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Spring, Fleas and Ticks, Oh My! Ahhhh… When the snow and ice melt and spring arrives, everyone at Sparky Steps looks forward to sunny days, leafy trees, fresh air and Sparky Steps dog walking! Sparky Steps dog walkers know that the change of seasons brings even more outdoor time for our furry friends. If April showers bring May flowers, June is sure to bring spring and fleas and ticks – Oh my! As soon as green grass grows, and flowers appear, so do fleas and ticks. Sparky Steps wants to make sure that your pet stays healthy and enjoys fun...

Top Five Tips to Help Maximize Dog Park Safety If you’re a canine lover from Chicagoland, you’ve probably got a favorite local dog park. These open-air, off-leash havens are popular places to let your pooch roam free. They can also let you switch up your daily walking routine, while still enjoying the spring and summer sunshine. And the greater Chi-Town area offers so many options: from the fenced-in Grant Bark Park; to the 3.83-acre Montrose Dog Beach; to outlying alternatives like Naperville’s sprawling Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve Dog Park. Here at Sparky Steps, we believe these numerous Rover-friendly retreats can...

Keeping Your Life Healthy With Dogs Whatever stage of life you are in, is the perfect time for a four-legged companion. Pet parents come in all ages, genders, and demographics. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of Americans who are 70 years or older own a pet. As we all age, our pets provide more enrichment to our lives than we could ever imagine. Statistics show that older adults who are dog owners benefit from the bonds they form with their canine companions.   A Good Match Older adults are a great companion for all types of dogs, but...

How to Introduce a Cat to a New Home We here at Sparky Steps understand that bringing home a new cat is an exciting time; the world is full of possibilities, and you can’t stop thinking about how much love you are going to give your new friend. While adopting a cat is ultimately an amazing adventure, it can be a little stressful at first for both cat and owner. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to introduce a new cat to your home while reducing the stress on both ends.   Use a Carrier Use a...

Bike Riding With Your Four-Legged Buddy Not everyone is built for all types of exercise. Have you ever asked yourself, "is it safe to ride my bike with my dog" or "how to ride my bike with my dog"? We have and we wrote this article to help you figure that out! Some people might like to hit the weights; others can spend an hour or more each day on the cardio machines. Some might like a weekend game of softball, while others tend toward tennis or bowling. Likewise, when it comes to exercise not all dogs are created equal....