What it is:  A company which delivers many dog related products including food, beds, clothes, toys and more.

Manufacturer:  Wag.com

Where you can buy it:

My review:

If you are like me you may like the convenience of having your pet food delivered right to your front door. Sometimes it’s just easier to have it delivered, dog food can get heavy fast, and with the ease of delivery you don’t have to fight for a parking spot or deal with any lines.

I always order Honest Kitchen online, which has taught me to order my next batch of dog food when I open my last box of Honest Kitchen dog food. This way I know I’ll receive the next batch of dog food before I run out of my current supply. Normally it takes around a week or two for my dog food to arrive, however with Wag.com they offer free two day shipping with orders over $49.

Wag.com offers over 20,000 different pet products, free 1-2 day shipping on orders over $49, 24/7 customer support and a free return policy.

I decided to test their two day shipping claim and ordered a couple of boxes of Honest Kitchen dog food yesterday morning (Sunday.) Ordering was simple and prices were comparable to other online sites I have ordered from in the past. I clicked the button and started the clock. I expected to have to wait a few days for my order to arrive; after all I did place my order on a Sunday, but no, these prompt folks are faster than greyhounds. My order arrived at my front door on Monday morning. Wow!

Another nice thing about wag.com is it is actually 5 different websites. You can order diapers and other baby and child items, household items, groceries, pretty much anything you can think of is on one of their five sites. You can order from all five sites with one shopping cart and have it delivered within a day or two. This is great for anyone who has a super busy schedule or just hates to go shopping.

I did not have to pay anything extra for shipping, because my order was over $49.When you are a new customer with wag.com you can also receive 20 percent off your order up to a total of $15 until May 9, 2012. Use coupon code WAG20PCT.

A big paws-up to Wag.com!

Product:  Bumper Bed

Manufacturer:  West Paw

Where you can buy it: Click here to purchase


My review:

A Dog bed is one of the most important purchases you will make for your dog. Your dog will spend many hours of their life on their bed. Therefore it is worth it to make sure you get a good quality dog bed that is safe and non toxic for them. Your dog deserves to be cozy and comfortable, and you deserve a stylish bed that will look great in your home. Here is a list of the many features of this bed.

• Handmade in the U.S.A
• 100% organic cotton cover
• Hypoallergenic
• Eco-friendly, IntelliLoft®  filler
• Certified safe by Oko-Tex
• Come in five colors and sizes
• Machine washable
• Can replace individual bed parts

Rusty and Sadie knew the minute I opened the box the bed was for them. Rusty fell in love with the bed the moment I put it on the floor. He has not shared it with Sadie. Of course Sadie has been able to sneak a nap a couple of times when Rusty was outside, but it’s pretty clear to me that I need to pick up another one of these beds.

Rusty gives this bed a five paw rating and his full endorsement. Sadie would like to, but he won’t share

Click here to purchase

The Product:
Toxic free, 100% natural, hypoallergenic cleaning products for you and your pets

Manufacturer:
EarthPawz made in Canada

Where you can buy it:
Pet stores in Canada, Earthpawz.com

My review:
As a pet sitter I often have several different dogs in the back of my truck in a single day. I transport dogs to the Dog Park, vet and groomer, anywhere they may need to go. As a result the windows on my truck get a severe case of doggie nose prints on a regular basis. Anyone who has traveled with dogs knows exactly what I’m talking about. I decided my truck windows would be the perfect test for Doggie Slobber window cleaner. I sprayed it on my back window. It worked great. I didn’t have to scrub too hard to remove the prints and amazingly this clever pooch specific product did not leave any streaks behind.

I also take a client dogs in my home while the owner is away. Over the last couple of weeks we have had a lot of rain here in Chico. As you can imagine or have experienced three dogs can track in a lot of mud. Sometimes it gets so muddy I wonder if I should use a shovel instead of a broom. However, it did give me the perfect opportunity to test Dirty Dog floor cleaner. I filled the sink 1/2 way then added 1/2 cap full of Dirty Dog floor cleaner. It worked on both my tile and laminate floor without leaving any residue, which is comforting because I don’t like the idea of my pups licking floor cleaning chemicals off the bottoms of their paws.

