Blog

Pets and paw-sitivity

Jessica 15/10/2017
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 04/10/2017
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 01/10/2017
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 26/08/2017
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 26/08/2017
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 26/08/2017
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 18/08/2017
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 18/08/2017
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 24/07/2017
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 23/07/2017
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 14/07/2017
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 14/07/2017
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 13/07/2017
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 29/06/2017
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 19/06/2017
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 19/06/2017
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 17/06/2017
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 17/06/2017
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 17/06/2017
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 10/06/2017
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 10/06/2017
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 10/06/2017
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 03/06/2017
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

Your dog's tongue - a window into their health

Jessica 03/06/2017
Did you know that your dog’s tongue is not just for giving us kisses….it’s also a window into their health? Here’s how to get to know and interpret your pup’s tongue!
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Your dog's tongue - a window into their health

Getting an uncooperative cat into a carrier

Jessica 07/05/2017
Does your cat simply hate it when you pull out the carrier to go to the vet or a pet sitter’s house? Our guide will help you ease your cat into their carrier - with minimal scratches for you!
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Getting an uncooperative cat into a carrier

Common Meet and Greet mistakes to avoid

Jessica 07/05/2017
The number one secret to a successful booking on Pawshake is a thorough meet and greet – but there are some common mistakes that are worth avoiding!
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Common Meet and Greet mistakes to avoid