The Ranch Pet Resort

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Healthy and safety tips

October Bowser Report from The Dogs of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

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Cute black and tan dachshund dressed in witch costume and hat for Halloween party, pumpkin with candles near. Bright orange background.

It’s October and that means spooky good fun for both hoomans and the dogs of The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

With so many exciting parties and food literally at the drop of a hat or hand or cute pumpkin pail, our October Bowser Report is full of tips and reminders to keep us safe and happy and your carpets diarrhea free!

Gentle Reminders About Treats During Halloween and Keeping Dogs Safe

While two-leggers love to indulge in chocolate delights, peanut butter with chocolate, and other sugary treats, let’s remember that candy can be harmful and even deadly to dogs.

Depending on the type of dog and the amount ingested, chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods that dogs can eat.

If your dog eats chocolate, he can suffer from any or all of these signs: diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst, excessive urination, racing heart rate, panting, or restlessness.

Even the most well-meaning hooman may try to keep chocolate treats away from us dogs, but some of us are very clever and conniving when it comes to finding food we are told we must not eat.

If you think your dog has ingested chocolate, reach out to the animal poison control. Symptoms may take hours or days to develop, so it is always better to be safe by contacting your local poison control.

For reference, you can keep this information handy ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435.

Halloween Can Be Scary for Dogs for Many Reasons

Please know that we dogs aren’t always the barking protectors we sometimes are known for. The truth is, we don’t understand why all of these little people come to the door all dressed up and ask for candy.

While some of us eagerly greet these strange hoomans, many of us would feel much safer closed off in a room or in our crates.

Please take care of us, especially if this is our first Halloween or if we can be unpredictable. An open door is an invitation to some of us to run away or follow a group of “trick-or-treators” whatever that means. Our risk of getting injured or hit by a car increases with this unpredictability.

Also, while most of us love our walks, it can be super scary to walk around with all of the noise, commotion, and spooky decorations. If we feel scared at all, if you think we might try to escape from our collars or leashes, bite at anyone wanting to pet us, or get frightened and run off, please leave us at home!

Safe Costumes are Awesome!

We took a poll and while some of the not-so-fun dogs prefer not to be dressed up in funny hats or costumes that make people laugh when we run, many of us love to wear safe costumes!

We want to remind you to please choose outfits that are comfortable, allow us to move naturally, relieve ourselves, and not choke on small buttons or parts that can easily be chewed off.

What’s Halloween without us dressing up?

Halloween at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

Monday is Halloween, and for all of us dogs who get to board or visit for doggie daycare, we are encouraged to dress up! While there won’t be any formal Halloween festivities, we are encouraged to come in costume!

Based on some of the previous years’ costumes, we are in for a Howling good time!

The Dogs Days of Summer are Almost Over

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Dog trail in the sand

Don’t tell the dogs, but summer is coming to a close. School is back in session, the days are getting shorter, and NFL football is starting back up!

While the current weather trend doesn’t fully agree with summer coming to an end, the upcoming Labor Day Weekend signifies the traditional end to summer.

While we have quite enjoyed the summer frolicking with your dogs in the best ever, one-of-a-kind ONLY water park in the Tri-Valley, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to take this time to get your pup ready for fall!

Freshen Up for Fall!

Is it time for your pupperoo to get a haircut? bath? nail trim? Our dog grooming facilities are very pupular (see what we did there?). We hear it’s the best place in town to get a blueberry doggie facial, deshedding treatment, luxury bath package, teeth brushing, and more!

Book now for the winter pictures since we fill up fast!

Shop Now for Winter Wardrobes

Winters can get mighty cool around here, so shop for the most trendy and fashionable doggie active wear. Murphy’s Paw in Livermore is the go to doggie outlet for all of your necessary and fashionable trends. From leashes and collars to cool outer and inner wear, your dog will be stylin’!

Cindy Kirkland from Pleasanton’s pup is the coolest pup in the neighborhood in this jean jacket!

Winterize Your Dog with a Doggy Check up

We never want our furry besties to feel anything but their best! Consider taking your pup in for its annual check up. Have your favorite vet check your pup from tooth to tail to ensure he gets all A’s in health and wellness! Make sure all shots are up-to-date and microchip your pet to ensure its safe return in the event she wanders off!

Complete a Home Safety Check

With summer coming to a close, it might be time to winterize. Make sure all chemicals from the pool are put safely out of reach, the pool cover is on and there are no holes or tears in case Rambo Pup decides to charge on it; the latches on your gates self-close so Scooby can’t escape; the holes and loose fence board are replaced; and anything that can be put in your dog’s mouth and cause a hazard are picked up and out of sight.

New Dog Id Tags

Has it been awhile since Ms. Lucky Loo had her tags replaced? Sometimes wear and tear get the best of our pets, and our contact information wears off. Consider replacing old dog ID tags with current and correct information. Who doesn’t like a shiny new object around our neck anyway?

