About us
FirstPaws is an independent guide for people bringing home their first dog.
Getting a first dog is exciting and a little overwhelming. Advice online is scattered, contradictory, and often written to sell something. We started FirstPaws to put the essentials in one calm, well-organised place: what to buy, how to train, how much to feed, and when to call the vet.
Every guide is built around the questions new owners actually ask in their first year, and each one aims to leave you with a clear next step rather than a pile of opinions.
Our health and nutrition content follows published guidance from veterinary organisations such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). We don't sell pet products, and we don't accept payment to feature brands.
Who we are
FirstPaws is written and maintained by the FirstPaws Editorial Team, a small group of writers and editors who research each topic against professional guidance before publishing, and revisit guides when that guidance changes.
What we cover
- Puppy Basics — Getting ready, the first weeks, and what a dog really costs.
- Training & Behavior — Crate, potty, leash and manners — with day-by-day plans.
- Feeding & Nutrition — How much, how often, and how to read the label.
- Health & Care — Vaccines, vet visits, teething and the warning signs.
- Gear & Home — Crates, harnesses, bath time and travel.
We also build free calculators, such as the Puppy Food Calculator and the Dog Age Calculator.
How we work
Read our editorial policy for how we research, write, and correct our guides.
Contact
Questions, corrections and feedback are always welcome through our contact page.