The Ranch Pet Resort

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Happy Mother’s Day from the Cats of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13, 2024, and the Cats of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa want to wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day!

In the spirit of the Mother’s Day holiday, the cats of The Ranch wanted to share some fun and interesting Motherly Information about their species.

Motherly Facts About Cats

Cat mothers like to consider themselves high in the running for Mom Species of the year. With kitten season upon us, the Ranch cats thought you might enjoying learning the following information about them:

  • Mother cats are called Queens and really, are we surprised? These dainty paw licking creatures certainly deserve the title.
  • Kittens in one litter can come from different fathers. A cat in heat can be fertile for a week and can mate with more than one cat during this time. This gives sense to the saying, “A sister from another mister.” This act of nature is one reason kittens from the same litter can look so very different.
  • Kittens can be born days apart. Since Momma Cat can mate at different days during her fertile season, it makes sense that kittens will develop at different times and be born days apart.
  • Queens can deliver between 1-9 kittens each time they give birth.
  • An unspayed cat can have as many as 100 kittens in a lifetime (source) which is why it is so important to spay and neuter your cats.
  • Queens purr during birth. This noise is their way of relaxing during labor. But given the choice, we are most certain Queens would prefer an epidural.
  • Kittens are born with placenta covering them which the mom eats after delivery.
  • Kittens have belly buttons since each kitten has its placenta attached to it. How cute is a kitten belly button?
  • Cats can have between 4 and 10 nipples, including males, but the average number is six.
  • Mother cats have a distinct noise to call their kittens. This noise is call a chirrup, and kittens can distinguish their mom from other moms based upon this noise.
  • Queens hide their babies in nests to keep them safe from predators. You may find your cat has had its kittens in a closet, under your bed, or nesting in your bedding. Feral or stray cats hide their kittens anywhere away from predators and away from where they pee or poop. Common places include under porches, in bushes, and even in peoples’ garages.
  • Kittens who are found alone are often not abandoned. Mother Queen may be out hunting. If you come across a nest of kittens, the best advice is to leave them alone. Chances are, Mom will come back. If she doesn’t return in 4-6 hours, it may be time to intervene.
  • Around 8 weeks, Momma Queen is done raising her kittens and happy to get back to the life she once lived without her babies! (source)

Help Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies for Your Cat, Spay and Neuter Your Pets!

How Do I Introduce a New Dog into my Home?

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Considering adding a new dog into your home? Whether this is your first dog, an addition to your canine family, or you are a seasoned dog owner, adding a new dog into your home can be rewarding and fun as long as you are prepared!

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to help you introduce your new dog into your home with our tried-and-true tips.

Make Use of the 3-3-3 Rule Bringing a new dog home is exciting for everyone but can be an overwhelming experience for the dog. If you practice the 3-3-3 rule, you are more likely to set yourself and the dog up for success.

When a new dog first enters your home, it’s important to understand what to expect from the dog. New smells, surroundings, people, animals, and routines will confuse, excite, and overwhelm any new dog. Its true personality won’t shine through for the first three days or longer.

Give the dog time to adjust to your routine and expectations. Give it a few days to acclimate to its new environment and family by keeping it at the home and avoiding stimulating situations like the dog park, other dogs, parks, coffee shops, and pet stores.

There will be a lifetime of opportunities for you to take your dog to fun places and meet all of the neighborhood doggy friends. But for the first three days at least, allow the dog to decompress and get used to your home and routine.

After three or so weeks, your dog will feel more comfortable, confident, and at ease. At the same time, it may start to display some behavior issues that you need to be prepared for.

Like any child, a dog will test its boundaries and will rely on you to direct it to the appropriate behaviors and set it up for success. Training the dog to sit, stay, get off the counters, lie down, go in its crate, stop jumping on you, and relieve itself in a designated area will make the transition for you and your dog a better one.

By three months, your new dog will gain the confidence it deserves to feel right at home. It will have gained your trust enough to understand it is staying with you and will start to form a stronger bond.

