Blog

Why senior pets are the best pets of all

Jessica
November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month - which means it's time to celebrate our wonderfully cuddly older cats and dogs! Considering adopting a pet in the near future? Here, we break down a few senior pet myths and explore why you might should let a sweet senior pet into your heart and home.
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Why senior pets are the best pets of all

Preventing fleas at home

Jessica
Though fleas are a fact of life all year, we are heading into the tail-end of their peak season. Here are some preventative measures to get you through to winter - your furry friends will thank you for it!
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Preventing fleas at home

Can dogs smell fear?

Jessica
It’s an old saying - usually told as a warning in case you run into an unfamiliar dog - but is it true that a dog can smell human fear, or any other emotion for that matter?
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Can dogs smell fear?

Is it ok to dress my pet?

Jessica
Halloween is frighteningly close and it’s time to get your costumes and candy ready! But what about your pet….can they join in the festivities too?
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Is it ok to dress my pet?

Pets and paw-sitivity

Jessica
Pet sitters and owners know that our furry friends can bring daily joy and comfort even in the toughest times. And it’s no surprise that new research shows that pets are way more important to long-term mental health than previously recognised.
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Pets and paw-sitivity

30 ways to have a meaningful World Animal Day!

Jessica
Obviously, our animals deserve the best every single day - no doubt that your own pets are very lucky to live in a warm, loving home. Yet October 4th is also a great day to celebrate ALL our four legged, furry, feathered and fishy companions, all over the world.
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30 ways to have a meaningful World Animal Day!

Avoid overfeeding your pet

Jessica
Fall is here and with the cooler days comes richer, heavier food for us humans – by the way, we can’t wait! But while we have a choice in what we eat, our cat and dog does not – which is why it’s so important to continue feeding and exercising your fur kid responsibly all year round.
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Avoid overfeeding your pet

Does your dog really love you?

Jessica
We pet people know in our heart of hearts that our dogs love us just as much as we love them. But how do you know your dog actually LOVES you in a way that transcends the basic, instinctive need for food and shelter? Here's how!
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Does your dog really love you?

My pet’s nose is dry….is it sick?

Jessica
There has been a long-standing tale amongst dog and cat owners that your pet should have a wet nose if they are healthy, and that a dry nose means they are sick. Does this theory hold any water, or is it a bit 'on the nose'?
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My pet’s nose is dry….is it sick?

Is your dog bored?

Jessica
Dogs, like humans, can get downright bored if they aren’t receiving enough mental and physical stimulation. Here's how to tell if your dog is bored and what you can do to help.
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Is your dog bored?

The benefits of pets for elderly owners

Jessica
With loneliness and isolation becoming potential problems in the elderly population, it’s worth looking to pet ownership as a source of healing and purpose.
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The benefits of pets for elderly owners

Why do we use baby-talk on our pets?

Jessica
Let’s all admit it – most of us pet fanatics on Pawshake have a special voice reserved for our pet...and there is an interesting reason behind why we use this goo-goo-gaa-gaa talk for our furry friend!
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Why do we use baby-talk on our pets?

Moving house with a cat

Jessica
Pawshake Marketing Manager Jess recently moved with her cat, Benjamin. Here are a few pieces of wisdom that she gained from the experience!
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Moving house with a cat

Signs of doggy stress that are easy to miss

Jessica
Interpreting doggy language is usually easy enough….but as part of the Pawshake family, we hope you have that extra edge of knowledge to interpret the more subtle signs - whether you’re a dog sitter or dog owner.
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Signs of doggy stress that are easy to miss

DIY pet-friendly cleaning products

Jessica
We can all agree that it isn’t ideal to expose your fur-kids (or yourself) to any unnecessary nasty chemicals! One solution is to make your own cleaning products. It’s simpler than you think! These recipes are quick, easy, actually do the job, are cheaper than store-bought and free from intense chemicals or perfumes.
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DIY pet-friendly cleaning products

When should I take my pet to the vet?

Jessica
If you own a pet or are a busy pet sitter, this question will eventually rear it's head....'am I being over-reactive, or is the pet in my care actually sick or injured?'
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When should I take my pet to the vet?

Protecting your pets from the sun

Jessica
Just as we humans have to take care to not get burnt by harmful UVA and UVB rays when we’re catching some sun, we need to watch out for our pets too.
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Protecting your pets from the sun

Caring for a senior pet.

Jessica
We think there’s nothing more rewarding than having a sweet senior in your care, so they deserve every bit of love and attention they can get! But you need to be prepared for a totally different experience to that of pet sitting a young cat or dog.
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Caring for a senior pet.

Bunny sitting basics

Jessica
Rabbits are adorable floofs, but they aren’t low maintenance! In fact they are complex critters that deserve your time, preparation and planning before agreeing to pet sit them. Here is bunny-sitting 101.
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Bunny sitting basics

Pet-matching! Who is the best pet person for your pet?

Jessica
We want to make sure everyone on Pawshake has the knowledge to make an informed choice about matching a pet with a pet sitter. Because a happy pet and happy pet sitter means a smooth and easy stay for everyone!
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Pet-matching! Who is the best pet person for your pet?

Bring your Pet to Work Day!

Jessica
How awesome would it be if your pet could join you in the office! But will your pet and office mesh well together? For Bring Your Pet to Work Day, so we have listed some of the pros and cons to think about first.
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Bring your Pet to Work Day!

Begging – five simple ways to calm a hungry pooch

Jessica
Please, sir! I want some more! It’s kind of cute, but it can be a bit much….having your dog (or a guest dog if you’re a pet sitter) drooling onto your leg while you try to eat. Here are five simple ways to calm your begging pooch.
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Begging – five simple ways to calm a hungry pooch

Keep your Pawshake profile safe

Jessica
Every day, thousands of sitters, owners and a whole lot of furry friends have great experiences on Pawshake – and we want to make sure this continues! Here are a few tips for protecting your profile information from online scams and phishing.
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Keep your Pawshake profile safe

Tips for successfully introducing cats and dogs

Jessica
Forget what you’ve seen in the cartoons, because the truth about cats and dogs is….they actually can get along swimmingly! Here are some tips for success for those first important introductions.
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Tips for successfully introducing cats and dogs

Coping with a pet cone

Jessica
We see the pet cone come out at the vet and instantly feel dread – which our pet can surely pick up on! If you know your dog or cat will soon be wearing a cone, protective collar or e-collar, fear not. Here are some tips to make it less of an ordeal for everyone!
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Coping with a pet cone

How to stop a dog from jumping

Jessica
Bouncing up to give you a big sloppy kiss is one of the most common challenges for any dog owner. You want to give a good impression to friends and family, as well as the pet sitter popping over for a meet and greet….so what do you do when your dog leaps up in guest’s faces?
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How to stop a dog from jumping

What to do when a cat won't use their litter tray

Jessica
The litter tray habits of our feline friends might seem strange, even mysterious - but a little understanding and care can go a long way to preventing even the smelliest problems!
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What to do when a cat won't use their litter tray