Best Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers In Dallas TX

Are GPS Dog Collars Really Effective?

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Are GPS Dog Collars Really Effective

It finally happened. Your four-legged friend managed to get out of the yard and is running free through the neighborhood. The anxiety of losing your beloved dog is overwhelming. It happens to just about every pet owner in the world. Surely, you’ve heard that GPS dog collars are making waves in the pet community? There’s a good reason, too. These collars are safe and extremely useful. If your dog manages to escape, the collar will help you track them quickly.

How GPS Collars Work

When we talk about GPS dog collars, we typically mean location tracking collars. There are also health trackers, too. However, for the sake of clarity, we’ll go over both in turn.

  • Location Trackers – A location-tracking GPS dog collar includes a mini-SIM card sewn directly into the collar. When your dog is lost, you can track the SIM card using your phone or laptop to find the exact location of your four-legged friend.
  • Health Trackers – A health-tracking GPS dog collar is ideal if your pet has health concerns, stemming from old age or disease. Most collars in this category include both heart rate monitoring and locating monitoring, which makes them more expensive but comprehensive

The Benefits of GPS Dog Collars

There are clear benefits to having a GPS dog collar, especially if you travel or hike a lot.

  • As we mentioned above, many high-end collars monitor both location and fitness levels, including their heart rate.
  • A lost or runaway dog is now easier to track without the stress of not knowing.
  • Technology has advanced so far that you can track the dog collar using an app on your smartphone.
  • Pet trackers are pet-friendly, meaning they attach to the collar and do not cause any irritation whatsoever

As you can see, investing in a GPS dog collar is worth the price. Contact VIP Pet Services for dog walking and pet sitting services in Dallas and Austin, TX. Give us a call at 972-416-0861 (Dallas) or 512-275-6701 (Austin)!

Why Do Cats Purr?

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There is no doubt that purring is the most common noise that any cat will make and you’d be surprised at the many, different reasons as to why do cats purr. You could also factor in meowing, hissing and of course growling as common noises, but those noises can’t refer to multiple moods, feelings or situations as the purr does. Has your cat been doing a lot of purring lately? If so, they may be trying to tell you something. The question is: why do cats purr? The key is to pay attention to your cat and notice the purring when they are doing certain behaviors as well as what you do on your end to make the purring cease, such as give them food, water, a toy, etc. Here are a few, common reasons that answer the question “why do cats purr.”

Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You They’re Hungry or Want Something.

Not all cats, but there are many cats that will start purring around meal time. However, this is a specific type of purr. It is more of a purr mixed with a mew that can sound more like a baby cry and your cat may do this because they are aware that this type of purr gets more attention than a normal one. When they aren’t hungry, but just want something like your attention, they will purr but it won’t sound the same as when they are yearning for a meal.

Your Cat May Be Happy

If your cat is happy and in a good mood, then that is always a good thing! A sign when this is the case, is when they are purring. Although most of your cats purrs will sound the same, you can tell that they are happy if they are purring and very relaxed or on their backs with their eyes halfway closed. Cats don’t smile, but if they could, this would be their way of doing so.

Your Cat May Be Trying To Heal Itself

DId you know that when your cat purrs, it sends vibrations through their body that can help them heal certain health issues? This is a fact and has been verified by scientists as well as veterinarians. These vibrations can lessen any pain and swelling that they may be experiencing, heal any fractured or broken bones and wounds, ease their breathing, and build and repair any torn muscles or tendons. Research actually shows that many cats get better, faster when they do consistent purring.

Could this be the reason as to why most cats can survive things such as falls from high places? It could be. Little did you know that your cat has their own healing and pain relieving mechanism and similar to a child sucks their thumb so that they can feel better, a cat will purr if anything is wrong to return to their normal state.

Conclusion: Why Do Cats Purr?

These are a few, great answers to the question “why do cats purr?” The best thing to do, which you should already be doing anyways, is to simply notice your cat’s behavior when they are purring and really pay attention to what you do on your end to make it cease. This way, you and your cat can communicate with each other much better and you can have a deeper relationship and understanding with them as well.

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What Can I Give My Dog For Pain?

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We love our dogs. There is no question about it and the absolute LAST thing that we want to see is them being in some sort of pain. Their pain can be caused by many things. It could be a bug bite, it could be a worm or a parasite that they may have, or it could in relation to an underlying infection or disease that they may be carrying. In the case of an infection or disease, it may be a good idea to take them for a checkup, immediately, if you suspect that this is the cause of their pain. However, the question remains: what can i give my dog for pain? There are some methods that you can go about relieving your dog’s pain, both drug-related, and natural pain relievers. Let’s cover those now.

