Watch Your Pet for Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitos

Summertime weather is warmer and often wetter. With it come a host of pesky problems for your dog or cat. In particular, you want to guard against fleas, ticks and mosquitos. It's an important part of pet care in Youngstown, Hermitage, Sharon and the surrounding region.

Fleas are a familiar problem, and there are a number of over-the-counter and holistic remedies you can use to keep them at bay. It doesn’t take much for fleas to infest your pet, and when they do they bring everything from minor annoyance to major misery—particularly if they set up shop in your home. If you haven’t already, treat your pet for fleas before it’s too late.

The news has been full of stories about ticks and the dangers they pose. As one official said, it’s not a matter of if they will appear, but when. And they can pose a major threat to people as well as pets. Your best option to prevent tick and flea problems is to consult with your veterinarian. If that’s not possible, keep your pet clean. Wash your dog frequently and, as you do, check their skin for any signs of ticks. If you encounter one, it’s not only important to remove it properly (click here for suggestions), but you may want to consider an exterminator to make sure it’s not a more serious problem in your home.

Mosquitos, of course, carry with them the threat of heartworm. If you haven’t had your pet treated for heartworm, you should do so immediately. This applies to cats, too—especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. (Heartworm can cause serious lung disease in our feline friends.) Your veterinarian or a reputable local pet store can help you with treatment.

Fall will be here soon enough, but, until it is, take steps to take care of your pet so that they can stay happy and healthy during the dog (and cat) days of summer.

Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa provides peace-of-mind cat and dog boarding and grooming in Youngstown, Ohio and the surrounding region.

Dog & Cat Grooming in Youngstown Area Extended to Evening Hours at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa

Did you know we also offer evening grooming appointments for your convenience?

“The demand for our grooming services has grown considerably, so we’ve hired additional staff to be able to accommodate evening appointments,” said Lesley McBurney, owner. “We’ve had many requests from people who can’t come in during the day because of work conflicts or other commitments.”

Click here for more information on our grooming services.

Click here to read our news release announcing evening grooms at Hubbard Pet Resort and Spa.

Best Kennels in Youngstown: Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa Sets a High Standard

When dog and cat owners are looking for the best kennels in Youngstown, Ohio, they want to know that their pet will receive personal care and attention in a clean, safe environment.

At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, our motto is, "We'll love them like our own," and we provide that level of personal attention and care 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. In fact, it's why we're called a pet resort, because we've established a new standard for dog and cat boarding in the region.

The interior of HPR is kept at a comfortable temperature of 68 to 72 degrees year-round. We use only pet-friendly, biodegradable cleaning products, and we staff our facility 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our spacious 4' x 6' suites give dogs ample room to move around and stretch while boarding with us, while our roomy cat condos and catio provide plenty of space for our curious feline friends to explore.

There is so much more that separates Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa from other kennels in Youngstown and the surrounding area. We invite you to call with questions or stop by to see our facility and learn for yourself why we're the best choice for your pet's care when you're away.

Learn more about the area's premier pet boarding and grooming facility at the Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa website.

Dog and Cat Boarding for the Holidays: Prepare Your Pet Ahead of Time

The holiday season is always a busy time, which makes it a perfect time to give yourself and your pet a break by boarding them for a few days, or even a few weeks.

It doesn't have to be only because you're traveling out of town. Sometimes, you may find you just need a break, to help you prepare for the holidays. Meals, family gatherings and a schedule filled with parties, school and social events can place a premium on your time.

If you plan to board your pet during the holidays, there are things you'll want to do ahead of time. First on the list: Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date. At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, for dogs we require proof of rabies, distemper and Bordatella vaccines, plus a negative stool sample within the past nine months. For cats, we require proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations.

If your pet requires medications, make sure those are updated and in supply so we can administer them during their stay.

We prefer to feed pets their normal diet and encourage you to bring a supply of their favorite foods and treats. It's important to keep them on their normal diet to prevent digestive upset. We'll also want to know any allergies or anxieties your pet may have, so that we can ensure their comfort during their stay.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and the happiness and well-being of our pets is an important part of enjoying the season. Be sure to plan ahead to make sure your pet is properly cared for, and, if you need to board your pet at any time during the holidays, we hope you'll give us a call!

