We love our pets. But sometimes, taking them with us when we travel is not an option. Whether it be due to the length of the trip or the mode(s) of travel, there are times when leaving our furbaby behind is the only recourse. However, this doesn’t mean you must call a kennel and leave your pet in a strange location with people they don’t know. The better option is to make arrangements with a pet sitter.

Pitting services have become a favorite way to travel without worrying about your pet being back home with strangers. Why? Because no matter how nice a pet kennel is, it is still not your pet’s home.  But this isn’t the only reason to choose to work with a pet-sitting service.

Advantages of Working with a Pet Sitting Service

1. Your pet can stay in an environment where it is at ease and comfortable. There are no surprise animals, sounds, smells, or routines to disrupt its day.
2. A pet sitter will give them the personalized attention they need. From food to meds, playtime, or exercise, you can provide a pet sitter with a list of needs and know that your pet will be treated just as you want.
3. You eliminate potential travel trauma for your pet. This also means you have less trauma, too. No crating our pet for a plane or train ride or dealing with road trip traffic while your pet paces in their crate in the backseat.
4. When you arrive at your destination, you don’t have to be concerned about imposing on family to house your pet. Also, not traveling with your pet can make it easier to find accommodations as many hotels, resorts, etc., are not as welcoming to pets.
5. Protect your pet from exposure to unfamiliar allergens, pets, or parasites. This is especially important if you are traveling outside your region or country!
6. It lowers the risk of separation anxiety for your pet. Even if your pet is a loner, it is still used to you being home at a set time of day. Having a pet sitter come to your home will give them social interaction. Also, some animals, particularly cats, sometimes lose their appetite, misbehave, and act out when anxious. Having a sitter keeps this from happening.
7. Typically, you can customize your pet’s care to be specific to what your pet needs. Sometimes, a pet sitter can do extra things, like longer walks, playtime, etc., that you don’t always have time to engage in, thus making a pet sitter a treat for your pets.
8. When you kennel your pets, you will pay a price based on the number of animals. Most pet sitters will give you a basic rate for all your pets because they don’t have to get specific supplies to maintain your pet’s needs. After all, you already have those items on hand.

When you are looking for a pet sitting service that will prioritize your pet(s), look no further than Sleep -eas zzz. As pet owners, we understand how hard it can be to leave your beloved furbabies behind. But as experienced pet sitters, you can depend on us to go above and beyond to put you and your pet at ease. We will follow your instructions, can take your pets for walks, and will ensure they get the special attention they need. Your pet will be so well taken care of that you will wonder why you didn’t contact us sooner. So don’t deliberate about what to do for your next trip. Give us a call today.

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When you are a pet parent it is up to you to ensure you to ensure your pet is well cared for, has food, is engaged, and stays healthy. And, as a pet lover, you do your part to see that these various forms of care are provided. But sometimes, you have to travel, and you want to be sure your pet is still properly cared for even if you aren’t the one doing it.

Many pet owners will call a friend to take care of their fur baby, but sometimes this is not an option. In other cases, pet parents will hire a pet sitter. This is a great option because it allows your pet(s) to stay in a space they are familiar and get the food, grooming, and care they need. With many years of experience in the field of pet sitting, this is our preferred approach.  However, we recognize that there are times when it might be helpful to take your furry family member to a pet daycare.

If this is your scenario, then we would like to help you determine what pet daycare is best for your pet. Here are some things to keep in mind.

What to Look for in a Pet Daycare

• Is it clean? Don’t just assume that a pet care facility is going to be well-maintained and clean. If possible, show up at a potential pet daycare without an appointment and take a look around. This will give a look at how things are when they don’t know a guest is touring. If they are hesitant or unwilling to let you look around, it may not be a good choice.
• Do they have enough workers? While you can’t expect 1 worker per pet, you should expect there to be enough workers to keep up with what is happening around them. The exact number of workers needed will vary based on how many pets they have, how much space the pets have to roam in, how big or small the pets are, and a variety of other factors. The best thing is to thoroughly check out the space and decide if you and your pet will be comfortable.
• Is the staff trained? Simply liking cats or dogs is not enough. The staff needs to know how to read pet body language so they can diffuse a situation before it becomes a problem. They should also have some basic knowledge of pet first aid.
• What services do they offer? You may need to leave your pet overnight. If this happens, knowing you have a place where your pet is already at ease makes it less stressful. You will also want to find out if the daycare offers grooming or keeps your pets’ favorite food.
• Do they separate the animals? Not just by species, though this is a must for most pet owners. But also, by size of the animal, gender, etc. so that a step is taken to prevent aggressive behavior.
• What are the requirements for the pets? For instance, do they need to be spayed or neutered? Perhaps, they must be chipped. In most cases, a pet daycare will require your pet to be up to date on their shots. Other places may require you to bring your pets for attest day to determine how your pet interacts with other animals. Again, know what to expect, so you can make the experience a good one.

