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Welcome

The first day: what to have ready

Pick who’s coming home: what must be ready before it arrives, from vets’ care sheets. For puppies and kittens there’s a full checklist to tick off.

Who lives with you?

Dogs and cats

DogCat

Small mammals

RabbitGuinea pigHamsterPet ratFerret

Birds

CanaryBudgiesCockatielLovebirds

Reptiles

TortoiseRed-eared sliderLeopard geckoBearded dragonCorn snakeBall python

Fish

GoldfishBetta fish

Spiders

Tarantula

Dog

For your dog there’s a full checklist to tick off, with what to buy and what to know.

Go to the checklist

Its full pageCreate your dog’s page

Cat

For your cat there’s a full checklist to tick off, with what to buy and what to know.

Go to the checklist

Its full pageCreate your cat’s page

Rabbit

Company
in pairs, always
Space
for a pair, at least 3 × 2 m (about 10 × 6.5 ft) and 1 m (3.3 ft) high
What it eats
hay and grass: about 85% of the diet

Before it arrives

  • An enclosure of at least 3 × 2 m (about 10 × 6.5 ft), 1 m (3.3 ft) high, for two rabbits: one connected space where they can run
  • A companion: rabbits should live at least in pairs (often a male and a female, both neutered)
  • A shelter they can always reach, and enough hiding places for everyone without fighting
  • Plenty of good hay, sweet-smelling and dust-free, and fresh water at all times
  • A litter box with recycled paper or hay, never clumping litter or wood shavings
  • A dry spot at 10–20 °C (50–68 °F), away from drafts, radiators and direct sun
  • A rabbit-savvy vet, for the first check-up and the vaccines

Its home: temperature and light

The room
10–20 °C (50–68 °F)

Its full pageCreate your rabbit’s page

Guinea pig

Company
with at least one other guinea pig
Space
a roomy pen; indoors when it’s below 15 °C (59 °F)
What it eats
hay, fresh pellets and vegetables every day

Before it arrives

  • At least two guinea pigs: they shouldn't live alone
  • A big space where they can run and stand up on their back legs, plus an exercise area
  • One more hideout than the number of guinea pigs, and a few tunnels
  • Bedding: dust-free shavings and hay; never pine, straw or cotton wool
  • Plenty of grass hay, guinea pig pellets and vegetables rich in vitamin C
  • Untreated wood to chew: their teeth never stop growing
  • A spot at 17–20 °C (63–68 °F), away from radiators, sun and drafts, and from dogs, cats and ferrets

Its home: temperature and light

The room
17–20 °C (63–68 °F)

Its full pageCreate your guinea pig’s page

Hamster

Company
alone (Syrian hamster)
Space
at least 100 × 50 cm (39 × 20 in) of floor, 25 cm (10 in) of bedding, a 30 cm (12 in) wheel
What it eats
hamster mix and a few vegetables

Before it arrives

  • A cage with at least 100 × 50 cm (39 × 20 in) of floor, ideally on one level: bigger is better
  • At least 25 cm (10 in) of bedding to dig burrows
  • A wheel at least 30 cm (12 in) wide with a solid running surface, no bars
  • Hidden nest boxes to sleep in during the day
  • Hamster pellets, timothy hay and wood to chew
  • A water bottle with a sipper tip and sturdy bowls
  • A quiet spot at 18–26 °C (64–79 °F), away from TVs, computers and running water (they make ultrasound)
  • Just one hamster: Syrians live alone and two will fight

Its home: temperature and light

The room
18–26 °C (64–79 °F)

Its full pageCreate your hamster’s page

Pet rat

Company
never alone: at least two of the same sex
Space
a big multi-level cage, with hammocks and hides
What it eats
rat pellets plus a little fruit and vegetables every day

Before it arrives

  • At least two rats of the same sex, ideally siblings: never alone
  • A big multi-level cage (ferret or chinchilla cages work), with a solid floor, not wire mesh
  • Hammocks, ropes, ladders, tunnels and hides at different heights
  • Dust-free bedding; never cedar or pine shavings, newspaper or cotton wool
  • Rat nuggets and a kitchen scale to weigh them
  • Ceramic bowls (not metal) and several water bottles, so they can all drink at once
  • A spot at 19–23 °C (66–73 °F), with no drafts, away from bathrooms, TVs and computers (they make ultrasound)

