Embrace Pet Community blog

Product Review: Waterdog

Keeping fresh water outdoors for dogs is a hassle in the summer.  You have to leave enough out to quench their thirst on a hot day, but extra water can become stale or form a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bugs.  Water bowls get spilled or dirty.  That is why I was so excited to test out the eco-friendly and clean pet water alternative, WaterDog.

The Waterdog hooks right onto your outdoor faucet, and a sonar senses when your dog approaches the unit.  It turns on, and releases a stream of fresh water for a few seconds, so your dog gets clean water on demand.  The unit has a "y" adapter, so your existing hose or sprinkler remains connected.  It eliminates the risk of dehydration or illness from drinking stagnant water, and remains on all through the warm months on just four batteries.

The Waterdog is durable and works just as described.  It's height is adjustable for pets of any size, even very large dogs.  My only advice would be that the unit is not well suited to high traffic areas, since it turns on whenever a person or pet comes within 3 feet of the unit.  We're still working on training our dogs to use the unit because they're both averse to the hose, (probably from getting spontaneous baths after rolling in "yuck").  But the manual offer several methods to train your dog to use the unit, and offers additional customer support, so we're making fast progress.  This product is so helpful, since Lula likes to spend the entire day outside on the back porch.  No more bringing her inside for water breaks!

Check out their video, or our personal trial video:

WaterDog from Lea Maxwell on Vimeo.

WaterDog is available online ($48.20 at Amazon) or at PetSmart or Costco.  Check back Monday when we'll announce our WaterDog Giveaway!

Read more pet Product Reviews

Bamboo Disposable Waste Bags

I used to be that person with a big grocery store bag sticking out of my pocket on our walks.  It's practical and easy to just grab and go.  So, I always thought that people with disposable dog poop bags were just wasting money on fancy poop bags.

But I've come to see the light.

At BlogPaws, I picked up one of Bamboo's Disposable waste bags & dispensers.  It's a hard plastic case, containing a small roll of baking soda smelling plastic bags.  I took the unit out on our walk, and instantly liked the idea of having out bags hanging neatly on the leash.  No bulky pockets.  Nothing to grab on the way out.  Just keep the container on your leash (or by the litter box), and you'll never be left without one.

The bags roll out neatly, and if you pull out an extra by accident, they roll right back in. The baking soda aroma really does mask the stinky contents of the bag, and the bags are plenty big, tie up nice and neat, and help keep your hands clean and away from the mess. 

So, now I'm one of "those" people that walks their dog with a "fancy" bag dispenser. But I'm not ashamed to admit it. In fact, it's one of the few luxuries that come with picking up poop.  They start at about $4 at a store near you, with 24 count refill rolls are also available.  Try the luxury for yourself!

Air Purifier for Pet Dander

Until we adopted our Rottie, Lula, I had no idea a dog could produce so much dust.  The first time I dusted after her adoption I realized that our DUST issue had sky-rocketed!  She's got an embarrassing dandruff problem, and it's not just showing up on her.  It's showing on my mantle, my woodwork, my stairs...all around my house.  No kidding, the other day I was petting her, and the cloud around her looked like pigpen!  I've never known a dog could create so much dust, and oatmeal baths and conditioner aren't enough to do the trick.

So, I went for an impulse buy at Costco, and picked up an air purifier (Honeywell 17000, $130), suited for our large, open first floor.  It circulates the air completely about 5 times per hour, and I can say that it was a noticeable difference in how nice the air smelled after the first use.  It was like I had all the windows and doors opened, on a sunny spring day.  Then, I noticed that even in the sunbeams there was less dust in the air.  It's made an amazing difference in the 2 days we've used it so far.  I could see this as a lifesaving purchase for anyone struggling with pet allergies.

The filter catches 99.4% of bacteria and germs, and has a reusable Hepa filter that can be vacuumed and re-used.  The dog's aren't thrilled with it-it makes a soft humming noise,not unpleasant to people, but perhaps annoying to dogs.  But, it's going to make our air smell sweeter and cleaner, which I'm sure even they can appreciate.

Chickens as Pets

I've had cats, dogs, ferretts, hamsters, reptiles, and fish, but I never would have thought of chickens as pets.  Egg layers, poultry, and barnyard characters, yes, but I never saw them as pets.  After a neighbor mentioned raising chickens for eggs, I looked into it, and there is a huge movement growing to enable even urban folks to care for chickens as pets.  If hand raised, they'll come to you, enjoy petting and being held, and become a part of the family.

There are dozens of breeds of chickens.  Some are more social, some are better egg layers, and others are more hearty in cold climates.  Chickens typically lay eggs at just a few months old, and continue for about four years.  But, the lifespan of the average chicken is about 15 years, so unless you're ok with your pet chicken ending up in pot pie, you'll end up caring for an "unproductive" chicken in her long retirement. 

