Most dogs change their outfit to match the weather: just like us, they swap their summer coat for a winter one. This may also be accompanied by additional shedding. While molting is perfectly normal, there are ways to make life more comfortable for your four-legged friend. With that in mind, we've prepared 5 questions and answers to ensure optimal care of your dog's coat.
Read moreIt's officially the chilly season Pawshakers! Time to hibernate - we're thinking lazy cuddles in front of the heater and sleep-ins on the weekend. BUT the weather can also make it a little harder to get out and active... Good news is, you can beat the winter lethargy blues with help from your pet - and both of you will benefit!
Read moreAlthough you might not want to think about it - pets do go missing. In fact more than 100,000 cats and dogs are placed in RSPCA shelters in Australia each year. And plenty of other pets go AWOL too. Thankfully, the microchip registration scheme ensures that many are ultimately reunited with their owners.
Read moreTo celebrate International Guide Dog Day, Pawshake is getting down to business with a blog all about these amazing dogs! Read on to discover more...
Read moreRegardless of whether it's your cat, dog, bunny rabbit, fish or canary: talking to your trusty companion is rather healthy! In fact, those who converse with their pets tend to develop a closer bond with them. And there are many other benefits too.
Read moreMost dogs LOVE travelling by car! That's because there's usually a fun walk or an interesting destination at the end of it. A trip to the vet or pet sitter's place might also involve a car journey. Although this all sounds simple enough, dangerous situations can arise when entering and exiting the vehicle, and during the car journey itself. Which is why we've conveniently listed the essential do's and don'ts for you below.
Hey there, pet sitters! Can't wait to land yourself your first job looking after a cute critter or two? Great to hear - plenty of pets and their owners will be delighted to find you on Pawshake! But have you stopped to consider the most important aspect of your job? The ONE thing that you as pet sitter must never forget, and that the very success of your pet sitting service absolutely depends on. Read on to discover our indispensable Golden Tip for successful pet sitters!
Read moreIs your four legged friend a bit of a couch potato? It might seem like he or she is just being lazy, but it's also possible there is something else going on. So what is your pooch trying to tell you? Read on...
Read moreThe greatest job in the world? It's got to be a pet sitter! Which child doesn't dream of 'working with animals' when they grow up? Thanks to modern technology and a large community of animal lovers, that dream can now become a reality at Pawshake! So, what knowledge and skills are required to become a competent pet sitter? The 5 qualities below will certainly stand you in good stead.
Read moreAnimal lovers are not necessarily people lovers, and dog psychology is completely different to human psychology. In order for dogs and their owners or pet sitters to enjoy a pleasant walk, it's important to be familiar with the unwritten 'rules'. Stick with these simple guidelines and you can be sure of fun and stress-free walkies with your four legged friend!
Read moreTraveling with your pet sounds idyllic: exploring far-flung places with your faithful friend at your side... There are many suitable options for those of you wishing to take your dog on your travels, but flying with a pet is far from ideal. If you really are unable to avoid flying with your pet though, then our handy tips below will help to ensure your next flight is as safe, healthy and pleasant for your four-legged friend as possible.
Read moreTravelling with your dog can seem like a great idea, yet public transport is not always geared towards pets. However, for the more adventurous among you, there are still some opportunities to take your dog on the road with you. But before you do, please read our handy tips on traveling with your dog by train, tram, bus and plane.
Read moreEaster is fast approaching, and homes all over Australia are once more crammed with chocolate eggs and bunnies. Yet, whilst many pet owners are well aware that chocolate is toxic to both cats and dogs, accidents still happen. Indeed, pets don't come with their own built-in 'poison detector' and some of them love chocolate as much as we do! But chocolate isn't the only item that's life threatening for your four legged friend. Below is a handy list of some of the most common food products that are poisonous to cats and dogs.
Read moreThe first thing that many of us impulsively do when we see a dog is reach out and give them a pat (which is hardly surprising when most dogs look so irresistibly sweet!). Children in particular often want to stroke and cuddle dogs. But is that always such a good idea? Below are some useful tips on the best way to pat a dog.
Read moreIn order to give your cat a happy, long life, it's important to understand him or her. What makes your cat tick, and what do they need? The following information about the nature and behaviour of cats will help you to better understand and bond with your pet.
