These library books will help you learn to care for a wide variety of animal companions--in addition to cats and dogs, you can find books on snakes, chickens, horses and more!


Compiled by:
Bill W.
Art of keeping snakes

Philippe De Vosjoli
Adult Non-Fiction - 639.396 Dev

Learn how to set up and maintain vivaria, which snakes are the best display snakes, and how to handle, feed, and care for them.


The Bearded Dragon Manual

Philippe De Vosjoli
Adult Nonfiction - 639.3955 Dev

Reptiles are popular pets, and it can be argued that the bearded dragon is the best reptile to keep as a pet. This newly updated and expanded edition of the best-selling The Bearded Dragon Manual promises to excite new and seasoned herp enthusiasts with its in-depth discussion on all aspects of dragon keeping and its brilliant color photography.


The Cat Owner's Manual

David Brunner
Adult Nonfiction - 636.8 Br

Through step-by-step instructions and helpful schematic diagrams, The Cat Owner’s Manual explores hundreds of frequently asked questions: Which breeds interface best with dogs? How can I maintain a quality exterior finish? And why does my model always drink from the bathtub? Whatever your concerns, you’ll find the answers here—courtesy of celebrated veterinarian Dr. David Brunner and acclaimed author Sam Stall. Together, they provide plenty of useful advice for both new and experienced cat owners.


The Chicken Health Handbook

Gail Damerow
Adult Nonfiction -636.5 Dam

Healthy chickens are happy chickens. This one-of-a-kind reference book covers the health problems that plague chickens of all breeds and ages. Practical charts identify common symptoms and causes of infection, while an alphabetic listing of diseases provides advice on treatment. You’ll find helpful descriptions of troublesome ailments of all types, from poor egg production to crooked toe syndrome. Practical remedies and gentle preventative care measures will help your beloved flock stay happy, healthy, and safe.


Citizen Canine: Ten Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know

Mary R. Burch
Adult Nonfiction – 636.70887 Bur

The definitive guide to the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Program. Problems ranging from nuisance barking to attacks against children have many communities responding with restrictive laws and deep concern. Provides how-to tips for teaching each of the ten skills—and all of the techniques suggested are based on sound behavioral principles.


Complete guide to a healthy dog

Eve Adamson
636.7 Ada

Offers dog owners a comprehensive guide to keeping a dog healthy--from choosing a healthy dog, planning healthy meals, grooming for good hygiene, supplying preventative health care, reading common symbols, choosing a good veterinarian, and more.


A Complete Practical Guide to Caged & Aviary Birds

David Alderton
Adult Nonfiction - 636.68 Ald

This is an essential reference manual for bird-keepers of all levels - from the novice looking to keep a single pet bird indoors to the seasoned breeder wishing to extend an existing aviary collection. A close look at more than 250 examples provides a fascinating insight into the coloration, characteristics, weaknesses and breeding habits of each of the major groups.


Cute, furry, and deadly: diseases you can catch from your pet!

Christen Brownlee
614.56 Bro

It's real, if a tad sensational. Every pet owner has to muck around in the animal's juices occasionally so it's best to be prepared. Hopefully, the worst thing your pet ever comes home with is bad breath, but some furry friends can carry nasty germs, and that's where zoonotic disease researchers come in and investigate and stop animal diseases before they get you!


Fish : keeping and caring for your pet

Angela Beck
Adult Nonfiction - 639.8 Bec

Discusses how to choose and care for fish, including diet, behaviors, tank requirements, and profiles on different species of fish and aquatic plants.


Gerbils: Everything About Purchase, Care, and Nutrition

Engelbert Kötter
Adult Nonfiction – 636.9358 Kot

These furry little creatures are playful and sociable animals that make fine pets for adults and responsible children. Information on feeding, health care, caging, breeding, and more.


The Healthy Homemade Pet Food Cookbook

Barbara Taylor-Laino
636.085 Tay

Offers seventy-five healthy recipes that nutritionally enhance pets' diets, and provides information on switching dogs and cats to a homemade diet and tailoring diets to pets' specific needs  for every age and stage of your pet's development .


Horse Owners' Essential Tips: Grooming, Care, Tack, Facilities, Riding, Pasture

Philippe Meyrier
Adult Nonfiction – 636.1 Mey

"Ideal for new and veteran horse owners, this guidebook is filled with useful tips and advise on how to care for one's horse. Tips include how to keep one's horse healthy, safe, and of course, beautiful." —Publisher


How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Manual for Dog Owners

Monks of New Skete
Adult Nonfiction - 636.7088 Mon

Thoroughly revised to incorporate the latest trends in training and reflections on the canine-human relationship, a new edition of the classic illustrated guide to dog training helps thedog owner understand his dog's nature, know when and howto discipline, and to select a dog breed that is appropriate tothe owner's lifestyle.


Parakeet Care

Nikki Moustaki
Adult Nonfiction – 636.6864 Mo

Author of many books about the care and feeding of home bird care, Moustaki covers housing your parakeet, nutrition, taming and training, grooming, and health care.


Please Don't Bite the Baby (and Please Don't Chase the Dogs)

Lisa J. Edwards
Adult Nonfiction – 636.7088 Edw

"Certified professional dog trainer Lisa Edwards' endearing and entertaining journey to ensure that her household survives and thrives when she introduces her son to her motley pack of animals. As Lisa knows all too well, the dog/child relationship is simultaneously treasured, misunderstood, and sometimes feared. In a twist, Lisa's dog training techniques inevitably seep into how she navigates her first year with baby to mixed but enlightening results."—Amazon


Preventing and Treating Arthritis in Dogs and Cats

Shawn Messonnier
636.0896 Mes

The world's leading proponent of holistic veterinary medicine, Dr. Messonnier gives objective advice on how to blend conventional and alternative therapies to significantly enhance your pet's quality of life. In this comprehensive, up-to-date resource, a practicing vet equips pet owners with the knowledge they need to recognize and treat this debilitating condition. An expert on holistic pet care, Messonnier helps caregivers blend the most effective conventional and alternative therapies, including acupuncture for pain relief, nutritional supplements, diet, and exercise.


The Rabbit Book : A Guide to Raising and Showing Rabbits

Samantha Johnson
Adult Nonfiction - 636.9322 Joh

This invaluable resource contains everything you need to know about selecting and caring for healthy rabbits, whether you keep pet bunnies or exhibit animals as National FFA Organization or 4-H youth projects. Advice on feeding, housing, and much more will help you set up your own rabbitry.


Rabbits: Everything About Selection , Care, Nutrition, Behavior, and Training

Sharon Vanderlip
Adult Nonfiction - 636.9322 Van

A pet owner's complete manual for the raising and care of rabbits, including health, selection, breeding, food, and showing.


Setting up a Tropical Aquarium : week-by-week

Stuart Thraves
Adult Nonfiction - 639.34 Thr

This encyclopedic reference presents clear, step-by-step, practical advice in a convenient week-by-week progression. From day one to week 12, detailed step-by-step photo sequences show you how to correctly set up a tropical freshwater aquarium and avoid the common pitfalls of fish keeping so that you will have an aquarium to enjoy not for weeks or months, but for years.


Training Your Guinea Pig

Gerry Bucsis, Barbara Somerville
Adult Nonfiction – 636.9359 Buc
Series: Training Your Pet

Guinea pigs are docile, easy to care for, and are capable of learning tricks. This book advises on keeping healthy and contented guinea pigs, and suggests activities that will amuse both the pets and their owners.