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Pet Care

August is National Clear the Shelters Month

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Every August, communities across the country come together for National Clear the Shelters Month, a movement dedicated to finding loving homes for pets in need. Shelters and rescues open their doors with special adoption events, waived or reduced fees, and extended hours to make it easier for families to adopt.

Why Clear the Shelters Matters

Animal shelters often operate at or beyond capacity, especially during the summer when kitten and puppy litters peak. Sadly, overcrowding can make it difficult for staff to provide the care each animal deserves. Clear the Shelters Month helps ease that burden by connecting pets with permanent homes.

Beyond space and resources, adoption changes lives. Every animal adopted makes room for another in need, giving them a second chance. And for families, bringing home a shelter pet means gaining a loyal companion who offers unconditional love.

The Impact of Adoption

Since its start in 2015, the Clear the Shelters initiative has helped more than 1 million pets find homes. Each adoption story reflects the heart of this mission—whether it’s a senior dog finding comfort with a retired couple, a shy kitten learning to trust with a new family, or a rescue pup becoming a child’s best friend.

Adopting from a shelter also:

  • Saves lives by reducing euthanasia rates.
  • Supports local communities by easing shelter overcrowding.
  • Encourages responsible pet ownership through spay/neuter programs and education.

How You Can Get Involved

  • Adopt: Visit your local shelter or rescue to meet the pets waiting for homes.
  • Foster: Provide a temporary home to give animals a break from the shelter environment.
  • Donate: Food, toys, blankets, and financial contributions make a big difference.
  • Volunteer: Shelters always need extra hands to walk dogs, socialize cats, or help at adoption events.
  • Spread the word: Share posts on social media to help connect pets with potential adopters.

A Perfect Time to Find Your New Best Friend

If you’ve been considering adding a furry friend to your family, August is the perfect time to adopt. Not only will you be giving a shelter pet like Church above the loving home they deserve, but you’ll also be part of a nationwide movement of kindness and compassion.

To adopt a pet in August where prices are lowered or eliminated, please visit your local shelter or rescue.

Summer Safety Tips for Pets

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Hot weather can be dangerous for our furry friends, and it’s always a good idea to keep reminding ourselves how to prevent our pets from heat exhaustion, an expensive vet visit, or worse.

Follow these simple tips to keep your pets cool, healthy, and safe this summer. Need a safe place for your dog to cool off like Boomer? Try our doggie daycare! We have the only water park in the East Bay meant for dogs!

1. Keep Pets Indoors

Pets can overheat quickly, just like people. When it’s hot, limit outdoor time—especially during the middle of the day—and make sure they have a cool space indoors with air conditioning or fans. Overheating can lead to serious health issues.

2. Never Leave Pets in the Car

Even on mild days, a parked car can become dangerously hot in minutes—even with the windows cracked. Every year, pets suffer or die from being left in cars. Always leave them at home where it’s safe and cool.

3. Visit the Vet

Schedule a check-up in spring or early summer. Make sure your pet is protected against fleas, ticks, and heartworm—these are more common in warmer months. A quick visit to the vet now can prevent bigger problems later.

4. Walk During Cooler Hours

Avoid walking dogs in the heat of the day. Early morning or late evening is best. Hot pavement can burn their paws, and they can overheat quickly. Always carry water and watch for signs of exhaustion like heavy panting or slowing down.

5. Provide Shade and Water

If your pet spends time outdoors, make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water and a shady place to rest. Dehydration and heatstroke can come on fast in hot weather.

6. Know Heat-Sensitive Breeds

Some dogs—like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus—are more vulnerable to heat due to their short noses. Older pets, puppies, and overweight animals also need extra care. Watch them closely in warm weather.

7. Don’t Shave Their Coat

It may seem like shaving your pet will keep them cool, but their fur actually helps regulate body temperature. A light trim is fine, but don’t remove their coat entirely. When in doubt, talk to a groomer.

8. Avoid Stagnant Water

Swimming can be fun, but ponds or lakes with still water may contain toxic algae. Stick to clean water sources like sprinklers or running streams, and always rinse your pet after swimming—especially in saltwater.

9. Keep Pets Safe During Fireworks

Loud fireworks can frighten pets and cause them to run away. Keep pets indoors during celebrations, and make sure they have a quiet, safe place to hide. Check your yard for firework debris the next day.