Read moreAt Pawshake, we absolutely adore pets! We also care deeply about the importance of pets to those who need them most in our community. Pawshake and the Delta Society, the non-profit organisation for animal-assisted therapy, have an exciting new partnership that will make you smile on the inside and out :-)
Read moreDid you know that a dog can make you happy and healthy? Indeed, a dog can change your entire life! Dog owners, of course, already know this. Yet you don't need to be an owner yourself to benefit from a dog's company : a dog sitter or dog walker can also experience this joy! Below you'll find 7 reasons a dog makes you happy.
Read moreCat owners know only too well: every little object that's left lying around is a potential cat toy. It just needs to be light and springy (and it certainly helps if it smell irresistible too!). So why buy expensive cat toys when they are so easy to make at home? You can be as creative as you wish, and a homemade cat toy makes the perfect gift for your cat sitter!
Read moreIn the past, pet-minding in Australia has been pretty limited. The choice of where to leave your fur baby has been restricted to traditional kennels and boarding facilities, but the fact is that not every pet is suited to these situations!
Pawshake knows this and is here to help – we are pet owners and pet sitters ourselves, so have been in your shoes!
Do you want to be the best pet sitter or owner you can possibly be, by always being ready to act in a pet emergency? If you live in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, why not come along to one of our pet first aid course days this March? The Pet Industry Association of Australia will be working with Pawshake to present this exciting course at a discounted rate exclusively for Pawshake users!
Read moreKids back at school this week? Spare a thought for the furry children in your home, as even pets suffer from the back-to-school blues!
Read moreThey are cute, they have large ears and they like nibbling on things ... But did you know that rabbits are also very smart and fascinating little animals? And at Pawshake, you can bunny-sit the cutest rabbits! For all the rabbit lovers out there: 7 fun facts about rabbits.
Read morePuppies are just too cute! You want to get one, right this instant. But wait a minute! Answer these six questions BEFORE you welcome a puppy into your home. With this checklist, you can be sure that you will enjoy the company of a lovely, healthy dog that is a good match for you and your lifestyle.
Read moreDog boarding for the first time is quite an experience for your best friend! That’s why it’s so important to be fully prepared. The best preparation is to visit the pet sitter’s home, where they can ask you questions about your dog and your expectations. Here are some issues that should be taken into consideration.
Read moreDo you celebrate New Year’s Eve together with your pet, or guest pet? Read this first, because there’s a good chance that your pet is afraid of fireworks. There are ways to train you pet not to be afraid, but there’s little point in starting now as you won’t have enough time to truly achieve anything before this year’s fireworks start. Come midnight, you might be busy uncorking the champagne and hugging family and friends. Or you might be outside watching the fireworks. Just one moment of distraction can have grave consequences. Here is our guide on how to prevent that.
Read moreWith the holidays in full swing, many dog owners have been booking pet sitters. Pawshake has literally thousands of passionate pet sitters around Australia, there to help when you need. Needless to say, being a sitter is the most fun occupation there is! But we also have to be aware that it’s not just a fun way of earning extra money: it’s a big responsibility! That’s why it’s important to consider the implications for a dog before taking them into your care. How do you make the dog’s time with you as pleasant as possible? Here are four important tips for dog owners and sitters:
Read moreHere we are again at that wonderful, hectic and fun time of year! Many people want their pets to be a part of their holiday celebrations, as they are after all a part of the family. On the internet, we will find photos of cute dogs and cats with Christmas hats or gift wrapping bows around their necks by the dozens. But is that such a great idea? It’s funny, for sure, but are we doing our pets any favours by dressing them up?
Read moreCats are real carnivores, and yet many cats love a bit of green on the side. Unfortunately, not all plants and veggies are safe for your cat - some are even downright poisonous. Which plants should you avoid, which vegetables should you be careful with and what are healthy alternatives?
Read morePerhaps you are considering becoming a pet sitter, or you might already have a profile on Pawhshake. You can determine yourself which services you offer: dog walking, day care, home visits or boarding. In turn, you decide yourself how much you want to charge for each service within the price range on our site. But how do you set your rates, and what is reasonable?
Read moreWe all know that children adore pets. A recent study indicates that pets can even help relieve stress and anxiety disorders in kids, therefore contributing substantially to a child's wellbeing.
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