Its home: temperature and light

The room
18–26 °C (64–79 °F)

Its full pageCreate your rat’s page

Ferret

Company
at least two together
Space
a ferret-proofed home and several hours of play outside the cage every day
What it eats
meat-based ferret food, always available

Before it arrives

  • At least two ferrets (no more than four together, ideally littermates), all neutered or with a hormone implant
  • A ferret-proofed home, because it needs several hours a day of play outside its enclosure
  • A big enclosure with hammocks, or a sleeping box lined with a T-shirt
  • A litter box away from food and bed, with non-clumping cat litter
  • Heavy or clip-on bowls and a water bottle: they tip everything over
  • Ferret kibble, always available
  • A dry, draft-free spot at 15–21 °C (59–70 °F): they don't sweat and suffer in the heat
  • A vet who knows ferrets, found before you get them

Its home: temperature and light

The room
15–23 °C (59–73 °F)

Its full pageCreate your ferret’s page

Canary

Company
alone or in pairs: the sources disagree
Space
a cage where it can stretch its wings in every direction; an aviary is better
What it eats
1–2 teaspoons of seed a day, plus vegetables and cuttlebone

Before it arrives

  • Best as a pair: the German Animal Welfare Federation says never keep one alone (two, or a group of at least four), while Merck says canaries are territorial and do well alone or in pairs
  • An aviary at least 2 m long, 1 m wide and 2 m high (about 6.5 × 3.3 × 6.5 ft) for 2 to 6 canaries; at the very least, a cage where it can stretch its wings in every direction
  • Natural branches of different thicknesses as perches; no mirrors, fake birds or sandpaper perches
  • Several feeders and water bottles (ideally one per bird) and a bath dish
  • Paper on the floor and a lamp with UVA and UVB if it lives only indoors
  • Good seed or pellets, a cuttlebone and grit
  • A bright, quiet spot at 18–20 °C (64–68 °F), never the kitchen, with no smoke, air fresheners or overheated non-stick pans
  • A safe room where it can fly free every day, for a few hours

Its home: temperature and light

The room
18–20 °C (64–68 °F)
Light
12–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your canary’s page

Budgies

Company
in pairs or groups
Space
out of the cage every day, in a safe room
What it eats
budgie mix, vegetables; never avocado

Before it arrives

  • A companion of the same species: budgies live in flocks
  • A cage at least 1.5 times its wingspan in height, width and depth (2 times if it stays inside most of the time); an aviary is better
  • At least 6 hours a day out of the cage, in a safe room where it can fly: windows closed, fans off, never the kitchen
  • Natural branch perches of different thicknesses; no sandpaper perches
  • A bird UV lamp above the cage: window glass blocks UVB
  • Budgie pellets, a few seeds, fresh vegetables; drinking water and a shallow dish for bathing
  • Paper on the cage floor (not wood chips, corncob or cat litter) and a digital gram scale
  • A home without cigarette smoke, air fresheners or overheated non-stick pans: the fumes can kill it

Its home: temperature and light

The room
12–26 °C (54–79 °F)
Light
12–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your budgie’s page

Cockatiel

Company
out of the cage every day
Space
a cage of at least 60 × 60 × 90 cm (24 × 24 × 35 in) per bird
What it eats
pellets and seeds, with fresh vegetables and fruit every day

Before it arrives

  • A companion of the same species: cockatiels live in flocks
  • A cage at least 1.5 times its wingspan in height, width and depth (2 times if it stays inside most of the time); an aviary is better
  • At least 6 hours a day out of the cage, in a safe room where it can fly: windows closed, fans off, never the kitchen
  • Natural branch perches of different thicknesses; no sandpaper perches
  • A bird UV lamp above the cage: window glass blocks UVB
  • Cockatiel pellets, a few seeds, fresh vegetables; drinking water and a shallow dish for bathing
  • Paper on the cage floor (not wood chips, corncob or cat litter) and a digital gram scale
  • A home without cigarette smoke, air fresheners or overheated non-stick pans: the fumes can kill it