EarthPawz products do not contain any toxic ingredients and are 100% natural.

In addition to Doggie Slobber window cleaner and Dirty Dog floor cleaner, EarthPawz also offers other pooch specific cleaning products: Doggie Grime (all purpose cleaner), Doggie Doo Doo (carpet and fabric cleaner), Thirsty Dog (Toilet Bowl Cleaner), and Smelly Dog (deodorizer).

We give EarthPawzs our highest four paws rating! We liked the results and appreciate the fact that all the products are non-toxic and 100% natural.

Here is a guess post written by Paul Glovers who lives with his wife and husky in Washington state and is a freelance writer for Veterinary Assistant Schools, a guide to Vet Assistant careers and education…

Dogs enjoy playing outside just as much as their owners enjoy watching them. However, some dogs can get into trouble very quickly. Just a few steps out of the safety zone can lead a beloved pet into a heap of danger. A driver might hit the dog if it runs out into the road. The dog might also get lost or cause trouble in the neighborhood. So much can occur outside the confines of the home yard. For that reason, many owners are turning to invisible fences for protection. Manufacturers created invisible fences with pet safety and owner comfort in mind.

Invisible fences are containment systems that installers put into the ground instead of above the ground. The boundaries are similar, but neither the dog nor the neighbors can see them. Invisible dog fences are electronic units that have a transmitter and a receiver. The installers set the boundaries around the yard. When the dog attempts to cross the boundaries, the transmitter sends uncomfortable static signals to the dog’s leash, which is the receiver. In order for invisible electric fences to work properly, the owner must train his or her pet to understand the concept of crossing boundaries.

Invisible fences provide several benefits to the animal and the pet owner. For one, manufactures designed these units in such a way that there are no yard view obstructions. Homeowners can enjoy a clear view of their yard s and the surrounding areas. Traditional above ground fences obstruct the back yard view.
Invisible fences are also less costly than traditional fences and provide more protection. Dogs are very intelligent pets. Some of them learn how to dig underneath fences. Other dogs can learn to jump and climb. The electrical system prevents the pet from thinking of creative ways to get out. Owners also have more options as far as design. For example, if an owner would like to keep his or her pet from getting into a garden area, the installers can create an underground shield around that area in addition to blocking off the main yard. It is much simpler than attempting to build a separate fence around a small garden. Additionally, a homeowner with several acres of land might not be able to afford placing fencing around the entire area. He or she can place boundaries in a smaller area of the yard by using an invisible fence. That way the dog is still confined, but he or she has enough space to roam around and be happy. The homeowner is still able to view his or her yard without obstructions. Traditional fences do not offer that type of flexibility. Are Invisible Fences Humane?

Some consumers are concerned with whether invisible fences are effective. They also wonder if using this type of shock device is humane. Invisible fences are very safe for the animals. They do not cause excruciating amounts of pain, nor should they be psychologically damaging to the pet. However, owners should not use them on very young dogs or dogs with severe health issues. Young dogs may not understand this training procedure. Unhealthy dogs could be frightened and have an adverse reaction. Studies have shown that invisible fences used with proper training are very effective and non-dangerous training methods.

The success rate for invisible fences is very high. These fences will work for almost any dog. However, there is always a rare case here and there. These few cases of failure are usually due to improper education and training rather than technology flaws. Owners should read the material and watch any disks provided by the manufacturer before attempting to use the equipment on the dog.

Invisible fences range in price according to the manufacturer and the type of transmitter the unit has. The pricing also includes the design of the product, the size of the yard, and the installer’s charges. The cost of having an invisible system put in could be as low as several hundred dollars to as high as several thousand dollars. The best thing for a homeowner do is to shop around. It is important that the individual purchase high quality products to avoid failure. It is better to pay slightly more for a peace of mind.

