I received a pet bed in the bumper style from Pet Dreams and I have to say I LOVE it! In the past, I have bought my miniature schnauzer, Mr. Bennett cheap doughnut dog beds for about $15. We have needed to replace them regularly  since they get smelly and then when I wash them they get very lumpy. Not so with this bed, though! The Pet Dreams bed is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and is very soft. It is 100% washable and dryable and will NOT get lumpy thanks to the clever way they have made each bumper removable. If you have a dog that likes to sleep in a little ball, the bumper-style beds will best suit him. But if you have a dog that is a leaner or a lounger, you can purchase a bumper bed from Pet Dreams and remove  one or two of the bumpers to create a corner-style bed. Furthermore, the middle cushion is removable if your dog likes to drag his bed to where you are. You could use this bumper bed in a crate or in any room. The size medium is very adequate for my 25 pound pupster. The bed is $60, which seems a steep price to pay, but I have purchased at least 4 doughnut beds for Bennett at $15 each. For this green option, I think it’s worth it!

Pet Dreams has many different colors to choose from as well as other bedding options including memory-foam beds, bed covers, toys, crates, and cratecovers. Check them out here!

When I placed the new bed next to Bennett’s old doughnut-lumpy bed, he immediately lay down in the Pet Dreams bed and didn’t move all night. It’s a winner.  Four paws out of four!

 

The folks over at MuttMops sent me one of their toys to review and I love it! I was skeptical about it’s claim to be tough, but it has held up perfectly over the last few days in spite of my two dogs tugging, fetching, and tossing the thing. It’s soft on their mouth, and has a rubber ring in the middle to which the pieces of fleece area attached.  Furthermore it’s machine washable! For only $12–get two! It’s one of the best dog toys I’ve reviewed that I believe would hold up to vigorous chewers. Quite impressed… four paws! Check them out: muttmops.com

 

5/12 UPDATE: we have now been playing vigorously with the Mutt Mop for several months and it has shown NO signs of wear. It is one of Mr. Bennett’s favorite toys by far. Love, love, love.

Click here to watch a video of the Mutt Mop in action!

I was recently given a few samples of Earthbath’s products from my local natural pet food store (Tails on Taylor). I was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the Green Tea Leaf Grooming Wipes! I had given my dogs their monthly doseage of flea repellent which makes the whole house smell like deet. After letting it soak into their skin I have two options: 1) deal with the lingering scent 2) give them a full-out bath. I was planning on taking them to the beach today, so neither option was appealing! Then I remembered these wipes. I used one on each dog and it really and truly deodorized them!

Ingredient list from their website:

INGREDIENTS

Purified Water, Polysorbate 20 (a natural derivative of sorbitol), Green Tea Leaf Extract, Hawaiian Awapuhi Extract, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Benzoic Acid (a natural preservative).

NON-INGREDIENTS

Anything that would harm you, your pet, or the planet. This product contains no: parabens, phosphates, pthalates, DEA, synthetic dyes or perfumes. Any residue left behind is completely safe and will not harm your pet.

You can get a pack of 100 wipes on Amazon for $8.95–not to shabby if I do say so myself. Can be used on dogs, puppies, cats and kittens! If your pet tends to run thru mud, have dirty paws after every walk, smells like wet dog, needs their bottom wiped regularly, or if you’re like me and hate the lingering scent of deet, check these out! Note: grooming wipes are not a substitute for baths–eventually your pet will need the whole sha-bang.

Four paws!

If you have cloth back seats, you know the frustration of dirt that accumulates due to your dog’s dander, muddy paws, and hair—lots of hair. Vacumming your car can only be done so often. God help the woman who you carpool with who wears black; she is destined to leave the car covered in annoying fur. But worry no longer! The Solvit Deluxe Bench Seat Cover is a major winner! Made from heavy-duty twill and a waterproof backing, this cover stays put as your pups jump in and out. It adjusts to any size back seat in most cars with ease. It clips in, making it quickly removable to accommodate guests in your vehicle. The color is neutral which is very helpful for most interior colors. If you have a dog that gets car sick on every ride (I have one such pup myself, as does my good friend), the Solvit car seat cover removes the necessary layering of multiple blankets and towels to prevent vomit from leaking onto the seat–the waterproof backing and machine wash-ability makes this possible! This cover is not well-suited for leather seats since it doesn’t have a grippy backing. But for cloth seats, you could not spend a better $40, making this the bestselling seat cover on Amazon.com.

