Best Gifts for Puppies Reviewed

We recently brought home a puppy and immediately started buying puppy appropriate gifts for the little fellow.  

One might think immediately of puppy food and a dog bed when you first get a puppy.  Of course, we did bring home a puppy bed and food.  However, we immediately realized he needed teething toys.  We started with one that we knew would be a wonderful toy since our adult dogs have always loved them.  But, let me tell you, one is not enough!  He currently has 8 teething toys that he has in various locations.  The one he prefers apparently depends on his mood.  

For training, we also needed Milk-Bone biscuits, Mini Pure Bits (liver) and Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Crisps.  Our vet recommended the rice crisps years ago because of their lower calories.  A lot of treats are required for training!

A fleece blanket also makes a great gift!  My mother purchased our little puppy a Christmas fleece blanket that he received immediately.  He loves that blanket!  Most often, he lays on it on our leather couch, but he can drag it down to the floor when desired to make a impromptu bed.  

We already had a ramp, which the puppy will use as an adult to "walk" himself up into the back our our SUV.  It is extremely important to start that training early by placing the ramp against a couch and letting them naturally climb it to get onto a couch.  We discovered the hard way that an adult dog may be afraid to climb a ramp regardless of offered treats. 

A doorway gate may not "feel" like a great gift idea.  However, I assure you, not only are you protecting your furniture and home decor, you are protecting the puppy from cords or falling items after he runs into an end table.  I'm sure you get the idea.  We can't watch them constantly, therefore, they should not run free through an entire home heedless of potential dangers.  Puppies are full of energy and running is exactly what they prefer to walking. 

Believe it or not, I would also suggest Johnson's Baby Shampoo for a puppy's gift.  Again, that was also recommended by our vet for a puppy.  

A few weeks home and these are the "gifts" for puppy that we have found essential.  With Christmas upon us, it seemed like the best time to recommend gifts for puppies (or dogs) if they happen to be on your gift list too.   

All of the above mentioned gifts are featured below and linked to either a previous review or to a store for purchase. 

 

Puppy Chew Toys Make Great Gifts

As I said, these toys will most likely become what you want to get first and continue to add to the collection over time.  You realize quickly that your furniture, bedding, beloved stuffed animals, and even your skin need to be protected from puppy chewing and teething.  The best way to prevent damage is to offer a chew toy that is made for that purpose.

35 years ago, our first puppy turned our kitchen chair legs into gnawing posts.  While it is funny to recall now when my husband refers to the puppy "toothpicks", it was definitely not funny when it happened. 

Of course, you still must train yourself to say "no" since puppies, like any baby, will continue to test your patience and tolerance.  Having a desirable option is in everyone's best interest.

With human babies in mind, I bought a few teething toys that can go in the freezer to make a cold chew toy for our puppy. 

We have always been familiar with the Kong products and know from experience that they are fabulous.  However, my cousin brought Watson (our puppy) a Outward Hound bone.  He loves that bone!  Therefore, I would highly recommend it too. 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Kong Wubba for PuppiesClick to Read the Review Outward Hound by Dogwood Jack Durable Dog Chew Toy, Bacon Scent, LargeCheck Price Petstages Cool Teething Stick for Dogs - for Teething Puppies - Freezable for Added ReliefCheck Price KONG Puppy Goodie Bone - Stuffable Toy for Small Puppy - Natural Rubber Chew for Puppies - Toy for TeethingCheck Price

 

Treats for Puppies

We all like special treats for the holidays. Puppies may not recognize special days of the year, but we do and we like gifting our baby dogs with special treats for special occasions.  Milk-Bone brand recognizes our desire for special treats and they make fun shaped dog biscuits just for the holidays.  Plus, a Christmas fleece blanket always makes a puppy happy and we appreciate the added Christmas "decor" in our home.

Our adult dogs have always appreciated their annual fleece blankets from their granny.  We use them year round in the cars, on hardwood floors, or wherever that little bit of comfort for our puppy is needed.  After all, we don't mind a touch of Christmas spirit throughout the year. 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and PuppiesClick to Read the Review PureBites Beef Liver for Dogs, 8.8oz / 250g - Value SizeCheck Price Christmas Blanket Holiday Fleece Throw Blanket for Couch/SofaCheck Price Quaker Rice Crisps, Apple Cinnamon, 3.52 Ounce, Pack of 6 (Packaging May Vary)Check Price

  

 

More Gifts for Puppies

I mentioned the necessities like the gate, the ramp and the shampoo for puppies.  For Puppy parents who do not have these items, they would be greatly appreciated.  The parents, themselves, may not recognize their importance until they start using them, but time will prove out how much they are truly needed.