I was reading an article yesterday on Dogster Warning: Some Canine Plaque-Reducing Products Contain Toxic Xylitol!

The Dr. Barchas ends with this statement: I unequivocally recommend that no dog owner use this, or any, product that claims to prevent plaque in dogs. In the best case, you’ll waste your money. In worse cases, the product will contain a known poison.

With anything you are going to give your dog you need to check the ingredients. Make certain there are no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, dyes, alcohol, acids or chemicals. I do this for everything I buy for my dogs including their dog food, treats, toys, beds, etc. anything that will come in contact with your dog needs to be safe.

I have to disagree with the author about not using any plaque and tarter control for your pets. If you are a dog owner who brushes your dogs teeth everyday (which we all should be doing), then it may not be as important to put something into your dogs water which will help break down tarter build up. However, if you are like most of us dog owners and only brush your dogs teeth twice a week or less then plaque and tarter control is an important item to have, especially if you own a dog breed which has crowded teeth and are more likely to get plague and tarter buildup which can lead to Periodontal disease.

Rusty at 7 years old

I have been using Pet Kiss plaque and tarter control for the last four years. It contains: Purified water, zine, vitamin B, vegetable glycerin (not corn derived), and red beet juice extract. It does not contain any preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, alcohol, acids or chemicals. It has no order or taste and my dogs do not notice it at all my dogs teeth are white and clean.

I love Dog Pack Snacks! Dog Pack Snacks provide a high quality dog treat with a high protein, low fat content. They are great for dogs who are a little over weight. Dog Pack Snacks are made with human grade, 100% natural, organic foods.

Watch my video review:



When you order your treats they will be freshly made and shipped to you the very next day. Dog Pack Snacks do not contain any artificial preservatives so once you get your dog treats make sure fido gets to enjoy them within six weeks. If your household is anything like mine getting a bag to last longer than a week can he hard to do.

These wonderful treats do not contain:

• Corn
• Wheat
• Soy
• By-Products
• Salt
• No Artificial Preservatives or colors
• Added Sugar

There are so many great things about Dog Pack Snacks including 20% of all profits from their dog treats are donated to Have A Heart, Inc. – A South Florida Canine Rescue.

Dog Pack Snacks come in 9 different flavors with prices ranging from $4.99 to $10.99.

Sadie and Rusty both give Dog Pack Snacks 5 Paws Up.

For more information:

Visit: DogPackSnacks.net
Facebook

I love taking my dogs out hiking. I prefer the perfect type weather we get in Spring and fall however, I will take them out even when temperatures get fairly cold. I highly recommend getting your dogs outdoor wear from Ruff Wear. Ruff Wear focus’ on outdoor wear for your dog and  have the some of the highest quality outdoor dog products. Here are a few gift ideas for cold days and being outdoors with your dog.  All items come in several sizes.

K 9 Over Coat This is the perfect coat for going up into the mountains during the winter. This is Ruff Wear’s most durable coat, it is wind and water resistant. The recycled fleece insulating layer is enclosed in a durable recycled polyester shell, keeping body heat in, and the elements out. The K 9 Over Coat has easy auto lock buckles on each side provide easy on/off.

Quinzee CoatThis is the perfect coat for those walks where its cold outside but the sun is shinning. It’s an insulated dog jacket which provides weather-resistant warmth.

Bark’n Boots™ Grip Trex™are the perfect dog boot if you’re looking for a boot that will protect your dogs feet. These are great for the dog who likes to hike, bike, run, or explore the great outdoors with their humans.

Bark’n Boots™ Skyliner These boots are perfect during the winter when you want to take your dog out for a walk. They protect your dogs feet from salt or other chemicals, from hot/cold temperatures, abrasive surfaces and they also come in handy for improving mobility in aging adventurers.

