Celebrate Active Dog Month with us! Sign Up Your Pup for Daily Adventures!

Welcome to April, aptly deemed "Active Dog Month”, where we celebrate the boundless energy and joyful spirit of our furry friends! As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to get your dog moving and grooving with daily adventures. And what better way to do that than by signing up with to be a member of our VIP #VLPgang?

Here at Viva La Pet, we understand the importance of keeping your dog active and happy. Dogs are not just pets; they are beloved members of our families who deserve the best care and attention. That's why your dogs have been our forefront since 2004! We’re dedicated to providing top-notch dog walking services that cater to your dog's unique needs and preferences which helps to keep them healthy and thriving in countless ways.

Why should you consider daily dog walking for your furry companion? Let's dive into the benefits:

Physical Exercise: Just like humans, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy and fit. Daily walks help them burn off excess energy, maintain a healthy weight, and improve cardiovascular health.

Mental Stimulation: A variety of sights, sounds, and smells during walks can stimulate your dog's mind and prevent boredom. This mental stimulation is crucial for their overall well-being and can reduce destructive behaviors at home.

Socialization Opportunities: Dog walks provide valuable socialization opportunities with the world outside of their yard, humans and the environment. It helps in building your dog's confidence, reducing anxiety, and promoting positive behavior around others.

Bonding Time: Daily walks strengthen the bond between human and dog. It's a special time for quality interactions, training reinforcement, and mutual enjoyment of the outdoors.

Health Monitoring: Our experienced dog walkers keep an eye on your dog's health during walks. Any unusual behaviors, limping, or signs of discomfort are noted and communicated to you promptly.

By signing up as a Viva La Pet VIP member, you're not just ensuring your dog gets the exercise they need—you're also investing in their overall well-being and happiness. Our team is passionate about dogs and treats every furry client with love, care, and respect.

How can you get started?

It's simple:Visit our website or give us a call to learn more about our variety of dog walking services.

Watch your dog thrive with daily adventures, exercise, and companionship!

This “Active Dog Month”, let's make a commitment to keep our dogs healthy, happy, and active. Join us in celebrating the joy of dog walking and give your furry friend the gift of daily adventures they deserve! Viva La Pet is here to make every step of your dog's journey a tail-wagging success. Sign up today and let the adventures begin!

Puppy Proofing 101

Puppies.

Cue the JAWS theme music…

There comes a stage in every growing puppy’s life when they are basically land sharks. Those tiny little teeth not only feel like needles or razor blades digging into your skin, but they can do an outstanding amount of damage around the home as well.

Let’s get right into it. Puppy proofing your home from mini daggers of pain.

Puppies are short. Their line of sight is much different than ours. Get down to their level and check out your home. Is there anything down there that looks like it may intrigue a puppy? Most likely, everything will intrigue a pup, so let’s conquer this room by room.

Remember, you can keep certain rooms “off limits” while your pup is learning the ways.

Living Room/Bedroom/Office:

Wires- Puppy teeth can easily sever a wire. Not only is this destructive but it’s very dangerous to your pup. Make sure electrical cords, phone/computer chargers and video game cords are out of your puppy’s reach.

Remotes- For some reason, a lot puppies find remotes irresistible. Place those up high and out of sight.

Pillows/Blankets- Pillows are really fun to rip apart. Keep an eye on your pup if you dare to leave pillows and blankets in a room alone with them.

Shoes/Socks- These are really fun to gnaw on and also hide. It’s best to keep shoes and socks up and out of reach or tucked away in a closet.

Clothes/undies- It’s best to keep tidy when a puppy is around. Some dogs especially love the dirty clothes pile. Invest in a secure hamper so you don’t have to invest in a zipper surgery from an intestinal obstruction.

Kitchen/Bathroom:

Cleaners- It seems like common sense, but we are here to give you a friendly reminder. Keep cleaners out of your pet’s reach. Sometimes, pups learn to nudge open cabinets. You’ve been warned.

The cooktop- Depending on the size of your pup, if pups can put their paws on the counter, they can turn an oven knob. We have seen this first hand. If you block your pup in your kitchen make sure your dog cannot reach the oven knobs.

Gum/Candy/Food- From a possible choking hazard to a poisonous ingredient, many humans foods are dangerous to dogs. Common sweeteners like xylitol can be fatal. Xylitol is commonly found in gum and can be found in some peanut butters.

Medications- This is a friendly reminder to keep your meds in a cabinet when you have a puppy or counter surfing dog around.

Garbage can/compost bin- Make sure you have a garbage can that cannot be easily knocked down or nudged open.

