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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....

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...