4 Tips To Keep Your Pet Flea Free! Keeping pets flea-free should be a top priority for any pet owner. Our...
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Blog — Health
About Health
Welcome to our dedicated archive for Health. At Sparky Steps, we know that exceptional pet care is a continuous learning journey. Whether you are a dedicated Chicago pet parent, a fellow pet professional, or simply an animal lover, you have found the right place to dive into our curated collection of articles and insights.
Our Voices & Editorial Ethics
The stories and guides you will read regarding Health are the result of true community collaboration. Our content is crafted by the core Sparky Steps team—professional dog walkers and trained pet sitters who spend every day on the streets of Chicago—as well as trusted guest writers, local veterinarians, and passionate pet advocates. We proudly champion positive reinforcement (R+), force-free handling, and science-based animal welfare. The guidance you find here is grounded in real-world experience and a deep respect for animals.
Rooted in the Community
As a local Chicago small business, exploring topics like Health is our way of giving back and empowering pet owners to advocate for their furry best friends. Please browse the articles below to learn more! If you have a unique perspective or a heartwarming story to share, we are always looking for new voices to join our pack as guest contributors.
4 Tips To Keep Your Pet Flea Free!
What’s Causing Your Dog’s Runny Eyes?
What’s Causing Your Dog’s Runny Eyes? Do dogs cry? Dogs, of course, can be sad, and can certainly appear sad. Lethargy, not...
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Everything You Need to Know About Canine Vaccines
Everything You Need to Know About Canine Vaccines Dogs bring their owners a great deal of love and companionship. In return, it...
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Canines and Coronavirus: Six Care Tips
Canines and Coronavirus: Six Care Tips The term “coronavirus” is on everyone’s mind these days. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)...
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Is Free Feeding Good or Bad for my Dog?
Is Free Feeding Good or Bad for my Dog? If your pup is like…well, just about every other pup large or...
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Keeping Your Pets Safe During Covid-19 Pandemic
Keeping Your Pets Safe During Covid-19 Pandemic The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says COVID 19 is spread to people...
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The Best Exercises For Dogs With Arthritis
The Best Exercises For Dogs With Arthritis "Time waits for no man"...nor dog. Whether we age gracefully or otherwise...we age. You might...
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Can Dogs Help You Live Longer?
We all know that our dogs make us incredibly happy, but could those soulful eyes and fluffy tails actually be the secret...
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Preparing for Your Dog’s Annual Vet Visit
Dogs may live a simple life, but they need routine healthcare just like people. Once you get past the multiple visits necessary...
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Different Ways to Integrate Your Dog into Your Exercise Routine
Different Ways to Integrate Your Dog into Your Exercise Routine Physical exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, whether...
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How to Exercise Your Dog Mentally, Not Just Physically
While daily games of fetch and long neighborhood jogs are fantastic for your dog's physical fitness, physical exercise is only half the...
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5 Strategies to Help Overweight Dogs Slim Down
We all love treating our dogs, but those extra daily indulgences can lead to serious health issues over time. If your pup...
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Are You Feeding Your Dog the Correct Amount of Food?
Take a walk down any pet food aisle, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. But once you pick a brand, figuring out...
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Is Your Dog a Candidate for Chiropractic Care?
Is Your Dog a Candidate for Chiropractic Care? Lower back tightness? Neck stiffness? Back pain? You might seek the attention of a...
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Trimming Nails and Handling Cracked Pads: Taking Care of Your Dogs Paws
Trimming Nails and Handling Cracked Pads: Taking Care of Your Dogs Paws Chicago weather can be rough on your dog’s feet. During...
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Do's and Don'ts of Hiking the Trails with Your Dog
Do's and Don'ts of Hiking the Trails with Your Dog When someone tells you to take a hike...do you jump at the...
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The Value of Vaccinations
The Value of Vaccinations We love our pets for so many reasons. They provide unconditional love, companionship, and stress release. They entertain...
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Safe Fresh Fruit and Veggie Treats
Safe Fresh Fruit and Veggie Treats August means fresh fruit and veggies abound in gardens and local farmer’s markets. While we may...
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Help Your Dog Avoid These Outdoor Garden Dangers
Help Your Dog Avoid These Outdoor Garden Dangers Our experienced Sparky Steps team is committed to helping your dog enjoy the great...
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5 Tips for Juggling Work and Your Dog
5 Tips for Juggling Work and Your Dog More than half of households own pets in the United States, and dogs are...
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The 3 Best Ways to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Many pet parents start out with a strict “no dogs on the bed” rule, only to find themselves sleeping on a tiny...
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Caring for Canine Teeth at Home
Caring for Canine Teeth at Home Here at Sparky Steps, our dedicated dog walkers keep your canine companion safe and secure outdoors....
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Spring and Fleas and Ticks, Oh My!
Spring, Fleas and Ticks, Oh My! Ahhhh… When the snow and ice melt and spring arrives, everyone at Sparky Steps looks forward...
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Keeping Your Life Healthy With Dogs
Keeping Your Life Healthy With Dogs Whatever stage of life you are in, is the perfect time for a four-legged companion. Pet...
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Bike Riding With Your Four-Legged Buddy
Bike Riding With Your Four-Legged Buddy Not everyone is built for all types of exercise. Have you ever asked yourself, "is it...
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Allergy Season vs Food Allergies
Allergy Season vs Food Allergies Allergy season is in full force with the nice weather approaching. While it is easy for us...
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7 Reasons Exercise is Vital for Your Chicago Dog (and How to Make It Work in the City)
Raising a happy dog in a Chicago high-rise or a historic three-flat takes a little extra planning. From the science of the...
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How Cold is too Cold to Walk your Dog
With freezing temperatures, lake-effect snow, and the biting Chicago wind, every pet parent inevitably wonders: How cold is too cold to walk...
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How to Keep Your Dog Comfortable All Winter
With the temperature continuing to drop, we’re all bundling up and throwing on the layers to step outside. But are our dogs...
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Your Pets Can (and Can't) Eat
Leftovers Your Pets Can (and Can’t) Eat Turkey Day was just last week. Leftovers are a-plenty, and can seem overwhelming at times....
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How Smoking Affects Your Pet
Updated 12/24/2025 Hidden Dangers: How Smoking Affects Your Pet’s Health We treat our pets like family, often going to great lengths to...
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What Foods Can My Dog Eat?
Foods that are safe for dogs and foods that you should avoid! Last Updated: 3/6/2020 We all know the look. You sit...
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