Replace Toys and Bedding

Is Finn’s dog bed looking ragged and dirty? Does it have more holes in it than your favorite chewed up pair of slippers? It’s a fine time to shop for a new winter bed. Choose one that fits your dog when it curls up and stretches out so your dog is warm and comfortable. Toss out old comforters and blankets that can easily be chewed and swallowed.

Take it from this blogger whose ornery lab ate the stuffing from an old comforter. The material lodged in the dog’s intestines and had to be surgically removed. You’d think both the blogger and the dog would learn after the first mistake. Nope! We underwent expensive surgery two times!

While we are on the subject of throwing out dangerous items, consider tossing toys that have seen better days. Loose threads, stuffing from “indestructible” toys, and hanging plastic pieces are an expensive emergency vet visit waiting to happen.

Book Regular Doggie Daycare Outings

We all get cabin fever with cold winters, and there is nothing like doggie daycare at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Whether it’s frolicking on the play structure, romping along the artificial turf, or even splashing in the puddles and water fun on warmer days, your dog deserves all the love and attention from our professional staff at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

Just like you enjoy your time away from work to hike, bike ride, or build those muscles at the gym, Marmaduke needs his time away from home, too.

Book now!

For more fun-loving ideas to do with your dog around the Tri-Valley or more pet-related information, read our blog!

Do Dogs Experience Anxiety?

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The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa‘s “Rover Reporter” went on a mission to answer the question: Do Dogs Experience Anxiety?

A simple Google search led to the answer that yes, dogs and other pets do experience anxiety, and they show it in ways we may or may not recognize.

Ways Dogs Show Anxiety

According to an article by the American Kennel Club, dogs experience anxiety in several ways. If your dog is showing signs of the following, it may be experiencing anxiety:

  • Excessive panting, drooling, licking, barking, whining, or howling
  • Urinating or defecating in the house (unrelated to potty training or incontinence)
  • Aggressive behaviors
  • Destroying property
  • Digging
  • Pacing about
  • Appearing depressed
  • Demonstrating repetitive or compulsive behaviors
  • Restlessness

Why Do Dogs Get Anxiety?

Much like humans, dog experience anxiety under certain conditions or circumstances. Some anxiety behaviors can be recurring, and others can be constant.

Dogs are very adept at “reading” or understanding situations and people. If your dog senses that you are stressed, it can react to your feelings.

If a dog is in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation, such as going to the vet, traveling, or moving, it can also exhibit anxiety.

Sometimes sounds, noises, unfamiliar surroundings, objects, surfaces, other animals, or strangers can cause a dog to feel anxious.

Likewise, dogs who are separated from their owners, even for a brief period of time, can experience anxiety.

Anxiety is also common in older dogs whose cognitive functions are starting to decline.

How to Help an Anxious Dog

Every dog reacts differently to anxiety, and it’s important to monitor your dog’s reactions and health to determine if your dog has anxiety and if you need to seek treatment for anxiety.

The first action you might take is to visit your vet. Describe your dog’s behaviors and under what conditions your dog appears anxious.

Medical treatments, behavior training, socialization, crate training, exercising your dog, providing a nourishing diet, and removing your dog from stressful situations are just some of the ways you can ease the anxiety your dog is experiencing.

Anxiety Can be Normal in Dogs

If your dog is experiencing anxiety, it can be a perfectly normal and acceptable behavior.

This “Rover Reporter” noticed increasing anxiety in her older dog a few years ago. Separation anxiety, howling, restlessness, and excessive panting (when all weather extremes were normal) were the first signs that something was not quite right with my beloved pooch.

Medication didn’t seem to work on him, so we adapted to working from home, assuring him each time we left “we would be right back,” cuddling him, allowing him to sleep with us, changing his diet, and allowing him to be where we were.

He has since mellowed, except when we have company, at which point he wants to be where the action is, or he will cry and howl if separated.

Most importantly, we have come to accept our pooch has changing needs, not much different than ours, and with patience, education, understanding, and love, he has settled down a bit, and that makes us all less anxious.

The Benefits of Sleeping with Your Human From Your Dog or Cat’s Point of View

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Studies suggest that sleeping with your pet has health benefits for you, but have you ever considered the benefits dogs and cats receive while sleeping with their humans?

As soft, comfy, fluffy, and adorable that pet bed is that you bought for your dog or cat, chances are, your pet would prefer to sleep with you!

Studies Show Dogs and Cats Benefit from Sleeping with Their Owners

Good pet owners are in tune with their pets’ needs of human comfort, interaction, love, and affection.

When it comes to bedtime, many pets would prefer to sleep with their humans and the reasons make sense to the pet lovers at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa.

