Petsitting BlogWho knew that pets had a preferred, uh, paw just as we have a dominant hand? It certainly never crossed OUR minds. But according to tests at the Institute for the Study of Animal Problems in Washington, DC, dogs and cats were actually shown to favor one paw over the other.
Yep, you read that right. According to a recent study from the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, the Dachshund is the breed MOST prone to aggression, closely followed by Chihuahuas.
This insane cat project has been going on for quite a few years now, and the concept isn’t anything too crazy (though the results are!): Go to www.infinitecat.com and take a picture of your cat looking at the screen. Sure, seems simple enough. But the trick is that you have to take a picture of your cat looking at screen containing the picture of the last cat. Did we lose you? Maybe a few pictures will help.
There was an article in the American Chronicle recently about a former kennel owner and her experience caring for two dogs while the owners were away — it was NOT a pleasant one. When pet owners forget to tell pet care providers about certain details, it can be trouble. Here’s one cautionary tale.
You’ve probably heard that when dogs pant, it means they’re thirsty and you should shove the nearest bowl of water under their heads to quench that thirst. We’ve for sure done that, but what you may not know is that this isn’t always the real reason dogs pant.
The weather is HOT, so this is an especially appropriate video of how one pup handles the heat. Apparently, the Chocolate Lab thought his family was gone for the day so he decided to have a little fun with the waterslide — and it was captured on tape. Check it out.
With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it’s even more important to keep cats inside for the day. Not only can fireworks be terrifying, but, as much as we HATE to even type this, sadistic individuals have been known to use cats as a part of the light show. (Shudder.)
According to an article in the Ft. Worth’s Start-Telegram, the petsitting industry has been relatively unaffected by the economical slump and rising gas prices we’re all battling. Interesting that most businesses are feeling the effect, but petsitting continues to grow…
We always have our little pups in the office, Milo and Bruiser, but since last Friday was Take Your Dog to Work Day, we had our dog walkers take the day off so a few more of our furry friends could make an appearance! All in all, there were six dogs roaming around our loft — including three Puggles. Here are some of the photos from the big day.
At Sittercity, every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day, but we’re happy to say that this Friday, June 20, is the day for all other companies to participate and bring their pooches to the office! We commend Pet Sitters International for leading this effort and sincerely appreciate all of the companies that will be opening their doors to dogs to celebrate what great companions they are.
Hot weather = hot pets, but petsitters and pet owners still need to make sure pets get enough exercise in these warm months. Since it’s so important to keep Fido cool, here are a few cooling pet products we found.
We often use the term “pet parents” around here, so this really shouldn’t come as a huge surprise… “Pupnups” are like prenups, as in prenuptial agreements, that focus on the custody of the pet in case of a divorce or break-up. Apparently, it’s becoming quite the trend.
Does your pet have a long-lost sibling out there somewhere? Maybe you never thought about it, but one man certainly did. Keishin Tanaka created a social networking site for pets that goes beyond the basics of blogging, photo sharing and pet profiles.
YES. Pets can absolutely get sunburned. Whether you and your pet are going on a walk through the neighborhood, hiking in the mountains, playing frisbee on the beach or just “sunbathing” in the windowsill, you need to be very careful to protect your pet from the sun.
Were you born after 1979? Then Bella, a Labrador cross, is probably older than you. Bella was adopted in 1982 when she was about 3 years old, which makes her the world’s oldest living dog — and possibly the oldest dog EVER.
ANY dog can bite. Whether you’re a pet owner or petsitter, be responsible and educate yourself on how to prevent dog bites. Below, we’ve got some tips for how to reduce your risk of being bitten by a dog (petsitters, you’re “new” to many dogs, so pay attention to that part especially) and how to prevent a dog in your care from biting someone else.
A while back, we posted a blog about some dog owners who turned their dead pets into sweaters. Not the most fashionable of statements, but it certainly had its share of sentimental value. Well, now a cat owner has followed that same sentiment and turned her dead black cat into a diamond ring.
They’re loyal, loving, adorable and generous… just not always with each other. Just because you and a dog have a great relationship doesn’t mean that he’ll be so kind to other dogs. When dogs don’t get along, it can cause a huge amount of stress, so here are a few tips to help generate harmony.
In New Orleans last week, a green puppy was born. Yes, green. All natural — no cruel dye tricks here. Aside from his hue, he is completely normal and healthy!
We’re all used to those standard, rectangular aquariums — that’s why this crazy, new angular design known as the “Infinity Aquarium” is so eye-catching. It’s a “goldfish freedom simulator” whose design may actually trick goldfish into thinking they are free.
It’s an ongoing debate among pet owners: dogs versus cats. A recent study doesn’t dare delve into whether one animal is “better” than another, but it DOES suggest that dog owners put more time, affection and money into their pets than cat owners do.
It can be a battle to get your pet to the vet. Since spring often means time for annual vet visits to protect our pals from the upcoming tick and flea season, we thought this would be a good time to remind our pet parents how to make the trip less stressful.
It’s about that time, ladies and gents. Memorial Day is this month and now is the perfect time to post a job for a Memorial Day petsitter. Typically, we recommend posting jobs about 2-4 weeks in advance, but since this is a holiday weekend we’re talking about, you’ll want to get a head start.
With summer starting to pick up and the heat setting in, there will be a lot more pet owners and petsitters who will be taking trips large and small with pets in the hot car. So we turned to our friends over at AskPatty.com, the LARGEST source of automotive advice for women, to get their tips for driving with a pet, keeping cool and avoiding car sickness.
PetSmart’s PetsHotel and Doggy Day Camp both come with one very controversial disclaimer: They will no longer accept Pit Bulls into its programs. This includes “American Pit Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs, Bull Terriers or mixed breeds that have the appearance or characteristics of one of these breeds.”
Socialite, accidental film star, reality TV star, model… Paris Hilton is looking to add another title to that list: pet care specialist. No, you don’t have to worry about her poaching your petsitting jobs, but there are definitely rumors out there about Paris starring in a TV show about pet care.
Sonoma-Marin’s beloved “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition is getting underway, and the voting lines are open for you to select your favorite, uh, facially-challenged pup. It’s quite the line-up this year, with contest veterans and newcomers alike, so which pooch is your pick?
Middle school students in Illinois aren’t just taking classes like algebra, English and chemistry. Many of them are also enrolling in a new class on pet care, offered as part of the school’s last-period “flex” schedule.
According to some low-level celebrity gossip, Mariah Carey claims that her dog has a much bigger ego than she does. Mariah’s pooch is a super-spoiled Jack Russel Terrier named — you guessed it — Jack.
So many of us need that little extra kick in the morning to help get us going. To those, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a life saver. But how desperate are you for coffee? Would you pay $100 for one cup? Even if it were made from cat poo?
