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School holiday activities with your pet

The school holidays are here again! If you want to avoid your kids being glued to their screens for two weeks, why not get them out and about for some fun with the family pet?

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Begging – five simple ways to calm a hungry pooch

Please, sir! I want some more! It’s kind of cute, but it can be a bit much….having your dog (or a guest dog if you’re a pet sitter) drooling onto your leg while you try to eat. Here are five simple ways to calm your begging pooch.

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Four of the simplest dog treat recipes

We’ve put together some easy-peasy dog treat recipes in the Pawshake test kitchen for you to try at home!

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Bunny sitting basics

Rabbits are adorable floofs, but they aren’t low maintenance! In fact they are complex critters that deserve your time, preparation and planning before agreeing to pet sit them. Here is bunny-sitting 101.

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Bring your Pet to Work Day!

How awesome would it be if your pet could join you in the office! But will your pet and office mesh well together? For Bring Your Pet to Work Day, so we have listed some of the pros and cons to think about first.

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Keep your Pawshake profile safe

Every day, thousands of sitters, owners and a whole lot of furry friends have great experiences on Pawshake – and we want to make sure this continues! Here are a few tips for protecting your profile information from online scams and phishing.

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Tips for successfully introducing cats and dogs

Forget what you’ve seen in the cartoons, because the truth about cats and dogs is….they actually can get along swimmingly! Here are some tips for success for those first important introductions.

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Coping with a pet cone

We see the pet cone come out at the vet and instantly feel dread – which our pet can surely pick up on! If you know your dog or cat will soon be wearing a cone, protective collar or e-collar, fear not. Here are some tips to make it less of an ordeal for everyone!

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Help! How do I stop my dog from jumping on visitors?

Bouncing up to give you a big sloppy kiss is one of the most common challenges for any dog owner. You want to give a good impression to friends and family, as well as the pet sitter popping over for a meet and greet….so what do you do when your dog leaps up in guest’s faces?

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What to do when a cat won't use their litter tray

The litter tray habits of our feline friends might seem strange, even mysterious - but a little understanding and care can go a long way to preventing even the smelliest problems!

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Your dog's tongue - a window into their health

Did you know that your dog’s tongue is not just for giving us kisses….it’s also a window into their health? Here’s how to get to know and interpret your pup’s tongue!

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Catspeak: the meaning behind your cat’s meow

Embrace the meow-lody of your cat’s mew and pay attention – you’ll be fluent in catspeak in no time!

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Dogs in Hot Cars – Don’t Risk It!

Warmer days are finally sneaking in - bliss! But it's super important to be mindful of your pets when driving and parking. Here are some helpful tips to raise awareness and prevent incidents of dogs getting locked in cars on hot days.

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Getting an uncooperative cat into a carrier

Does your cat simply hate it when you pull out the carrier to go to the vet or a pet sitter’s house? Our guide will help you ease your cat into their carrier - with minimal scratches for you!

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Common Meet and Greet mistakes to avoid

The number one secret to a successful booking on Pawshake is a thorough meet and greet – but there are some common mistakes that are worth avoiding!

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Back to School Blues

Kids 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!

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Ten tasty human foods your pet can enjoy

Easter is just around the corner, which means plenty of edible treats for us humans! We all know we need to keep the chocolate well out of reach of our furry friends, but there are still plenty of human foods that your cat or dog can enjoy as an occasional treat.

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What to do if a dog charges at you

This week we have a chat with our Community Manager and super-experienced pet-sitter Sam about what to do in the event of a dog charging at you.

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Puppy proofing your home

Do you have a bundle of fluff coming into your home anytime soon? We chat with super-star Pawshake pet sitter Concetta about her experience adopting a puppy - she gives us her top 5 tips to make the transition a smooth one!

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Dealing With Separation Anxiety in Pets

This is one of the bigger challenges facing pet owners and pet sitters alike. Do you know a dog or cat suffering from separation anxiety? Read on for some simple solutions to make your pet's life (and yours!) a lot easier!

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Pupp - Dublin's coolest cafe for pooches and people!

We have a chat with the lovely folks at Pupp, a fun and funky dog-friendly cafe and pet boutique right in the heart of Dublin. Coffee + shopping + doggy dates = our idea of heaven!

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Pets in the Spring!

It's been a long winter, but spring is just around the corner (almost!), so we have a few suggestions for how to prepare your home and your pets for the change in the seasons.

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5 ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with your pet!

This Lunar Year of the Rooster, why not start off on a positive note and freshen up your life and home with your pet by your side? Here are five pet-friendly ways to celebrate the New Year.

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Play away the Winter Blues!

BRRRRR....it's cold out there! Time to hibernate - we're thinking lazy cuddles in front of the fire 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!

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Is your pet afraid of fireworks? Please be careful and take all the precautions you need to keep your pet safe.

Will you be celebrating New Year's Eve together with your (guest) pet? Then have a read of this: There are plenty of ways to train your pet not to be afraid, but there's little point in starting now, as you won't have enough time to truly achieve something before this year's fireworks start. Come midnight, you might be busy opening the champagne and hugging family and friends. And then everyone will go outside to watch the fireworks. Just one moment of not paying attention can have grave consequences. This is how to prevent that.

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How do cats display affection?

Cats may seem aloof, but they are likely as fond of you as you are of them! Do you understand how your cat communicates affection? Here are five tell-tale signs.

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Your newly adopted pet: how to give him a thoroughly warm welcome

Adopting a cat or dog is a truly rewarding experience. And the day you finally get to take your furry friend home with you marks the beginning of your mutual journey. Yet those first few days can be fraught with tension. Planning to adopt a cat or dog? Ensure that you're thoroughly prepared for your big day with our helpful tips below!

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How to walk a cat (and why)

Walking your dog is the most natural thing in the world. However, you rarely see anyone with a cat on a lead! Walking your cat might not be a 'walk in the park', but it can have many benefits for the right feline. Fancy giving it a go? Then follow our helpful 3-step plan below.

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How to prevent stress for you and your pet

That pets reduce stress, and make us happy and healthy, we already know. So, it's hardly surprising that so many of us have a furry friend of our own or enjoy looking after those of friends and neighbours. But did you know that those feelings of bliss can rapidly transform into stress? Prevent burn-out from affecting you and your pets with our useful tips for pet owners and pet sitters.

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Houseplants that are poisonous to dogs (and safe alternatives)

Many houseplants are toxic to dogs, and some are downright life threatening. You should therefore avoid these common houseplants and replace them with a safe alternative instead.

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