They're a relatively low cost pet, and they'll aid in insect and pest control, while providing you with excellent garden fertilizer.  So, there is some tangible value in addition to companionship and enjoyment.

What do you think?  Do you see chickens as companions?

Thanks to Birdhobbyist.com and Backyard Chickens for the info.

The Trader Joe's Bone

After the loss of Baby Dragon (R.I.P), Lyger seemed to be a little sad without a plush toy around.  But I think we found him a new BFF, at Trader Joe's of all places.  For just $3.99 we found a boiled wool bone, with a little crinkle sound, and Lyger is swooning. 

Lyger has already started bringing us the bone when we come home, which is a sign of a prized possession.  It's within 5 feet of him at all times, and it seems to be very durable, so I expect a long-term love affair with Lyger and his new woolly bone.

Find a Trader Joe's near you to check out their delicious and all natural pet treats, chews and foods.  (Tahlula recommends the Sweet Potato and Chicken biscuits.)

Boiled Wool Aquatics from Olive

I just fell in love with these underwater darlings from A Cheerful Pet, available at Olive.  The toys are handcrafted in Nepal, from boiled wool and natural dyes, and they have these very sweet facial expressions that are sure to make these toys a new favorite in your dog's collection.

Cuter still, are that most of these toys are pairs, like the Big Daddy Shark and Lil' Baby Shark, or the Mother and Daughter Sea Turtles.  There's the Angel Fish, Blue Fish, Earl the Eel, and the dye free Beluga Whale.

Toys start at just $6.50 and a portion of all proceeds go to charitable causes in Nepal.

See our recent post on the eco-friendly feline furniture at Olive.

Green Goods for Modern Cats at Olive

Cats love few things more than cardboard scratchers, and sometimes they prefer vertical surfaces, which is what makes the Marmalade Wall Scratcher great.  It can be wall mounted or used on the floor.  Nicer still is that it's made from post-consumer materials, and is 100% recyclable.

I also love their cool cardboard furniture, just for cats.  The Cheeky Chaise ($130) and the Sweet Lounge ($150) are both pet beds and scratchers.  The more your cat scratches, the softer the cardboard becomes, making it a soft, cozy space for your cat to hang out.

Lovely modern furniture and more for Cats (and dogs) can be found at Olive.

Soggy Sardines

A Georgia based crafter  wanted to do something special for her cat:

"I sat down and crocheted a little sardine for our cat Rex, and stuffed it lovingly with catnip and felt.  He loved it! He loved it so much, that one day I picked it up and squealed "Gross! It's all soggy.  He's been chewing on it!" Thus, the name "soggy" was born. I soon had to make another Soggy Sardine (Soggy Junior) for our other cats, and they can't get enough of them."

But what started out as a little something just for Rex is now a hit with kitties nationwide.  Her Etsy shop carries Soggy Sardines by the pairs ($7) ready to be chewed and batted by your happy kitty. 

CatALoops helping cats on their 9th life

CatALoops are a completely unique cat toy, based on the age old principal of cats loving milk jug rings.  Artist and Crafter Lissa Lush uses wool and re-purposes the plastic bands from 6-packs to create a durable toy that bounces and rolls like your cat's favorite toy.  And, they're packaged with organic catnip, so they're even more enticing!

All of the profits from Lissa's Etsy shop support a Dayton, Ohio area cat rescue, The Tenth Life. 

Furzoff-product review

The folks at Fur-zoff sent us their product today.  They call it "the ugly duckling in your cleaning cabinet" and they're not kidding.  It looks like a sponge, but feels like a rock-my first impression: so simple it might actually work.   

The Fur-zoff is made of 90% recycled material, and designed to brush fur off of clothes, carpet and upholstery.  I ran right out to the parking lot and tested it out in the "doggie cargo" area of my hatchback.  I have Lyger, the very furry Chow mix, and his fur poses a real challenge to any fur removal product I've tried.  A couple quick "scrapes" against the carpet, and I was really surprised.  I knew the black carpet was covered in Lyger's white hair, but the Fur-zoff was pulling up a TON of Lula's black hair too!  Whoa!  In about two minutes I had the entire cargo area cleaned up-looking almost new!

I also tried it on my car seat, wondering if that upholstery would be any different than the carpet area-good results yet again.  It left a very fine dust on the seat, but brushed right off-no problem.

I like this product ($9.99 for one block), simply because it doesn't need refills or replacements.  It's a standalone product, guaranteed for life, that can easily be stored in a glove box or closet.  I might not recommend it on delicate fabrics, as I could see where it might snag or scrape the material, but it's perfect for cars, clothes and furniture.  Cool!