About Essential Pets Guide
Your trusted resource for all things pets - from care tips to training advice and everything in between
Our Story
Essential Pet Guide was founded in 2015 by a group of passionate pet lovers who noticed a gap in reliable, comprehensive pet care information online. What started as a small blog about caring for rescue dogs has grown into a trusted resource for millions of pet owners worldwide.
Today, our team of veterinarians, trainers, and pet enthusiasts work tirelessly to create content that helps you provide the best care for your furry, feathered, and scaled family members.
We believe that every pet deserves love, care, and understanding. Our mission is to empower pet owners with the knowledge they need to create happy, healthy lives for their animal companions.
Our Mission
To create a world where every pet is understood, cared for, and loved by providing accessible, expert-backed information that empowers pet owners to make the best decisions for their animal companions.
Pet Types We Cover
Dogs
Training, nutrition, breed guides, health care, and behavior
Cats
Care tips, behavior insights, nutrition, and health advice
Aquatic Pets
Fish, turtles, and other water-dwelling companions
Birds
Care for parrots, canaries, finches and exotic birds
Small Mammals
Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and more
Reptiles
Snakes, lizards, turtles, and other reptiles
Meet Our Expert Team
Our dedicated team of pet experts brings decades of combined experience in veterinary science, animal behavior, and pet care. Each member is passionate about sharing their knowledge to help you give your pets the best life possible.
Elias Navarro
Reptile & Exotic Pet Specialist
Elias Navarro, a staff writer at Essential Pet Guide, brings a herpetologist’s eye and a conservationist’s heart to the world of exotic pet care. With a background in Environmental Biology and years of experience working with reptiles and rare species, Elias writes compelling, practical content on responsible ownership, habitat design, and the ethics of keeping nontraditional pets. He lives in Tucson with his skink, a boa, and a flock of finches.
Dr. Nathan Lowell
Veterinary Science Writer
Dr. Nathan Lowell, a staff writer at Essential Pet Guide, draws on his background as a veterinarian to break down complex pet health topics with clarity and compassion. With a DVM from Michigan State and years in clinical practice, he writes about nutrition, wellness, and the science behind pet behavior. Nathan lives in Denver with two rescues and believes informed pet care starts with great storytelling.
Talia Reyes
Rescue & Adoption Advocate
Talia Reyes, a senior staff writer at Essential Pet Guide, combines her background in journalism and animal welfare to illuminate the complex, often untold stories behind pet rescue and adoption. Drawing from years spent in the field and the shelter system, she writes with heart and insight about the challenges and victories of animal advocacy. Talia lives with a rescue dog and two guinea pigs in Santa Fe, where compassion drives both her work and her life.
Marissa Chen
Animal Behavior Specialist
Marissa Chen, a senior staff writer at Essential Pet Guide, blends her training in Zoology and Comparative Psychology to explore how animals think, feel, and connect with us. With a research background in animal behavior and a deep commitment to humane care, she writes compelling stories on pet cognition, emotional wellbeing, and ethical ownership. A lifelong animal advocate, Marissa shares her Seattle home with a parrot and two senior rescue rabbits.
Jenna Marin
Pet Health & Wellness Expert
Jenna Marin, a senior staff writer at Essential Pet Guide, merges her background in Animal Science and Communications to craft insightful, compassionate stories about the animals we love. With hands-on experience in veterinary care and wildlife rehabilitation, her writing explores pet behavior, rare breeds, and the evolving world of pet health. A rescue advocate and lifelong animal lover, Jenna brings both expertise and heart to every article she writes.