Who’s the Most Pampered of Them All?

What’s the craziest thing you do for your pet?

All over the country, the phrase “pampered pets” is being taken to a whole new level by pet owners and enthusiasts looking for the very best for their furry friends. At Morris Animal Inn, we pamper our pets with cat and dog services like luxury kitty suites with televisions and our indoor pool and aqua center, and we are always excited to hear about new pet amenities. Here are some of our recent favorites!

In New York, one family has made the most of the space in their small Brooklyn home by creating what they call “Kittyloft”; an indoor cat playground that runs up and down their walls. Both interior designers, homeowners Bill Hilgendorf and Maria Christina Rueda told Forbes Magazine that they put their design skills to the test by creating a shelf-like, brightly colored obstacle course that leads their cats up and down sets of stairs, over doorframes and across kitchen cabinets. Their cats are known to run the loop at top speed! 

San Diego International Airport now offers unisex bathrooms… for pets! As reported by Patch.com and Huff Post Live, the airport hosts a number of “Pet Relief” stations, which consists of an indoor room with fresh turf, a fire hydrant for pet pit-stops and even includes a bag dispenser for easy clean up and a hand-washing station for pet owners. Though all airports are required to have pet relief stations somewhere on site, this airport has given pups some first-class perks by moving stations to easily accessible indoor areas of the terminal. 

Rural Pennsylvania may be filled with woods for your dog to play in, but at one home in Newton Square, you’d never have to worry about muddy footprints on the carpet. The home, according to Forbes, devotes one of its four and a half bathrooms to the dogs with a customized dog “mudroom,” complete with a deep farmer’s sink, plenty of cabinet space and a built-in canine shower with a mosaic of pets running around the walls.

Though we can’t claim to have a “Kittyloft” of our own, our kitty playroom offers multiple climbing poles, laser light toys and even a kitty wheel! Do you have any crazy ways that you pamper your pet?

How to Spoil Your Pet - the Best Way

Is your pet “spoiled rotten?” The expression has undoubtedly become much more common among pet owners today, as we indulge our furry companions by treating them like part of the family with birthday parties, presents and treats galore.

Morris Animal Inn is proud to say we pamper your pets with our amenities, fitness programs and loving attention. Nat Geo Wild’s new show “Spoiled Rotten Pets” spotlights pets whose owners are proud to go above and beyond to give their pets the very best. The show is hosted by Beth Ostrosky Stern, an American television personality, actress and wife of radio personality Howard Stern. 

On Saturday, May 4th at 9 pm, “Spoiled Rotten Pets” will feature Morris Animal Inn as Stern tours our picturesque facility and follows one of our pampered guests on a customized fitness regimen. Read more about the upcoming broadcast here!

The best way to indulge your pet is to include many activities that responsible pet owners do regularly: buying premium foods, making regular vet and grooming appointments and giving your pet frequent exercise and training with a good, consistent program. But is it possible to spoil our pets too much? An article by Helium pet blogger Janet Farricelli acknowledges the fact that some behaviors, though rewarding, can at times be unhealthy for your dog. Keep an eye out for the following to make sure that your dog stays healthy, fit and happy:

• Begging followed by a reward – Rewarding barking, crying or pawing at you during dinner with table scraps can be bad for your dog because it enforces incorrect behavior, but more importantly  because a lot of human food also contains ingredients that can be unhealthy or even deadly for animals. Human indulgences like fatty foods or chocolate can lead to obesity, toxicity, pancreatitis or other dangerous reactions in your dog.

• Praising at the wrong moment – When training your dog, you often want to praise them every step of the way. Limiting your praise to when they are actually performing the requested behavior, like a sit or stay, will enforce the behavior better than cheering them on after the fact. This way, in your dog's mind, the good behavior is what makes you happy.

• Pampering that leads to laziness – If your dog does not receive proper exercise, nutrition or mental stimulation, it could lead an unhealthy environment for both yourself and your dog. Consider your dog’s breed and specific needs in your day-to-day pet activities.

This is not to say that you cannot go above and beyond for your furry friend; their health and behavior won’t change if you buy them that expensive collar or throw them a birthday party. By remembering your dog’s basic needs and making sure these needs are met, you can spoil your pet in the most positive way.