Natural Pain Relievers For Dogs

We have our list of natural pain relievers for dogs listed first, because we recommend that you try natural ways before you make your way to putting any powerful drug substances in your dog in efforts to cure their pain. Not only do natural pain relievers for dogs who are in pain, but they also cut down on any possible side effects that may arise. Here are some of the natural remedies:

Yucca Root

Yucca root is a desert plant that comes with a plethora of medicinal properties and purposes to care for the health of any human or dog who consumes it. In fact, many human arthritis patients take this, because it has something in it called steroidal saponins which help to tremendously ease joint pain and reduce inflammation.

Cayenne Pepper

Increases blood circulation to joints, muscles and connective tissues because of the capsaicin that it has. One great thing about this is that it can be used both topically as well as internally for relieving pain in your dog.

Ginger

Ginger helps to stop the immune system from producing what are called leukotrienes which cause inflammation. It also does a great job at easing any join pain just as the yucca root does.

Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers For Dogs

Once again, we recommend you first start with the natural pain relievers for your dog, but if you absolutely must, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers for a little more power. Always consult with your veterinarian first before resorting to this method and the ones listed below.

Steroids

Steroids are the number one substances to control pain when it is in an excruciating stage. In most cases, they are only prescribed by vets in rare cases, but one of the most popular is prednisone.

Antidepressants

It has been reported that many vets often combine antidepressants with natural dog supplements because of the pain relieving power that they offer.

Opiates

Opiates aren’t necessarily a pain reliever because they do more of blocking the dog’s ability to feel the pain. Similar to the steroids, these will be used in extreme cases and prescribed by your veterinarian and can often be too strong for dogs.

Conclusion: What Can I Give My Dog For Pain?

So, as for the question “what can i give my dog for pain?” – This list of remedies should steer you in the right direction. You can try the over-the-counter pain relievers if you’d like, but it would be best to consult your vet before doing so. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to also consult with them about the natural remedies as well. Chances are, these will get the approval much quicker because they are effective but more safe.

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The Best Probiotics For Dogs

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If you own a dog, then nothing will make you happier than coming home to a happy, healthy pet with its tail wagging. While their diet and what they are consuming plays a huge role in their mood, it is also due to other factors. For example whether or not you supplement their diets with probiotics can play a big role!

But what are the best probiotics for dogs? This is a question that is asked quite often, because dog owners realize the important of supplementing with an adequate amount of probiotics. They can help your dog maintain a healthy gut bacteria, improve their overall well-being and digestion and increase their performance in all areas. While there are many other profound health benefits that dogs can get from the regular consumption of probiotics, here is a list of the best probiotics for dogs that are available today.

Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets Fortiflora

This probiotic supplement, Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets Fortiflora is one of the best probiotics for dogs and is also one of the top selling. It is fortified with active, live cultures as well as vitamins A,C and E and its main mission is to help your dog maintain the healthiest immune system that it possibly can. This probiotic supplement comes in powder form and it in individual packages to make it easy to monitor consumption and mix with your dog’s food. It is also vet-recommended and made in the USA, and comes with antioxidants in efforts to help rid their bodies of any harmful toxins.

Amazing Nutritionals Probiotic Joint

Amazing Nutritionals Probiotic Joint supplement is one of the best probiotics for dogs that happen to suffer from any form of aching and joint pain. This serves the primary purpose of alleviating any kind of joint pain and inflammation, and it also promotes a healthy digestive tract and a healthy coat and skin. This supplement comes in a chewable pill form and this allows for easy consumption by your dog and makes much less of a mess than any powder probiotic supplements.

VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotic

What we absolutely LOVE about the VetriScience Vetri Mega Probiotic supplement is that it is very affordable, it comes in capsule form that can be opened up and served as a powder on your dogs food, it promotes overall health and well-being for your dog but focuses on the digestive tract, and it is dairy-free. Many products that contain dairy can cause constipation for dogs because of how difficult they are to be processed by their digestive tract. Each capsule contains 8 different strains of five-billion microorganisms. So, it is safe to say that it is an all-around and all-purpose probiotic supplement that will indeed keep your dog healthy and happy.

Conclusion: The Best Probiotics For Dogs

As a dog owner, if you were to stick with one of these on our list of the best probiotics for dogs, it is a no-brainer that you will keep your dog healthy and at its optimal performance on all levels. However, we still encourage you to do your own research. Ultimately, the best way to find out what probiotic supplement works best for your dog is to simply try different brands in both powder and pill form and notice any positive changes that may take place as a result.

