The Ranch Pet Resort

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Holidays

Fourth of July Holiday Tips

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The Fourth of July weekend kicks off this Friday, which makes for a long weekend of celebrations. We are lucky to live in Livermore, home to many fun and family-friendly Fourth of July activities right in our own backyard. Or, we can make a short trip to the mountains or the beach!

However you decide to celebrate the Fourth of July, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wishes each of you a fun, safe, and festive Fourth of July. Please enjoy the holiday even more with our Fourth of July Holiday Tips.

Keep Your Pet Safe on the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is filled with crowds, music, action, fireworks in some places, and a variety of tasty food and drink.

At this time of year, it’s especially important to remember that not all of our pets enjoy the festivities and are easily spooked; some are even traumatized.

While you enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations, please make safety a primary consideration for your pets, as fireworks, strangers, and loud noises are a trigger for many animals, creating stress, anxiety and overcrowded shelters.

Place your pet in a crate or locked room with food and water, comforting toys, chewies, soft music or a quiet TV show. Thundershirts are often a great tool for dogs who experience much stress.

If you go out, ask a responsible person to check on your pet. Having someone there to calm a stressed dog can do wonders for a reactive pet. Just make sure they return the pet to the closed crate or room.

Keep your dogs at home for any Fourth of July activity. Even the most secure pooch can be easily stressed or escape if you are distracted. Hot pavement or heat create health hazards to our beloved canines. Make the Fourth a time for you and your friends and family, securing your pet at home.

DID YOU KNOW? ***************

The day after the Fourth of July is the most crowded day at the shelters, as frightened pets who aren’t secured safely in a room or crate often get scared and run off.

Watch the video below to learn ways to keep your pet out of the shelter on the Fourth of July.

Take Measures to Track a Lost Pet

If your pet does get lost, you should take these measures to find it.

  • Call and visit your local shelter daily.
  • Put lost and found posters around the neighborhood and beyond. Dogs can roam for miles, increasing the travel distance.
  • Offer a reward for the safe return of your pet.
  • Post on Nextdoor and all social media platforms.
  • Ask everyone to share the news that your pet is missing. Give details about what your pet looks like, what its name is, and ways to get it back or advice on not chasing it in the event it may run further away.

Keep Dogs and Cats Away from Holiday Food

Holiday food is oh, so good, but can cause diarrhea, vomiting, an expensive hospital visit, or even death to a dog or cat.

Avoid sharing even the littlest bit of food with your dog and ask your guests to not share food either.

You never know how a pet is going to react to a holiday treat or if it may contain something in it that causes allergies or is toxic to your dog or cat.

If you have a side yard, room, or crate, it’s best your pet is unable to roam around during your Fourth of July holiday party. Even the most attentive hosts can be distracted by the most cunning dog or cat who is just as tempted to enjoy the food and drink.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Happy Valentine’s Day from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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On this day filled with love and affection, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa would like to wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

And what better way to kick off today than with Valentine’s from some of our beloved guests!

Happy Valentine’s Day from The Dogs of The Ranch

Blue wishes you a most delightful Valentine’s Day! Blue represents all of the pittie dogs and pups who have endless love and affection to give all day every day. Who can resist Blue’s sweet charm and puppy dog eyes?

Dolce wants no none to be left “behind” on this Valentine’s Day. He represents the German Shorthair Pointers and all of the Ranch Dogs who have no problem being behind the scenes. These goofballs are fine not to take center stage and have all of the confidence to be photographed from all angles. If you look closely enough, you might even see the resemblance of a heart amid all of those mass muscles and spots!

With eyes this affectionate, how can you not fall for Lula? Lula represents all of the Ranch pups who speak with their eyes and melt our hearts. How can you not fall in love with someone so sweet and ready to give hugs with those giant paws. Lula, you had us with your brows. May all of your Valentine wished come true!

Ah, Pretzel, no one ever wants to be dumped on Valentine’s Day. That is why we count on you to make sure you do your “doodie” and keep us together. Pretzel represent our self-confident puppers whose high-energy antics and agility skills keep us on our toes. You know what’s better than this sweet Pretzel? Lots of pretzels covered in chocolate and dipped in sprinkles.

Valentine’s Wishes from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

May your Valentine’s Day be filled with love from your fur babies, and may you shower them with the affection they deserve.

We feel so lucky to be able to spend Valentine’s Day with your dogs and soak up all of the love and affection they provide to us this day and every day!

Human Foods that are Safe for Dogs

If you want to spoil your dog this Valentine’s Day, here are some human foods that are safe for dogs as well as some foods that you should avoid. Remember, chocolate and alcohol is toxic for dogs, so keep the chocolate covered strawberries and champagne for you!

Natural dog food Hungry brown dog lying near its bowl full of meat food looking at camera, top view

Wrapping Up a Year of Fun at The Ranch

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2024 has been a fun and productive year at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. From birthday parties and holidays to twinning and bedtime stories, The Ranch sure gets a kick out of our guests. Here are some of our favorite activities from 2024.