Its home: temperature and light

The room
12–26 °C (54–79 °F)
Light
12–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your cockatiel’s page

Lovebirds

Company
in pairs
Space
a big cage, time out every day, away from the kitchen
What it eats
pellets and fresh vegetables every day, few seeds

Before it arrives

  • A companion of the same species: lovebirds live in flocks
  • A cage at least 1.5 times its wingspan in height, width and depth (2 times if it stays inside most of the time); an aviary is better
  • At least 6 hours a day out of the cage, in a safe room where it can fly: windows closed, fans off, never the kitchen
  • Natural branch perches of different thicknesses; no sandpaper perches
  • A bird UV lamp above the cage: window glass blocks UVB
  • Small-parrot pellets, a few seeds, fresh fruit and vegetables; clean water at all times
  • Paper on the cage floor (not wood chips, corncob or cat litter) and a digital gram scale
  • A home without cigarette smoke, air fresheners or overheated non-stick pans: the fumes can kill it

Its home: temperature and light

The room
12–26 °C (54–79 °F)
Light
12–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your lovebird’s page

Tortoise

Company
outdoors in the warm months, safely fenced
Space
about 10 m² (108 sq ft) outdoors per tortoise, with shade and shelter
What it eats
wild weeds, flowers and grass; little supermarket produce

Before it arrives

  • An outdoor pen of at least 10 m² (108 sq ft) per tortoise, with a wall at least 45–50 cm (18–20 in) high and buried 10–15 cm (4–6 in), shade and a waterproof shelter in the sun
  • An indoor enclosure of at least 180 × 120 cm (6 × 4 ft) for one tortoise, with soil and soft sand at least 5 cm (2 in) deep
  • A basking lamp for a 35 °C (95 °F) spot and a UVB lamp less than 30 cm (12 in) away; the rest at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) by day and 15 °C (59 °F) at night
  • A timer: 12 hours of light in winter, 13 in spring and fall, 14 in summer
  • A shallow water dish to drink and bathe in
  • Pesticide-free wild weeds (dandelion, clover, plantain) and cuttlebone
  • No gravel, wood shavings, alfalfa pellets, calcium sand or cat litter
  • A reptile vet, who will also check it before brumation

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
35 °C (95 °F)
Cool side
20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
At night
15–22 °C (59–72 °F)
Humidity
30–50%
Light
12–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed
What the law says

In the EU the three European tortoises (Testudo hermanni, graeca and marginata) are in Annex A of the wildlife trade rules: in Italy, buying or selling one, even as a swap, needs a certificate from the Carabinieri CITES units, plus a microchip and a declaration of possession.

Its full pageCreate your tortoise’s page

Red-eared slider

Company
in a big tank, with a dry basking island
Space
about 15 liters of water per cm of shell (10 gallons per inch), at least twice as deep as it is long
What it eats
every day when young, every 2–3 days as an adult

Before it arrives

  • A big tank: at least 80 liters of water per 5 cm of shell (for 25 cm, 400 liters, about 105 gallons), with water at least twice as deep as the shell is long
  • A dry island with a ramp, under a guarded heat lamp (30–35 °C / 86–95 °F), plus another, cooler dry spot
  • A 7–12% UVB lamp over two thirds of the tank, and a timer
  • A guarded aquarium heater with a thermostat (about 25 °C / 77 °F for babies, 22 °C / 72 °F for adults) and a water thermometer
  • A powerful filter, tap water conditioner and test kits for ammonia and nitrite
  • A separate tub to feed it in
  • Start the tank two weeks before: the water warms up and the filter starts to work

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
30–35 °C (86–95 °F)
Cool side
22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
Water
22–30 °C (72–86 °F)
Light
10–14 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed
What the law says

It has been on the EU list of invasive species since 2016: it can no longer be kept, bred or sold. People who already had one may keep it for the rest of its life, as long as it can’t escape or breed.