Does your dog need a bit more exercise? Call us today at 973-539-0377 to book your pet a spot in our upcoming “Week at the Races” Fit Camp, May 13-17. For an inside look at the fitness amenities we offer and the good ways we spoil our pets, be sure to tune in on Saturday, May 4th at 9 pm to watch us on Nat Geo Wild’s “Spoiled Rotten Pets!”

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW ACTIVITY PACKAGES!

Morris Animal Inn is excited to announce two new activity packages!  We know that every pet is different! That's why we are working to increase your options with new packages that can be added to any dog's stay (we have other specific play options available for cats). This allows you to choose what Fido would prefer. Read on to discover Fido's options!

Manners and Obedience Training

Improve your dog's manners and general obedience through positive training! You've spent hours training your pooch and now you're going on vacation for two weeks! Might as well kiss those lessons goodbye. Not anymore! With this selection, you can add several daily training sessions to your dog's stay. Not only will this reinforce your dog's manners, but it will break up their day and add mental stimulation. For dog's that have never been trained, this is a great option to go over basic commands. Manners training is also perfect for puppies and can be added a la carte to our Puppy Steps program.  When your canine companion is not training, they can move their muscles with "business walks" on our shaded trail where they can stop to smell the roses!

Health and Fitness

Our health and fitness packages are great for any dog but especially canines with boundless energy or those needing to shed a few pounds. Your dog's day will be active with activities like canine cardio sessions. Canine cardio sessions are customized to your dog's preference and can include our canine treadmill. When not splish splashing in our pool, playing with other dogs, exercising on the canine treadmill or enjoying a serene trail walk, your furry pal can relax on a raised bed while munching on a healthy treat.

Whether large or small, old or young, these new activity packages are great for any dog's stay!

4 LUXURIOUS WAYS TO SPOIL YOUR PET

In honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month this April, we'd like to highlight some of the ways you can indulge your pet. Thanks to organizations like the ASPCA, the world has made huge strides in preventing cruelty or violence against animals. Pets, most of all, have prospered from this change. Dogs no longer sleep in the backyard or the garage, they sleep nestled next to us in our beds or on their own plush doggie mat. They wear coats in the wintertime and eat gourmet food.  Nourish this special bond by spoiling your pet with the following luxury spa treatments offered at Morris Animal Inn's grooming salon.

Facial Scrub

You thought only you could receive a facial? Think again! We offer a refreshing blueberry and vanilla scrub that will help whiten tear stains, clean dust and grime from facial fur and leave your pooch's face smelling sweet and delicious! This facial scrub is especially great for breeds with wrinkles and folds like Pugs and Shar Peis.

Paw Treatment

Much like a human pedicure, this paw treatment will soothe and moisturize dry, cracked paw pads. It will also eliminate that corn chip smell that comes from bacteria and instead, leave behind the fragrant scent of vanilla!

Shed-Less Treatment

If you have a dog that sheds, you either have a lint brush in every room of your house or you have simply given up and accept the dog hair as a fashion accessory. If you would like to eliminate some of that extra fur in your life, try our Shed-Less Treatment. This treatment removes dead hair and dander from your dog's coat. The process involves a bath with a specialty shampoo followed with an exclusive de-shedding solution. After the bath and premier conditioning, pets are dried and brushed out with a combination of tools designed to remove the greatest amount of undercoat. While the Shed-Less Treatment does not stop the natural shedding process, nor is it a one-time cure (for best results it should be done every 4 weeks), it does extract extra hair that would eventually shed and find its way onto every surface of the furniture in your house.

Canine Salon Experience

For the ultimate in pampering, try the Canine Salon Experience. This luxurious treatment includes a blueberry facial scrub, the soothing paw soak, a vanilla bubble bath, revitalizing deep-moisture shampoo (ginger and grapefruit scented), and is followed up with a vanilla and white ginger conditioner. Your pet's fur will be silky smooth and smell fabulous!

This month or any month, indulge your pet with one of our special spa treatments!

Social Kitty

June is Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat month, so if you have always wanted a spunky whiskered creature in your life, now is the perfect time to grant that wish! Cats are filling up shelters, but they all want their forever homes. If you already have a cat, are worried about socializing an older cat, or incorporating a new kitty into your life in general, read on for some tips to help seamlessly socialize your feline.