Approach PackThis is a great dog backpack for everyday walking. I like to use it for training and exercise. The Approach Pack gives your dog a load to carry and a job to do, generating instant four-legged motivation.

Dog toys are an important aspect of your dog’s life, they provide mental and physical stimulation and a way for us to have fun playing with our dogs. Listed below are some of my favorite toys for dogs.

Nina Ottosson Interactive Wood Brick Toy – This interactive dog toy provides a great way to mentally challenge your dog. It also can serve as a great way to feed a dog that eats too fast reducing the risk of canine bloat.

Planet Dog Wood Chuck Dog Toy w/ Recycle Ball – many dogs love to play fetch. I love this Chuck it from Planet Dog because it is environmentally friendly and provides a great way to play fetch without touching  a slimey, dog drool soaked ball.

Kyjen Plush Puppies with Squeakers – most dogs love toys with squeakers in them, it reminds them of hunting. These toys are great for dogs who love squeakers.

KONG – these are a must in any dog’s home. I love to fill them with dog friendly food, freeze them and give them to my dogs for hours of chewing time. Read my KONG review

Rumble Ring – I love this durable dog toy, it was one of the first toys I bought and my dogs still have it. Read my Rumble Ring review.

Busy Buddy Bristle Bone – great way to give your dog exercise and clean their teeth and gums. Read my Bristle Bone review.

Pogo Plush- great toy with a squeaker that moves inside making it hard for your dog to find. Read my Pogo Plush review

Animal Wellness Magazine have provided readers of Critter Minute with an amazing offer – a free one year digital subscription to their pawsome healthy magazine!

It’s easy to sign up – just follow these instructions:

Step 1: Follow the link and like them on Facebook
Step 2. Click the link on Facebook.
Step 3: Choose ’1 Year Animal Wellness Digital Subscription’
Step 4: Fill in your details and create your login information
Step 5: Enter the coupon code – F121F – in the ‘Coupon Code’ field at the bottom of the payment page and continue
Step 6: Start viewing the current magazine and our library of back issues

I hope you enjoy your subscription! And big, big thanks to Animal Wellness Magazine for providing this great offer to our readers!

A bed is without question one of the most important items you’re going to need for your dog.  Your dog is going to spend a lot of time on it, dogs sleep between 12 and 14 hours a day. A good dog bed should be manufactured with care and attention to detail. It also should be assembled from durable materials that are both all natural and pet friendly.  Here are a few of my favorite all natural and eco-firendly beds:

Harry Barker -  These beds are great for dogs that like to stretch out while they sleep. They come in several styles and colors. Read my full review

West Paw – These beds are great for dogs who like to sleep curled up. If your dog likes to sleep stretched out but likes the security of being enclosed you can order a bed one size larger than recommended.

West Paw Tuckered Out Bed - These beds are great for dogs for like to stretch out or dogs that like to curl up when they sleep. I like this bed because Rusty likes to sleep stretched out during the summer but in a ball in the winter. He can sleep both ways without a problem with this comfortable bed.

Dog Gone Smart – These beds stay clean naturally, reduce the spread of bacteria which can cause odor and allergens and stand up to the wear and tear of the most active pet.

P.L.A.Y Dog Beds – you can choose your shape and color. Which type of bed is best for your dog will depend on how your dog likes to sleep.

When shopping this holiday season please use my affiliate links. I get a small commission each and every time you click on one of my affiliate links. The price you pay will stay the exact same and I do not even get any of your information. Remember when you buy anything from Amazon whether it’s pet related or not I can still earn a commission if you click the link on my site first.