Its full pageCreate your red-eared slider’s page

Leopard gecko

Company
in a warm terrarium, with a humid hide
Space
a terrarium with one side at 28–32 °C (82–90 °F) and one at 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
What it eats
insects, every 2–3 days as an adult

Before it arrives

  • A vivarium at least 60 × 40 × 30 cm (24 × 16 × 12 in; long, high, deep) for one adult gecko, well ventilated and secure
  • A guarded heat lamp with a thermostat: one end at 28–30 °C (82–86 °F) and one at 24–26 °C (75–79 °F), with two digital thermometers
  • A low-output UVB tube (2–5%) and a timer for 12 hours of light
  • Several hides at the warm and cool ends, plus a humid hide with damp moss
  • A safe floor such as tile, slate or reptile carpet; no calcium sand, beech chips or corncob
  • A shallow dish of clean water at the cool end
  • Farm-raised live insects, plain calcium powder and a reptile multivitamin
  • Set up and run the vivarium for at least a week before it arrives

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
28–32 °C (82–90 °F)
Cool side
23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
At night
18–25 °C (64–77 °F)
Humidity
30–40%
Light
12 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your leopard gecko’s page

Bearded dragon

Company
warm: a basking spot at 38–42 °C (100–108 °F)
Space
a big terrarium, with a UVB tube about half its length
What it eats
insects no bigger than its mouth, plus greens; adults about 60% greens. In the morning

Before it arrives

  • A vivarium at least 120 × 60 × 60 cm (48 × 24 × 24 in; long, high, wide) for one adult, ventilated and secure
  • A guarded heat lamp with a thermostat: basking spot at 38–42 °C (100–108 °F), cool end at 22–26 °C (72–79 °F), and two thermometers
  • A high-output UVB tube (10–12%) up to half the vivarium's length, fitted inside (glass blocks UVB), and a 12-hour timer
  • A heater that gives no light for the night, if the room drops below 20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
  • A hide at each end, plus rocks and sturdy branches to climb
  • A safe floor: rough tiles or slate, or reptile carpet (paper towels for babies); no gravel, corncob or cat litter
  • A large shallow water dish, live insects, leafy greens and calcium powder
  • Set up and run the vivarium for at least a week before it arrives

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
38–42 °C (100–108 °F)
Cool side
22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
At night
20–22 °C (68–72 °F)
Humidity
30–40%
Light
12 hours a day
UVB lamp
needed

Its full pageCreate your bearded dragon’s page

Corn snake

Company
alone: one snake per terrarium
Space
a terrarium with a locking lid and no gaps
What it eats
thawed frozen prey, every 7–14 days as an adult

Before it arrives

  • A vivarium at least as long as the snake and a third as wide and high (for 150 cm: 150 × 50 × 50 cm, about 60 × 20 × 20 in), with a locking lid: it's an escape artist
  • A guarded heat lamp with a thermostat (basking 28–30 °C / 82–86 °F, cool end 20–24 °C / 68–75 °F) and two thermometers
  • At least two hides, one at each end, plus a humid one, and a branch to climb
  • A water bowl it can fully soak in (shallow for babies, about 1 inch)
  • Floor: soil with some sand and leaves, or paper or reptile carpet; never cedar, wood shavings, corncob or gravel
  • A low-output UVB tube (2–7%) and a timer for 12 hours of light
  • Frozen mice of the right size and tongs; never leave a live rodent alone with the snake
  • Run the vivarium for a week first; after it arrives, leave it alone for 1 to 2 weeks

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
28–32 °C (82–90 °F)
Cool side
20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
At night
16–20 °C (61–68 °F)
Humidity
40–50%
Light
12 hours a day
UVB lamp
helpful, not required

Its full pageCreate your corn snake’s page

Ball python

Company
alone, with two hides
Space
a terrarium at 30–32 °C (86–90 °F) at the warm end, with a humid hide
What it eats
thawed frozen prey, every 7–14 days as an adult

