PAWsome Blog

It’s a worn-out myth that all cats are aloof, independent, solitary. In reality, they can be highly social and form strong bonds with humans and other animals.

There are several reasons why dogs may lick their paws—ranging from itchy paws caused by allergies to normal grooming to behavioral issues or other health concerns. Most of the time, it’s pretty normal, especially if it’s only occasional licking. However, if you notice that there’s excessive paw licking or your dog seems to be in pain, you should take them in for a checkup to determine the underlying cause of this behavior.

The rising temperatures signal the fun summer months of backyard barbecues, vacations and more time spent outside (with a cool drink in hand). But, the scorching days of summer can also present unique hazards for your dog—and dogs in your care.

In the age of side hustles and gig economies, pet sitting and dog walking have emerged as a popular choice for earning extra income. Platforms like Rover and Wag have capitalized on this trend, offering convenient ways for pet owners to find care for their pets and furry companions. However, relying solely on these apps as a pet sitter or a dog walker may not be the best or fastest strategy for building a successful pet care business.

Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. They often show signs of happiness and excitement when their owners return home, and they can even become protective of their owners and their territory. However, some dog owners may wonder if their furry friends are capable of feeling jealous.

As a pet parent, you want the best care for your furry friend while you’re away. While there are various pet care options available, hiring a pet sitter for overnight dog sitting can be the best option for many pet owners. However, we also understand it can be a little unnerving to invite a potential stranger info your home.   In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of hiring the best pet sitter for overnight dog sitting and how it includes taking care of your home.

It’s easy to see that humans love dogs. Greece, India, Sumatra, Egypt, Scotland, Turkey, China: cultures around the world have dog-headed (cynocephalic) heroes or gods. The existence of a word to describe such phenomena speaks to how common they are. Although other mythical human/animal chimeras are known — the centaur and minotaur, for example — none are as widespread as those involving dogs. This depiction of creatures with the traits of both humans and dogs attests to the longstanding idea that we are connected. We are, it seems, naturally predisposed to form deep connections with dogs.

There’s nothing cuter than dogs frolicking out in the great wide open, running at full speed with their tongues hanging out in what looks like an ear-to-ear grin. And while we love and expect dogs to pant while they are running around, you may be wondering why your dog seems to be panting at other random times.

When a vet or trainer is trying to diagnose the reason for a dog’s bad behavior, it often boils down to one question: “How often do you walk your dog?” Exercise can make all the difference in a dog’s mental state and behavior. Their needs are not so different from the mental and physical health needs of humans in that way — and they can feel equally tricky to fulfill. (Did I get my steps in the week that Wednesday came to Netflix? I did not.) We all know that exercise is important for our pets, but why is dog walking so important? And how often should you walk your dog? A few experts broke it down for us.

This behavior is quite typical among dogs, particularly puppies. Working in the pet care industry, focusing on pet sitting and dog walking services, I often encounter many clients who raise concerns about this unpleasant issue. I trust that this blog will offer them valuable assistance with their concerns! Trust me I get it how gross it is...We get the pleasure of scraping it out of their mouths when they pull a sneak attack or run up to us and try to give us a kiss! 🤮

As a cat owner you’re probably familiar with their strange behaviors, but their love for your keyboard may be one of the strangest. While there are no concrete answers for why cats are drawn to your keyboard—aside from sending “interesting” messages to your coworkers—the following are some of the theories:

Many dog professionals believe that crates are a necessity when sharing your life with a dog — and they usually have a point. Crates can be a great management tool: They are helpful with a new puppy’s house-training routine, they can be a wonderful place for your dog to safely retreat and relax when there are too many visitors in the home, they can be used to safely transport dogs in a vehicle, and they can be a comfy place for your dog to take an afternoon nap.

You call them toe beans. Your vet uses more technical terms. Whatever they’re called, take care of them. Sadly, our Great Pyrenees Gunnar suffers from allergies and dry paws, so I wanted to share what I can with other owners having the same issue...

As someone who used to work remotely, I had a serious at-home office setup. It included a large desk holding multiple monitors with the type of elaborately comfy chair previously reserved for Twitch streamers. The downside to these long-sought-after luxuries is that I rarely used them because my dog can’t get close enough to me when I do. If I don’t sit on the couch, bed, or somewhere else he can curl up next to me all day, he will have a full-on emotional meltdown. 

While many people recognize and address the physical health of their pets, the same cannot always be said for their pets’ mental well-being. Sadly, I’m not surprised, as some people fail to recognize the importance of mental health in humans, believing behavioral issues are character flaws rather than symptoms of illness or distress.

In their development, puppies go through at least two phases where they are particularly fearful, even if they haven’t previously shown signs of being scared. These are called “fear periods.” These fear periods in dogs can take pet parents o guard if they don’t know about them. If they are expecting to see fear stages in dogs, it’s easier for both the people and the dogs to handle them and move past them in a way that is most beneficial to their dogs.

“America’s Veterinarian” and the founder of Fear Free Pets, Dr. Marty Becker, on how this method makes vet visits, training sessions, and grooming appointments less stressful for pets.

Every dog owner wants to make sure that they are doing the best thing possible for their pets, especially when it comes to providing them with a good diet. One of the most important question that all dog owners will have to ask themselves is whether to go with dry dog food or wet dog food, and though most will try to have a bit of both, one will definitely become more prevalent.

