Five Rainy Day Activities For You and Your Dog Along with warmer weather comes summer rain and storms. Sometimes these storms can...
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Five Rainy Day Activities For You and Your Dog
Six Reasons to Re-Think Retractable Leashes
Six Reasons to Re-Think Retractable Leashes Here at Sparky Steps, pet safety is always our primary concern. When we walk dogs, we...
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Indestructible Dog Toys
Indestructible Dog Toys When it comes to chew toys, is your dog a demolition expert? At Sparky Steps, we know that no...
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4 Tips on How to Introduce a New Pet to Kids
Your kids have been pleading and making that adorable sad face every time you turn around. So, you've finally given in and...
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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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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...
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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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How to Introduce a Cat to a New Home
How to Introduce a Cat to a New Home We here at Sparky Steps understand that bringing home a new cat is...
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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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5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety
5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety If you’re anything like us at Sparky Steps, nothing breaks your heart more...
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5 Things to Know About Rescue Dogs
With millions of dogs waiting in shelters across the country, skipping the breeder and adopting a rescue is one of the most...
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14 Rules for Dog Park "Petiquette"
We have all heard the terrifying stories of dogs getting into fights at the local dog park while their owners are distracted...
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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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Fun Activities to do with your dog when it's Snowing!
Fun Activities to do with your dog when it's Snowing! Winter is truly a remarkable season and once it starts snowing it's...
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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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Shelter Dogs: How Can We Help?
Here at SparkySteps, it’s no surprise that we absolutely love dogs! When we heard that some of Chicago’s animal shelters were overcrowded to the...
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Be Good to Your Pets and the Earth
We all want to give our pets the absolute best, but it shouldn't come at the expense of the environment! From plastic...
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Our Holiday Favorites
The holiday season is still going strong here in the Windy City. This is perhaps best accentuated by the freezing temperatures we’re...
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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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Sleeping With The Dogs
Many pet parents start out with a staunch, non-negotiable “no dogs allowed on the bed” rule, only to succumb to puppy eyes...
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9 Ways to Keep Pets Safe from Coyotes
With ongoing development across Chicagoland, urban coyotes have completely adapted to city life. Whether you live in the suburbs or downtown, knowing...
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New Year’s Resolutions For You and Your Dog
Goal setting isn't just for January 1st! Whether you are kicking off a brand new year or just looking to hit the...
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Holiday Gifts Your Dog Will Love
The holidays are here, and the mad dash to find the perfect gift is officially on! But what do you get the...
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Dog Friendly Holiday Spots
Dog Friendly Holiday Spots With Thanksgiving just barely over, the holiday season is officially in full swing throughout Chicago. From holiday markets...
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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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Dog Friendly and Unfriendly Halloween Treats!
Halloween means kitchens filled to the brim with chocolate, candies, and baked goods. While it’s tempting to share the seasonal joy with...
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5 Safety Tips for your dog this Halloween
Halloween is a spook-tastic time for humans, but it can be a nightmare for our pets! Between the constant doorbell ringing, scary...
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The Sparky Steps Interview
Sparky Steps Interviews At Sparky Steps, we believe in a simple, beautiful truth: our pets are the ultimate spark of joy in...
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5 Fun things to do with your pup in the Spring
After enduring another freezing, snowy Midwest winter, your pup is just as anxious to get back outside as you are! Say goodbye...
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Three Reasons You Should Consider A Shelter Animal
Updated 12/24/2025 The Gift of a Second Chance: 3 Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Pet Choosing to bring a new pet into...
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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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Dogs and Seasonal Allergies
Spring and summer bring beautiful weather, but they also trigger miserable seasonal allergies for our dogs! While humans sneeze, dogs usually express...
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How to Walk Your Dog in Chicago
How to Walk Your Dog in Chicago Last Updated: 3/17/2019 Here at Sparky Steps, we know how excited your pup gets when...
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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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Sparky Steps - Chicago Dog Walkers and Cat Sitters on a Social Mission
"I personally don’t believe that a business should exist solely to make money..." Dive into the founding story of Sparky Steps with...
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