Before it arrives

  • A vivarium at least as long as the snake and at least a third of its length wide and high (for 120 cm: 120 × 40 × 40 cm, about 48 × 16 × 16 in), securely closed
  • A guarded heat lamp with a thermostat (basking 30–32 °C / 86–90 °F, cool end 24–26 °C / 75–79 °F), two thermometers and a heater with no light for the night
  • Several hides at both ends, snug when it's coiled, and a humid one with damp moss
  • A water bowl big enough to soak in
  • Reptile soil or paper; no sand, cedar, wood shavings, corncob or gravel
  • Frozen prey and tongs to offer it; never live prey
  • Run the vivarium for a week first; after it arrives, leave it alone for 1 to 2 weeks

Its home: temperature and light

Basking spot
30–32 °C (86–90 °F)
Cool side
24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
At night
24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
Humidity
50–80%
Light
12 hours a day
UVB lamp
helpful, not required
What the law says

In Italy only captive-bred pythons can be kept, not wild-caught ones (Legislative Decree 135/2022). The ball python is in Annex B of the EU wildlife trade rules (CITES): no certificate is needed, but keep proof of legal purchase, such as the invoice. In Italy, babies born at home must be reported within 10 days to the Carabinieri CITES units.

Its full pageCreate your ball python’s page

Goldfish

Company
in groups, in a real aquarium
Space
at least 100 liters (26 gallons) for one adult, plus 50 (13 gallons) for each extra fish
What it eats
food made for goldfish

Before it arrives

  • An aquarium of at least 100 liters (26 gallons) for one adult goldfish, plus 50 (13 gallons) for each extra fish: never a bowl
  • At least two goldfish: they're social
  • A strong filter with adjustable flow (gentle for fancy goldfish)
  • Water conditioner and a test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH)
  • Let the filter mature before adding fish: ammonia and nitrite must be zero
  • Plants covering about half the tank, and one covered side
  • A spot away from direct sun, drafts, heat sources and noise
  • Goldfish food (sinking pellets for fancy goldfish)

Its home: temperature and light

Water
20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
Light
10 hours a day

Its full pageCreate your goldfish’s page

Betta fish

Company
one male per tank
Space
a heated, filtered tank of at least 20 liters (5 gallons), at 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
What it eats
a little, once a day

Before it arrives

  • A tank of at least 20 liters (5 gallons; 10 liters is the absolute minimum): never a bowl or a vase
  • An aquarium heater with a thermostat, to keep the water at 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
  • A filter of the right size, with gentle, adjustable flow
  • Tap water conditioner and a test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)
  • Start the tank first: ammonia and nitrite must be zero; in the first 6 weeks, test every 2–3 days
  • Soft plants and decorations without sharp edges; no mirrors
  • Only one male per tank: two males will fight
  • Betta food (pellets or flakes)

Its home: temperature and light

Water
24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
Light
10 hours a day

Its full pageCreate your betta fish’s page

Tarantula

Company
always alone
Space
a terrarium wider than it is tall: a fall can injure it
What it eats
live insects, once or twice a week; remove leftovers

Before it arrives

  • A glass or plastic enclosure wider than it is tall: for ground-dwelling species the height shouldn't exceed the spider's length, because a fall can kill it
  • A secure lid with air holes (against escapes and mold)
  • A hide, like a clay pot on its side or half a coconut shell
  • 7–12 cm (3–5 in) of fertilizer- and pesticide-free soil, peat or coconut fiber; no sand, gravel or wood shavings
  • A shallow water dish: it can drown in a deep one; no wet cotton wool or sponges
  • A quiet, warm room (about 21–29 °C / 70–85 °F), away from bright lights, with a min-max thermometer; no heat lamps
  • Farm-raised live insects of the right size (crickets, locusts)
  • Only one tarantula per enclosure

Its home: temperature and light

The room
21–29 °C (70–84 °F)
Humidity
60–65%
What the law says

In Italy only captive-bred tarantulas can be kept (Legislative Decree 135/2022). Many of the best-selling ones (Brachypelma, Tliltocatl and, since 29 June 2026, Grammostola rosea) are in Annex B of the EU wildlife trade rules: no certificate is needed, but keep proof of legal purchase, such as the invoice.

Its full pageCreate your tarantula’s page

Always ask your vet: this site helps you understand, it doesn’t replace a checkup.

Sources

All 74 sources, pet by pet