Plants- My dog loves plants. By love, I mean, he enjoys biting their leaves as he zooms by. Click the button below to get a poisonous plant list from the ASPCA, it’s been bookmarked in our home.

By puppy proofing your home, you’ll keep belongings in tact and most importantly, you’ll keep your land shark safe and healthy.

Here’s to overwhelming puppy breath and a happy and healthy home.

Tips to Help Keep Your Pet's Teeth Clean

There is a very clear connection between our pet's good health and their teeth. Just like us, our pets benefit from a professional teeth cleaning now and then. Some specialists offer anesthesia-free teeth cleanings.

However, in between cleanings there are a number of things you can do to help keep your pet’s choppers pearly white and their breath sweet.

Brushing - This is the very best way to keep your pet healthy. It will prevent bacteria build-up which can lead to tooth loss and infections including heart disease. Get a tasty toothpaste that is formulated for pets. You may want to start with a finger brush. Many pets find them a bit easier to accept over a toothbrush. After they are comfy with the finger brush, graduate to a real toothbrush, they clean better. Ideally, you should brush daily.

Wipes - Dental wipes are good for in-between brushing or if your pet isn't quite ready for actual brushing yet.

Treats - Dental treats can help clean teeth too. They should be used in conjunction with brushing. They are formulated to remove plaque build-up on teeth and will help freshen their breath too. Be sure to read the ingredients, as some treats include less than ideal ingredients.

Chew toys - There are many chew products designed to help remove plaque and tartar from your pet's teeth. They'll be so busy having fun, they won't even realize the toy is cleaning their teeth! Popular examples are toys like Kongs, Boshel Dog Ball, and some rope toys. Many cats love Kong's Cat Wubba Mouse toy for fun and teeth cleaning.

Diet - A natural, healthy diet helps too. Kibble actually does clean teeth a bit and there are some kibbles that are specifically formulated to do this. Many people swear that a raw diet and raw soft animal bones clean teeth very well. Be sure to do your research on any new food you decide to introduce into your pet’s diet. If you do switch their food, remember to do so gradually.

There are a few cons to the above choices. If your dog is a power chewer you'll need to pick treats and toys appropriately. The strongest toy on the market that I have found is called a Goughnut. Last, never give a dog rawhide (it's non-digestible) or hard bones like deer antlers (they can break your pet's teeth).

Always supervise your pet when using any of these treats, chews, or toys. Like any treat or toy, small pieces can be dangerous. Always look at ingredients to avoid things like cornstarch (corn is a common allergen), sugar, or excessive fat. And don't forget to count the calories in pet treats, they add up!

Just a few minutes a day can keep your companion's choppers clean!

Put Your Pup to the Test!

Do you have a Heinz 57 dog? If so, you've probably wondered which breeds are mixed into your pup? Discovering your best friend's background is fun, easy, and less expensive than you might think. There are several companies that do canine DNA testing. 

Many of these companies also offer health testing for an additional cost, and this information could keep your mutt healthy. Some breeds are more prone to certain ailments. For example, some Dobermans have a genetic blood condition, and Dalmations tend to get kidney stones. Another example is the MDR1 gene, which is often found in herding breeds. MDR1 carriers have a genetic predisposition for adverse reactions to many common veterinary drugs. Knowing what breeds make up your pooch can help you and your vet with their care.

These tests are easy to take. You swab the inside of your dog's cheek and mail it off in the container they provide. The company will test your dog's DNA with its database of breeds and come up with an ingredient list of dog types that make up your canine companion.

So, how accurate are these tests in predicting your dogs breeding? The answer is reasonably accurate. It's best to pick a company that uses a large database. The two largest companies are Embark and Wisdom. Wisdom tests for over 350 breeds and 150 genetic conditions. Embark tests for 250 breeds and checks for over 170 canine health conditions.

Keep in mind that looks can be very deceiving. Just because you're dog resembles a Lab.... doesn't mean he is! Sometimes these tests are eye-opening! However, if you don't fully understand Fido's test results, both companies are very responsive and are happy to go over your dog's findings with you. Other companies may be less expensive, but they also have a smaller breed database.

Is there a downside to DNA testing? If you happen to be a worrier, then finding out what health issues your dog could develop might result in a few sleepless nights. Remember, these tests can't tell you that your dog will develop these health issues just that they have a higher risk of them.

Of course, we love our pups no matter what breed they might be, but finding out the ingredients that make your dog unique is fun! Not only does it explain your dog's looks, but it may help explain their behavior, size, and energy level.