First Time Cat Owner? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

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Are you a first time cat owner? If so, congrats! Having these little rascals around us and in our everyday lives truly is a treat and something worth living for. Cats are sweet, affectionate animals that really don’t require much maintenance. But are you truly prepared to take on the responsibility for your very first cat?

For the most part, you may think that you have everything down pat based on what you’ve observed from any other cat owners that you know. However, it is still a good idea to go over the basics of cat ownership, because you’d be surprised at just how often they tend to be overlooked. With that being said, here is everything you need to know when you make the decision to become a first time cat owner.

Parasite Control

While most cat owners typically see the surface and are focused on the fleas, ticks and other pests that could latch on to the fur and skin of our cats, they tend to overlook and forget to control the critters inside and those are the parasites. You want to make sure your cat is healthy and free of parasites on a consistent basis and this includes the roundworms, hookworms, ticks, tapeworms, mites, and even heartworms which can cause diseases and other detrimental effects to your cat.

Even worse, they can even spread to you because these are creatures that need hosts and if they believe that your body fits their environment, your cat could transmit them to you. It is pretty scary when you think about it and we aren’t trying to scare you. We are only trying to call your attention to it, because it is important information that you must know as a first time cat owner.

Buying Cheap Food

If you make the mistake of buying cheap food for your cat, then it will come back on you in the form of a much more costly consequence that may result in an illness or even the death of your cat. Invest in your cat and make sure that you are budgeting enough money to buy them only the highest quality of food for them to consume. Also, it would be a great idea for you to check the label to look at the ingredients. A couple things that are very helpful to look for are any animal by-products and if that particular food item is approved by the AFFCO. They ensure you that a cat food or brand will get their stamp of approval if it meets industry standards.

Ignoring Illnesses and Injuries

When your cat becomes ill or suffers from any injuries, then you need to alter your schedule to make them a priority and take them to the vet for a check up. When illnesses and injuries are ignored, they could snowball into potentially life-threatening and fatal conditions if you don’t act fast enough. Minor things can be monitored or even removed with home remedies, but if it is something that you feel is out of your control, then you need to seek attention from your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Conclusion: First Time Cat Owner? Here’s Everything You Need To Know

These are the most important things that you need to know if you are a first time cat owner. Do yourself, and most of all, your cat a great service and act quickly if there are ever any problems that may arise. Make sure you take great care of it. Give it love, quality food and regular checkups at your vet and surely they will live a long, happy and healthy life.

The Best Gifts For Dog Lovers

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Would you consider yourself to be someone who loves dogs more than you love people? If this is how you feel, believe it or not, you are not alone. If you were to count on one hand how many dog lovers that we have in the world today, then there is no doubt that you would need millions of hands to get an accurate number. The world is full of dog lovers. There is no question about that. Even more so, there are a ton of gifts for dog lovers to remind and surround them of their love every minute of the day. Keychains, socks, phone covers and so many more products and gifts for dog lovers are sprouting up on a daily basis.

You may have some friends or family members that are dog lovers and you could be searching for some good gifts to get them. If so, you’re on the right page. The best gifts for dog lovers are the gifts that touch their heart. Gifts that they will hold near and dear to them and will last, forever. Let’s rattle off a few of what we and many fans around the world consider to be the best gifts for dog lovers.

The Bark Box

That’s right! As featured on the popular TV show, Shark Tank, the Bark Box has been consistently chosen as one of the best gifts for dog lovers around the world. A great thing about this gift is that you can buy one box, or you can subscribe and get a different-themed box on a monthly basis delivered right to your doorstep. It offers a unique way for your dog to try the latest snacks and dog toys that hit the market.

Canvas Pet Tote

If you love to carry your dog with you wherever you go, or if you’re simply out on a town outing, then the canvas pet tote would be a great gift for you and dog lovers in general. It is a stylish and enjoyable way for you to chauffeur your dog around. It has pockets for storage of treats and poop bags and it is incredibly durable and comes with a shoulder strap and handle for easy carry.

PitBull Tea Towel

Keeping a set of 3 PitBull Tea Towels in your kitchen is a great way to decorate it and show your love for dogs when you have family, friends and guests over for coffee, tea or dinner. These towels are 100% cotton-based, made in the USA and are made with a water-based, eco-friendly ink and this is great for those who are fans of green products and care deeply for the environment as well as their dogs.

Conclusion: The Best Gifts For Dog Lovers

Although these are only a few, they certainly make for the best gifts for dog lovers of all kinds. It is very common for people to prefer the company of a dog more than a human and there is nothing wrong with it at all. After all, we consider dogs to be our best friends. More than that, we look at them as family and while they have feelings as well, we want to make sure that they are happy, loved and cared for at all times.