For premier dog boarding in Youngstown and the surrounding region, along with

cat boarding and pet grooming services, visit Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa or call (330) 534-1200.

Cat Boarding: Top Features to Look For Are All the Norm at Hubbard Pet Resort

There's a great article over at catster.com that we encourage all cat owners to read, because it warns of "10 Red Flags to Heed When Inspecting a Cat Boarding Facility."

It's a great list, because cat owners deserve peace of mind when leaving their furry felines in the care of others. Here at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, we practice what they preach in all 10 categories.

For example, the article points out that a cat boarding facility should not have smelly spaces and should provide proper ventilation to the boarding area. At HPR we clean daily and do so with natural, non-toxic cleaning products. We also ventilate the cat boarding and play areas to provide an environment conducive to optimum health and well-being.

The Catio at Hubbard Pet Resort

The article also warns against facilities that do little more than stuff cats in cages during their stay. We provide individual, 3' x 6' cat condos for every cat, and every cat who stays with us gets plenty of daily recreation time in our Catio, a large, multi-level, multi activity center play area. They love it!

And, as for a separate boarding area, our cat condo and catio area is separated from the dog boarding area and is sound-proofed, so our feline guests never hear our dogs, helping them remain relaxed and content. With a separate ventilation and temperature control system, the cats are cozier and cannot smell the dogs.

Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa is dedicated to the comfort of each of our guests and their owners. We would love to be your cat's home away from home. Please call us at (330) 534-1200 for a tour or with any questions you may have.

For premier cat boarding in Youngstown and the surrounding region, along with

dog boarding and pet grooming services, visit Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa or call (330) 534-1200.

Features of a Great Dog Boarding Facility, Part I

Dog owners looking for the best dog boarding in Youngstown and the surrounding area know that nothing is "too good" for their four-legged loved one!

At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, we're committed to making our facility your dog's "home away from home" by offering peace-of-mind care and personal attention.

The Humane Society of the United States has offered a list* of things to look for when choosing a boarding facility for your pet. We share their view and are happy to pass some of the key points along here on our blog:

• Does the facility look and smell clean? This is so important! We clean regularly, and do so only with pet-friendly, biodegradable products. Your pet's health and wellness are of utmost importance to us.

• Is a comfortable temperature maintained? Domestic pets are accustomed to domestic conditions, and their health an be affected if they're exposed to a drastic change. The interior of Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa is kept at a comfortable 68 to 70 degrees year-round.

• Are pets required to be current on their vaccinations, including the vaccine for canine kennel cough (Bordetella)? When multiple pets are brought together under one roof, it's essential that their vaccinations are up-to-date. We require that dogs are current on rabies, distemper and bordetella, and that they have had a negative stool sample within the previous nine months. (We also require that cats in our care be up-to-date on rabies and distemper).

• Is there an adequate exercise area? We have a large outdoor area for our guests. Potty trips begin between 7 and 7:30 a.m. and continue every three hours throughout the day, concluding between 9:30 and 10 p.m. In addition, we allow for two playtime trips daily. Combine that with the fact that every dog enjoys a spacious 4' x 8' suite, and you can be assured your pet has plenty of space and opportunity to move and get plenty of activity and exercise.

Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa is committed to being the premier facility for dog boarding and cat boarding in Youngstown, Hermitage, Sharon and the entire Mahoning Valley-Shenango Valley area. We'll share more of the Humane Society's recommendations in a future blog. If we can be of service to you and your pet, please stop by or call us at (330) 534-1200.

(Click here to read Part 2 of our two-part article.)

The entire list of recommendations from the Humane Society of the United States is included on their website.

Now's the Time to Book Your Pet's Stay for Your Getaway

Holidays, vacations, weekend getaways, family reunions and other special events -- it's a peak time for travel.

If you'll be getting away, now is the time to make your dog boarding or cat boarding plans at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa. Our open dates fill up fast -- especially weekends -- so it's best to make your reservations early.