According to Dr. Dana Varble, the chief veterinary officer for the North American Veterinary Community, “In general, it is a very good thing for animals to sleep with their people. Pets who share their human’s bed tend to have a higher trust level and a tighter bond with the humans that are in their lives. It’s a big display of trust on their part.” (source: CNN.com)

Medical Benefits for Dogs and Cats who Sleep with their Humans

Another reason for pets to sleep with their owners is medical. Oxytocin and dopamine, hormones that produce feel-good feelings in animals as well as people, are increased in pets who are closely bonded with their humans.

If your dog has anxiety or suffers from stress, a medical condition, or old age, it may be helpful for them to fall asleep next to someone they trust and love. The close physical contact relaxes the anxiety they feel and eases the stress they feel.

To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Dog or Cat?

The choice whether to sleep with your dog or cat is ultimately up to you…or is it? As many times as dog or cat owners try to sleep with their dog or cat next to them in beds or cat trees, boxes, crates, comfy pillows, blankets with fish on them…well, you get the idea…it’s sometimes a failed effort.

Many dogs and cats naturally crawl on the bed or, in some cases, under the covers, to sleep with their owners.

The temptation to sneak onto the bed while humans sleep is more than many of our dogs and cats can resist. After all, the crook of a knee, the soft neck of our best human, or even the face of our best cat-loving person is just too much for our pups and kittens to pass up.

If Your Dog or Cat Sleeps with You, Consider Yourself Loved

As many of our dog or cat loving clients realize, their best furry friends do not want to be without their loved ones, especially at night.

So, if you wake up to soft puppy breath, the snoring of an aging four-legged canine, or the soft paw or even claw of a finicky feline, consider yourself blessed.

You have been among the numerous pets who have chosen their person to drift off to slumber with. May sweet dreams of fish swimming up stream, balls in the open field, and the sound of crashing beach waves fill your mind, heart, and soul during the night.

Choose The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa to Ease Your Pet While You Travel

The staff at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa has a special place in our heart for your dog or cat when you travel.

We take extra measures to make sure your pets fall asleep feeling loved and cared for when you are not there to tuck them into bed.

Our popular story time is a hit among the guests who board with us. Dogs who are read to drift asleep in the lap of our staff and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to begin the day. We even talk in different voices, show pictures, and read the story over and over!

If you are interested in having The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa bring story time to your pet during their stay with us, please let us know! It is our wish to make sure your pet is loved during its stay with us!

Sweet dreams to all!

Make your reservations here!

April Bowser Report Tip: Put Sunscreen on Your Dog 🐾

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April showers are bringing a lot of activity to The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. With the weather we are having, we don’t know whether to put sunscreen on or our doggie raincoats and boots!

You may have heard that dogs can actually get sunburned, especially ones with light skin or white fur, so it’s important to keep us safe from damaging our skin.

How to Safely Apply Sunscreen to Your Dog

For all of you sunscreen wearing dogs, remember to have your hoomans apply sunscreen to the most important parts of our bodies: nose, around our lips, tips of the ears, bellies, and groins.

As tempting as it may be, avoid licking the sunscreen off! Have your mom or dad test a small area of your body to make sure you are not allergic to the sunscreen.

Apply a small amount of sunscreen and allow the lotion to soak in. If you don’t have any reaction, it’s time to put the rest of the lotion on your body and then you are good to go in the sun!

If you do have a reaction, have your mom or dad wash off the sunscreen immediately. If you start acting oddly or developing hives, call your vet right away!

Summer Wear for Dogs Who Care!

If the thought of greasy lotion doesn’t sit well with you divas and divos, consider setting a trend with the latest in doggie summer wear.

Doggies bodysuits, shirts, hats, or eyewear are sometimes necessary to protect our bodies and our eyes from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Booties can also be used to protect paws and pads from the hot cement. Dogs can burn their pads and paws, and careful attention should be paid to not walk on asphalt during the hottest parts of the day.

Summer Swimming Safety

Summer is a great time for us dogs to swim or play in water! Some lucky dogs get to go in pools or on boats! If you are one of these lucky dogs, it’s smart to have your person purchase a life vest for you. Have them size you and tighten the vest so it’s not too tight but not too loose that it may fall off.

Some dogs, especially water dogs like labs and retrievers, will swim until they are exhausted. Let’s protect them from drowning by putting on a doggie life vest!

Boating dogs should wear one as well just like their humans do in the event they fall overboard by accident! Or, in the case of a lab we know, JUMP in.

If you are a swimming breed, or a breed who loves to swim, be sure and have your hooman re-apply sunscreen as it washes off.

Summer Reservations at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa

It’s not too early to sign up for doggie daycare or doggie boarding at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa. We have so much fun playing in the water park, the ONLY water park in the area. Our staffers offer us love, attention, praise, publicity (check us out on Facebook and Instagram!), and lots of summertime activities.

Contact The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa today for your summer reservation!

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!