Leaving your pet at home? Use these guidelines to find a pet sitter who will love your furry friend like their very own!

Decide Which Care Option Is Best For You

In-home care is a great option for pet owners going out of town, however, it’s best to consider other options to find the solution that works best for you and your loyal companion. Boarding at a pet resort is best for active and social dogs, offering them a chance to get lots of outdoor playtime with other dogs. In-home visits are a good way for your pets to receive care in a more familiar and comfortable environment. Similarly, overnight visits ensure that your pets will be cared for throughout the night and receive extra attention. This is great for senior dogs and cats or pets with special needs. Give us a call at (301) PET-CARE to hear about our services and we’ll help you figure out the best care options for your fur baby.

Do your research!

What’s more reliable than reviews and testimonials from fellow pet owners? Check Angie’s List, Google, or Yelp! for reviews that detail other customers’ experiences with the sitter or company to know what you’re getting into. Numerous glowing reviews show trustworthiness and reliability and are a great way to gauge what your experience will be like with that company.

How often will they visit your home?

For in-home care, you will want to schedule services at one to five visits per day depending on your pet. Cats and dogs will need their food and water refreshed every day. Don’t forget that dogs may need extra time during visits for walks and cats will need to have their litter scooped every few days. Additional time for enrichment and play to prevent anxiety and boredom is a big bonus and your furry friend will thank you for it! We usually suggest no more than 3-5 hours in-between visits for most dogs.

Why You Should Always Hire A Professional Pet Sitter

There are many benefits to hiring a professional pet caretaker over a hobbyist. Professional pet caregivers are bonded and insured and should be employees, not independent contractors. Additionally, they should require all their clients to complete a service contract/customer intake form. You can be sure that they’ll know what they’re doing and act in a professional and trustworthy manner.

To learn more about Pet and Home Care’s team of dependable caretakers, check out Meet Our Team! Ready to schedule a professional pet sitter? Sign up here or call us anytime at (301) PET-CARE.

“How do I keep my pets out of the presents?” “My cat won’t stop climbing the Christmas tree!” “Is turkey safe for dogs?” We’re answering all your howliday pet care questions in one place!

My dog loves to open Christmas presents! What should I do?

The simplest answer to this problem is of course to hide the gifts until they are ready to be opened. However, for many in small apartments, there isn’t always extra space to keep wrapped presents hidden away. In this case, training your dog to ignore the presents or distracting them with other toys could do the trick. Boredom can often lead dogs to destructive behaviors so getting them to run around outside is a great way to get them to settle down. Better yet, try out doggy daycare! Daycare is the best way for your pooch to play all day with their puppy pals and return home dog tired and happy. Want to try it out? Mention this howliday guide to receive two daycare services from Pet and Home Care for the price of one at our Pet Resort!*

What holiday foods are safe for pets to eat?

Your dog will no doubt be begging for a taste of the holiday feast but before you hand over a little slice of ham, be sure to know what is safe for them to have! Most common seasonings and spices can be harmful to dogs (onions, garlic, sugar, salt) so make sure whatever you give your dog is plain and unseasoned. While plain turkey is fine for dogs, hams are usually full of sugar and salt making them a bad treat for your pup. More good foods for your dog include plain pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, and green beans. And when all else fails, stick to dog food and pet treats.

Are mistletoe and poinsettia safe to have around pets?

Both poinsettia and mistletoe are toxic for dogs and cats. If ingested, they will lip smack, drool, and shake their heads excessively. It’s best to keep these plants out of reach completely or opt for artificial plants.

How do I keep my cat from climbing in the Christmas tree?

There are several measures you can take to prevent a cat from using your Christmas tree as a playground (and potentially creating a huge mess for you in the process!). Cats are sensitive to certain smells which can encourage them to stay away from your tree. Check out this cat repellant spray formulated with bitter scents your cat will be inclined to stay away from. Another method for keeping your feline friend from making “the climb” involves wrapping the base of your tree in aluminum foil, which cats dislike the sensation of walking on. You can drape the base of the tree with a festive tree skirt to mask the foil. If your cat just can’t shake their itch to climb, consider buying a cat tree. Cat trees offer a place to climb, scratch, and lounge that doesn’t involve toppling your Christmas tree!

