Summer pet products!

Finally, it feels like Summer is here to stay. In my opinion, right now is the best time of year in Wisconsin. Warm but not hot, pleasantly sunny, and everything is coming to life. Best of all, there are no bugs…YET. Sooner or later this summer, the dreaded mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and a host of other unwanted pests will make their appearance. But even battling the bugs, heat, and sun, we can still enjoy the outstanding outdoor recreation Wisconsin has to offer. So what are we waiting for? Well, maybe we’re waiting until were all prepared for the season. While you are preparing, it’s a good idea to think about your pets, mainly dogs, who will inevitably be running about. So dogs, this article is for you! Below, you’ll find some great products to pack for your next outdoor adventure with your best friend!

Bug Repellent  Most pets nowadays are on medications to kill fleas, ticks, and other parasites. However, most do not repel insects, which comes as a surprise to many owners.  Furthermore, a lot of owners (like myself) don’t feel comfortable administering such strong chemicals to our pets. That’s where preventative care comes in. Some owners may try to use regular bug repellent on their pets, but that’s not a good idea. Most bug sprays contain harmful chemicals, and if ingested could be fatal. The formulas are also designed for human skin and may not perform as well on pet hair. That’s where a natural pet-based bug repellent is the ideal solution. I spent quite a while searching online for a good one myself, and the best I've came across is Only Natural® Pet Herbal Defense Insect spray. Herbal Defense is DEET and chemical free, thanks to a special blend of essential oils providing its repellent properties.  Natural and gentle, it can be used on puppies and kittens otherwise too young for other repellents  This product repels a host of insects, not limited to but including fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies. You can even use it on yourself! 8 oz $9.99

Pet Sunscreen: Dogs need sunscreen? Surprisingly yes. Dogs (especially those with fair skin) can get sunburned on sensitive areas. Common areas are the muzzle, and for sunbathing dogs the tummy and thighs. I never would have believed it before our dog K9, who just last summer experienced minor sunburns on his belly and nose. Cats are less prone to sunburn (even though most spend plenty of time sunbathing) but some still do get it. You may just consider putting a little sunscreen on your pet while applying it to yourself…also like the bug repellent, not a good idea. Surprisingly, human sunscreens contain many chemicals that are not only harmful to pet’s skin, but if licked off and ingested life threatening. The safer, simpler, and easier method is to purchase sunscreen specifically formulated for pets. One of those products is Pet Sunscreen by Doggles®. Silicon-free, and in a handy spray bottle for easy application, it will make applying sunscreen to your pet a breeze. Sunscreen can also prevent bleaching in dark haired pets. There are some more inexpensive brands out there, but this one specifically is said to apply easier, and stay on longer. 2 oz bottle, $11.99

Water dispenser: This product is essential for any out and active dog. Dogs, as we all know, drink plenty of water. They need it to stay cool and hydrated. Without an ample supply, dehydration and heatstroke can occur. If you are out on a hike and your dog doesn't have access to clean fresh water, he’ll find his own. Usually, that water is the opposite of what we want him to drink: stale, stagnant, and full of micro-organisms that could make him ill. Having fresh water with you is obviously a must, but figuring out where to store, how to transport, and dispense the water to your dog can be tricky. The Gulpy® water dispenser solves all these problems – it’s a container to store water, attaches to your belt or in a bottle holder to transport, and has a flip out bowl to dispense. How could it get more convenient? 4 colors 20 oz $8.99

Hope these products are helpful for your summer activities, and inspire you to get out and enjoy this great weather. See you next month!

Great products to help keep your pet cool in summer!

It's a late Summer this year! At least here in North Eastern Wisconsin, the weather has been very pleasant, minimal bugs, and clear skies. Here we really don't have much to complain about. Many of you however, are probably trying your best to stay cool. Temperatures, especially in southern Wisconsin have been quite high. Dogs who are usually active, are the ones suffering the most. Dogs lack efficent ways of cooling down. Since they don't sweat (except from their pads) their only way of realeasing body heat is panting. It works, but takes energy that was originally used for activity -- just to stay cool. Dogs deemed as "lazy" in Summer usually aren't, just reserving their energy to not overheat. Helping your dog stay cool during the hot days will keep him healthier, more energetic, and in better spirits. While pondering that, take a look at some products to help your dog beat the Summer heat!