Is Your Cat Hissing? Here’s What It Could Mean

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Have you heard your cat hissing more frequently? If so, then it could be that they are trying to communicate with you to tell you something. Cats can’t speak. We all know that and because of the fact, they still find ways to communicate with us or those who happen to be in their surroundings. They have many, different sounds to send messages for many different situations and hissing is one of the most common next to purring and meowing. However, what you need to know about cat hissing is that it doesn’t happen often. Nor is it used in a situation where they are trying to express their sense of humor.

They understand that this is for a certain time and while they may not be aware of the story of the boy who cried wolf, they don’t overuse it. Think of it as dialing 911. You only dial 911 in a very, specific situation. Technically, when you feel threatened or are in danger and need help. This is how your cat looks at hissing, but there is a twist and with that, let’s discuss a bit more about why a cat will hiss.

First and Foremost, Hissing Is A Warning

Whenever cats feel threatened, they will often hiss at whoever they may feel threatened by. Regardless if it is a human or another animal. It is to serve as a warning sign, because cats don’t want to engage in physical confrontations. If you approach a cat the wrong way, or if a dog is near, they my hiss to send a message to stop doing whatever may be bothering them, or to keep a distance.

What To Do About Repeated Hissing

If your cat hisses every time you pick her up, then it would be a good idea for you to take her in to your veterinarian for a check up as soon as possible. They could be trying to tell you that they are in pain, and when you grab them a certain way, you could be hurting them. So, be careful how you pickup your cat if they happen to be hissing repeatedly, because if you cause them too much pain, they could attack you and this is normally in the form of a scratch or digging their claws into your skin.

Conclusion: Is Your Cat Hissing? Here’s What It Could Mean

Primarily, these are the the causes of your cat hissing and what it could mean. Usually it serves for specific situations, mostly when they feel threatened, but it could also be their way of trying to get your attention and your help to solve a problem that they may have. The best thing in this situation is to observe your cat’s behavior and find out what could be causing the cat hissing, and what puts an end to it. As a result, if you are able to effectively pick up on these signals that they are sending out, this will allow you to establish a deeper connection with your cat and to be able to communicate with them much more easily.

Traveling With Pets? These Are The Best Pet Carriers

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Are you planning a vacation any time soon? Are you traveling with pets? If so, do you have a safe, cozy place to carry them? If not, you may want to invest in a pet carrier before you head out on your trip. We don’t see this often, but there are still some people who think that stuffing their small cat or dog in their purse will do the trick.

It may, depending on the size of your pet, but they would feel much better if they had a designated place that is cozy for them. It also looks better and is a much more suitable way of storing your pet when you are traveling, out and about and around other people in society. In fact, most airlines will actually require you to store your pet in an airline approved pet carrier. When flying, their number one priority is safety for the passengers as well as any pets and it is unacceptable to have pets not safely stored and secured during the flight. So, take a look at what we consider to be the best pet carriers and you be the judge as to whether or not we hit the nail on the head.

PetsFit Expandable Airline-Approved Pet Carrier

This airline-approved pet carrier is often the first choice of many pet owners because it is stylish, it can expand or retract to ensure maximum comfortability for your pet, and allows for easy storage or transport. It also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap to allow for easy carry and this works perfectly if you happen to have rolling luggage bags. This carrier comes in different sizes and can hold pets that weigh up to 20 pounds.

SleepyPod Dog Carrier

This multi-purpose dog carrier acts as an airline-approved pet carrier, a car seat and even a dog bed. It is flexible to fit under most airline seats, can hold nearly 20 pounds, has a slim, sleek design, allows for easy access for your pet, and is made with luggage grade fabric as its outside material. This carrier has been given 5 stars by many pet owners because of its utility and many different uses it offers for pets.

Snoozer Wheel Around 4-in-1 Pet Carrier

This Snoozer Wheel Around 4-in-1 pet carrier is one of the best pet carriers because it has consistently received nearly 5 stars from all of its merchants. This is perfect for any pet owners who would rather not lug their pup around over their shoulder for the entire trip. Putting your pet in this roller gives them plenty of room to work with and allows you to be able to transport them easily with very minimal effort. It has large mesh panels, it has an extending, telescope handle, and can even be worn as a backpack if you choose to carry your pet rather than roll them around.

Conclusion: Traveling With Pets? These Are The Best Pet Carriers

In our opinion, as well as the opinions of other pet owners, a pet carrier is something you should invest in, especially if you foresee some traveling in your future. Life keeps us busy. Sometimes, so busy that we will need to take our pets with us to care for them on our trips. So, if we have to take them with us, why not let them travel first class in one of these comfy, stylish carriers?

