The Ranch Pet Resort

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Cat Tips

It’s Kitten Season, a Pawsitively Purrfect Time to Add a Family Member or Two to Your Household

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Two little striped kittens with blue eyes on green grass

Spring has sprung and along with the birds and the bees, the flowers and pollen in the trees, comes kitten season. Kitten season happens as the weather warms up and continues until October or for warmer seasons, until the end of the year.

For many households, kitten season marks the perfect time to bring home a new kitten or two or maybe even a momma and her baby.

Believe or not, adopting two cats at the same time is easier than one. Not only will the two entertain each other, but they will find comfort in each other, and what’s not to love about two new cats or kittens!

Choosing the Right Kitten for Your Household

Kittens are cute and playful and fun, but choosing the right kitten for your household is a serious decision. When you consider the lifespan of a cat can reach up to 20+ years, you need to make sure you are committed to caring for that kitten that will turn into an aging cat.

Once you have committed to providing a safe, comfortable, secure, loving environment for your new kitten, it’s time to choose the one or pair that is right for you!

Look for a kitten that has bright eyes, well-kept fur, and no signs of disease or illness such as diarrhea or wounds.

Ask to hold your kitten to see if its temperament is one that matches yours. Often, kittens will want to cuddle up and take a cat nap depending on what time of day it is. But don’t pass up a sleepy kitten and confuse it for not being playful. Like babies, kittens will sleep a majority of the day.

Often, your kitten will choose you! Be open to accepting a kitten or pair that isn’t the one you have chosen based upon a picture or description.

What to Consider with Bonded Kittens

Bonded kittens require the partnership of each other. The special bond between two cats who groom each other, sleep with each other, and play with each other should not be broken; separating bonded cats causes trauma, stress and depression. The pair has a special relationship that requires the other kitten to be a part of its life. Consider bonded kittens BFFs for life!

Adopt a Pair of Kittens Through a Local Rescue Shelter

Local rescue shelters depend on the kindness of kitten lovers to adopt the millions of kittens that are brought into shelters during kitten season. Often rescuers at these shelters house the kittens and can give you more information about their personality, assuring a great match!

Rescue shelters ask a nominal fee for the adoption of a kitten and often give a reduced price for a pair of kittens. The rescue shelter will perform a health check on the kittens, often spay and neuter them, microchip them, and give them shots appropriate to their ages.

When you adopt from a rescue shelter, you make room for other kittens and cats to be put into foster care, saving even more lives.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Offers Cat Boarding

When you need to take time away from your kittens, you can count on The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa to board your feline friends. We give all the time, attention, love and care that you would normally do for your kittens.

Cats and kittens are housed separately from their barking neighbors, since we know felines require a bit more of a quiet environment.

Think of our cat boarding facility as a home away from home. The purrfect place to stretch, nap, play, and find the comfort and love they deserve.

Contact us to reserve your cat’s vacation!

Consider Adopting a Pet During the Holidays? Here are Some Tips for Success!

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Cat and dog under a christmas tree. Pets under plaid

Adding a new dog or cat to your family is an exciting time for sure! Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a fluffy new kitten or a roly poly puppy?

But even when a new pet is given with the greatest of intentions by the most well-meaning people, the sad truth of the matter is that many puppies and kittens who were lovingly gifted on Christmas get returned to the shelter.

The idea of surprising loved ones with a new pet is great! Until the reality sets in and the new pet becomes a chore to take care of. Or until the new puppy eats Aunt Lucy’s favorite slippers; or gets sick after eating something it shouldn’t; or has accidents because people forget how much work it is to potty train a puppy; or bites someone out of sheer fear of all these hands and faces wanting to get right up and close to the new pet.

If you are considering adopting a pet for the holidays, here are some tips for success!

  • Make certain the person/people you are gifting the pet to want a pet
  • Take seriously the responsibilities of a new pet-remember to consider its needs of food and water, exercise, medical care, training, toys, bedding, collars/leashes, treats
  • Make sure you can care for any medical needs beyond annual vaccinations
  • Give the pet ample time to settle into the family and give it time and space away from festivities. Animals get scared and need a safe place to hide, rest, and acclimate.
  • Consider a gift certificate in place of a pet so the recipient can choose his or her own pet
  • Understand a pet is for life-not just the holidays
  • Prepare in advance for the new pet by decluttering and keeping food and poisonous plants away. Click here for a link to foods to avoid during the holidays. Click here for a list of toxic plants that can cause death or illness to pets.
  • Enjoy this special time! Take pictures and videos and come join us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for doggie daycare, doggie boarding, cat boarding, or dog grooming.

Adoption Fees Waived at Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton

If you are considering a new addition to the family this holiday season, consider adopting a pet from the Valley Humane Society. Adoption fees are being waived for the month of December which allows you even more money to spoil your new pet!

For more information on adopting a pet from Valley Humane Society, check out this article in The Pleasanton Patch.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Wishes all of You a Very Happy Holiday Season!