Please help support Critter Minute and myself by clicking on any of the links below before you buy. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season! Kelley

	You can order pretty much anything from Amazon. Please remember to use my link regardless of what you plan to buy whether it is pet related or not.
	This eco-friendly pet store focuses on natural and organic products for dogs and cats. Some of their all natural and organic products include: pet food and treats, supplements that address all kinds of issues such as allergies, joint support and immune health, natural flea control, toys, bowls, beds, herbs, homeopathic and holistic remedies.
	Animal Wellness Magazine focus’ on all natural and organic dog and cat products. They also promote natural, alternative medicine such as: Acupressure, Massage, Reiki and others. It’s one of my favorites.
	Are you still lugging home heavy bags of dog food? Cross that errand off your to-do list by having PetFlow.com, the one stop online dog (and cat) food store, deliver your dog food to you—for free! PetFlow.com allows you to set a delivery schedule for your dog food and treats. Eliminate those last minute trips to the store! It takes mere minutes to set up.
	Bark magazine is dedicated to everything related to canine culture. Each issue includes stories, essays, poetry, reviews, interviews and artwork related to the canine culture.
	I love Happytails, they offer 100% all natural dog shampoos, dog spa products, itchy skin relief, arthritis products, pet odor removal, tear stain removal and many eco-friendly dog products.
	Top of the line dog products. I love their backpacks, sweaters and harnesses. When you buy a product from Ezydog you know it’s going to last a long time.
	Another top of the line company for dog products. I love their their footwear, sweaters, backpacks and light beacon!
	PetWellbeing is an all-natural pet supply and holistic supplement company, offering 120 products to promote wellbeing and treat a number of common pet ailments. PetWellbeing products are DVM-formulated and made from the highest grade of herbs in a facility that meets the highest GMS standards.
	Doggyloot is the place for daily dog deals, dog coupons, puppy deals, accessories, services and discounts. They offer one deal each day at 45-75% off. Great way to save a lot of money on dog products. It’s fun to receive their daily email to see what product they have featured each day.
	This is where I get most of my dog walking clothes. They have great prices on everything.
Petsumer Report	An incredible report for those of you concerned about what is in your pet’s food. This report gives you a detailed list of what is in 1000′s of brands of pet food. Petsumer Report also lets you know if the ingredients are human grade or not. I consider this report a must have.

It’s that time of year when you are looking for the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Here are a few of my favorite dog  treats.

Bones are a good way for your dog to get both physical and mental stimulation, they also help clean your dog’s gums and teeth. Scott River Ranch has 100% Organic bones from grass fed cows. Make sure whenever you offer your dog a bone that the bone has not been cooked and that you supervise your dog while he/she is happily chewing away. Read my full review.

Rusty really wants the Barkster Dog Treat!

Barkster (read my full review here) are an incredible dog treat made with no additives or preservatives, 100% manufactured in the United States and are low fat. Barksters come in three flavors: Sweet Potato and Chicken, Brown Rice and Beef and Alfalfa and Liver.

Vegitopia. These treats come in five flavors Apple, Banana, Carrot, Sweet Potato and Pineapple. Try all five flavors and let your pooch decide which is their favorite. Read my full review.

Elk Antler! They do not splinter or break, they’re renewable and they’re actually healthy for your dog. Elk Antler have been found to have regenerative effects on joint cartilage and joint fluid. Read my full review.

Stella & Chewy’s Carnivore Kisses: Stella & Chewy’s products are made 100% in the U.S.A, naturally raised meat, poultry or fish, sourced from USDA-inspected facilities, without added hormones or antibiotics.

Liver Biscotti: No preservatives, 100% natural, made in the U.S.A and the perfect size for training.

Bones are a good way for your dog to get both physical and mental stimulation, they also help clean your dog’s gums and teeth. Scott River Ranch has 100% Organic bones from grass fed cows.  Make sure whenever you offer your dog a bone that the bone has not been cooked and that you supervise your dog while he/she is happily chewing away.

Rusty happy with his Pupsicle

Chewing is also a good way for your dog to get some exercise, most dogs are content and relaxed while chewing on a bone. Giving your dog a job to do (chew on a bone) can let you have time to get chores around the house done without any interruption from your dog. There is no better “job” in a dog’s mind than one involving food.

