Pet Product Reviews

February is National Pet Dental Health Month - an ideal time to get your pets started on healthy oral care routines, or to improve their existing ones. For pets, neglecting dental health carries similar risks to those for humans, such as periodontal complications - not to mention corrosive kitty and canine breath.

If you're ready to overhaul your pet's dental health, your vet can help with advice on proper at-home care, as well as products to take the hassle out of daily cleanings. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite oral care products for pets to help your four-legged friends keep their smiles healthy.

Helpful for tackling bad breath as well as plaque and tartar buildup, GoodBites Oral Care Dog Treats from Pedigree also feature a nutritionally balanced formula, packed with vitamins and minerals. Our tester canine flipped for the meaty taste, and the treats had a beneficial effect on his doggie breath.


An interactive toy that also promotes good dental hygiene, the Fresh Breath Mint Stick for Cats from Petstages uses an innovative design to help keep your feline's teeth clean. The exterior's mesh netting helps to remove soft tartar as your cat plays with the stick, and the interior - stuffed with catnip and crinkly material - kept our tester cats engaged for extended playtimes.


If your pet resists brushings with a regular toothbrush designed for animals, try the EZDOG Finger Brush from Triple Pet. This easy-to-use product fits over your finger for better control and less gagging. And the EZDOG Finger Brush features soft rubber bristles to clean your canine's canines effectively while gently massaging his gums.


A convenient, simple way to clean your cat's mouth while controlling bad breath, Dental Fresh for Cats helps to reduce plaque and tartar without subjecting skittish felines to cleanings with a toothbrush. A daily dose in our tester cat's bowl helped to reduce his previous bad breath, and he didn't seem to notice any change in the taste of the water.


Reward your dog while helping to improve his breath with Spot's Chew Dog Dental Treats from Halo. These snacks feature natural ingredients such as whole oats and apples to help freshen your dog's breath, and the stick-shaped design helps to clean your dog's teeth while keeping him occupied.

If you're planning to spoil your pet--or a pet owner--with a special gift this Valentine's Day, why not choose a product that also gives back to animals in need? Many items designed for pets and for the humans who love them benefit rescue organizations or other charities through proceeds from sales.

Supporting animal charities through your purchases is a great way to say "I love you" to all the four-legged friends in your life. So in order to help you celebrate pets on Valentine's Day by giving back, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite pet products with heart.

A fun, snappy book, "Mimi and Maty to the Rescue!" by Brooke Smith was inspired by Smith's daughter, Mimi Ausland, whose charitable website Freekibble.com has enabled users to donate over 675 million pieces of kibble to shelter animals to date. The clever story and illustrations will delight children and adults alike, and for each book sold, Halo will donate five meals to feed shelter animals.


A durable toy that also supports canine charities, the Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball from Planet Dog is both sturdy and satisfying for your pooch. Eco-conscious shoppers will appreciate that the ball is recyclable, and an impressive 100% of the proceeds from sales of the Glow for Good Ball go to the Planet Dog Foundation, which promotes and celebrates dog service programs.


If you're looking for a unique present to treat your feline on Valentine's Day, try the Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Ribbon Adjustable Cat Safety Collar from Coastal Pet. This top-quality collar features a pink ribbon design, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each collar benefits breast cancer foundations.


Your valentine can show support for animal rights in style with the All Over Paws Socks, available at The Animal Rescue Site's online store. The comfortable socks are offered in a range of eye-catching color combinations, and purchases made through the website help to fund food and care for rescued animals.


Featuring an appropriate design for Valentine's Day, the Rescue Heart Pewter Collar Charm from Big Paw Designs helps to promote adoption awareness with a well-designed, durable product. And like the other items in the brand's Rescue Power Collection, the charms are available at discounted rates to pet rescue groups to help them in fundraising efforts.

Like many pet products, dog treats of the 21st century have improved greatly on their earlier versions. Instead of just giving pooches a tasty reward, these modern morsels can also help to promote wellness, develop canine hunting instincts, and even disguise dreaded medications.

So if your four-legged friend could benefit from a savory snack that packs an additional punch, try introducing him to a new nibble for the new year. To help you discover a different kind of delicacy, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite dog treats with a little something extra.

Simple and delicious, Dog Joy Sweet Potato Treats from Freshpet feature one ingredient only - sweet potatoes, making these healthful snacks rich in such goodies as beta carotene, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. And if the solid nutritious value isn't enough to tantalize your pooch, our canine reviewer devoured the taste of these morsels, quickly making them a favorite.


To help promote good cardiac health for your canine, try Happy Heart Chicken Breast Jerky Treats from Dogswell. These snacks use cage-free chicken breast, a pesticide-free component that's also good for the environment, to create a delectable taste for dogs. And even more impressive is what's not on the ingredient list: Dogswell's Happy Heart Treats are free of by-products.