RuffWear Swamp Cooler: Let's start by keeping your dog cool wherever he is and whatever he's doing. Although jackets are usually thought of as a way to warm up, the Swamp Cooler is a jacket that actually cools down. Swamp Cooler works via evaporative cooling (transition of liquid water to water vapor) and heat reflection to provide a hassle free method of cooling your dog off - just put the coat on him, and your done! Swamp Cooler features a 3 layer active fit construction, easy visibility reflective trim, and side buckles for easy on/off. Guaranteed to be a winner with you and your dog. RuffWear SwampCooler is available in 6 Sizes and 1 color (Graphite Gray). $54.95

Hugs Hydro Ball: Why not also incorporate cooling off into playtime? The Hugs Hydro Ball does just that. Hydro Ball is a hollow rubber ball with a foam core. The specially desighned rubber exterior has holes on it, all around the ball. Just soak the ball for a few seconds and the foam interior draws and holds the water. You're ready to play! After soaking Hydro Ball, it squirts water when bit or squeezed, making it especially fun for playful dogs. Its' strength and durability make it a great fetch toy, and it can even be frozen to slowly release water as it thaws and your dog chews. Although simple, this toy has won awards for its great design. Hugs Hydro Ball is available in 1 size (2") and 1 color (blue). $8.99

K&H Cool Bed III: Now that your dog is tired from a long day of playing, it's only fair that he should have a cool comfortable place to lay down. The Cool Bed is ideal. Cool Bed is an attractive, functional, tough dog bed with a twist: it also cools down your dog. Simply fill with the reccomended amount of water and adjust comfort level with the air valve. Cool Bed will do the rest diverting the liquid throughout the pad via its unique inner core, cooling the pad without any electricity. Very tough, tear resistant nylon/vinyl covers the bed  ensuring a comfortable and dry place for your dog to rest. Available in 3 sizes (small, medium, large) 2 colors (blue, gray) and a 2 year warranty. $24.95 and up.

There are also many quick ways you can keep your dog cool, like wetting his face with water, freezing treats for him, or trimming his coat for summer to just to name a few. Whatever methods you use, or products you buy, ALWAYS be sure your dog has plenty of fresh water to drink. Staying hydrated is vital to a dogs health and shouldn't be compromised. Large dogs on a hot day can easily drink more than you can fit in an average bowl. Consider getting a automatic dog fountain if you'll be away for a period of time, or if you are not able to check him often. That way, he'll always have plenty of fresh water to drink. Whatever you do this Summer, stay safe and have fun! Until next month!

Products to help clean pet messes.

Technically, Spring is already here. There may still be snow on the ground for some  of you, but for the most of us it's starting to feel like Spring. The sun is shining, plants are starting to grow, and a lot of us are doing our Spring cleaning. It's a lot of work, so once it's clean we strive to keep it that way! However, as we all know pets make messes. Whether their fault or not, cleaning after pets is always a chore. Thats why for this month I have decided to review some products that help make it easier to clean (or even prevent) messes. Enjoy!

 CritterZone® Air Purifier: CritterZone® is an amazing air purifier in a very small package. No filters, no chemicals, just plug in and you're done...but how does it work? CritterZone ®works via two ways:  Bi-Polar Ionization (charging ions), and Plasma conversion (converting moisture to natural cleaning agents). Sounds a little too high-tech and good to be true? Well it isn't. CritterZone® has been proven to work and gets great reviews. Its a little complicated to explain how it accomplishes this in detail, so I encourage you to head on over to their website and take a look yourself: www.critterzoneusa.com. Even though the price may seem a little steep, it easily pays for itself since you don't have to buy replacement filters or chemicals. It's also useful for more than just pet problems. It's superior ability to purify the air makes it ideal for all odors, allergens, or airborne germs. Ideal for individuals with allergies! Its compact size and mobility allows it to be used anywhere, anytime. Costing less than a penny a day to run, it's it affordable to use 24/7. CritterZone® is available as a direct plugin, or a 10 foot cord. Just plug in and begin enjoying cleaner air. Purifies an area up to 800 square feet. $89.95

Natures Miracle® Stain and Odor Remover: This is the #1 pet stain and odor remover. Guaranteed to permanently eliminate ALL pet stains and odors from accidents. Natures Miracle® works by utilizing the same thing nature uses to breaks down debris - enzymes. Non-scented it doesn't cover odors, it eliminates them permanently or your money back. Because it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals, it's safe on all water-safe surfaces.It's the last accident cleaner you'll EVER need. Available in 16oz and up to 192oz containers. $5.99 and up.

