Texas Ruff House Blog

Thinking of Adopting a Cat or Kitten? Here are 10 things you'll absolutely need! Congratulations on adopting a new kitty cat! As you prepare to bring your furry bundle of joy home, it’s important to have all the basics ready to go, but maybe you’re not sure where to start? No worries, Texas Ruff House has you covered! Here are 10 essential supplies to consider as you take your first steps.  1. Food and water bowls Get a set of sturdy, non-toxic bowls that won't tip over easily. Cats are particular about having clean water so make sure whatever water bowl you use has higher sides to prevent food and other items from getting in it. If your budget allows a little extra wiggle room, get a flowing water fountain for your cat. They love to lap it up from the stream, and the water stays fresher longer, which they also love. 2. High-quality cat food Choose a brand that meets the nutritional needs of your cat and is appropriate for their age and health. If you're in the North Aus...

 Pet sitting vs. Boarding... which is right for you and your pets? You’ve booked your vacation and reserved your flight, all that’s left is to decide what to do for your fur babies. Should you board them or hire a pet sitting service and let them stay at home? Which is right for you and your pets? Let’s go through the details so you can make the best decision for your family. Benefits of Pet Sitting ● Less anxiety , your pets are safe and sound in their home                                                          ● You can find out how your pets are doing through daily texts and pictures ● Medications or a special diet can continue ● Your pets are given one-on-one loving attention several times per day ● In addition to play time, your dogs can also be walked ● You don’t have to worry about them catching a virus or fleas from other pets ●...

Cats, just like people, have nails that grow continuously for their whole lives. Some cats can keep their nails from being overgrown by scratching, preferably on scratching posts. Others need a little help. Just like dogs and babies, they need their nails clipped. So you may be wondering.. How do I cut my nails at home? What happens if I don’t clip my cat’s nails? We get it. You're busy. And sometimes you may forget to do coat and claw inspection on your cat. But a regular check of the paws and nails can prevent pain and discomfort...and might save your furniture, your legs, and in extreme cases, prevent the claws from growing into your cat’s sensitive foot pads. Overgrown nails can also affect your cat’s ability to retract them, walk and climb. How often should I clip my cat’s nails?  Just like the number of times a cat likes to have his belly scratched, how often they need their nails clipped is different for each cat. You should clip your cat’s nails every two to three weeks, d...

  Our 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Pet Sitter Whether you’ve worked with a pet sitter before and are looking for a new one, or are hiring one for the very first time, finding the perfect sitter to care for your four-legged family members can be daunting! There’s a number of options on the market to sort through, and it might not be straightforward to tell which ones are trustworthy, professional, and reliable, let alone which one your dog or cat will like. We want to help you take the guesswork out of it, because we want your pet to get the best care possible! Here are our 5 tips for choosing the best pet sitter. 1. Do your research and look for sitters that are insured (to cover accidents and negligence) and bonded (to protect against theft) and are certified in pet first aid. Not only does this mean that they are business professionals and not just side gig workers, but are also fully prepared in the unfortunate and hopefully unlikely event of an emergency or accident. In additio...

  New Pet Parenting Tips Courtesy of Texas Ruff House If you’re reading this, chances are that you or someone in your life has gotten a new pet in the last 18 months. In fact, pet ownership in the U.S. rose from 67% of households to an all-time high of 70% last year, according to the American Pet Products Association. That’s over 11 million households that brought home a furry companion in 2020. If you are a first-time pet parent or haven’t had a puppy or a kitten in a long time, it’s likely you did a lot of research online and asked questions on Facebook to troubleshoot along the way.   Our team of pet sitters and dog walkers at Texas Ruff House are experts in pet care and get a lot of great questions from our clients about health, nutrition, product recommendations, and services. We’re sharing essential things that new pet parents need to know and our favorite resources to help you care for your pet! Health Care for Pets Pet health is a top priority. It’s important that your...