10. Use Pet-Safe Sunscreen

Pets can get sunburn too, especially on hairless or lightly pigmented areas like the nose, ears, belly, and groin. Use sunscreen made for pets, and keep them out of direct sunlight during peak hours.

11. Avoid the Beach Unless Prepared

If you bring your pet to the beach, provide shade and lots of fresh water. Sand and saltwater can be harsh—rinse your pet off after swimming, and keep an eye out for signs of overheating.

12. Watch Out for Chemicals

Avoid letting pets walk on recently treated lawns or drink from puddles near sprayed areas. Also, check for coolant leaks from cars—antifreeze is sweet-tasting but deadly. Use pet-safe products whenever possible.

13. Keep ID Tags and Microchips Updated

If your pet gets scared and runs off, proper ID can help them get home. Make sure they wear a tag with current info and consider a microchip for added security.

14. Learn the Signs of Overheating

A relaxed Hungarian vizsla enjoys the cool shade of a table amidst vibrant greenery in a tranquil garden setting

Watch for heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, red or purple gums, or your pet lying down and refusing to move. These are signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke—get them to a vet right away.

15. Cool Treats for Hot Days

Make dog- or cat-friendly frozen treats at home using ingredients like peanut butter, broth, or wet food. These “pupsicles” or “catsicles” are a fun and easy way to help pets cool down.

Final Reminder:

If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet. Keep them safe, cool, and hydrated all summer long—they depend on you!

Have a safe and healthy summer from all of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa!

Top Three Benefits to Owning a Pet

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For the pet lover, owning a pet brings many benefits-from having someone to come home to after a long day at work to the morning snuggles and cuddles that help us begin our day, our pets bring us more than just joy, comfort, and laughs. They boost our health and improve our social lives, which is no surprise to the millions of people who own pets.

This month’s blog reflects on just three of the many benefits to owning a pet.

Pets Improve our Mood

Any pet lover knows that the worst day at work can be eased by coming home to your dog or cat who is always eager and excited to see you. Just the mere touch, snuggle, or wiggly tail can put a person in a better mood. And who doesn’t laugh at the countless TikTok videos of funny animal clips?!

Sad, depressed, anxious? Get a pet! According to Help.guide, pets increase our seratonin and dopamine levels, leaving us with feelings of peace and security and lowering anxiety and depression.

It’s a fact that “Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets” (source).

But only those without pets need to read a study to understand how owning something that loves you unconditionally can improve your mood even at the lowest of times.

Pets Improve our Health

Great dog owners understand their dog’s needs to go for a walk, and that walk benefits the owners as well. In a world that celebrates 10,000 steps a day, walking is a great way to get in those steps, burn calories, maintain a healthy weight, improve heart health, and improve sleep.

Looking for more information about how walking a dog can improve your health? Click this health article by Denise Lum.

Pets Make Us Social

People with pets tend to interact with others more than people without pets. I once noticed my neighbor walking his cat on a leash and commented how unusual this was and how happy his cat seemed to be. This neighbor, whom I’ve never spoken to or seen again, and I struck up a conversation that would not have occurred beyond a simple, “Hi,” if he was doing anything other than walking his cat.

Our family owned a Flemish Giant Rabbit, and we had neighbors and dogs come up to our gate all of the time to ask about this huge Bunny. Every neighbor, delivery person, contractor or landscaper who came over has a picture of Teddy on their phone.

Just yesterday, I commented on my neighbor who had just gotten a new puppy. We chatted briefly about the joys and challenges of puppyhood!

My neighbor is very thoughtful about sending me images of my cat peering in on him in his bedroom. She is an escape artist and my neighbor reaches out with his takes on what it looks like on his end to have our little Houdini cat acting like the neighborhood Peeping Tom.

Pets allow people to strike up conversations they may not otherwise have started if it wasn’t for a pet. According to a study conducted by Harvard and the University of Australia, “…people with pets were 60 percent more likely than people without pets to easily meet other folks in their communities.”

The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa Loves All of Your Pets

No matter what your reasons are for getting a pet, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa loves your pets! We can attest that your pets provide us laughter and joy. Coming to work is the best part of our day!