 Importance of Touch
All living things must be touched in order to feel loved, and in turn happy. This includes your iridescent eyed cat. However, it is important to remember that some cats love to be touched while others like it in small doses. Do not force it. Spend a little time each day, stroking and petting your cat in his or her favorite spots. Give kitty a little treat or some tuna after each petting session to reinforce it as a positive experience. If your cat lashes out, reprimand him or her by saying firmly, "No!"

Playtime and Activity
Cats are young at heart and love to engage in short bursts of activity. Nurture the spirited frisky side of your cat with a scheduled playtime several times a day, which can help strengthen your bond with your cat. If your cat is staying at Morris Animal Inn, we have numerous activities to choose from that will engage your cat. Our Pampered Pet Sessions provide your cat with the hands-on attention he or she receives at home with time for petting, lap time on a rocking chair, and opportunities to view our fish tank. Teaser Play Sessions are less hands on and are fun for any cat. Teaser sessions include teasing with a peacock feather, a mouse, laser light, and a variety of other toys. The Kitty Play Room is ideal for cats desiring more freedom. Allow your cat the chance to explore the fun of our play room that includes climbing and scratching posts, skylights with outside views, toys, catnip, and comfortable furniture.

Strangers=No Danger

Exposing your cat to visitors can be highly beneficial as it forces your feline to adjust to the concept of strange people moving in and around your house, i.e your cat's space. However, do not force people upon your cat. If Fluffy runs and hides that's ok. When your cat grows comfortable with the situation, he or she will eventually emerge to further investigate, which should be encouraged. Urge visitors to speak in low, soft voices and allow your cat to approach them first. Even a visit and overnight stay at Morris Animal Inn can aid in this process as your cat must adapt to new sights, smells, and people. Our staff members are trained to interact with cats and know how to make them comfortable in their new environs.

Though cats can be inherently anti-social, you can help shape your cat’s personality by the way you raise your special kitty!

Sources: Catster.com

Royal RUFF-ians!

Now that the royal wedding is officially over, along with the pageantry and fan fare, we can all take off our fancy hats and wrap up the Union Jack cupcakes. But wait! It doesn’t have to stop there! Have you forgotten the most royal member of your family?! For pet owners, it goes without saying that our tail wagging friends are always princes and princesses in our eyes, maybe not of England but certainly of the house! Let’s keep the celebration alive and reward them as such. Though Morris Animal Inn is miles from the U.K, we make it simple to pamper your cats and dogs as though they were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge any day of the week.

Spa Day

Luxury and fun go hand in hand. Drop your prince or princess off at Morris Animal Inn for a day of activity, play, and pampering. Your dog will receive one on one time with their own Activities Counselor and can go for a jaunty stroll on our nature trail or play and cuddle in our indoor play suites. There’s even time for rest and relaxation in their own private suite where they will be provided with a tasty treat at snack time.

Aqua Massage

From all that playing at Morris Animal Inn, your royal highness could sure use a massage to soothe those weary muscles! Acquaint your dog with the world of water for the ultimate spa experience with our Aqua Massage. Your pooch will be suspended in warm water with eight adjustable jets designed to loosen tight joints. How pawsitively relaxing!

The Princess and the Pea
No need to double up on mattresses at Morris Animal Inn. Our Premium Beds are thick and specifically designed to provide maximum comfort and support. Even princesses wouldn’t feel a pea when lounging on this upgrade option.

Fairytale Storytime

Ensure your special ones go to bed with visions of fairy tales dancing in their heads by asking for our Tuck-In Service. A minty dental treat will accompany your pup's bedtime story as they slumber in dreamland.

Kitty Carriage Rides!

We know your cat loves basking in sunlight streaming through the windows so why don’t you allow Fluffy the unique experience of exploring our sunny nature trail from the coolest ride around, the Kitty SUV! An Activities Counselor will push your feline friend around our fenced in yards in the Kitty SUV which is safe and completely enclosed with large viewing windows fit for the royal promenade of a king or a queen!

How do you pamper your cat or dog?