Should I get my kid a pet for the holidays?

Pets are a big responsibility. You should put a lot of thought and planning into deciding whether or not to get an animal companion. Giving a pet as a gift may sound like a fun idea, but that gift is a living animal that will be with you for the next ten to twenty years. Make sure your family can handle a new addition, adoption fees, vet bills, pet care, and time that goes into caring for them. It’s best to avoid impulse when deciding whether to get a new pet. If you and your family have already discussed and planned on getting a new pet, this could be a great opportunity to surprise them and make the holidays extra special! And don’t forget: Pet and Home Care has your tail covered with puppy care, cat care, and more!

The holidays are a time of joy and cheer but they can just as easily be stressful and exhausting. Whether you need to distract your little present-muncher with a walk or board your pup while visiting family out of town, Pet and Home Care is here to help you get through the howlidays stress-free. Whatever you need from us during this time, we will do our absolute best to have all your bases covered. Please feel free to inquire about our many services including overnight pet sitting, dog training, and adventure walks. Contact us at (301) PET-CARE or visit our website at https://petandhomecare.com/

*This offer only applies to new daycare clients. Offer expires 1/31/2021.

Fall is always so beautiful in Maryland. Here are just a few ways for you to experience it with your loyal companion before winter settles in.

Hiking or biking the C&O Canal

Hiking is a great activity that you can do with your dog any time of year. Going during the fall season is a great way to see some of the wonderful foliage that Maryland has to offer. The C&O Canal towpath runs alongside the Potomac River and is mostly flat, making it great for a relaxing hike or biking path. For additional hiking trails near the Potomac check out Great Falls and the Billy Goat Trail for more advanced hikers.

Outdoor Dining in Downtown Frederick or Rockville

There are plenty of fantastic dog-friendly restaurants in Frederick and Montgomery county. Downtown Frederick is home to many amazing restaurants with outdoor seating, some of our favorites include The Orchard, Brewer’s Alley, and Cacique.

When dining outdoors, be sure to still follow guidelines such as wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate distance from other diners and servers.

Check Out a Local Dog Park

Visiting a dog park is a great way for your dog to socialize and play around with other energetic pups! The King Farm Dog Park in Rockville and Ballenger Creek Dog Park in Frederick are highly rated by locals of both areas. Be sure to pick up after your pooch and closely supervise them while they play with their new friends to keep playtime fun and safe!

Visit a Vineyard

Vineyards and Wineries have plenty of outdoor space to spread out and social distance. They are also a great place to spread out and spend some outdoor time with your pup! Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard offers outdoor seating, live music, and award-winning wines. You can also schedule a tour for a more educational experience.

Jump in the Leaves!

While yard work isn’t exactly many people’s idea of a great time, leave it to your pup to makes things more interesting! Whether you’re jumping in a big pile of leaves or playing a quick game of fetch in between raking them, just being outdoors with your dog can be a ton of fun. If your fur-friend isn’t the playful type, try having a fall-themed photo shoot outside.

Too Busy on Zoom to Get Outside With Your Pup?

Pet and Home Care has your tail covered with walks, daycare, bathing, training, socialization, adventure walks, and more! No matter what time of the year, rain or shine, Pet and Home Care will always be there to handle your pet care needs. Learn more or book now at www.PetAndHomeCare.com or call (301) PET-CARE to speak with Tiffany, Kira, or Maiya. We are here for you.

It’s that time of year again for spooky fun, costumes, and yummy treats! This year our doggy Halloween parties will be on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30. We will be celebrating with the pups and taking all sorts of photos. Kira will be whipping up homemade puppy safe treats again, so let us know if your pup can’t have one of our treats. You are welcome to send a treat with your pup so they don’t miss out!