Puppy Bowl 2024

Puppy Bowl is one of the most popular events at The Ranch. Bigs and Littles compete for the coveted title of Puppy Bowl winner with prizes given for MVP and more. Dogs go all out to bring the football past the goal line after a morning of warm ups and “pup” talks.

Here are some of our best players!

Puppy Training

Our certified trainers make training dogs look like a walk in the park. But most owners know that it takes a special kind of person to train a dog. Here is our latest success, Jayce, who is showing off his stellar leash walking skills. Just look at the confidence in this sweet baby’s face!

Seeing Double

When one dog isn’t enough, we twin! Here are some of our adorable twins!

Story Time

The Ranch loves to read bedtime stories to our pups who board with us. We make our dogs feel right at home.

Halloween

Our dogs make Halloween one of the best holidays at The Ranch. Their creative disguises get better year after year. We can’t get over how well they model for the camera! This year, we added bobbing for apples, and that activity went over very well with many willing participants.

Bacon Bubbles

Bacon bubbles! We think this is the dogs’ favorite activity. Mix bubbles and bacon together and you have a rip roaring good time! Add some cute photo souvenirs with some plush bacon and you have an event that sells out every year!

Birthday Celebrations

Our pups at The Ranch become like family to us. As such, we love to celebrate their birthdays! Here are a few recent birthdays of some of our favorite guests.

The Meows Have It

The Ranch isn’t complete without our feline friends who add so much to our family. Take a look at our happy campers!

Caught on Camera

One of the best parts of The Ranch is capturing the day-to-day antics of our guests. Here are a few of our favorite photos!

Happy New Year!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to wish all of you a very happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous New Year. We can’t wait to see you all next year and hopefully meet some new friends.

Halloween Advice for Your Furry Friends

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Happy Halloween from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa! With all of the excitement of trick-or-treaters, costumes, parties, pumpkin carving, and our own Howl-o-Ween Dog Party, we’d like to offer some Halloween advice for your furry friends.

Keep Chocolate Away from Dogs and Cats

Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats so be careful to keep your pets away from candy or desserts. Should your dog or cat show signs of poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst or urination, restlessness, rapid breathing, seizures, or collapse, it’s urgent you call your vet or the Pet Poison helpline (855) 764-7661 immediately.

Take Precautions During Trick-or-Treating Time

Whether you’re heading around the neighborhood or staying home to pass out candy, it’s important to take precautions to keep your dogs and cats safe. Opened doors mean easy escapes for curious dogs or cats which can lead to them getting lost, hurt, or scared.

Confine Anxious Dogs and Cats

Consider shutting dogs and cats in bedrooms or crates during the hours you expect trick-or-treaters. Even the friendliest of pets may bolt when scared by a child, costume, or decoration. Doorbells, kids screaming with delight, and the hustle and bustle of Halloween activity may be too much for anxious or reactive dogs.

Thunder shirts, CBD treats or other anti-anxiety medication, or warm snuggles under covers may be just what your pet needs to help you both enjoy a fun and festive night.

Make Your Dog Visible

If you plan on taking your socialized dog around the neighborhood, it’s a good idea to have your pet wear a reflective collar, leash or harness. For more safety measures, consider a lit-up collar or harness to make your pet easily seen and safe from cars, other dogs, excited candy go-getters, and other adults who may not be able to see your dog at night.

Double Check ID Tags and Microchips

Double check your dog’s tag to make sure it is up-to-date, secured safely, and attached to a collar or harness in the event your dog runs off. Even the most best-behaved dogs can get spooked by noises, Halloween decorations, cars, Halloween partygoers, or costumes.

This is also a great time to make sure your dog or cat is chipped, and the contact information is current. More pets end up in shelters during holidays than other times, and ensuring your pet can be returned to you will make you both feel better.

Ensure Comfort Over Cuteness for a Costume

Costume-loving pet parents should make sure the costume does not impede the dog’s sight, breathing, or ability to walk. Double check that the costume is comfortable and not too tight or too loose to trip over. Despite a cool evening, a dog may overheat while exercising and wearing a thick but cute costume.

Keep in mind that most pets do not enjoy dressing up and that they are the perfect cuteness without a costume.

Keep Glow Sticks in the Hands of Kids or Adults

Glow sticks are fun accessories that can help kids and adults be seen, but they should be kept away from pets. The chemical tastes badly and can make your dog or cat ill.

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween!

Most of all, we wish you a safe and fun Halloween full of good times, good friends, and great memories for you and your fur babies!

Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe this Fourth of July

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Fourth of July, the Nation’s birthday, is a time for fun, family, friends, food, and fireworks in some areas. But for our furry friends, who aren’t used to the crowds, noises, amount of people, and certainly the boom of explosions, this can also a time of fear and anxiety.

