San Francisco, with its amazing climate, parks, and greenery, is a haven for dogs and dog lovers. But along with all of this comes the inevitable presence of seasonal allergies, which can affect our dogs as much as they do us. From pollen to mold spores, San Francisco’s changing seasons can trigger allergic reactions in dogs, leading to discomfort and health issues. In this brief guide, we’ll explore common allergens in the city, signs of allergies in dogs, and practical tips for managing and alleviating your pet’s symptoms. Understanding Allergens in San Francisco: San Francisco’s unique clim ..read more

Last Sunday, the New York Times Magazine had an article about the “bespoke pet care industry.” For those not super hip, such as myself, bespoke now means exclusive rather than the earlier definition of custom made. I bring your attention to this because Pet Camp has always been custom made when it comes to the care of the campers but has never and never will be “exclusive” because well, because we are a camp! I further draw your attention to this issue because, for reasons still unbeknownst to us, Pet Camp is mentioned in the article. So, back to the article. The article is about the writer, S ..read more

When we opened the Ranger Station, our training and enrichment facility at Pet Camp, one of the many enrichment activities we included in construction was a treat/scent wall. The treat/scent wall is not just a novel addition to Pet Camp (though it is that as well); it is an amazing blend of canine instinct and interactive enrichment. Rooted in dogs’ natural abilities and behaviors, the treat/scent wall is not just a source of amusement for your dog (though again it is that too) —it is a powerful instrument for training and behavior modification. Tapping into Canine Instincts At the heart of th ..read more

Pet parents often ask if they should let their cat go outside. These pet parents seem to think that their cat “wants” to go outside and/or that cats are inherently suited for outdoor life. While ultimately it is the pet parent’s decision, there are several factors to consider before allowing your cat to freely roam the streets of San Francisco. Here are just a few: Traffic: Between cars, buses, light rail vehicles, trucks, and driverless cars, the streets of San Francisco are plenty dangerous for people, let alone for cats which are often less visible and potentially less cautious around vehi ..read more

Most of us have seen the adorable video of dogs hopping onto a school bus, finding a seat, and riding along.  But what we don’t see is what can happen when the bus stops, the door opens, and a dog, or several, make a break for it!  Yes, this video is cute, but securing a dog in a crate for transport is safe – and safety should always come first. At Pet Camp, EVERY dog riding the Pet Camp Express or the Main Campgrounds/Ranger Station Shuttle does so in a crate that is securely fastened to the van. Here are just a few reasons why: 1.The Streets of San Francisco – great TV show, not gr ..read more

Boarding a cat can be a stressful experience for both feline and owner alike – but it doesn’t have to be! Too often, pet care facilities treat cats as an afterthought to dog care; when looking for a cat care facility, find a place where cats are the primary focus. Truly prioritizing cats means that your pet care facility needs to understand feline behavior and recognize that cats, with their innate curiosity and need for stimulation, require more than just a secure enclosure and regular feeding schedule. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why enrichment activities are crucial for cats during ..read more

As winter sets in and temperatures drop, many pet owners notice a common issue affecting their furry companions: dry skin. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dry, itchy skin during the colder months, leading to discomfort and potential health concerns if left untreated. Understanding the causes of winter dry skin in dogs and implementing effective strategies to alleviate it can help keep your pet comfortable and healthy throughout the season. Understanding the Causes of Winter Dry Skin in Dogs Several factors contribute to the development of dry skin in dogs during the winter months: Low ..read more

A recent article on the web (so you know it’s got to be true) asserted that an alarming uptick in Californians visiting emergency rooms due to dog bites is due to the maturation of pandemic pups into dangerous dogs. The article notes a significant rise in the number of such visits post-pandemic (70%) and, while fortunately still very rare, a corresponding increase in the number of people killed by dogs. The article postulates that one of the reasons for this increase is that pandemic pups, who suffered through a lack of socialization and training (just like the rest of us), have now matured in ..read more

Curious about Canine Enrichment? Want to know what our Ranger Station is all about? Check out last weeks OverDog Digital Marketing Podcast as Fern (AKA Fernando Camacho) interviews Mark about his thoughts about pet care, canine enrichment, and the Ranger Station.  Hear why Fern thinks the Ranger Station is taking canine enrichment to the next level. A big thanks to Fern for including Pet Camp in his podcast. The post Taking Canine Enrichment to the Next Level – Pet Camp’s Ranger Station appeared first on Pet Camp ..read more

The New York Times recently published a guest essay entitled “Dog Parks Are Great for People.  Too Bad They’re Terrible for Dogs.”  The crux of the essay was that, while we humans think of dog parks as an “oasis” from urban life, it would be wiser to think of them as “undersupervised and vaguely dirty watering holes during thunderstorms when there’s a good chance of lightning: high risk and best avoided,”. The author goes as far as to say that dogs are happiest when they are with their human because, if they weren’t, “they’d still be wolves.”  I think the essay misses the mark ..read more