Dog Friendly Products and Toys
Many household cleaners are toxic to dogs and other pets. To avoid issues, use one of the DYI dog friendly cleaning products you can make at home from our friends at Petco.
Food trucks have gone to the dogs.
When it comes to dog digs, some upgrades are beyond extravagant. Take Samsung’s new “Dream Doghouse” equipped with everything a pup could need to stay happy and healthy. This puppy has it all: a hydrotherapy pool, an AstroTurf treadmill for physical wellness, a paw-operated treat dispenser and a tablet hooked up to the TV for mental stimulation and entertainment.
Sure, your furry friend deserves to live in luxury, but at $30K a pop (yes, you read correctly), these doghouses would break the bank for mostly anyone. But that doesn’t mean you can’t give your pet the good life (while upgrading your own home too). You’ll enjoy the extra perks and even increase your ROI. Check out these four home upgrades to keep both you and your pup mentally and physically happy.
Doggie doors and stylish homes are in constant battle like oil and water. That is, until now. Install a wooden doggie door and your pup will thank you. Vintage Doors fancy pet doors come in 12 different types of woods and premium styles. These upscale designs integrate swinging mini doors for doggies.
Keep in mind, dogs forced to hold their urine and bowel movements can experience serious health problems like bladder or kidney infections, bladder stones and even incontinence over time, according to Holistic Healthy Pets. Give your dog the freedom to go out every 3 to 4 hours to keep them healthy and happy.
Windows help keep your dog’s brain active during the day while you’re away. Champion Comfort 365 windows have ViewMax frames designed and engineered to provide a maximum viewing area. Your dog won’t miss any of the outdoor action. An added benefit for fido? Your furry friend will get a much-needed dose of Vitamin D, which helps protect the heart, prevent osteoporosis and even possibly prevent depression, according to TotalHealthMagazine.com. These window upgrades also are energy efficient, which saves you money in the long run.
Many dogs struggle with anxiety issues. Your dog can get anxious if thunder strikes, too many guests come over or if you’re away on vacation (a.k.a. separation anxiety). Your dog needs a small area or room to de-stress and feel safe. This special spot should be windowless or draped with blackout curtains. Make sure your pup has food, treats and an open crate with blankets for your dog to get cozy in. WayFair.com offers stylish designer dog crates that can effortlessly blend in with an upscale interior design. The DenHaus ZenHaus Modern Pet Crate is an oval-shaped handcrafted dog den with a sophisticated and sleek look. It aesthetically blends in with decorative surroundings while giving your pup a comforting space to feel safe.
The more time your pet gets to spend with you, the more his or her mental state can improve. After all, dogs love us more than they love themselves! A simple kitchen upgrade can virtually grow the love and increase your quality time together, even as you’re physically apart. The ICPooch Interactive Care for Dogs enables you to have two-way video chat with your dog while you’re away so the pup doesn’t get too lonely. It can even deliver a treat via smartphone to delight your dog even more. This handy device can also be used as video surveillance so you can monitor the behaviors and habits of your dog.
As a parent to both kids and dogs, you know that the two have a lot in common; one thing being they both require an astonishing amount of gear. Of course, they’re adorable, but they also love tagging along to wherever you’re headed and, no matter where that is, always happen to find mud and other messy substances to track into the car.
If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels, there are a few things to take into consideration. The following three vehicles for 2015 are ideal for both kids and dogs.
In your pre-kid-and-pooch days you might have mightily declared, “I will never drive a minivan;” but never say never, as minivans are practical, comfortable and easy to drive. In fact, Kelley Blue Book lists the Toyota Sienna as one of the best family cars that money can buy. The minivan not only has an enormous cargo area, which is ideal for carrying big strollers and dog crates, the rear seating also folds flat, allowing your dog to lie down comfortably when you are out and about. It features an oddly high number of cup holders which will house both sippy cups and doggie treats with ease, and under-seat storage keeps toys, blankets and chew bones from rolling around on the floor.
In most cases, a kid-friendly car will also be a dog-friendly car. Consumer Reports named the Subaru Forester SUV as one of the best vehicles for a mom to drive. Features like big windows are perfect for kids and dogs to watch the passing scenery, and large rear seating areas (one of the largest in its class) make it ideal for multi-kid-and-pet families. The vehicle also boasts impressive leg room, which is nice if your darling dog likes to lie on the floorboards under his or her little master’s feet. The Premium model comes equipped with a backup camera, which is a terrific safety feature to have on any vehicle to prevent busy parents from accidentally running over tricycles or toys that are left in the driveway.
When it comes to dog-and-kid friendly cars, it’s a good idea to look for makes and models with low ride heights; this way, little legs can easily crawl or jump up into the vehicle. In addition, tailgates that fold down are good for dogs to hop up into the car; a good idea if your dog weighs more than 25 pounds. Car and Driver created a list of dog-friendly vehicles that are also perfect for kids. In addition to the aforementioned features, the Juke also has seats that fold flat and storage areas under the floor, plus an enormous cargo area in back that will easily hold all of the doggie and kiddie paraphernalia that you lug around on the daily. The interior is easy to clean—another bonus for when you are on the road with kids and pets—and the rear gate folds down nicely for easy access both for dogs and for loading it up with groceries, baby swings and more.
If you’re like most suburban families, you probably have been using your spare room as a storage catch-all, clearing boxes and tubs to the side on the rare occasion when guests come. Sure, it’s sorta functional, but could it be turned into something better? Why not consider turning it into a playroom for your pet? Giving your pets their own room can clear the clutter around the rest of the house, making it more comfortable for the entire family—and most likely more pleasant smelling, too.
Setting up a playroom for your pet can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. Here are some tips to creating the perfect pet zone in your spare room.
Both dogs and cats can be at risk when left unattended in a room. Exposed plugs, cords and outlets all are potential pet hazards. Remove any chemicals, small or sharp items and anything you don’t want broken. Leave as much open floor space as you can.
Photo by jumpyjodes via Flickr
The best flooring is durable, easy to clean and comfortable. While vinyl or other washable flooring might be easiest to clean, it is not always the best option. Rubber matting is more comfortable for your pet, but just as easy to clean. Rubber Flooring, Inc. offers many options for attractive, easy-to-clean flooring for your pet room.
Photo by osunick via Flickr
The room should have a window for good ventilation, but be sure to get pet-friendly blinds. Cords can potentially pose a strangulation risk for your pet. Slatted blinds are chewing hazards, and are easily broken by a pet who’s curious to see outside. Roller shades are a beautiful solution to this problem as you can lift them just high enough for your pet to see out.
Photo by emerille via Flickr
Your pet should be trained to be comfortable in their room. Placing their bedding in there and feeding them in their room can help make that adjustment go more smoothly. By feeding them in the room, you help your pet associate the space with yummy, good things. Create a feeding station and keep their water bowl full of fresh water. Encourage them with treats when they go into the room on their own.
Photo by Howdy, I’m H. Michael Karshis via Flickr
Dogs are pack animals and may not be happy if locked in a room away from their pack. Opt for a gate over a door so your pet can feel like he’s still getting enough quality family time. PetSmart offers many options for pet gates, including ones with cat doors, extra tall for jumpers and special locks for tricksters.
Photo by ZoeShuttleworth via Flickr
Most of all, you want to make the pet playroom a place to have fun. Put all of their toys in the room and play with them consistently. Enjoy the room with them to make it your pet’s favorite room. Offering your pet entertainment while you are away can help too. The Dart automatic pet laser can offer your pet hours of laser chasing fun when you don’t have time to play.
Photo by meanmybadself via Flickr