Not going to make it to daycare on those days? Here are some of the best ways you can celebrate Halloween at home with your pets!

Costumes

Who doesn’t want to see their precious fur-baby dressed up in a cute costume for Halloween? Costumes are a great way to get in the spirit, but there are a few things to take into consideration before purchasing one.

1. Make sure your dog is comfortable wearing a costume. If your dog or cat resists and struggles to get out of a costume, it may be a better idea to go with something more understated like a spooky bandana!
2. If your pooch doesn’t mind a little Halloween costume fun, make sure you buy the correct size. You don’t want to be squeezing your loyal companion into a too-tight outfit!

Here are some of our favorite dog costumes this year modeled by our furry pals Weasley, Coco, and Charlie!

Halloween Treats

Halloween isn’t complete without plenty of yummy treats to go around! Follow these links to easy DIY recipes we’ll be using to celebrate this year:

Pumpkin Spice Latte

The ever-popular Starbucks favorite with a dog-friendly twist!

Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Treats

These healthy treats feature nutritious pumpkin and oat as well as delicious peanut butter your dog won’t be able to resist!

Pumpkin Dog Treats

Adorably shapeable, try cutting these into pumpkin or ghost shapes for an added Halloween touch.

Tricking for Treats!

Now that you’ve prepared some of our tasty treats, use them to train your dog to do a new trick.

• “Watch Me!” Prerequisite: Sit.

Useful for getting your pet’s attention. Hold a treat between eyebrows, give them a command, and reward your dog for holding eye contact.

• “Rollover” Prerequisite: Lay down.

Hold the treat in front of your pup’s nose and move it up over their head and to the other side of their nose in a circular motion.

• “Paw!” Prerequisite: Sit.

Give the command “Paw!” or “High five!” and gently lift your pup’s paw. Soon, they’ll do it on their own!

Keep an eye on our social media for photos from our Halloween costume party and be sure to share photos of your precious pets with us!

https://www.facebook.com/petandhomecarellc

How We Choose and Vet Our Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers

Our team is made up of responsible, animal-loving adults with lots of prior experience in animal care. Prospective employees must be over the age of 18 and pass a comprehensive background check. They must also have their own reliable transportation and live within 10 miles of our service area. We always make sure our employees are mature, highly reliable, detail-oriented, pleasant to work with, and fully committed to delivering outstanding customer service.

Required Training for Every Team Member, How Long It Takes, & What They Learn

Experienced team members train new pet resort staff and sitters for several weeks to ensure that they are confident and ready to do their jobs to the best of their ability. During training, we put special emphasis on learning how to read animal behavior as well as proper Pet and Home Care procedures during visits and walks so that we can be certain that our sitters can adapt to any situation.

A Day In The Life of A Pet Sitter and Dog Walker

Our sitters and dog walkers begin every visit by checking in our app and closely reading their schedule and instructions. They are always ready to greet happy, or even timid, animals, creating a comfortable and safe experience for all pets.

Pet Resort staff start their day with morning potty breaks for all the pups and feeding breakfast to the dogs that slept over. They also greet early morning daycare drop-offs and give medication to those who need it. When the doggy daycare van arrives, it’s time for playtime in the yard with toys and group activities. After a long day of outdoor fun, resort staff greet clients for pickup with a (masked) smile and most importantly, tired dogs!

Visit our social media pages to get a glimpse into the world of a professional pet sitter! We love to highlight your precious pets and our accomplished staff on our Facebook and Instagram.

COVID Practices

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of both clients and our employees. These precautions include washing hands and sanitizing frequently, providing masks and hand sanitizers to all employees, and increasing daily cleaning procedures at the Pet Resort. In addition, we are minimizing the amount of time sitters spend in clients’ homes and arranging contactless handoffs for outdoor pick-ups to maintain an appropriate distance. Sitters and resort staff who have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 will stay home from work until they have no symptoms or a negative COVID test.