FURminator®:  Most pets shed. Whether in the case of some very little, or others a lot, it is a nuisance. Not only are most people allergic to pet hair (to some degree), but the problem can also be unsightly. That's where the FURminator® comes in. FURminator® is not an ordinary de-shedding comb. FURminator® works not by pulling out live hair, but by removing the dead undercoat. This makes your pet fluffier, softer, and importantly reduces shedding by up to 90%.  It even helps stop your cat from getting hairballs. Cats ingest up to 2/3rds of their own hair while grooming themselves. With 90% of that dead hair gone, they ingest almost nothing, eliminating hairballs. Those are just statistics though, does it really work? Well I'm glad to say it does. I have owned and used a FURminator® for a few years now. Not only has it withstood many hours of brushing, but it removes an insane amount of hair. You really have to see it to believe it. Since it removes so much dead hair, it also reduces the amount of allergens that get in the air. Many people have been thrilled to find their pet related allergy gone after using FURminator®. Considering all that, I think it's easily worth its moderate price tag. Available in Dog, Cat, Small animal, equine,  and different sizes for each. Price varies on model.

Thats all for this month. Once again, if you have a product you personally can't say enough good things about, please email me...I just might review it. Thanks for reading and have a Happy Easter!

Mental stimulants to keep your pet smart!

It's important to keep your pet active, not just physically but mentally. Mental exercise can be as simple as teaching him a new trick, or hiding his favorite toy to find. There are many advantages to mental exercise, just one being your pet becomes smarter. You'll gradually see him take on new challenges, and tackle old ones much quicker. It's a lot of fun watching your pet learn and you'll probably learn more about him too. On that note, following are some intriguing products designed to mentally stimulate your pet:

DOGS - Canine Genius® "Leo": This is probably the best smart-toy for dogs. Canine Genius® "Leo" is constructed of dense rubber, making it practically indestructible. It is shaped much like a bowling pin, with "X" holes on its sides, top and bottom for loading with treats, capturing your dogs attention. What makes the design ingenious is the ability to connect one to another, creating endless possibilities. Also works great as a bouncing, fetching, tugging, and challenging toy. Sure to keep your dog occupied (and thinking) for hours on end. Available in two sizes, and a variety of colors. $9.99-$15.99 each.

CATS - FroliCat®* POUNCE:™ This is a high tech toy for your cat! POUNCE™ is a circular rotating cat toy. It interests your cat through engaging his natural instinct to hunt. Around the edge of POUNCE™, is a circular track, in which an artificial mouse runs. Combine that with places for the mouse to hide, unpredictable movements, and 5 speeds - it's sure to be fun. $39.99 .

*Added note: Be sure to check out FroliCats whole line of high tech toys for your cat. They're creating some modern and unique products.

BIRDS - Foraging for food is a natural instinct that must be satisfied for pet birds to remain happy. A device to encourage foraging can eliminate boredom and associated negative behaviors. One such device I found was Mastermind™ by Creative Foraging Systems®. Mastermind™ is a hard plastic device, with moveable containers located on the outer track. Your bird must slide the containers to the top of the shape, to release the treats. Claimed to be intermediate difficulty, it will keep your bird occupied for hours, learning how to release the treats. Circle or heart shaped. $19.99-$29.99.

Pets who are stimulated mentally  become smarter, and of course happier. Much of what we consider bad behavior from a pet, is really their way of battling boredom. Toys which keep them occupied will eliminate boredom, and with that the bad behaviors. Consider getting these type of toys for your pet. Hopefully next month you'll be reading this with a smarter pet by your side. Until then!

Traveling with your pets!

Statistics show that up to 84% of Americans take their pets with them in the car, and over 50% take them with to do their holiday shopping, visiting, and get togethers. Much of that 50% involves a lot of time spent in the car, between driving and long waits during their owners activities. Even so, most pets enjoy car rides, so why not bring them along? Well, there can be a few reasons, but let's hope these following products solve  them, so your pet can still be along for the ride.

Prestige Pet® Road Refresher: Smart, but simple product. Road Refresher does just what its named for, refreshing your pets thirst on the road. Road Refresher is a 3 piece product, consisting of base, inner section and lid. All you have to do is remove the anti-splash lid, lift out the floating inner cover, and fill. Replace the lid and cover, and the Road Refreshers design prevents any water from spilling out, no matter how bumpy the ride! Velcro attached to the bowls bottom latches onto your cars carpeted floor, keeping the bowl secure throughout the drive. Road Refresher is available locally, and on many sites online. However, this product's design has been used by many other companies under different names, so wherever you look, you should be able to find it. $9.99

Calming aids: Most dogs and cats get either nervous or excited in the car, but in the case of going to new places, it can be both emotions. When you arrive at your destination, this can continue, turning your pet into a nuisance. Pet calming aids work very well in these situations. Calming aids come in many varieties, including but not limited to: pills, natural treats, sprays, collars, and prescriptions-depending on your dog and the level at which he is stressed, each can work equally well. Do some research and consider talking to your vet about which is best for your pet. These not only keep your pet manageable, but keep him happier.

