Chicago Urban Pets

07/28/2025

Hey there 👋 I’m Stephanie! Former pet care pro, now sharing city pet care tips through my blog.

Tell me if this sounds like you…

🌆 City living + fur-babies = your whole vibe
🫶 You’re all about giving them the good life
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Mom life is part of your daily chaos
😛 You love mixing things up and trying new stuff
🥱 Some days, life just feels… a lot
📖 You wouldn’t mind a little “cheat sheet” to make life easier

If you’re nodding along, you’re in the right place 💕

07/25/2025

🚨🚨Deal Alert on Amazon!🚨🚨

This Petcam is currently 50% off! That is an amazing deal, you can get a $60 pet cam for as little as $30

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I had to share.

ps.I may earn a small commission from Amazon if you buy through this link. It helps keep my coffee warm and this blog running ☕🐾

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07/22/2025

We often talk about dogs’ personalities in terms of their breed, but every dog parent knows that even within a breed, each pup has its own soul, quirks, and needs.

Roxy, true to his Yorkie roots, has never been shy about letting us know exactly what he likes.

Over the past year that he’s been with us, Roxy has brought so much joy into our home. He’s been a comforting presence for my son, who struggled with his mental health. He’s become a sweet companion to my elderly mother-in-law, who moved in after my father-in-law passed away in January. He even helps my husband get up from his desk more often than not.

And me?

I’m the lucky one Roxy follows around all day; he fills my animal loving soul after making the difficult decision to close my dog walking business.

Dogs (and cats, birds, all animals….) bring so much love into people’s lives, and they deserve the world. That’s why I make it a priority to create intentional moments around the things he truly loves.

Here are three of his favorites:

1. Breakfast playtime
Every morning, Roxy waits eagerly for me to throw his breakfast kibble so he can chase it down. It becomes a whole game involving food fetch, running around, and tug-of-war with whatever squeaky toy has his attention that day.

2. Bean bag lounging
Roxy always wants to be near me, so if I know I’ll be sitting down to rest, watch something, or work on my laptop, I’ll sit on the bean bag so he can curl up beside me. It’s one of his favorite spots to relax.

3. Chewing in connection mode
One of Roxy’s top activities is chewing on his stuffies or bones. His absolute favorite version of this is when I hold the toy for him while he chews. If I’m also watching him while he does it, it’s the ultimate bonding time for him. It’s like we’re perfectly in tune.

There are more, but those are the top three.

What special things does your dog absolutely love that you do for them? I’d love to hear—share in the comments below!

07/15/2025

🐶 When we brought our pup Roxy home, we weren’t even sure if we’d need a crate.

But pretty quickly, we realized we needed some kind of containment to help with food routines, potty training, and giving him a sense of structure.

Eventually, we added a playpen for longer stretches—but even then, I constantly worried:
How long is too long to leave him in there?
What’s fair? What’s normal?

As a dog walker, I’ve seen a lot of dogs crated for most of the day... but it hits different when it’s your dog—and you’re the one making the call.

Sure, there are general potty guidelines based on age—but in real life, there’s no perfect formula. Even now, with Roxy over a year old, he still does better with more frequent outings than the “standard” chart suggests.

That’s why I put together a quick-reference Crate Time Cheat Sheet. It’s not a one-size-fits-all rulebook—but it is a great resource if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering:
“What are other people doing?”

👇 Grab your free printable here:
https://deft-originator-9333.kit.com/2e69a0197c

Because you do know your dog best—but it’s always helpful to have a little backup when you’re figuring it all out 💛

You love your pup like family (because they are family). But when you have to leave for work, the guilt hits hard. “Is this too long?” “Will he be okay?” “Am I doing this right?”

07/11/2025

🐱 Feeling like your cat deserves more enrichment?

I made a Cat Enrichment Bingo that’s free, printable, and full of fun ideas using mostly things you already have at home.

👉 https://chicagourbanpets.com/what-is-cat-enrichment-bingo/

Tag a fellow cat lover or share with your pet group!

07/06/2025

🧸🐾 “Does My Puppy Hate Me?” — Or Are They Just… Tired? Overwhelmed? Teething? ALL OF THE ABOVE?!