21 Years in Business

Tiffany Lewis founded PHC in 1999, growing it into the capital region’s best option for pet and home needs. With the knowledge and experience of over two decades of award-winning service, you can be sure we’re prepared for anything and always holding true to our core value of treating your pets as if they were our own.

All of our team members are hired as our employees. They are bonded/insured, offered healthcare, paid time off, and a 401k with an employer match. We hire only the best animal caretakers who see this job as a lifelong career. Our office hours are from 7am-10pm daily for your convenience and emergency needs. We are here for you!

Click to learn more about our amazing team members!

Be sure to check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/petandhomecarellc/

Signs Your Pet is in Pain (And What to Do About it)

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. If you’re the parent to a fur baby, you know that your pets feel pain just like you and I do. According to the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) “the proclamation of the month is in keeping with IVAPM’s commitment to encouraging pain management for all animal species through education and advocacy.” Here are some signs your pet may be in pain and what you can do to help them!

• Heavy Breathing – It is absolutely normal for your dog to pant or breathe heavily after exertion. However, continued heavy panting is a sign of respiratory distress and should be monitored.

• Vocalizations (growling, whining, whimpering, hissing, crying) – You mean you don’t speak cat? Vocalizations are the ways your pet communicates their needs, wants, and fears. More often than not, whining, crying, and hissing are signs something is wrong.

• Excessive Grooming, usually localized – Regular grooming is required for your furry loved one but when your pet is excessively grooming themselves, it can be a sign of a stress-related disorder like OCD.

• Sudden, Unexplained Aggression – Sudden aggression is a common cause of pain in pet’s, especially dogs. Consider it their way of protecting themselves.

• Difficulty Getting Around – Old age is not a disease. If you see your pet limping or moving slower than usual, it could mean that something hurts when they move. Don’t dismiss it as they’re just getting older.

Take some time this month and monitor your pets behaviors, watching if they’re displaying any of these signs of pain. If your pet is frequently showing any of these signs of distress, don’t make assumptions. Most importantly, if they are, be sure to advocate on their behalf and take them to your local vet. See our August blog if you need local recommendations.

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

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The BEST Veterinarians in Maryland

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Taking your pet to regular check-ups can be a lot of fun if you have the right vet. Here are the local vets we’ve come to know and trust most from Clarksburg to Chevy Chase.

• Seven Locks Animal Hospital have been serving pets in the Potomac community for over 30 years. Their clients boast that they’re the best vets in Maryland! Dr. Popa takes a special interest in your pets, big or small, and ensures your questions are answered and concerns addressed. He even volunteers his time and resources to support programs that train guide dogs for the blind.

• Clarksburg has many 5 star rated veterinary practices but none quite like Clarksburg Animal Hospital. Known for longer appointments – up to 30 minutes! – their goal is to get to know you and educate you about your pet’s needs. It’s easy to make an appointment and their office is efficient. Their client’s boast that the customer service and pet care they receive are nothing short of PERFECT! If you’re looking for customized care for your furry loved one, check them out. https://www.clarksburganimalhospital.com/

• Pet parents will travel from Germantown to Frederick for their beloved pets to visit Kingsbrook Animal Hospital. While they care for dogs and cats, they are known to have rabbit savvy vets as well! Providing care for exotic pets like hedgehogs, ferrets, and reptiles is very important at Kingsbrook. Their staff is patient, kind, compassionate and overall amazing. They are a staple in the community often donating time and resources to local shelters and rescue groups. https://kingsbrookvet.com/

• Known for handling 80lb dogs with precision, there’s no better place to take your fur baby than Flower Valley Veterinary Clinic. When you visit them, it feels like home. So much so, that many of their clients have called the clinic home for over 20 years. You can be sure your pet will receive the very best care at each and every visit. If you’re still unsure, you can schedule a special tour of the facility to ensure it fits the needs of you and your fur baby. https://flowervalleyvet.com/

Was your favorite vet or clinic listed? We’d love to hear about your experiences. If not, comment below and let us know where your pet gets medical care. Don’t wait for an emergency before locating your local vet, clinic, or hospital.