Remember, too, that there are six holidays during the year when our lobby and registration desk are not open for check-ins or check-outs: New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Pets get the same great care, but we aren't open for reservations and pickups when we're closed for holidays.

The word is spreading throughout the Mahoning Valley and Shenango Valley regions -- Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield, Hubbard, Warren, Hermitage, Sharon and surrounding communities -- about the attention to detail and unmatched service your pet will receive at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa. For your pet boarding needs, just give us a call: (330) 534-1200. We look forward to serving you and your pet!

For premier dog boarding in Youngstown and the surrounding region, along with

cat boarding and pet grooming services, visit Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa or call (330) 534-1200.

During Rainy Weather, Don't Forget to Exercise Your Pet!

With all the rain we've been having in the region due to the recent storms, it's understandable that we would focus on things like maintaining electrical service, guarding against high winds, and other things essential to our safety.

But don't forget about the well-being of your pet -- and that includes keeping them active to help them deal with stress. Animals experience stress during severe weather conditions, too, and exercise is an important part of keeping your pet active, happy and healthy.

Sometimes that suffers during inclement weather, especially if you're a dog owner and you're in the habit of taking your pet on a daily walk. But there are lots of things you can do indoors. Here's a helpful article from Cesar Millan's website (he's the "Dog Whisperer" from TV) that offers a few suggestions:

 

Dog Exercise: How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors

And, in the interest of equal time, here's an article about exercise for your cat:

Exercising with Your Cat: A How-to Guide

These tips will come in handy when winter weather strikes in a few weeks, too.

At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, we make sure your four-legged loved ones get plenty of love and exercise every day. Dogs get potty trips and play time throughout the day, and cats get to enjoy our "catio," an indoor wonder of things to do and explore. 

Be sure to keep your pet active this autumn and winter. When you bring them to HPR, we'll do the same!

Happy Halloween!

This weekend will see trick-or-treaters out in full force in Hubbard and many surrounding communities. Happy Halloween to all our friends and neighbors! Be safe, and watch for the kids out on our streets and in our neighborhoods.

Halloween always marks the beginning of the end-of-year holiday season, so now is the perfect time to remind you to make your holiday boarding plans now, while there's still time -- and still plenty of room at the resort!

We'd love to see your and your four-legged loved ones in the weeks ahead, whether its for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Our facility is always popular this time of year, so plan ahead...it's never too early to make your reservations! Let us take the worry out of your holidays by providing loving, professional care for your pets. Or, make sure they look great, too, with a grooming just in time to celebrate the season!

Just give us a call at 330-534-1200 to book your reservation or grooming. We hope to see you soon!

New REDUCED Off-Season Rates at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa!

We've got some exciting news: New, reduced off-season rates* are in effect at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, now through March!

We've lowered our rates for overnight boarding for dogs and cats; boarding rates for dogs are reduced to just $22 (normally $25 in-season), and for cats it's just $16 (normally $19). Reduced rates are in effect for daycare, too.

We've also introduced a reduced-rate price list for our grooming services. You can check out all of our off-season rates at our website, www.hubbardpetresort.com.

Remember, where your pet is concerned, at Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa we'll treat them like our own! Soft bedding is provided for all our guests. Dogs get regular potty trips throughout the day, plus play time -- and they can even have a TV on in their suite for company! Cats enjoy the comforts of a private cat condo, and at least two hours of recreation every day in our "catio."

There's never been a better time to treat your pet to a one-of-a-kind stay at their "home away from home." Call us at 330-534-1200 to book your reservation or to make a grooming appointment. If you'd like a tour of the facility, just call or stop in -- we'll be happy to show you around.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

* Off-season prices are not in effect during the holidays. Please confirm pricing when you call to make your reservation or appointment.

Help Your Cat Avoid a 'Hairy' Situation; and Let Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa Lend a Hand with Professional Grooming Services

For cats, ingesting large amounts of hair from self-grooming can create hairballs, and may cause complications with digestion.