From our hooman and pet families to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season full of laughter, good food, friendship, health, peace, joy, and memories!

Whether you are staying home or traveling, we want to wish you and yours the very safest and merriest of holidays!

Holiday Tips for Your Dog or Cat

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Safe dog treats during the holidays

The holidays are here and for many, it’s a time of festivities, laughter, company, food, and libation!

We try to cram in our daily responsibilities along with planning for family and friends, gift buying and wrapping, sending off cards, cooking, cleaning, and holiday parties.

During this busy, crazy season, it’s important to remember that the holidays can be an uneasy time for your beloved canine and feline, who pick up on the stress you are feeling.

To make this holiday season the best for you and your fur babies, here are some holiday tips for your dog and cat.

1. Try to keep a similar schedule as the one you currently have with your dog or cat. When schedules change, dogs and cats can experience stomach issues, have accidents that wouldn’t normally occur, or feel agitated, worried, or anxious.

2. Give your dog or cat a safe place to hide from Aunt Margie with the overdone lipstick who wants to kiss your kitty or Uncle Lu who may not understand that feeding your dog tidbits from the table isn’t healthy for your dog or cat. As much as we love being around family and friends, that doesn’t mean our furry friends do, too.

A kennel provides dogs a natural environment to feel safe and secure. Filled with a favorite blankie, toy, or treat, it’s a haven from all the chaos they feel.

While some cats may feel comfortable curling up on the couch in between Grandpa and Uncle Benny, many cats like the safety of hiding under a bed, a dresser, or in a closet. This safe space allows them to come out on their own time…or not come out at all. But by giving them a safe place for comfort, you avoid the possibility of them being injured by many well-meaning guests, running away, or fear biting.

3. Arrange for responsible pet care in advance if you are traveling. Whether you hire someone to come into your home or need to arrange for dog boarding or cat boarding, plan well in advance. The best pet sitters and dog boarding and cat boarding facilities book up quickly!

4. Avoid feeding your dog or cat food that is not part of their regular diet. While it’s tempting to want to indulge Doggie or Kitty with the festive food that are a huge part of the holiday season, many of the foods we eat during the holiday are poisonous to our pets or can cause digestive issues. For a list of foods to avoid during the holiday, click here.

5. Don’t forget your best and most loyal friend during the holidays. Treat your dog or pet to veterinarian approved treats, toys, a grooming appointment, or a playdate at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Afterall, your pets deserve the very best, even if they do make Santa’s naughty list!

Holiday Dog and Cat Boarding at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

If you are looking to board your dog or cat at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for the holidays, book now! We fill up fast! There’s a reason we are the number one veterinarian recommended pet care provider!

Check out our Google Reviews!

Check out our Facebook Highlight Reel of Your Dog at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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If you are in need of some laughs and giggles, may we suggest you make it part of your daily or weekly routine to check out the Facebook highlight reel of your dog at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa?

Our professional doggy daycare managers keep the video reels going throughout the day to capture your bestie at play! You may be surprised to see how your pooch acts when you aren’t around!

When work, the kids, life, or school gets you down, there is no bigger way to put a smile on your face than to see the dogs in action at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Favorite Highlights from the Dogs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Summer is just days away! The dogs at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa are feeling some early summer fun! With the warm weather and our uber-spectacular, super-splash-zone water park for dogs, our dogs are having a crazy good time.

Frenchie Wipe Out

Check out this screen shot of Little Frenchie gone wild! Then zip over to our Facebook page to see the video in “reel” time. His form is incredible, but his recovery earns Frenchie a Purrfect 10!

It’s Monday. Is that Mufasa Overlooking the Land?

The Facebook message speaks of new friends having a blast! We think the Border Collie on the top of the play structure makes for a perfect Mufasa overlooking his den, no? Someone has to be in charge of the pack! Click here to see the “reel” version of what’s going on in the play area!

Guess What Happens Next?

The scene: a bunch of dogs gather around on a warm day with water features. Guess what happens next? Do the pack of dogs:

A) Call it a day and lie down?

B) Run laps?

C) Start howling for treats?

Click the Facebook link to find out!

Keeping Your Dogs and Cats Safe and Healthy This Summer

The Pet Ranch Resort and Spa wants to remind you to keep your dogs and cats safe and healthy this summer. In our May Bowser Report, we posted an infographic reminding you of ways to make sure your dogs and cats are safe and healthy in the summer weather.

Summer may also be a good time to check and see if your dogs or cats suffer from some of the most common pet ailments.

According to Vetsource, “Dogs and cats have many of the same health problems as humans — but they may not show symptoms in the same ways we do. Our pets have an instinctual response to hide their vulnerabilities. It’s up to us to pay attention, learn the symptoms, and help them get the best treatment.”

Some of the most common ailments in dogs and cats include:

  • Fleas
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Ear infections
  • Allergies
  • Worms
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Hot spots/skin irritations

Check with your vet to make sure your pet is healthy and happy! Don’t forget about their mental health as well! Keeping your pet fit, active, and interacting with friends is part of their social development.

