Great gifts and everyday essentials for pets

Saturday

Lookin' at Leaps and Bounds 3 Knot Multi-Color Rope Dog Toy




Colorful braided cotton rope dog toys are popular for toss-and-fetch, tug-of-war, and other pet and owner games. This sturdy one from Leaps and Bounds is a good pick. It holds up well to reasonably rough play.

The three-knot multi-color braided rope toy is actually somewhat heavier than others we have used. For this reason it is easy to hold and throw a considerable distance.

The knots are strong and weighty, so it’s important to be careful not to whack oneself or one’s pet inadvertently in the process. (Trust me on this one. I have a shin bruise to prove it.) Priced between $4.50 and $6.50 (depending on current offers), the Leaps and Bounds 3 Knot Multi-Color Rope Dog Toy is available from Petco and certain online sources.

Leaps and Bounds also offers braided knot dog toys with two knots, five knots, and three knots and a tennis ball. There’s also a looped version with a sturdy grip handle. Prices vary.

Overall, the quality level seems acceptable. We’ve had cheaper versions of the same sort of toy (from other manufacturers) that were flimsy to hold and throw and didn’t last long. This product is a pleasant surprise.

Our high-energy two-year-old Lab mix has played with this rope toy for a few weeks now without shredding it into dangerous choking-hazard threads. That's a big plus.


NOTE:  This blogger has no affiliation with any product/s or companies mentioned in this post and received no remuneration from the manufacturer/s or product promoter/s for this post.


Here are a few similar products to the Leaps and Bounds 3 Knot Multi-Color Rope Dog Toy:

Image/s:
 Product promotional photo – fair use

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Friday

Is Comfy Pooch's Orthopedic Crate Mat a plus?




Scooped up as a sale bargain for about $16, although it normally retails for $30 or more, the Comfy Pooch Orthopedic Crate Mat from Home Dynamix is a soft, but seemingly sturdy flat bed for dogs. Made in China, it measures 24” by 34” (61 cm x 86 cm) and is constructed of 100 percent polyester with 100 percent polyurethane filling.

This really is a comfy little dog bed. The non-bolstered design makes it ideal for a less-than-tiny dog.

I brought it home, and my two-year-old Lab mix rescue stepped right onto it and curled up merrily. I was sure it was gonna be a hit. So I tucked the mat inside her crate, where she tends to nestle in for most nights.



Uh-oh.

The product instructions indicate the Comfy Pooch Orthopedic Crate Mat is machine-washable, but we never got that far. My pup destroyed the thing the first night she slept on it. For days, I was concerned about possible internal blockages, as she likely ingested plenty of the mat’s foam stuffing.

And, although I picked up as much of the shredded pet mat debris as I could find and vacuumed all over (while trying not to focus on the fact that I was essentially vacuuming up about $16), I’ve been discovering errant pieces of it in all sorts of strange nooks and crannies of my house ever since.

So, at least for now, the Comfy Pooch Orthopedic Crate Mat isn’t exactly a smart investment in this house. It’s not really the manufacturer’s fault, although it would surely be nice to see someone developing a chew-proof, shred-proof, comfortable doggy bed.

Besides, the pup seems plenty happy to make her nightly nest on the same tattered old polarfleece blanket she’s used since she arrived.

NOTE:  This blogger has no affiliation with any product/s or companies mentioned in this post and received no remuneration from the manufacturer/s or product promoter/s for this post.


Image/s:
 Product label photo – fair use

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Thursday

Thanksgiving Greetings 2015 from Fad to the Bone

Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving, all our US readers. 

Here's a timely warning for pet lovers: 16 Holiday feasting do's and don'ts for pets." Please bear in mind that turkey bones, chocolate, and lots of other festive foods humans enjoy can be perilous for pets. A simple wishbone can quickly become a scary emergency vet visit.



Greetings all around.

Tuesday

Packing list for dog boarding




Are you planning to board your dog in a kennel while you travel for the holidays or a vacation? What essential canine care items do you need to pack?

Consider this checklist, whether you are boarding your dog in a professional kennel or simply stashing him with a friend or family member:

  1. Collar and leash
  2. Crate or pet carrier
  3. Dog coat or outerwear/blanket
  4. First aid kit or supplies
  5. Food dish and water bowl
  6. Grooming brush and comb
  7. Housebreaking pads (for a puppy)
  8. ID tags
  9. Shedding blade
  10. Toys
  11. Treats
  12. Vaccination records


Most dog kennels have their own rules and suggestions pertaining to clients’ packing for short or extended stays. Some dog boarding facilities insist upon use of their own food and water dishes, dog beds, or other items. Many kennels do not encourage pet owners to bring their own dog toys. It’s always a good idea to ask ahead of time before packing up the pup and his supplies.


NOTE:  This blogger has no affiliation with any product/s or companies mentioned in this post and received no remuneration from the manufacturer/s or product promoter/s for this post.


Image/s:
 Adapted from public domain image

Feel free to follow on Google Plus and Twitter.  You are invited to subscribe for free to my General Pets Examiner column, so you will receive email notifications whenever new articles appear.