What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 11am 4pm - 7pm Tuesday 8am - 11am 4pm - 7pm Wednesday 8am - 11am 4pm - 7pm Thursday 8am - 11am 4pm - 7pm Friday 8am - 11am 4pm - 7pm Saturday 8am - 11am Sunday 4pm - 7pm

Animal Cottage

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Hayward, WI
Animal Cottage

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Animal Cottage provides pet boarding and lodging, daycare, bathing, and dog training in Hayward, WI.

10/30/2026

How Indoor Cats Can Live Their Best Lives 🐱

Many people think an indoor cat misses out on the excitement of the outdoors, but the truth is that indoor cats can live long, happy, and fulfilling lives with the right enrichment.

Cats are natural hunters, climbers, and explorers. Even inside your home, you can encourage these instincts by providing scratching posts, cat trees, puzzle feeders, and interactive toys. Rotating toys every week helps keep them feeling new and exciting.

Don't forget the view! A sunny window perch gives your cat a front-row seat to watch birds, squirrels, and the world outside. It's like television for cats—and they never get tired of it.

Spending just 10 to 15 minutes a day playing with your cat using a wand toy or laser pointer can provide excellent exercise, reduce boredom, and strengthen the bond you share.

Finally, give your cat places to hide and climb. Cardboard boxes, tunnels, and elevated shelves help them feel safe while satisfying their curiosity.

A happy indoor cat isn't just one that has food and a cozy bed—it's one that gets to play, explore, climb, and use its natural instincts every day.

What does your indoor cat enjoy most? Does it have a favorite toy, window, or hiding spot? Share a picture or tell us in the comments—we'd love to hear about your feline friend!

10/28/2026

Why Does My Dog Sigh So Much?

If you've ever been relaxing on the couch and heard your dog let out a long, dramatic sigh, you may have wondered what's going on in that furry head. Are they bored? Tired? Annoyed with you?

The good news is that most of the time, a dog's sigh is completely normal and often means they're feeling comfortable and content.

A Sign of Relaxation

One of the most common reasons dogs sigh is simply because they're relaxing. After settling into a favorite spot, many dogs will take a deep breath and slowly let it out. This is often their way of releasing tension and getting comfortable, much like a person might do after a long day.

If your dog sighs while lying down with soft eyes and a relaxed body, it's usually a sign that they're feeling safe and at ease.

Sometimes It's Mild Disappointment

Dogs can also sigh when things don't go exactly the way they hoped. Maybe you stopped petting them, put away the ball, or didn't share that bite of your sandwich. Some dogs will dramatically flop down and let out a sigh as if the world has wronged them.

While it's easy to laugh at these moments, they show just how expressive our canine companions can be.

They're Getting Ready for a Nap

Many dogs sigh just before drifting off to sleep. As their bodies relax and their breathing slows, a sigh can be part of the process of settling down. If your dog sighs and then closes their eyes, they're probably headed straight to dreamland.

Dogs Communicate With More Than Barks

Dogs use body language, facial expressions, posture, and even sounds like sighs to communicate. A sigh by itself doesn't always mean one specific thing. The key is to look at the whole picture.

A relaxed dog lying comfortably on a bed is sending a very different message than a restless dog pacing around and sighing repeatedly.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Occasional sighing is perfectly normal. However, if your dog suddenly starts sighing much more than usual and it is accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or signs of pain, it's worth contacting your veterinarian.

Changes in behavior are often more important than the behavior itself.

The Bottom Line

Most of the time, a dog's sigh is simply a sign that they're comfortable, relaxed, or settling in for a nap. Occasionally it may be a little bit of canine drama when they don't get their way. Either way, it's one of the many charming ways our dogs communicate with us.

Does your dog sigh dramatically? Tell us about your pet's funniest "the world is ending" sigh in the comments! 🐾

10/26/2026

🌟 Pet of the Week: Marley! 🌟

Sweet Marley is almost 14 years old, and she’s every bit as lovely as can be. She’s mellow, affectionate, and happiest when she’s cuddled up with us, soaking in some love and spending quiet time together. 💕

It had been a while since we’d seen Marley, and we’ve missed her so much! We were extra happy to have her back and enjoy those precious cuddle moments. We love you, Marley! 🐾❤️

10/22/2026

🐱 The Secret Jobs Cats Think They Have
If you live with a cat, you already know this truth:
Your cat is not unemployed.
They are very busy. You just don’t understand their job description.
Cats quietly assign themselves important roles around the house, and once hired, they take their duties very seriously.
🧑‍💼 Head of Human Supervision
Every cat believes it’s their responsibility to monitor human activity. Cooking? Typing? Folding laundry? Your cat is there to oversee operations, usually while sitting directly on what you’re trying to use.
Mistakes will be judged. Silently. Harshly.
🛒 Grocery Inspector
The moment groceries hit the floor, your cat clocks in. Bags must be sniffed. Items must be investigated. Anything new is suspicious and may require sitting inside the bag for further analysis.
Quality control is very important.
🚪 Door & Hallway Security
Cats are excellent guards of doors they absolutely refuse to go through. Their job is to make sure nothing exciting happens without them—and if it does, they must be alerted immediately.
Sometimes this requires staring intensely at nothing at all.
🪟 Neighborhood Watch
Window duty is a big one. Birds, squirrels, falling leaves—your cat keeps track of everything outside and reports back via chirps, tail flicks, or dramatic body language.
No one asked for this service. You’re getting it anyway.
🛏️ Comfort Manager
When you sit down or lie down, your cat immediately appears. Not because they love you (though they might), but because they’ve determined that your lap is now required for warmth and stability.
Movement is discouraged.
🕵️ Mystery Investigator
Why did that object fall? Why did that sound happen? Why did nothing happen? Cats must investigate all of it, even if it means knocking something else over just to see what happens next.
Science.
🐾 Final Thoughts
Cats may sleep 16 hours a day, but the rest of the time they are clearly on the job. Supervising, guarding, inspecting, judging—your home runs smoothly because your cat believes it does.
And honestly?
They’re probably right.

