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Allergy Season vs Food Allergies Allergy season is in full force with the nice weather approaching. While it is easy for us to notice when the runny nose, itchy eye days are upon us, it is difficult to decipher what our dogs are feeling. You may not realize it, but our four-legged friends may be experiencing allergies too. It is important to notice the signs of seasonal or food allergies. According to PetMD, please be aware that dogs can experience similar symptoms for food and seasonal allergies which may cause you to delay possible treatment.   Symptoms Constant chewing/licking paws...

5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety If you’re anything like us at Sparky Steps, nothing breaks your heart more than having to leave your fur baby when you have to go to work. It’s even more heartbreaking if you come home to find that your dog has separation anxiety. Some signs of separation anxiety may include, urinating or pooping inside, any destruction habits, and pacing. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Here are five tips and tricks to help make this situation more bearable and to help your dog’s separation anxiety.   Puzzle Toys Every...

5 Things to Know About Rescue Dogs Dogs are man’s best friend, but a lot of pups are still looking for a home. If you are thinking about adopting a four-footed companion, here are five things to know about rescue dogs.   There are a lot dogs in animal shelters Each and every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs are taken in by animal shelters. The annual shelter adoption rate for dogs is about 1.6 million per year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. That means at any given time there are millions of dogs...

Dog Park “Petiquette” and Whether Dog Parks Are All They’re Cracked Up to Be? The concept of dog parks started in California in 1979; today, they can now be found in every state except Alaska. In Chicago alone, there are some 23 off-leash dog parks, according to BringFido.com. The whole idea of dog parks was borne to provide a large space (usually not less than one or two acres) in which dogs can exercise and play off-leash and interact with other dogs in a controlled environment, under the supervision of their owners. The last part of that sentence is they...

7 Reasons Exercise is Important for Your Dog You want the best for your dog, but sometimes it can be difficult to meet all of their needs. Depending on your schedule and your living arrangement it can be hard to get your dog the exercise they need to be at their best. A lot of people don’t realize how much exercise their dog needs and the negative effects that happen when those needs aren’t met. There are many important reasons why your dog needs exercise, some are obvious, while others may not be so clear-cut.   Maintaining a Healthy Weight...