If you would like more information on our doggie daycare, dog or cat boarding, or board and stay programs, please reach out to us! Our friendly and helpful staff is here to answer all of your questions!

How Dogs Play at Different Ages

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Just like people, dogs change as they grow—and that includes how they play! Puppies are little balls of energy, adults tend to settle into a rhythm, and seniors may slow down but still enjoy a good game. Here’s how play behavior shifts as dogs get older.

Puppies (Under 6 Months)

All Energy, All the Time
Puppies are super curious and love to explore the world through play.

They Play A LOT
They can go for hours and seem like they never get tired.

Learning Through Play
Play helps them understand how to interact with people and other dogs.

Figuring Out Boundaries
Rough-and-tumble play teaches important lessons like when to stop and how to be gentle.

Tip: This is the perfect time to encourage good play habits!

Adolescents (6–18 Months)

Play Gets Rougher
Teenage dogs are full of energy and might play harder than before.

Pushing Limits
They may test the rules or challenge other dogs during play.

Pickier About Playmates
They start forming preferences about who they want to play with.

Watch for Overexcitement
These dogs can get overstimulated quickly, so supervision is key.

Consider structured games to help burn off energy while teaching focus.

Adult Dogs (18 Months to Around 7 Years)

They Know What They Like
Adults often have a favorite toy, game, or playmate.

More Chill
They still enjoy playing, but usually in a calmer way.

Selective Players
Some are still super playful—others, not so much.

Different for Every Dog
One adult dog might chase a ball all day, while another just wants belly rubs.

Related: Best Toys for Adult Dogs

Senior Dogs (7+ Years)

Slower Pace
Older dogs may not have the same stamina they used to.

Mobility Issues
Things like arthritis can make high-energy games uncomfortable.

Adjust the Game
Try gentler play like short tug-of-war, food puzzles, or sniff-and-find games.

Mental Changes Too
Cognitive decline may affect how they interact or understand play.

Play helps seniors stay mentally sharp and emotionally connected.

Key Things to Remember

  • Every Dog’s Different: Age is a factor, but personality matters too.
  • Health = Playfulness: A dog’s health can affect how much (or how little) they want to play.
  • Start Young: Dogs who play and socialize early tend to grow into confident, happy adults.
  • Always Supervise: Make sure play stays safe and fun for everyone involved—especially when mixing dogs of different ages or sizes.

Keep Play Fun at Any Age

Understanding how your dog’s play changes as they grow helps you give them what they need at every stage of life. Whether they’re full of puppy zoomies or just want a quiet game of fetch, playtime is always a chance to bond.

Want more tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dog-friendly games, training tips, and more! Simply email info@theranchpetresort.com and ask to be added to the email list!

The Growing Popularity of Homemade Pet Food: A Trend Driven by Health and Quality

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In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way pet owners approach feeding their dogs and cats. More and more, people are opting for homemade pet food over commercially produced kibble or canned options.

This trend has grown in popularity due to various factors such as concerns about pet health, a desire for transparency in ingredients, and the increasing awareness of the potential risks associated with mass-produced pet food.

With an emphasis on nutrition, quality control, and personalized diets, homemade dog food has become a preferred choice for many pet owners seeking the best for their furry companions.

Health Concerns and Quality Control

One of the primary drivers of the popularity of homemade dog food is the growing awareness of the potential risks associated with commercial dog and cat food. While many high-quality brands exist, there have been instances of recalls, contamination, and the discovery of harmful ingredients in mass-produced pet foods.

These issues have led to a shift in trust, with many pet owners now preferring to control what goes into their animals’ meals. Homemade pet food provides an opportunity to choose fresh, natural ingredients that can be tailored to the dogs’ and cats’ specific health needs.

Additionally, some commercial dog and cat food products are filled with fillers, artificial additives, and low-quality meats that may not be ideal for a pet’s health.

Homemade meals allow pet owners to focus on high-quality proteins, fresh vegetables, and wholesome grains, reducing the risk of exposure to undesirable ingredients.

With the rise of dietary concerns such as obesity, allergies, and sensitivities in animals, many pet owners feel more comfortable preparing their own food to ensure their dogs and cats are receiving a well-balanced and nutritious diet.