Unless the client specifies otherwise, we at PAWsome Companions allow dogs to sniff to their hearts content! Now of course we do not let a dog sniff (let alone eat) anything gross or dangerous, such as poop, mushrooms, dead critters, food, trash, and so on. But yes, they can absolutely sniff pee! Why do we give pee the green light?

We are often asked what the differences are between Pet Sitting visits and Dog Walking visits. The best way to think about it is: 

I’ve got this adorable Great Pyrenees puppy, Gunnar, who’s 8 months old. Let me tell you, my partner and I thought we hit the jackpot with this little guy. He was super easy to train and well-behaved from the get-go, unlike what we’d heard about his breed being notoriously barky. We were all smug when he turned 12 weeks and didn’t make a sound. But fast forward to 6 months, and he’s barking at every dog in sight or sound, even on TV or in cartoons. He’s also looking at us when he barks, like he’s seeking approval. So, this blog is for all the fellow pet parents dealing with non-stop barking!

Dog diarrhea: We don’t want to talk about it. We don’t want to look at it. We definitely don’t want to touch it. Our dogs’ diarrhea is definitely not the most adorable thing about them, but s*it happens. As much as we don’t want to, we have to deal with it.

It’s fun to be the molten center of your dog’s entire world—until suddenly it isn’t. When they find it unacceptable to be temporarily deprived of your company, something has gone horribly wrong in the dog-human dynamic. Thousands of folks with pandemic pups found out as much the hard way this past year, while attempting to return to the office.

A dog smile is a very specific behavior, but not nearly as common or as identifiable as the grin. It’s challenging to recognize and understand a dog smile, which is unfortunate, but on the bright side, that struggle was at the heart of one of my all-time favorite consultations. More on that below.

They shouldn’t exactly have their paw constantly in the honey jar, but the sweet stuff can be beneficial in some cases.

A resurfaced video featuring soccer player Nuno Tavares sharing a moment of affection with his two furry friends sparked a heated debate online recently, and raised the age-old question — should we let our dogs lick our faces, lips and even mouths?

Like humans, dogs are social animals. Most of them feel comfortable being near the rest of the family and that includes at nighttime. Many people have their dogs in their room on a dog bed, in a crate, or on the floor by the bed. Others like to have them to sleep on the foot of the bed. 

Simply put......NO. Dogs should never be given Tylenol or other acetaminophen-containing medications without strict veterinary guidance, as it can cause toxicity and fatal liver damage in canines. Unfortunately, dogs lack the liver enzymes to break high doses of the drug down effectively, which can lead to a fatal toxicosis.

Today I want to address a medical topic, and in particular, conditions that are not very noticeable.

While many people recognize and address the physical health of their pets, the same cannot always be said for their pets’ mental well-being. Sadly, I’m not surprised, as some people fail to recognize the importance of mental health in humans, believing behavioral issues are character flaws rather than symptoms of illness or distress.

Like humans, a dog’s brain changes as they age, causing memory problems (sadly, dogs can get dementia, too) and other cognitive difficulties. The great news is our pups are living longer than ever thanks to advancements in veterinary science and pet care. The not-so-good news is that those added senior years come with some difficulties. Cognitive decline can be scary and painful for dogs; it can lead to symptoms like confusion, pacing, getting stuck behind furniture, and increased aggression.

I've always pondered this question and I'll tell you why. I have the sweetest 10-month old Great Pyrenees named Gunnar who is so friendly, aggression is a foreign word, practically non-existent when it comes to his doggy demeanor. However, while we are on a walk or driving in the car running errands and he sees another dog walk by, he goes straight up all insane Cujo. It blows my mind...Seeing my sweet and gentle boy barking insatiably and scratching at the windows while foaming at the mouth. But I know it's not aggression, it's what we call leash or confinement frustration.

From offering comfort in times of distress to aiding individuals with disabilities in their daily tasks, animals can play a powerful role in treatment plans.

Gone are the days of CBD being seen as America’s next top snake oil. Instead, it seems every few months more substantial evidence drops supporting at least a portion of its ostensibly endless favorable claims. This influx of research backs CBD as the sexy, new all-natural alternative treatment for a number of common ailments such as chronic pain, inflammation, and insomnia.

Pet sitting provides personalized care for your furry friend in the comfort of their own environment, reducing stress and anxiety. Your pet can maintain their routine, diet, and exercise, leading to a happier and healthier experience. Professional pet sitters are trained to handle emergencies and provide companionship, ensuring your pet is safe and secure while you are away.

I love enrichment toys for both dogs and cats! It's a service we even provide to our clients as a concierge service to help ensure their pups stay mentally stimulated and strong. You can view that service under our 'Concierge Services' page!

There is nothing more disturbing than your dog bounding up to you, tail wagging, with a nose covered in kitty litter; the tell-tale sign that they have been snacking on cat poop again. There is certainly a major yuck factor for us and also some legitimate health concerns that arise if your dog is making this a regular habit. But why in the world do dogs eat cat poop?

It’s a common scene for dog parents. You’re going about the day when your pup runs up to you with their signature joyful bounce. Clearly, this is an invitation for attention, so you respond with an enthusiastic “Go get your ball!” Seconds later, they return and drop it in front of you. 

Spring is here! It's time to dust off the patio furniture and get outside... but before you do, let's talk about spring pet safety and keeping your furry friend safe this season.

I know this blog is quite long, but I had a lot to share and expose…and I wanted to share this with other dog owners out there!