You brought home your new puppy expecting cuddles, kisses, and a soul connection.
Instead? You got side-eyes, ignored treats, and a tiny ball of fluff who walks away when you try to love them. 🫠

Before you start emotionally spiraling into your throw blanket, this one’s for you:
👉 Why your puppy’s weird behavior doesn’t mean they hate you (and what to do instead).
👉 How to build trust, connection, and affection—even if your puppy seems emotionally unavailable.
👉 What’s totally normal (like naps over snuggles) and what might be a red flag.

Read it here:
🐶 💬 https://chicagourbanpets.com/does-my-puppy-hate-me/

Tag a dog mom who needs this today. ❤️

Wondering does my puppy hate me after yet another side-eye and snubbed cuddle? From misunderstood body language to teething tantrums, here’s why your pup might seem distant.

07/04/2025

🐶 Looking for new treat ideas your pup will actually love?

I just put together 18 easy lick mat recipes for dogs—from calming bedtime blends to frozen favorites using real food you already have. 🫐🥕🍗

📖 Or check out the full blog post → https://chicagourbanpets.com/18-easy-lick-mat-fillers-recipes-your-dog-will-love/
📩 Want to save them for later? Grab the free printable in the blogpost!

These lick mat recipes for dogs are easy, calming, and made with simple, dog-safe ingredients your pup will love.

06/28/2025

🐶✨ Dog moms and dads, this one’s for you!

If your pup eats too fast, gets bored easily, or just needs a calming activity to wind down... it’s time to meet the DIY dog lick mat 👅

I rounded up super simple ideas using things you already have at home—like silicone pot holders, baby suction plates, and even Tupperware lids. No need to spend $$$ for enrichment your dog will love 💛

👉 Grab the full list of lick mat hacks + pro tips here: https://chicagourbanpets.com/ideas-for-how-to-make-your-own-diy-dog-lick-mat/
🐾 Bonus: They’re perfect for apartment living and first-time dog owners, too!

Discover how to make a DIY dog lick mat using simple household items! Easy, budget-friendly enrichment ideas your pup will love.

06/20/2025

🤧🐾 Is your dog suddenly coughing or sneezing more than usual?
Before you panic, here are a few possible reasons — some are harmless, others may need a vet visit:

• 🦠 Kennel cough – contagious but treatable
• 😮‍💨 Reverse sneezing – weird, but often harmless
• 🤧 Upper respiratory infection – like a cold for dogs
• 🌼 Allergies – pollen, dust, or even perfumes
• 🦴 Something stuck in their throat – especially in curious chewers

✨ Whether you're worried or just curious, this blog post has you covered.
📖 Read now: https://chicagourbanpets.com/why-your-dog-is-coughing-and-sneezing-a-guide-for-dog-moms/

Wondering why your dog is coughing and sneezing? Learn the most common causes, from kennel cough to reverse sneezing.

06/19/2025

😱 Dog scarfed down a Zyrtec pill? Read this before you panic.

One second you're opening your allergy meds, the next your pup's doing their best vacuum impersonation. Whether you’ve got a tiny Chihuahua or a 100-lb lab, here’s what you need to know about Zyrtec (and the big red flag that is Zyrtec-D 🚫).

From dosage breakdowns to what symptoms to watch for—we've got you covered.

🐾 Stay calm. Stay informed. Read now: 👉 https://chicagourbanpets.com/my-dog-ate-a-zyrtec-pill-off-the-floor-is-it-safe/

Dog ate Zyrtec pill? Don’t panic. Learn what to do, signs to watch for, and how your dog’s size affects safety—plus when to call the vet.

06/17/2025

📣 Is Shedding Making Your Dog Itchy… or Is It Something Else?

You vacuum daily. You brush. You bathe.
And still, your dog is scratching like they’re auditioning for a flea circus. 😩

Sure, shedding can cause mild itching. But constant scratching, red patches, or fur loss? That’s not normal—and it might point to allergies, dry skin, or even hidden parasites. 🕵️‍♀️

✅ Learn how to spot the difference between harmless shedding and something more serious
✅ Discover the best home remedies that actually work (hint: omega-3s are your new best friend)
✅ Know when it’s time to call in the vet—or the groomer

✨ Your dog deserves relief. Your couch deserves less fur.
📌 Read now: https://chicagourbanpets.com/does-shedding-make-my-dog-itchy/

Does shedding make my dog itchy—or is something else to blame? Learn how to spot the difference and help your pup ditch the scratch.