Most hair swallowed is usually expelled in the stool. Problems develop when the hair does not pass through the system. A hairball forms in the stomach and that means the cat will likely vomit it up after coughing and choking.

The worst-case scenario is when hairballs block the intestinal tract. If this happens, they cannot be vomited, or excreted through the other end of the system.

Here are signs to watch for that may indicate a major hairball intestinal blockage:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting of food not fully digested
• Unable to defecate
• Dry retching
• Swollen abdomen

Visit your veterinarian immediately if you see your cat experiencing these symptoms. Remember, one way to minimize hairball problems is to brush your cat on a regular basis to remove loose hair. A little care can go a long way to keeping your cat happy and healthy!

At Hubbard Pet Resort & Spa, we not only board cats (and dogs), we groom them, too! Call us at 330-534-1200 for details.

Exercise Is Vital -- At Home and When Boarding

Just like people, animals benefit from physical activity and stimulation. It's been said that boredom and lack of activity are major reasons that dogs develop behavior problems. Cats need playtime, too.

Walking is the favorite among dog owners, and with good reason. It's an activity that owner and pet do together, and it's good for both. Safety is a factor -- it's best to stay on sidewalks and off of streets whenever possible -- and it's good to allow dogs ample "sniffing time" to satisfy that instinct here and there along the walk.

If you have a fence, invisible fence or have otherwise trained your dog to remain within outdoor boundaries, a game of fetch with a ball, frisbee or other favorite toy results in excellent exercise for your pet. Indoor, they can chase a ball or a balled up sock. For variety, throw the toy up a staircase a few times. Dogs love the change of pace, and it can actually benefit them physically.

Cats enjoy stimulation, too. Lightweight toys that they can chase or bat with their paws can provide hours of enjoyment. Remember, too, that cats like to perch on high places, so try to provide places they can climb.

At Hubbard Pet Resort, we know how important play time is. That's why, in addition to regular potty trips throughout the day, we provide dogs with two daily play sessions. And cats get to spend time in our cat condo, built especially for them, with platforms, tunnels and other features designed to stimulate their curiosity and instinct for mischief and fun.

We say we'll love your pet like our own, and we mean it. You like to see them play, and so do we. So keep your pet active; and, when you need to be away, you can trust that we'll do the same when you trust them to our care.

There Are Many Times When Boarding Your Pet Is The Answer

Obviously, vacations or business travel are two common reasons for boarding your four-legged children. But here are several more reasons why it’s best not to put your dog in the basement, or your cat in the bathroom—but to bring them to the pet resort instead, whether you’re going to be gone for 12 hours, or 12 days.

• Your children are having a sleepover party with their friends. Your pet may be used to your children, but when you add five or 10 more kids to the mix, they can become very territorial—even in their own home.

• You’re having a party where several guests will be present. Board them for a day, to avoid having them escape through an open door, or getting fed something they really shouldn’t be eating.

• Your relatives, who are not “dog” or “cat” people, are visiting. Sometimes, removing your pet creates peace of mind for you and your guests.

• You are having work done inside or outside your house. Strange noises and workmen around the house can be stressful for your pet!

• You are bringing baby home from the hospital. You may want a break from your pet while you figure things out and get used to the new arrival.

• You need to fumigate your home, do a lawn treatment, have your carpets cleaned, re-seal your driveway, install a fence, paint your home…you get the idea. All of these procedures can leave harmful chemicals or odors long after we humans stop smelling them.

• Your pet needs to recover after surgery. With 24/7 care, we can watch over them more closely than if you work during the day, and administer any medications as needed.

• You need to recover after surgery, when activities such as walking or lifting or bending to take care of your pet has been advised against while you heal.

• You or a loved one needs to go into the hospital or to a therapy center for anywhere from a few days to an extended period of time.

• Out of town guests are visiting and like to travel with their pet, but for whatever reason their pet cannot stay in your home.

These are just examples of the many times it’s a good idea to bring a pet to the resort. Call us at 330-670-8500. We are open and answer the phones Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 to 7 p.m., and Sundays 4 to 8 p.m. We’ll be happy to be of service!