At this point, you will have reinforced positive behaviors and instilled in your dog the confidence to know how to behave at home and in public.

Then, when you bring your new dog to The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for doggie daycare or dog boarding, he can feel more confident.

Contact The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa for all of your Dog Daycare or Boarding Needs

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa offers the latest in doggie daycare and dog boarding. Situated in the heart of the wine country, The Ranch offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you dog can get the love and attention it deserves.

Sign your dog up to play in our state-of-the-art water park and play structure or spend a night in our heat and air-conditioned suites. At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, your dog is treated with royalty just like you treat him at home.

It’s National Hug Your Dog Day! But Does Your Dog Really Like to Be Hugged?

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April 10 is National Hug Your Dog Day, but those of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa know most dogs don’t like being hugged and can, in fact, stress them out. Hugging a dog is not a natural action for a dog, an in fact, it can cause a dog to feel tense, anxious, and trapped. Dogs show affection by loose body moves and by leaning into you.

The best way to show your dog you love him or her on National Hug Your Dog Day is to pet your dog on the chest, pat her on the head, or give her a good ol’ fashion belly rub!

At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, our dogs in doggie daycare or boarding are loved every day! For a list of fees or services, please click here. Pats and affection given daily!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

The second week in April is also delegated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week. A great way to prevent being bitten is to be educated and aware of a dog’s propensity to bite with these tips:

  • Don’t hug a dog for the reasons mentioned above
  • Never approach an unfamiliar dog
  • Ask permission before petting someone’s dog
  • Watch the body language of a dog-avoid dogs that are tense or growling
  • Never run from a dog-whether in chase or on a “hunt,” the risk of being bitten goes up
  • Avoid touching dogs that are sleeping, eating, or protecting something
  • If a strange dog approaches, stand still with your hands to your side until it goes away
  • When meeting a dog, allow it to approach you, and offer a clenched fist
  • Avoid the face and mouth of a dog
  • Do not tug on a dog or allow children to crawl or climb on a dog. Even the most well-meaning dog is capable of biting
  • Avoid looking a dog straight in the eye
  • Never tease a dog
  • Socialize your dog
  • Spay and neuter your dog
  • Train your dog
  • Supervise children when near dogs and teach them to respect dogs and their bodies
  • Avoid moving quickly around a dog who may be startled and reactive
  • If possible, ignore a barking dog until it stops barking at you. Either remove yourself from the situation if it is not your dog or wait for the behavior to stop before interacting with the dog.
  • Never pin down, hit, or punish a dog for a natural behavior that you see as “aggressive” as doing so may cause the dog to become aggressive

Any Dog Can Bite

No one wants to believe their dog is capable of biting or causing harm or injury to anyone. But the fact remains, a dog who feel threatened, scared, trapped, or is under socialized and untrained is capable of biting.

Avoid the consequences of a biting dog by reading our tips, clicking on the links for more information, or enrolling in our behavioral training programs.

“Dogs don’t bit out of the blue. So stay safe and know the signs.”





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!

Why Does My Dog Do That?

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While dogs are said to be man and woman’s best friend, unless you’re a cat person, these canines have some interesting behaviors that may make you question, “Why does my dog do that?”

In a series that The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa began last month to answer some of your most asked questions, this month’s blog will focus on why dogs react they way they do on a leash, why they lick you, why they eat grass, and why they sleep in the positions they do.

Keep in mind that our canine friends still carry the history of their ancestors in their genes and that while we may have domesticated them, they come from a long line of ancestors whose behaviors stay with them.

Through the good and the bad, dogs act in a way that makes sense to them, even if we find their behaviors funny, frustrating, or confusing!

Why Does My Dog React on a Leash?

Leash reactivity is a common behavior where dogs will either growl, snarl, bark, pull on the leash, lunge, spin around, or otherwise “act out” when they encounter a situation, dog, or person that makes them feel scared, frustrated, or territorial. It’s a more severe reaction than a dog without leash reactivity would have and occurs in dogs who have been under socialized or not exposed to people, places, things, or other animals in a positive way (source).