Restraints: When going on long car rides, or waits while you're shopping, you probably don't want your pet scampering around the car. Not only can it be annoying, but dangerous, taking your eyes off the road. Consider purchasing a type of restraint for your pet when you travel. This can range from something as simple as a crate, to something as silly sounding as a dog seat belt. Although both work well, they really do restrain your pet. For some dogs this may be okay, but others might not tolerate it. Considering that, one product design caught my eye. Its essentially a doggy gate that fits in your car, separating the seats from the cargo area. This keeps your dog free to move around,but limited in his space. This prevents him from damaging your delicate seats, drinking your water (ew!), or any other destructive behavior he can get into. With the diverse amount of companies making them, you can find one to fit almost any car at a reasonable price.

Seat Covers: These are great for a family with an on the go pet. Pet seat covers are made to fit almost any car, in a variety of colors, sizes, materials and fashions. They don't just keep pet hair off your seat, but they protect from sharp nails, and make accidents easy to clean. Covers are also very useful for trips to the beach, hiking, ect. as you don't have to worry about dirty dog prints staining your seats. Must have for the active family!

First Aid kits: A lot of people keep first aid kits in their cars for emergencies...but what about your pets? Its very common for a active dog to injure himself in one way or another when he's on the go. Older pets are more at risk of needing emergency care. Pet first aid kits are easily available, but it's a good idea to just make your own, incorporating your pets specific needs into it as you build it.
Especially in  hot or freezing weather when in-car temperatures can exceed exceptions. It's a good idea to periodically check your pets and let them out for a breather if you'll be gone a while. A great way to fight boredom in the car is to bring your pets favorite toys, bones, and chews so he can occupy himself when you're gone. That also diminishes the chances of destructive behavior. Speaking of "destructive behavior" I better go check MY dog. Hope that you and your pets travel well this holiday season and throughout the New Year! See you 2013!

Keeping pets warm in winter.

Happy New Year!

 So far we've been pretty lucky. Even late into December, especially by the lake-shore, we have seen almost no snow, a fact for which the majority of us are happy. The temperature has also been very good to us, something that our dogs seem to take for granted. Little do they know the inevitable will happen soon enough--winter as we know it will arrive. You probably already prepared yourself for winter, getting out the coats, gloves, jackets, and hats that we Wisconsinites ALL need. But have you prepared your pet?

For indoor pets, it's pretty simple. Make sure they have extra bedding, a nice place to warm up, and a little extra food (they'll need more calories to stay warm). A really cool product I wrote about last month, was the Pet-ZZZ-pad, a warming pad for dog beds. What makes it special is that it automatically turns on when your pet gets on it or off when he leaves. It's reasonably priced and available online at www.petzzzpad.com If you have an active dog, winter apparel for canines is actually very useful, no matter how comical it may seem. Apparel keeps your dog warm, dry, and outside longer. Our little  Jack Russell Terrier ,"K9",would hardly go out when the snow hit. However, he now dons a little snow coat (See picture)by Casual Canine®. They make VERY quality apparel at outstanding prices. K9 stays outside much longer before he gets cold, and of course is happier on his walks. Think about getting your dog winter wear.

For outdoor dogs or cats, winter can be much harsher. Monitor your pet, if the temperatures are low and he looks uncomfortable, think about bringing him inside. If that's not an option, a sturdy structure  with protection from the wind, rain, and snow, will keep him comfortable on the cold days. Be sure to provide extra bedding and even think of insulating his "house" with a little hay or straw. Most  pet stores sell heaters for dog houses. Be sure to buy one specifically designed for that purpose, any others could pose risk of fire, or burn you pet. For a very safe way to keep him warm: K&H Microwaveable Pet Bed warmer. The 9x9 inch pad heats up in the microwave in just a few minutes, yet the warmth lasts up to 12 hours. Great for those chilly nights. Be sure to provide your pet with his extra calories and especially fresh water. Don't think that the snow or ice is enough. 1 cup of snow is less than 1/3 cup of water.  Not surprisingly, many dogs go dehydrated this time of year. If the water in his bowl tends to freeze,  an electric bowl heater will prevent that.

