Dog owners and petsitters across the country are no strangers to barking dogs. Whether it’s a playful shout or a protective cry, different barks mean different things. Take a look below to learn the difference in dog barks and how you can speak a dog’s language without saying a word.
(more…)

Who would have thought that separation anxiety, stress and arthritis would have a common solution for our dear pets? Heat therapy isn’t just beneficial for humans — it’s got some great benefits for our furry loved ones too! And with winter’s chill exacerbating some of these conditions, we thought this was a great time to explore the benefits of heat therapy.
(more…)

Flea medication, several shampoos, a few late-night prayers of desperation — you may have tried all of these things to get rid of cat fleas. And yet, those fleas still seem to stick around not just on your cat but all over your house. Luckily, one additional solution to cat fleas is as close as your hall closet…
(more…)

It’s a fact: We love to spoil our pets. An extra treat here or there, an invitation to curl up on our beds, endless amounts of squeaky toys… and ridiculously massive doghouses. With air conditioning and flat screen TVs, these luxury homes give entirely new meaning to “in the doghouse.” Check ‘em out.
(more…)

The Telegraph in the UK recently asked people across the world about their New Year’s resolutions… for their pets! There were some insightful, funny answers (a few of which we listed below), but it got us thinking: What about OUR pets’ New Year’s resolutions?
(more…)

Some pets are natural-born hams: They don’t even know the meaning of “camera-shy” and are totally photogenic. YOUR pet, on the other hand, never seems to look right in photos. To make sure you truly capture the essence (and cuteness!) of your pet this holiday, check out these quick camera tips.
(more…)

Doing your part to help the environment doesn’t just apply to human actions such as carpooling, taking quicker showers and switching out those lightbulbs (although those are all great things too!). As a pet parent, your “go-green” efforts can extend to pet care as well!

(more…)

It’s long overdue, but we haven’t officially introduced you to the rest of our Sittercity team: our office dogs. We have two that come into work with us every day, and we have two more that occasionally stop by!
(more…)

If you dog walkers, petsitters or dog owners plan on taking Fido to the dog park at any point this summer, you may want to brush up on your dog park etiquette. Here are some important DOs and DON’Ts that all responsible pet lovers should follow.
(more…)

As a petsitter, you can essentially operate your business two ways: one, you can offer a broad range of petsitting services for different kinds of animals (kind of like a jack-of-all-trades) or, two, you can specialize in a particular type of pet or service. Which is best?
(more…)

Nora, a feline YouTube sensation (have you seen the video? We’ll post it below), is taking her piano-playing talents outside the comfort of her own home — she’s actually be signed to a label and has released her own CD!

(more…)

Over at CatChannel.com, six behaviorists tackled the question of whether or not cats can feel emotion. The general consensus seems to point to “yes,” with a few varying opinions on the specifics.

(more…)

Yes, you read that right. There does exist a cat that comes with a hefty price tag that rivals that of a loaded Honda Civic. The cat is called the Ashera, and is a cross between the African serval, Asian leopard cat and a domestic cat.
(more…)

There are tons of quizzes out there asking what kind of dog breed you’d be. A loyal, serious Doberman? A charming, happy, energetic Boxer? We scoured the web for a few stand-out quizzes, so here are our favorites.
(more…)

Just as parents often prefer leaving their children with a caregiver who is trained and certified in CPR and First Aid, pet parents also travel easier knowing that their petsitter is capable of taking care of their furry loved ones in case of an emergency. Here are some courses to help you increase your petsitting skills and land even more jobs!
(more…)

Can you imagine a cat more hairless than the hairless Sphynx (Mr. Bigglesworth, for you Austin Powers fans)? Well, you don’t have to imagine it because it actually exists — it’s the Kohana, aka the Hawaiian Hairless aka the Rubber Cat. Yes. Rubber.

(more…)

If you own a small pet like a rabbit or ferret or bird, you probably keep him in a cage lined with newspaper. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you (or your petsitters!) may have noticed that clean-up time tends to get a little messy. Cage Diapers to the rescue!
(more…)

From a terrier that saved five children from the wrath of two pitbulls, to a shepherd mix that saved its owner after a 50-foot fall, there are countless pet heroes. Here are a few of our favorites:
(more…)

Man’s best friend, Max, here. I’ve heard humans joke about certain beers being “for the dogs” - what’s that supposed to mean, anyway? - but it looks like some nice lady in Holland decided to actually make a doggy beer!

(more…)