The Best Cat Bed For Your Little Feline Friend

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Are you looking for the best cat bed for your little feline friend? If so, then you are definitely in the right place. All pets require a home, and of course, within that home they need a comfortable place to sleep. Although cats can actually sleep anywhere, wouldn’t it be nice if they had their own bed just like you? Along with wanting our cats to live and maintain long, happy and healthy lives, we also want them to get quality, restful sleep so that they approach each day well rested and full of energy. Of course, we also want them snuggly, warm and toasty when it is cold outside. With that being said, if your goal is to purchase the best cat bed for your little feline friend, then you will want to take a look at these beds that we have selected as our top choices.

K&H Pet Products Thermo-Kitty Heated Pet Bed

It is a fact that cats are warm blooded animals, but they still need a warm, cozy place to sleep and the K&H pet products thermo-kitty heated pet bed is the perfect bed to provide them this luxury. This bed is often recommended by veterinarians because it offers thermoregulation which is very helpful for any cats that may be of old age, or if they suffer from health problems such as arthritis. The thermoregulation helps to heat up any knotted muscles and lubricate joints to allow them to move effectively.

2-in-1 Tube Cat Mat and Bed by Kitty Shack

This is one of the best cat beds and has been one of the top-selling because of how cozy it is for a cat. It is triangular shaped and can serve as both a bed and a blanket for your cat. It is made from super plush material that has great electrostatic properties and this allows it to attract any fur or hair that has been shed by your pet. This is a great bed for keeping the area around it clean and really minimizing cleanup and grooming time on your behalf. If you have a member or a guest within your household that may happen to be allergic to cat hair and fur, then this would be the best bed to purchase.

Curious Cat Cube Cat House/Condo by MidWest

It is a cat’s nature to be a predator. This is why they like to sit high up on things and not only does this curious cat cube/condo provide them a cozy place to sleep, it also serves as a stand on which they can sit on and look down from. This is a multi-purpose bed and can serve as a play place, a sleeping place and a place to hangout and sit on top of. It also comes with two jingle balls on the side that your cat can play with if they are looking for something to alleviate their boredom or curiosity.

Conclusion: The Best Cat Bed For Your Little Feline Friend

If you were to select one of these, indeed you would have the best cat bed for your little feline friend. What we encourage you to do is take a look at your cats needs and really experiment with different beds to find out what they like best, as well as what will enhance their life to keep them healthy, happy and full of energy.

Cat on right side looking up

How To Choose The Best Cat Food!

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When it comes to choosing the best cat food, pet owners really need to be aware of exactly what’s inside many different brands and foods. Additionally, they need make sure that their cats are getting nothing but the best nutrition to live long, healthy lives. For first time cat owners, purchasing food can be a challenge and we totally empathize!

You want to make sure you get the right food for your cat but most importantly the right food that your little feline friend will enjoy as well. So with that said, here are some helpful ways on how to choose the best cat food to keep him or her happy.

Find Out What Is Missing From Your Cat’s Diet

The best way on how to choose the best cat food for your cat is to simply take a look at their diet and find out what is missing. Just observe your cat – and pay attention to their behavior and keep note of the areas where they may be week or experiencing a decrease in performance. Share these observations with your vet, and then from there, they will tell you the nutrients that need to be supplied in your cat’s food to help them in those areas. Based on the areas in which they are healthy, whatever you’re feeding them seems to work in that area so keep feeding them their regular meals, but swap out some days with foods that may be packed with nutrients that they lack in.

Check For Animal By-Products

We all want to make sure that our cats are getting the best and highest quality food possible, and we do this by checking the labels for animal by-products. If cat foods are of the highest quality, then they will contain animal by-products such as liver, lungs and other animal meats which are okay for cats to consume and get a great source of protein from. If cat foods are of the lowest quality, lthen they will contain animal by-products such as fur, feathers and other things that may be hard for your cat to digest. So, look at the labels, thoroughly, and really pay attention to what different brands may be putting in your cat’s food.

Make Sure Your Cat’s Food Is Certified By The AAFCO

While you’re at it checking the ingredients for any possible animal by-products, you may as well check to make sure your cat’s food is certified by the AAFCO. The AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials and they make sure they put their stamp of approval on all pet food products that meet industry standards. If you see the AAFCO approval, then you can bet that it would be a great choice for your cat. However, you still want to be cautions and check the ingredients and the label to make sure that it is suitable for your cat.

Conclusion: How To Choose The Best Cat Food!

These are the top three approaches that you should always take when figuring out how to choose the best cat food. Following these tips will ensure that your cat is happy, healthy and gets the nourishment that it needs to live a healthy life!