VIP Blog
Pet Care Hub
Local guides for Dallas Metroplex and Austin Metro pet parents, plus practical advice on pet sitting, dog walking and everyday pet care.
Dallas Metroplex and Austin Metro guides
Dallas Metroplex
Pet-Friendly Weekend Getaways from Dallas
A weekend away with your dog sounds simple until you check the map. From Dallas, Waco is about an hour and a half by car. Fredericksburg is about four and a half hours and San Antonio about five, so they work best as a long weekend rather than a quick escape. This...
Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Plano, TX
DINING OUT WITH YOUR DOG IN PLANO Dogs are welcome on the patios of many Plano restaurants, which makes a meal out an easy way to include your dog. Trusted since 2001, VIP Pet Services provides in-home pet sitting and dog walking across the Dallas Metroplex, and we...
Austin Metro
Austin Pet Guide
Dog parks, dog-friendly patios and campgrounds in Greater Austin, plus official City resources.
Practical guides for every pet parent
Summer Travel with Your Pet
Bringing your pets on summer trips can be great, but you need to plan ahead and know the rules. Different places have different requirements for pets, including vaccinations, health certificates, and travel arrangements. To make traveling easier for your pet, get...
Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy When You’re Away
Planning a getaway this summer? While you’re enjoying your vacation, it’s important to ensure your indoor cat remains happy and stress-free at home. Cats are creatures of habit, and changes in their environment or routine can cause anxiety. Here are...
Three Reasons to Meet with Your Pet Sitter in Advance
One essential step in planning to be away from your pets is meeting with your pet sitter before you finalize your plans. At VIP Pet Services, we understand that your pet is more than just an animal – they are a cherished member of your family. That’s why when...
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Latest articles
Pet Birth Defects – Detection, Causes, Prevention, Treatments
Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day is September 13. Birth defects in your new puppy or kitten can involve any organ system and any part of the body. Some abnormalities may be minor and resolve as the animal matures, while others can prevent normal growth and...
Celebrate Labor Day with Your Dog
Labor Day is coming up Monday September 4th! You probably have the day off. What better way to spend the day than celebrating with your dog? The cooler temps give great opportunities for lots of outdoor activities. Picnics, hikes, BBQ’s, chilling on the...
In Case Of An Emergency: Personal Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina
It is now a few days past the 10th anniversary of the landing of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast and the resulting devastation that was visited on the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas. Many of the citizens of that beautiful city initially thought they...
6 Great Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day on August 26th
August 26 is National Dog Day and it’s important to remember all canines who are in need of love and attention. The day was founded by Colleen Page as a way for the public to recognize the number of pups that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges...
Celebrate National Black Cat Appreciation Day on August 17th
August 17th marks National Black Cat Appreciation Day in the United States. This day was created to honor solid black kitties and bring awareness to their plight. Did you know that black cats have a more difficult time getting adopted than cats with almost...
Dog and Cat Immunizations – What’s Necessary and What’s Not
August is National Immunization Awareness Month for the veterinary community. As pet parents, we need to learn which vaccines our pets absolutely must have to protect against disease and the ones they don’t necessarily need. Because we understand the debate...