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is happy to offer doggie daycare and boarding for your dog or cat. Contact us today to find out more or make a reservation!

May Bowser Report at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa has been busy, and we are happy to fill our readers in with the May Bowser Report!

Splashing Good Fun at our Water Feature!

The warm weather makes our water feature one of the most popular activities at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

We’ve had reports of some dogs that “didn’t like water” be the first ones to run in and splash around…or…watch before they splash around. But really, who doesn’t want to be involved in games once we see all our pals having fun?

Pet Spa Days are Popular!

Word has it the dogs are all bragging about the most excellent care they are receiving at our Dog Grooming facility. Pampered pooches are strutting around with new pooch cuts, nail trims, and facials, and we couldn’t be more pleased! Our groomers are some of the best professionals around, making sure each dog is treated to the very best in grooming and pampering!

Who’s up for some TLC? With summer here, the de-shedding treatment is a welcome relief for dogs and people alike! While you’re there, ask for the blueberry facial and the nail polish! Even the most manly mutt would love to be rubbed, scrubbed, and treated like a King for the day!

Vacation Mode is ON!

Staying home was so 2020. 2021 is here and our hooman’s are ready to travel! Have you heard the new saying? “When the hooman’s play, the dogs get to stay”? Well, there’s no time like the present to make your Summer Reservations for Dog and Cat Boarding at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa!

Picture: temperature-controlled rooms soothing music, love, affection, attention, and the added safety bonus of the owner living on site! What else could a dog or cat ask for?

Tell your people that new boarders get the first night free! (subject to availability of course!).

Summer Tips for Dogs and Cats

Seasonal pet safety tips infographic with icons: how to protect your pet from heat and cold in summer and winter

This summer, please remember these summer safety tips for dogs and cats! With hot weather on the horizon, it’s important to keep us in mind. We know you love us and want us around for a long time!

Check out The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa on Facebook and Instagram!

There is a lot of activity going on during the day at The Ranch! One of the best ways to see the action live is to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages. You will see some of the CUTEST faces, check out the newbies at The Ranch, watch us play in the water, chase each other, hop on all the cool toys, rest, watch, and have a ton of fun!

Stay Tuned for More Summer Fun at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch’s staff is putting our heads together to make this summer PAWTASTIC for all our friends! Stay tuned for more information! Want to be added to our email newsletter and be the first to know? Contact us!

Why Every Cat Lover Should Own a Black Cat

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With Halloween just around the corner, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa in Livermore is feeling the excitement in the air!

Part of the allure and fun of Halloween is the association of spooky ghosts, playful pumpkins, creepy skeletons, and scary witches and monsters. Black cats, one of the most well-known icons of this holiday, have played a huge role in Halloween beginning in the Middle Ages.

Once thought to bring bad luck, black cats were associated with witches and witchcraft, drawing an unfair superstition to these amazing, beautiful creatures.

The truth is, black cats have some very unique qualities and associations that make them stand out from other cats. Ask anyone who owns a black cat, and they are sure to mention how their dark fur baby stands out from any other cat they have owned.

5 Reasons to Own of a Black Cat

1. Contrary to popular belief, black cats are believed to bring luck, prosperity, and love in certain areas of the world. If an ebony feline crosses your path in England, Ireland, or Asia, you are considered to prosper from good luck (source). Lucky enough to have a black cat show up at your doorstep in Scotland? You are going to be rich!

Japanese women, according to an article in the Spruce Pets, are more likely to attract a suitor. Looking for a date? Get a black cat!

Getting married in England’s Midlands? Expect to receive a black cat as a wedding gift as they are associated with bringing good luck and happiness to the bride.

2.  The fur on black cats can turn beautiful colors. Black cats’ fur, like any feline fur, can turn grey or white with age, but the color change is more visible on a cat with black fur. If your black beauty prefers to lie in the sun, its fur may show signs of a beautiful reddish-brown color. The sun’s rays break down the melatonin in the fur temporarily to reveal beautiful rusty colors. (Leader Blog)

3. Black cats have a better immune system than other cats. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health discovered that black cats are more resistant to illnesses such as Feline HIV which in turn can make them live longer. (source)

4. The eyes have it! Black cats have more melatonin in their eyes and can come in intoxicating colors of gold, green, or blue. (source)

5. Black cats are the least likely to get adopted, so if you want to make a huge difference, adopt a black cat and its partner. Cat owners know two cats truly are better than one! Think of all the cool names you can come up with when giving your new black feline their own identity!

Need a Vacation Home for Your Black Cat? Let The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Help You!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is Livermore’s answer to your vacation needs. We board cats in our brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Livermore’s beautiful wine country.

Your furry feline will indulge in four-level cat accommodations and have plenty of room to sprawl, play, and sleep! Don’t worry about any canines disrupting your cat’s vacation stay, as our cat room offers its own private space.

Do you need a place to put your feline bestie for a purrfect vacation? Check out our cat boarding details.