10/16/2026

🐾✨ ENRICHMENT FUN! ✨🐾

Cowboy and Rupert had the BEST time during their enrichment session! 🥰 These two were all smiles while showing off their favorite stuffed toys and having a little fun together. 🧸🐶

There’s nothing better than seeing happy faces, wagging tails, and a couple pups who are clearly very proud of their toy choices! 💕🐾

Keep smiling, Cowboy & Rupert! 😍

10/14/2026

🍂🐾 It’s officially fall! 🎃🍁

Bonnie is ready for all the cozy fall days, crunchy leaves, cooler weather, and plenty of fun! 🧡 She’s already got her happy face on and is excited to enjoy everything this season has to offer! 🐶🍂

Happy first day of fall from Bonnie & the Animal Cottage team! 🧡🐾

10/12/2026

🌟🐾 Pet of the Week: Growler 🐾🌟

This week’s spotlight goes to the one and only Growler! 💛 Growler is a 1-year-old Yellow Lab who has been coming to Animal Cottage for a little while now, and every time she comes in, she brings so much excitement and happiness with her!

Growler has also participated in a few of our training classes, and we’ve loved getting to watch her learn and grow more confident each visit. She is such a smart girl and always keeps us on our toes with her fun personality and endless energy. Whether she’s zooming around, chasing toys, or trying to convince everyone to play with her, Growler knows how to make every day entertaining here at Animal Cottage. 😂🐶

But underneath all of that excitement, Growler also has the sweetest cuddly side. 💕 After she’s done playing and burning off some energy, she absolutely loves attention, pets, and being close to everyone. She’s the perfect mix of energetic and affectionate, which is one of the many reasons we adore having her here.

It has been so fun getting to know Growler over her visits and seeing her become part of the Animal Cottage family. We’re so thankful for every chance we get to spend time with her, and we already can’t wait to see her again for more fun, cuddles, and zoomies!

Congratulations to our Pet of the Week, Growler! 🎉🐾

10/09/2026

🍂📸 Create Your Own Fall Photo Shoot! 🐾

You don’t need a fancy setup to take an adorable fall picture of your pup! Here’s how:

🍁 Find a bright, colorful leaf and hold it in front of part of your dog’s face for a fun close-up.

🧣 Add a fall-colored scarf or bandana for an extra cozy touch.

🎃 Find a simple autumn background, such as a pile of leaves, colorful trees, pumpkins, or even a plaid blanket.

🦴 Hold a treat or squeaky toy near the camera to get your pup to look your way—then snap away!

Try using portrait mode for that pretty blurred background, and remember to keep everything comfortable and safe for your pup. We’d love to see what you create, so share your fall photos in the comments! 🍂🐶🧡

10/09/2026

Why Do Cats Chatter at Birds?

If you've ever seen your cat sitting in a window watching birds, squirrels, or chipmunks, you've probably heard a strange sound come from them. It's a rapid clicking or chattering noise that almost sounds like they're talking to their prey.

So why do cats do this?

The truth is that nobody knows for certain, but experts have a few interesting theories.

One popular theory is that chattering is an expression of excitement and frustration. Your cat can see the bird and wants to chase it, but the window is preventing them from doing what their instincts are telling them to do. The chattering may be their way of releasing all that pent-up hunting energy.

Another theory is even more fascinating. Some researchers believe the sound may mimic the noises made by small prey animals. Wild cats have been observed making unusual vocalizations while hunting, and some scientists think domestic cats may be tapping into the same instinct.

Whatever the reason, chattering is a sign that your cat's hunting instincts are alive and well. Even the most pampered house cat still has the heart of a predator. Watching birds through a window may seem like entertainment, but for your cat, it's serious business!

The next time you catch your feline friend chattering at a bird outside, take a moment to appreciate the tiny hunter hiding inside that furry package.

🐱 Does your cat chatter at birds, squirrels, or something else? Tell us about it in the comments!

10/07/2026

🎃🍂 October is here, bringing crisp fall air, colorful leaves, pumpkins, and all the spooky fun that comes with the season! 👻🍁

Our October newsletter is here, and we’re celebrating all things fall while helping you prepare your furry family members for a safe and happy Halloween!

🐾 Inside this month’s newsletter, you’ll find Halloween safety tips, spooky treat recipes, a festive craft, fun facts about dogs and cats, and more!

💦 Plus, get ready to meet Booya, our water-loving Springer superstar! From his gentle nature to his playful personality and hilarious head-first approach to the water bucket, this pup is sure to make you smile!

As Halloween approaches, we hope you and your furry friends enjoy all the cozy, colorful, and spooky moments October has to offer! 🎃🐶🐱

Stay spooky, stay safe, and keep those tails wagging! 🧡

— The Animal Cottage Pack 🐾

Address

16403 Timber Lawn Road
Hayward, WI
54843

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 11am
	4pm - 7pm
Tuesday	8am - 11am
	4pm - 7pm
Wednesday	8am - 11am
	4pm - 7pm
Thursday	8am - 11am
	4pm - 7pm
Friday	8am - 11am
	4pm - 7pm
Saturday	8am - 11am
Sunday	4pm - 7pm

Telephone

+17156348712

Website

https://www.animalcottage.com/

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