The perceived “threat” creates a fight or flight response in the dog. Since the leash prevents the dog from running away, they respond by using their body language as cues to warn the perceived threat they are uncomfortable.

Leash reactivity can be tamed over time and with patience and understanding. For more information on leash reactivity and how to help your dog overcome leash reactivity, please click here.

Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

The slobbery licks your dog covers you with is a learned behavior. A puppy licks its mom to get milk and licks its siblings to groom and interact with them. Dogs lick to explore their environment, show affection, play with you, get your attention, or ask a dominant dog in its pack for permission to eat communal food.

The more you are covered in slobbery, wet kisses, the more positive affirmation you are giving your dog. While some may associate licking with a “gross display of germs,” a dog associates licking with positive behavior that he is naturally ingrained to perform (source).

Why Does My Dog Curl Up in a Ball When it Sleeps?

If your dog moves in circles or digs its bed before it curls up to sleep, you can thank its ancestors. In the wild, dogs dig nests to curl up in. Curling up keeps the dogs warm and prevents their vital organs from being exposed to predators.

So the next time you see your dog digging in its bed or circling before it lies down, you have a better understanding of this behavior. If your dog stretches out or sleeps upside down, it’s either hot or feels very safe and secure (source).

For more tail wagging information about your dog, Refer to our blog.

We’re Hiring!

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Do you love working with animals? Do you have the clean gene in you? Do you want to make a difference in the comfort and enjoyment of pets who will appreciate you forever and smother you with wet sloppy kisses and puppy eyes?

If so, let’s talk! The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is looking for a handful of hardworking animal lovers! Here are the positions available:

• Kennel Technician

• Doggy Daycare Attendant

• Outside Cleaner (Janitorial)

If you think you’d be a good fit for any of the positions above, please send your resume to livermorekennels@gmail.com. We’d love to set up a phone interview!

Know someone who may be a great fit for one of the jobs above? Please share our email with them!

About The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa is unlike any other pet resort in the area. We are family owned and operated and have someone on the property 24/7 to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of your dogs and cats.

We have been named the most recommended pet care providers in the area by local veterinarians. We offer daycare, boarding for both dogs and cats and grooming services. During certain times of the year, we also offer training!

State of the Art Facility

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa stands apart from others because we offer amenities fit for your best friend.

Dogs and cats enjoy climate controlled rooms with hospital grade cleaning systems and state-of- the-art air filtration systems. Both dogs and cats enjoy fresh bedding with dogs being treated to cots to keep them off the floor and cats enjoying the luxury of four levels of space.

Dogs enjoy covered outdoor areas, potty breaks, treats, toys, soothing music and bedtime stories. Cats, a bit finickier than their dog pals, are treated to the quiet comfort of a separate space to stretch, play, sleep, explore, and enjoy pets and scratches.

No One Beats Our Water Park

Not to brag, but we are going to. Our state-of-the-art water park is unlike anything our competition offers. Dogs love to frolic in the water on hot or cold days! Dogs whose owners swore would never like water love to splash and drink from the paw-shaped splash pads, water jets, wading pools and sprinklers. This is the most fun your dog can have in Alameda County.

Have Multiple Pets? No Problem

For you lucky owners with multiple pets, we wouldn’t dream of separating anyone who needs his buddy to sleep with!

We all have a bit of anxiety when going away, even to the Disneyland of Doggie Boarding, so if your pets need to stick together, we have accommodations to fit pairs of pals!

Not Sure if The Ranch is Right for Your Pet? New Customers Enjoy a Free First Night!

We understand being away from your pet can be stressful for both of you. We have you covered! While we are sure your pet will have the time of its life, we want to offer new customers a free first night to make you feel at ease.

Ready to book your visit? Sign up today! Need to ask some questions? Contact us!

See you soon! And hey, if you fall in love with the place, don’t forget We Are Hiring!