where our information comes from:
Toxicity Database
Our toxicity data is compiled from multiple authoritative sources, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database, the Pet Poison Helpline, the Merck Veterinary Manual, and published veterinary toxicology literature such as Small Animal Toxicology (Peterson & Talcott) and Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology. Entries are reviewed for accuracy and include toxicity mechanisms, symptom timelines, and emergency response guidance.
Feeding Calculator Formulas
Our calculator uses the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula — 70 — (body weight in kg)^0.75 — multiplied by life-stage and condition-specific Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER) factors. These formulas and factors are based on AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines and WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee recommendations. Food brand calorie data is sourced from manufacturer-published nutritional information and cross-verified where possible.
Blog Content
Every blog article cites its sources. We link directly to peer-reviewed studies, veterinary textbooks, and official guidelines from organizations such as the AVMA, AAHA, WSAVA, ASPCA, and FDA. We do not publish AI-generated content without human review and source verification.
Important Medical Disclaimer
PetVitals provides general informational and educational content only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian with questions about your pet's health, diet, or medical conditions. If you believe your pet has ingested something toxic or is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately — do not wait for information from this website.
For poisoning emergencies in the United States, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (consultation fee may apply).
Contact Us
We welcome feedback, suggestions, corrections, and questions. If you spot an error in our database or have an idea for a new feature, please reach out.