Jessica's blog posts

Cats and dogs are often thought to be natural enemies and can sometimes get hostile. However, well-socialised cats and dogs can live together in harmony and ultimately become good friends. Do you wish to home a dog with a resident cat or vice versa? Then you must ensure a safe and responsible introduction between your furry companions.

The 'here' or 'come' command is essential, as it can get your dog out of dangerous situations. However, it seems that some dogs simply don’t want to listen. So, why do some dogs refuse to come when called? And how can you ensure that your dog always comes on command?

Here are few issues that can be red flags if you are a pet sitter or pet owner….pay attention and take ownership over your decision, because you want to be sure you’ve found a purrfect pet-to-person match!

If you are searching for a pet sitter, then you’ll naturally prefer someone you feel comfortable leaving your beloved pet with. It’s important, therefore, to get along really well with your sitter. But how can you be sure of that all-important 'click' when booking a pet sitter via Pawshake? You'll find out during the meet & greet. Here are the do's and don'ts when meeting & greeting.

If a new pet comes into your life or if a dog comes to visit you, it's important that your home is a pet-safe place and that you know your boundaries. We've created 2 convenient checklists to prepare your home for the arrival of a new pet - this will prevent damage to your property and keep the pet safe and sound.

There's nothing better than enjoying a holiday with your pet. But traveling should not only be fun for you as a pet owner: your dog should also have a good and comfortable experience. Here are the most important tips to ensure a pet-friendly holiday with your dog.

It seems like it will never end: your pet's winter coat falls out and you find tufts of fur all over the place. What is moulting exactly? What can you do to make things as comfortable as possible for your dog, and what should you avoid doing?

If you are a pet sitter, trust and responsibility are key, and pet owners should be able to tell that their pet is in safe hands with you. But how do you let the world see that you are that reliable sitter? How do you increase the likelihood that pet owners will book you? Read our tips on how you sell yourself as a pet sitter and how to communicate with pet owners.

Cats can sometimes show really cheeky behavior: meowing, begging or throwing your stuff on the floor. But why? What makes your cat push objects off tables, and how can you stop the begging and 4am wake-up calls? This is also an important discussion to have with your cat sitter, so they know what to do when caring for your cat. Here are our top 3 tips to minimise cheeky cat behaviour

It is a risk that is always at in the back of your mind: what if your dog or cat goes missing? This is especially so if you plan to bring your pet to a sitter for home boarding or doggy daycare...you may worry about your furry friend suddenly going on the run. Fortunately, most pets are found and returned to their owner very quickly. And the good news is that you can do a lot to prevent your pet from getting lost in the first place. And if your pet does go missing? We have an action plan ready for you to bring your pet home quickly. Here are our tips for pet owners and pet sitters how to find a lost pet quickly.

Yes, some dogs can smell a bit, but generally, a healthy dog doesn't smell too bad. But if your dog's odor is starting to get really nasty, that might be a sign that something's wrong. In this article, we share with you everything doggy smell, and what to do if your dog gets a bit stinky.

If you want to find affordable pet care in your area, you can go to Pawshake! You'll soon discover that the rates vary between each pet sitter. What is a reasonable price for pet sitting? And how do you, as a pet sitter, determine exactly what price you should ask for your sitting, boarding or walking services?:

You do everything you can to keep your cat happy and healthy - but at some point, just like us humans, your cat might get sick. Or adventurous cats can sometimes get themselves into trouble and suffer an injury. It's therefore really important that all cat owners and cat sitters can spot symptoms of illness or injury in a cat. What should you as a cat owner or cat sitter do in case of an emergency? How do you perform first aid on a cat? These are our emergency cat care tips:

How long can a dog stay home alone? If you want to adopt a new dog, it is important to know in advance how much time you will need to take care of it. Also, if you want to become a dog sitter it's super important to ask yourself: how much time should I provide to a dog to make sure they are happy and healthy?

Anyone who cares for a dog knows how exciting it can be to meet another dog. But what body language signals should you pay attention to? And how do you ensure that a meeting runs smoothly? With these 5 tips, you can introduce your dog to a new friend in a safe and calm way.