Four paws!

If you have a dog with long ears, a beard, or just a sloppy swallower, this no-spill bowl might be a dream come true! No more keeping towels by the water bowl just to stop the trail of dribble. No more stepping in wet slobber puddles! This No-Spill Bowl is only $10 and works like a charm. Great for car, truck, or RV use! Comes in beige or light blue. Love it!
Four paws!

I am one of those girls that doesn’t enjoy dressing up my dogs. But winters in Chicago force my hand. When I go to a local pet store, I can’t find a dog coat that actually keeps the pups warm! The coats I find are thin and flimsy. However the Tough-1 Polar Dog Blanket is a winner! This baby comes in 10 colors and 6 sizes. Made like a horse blanket, this coat allow movement in the shoulder area with the gussets. It buckels in the front, and has straps under the belly. Wateproof, yet breathable, the fabric is made to keep your pup warm! $13-$25.

Four paws!

Most dog owners agree that regular tennis balls are not safe for tyour dog. They break easily, can be swallowed in large chunks, and usually once the dog cracks the ball, they have nothing more to do with it, making tennis balls not last very long if your dog is a chewer. So what’s the best alternative to tennis balls? Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff tennis balls! They float, they whistle when you throw them, and although they aren’t “indestructible”, they hold up to chewing MUCH better than normal tennis balls. They do come with a price tag, but most people feel that it is worth the extra money. The bright color (pink or yellow) are easily seen in low light situations and in tall grass. They do eventually fall apart which is why I give them four out of five stars.

But I still think this product is a winner!

One of the most depressing things about winter all over the midwest United States is that it gets dark early…very early. By 4pm night is falling and by 5pm it’s completely dark. Those afternoon dog walks suddenly take on a new twist–walking your pups in the dark. By purchasing a reflective dog vest you are more visible, better protected from drivers, and less desirable to those who would wish to harm you. The Vizvest reflective vest is also ideal for hunting and keeping your dog visible in the woods. Size Medium is well-suited to dogs 30-60 pounds (Chow, Dalmatian, small retriever, Boxer, etc). Size Small fits dogs 20-35 pounds (Spaniel, Beagle, small Terrier, Dachshund, Schnauzer, etc). This brand of vest is currently only sold in sizes small and medium on amazon.com. This vest is very lightweight and secures with velcro. The dog steps through the leg holes and the vest secures along the dog’s back. Comfortable for all dog body types and activities. Waterproof and dries quickly (although hand-washing is recommended). Definitely worth the $20 investment.

Four paws!

The market for dog boots has become more and more popular in the last few years as dog owners have cried out over the plague of rock salt on the streets in winter. There is nothing worse than seeing your dog limp, cry, or refuse to move because the salt is burning their feet. And until pet-friendly salt becomes more popular, or (dare I suggest it) the norm, dog owners have to come with an alternative to the crying pooch. There are many variety of dog boots on the market that vary in price from $10-$60. The “disposable dog boot” is the most popular but as the name suggests they just don’t last long and tear easily, allowing the salt in–the exact problem we’re trying to avoid.

If you want a durable boot, used by mushers across the world, the Ultra Paws Dog Boot is it! The price is steep, $38.95, but these boots are sure to surprise you with their durability and comfort to your dog. Two velcro adjustments assure that the boot will remain firmly attached to your dog’s foot even if he runs. The tread is produced from recycled tires providing excellent traction in the snow. These are obviously good in cold weather, but equally as good in warm weather. Hot sidewalks or questionable debris underfoot will no longer keep your dog from being exercised. These boots are golden! Four paws!