Personalized Nutrition

Another factor contributing to the popularity of homemade pet food is the ability to customize meals based on the specific needs of individual dogs and cats. Each animal is unique, with different dietary requirements depending on factors such as age, breed, size, activity level, and any medical conditions.

Homemade pet food allows pet owners to create personalized meals that meet their pet’s specific nutritional needs, ensuring optimal health.

For example, senior dogs and cats with joint issues may benefit from recipes that include ingredients like turmeric or fish oil, known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Similarly, dogs or cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies can avoid triggering ingredients, such as grains, dairy, or common meat allergens, by creating customized meals at home.

For active dogs or working breeds, owners can focus on high-protein meals to support muscle growth and energy levels.

This level of personalization is difficult to achieve with pre-packaged pet food, making homemade options an attractive alternative.

Transparency and Control Over Ingredients

Pet owners are becoming increasingly conscious of the ingredients in the products they buy, and this extends to dog and cat food as well.

Homemade pet food offers transparency and control that commercial pet food simply cannot provide. With homemade meals, pet owners can choose organic, non-GMO ingredients, ensuring that their dogs and cats are eating food that aligns with their values and preferences.

Additionally, by cooking their pet’s food at home, owners can avoid any unwanted surprises and know exactly what their pets are consuming, which builds trust and confidence in the meals they provide.

The Growing Popularity of Homemade Dog Food: A Trend Driven by Health and Quality

The popularity of homemade pet food is expected to continue growing as more pet owners seek healthier, safer, and more personalized options for their dogs and cats.

With an increasing focus on transparency, high-quality ingredients, and nutrition, homemade dog and cat food provides a viable and often superior alternative to traditional commercial pet food.

As the trend gains momentum, pet owners are embracing the opportunity to take control of their dog and cat’s diet and health, ensuring their beloved pets live longer, healthier lives.

Pet Preparation Tips in the Event of a Disaster

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In light of the horrific firestorms occurring in Los Angeles, The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa wants to express our heartfelt condolences to those affected by the tragedy and to remind pet owners to be prepared in the event of a catastrophic event.

No pet owner wants to think of having to leave for safety without our pets, and in the event there is little to no warning, it’s best to have everything your pet needs prepared in advance.

With some careful planning and preparation, you and your pets can have a better chance at surviving a catastrophe.

Prepare Your Pet for Disaster

To prepare for a potential disaster, pet owners should create an emergency plan that includes assembling a pet emergency kit, identifying a safe area in the home, and taking steps to ensure their pet’s identification and safety. Key aspects of pet disaster preparedness include:

Emergency Kit:

  • Sufficient supply of pet food and water
  • Medications and prescription details
  • List of allergies or intolerances
  • Copies of vaccination and medical records
  • A durable carrier or leash
  • A collar with an up-to-date ID tag with visible and legible contact information
  • Pet bedding and favorite toys
  • A pet first aid kit
  • Recent photos of your pet
  • Can opener
  • Flashlight
  • Reflective collar and or leash
  • Towels
  • Extra blankets

Identification:

  • Microchip your pet and keep contact information current
  • Ensure your pet’s collar has an ID tag with your latest contact details
  • Collect all veterinary identification and assemble together
  • Keep an ID card with pet’s name, age, breed, gender, color (dogs can change colors in emergencies-think soot after a fire on a white dog), any identifying marks, or behaviors, shot history, list of medications or injuries

Safe Area:

  • Designate a safe room in your home where your pet can stay during an emergency provided you do not need to evacuate. Make sure the room has food, water, bedding, toys, and the comforts of home until you can resume operations
  • Keep all doors and windows shut to avoid the chance of escape
  • If flooding is a concern, provide access to elevated surfaces

Evacuation Plan:

  • Identify a friend or family member outside the affected area who can be contacted in an emergency
  • Practice evacuating with your pet and emergency kit
  • Know the location of pet-friendly shelters in your area

Important Information:

  • Keep your veterinarian’s contact details easily accessible
  • Note any special needs or medical conditions your pet may have
  • Post a glow in the dark sticker/notice next to your door/on your window with the number of pets and their location during an emergency

Update all information, food, water, bedding, medication, and supplies at least once or twice a year and make sure all perishable are not outdated.

By preparing in advance, you can ensure your pet’s safety and well-being during a disaster.