These are just a few of the things to look for. Other considerations are

• Does the facility have cameras?
• How are emergencies handled?
• What types of toys are available?
• How many animals comprise a playgroup?

Be a proactive parent. After all, someone has to advocate for your pet. So don’t think of yourself as a bad pet parent if you need to use a pet daycare. Just take your time, do some research, and know that your pet will be fine. Of course, if you want your pet to have even more personalized pet sitting, then talk to us. We can help you find the perfect pet sitter for your fur baby. Give us a call today.

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As a cat parent chances are that you spend a fair amount of time interacting with and taking care of your pet. You notice when their habits change. Consequently, when they seem out of sorts, you try to figure out what is going on. And while they can’t verbally speak to you, your cat does have ways of communication.

While depression is commonly associated with humans, cats can also be depressed. And, they have a variety of ways the express it.

How Do You Know if Your Cat is Depressed?

• Become more aggressive or fearful -If your usually friendly and outgoing cat starts becoming skittish and hissing at everyone or everything they encounter, it could be that they need some extra TLC. Other signals may be ears held back, tail tucked, and hair standing on end. They may also manifest sadness by becoming clingy and losing interest in activities.
• Breaking housetraining rules – Has your litterbox-trained cat started peeing in the wrong places? This might be a sign of depression. For cats, the smell of their urine brings comfort, so peeing beyond the litterbox is a way of marking safe zones.
• Sleep changes- Just as with humans who are depressed, a depressed cat may sleep even more than usual. Keep in mind most cats sleep between 12-16 hours a day. If your cat is sleeping more than normal or perhaps sleeping in a different place-especially one that is tucked away from everything- it could be that something is bothering them.
• No appetite – A change in their eating habits such as no longer eating food they usually like, not eating at all, or even eating more than usual can also indicate depression. Consider trying a new food item to see if it gets a reaction of any kind. But if the problem persists a talk with your vet is recommended.
• Vocalization- No your cat can’t doesn’t talk, but they do purr. A cat who is depressed may purr more often than normal, or conversely, purr less if they are usually vocal. Or, instead of purring loudly it may become softer, and vice versa.
• Grooming- Cats are well-known for their grooming habits. However, a sign of depression is when your cat either becomes excessive about their grooming or simply seems to quit grooming. Over-grooming can lead to bald patches in their fur, while under-grooming will result in matted unkempt fur.

What Can You Do if Your Cat Appears Depressed?

If you have noticed any of these symptoms, there are several actions you can take.

1. Determine any recent changes. Did You get a new pet? Have you moved to a new home? Maybe someone has left home (i.e., a child going off to college). Have your work hours changed? Any of these changes can affect a cat’s demeanor. Try not to change too many things at once, so the differences are more subtle.
2. Encourage engagement. Try different play activities, pick up a new toy, and be intentional about playing with your cat. Studies show that cats who get more engagement are less likely to be depressed.
3. Natural remedies – implement natural solutions like l-theanine and l-tryptophan which contain serotonin. Known as a ‘feel-good” supplement, it can help your cat feel happy.
4. Schedule a vet appointment. Be sure that are no underlying issues such as sickness or injury. Your vet can do a thorough examination to be certain your cat Is healthy. If a clean bill of health is the result, they can prescribe medication for depression.

Knowing your cat and how they respond to situations is part of being a cat parent. If there’s a change, it is up to you to take steps to improve the situation. Pay attention, and if you suspect your cat is depressed do your part to help them become a happy furbaby.

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