Save yourself the hassle of getting your pooch to take his medication with Greenies Pill Pockets. These ingeniously designed snacks have a hollowed-out center to create a perfect resting space for your canine's capsules, and our tester dog flipped for the smell and taste of these time-saving treats.


Combining the appeal of a chew toy with the flavor of a delicious treat, Occupi Crunchy Busy Bars from Petstages have a unique texture and shape that provide a stimulating surface to keep your dog engaged in chewing. And for additional fun, the Busy Bars can be used with the Occupi line of treat toys, challenging your dog to use his wits and encouraging his hunting instinct.


A tasty snack made with real chicken and rice, Healthy Rewards Low Fat Canine Treats from iVet help to prevent obesity and related complications with a formula containing ingredients such as flaxseed. And our tester pooch couldn't resist the meaty flavor and chewable texture of these morsels.

The New Year can be an ideal time to overhaul any routine - even grooming your dog. Whether your four-legged friend is suffering from dry skin, an itchy scalp, or a lackluster coat, the right shampoo can make a difference in how he both looks and feels.

So if you think your dog could benefit from a change in his usual grooming products, why not try a cleanser that's specially formulated to tackle common skin and coat problems? To help you and your pooch get started on a new beauty regimen, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite dog shampoos with something extra.

Featuring a potent pest-fighting combination of natural ingredients such as cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, and rosemary oil, Natural Lemongrass Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo from Planet Petco does more than keep unwanted visitors away from your dog's coat. In addition to warding off insects, this sweet-smelling shampoo left our tester dog's fur shiny and soft.


If your pet has a delicate scalp, try Rice Flower and Oatmeal Sensitive Skin Shampoo for Dogs from SPA. In addition to rice flower extract and oatmeal, the formula contains elements derived from coconut to help keep your canine's coat clean while also helping to keep him content during bathtime.


Help control your dog's scalp irritations and reduce scratching with Life's An Itch Skin Soothing Dog Shampoo from Pet Head. This effective shampoo uses ingredients such as tea tree oil, oatmeal, and aloe vera to nourish your canine's coat and help provide relief from dryness, hot spots, and insect bites.


A fresh-smelling, effective cleanser, Refreshing Sweet Pea & Vanilla Dog Shampoo from Nootie is also formulated to moisturize dry fur, using natural components such as jojoba oil. The shampoo is also free of sulfates and irritating chemicals, and delivered a glossy look and soft feel to our tester pooch's coat.


For skittish canines who would rather avoid a shampoo altogether, try the Hypo-Allergenic Waterless Grooming Foam for Dogs from Earthbath. This all-natural cleanser features traditional grooming ingredients such as oatmeal and aloe vera, as well as interesting elements such as meadowfoam seed oil to produce a clean, fresh coat without the hassle of a bath.

The arrival of the New Year also means that winter is here to stay for the coming months. And for many pets, colder weather and snow can lead to damaged paws, indoor chills, and even cabin fever.

Fortunately, many pieces of pet gear, from bed warmers to rubber boots, can help to avoid the problems created by the cold season. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite pet products to help keep your four-legged friends cozy and content all winter long.

Give your dog an extra layer of protection against wintry weather with the ABO Gear Wool Dog Coat. Available in a range of colors and sizes, this sturdy coat features a quilted lining and adjustable straps to keep your canine warm and comfortable. And the coat is machine washable for easy cleanup after an outdoor trek in the mud or snow.


Stylish and sturdy, Pawz Dog Boots are effective at keeping your pooch's paws protected against wintertime hazards such as salted snowdrifts. These waterproof shoes are reusable and disposable, and the stretchy rubber material helps to ensure a comfortable fit so your dog can adjust more easily to walking in the boots.


Create a snug sleeping spot for your pet with the Lectro Pet Bed Warmer from K&H. This electric warmer, sized to fit easily into almost any pet bed, helps to keep napping nooks toasty in the face of chilly drafts, and discourages pets from seeking out unsafe sources of heat in the wintertime, such as radiators or stovetops.


Keep your pets' paws safe from irritation and pain while keeping sidewalks and driveways clear with Safe Paw Ice Melter. The product is 100% salt-free, using a formula that is non-toxic for pets (as well as children). And Safe Paw Ice Melter is also environmentally friendly, allowing pet owners to stay green when the ground is covered in white.


If your pet is developing cabin fever during the winter months, try the simple yet effective Laser Pet Toy from Miracle Beam. This surefire classic can help to keep your dog or cat active indoors by stimulating natural tracking and hunting instincts. The toy assembles in minutes, and engaged our tester pets for long periods of playtime.