There are so many pet products available today, it is often hard for an owner to determine what items are worthwhile to purchase and which are a waste of money or possibly harmful to their pets. What follows are a few items that we at P.E.T.S. have tested and recommend to pet owners everyday:
1. Airline style Crates: These crates are made of heavy duty materials making them safe for containing your pet, whether for travel (by car, plane, etc.) or for use as a "den" for your dog. For more information on crate training your dog, visit our Article Archives.
2. The Buster Food Cube: This is a puzzle ball made of hard plastic that dispenses food to your dog. You adjust the dial on the cube to determine how hard your dog must work for food to be dispensed. Your dog must push, paw, and roll the cube in order to receive the food rewards. This device provides mental stimulation as well as exercise to dogs who are home alone for long periods of time or suffer from boredom. For more information on combatting boredom in your dog and separation anxiety, visit our Article Archives.
3. Nylabones, Gumabones, & Kong Toys: All of the products made by the Nyla & Kong companies are wonderful for supervised, as well as, unsupervised playtime with your dog.
4. The Gentle Leader Head Halter: This device looks like a head halter used on a horse. It is not a muzzle. Properly used, this device can help an owner control a dog who pulls on the leash, jumps up, etc. It is also useful when treating dogs for more serious behavior problems. For more information on behavior problems in dogs, visit our Article Archives.
5. Freeze-dried Liver Treats: These treats are wonderful for use in dog training classes. They can be broken up into small pieces and are very palatable, thereby making good rewards for use during training exercises. For more information on dog classes, please visit our Classes page.
6. Cat Scratching Posts: Cat posts can be very effective if placed properly in your home. They should be placed in front of the drapes or piece of furniture that you wish your cat to discontinue scratching. Over time, you can move the post away to a more convenient location. The best posts available utilize sisal which cats find very attractive. For more information on cat behavior, please visit our Articles Archives.
7. Odor and Stain Eliminators: There are two cleaning products which we highly recommend to clients dealing with urine, feces, or vomit clean up. Nature's Miracle, available at many pet retailers, is an enzymatic cleaner, as is Petzyme, an enzymatic cleaner available only at Petsmart stores. Both products have money back guarantees if you are not 100% satisfied with their products. For more information of housetraining, urine spraying in cats, etc., please visit our Article Archives.