Keep your dog’s bone in the freezer until you are ready to give it to your dog. You don’t want the bone to spoil before your dog has had a chance to chew on it.

Regular chewing will also provide your dog with natural calcium. Bones can help prevent tartar build-up, gum disease, tooth loss and will strengthen your dog’s own bones.  Buy your dog a bone today and watch your dog transform into one very happy pooch.

Disclosure: I received complimentary Pupsicles; I was not paid for my review and all statements and opinions are my own.

Many of you know I love the Loving Pets treats and supplies. When I was offered the chance to review all three flavors of their Barksters line of treats I said yes without hesitation. It is always nice to find worry-free treats I can give Rusty and Sadie; Especially treats that they love to eat.

Loving Pets never adds any chemicals or preservatives to their all-natural treats. For example, the Alfalfa and Liver Krisps I sampled had Alfalfa, rice flour, beef liver and rice bran oil as the only ingredients.

Rusty really wants the Barkster Dog Treat!

These great treats are also low calorie and low fat, each Barkster treat is only 12 calories. A good thing when you have a pet who tends to get over weight easily. I like to break each treat in half then give each half to the dogs. A certain pup always needs to have her diet monitored. We won’t mention any names, now will we Sadie.

All Barksters can be good treats to give dogs with food allergies because they are wheat-free, gluten-free, and contain no additives or preservatives. All ingredients come from farmers in the United States and they are made in the United States.

Here is a video showing how much Sadie and Rusty love Barksters:




Barksters come in three flavors: Sweet Potato and Chicken, Brown Rice and Beef and Alfalfa and Liver.

Rusty and Sadie give these wholesome treats 5 paws up and think it would be a crime if you don’t share them with your dogs too!

Disclosure: I received complimentary packages of Barksters; I was not paid for my review and all statements and opinions are my own.

Push Button Pet Gate

Do you have a puppy? If so you have probably had few things chewed up and maybe a piddle or two to clean up when you get home. One way to help control what gets chewed up and where you will find the next piddle puddle is to use a pet gate to confine your puppy inside a specific area when you’re not home to keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior.

Of course there are many other uses for pet gates in addition to basic puppy management. One use is to keep the dogs from getting to the cat’s room. Cats of course can jump right over the majority of pet gates, this keeps Fido from away from Fluffy, and helps keep your dog from consuming kitty kibble or litter box munchies. “Gross!”

Maybe you plan on taking your dog to work with you and want to keep them where they are allowed.

Gates can be used to keep your clever dog, (Who knows better than to jump on the coach when you’re home.) from getting too comfortable when you’re gone. Use a pet gate to block access to the room wherever the forbidden furniture is located. The possibilities are endless.

Probably the most compelling reason to own a pet gate is to keep your pet safe. For example, you can use a pet gate to keep your pet out of the kid’s room or out of the garage. Sometimes there are just certain places, people and things you don’t want your dog around and a pet gate is the perfect solution.

Finding the right gate for you

• It should be easy to install. You do not want to get home and discover you need to be Einstein to install your pet gate.

• Make sure your gate is strong enough to withstand any jumping, climbing or crashing into it. You may be lucky and have a dog that sees the gate and doesn’t try to test it. However, if you have a dog that tries to make a jailbreak every chance they get, you’re going to need a heavy duty gate.

• Tall Pet Gates – for the tall dog breeds such as great danes.

• It should be easy to open and close. Some gates don’t open and close, don’t create a tripping hazard in your home.

• Does your dog like to chew a lot? If so you will want to avoid pet gates with wood and plastic, otherwise it might not last very long.

• It should be safe and aesthetically pleasing. It’s going to be in your home, you don’t want something ugly. Avoid any gates that have holes large enough for your dog to get their head through; your dog could get injured if it gets stuck.

Amazon has a large selection of Pet Gates to choose from. Head on over as pick out the perfect gate for you and your dog.