Things We Like
Posted February 9th, 2009 by molulu - 1 Comment »
Toy Mutt Puppet, $12, by Muttpuppet
This is a combo dog toy. The head has a squeaker inside and is attached with Velcro. The arms are cotton dog ropes, and there’s a rawhide bone hidden in the body. The best part is this toy isn’t stuffed, which should deter dogs that love to rip out a toy’s innards. It’s double-stitched with nylon thread and is made with a triple layer of cotton material. It should be a sturdy toy for all but the most focused destroyers. There’s also a mini Mutt version for $8.
It’s available online at muttpuppet.com or call 330-524-0731.
Dog Beds, $120 by Bella Dogga
Shouldn’t every dog have a cushy spot to rest? Try this line of handmade beds from Bella Dogga. They feature stylish cotton covers and an organic filling of kapok — a fluffy, downlike material from the seedpod of the kapok tree.
We loved the look and quality of these beds, which could help dogs with severe allergies sleep easier. They’re available in round, square, oval and rectangle shapes that come in three sizes. I liked the round “Alfresco” model: 20 inches for $160, 30 inches for $200 and 40 inches for $240. You also can get coordinating collars and leashes.
Note that the beds come so overstuffed that it can be hard to work the cover off. If you like to wash your dog’s bedcovers often, this might not be the bed for you.
It’s available online at belladogga.com.
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Jerky Naturals dog treats, $5.29 for 6 ounces by Zuke’s
We love this line of healthy dog treats — and so will your dog. These moist treats have no added colors, flavors, bad preservatives or wheat and corn — grains that often cause problems for dogs. They use real meats, not byproducts. Zukes also has treats for high energy dogs (Power Bones, Jerky Naturals), Mini Naturals for little dogs (great for training because they’re only 2.2 calories each), and even a treat with glucosamine and chondroitin called Hip Action. They also sell cat treats. Look for Hip Action (3 ounces for $4.20) and Natural Purrz (3 ounces for $3.16).
The line is available at local pet stores such as Highland Pet Supply in Atlanta (404-892-5900), Pets Unlimited in Marietta (770-952-1539) or online at zukes.com.
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Quick Control Dog Collar, $20.99 by Bamboo
This nylon collar with metal bone accents features a short, built-in leash that keep rowdy pets under control. It also has reflective stitching and a metal buckle. The handle of the retractable leash is padded, and there’s a place on the collar, under the leash, for contact information. Our tester, who owns a pit bull, loved the concept of this leash. With her boisterous pet, it got quite a workout.
Note that Bamboo items are usually very well-made, but within a couple of weeks, the dog had knocked off one of the two metal bones on the collar — just by scratching. Turns out the bones are not just decorative, but hold the leash in place. With one missing, the leash pulled out on one side. If your dog is a scratcher, this cool collar might not last.
It’s available in five colors and three sizes. You can find it at Petsmart.
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Le Bistro Electronic Portion Control feeder, $69.99, by Petmate
Pets left home alone often suffer from boredom. Smaller meals are healthier for a pet and help break up the monotony. This feeder doles out 1/4 to 2 cups of food for your pet up to three times a day. It’s about 15 inches high, 14.5 inches long and weighs 3 pounds. Le Bistro takes three D batteries, which the company says will last about six months. It’s for indoor use only.
And while it will make life easier, it’s not recommended for large dogs and aggressive chewers because they could knock the feeder over or break into the storage container, which holds up to 4.2 pounds of average dog food. The feeder also isn’t recommended for puppies or kittens under 7 months.
It’s available at Petco.
All prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail price.
Photo: Muttpuppet.com.
This week’s Pet Tale was inspired by an ajcpets.com comment from Pat:
