Posts tagged "PetProducts"

Supper time is almost as exciting for owners as it is for their dogs. When you see the excited joy on your best buddy's face as you fill his food bowl, it cheers up even the gloomiest day. That's why supper time ranks just below coming home from work as the best moment dog owners have with their pets every day.

This dog-food commercial is an ode to those seconds when a dog hears the tempting sound of kibble and comes a-runnin'. It's high-definition and super-slow-motion video, so you can really observe and savor the palpable joy.

Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife Anna adopted as a puppy in late 2009, and the first dog Ben's ever had.

Like lots of folks, I pay lip service to the importance of supporting local merchants but tend to do my actual shopping at the distant megastore, which I figure is cheaper. But that's not always the case, I recently learned, at least when it comes to pet products.

Here's what happened. I was on the prowl for ear-cleaning solution for Pippi. Pressed for time, I checked the websites of the major pet retailers in our area to see if they had the product. They both did, and so I chose one which had the solution for about a dollar cheaper, at $14.99. I even called ahead to make sure they had the item in stock.

After making the 20-minute haul out to Whoknowswhere, N.J., I picked up the solution and brought it to the counter. When the cashier rang it up, the cost had ballooned to $19.99! I asked her to check the price, which she did, before informing me it was correct. "That's, like, 33 percent more than what you advertised on your site," I said, secretly proud of myself for the quick math. "Oh, we don't price match with the website," she countered.

By now, most of us have heard about April Marie, Lucia, and Conchita, three very lucky chihuahuas who are living the good life in Miami, thanks to a $3 million trust fund from their late owner, Gail Posner. The heiress once divulged to the Miami Herald that Conchita had a $12,000 summer wardrobe budget and a diamond-encrusted doggie necklace (which she refused to wear). "Conchita is the only girl I know who doesn't consider diamonds her best friend," said Posner of her clearly spoiled furry best friend.

According to the American Pet Products Association, animal lovers in the U.S. will spend an estimated $47.7 billion this year on their four-legged companions, $11 billion of which will go toward pet supplies. But diamonds for dogs? As far fetched as it sounds, there are pets in this country, like Conchita and her crew, who are lapping up luxury regardless of how low the Dow drops. But the question remains, if you are a canine heiress, what do you spend your money on? Here are some of the options:

1. The Best Canine Crib
La Petite Maison co-founder and interior decorator, Michelle Pollak, specializes in creating -- with craftsman Alan Mowrer -- playhouses for pampered pets, like a French chateau complete with hardwood floors, a copper roof, and a faux-fur throw rug. Model Rachel Hunter is a fan. She owns a $30,000 Mexican doggie hacienda that's a mini replica of her own home.

Most of the dog treats in my house smell like, well, dog treats. You know what I mean -- overly meaty, with a scent that stays on your hands long after your pup has licked your fingers clean. So when I found out about the all-natural, organic treats from Big Daddy Biscuits, I was eager to try them out.

The company is named for Big Daddy, an American Bulldog who was found wandering the streets of Atlanta, sick and malnourished. He's since been nursed back to health and loves "helping" his mom, Lauren, in the kitchen while she bakes up the biscuits. They're available in a variety of flavors including Crunchy Peanut Butter, Turkey Bacon Bites and Cheese Bites with Garlic.

First, I have to note that every single biscuit smelled totally appetizing -- and I don't even eat turkey! Stickers on the back of the bag provide information on the ingredients as well as the breakdown of protein, fat, etc. There's no question there about what you're feeding your dog. Secondly, my dogs gobbled them up. This isn't unusual for Rudi, but even Holly (our newest addition who tends to be a bit more wary around treats) wolfed them down and then continued staring at my hand, waiting for more.

If you're in the Atlanta area, you can find Big Daddy Biscuits at various stores and farmer's markets. Otherwise, you can order half pound bags ($8) and quarter pound bags ($4), plus other fun seasonal treats directly from their site. You dog will be glad you did.

"Ooooh, there a car! Ooooh, there goes another car! OMG HERE COMES MOM AND DAD!!!"

While we can only guess what's going through our dogs' minds, we do know that they love looking out windows -- and in the process, can slowly destroy the window ledge with dirty paw prints and scratches.

Enter the Sill Shield. As its Web site notes, Sill Shield is a PVC slat similar in texture to outdoor siding, designed to protect your window sills. Fastened with stickers -- specifically 3M Dual Lock Velcro Coins, which are included -- it supposedly won't show wear and tear.

That's all fine and good, but would they be able to withstand Pippi, our highly-energetic dalmatian/German shorthaired pointer mix? I ordered one to find out.

The manufacturer offers Sill Shields in a variety of widths and depths, as well as custom trimming or notching. (All of the windows in our apartment were covered by the standard sizing.) I ordered a white one -- they also come in clear -- and placed it beneath our front window. It took only a couple of minutes to attach and blended in perfectly with our sill, which is also white. Most importantly, it easily withstood Pippi's assault. After about ten days of use it looks pretty much like it did on day one.

Is it worth it? Serious do-it-yourself types might be able to create something similar from parts at their local hardware store, saving themselves $12.95 per sill plus shipping prices that can cost up to $15 per order if you live on the west coast. But to the rest of us, the Sill Shield is a quick and effective solution to a perennial problem. The company also offers a "Door Shield," to keep dogs from scratching up doors.

What do you look for in a pet bed? Our pets want it to be soft and snuggly, while we want covers that are removable, easy to wash, and available in lots of fun patterns. And petLINENS fits the bill perfectly.

We had a chance to try out a petLINENS bed, testing the XL rectangle so two dogs could fit on it at the same time. The cushion is super soft (don't be fooled when you see it in the box; it actually expands once you take it out), and the plush covers are pretty, particularly the new giraffe print (though they have lots of more traditional colors and patterns available as well).

This week, we're giving away a petLINENS bundled bed set to one lucky Paw Nation reader. The bed sets include two removable and machine-washable slipcovers, and one cushion, available in an extra-large rectangle, or 32" round. The winner will select one cushion and two slipcovers from any of petLINENS' collections, or mix-and-match across collections to find their perfect pet style!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us where you'd keep your dog's new petLINENS bed.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a petLINENS bundled bed set in the style and color/pattern of his or her choice (valued at up to $85).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

The new Bow Wow Bag is described as "your dog's own personal, yet fashionable, tote that attaches to standard and retractable leash handles." Four Paw Nation writers from different cities and lifestyles gave the Bow Wow Bag a spin.

"I take my dog running with me, sometimes for five or six miles, and while I have the hydration system figured out (I squirt water into her mouth from my hydration pack), and I have biodegradable bags attached to the leash, I'm left with one problem: If I have to use one of the bags, I then have to carry it. All. The. Way. Home. I have a large dog, so that bag gets pretty full, not to mention stinky. My hope for the Bow Wow Bag was that I'd be able to put my sealed bag into it, close it up, and finish my run without having to deal with the smell. It totally worked! The bag was large enough to hold keys in the zipper pocket and, well, you know what I had to put in the main compartment. It sealed up tightly enough that I couldn't smell a thing. Quite a feat, I have to say. Plus, the pink color was cute as can be. Two paws up!" -- Kristen Seymour

"My problem with the Bow Wow Bag is that it doesn't solve any of my problems. It's intended as a safekeeping spot for poop bags, keys and other personal items, but after seven years of walking my dog, I know my pants, jacket and hoodie pockets perfectly well, i.e. which ones can hold three unused poop bags with none falling out, or where to stash my keys so I can always feel them against my hip. (Keeping my keys off my person makes me nervous, although the Bow Wow does feature an interior zippered pocket.) It's also supposed to provide a discreet hiding spot for a used bag until you can find a receptacle, but honestly, I am not a whit concerned with strangers seeing me carry a bag of dog poop. I am, after all, walking a dog." -- Rose Martelli

Last month's SuperZoo, the largest pet goods trade show of the year, showcased hundreds of products both predictable (leashes, toys, carriers) and a bit offbeat (licorice dog treats, cat's pajamas, relaxation CDs). There was a lot to choose from, so we at Paw Nation searched high and low for a collection of the most intriguing, useful, strange and ingenious new items hitting pet stores in the coming months.

Whether dealing with a shedding cat, a drooling dog, a hamster's cage or a parakeet's droppings, there's always something about our pets that irks, annoys or hassles us dedicated owners. But what if, instead of throwing up your hands and wondering, "Why can't they make something that solves insert particular pet problem here," you start brainstorming a solution? (And maybe make a little scratch in the process!)

Bed Bath & Beyond has teamed up with Edison Nation (an inventors' community that links up large companies with "everyday idea people") to launch a "Live Product Search" for the store's new PawsLife line of pet products. Submit your idea (or ideas!) between now and November 2, and you might be the recipient of a $2,500 advance, plus a share of your product's sales for the next 20 years. (Now that's a lotta kibble!) You'll have to invest $25 for every product you pitch.

Because the PawsLife brand currently only manufactures and carries three products (although the store does carry pet products from other manufacturers), the possibilities for this product search are "pretty limitless," Edison Nation public relations manager Mary Dickson tells Paw Nation. "Applicants can choose one idea to submit, or they can choose ten." Dickson also stresses that this is not a contest per se; there is no pre-set number of product ideas Bed Bath & Beyond might ultimately develop.

So think outside the litter box. How could traveling with your pet be made more comfortable? What innovation might improve your pet's appearance? How would you better the cage-cleaning, fur-removing, bath-giving, water-changing, pet-lounging or odor-eliminating products you already use?

Meredith Beck, an Edison Nation account manager, offers this advice to Paw Nation readers: "Think about who your competition is so you can explain how your idea offers an advantage. Tell what problem it solves. Know who the targeted user or consumer is. And be able to give an estimate of your product price point. [They're looking for a retail price of $50, max.] The best ideas we've seen are usually innovative solutions to problems [people] deal with every day."

When submitting your idea, you can upload a drawing or video that demonstrates it visually, but simple, well-written descriptions also work just fine, Beck says; what's most important is that "inventors be as elaborate as possible when explaining the merits of their ideas."

You've got until November 2nd to submit your idea. Whatcha waiting for? Put on those brainstorming caps, future Thomas Pet-isons!

Remember the hamsterdance -- those singing, dancing hamsters filled us with joy and ineffable hamsterness? It was one thing when hamsters were on your computer, but did you ever think they'd be inside your computer?

eBay vendor ak_drummer, a person with too many old electronics and too much time, has given us a hamster cage for the new millennium, in that it's from the last millennium: a hollowed-out 1998 iMac. Now your hamster will be up-to-date on things like the Monica Lewinsky scandal and that brand-new show "Dawson's Creek"! Not to mention how computer-savvy your hamster will become: soon he'll be downloading *NSYNC songs from Napster, burning them onto a CD-ROM and playing it on his trusty Walkman.

When it comes to pet products, we're all for kitty condos, doggy beds... even a souped-up hamster wheel if it makes your pet's world a little nicer. And then there are these products.

From off-the-wall to downright wrong, we've rounded up the weirdest pet products we could find. And if you decide to buy one for your pet -- be warned: you may find your credit card buried in the backyard.