DoggiWater–Vitamin Water for your dog!
People are pretty educated these days about the dangers of some tap water and the benefits of drinking filtered water. But what about for your dog? DoggiWater is producing flavored vitamin water for your pooch! I was a bit skeptical if Mr. Bennett would drink it since it does NOT smell good to a human’s nose. I placed a bowl of DoggiWater next to a bowl of tap water and he has drained the vitamin water bowl multiple times, but not the tap water bowl!

Doggiwater consists of ultra purified water, real organic fruit, vegetable glycerin (natural sweeter), and citric acid. The benefits include: fresh breath, healthy teeth and gums, reduced tarter, shiny coat, reduced allergies, and a strong immune system. And since it’s purified, it reduces your dog’s intake of harmful chemicals like lead and chlorine.

They offer three flavors: Blueberry Bark, Strawberry Sit, and Raspberry Rollover. Mr. Bennett showed no preference to flavor. He weighs 20 pounds and it took him two days to finish one bottle (the bottle recommends 1-2 bottles per 5-10 pounds daily; he drank less than that).  He would probably need more if it was hot outside or if we were doing any major exercise besides an hour walk everyday.

It can be purchased in several premier retailers across the US and also online at www.doggiwater.com. At $1.69 per bottle, it’s more expensive than human filtered water, but check out the testimonials page on their website and you will see that Doggiewater has been reviewed by many prominent companies and has many dogs barking for more!

 

VetDepot.com is an online retailer of pet medications and supplies. They sent me a free bag of C.E.T. Petite Pet Chews For Dogs to review (click here to link to the product). I didn’t notice a difference in my dog’s breath or teeth in just a week (they informed me before the product was sent that results often take longer than a week) but I have to say that Mr. Bennett LOVES these treats. They shipped them out very, very quickly and although their prices aren’t as great as some other retailers, VetDepot’s prices are much cheaper than purchasing through your local veterinarian.  Next time you need pet meds of any kind, head over to VetDepot.com and check them out! Thanks VetDepot!

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!

I received the Planet Dog Travel Bowl as a gift but have admired them in the store on several occasions. I have the size large bowl which is about 7 1/2″ square at the bottom and holds about a half gallon of water (huge, really). It is very stable and collapses easily. At only $10, it’s not a bad deal if you hike with your dog, travel in the car often, or need water at a large dog park. I wish it had some sort of velcro attachment to keep it closed once you roll it up. It can be rolled quite small, but needs a rubber band or string to keep it compact.

Three paws!

There are many compelling reasons to use a one-a-month topical flea and tick preventative such as Frontline.  I do think that there are situations in which flea medication is generally not needed or can be applied only during certain months such as if you live in a city and your dog rarely has interactions with other dogs. However if you let your dog in a backyard where there are animal droppings (especially racoon and squirrel) or if your dog is frequently at the boarders or dog park then it is wise to keep up with the regimented applications. If your dog has fleas you need to take several steps to remove them. First, I would purchase at least one month’s supply of Frontline since it is the most affective flea preventative treatment. Secondly, I would purchase the Capstar Flea Treatment which will kill the adult fleas on your animal (note, it will not kill the eggs or larvae–you will still need Frontline). Your veterinarian will sell you Capstar and Frontline at the office but they will be extremely overpriced. By purchasing both on Amazon, you will save yourself some moo-lah!  Please note that Capstar is a one-time oral pill that may cause your pet to increase in itching or being uncomfortable, but it will not harm your pet and will kill off adult fleas.

Three paws for Frontline since it is extremely expensive for each dose ($10-$30/month) and three paws for Capstar because of the discomfort it causes some pets.

Greenies Dental Chews are proven to reduce plaque and tartar and to restore fresh breath in your pups without having to go through a inconvenient teethbrushing ritual regularly. They contain natural antioxidants and fiber making them easy for your dog to chew and digest. Five different sizes exist to best suit the size of your dog’s mouth and his dental needs. This link is for the “teenie” size which is well suited for dogs 5-15 pounds. A tub of these costs at least $32 at most local petstores but the Amazon price of $24 per tub (96 pieces) is the best around and they qualify for free shipping. By feeding one Greenie per day, you can help your dog keep up with good dental health which is extremely important  for the smaller breeds. The only reason I can’t give 4 paws is the price and one-a-day perscription keep you coming back for more–it is more expensive over time than some other dog dental products. You can read more about dog dental care by reading my post on the best dog toothpaste.

Three paws!

Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a real pain and struggle, but the other option is to submit your dog to expensive dental cleanings which occasionally cause death due to the anesthesia.  If only there were an easy, natural way to prevent the buildup of tartar and cure bad breath–wait! There is! PetzLife Oral Care Spray is made of all natural products including grapefruit seed extract, grape seed extract, thyme oil, neem oil, rosemary oil and peppermint oil.  With no adverse side effects this is another product that takes time to see results (usually a few weeks), but to me, it’s worth it. It’s not ridiculously expensive and if it saves a dental cleaning, the benefits outweigh the cons.

Four paws!

As pets age, they often develop joint problems including stiffness, lack of flexibility, weakness, and pain. Generally speaking, the larger the breed, the worse the joint problems (German Shepherds are particularly prone to hip and joint issues due to their conformation). Cosequin is a natural glucosamine supplement that has been proven to reverse the effects of aging on the joints. Although it can be pricey, veterinarians agree that it is a helpful supplement and can turn your dog back into a playful pup in a few weeks. With no negative side effects it is definitely worth a try–and much cheaper on Amazon than in local pet stores.

Three paws!

Angels’ Eyes Tear-Stain Remover guarantees the removal of eye stains on your pup in 3-5 weeks. It works from the inside out, eliminating tear, mouth and lick stains before they begin.  Angels’ Eyes causes the hair to grow back un-stained. The powder is made from beef liver and tylosin. Tylosin is an antibiotic that prohibits bacterial protein synthesis–go figure. Some dogs react poorly to Tylosin, responding with vomiting and diarrhea. There are many dog groomers and breeders who swear by this product. The thing I don’t like about this product is that you sprinkle it on your dog’s food everyday for 3 months. After 3 months you reduce to four times a week, and after 6 months you reduce to twice a week. For dogs 12 pounds and up, you need 1 teaspoon a day. It’s a long process which guarantees you to continue to purchase their product for 1/2 a year. I will say, that there is overwhelming proof that it works. Some dogs can detect it in their food, which necessitates being creative. There are other more inexpensive ways to prevent staining such as only giving your dog filtered water and changing from a beef-based food to a chicken-based food. It is also helpful if you are diligent about removing eye “gunkies” everyday and trimming around the eyes to prevent buildup. If you have done these things and your dog still has nasty brown eyes, paws, and lips, I say give Angels’ Eyes a try and let me know what you think!

Three paws!

One of my neighbors called me concerned because their dog had lost a toe-nail and was bleeding heavily. The situation got me thinking about pet first aid kits and items to have on hand in case of emergency. I explored some pet first aid kits and the AKC brand has the most pieces for the price. There is not an extensive list of what is included which disappoints me and keeps me thinking I’d rather create my own. Certainly the AKC kit contains all the essential items and then some and is the easier option as far as preparing (just click “add to cart”)! However if you have a substantial home first aid kit, chances are you won’t need to add that many items for your pet first aid kit. The below list is my personal suggestions for creating your own pet first aid kit. Best to put these items in some sort of box or bag in a location that is quickly accessible and easily remembered. All these prices are very reasonable and it’s worth considering purchasing online.