Mushers Secret®:  Correctly hailed as the "The Invisible Boot." Mushers Secret® is a non-toxic, non-staining, and non-allergenic wax based protectant. It not only protects and heals your pets paws from the cold, heat, or salty roads, but also provides soothing relief for cracked, itching, or sore paws. Mushers Secret® can also be used on your pet's dry elbows, or anywhere else that needs relief. Just apply a thin layer, which dries in seconds, and you're ready to go. $15.99 for a 60 gram container.

Safe Paw®: What happens when your dog walks on the salty pavement?  We learned the hard way last winter. Our dog  did just that, and his pads ended up red, raw, sore, and even bleeding. We now try to keep him off the salt as much as possible, but there's still the risk of him ingesting the salt, which of course is not good. Safe Paw® solves that -- it is a non salt based ice melting alternative which is non toxic, environmentally friendly and pet/kid safe. Safe Paw® melts the ice with 2-way time release pellets, melting faster, attracting sunlight, and keeping ice from forming for as long as 3 days. It won't harm any surfaces, plants, trees, or shrubs. Price wise you can't go wrong, it's cheaper than conventional salts. Widely available in pet, grocery, and hardware stores.
 When you take your dog for a walk this winter, be careful. There's plenty of ice this time of year, you wouldn't want to get hurt! Those ice treads you can put onto your shoes can be lifesavers, I would recommend wearing them every time you go for a walk. That's all for this month! Once again hope you had a Happy New Year, and I'll see you February.

Great gifts for pet owners!

With the holiday season coming at us rather fast, my plan for this month was to find some thoughtful, neat, and inexpensive gifts for the pet owners in your life.  Let's face it, finding gifts for people is hard, and finding a pet related gift can be even tougher. You could always go with something simple, say a stuffed toy for dogs, or a scratching post for cats. If however you want your gift to be something that they probably don't have, a unique gift is in order. Consider the following list when your doing your holiday shopping:

Pet-ZZZ-pad®: This a great product for any pet. You've undoubtedly witnessed your pet lounging in the sun, they love the warmth. On cold days  however, their proximity to the floor makes it colder for them, and for small (or short-haired) dogs its even colder. Pet-ZZZ-pad® is a water resistant (easily wipe-able) pet heating pad. Its shaped in a circle for ease of placement, and has a steel cased cord for chew protection. All of that is great, but for me this makes it: Pet-ZZZ-pad® is pressure sensitive, automatically turning on when your pet gets on it, and automatically turning off when he leaves. No worrying about your pet getting cold when your at work or leaving a heater on the whole time. Pet-ZZZ-pad® comes with machine washable fleece cover. Available in Small (12") and Large (16") $19.99 and $29.99 respectively.

The Sharper Image®  pet pedometer: Monitoring your pet's calorie intake versus calories burned is tough. This product easily solves this problem. Easy 1 touch LCD screen operation, slim, lightweight, and quickly connects to your pets collar for no hassle use. Pet pedometer tracks steps, distance, and more importantly calories. This is also a great product for overweight pets, watching it you can keep their exercises consistent. Available in black and silver, runs off watch battery (included) and comes with 1 year warranty. $19.99

Vets Best® Dry Clean waterless cat bath: Everybody know most cats hate water. So most cats don't get baths, and end up smelling rather unpleasant. Solution? Vets Best® cleans, deodorizes, detangles and protects, withOUT water. Just massage foam onto fur, let dry, then brush out to clean and remove tangles in a few minutes. Plus, it will leave your cat smelling fresh. $7.99 for a 4oz bottle.

Zero Odor® Pet Odor and Stain remover: I normally wouldn't review such a simple product, but as it received such outstanding reviews, I figured I had to. Zero Odor® eliminates pet odors not by concealing it in fragrances (in fact, its odorless) but by bonding with odor molecules and permanently dissolving them. Wherever its sold, it receives 5 stars. $19.99 16oz spray bottle.

Another great gift to give dog owners is a training book. Not just simple training, but fun tricks, commands, and obedience. Not only is it stimulation and fun for the dog, but its great bonding time with the owner. One book I would recommend would be "101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance " its loaded with full color pictures, easy to understand instructions, helpful commands, and tricks are grouped in level of difficulty. Great book for any level of training. $15.99

For the hard to shop for pet owner, a simple gift card to their favorite local or online pet store is sure to bring a smile to their face. But what about the owner who has everything? A thoughtful idea is to donate some money to a local or favorite pet related charity, in their, or their pets name. You, and they, know the money will do some serious good. Now with all this shopping for others, don't forget your own pet! He probably could use some cheering up. Wow, next month it will be December, then pretty soon New Years...2012 went by fast! Until then!