Blog — Category_Informational

How to Introduce a Second Dog into Your Home Sometimes it is just impossible to say no to a second pair of imploring puppy eyes. If you are thinking about bringing another dog home, whether a puppy or an adult, check out these five tips to make the transition as smooth as possible. Fashion portrait of a dog wearing sunglasses sitting outdoor in the park Carefully Arrange the First Introduction Even if your first dog is well socialized, there is a good chance he or she will feel at least a little territorial about their home and you. A new...

Is That Normal? 10 Common Cat Behaviors You Should Know About Here at Sparky Steps, we know that all cats have their adorable personalities and none of them are afraid to show it. Every individual cat flaunts its unique personality, but that doesn’t stop all cats from sharing common behaviors. If you have always wondered why your cat acts the way they do, we have you covered.   Scratching Anything and Everything This is one of the most annoying common cat behaviors that owners have to deal with especially if your cat chooses something like a couch or drapes to...

It Turns Out Sleeping with the Dogs Might Not Be So Bad After All Many pet owners start out with a staunch “no dogs allowed on the bed” rule. Some stick to it, but many succumb to puppy eyes and the promise of cuddling. While personal preference dictates whether or not dogs get to sleep with you in the bed, there is some debate in the scientific community about the benefits. In 2017, Mayo Clinic Proceedings released a study that pointed to a correlation between sleeping with dogs and negative effects on health and sleep quality, according to Newsweek. People...

9 Ways to Keep Pets Safe from Coyotes Here at Sparky Steps, our animal-loving pet care team is out walking dogs all the time. We also offer in-home pet sitting, so we visit all sorts of home environments. And no matter where we go, we often hear stories about coyote sightings. According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, coyotes are traditionally most active in rural areas during nighttime and early morning hours. But with ongoing development happening across the greater Chicagoland area, coyotes are sometimes displaced from their natural habitat. So you may spot them in lots of...