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

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Top 5 Ways for Maryland Pet Parents To Beat the Heat

For many, the heat during the summer can be unbearable. Depending on where you live it may be difficult to avoid the humidity and summer storms causing power outages. Pets and people both need to cool off during the summer month. You can do so much more than just sit in the air conditioning. Here are some fun activities that you can try with your pet!

Do you have a dog? Try these cool (pun intended) activities with your fur baby

• Kiddie Pools: They will enjoy it for the same reasons your human kids do!
• Frozen Dog Toys: Freeze their favorite toy and help them have fun and stay cool!
• Watermelon & Pupsicles: Can you say yum?! Be sure to remove the seeds and avoid the rind.

Don’t worry, cats can enjoy cool fun activities too! Try these with your cuddly cat.

• Cat Fountain: Cats need adequate hydration and a fountain can help encourage them. Look for ones that provide a steady flow of clean filtered water all day long.
• Frozen Cat Treats: Freeze some cat treats in an ice cube; frozen tuna snacks, frozen cat food, and even plain ice!

Fun is not limited to your four legged pets.

• Frozen Water Bottle for Rabbits: Take a regular plastic water bottle and throw it in the freezer. It will keep the area your rabbit is in, nice and cool.
• Kiddie Pools for Mini Pigs: This will be just the right size for your pig to enjoy a swim.
• Cool Water for Reptiles & Amphibians: If you’re using tap or well water, don’t forget to treat the water first for your reptiles and amphibians.

There’s no excuse to be stuck inside during the summer. Here are the essentials; water, shade, and something fun to do is all your pet needs to enjoy the sun. There’s nothing you can do about a power outage but keep these things handy and you’ll be prepared for the worst of the heat. In the meantime, grab something to keep you and your pet cool and head outside to enjoy the sun!

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

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What to Tell Your Pet Sitter BEFORE You Head Out of Town

So you’re headed out of town and can’t take your beloved pet with you. But, you did the responsible thing; you hired a pet sitter!

It’s normal to be anxious before leaving your pet at home for a vacation. Be sure to tell your pet sitter these things, so that they can take purrfect care of the pet you love!

1 – How They Should Enter Your Home. In order for the sitter to tend to your pet, they will need to get inside. If you have a smart door lock, be sure that you give them the code. If you have a traditional lock, arrange for them to get the key or tell them where you plan to leave it for them. Don’t forget the code to your alarm system.

2- Your Pet’s Medical History. If your pet requires medication or has a recurring or chronic condition, be sure to let your pet sitter know. You should also provide details on the pets medication and possible side effects.

3 – Your Pet’s Behavioral History. No one pet is the same. It’s important that your sitter is able to identify what’s normal and uncommon for your fur baby. Is your cat normally aggressive when it’s hungry or will your dog whimper when it’s tired? These are things your sitter should be made aware of and not have to assume.

4 – The Details of Their Mealtime Routine. What time does your pet like to eat? Does it like the small bowl for breakfast but the bigger bowl for dinner? Dry or wet food? Don’t forget to let them know these details to guarantee a smooth mealtime.

5 – Your Pet’s Bedtime Routine. Some pets have their own sleeping quarters and some sleep with their pet parents. There are even some pets that like a belly rub before having sweet dreams. If your pet should be outside at night or in a particular room, give these details to your pet sitter.

6 – The Location of Supplies. Where do you store the pet food, pee pads, medications, and toys? Your pet sitter shouldn’t have to search your home for pet essentials or the things that keep your pet entertained.

7 – Emergency Information. Emergencies can happen at any time and you don’t want your sitter to have to figure it out on their own or do something that goes against your wishes. Provide the vet’s number and any relative or friend they should notify if you’re unreachable. Ensure the sitter knows and understands your wishes if something were to happen to your pet.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when you’re headed out of town and a pet sitter will be taking care of your furry loved ones. Do your best to share the details of what makes and keeps your pet happy!

From Clarksburg to Chevy Chase, we have your tail covered!

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