The Ranch Pet and Resort and Spa offers these suggestions to keep your pets safe this Fourth of July.

  • Keep your pets home while you enjoy Fourth of July festivities. Not only can the experience cause stress and anxiety, the hot weather can cause stroke or heat exhaustion.
  • Put a GPS tag on your pet’s collar in the event it does escape. The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of the year for already over-crowded shelters, and you want to make sure you get your dog or cat back.
  • Bring your cats and dogs inside well before fireworks could possibly go off. Even in areas where fireworks are not allowed, some people will set them off. With your dog and cat inside the house, you eliminate, or at least severely decrease, the possibility that your pet can escape.
  • Consider putting a Thundershirt or tight piece of clothing on your cat or dog to make it feel safe.
  • Turn on the TV or radio to eliminate or diffuse the sounds of fireworks.
  • Close all windows and doors. Close curtains to eliminate visual stimulation.
  • Provide a safe and quiet space for your pet to retreat in the event it gets scared and wants to hide. A crate or room can serve as a safe place to retreat while you enjoy the nights’ events. Include toys, treats, and lots of blankets to hide under.
  • Provide air conditioning, cooling blankets, and plenty of fresh water for your pets to keep cool.
  • For severe trauma, ask your veterinarian about anxiety medications or CBD products.
  • Consider hiring a pet sitter to stay with your dog or cat while you go out.
  • Be very careful when opening the door or allowing your dog outside to go to the bathroom. Even the most well-behaved and most trusted dog can get spooked and run away.
  • Make sure your dog or cat is wearing a collar with your current address or phone number on it.
  • Put a leash or harness on your dog when taking it out to the bathroom in the event it gets spooked.
  • Check all fences for loose boards and secure all latches on gates and doors.
  • In the event your dog does escape, immediately put an alert out to your Neighborhood Outlets such as Nextdoor and social media platforms. Put up fliers around the neighborhood, vet offices, and make a report with your nearest animal shelter while you look for your dog.
  • Microchip your pet! You have a much higher chance for getting your pet back.

Happy Fourth of July from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wishes you, your family, friends, and pets a very happy Fourth of July. Celebrating the birthday of our nation is a time to celebrate, and we want to make sure all of you enjoy the day while keeping your pets happy and safe as well!

Hoppy Easter from The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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It’s Easter weekend, and dogs and cats around town are gearing up for a rip-roaring good time! Some of us get to partake in the fun of running around with the kids while they hunt for these plastic bundles of candy-filled fun that we are not allowed to eat, chew on, or steal.

Some of us are looking forward to seeing people and their pets we haven’t seen since the time our people brought trees in from the wild, threw balls and strings on them and told us not to touch them. Um, hello?! We are dogs and cats! We chase balls and strings! Sigh.

If you are hosting a jolly good time or having friends over, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa has some tips to keep us safe!

Tips to Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe this Easter

If you are hosting an Easter celebration, you may want to keep these tips in mind for a safe, healthy, happy, and enjoyable Easter for your pets and your company.

  1. Consider putting your pets in a room or crate while you have company over. While The Ranch understands your love for your amazing pets, Uncle Henry and Cousin Linda may not enjoy LeRoy, the Rottweilers, excitement over seeing new guests. Some people may not like dogs or cats (we know, we don’t understand either), may have had a bad experience with them, or be allergic to them. If your pets are locked up in your room or crate, they will be safe from knocking into or over your guests, causing a fear-bite reaction, getting out of an open door, or being fed food or treats from a well-meaning guest.
  2. Do not feed chocolate, candy items, food with bones, hot cross buns or any food with currants or raisins in them, any foods with garlic or onions, or any foods whose ingredients may be hidden, or alcohol. These people foods can cause dogs to vomit, have an upset stomach or diarrhea, choke, or have to go to the ER for a very, very expensive treatment.
  3. Keep all tulips and daffodils away from curious pets. The bulbs and even the water in the vases can cause upset stomachs, mouth irritations, difficulty breathing, or heart problems. While these plants and flowers are gorgeous, it’s best for everyone to admire them up and away from pets.
  4. Synthetic easter grass. All of that stringy “grass” is colored with dyes and is non-digestible and can block the intestines leading to illness, surgery, or in the worst cases, death.
  5. In the event your dog does ingest something or acts ill, please contact your vet or emergency vet immediately.

Healthy Treats You Can Feed Your Pets

If you want to indulge your dog or cat this Easter season, here are some tasty, healthy treats you can feed your pet. Just do so in moderation to avoid an upset tummy.

Foods we recommend and even encourage you to feed your pets in moderation any day:

  • Cooked lean meat, fish, eggs
  • Broccoli cut into small pieces
  • Peas
  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Watermelon
  • Blueberries
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Spinach

A healthy diet is optimal for both pets and humans. When we choose to indulge in clean eating, we look and feel better! But it’s ok to indulge every now and then!

Wishing Your Family and Pets a Happy, Healthy Easter Weekend!