 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Indoor Dog GatesRead the Review Comfort Expression Orthopedic Dog Bed for Extra Large Dogs 45x35 Inch, Waterproof Egg Crate FoamCheck Price HerCcreta wigge Dog Ramp for Car 63Check Price Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Tear-Free Baby & Newborn Wash & Shampoo, Sulfate-, Paraben- Phthalate- & Dye-Free, HypoallergenicCheck Price

 

 

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Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and Puppies Reviewed

I recently discovered Milk-Bone Holiday Treats for puppies!  I was so excited to find these adorable treats for our new puppy.  He deserves something special for the holidays, just like everyone else.

The Milk-Bone holiday treats come in a collectible, reusable tin.  The treats themselves are shaped like stockings, Christmas trees and dog bones with "engraved" hearts.  They are also colored in green, red and the bones are the traditional brown.  Perfect for a special gift for a special dog or puppy.

Our puppy is 15 weeks old and he received his Christmas Milk-Bone treats in the specialty tin, the day after Thanksgiving.  He loves them and we love the size.  They are small enough for even a puppy to enjoy. 

I'm not sure if I will save the tin just for Christmas use, or if I will refill it with regular puppy Milk-Bones when it is empty.  I do know I will reuse the decorative tin for doggy treats.

The tin is available for a limited time only.  I hope that means the Milk-Bone brand will continue to have an annual tin.  What fun they would be to give each year for Christmas to all of our puppy friends.

 

The Milk-Bone Holiday Treats

The shaped Milk-Bones in this tin are suitable for all ages, from puppy to senior.  I wasn't sure if the shapes would matter to the pups or simply entertainment for us, but I have noticed that our baby dog seeks out the red stockings.  Will that continue?  I don't know, but it makes for a fun doggy game to see which one of the 3 shapes he will choose first.
 

Puppy is a Bit of a Blur as He Zooms in 
for the Red Stocking Treat

• 24 ounce Reusable Tin filled with Milk-Bone Treats
• Stockings Shaped Treats in red, green & brown
• Shaped Christmas Tree in green, red & brown
• Brown Doggy Bones with "Engraved" Hearts 
• Available for Limited Time 
• Helps Clean Teeth
• Freshens Breath 
• 12 Vitamins and Minerals 

Another fun game for the humans in a puppies life would be to guess the count of treats in the holiday tin.  We did count ours just for fun and discovered there are/were 148 treats in our puppy's 24 ounce tin.

You Might Not Want to Turn Your Back on a Puppy with an Open Tin of Milk-Bone Treats!

 

Milk-Bone Limited Edition Holiday Dog Treats, Small Biscuits, 24 Ounce Reusable Tin

 

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Kong Wubba Toys for Puppies

Our Baby Watson Loves His Wubba

Our older dogs have always loved their Wubbas!  

When we recently decided to bring home a 10 week old puppy, my husband went shopping for puppy toys immediately.  Much to his delight, he discovered there are Kong Wubba toys made just for puppies.  Of course, he brought a small Wubba home for our puppy to celebrate his first day with us.  

We have now found that puppies love a small Wubba as much as older dogs love big Wubbas. 

Like human babies, puppies are precious, beautiful and easily lovable.  Puppies are also high energy and require a lot of playtime, which means a multitude of size/age appropriate toys.  If you don't provide the toys, they will find play pretties everywhere around your home.  Things like cords, socks, couch cushions, shoes, shoe laces, shirt buttons, or anything within their reach is too attractive for them to ignore.  

Keep in mind, puppies, like babies, are teething and they need to be chewing on something constantly.  Just looking around my kitchen, you might think I am spoiling our new puppy because he has at least 8 new toys suitable for puppy chewing on the floor.  When he tires of playing with one, he will grab a different one and chew until he tires of the feel of it in his mouth.  If he gets too bored, toes could easily become his next prey and those sharp, little teeth are truly like needles sticking you in 5 places at once.

His first toy turned out to be his favorite toy.  A brand new puppy-size Wubba!  It squeaks, it has flappy tails, and it makes the best catch toy.  

The Kong Wubba Toy for Puppies

 Kong Wubba Assorted Colors PuppyCheck PriceOne of the things I like best about the Kong Wubba is its strong, durable, washable fabric.  Puppies, and dogs, play hard.  Wubba often end up landing in water puddles or even mud.  Puppy toys must be washable. 

The small size shown on the right is the perfect size for a puppies mouth.  They would not be able to fit the larger Wubba (head) in their mouth for chewing or catching.

The flapper "legs" are shorter on the small Wubba too which allows the puppy more control over his toy and the Wubba is not oversized for him to easily carry.

One note of interest, Watson takes his Wubba to bed with him every night.  If he wakes up during the night, he has his favorite chew toy right next to him for night chewing as well as a comfortable companion.    

More Reviews for Dog Products

Easy Carry Fabric & Collapsible Travel Dog Bowl Reviewed

BarksBar Pet Water Resistant Front Seat Cover for Automobiles Review

Backseat Barker Dog Bed for SUV or Jeep Review

Ortho Sleeper Comfort Couch for Dogs Reviewed

Indoor Dog Gates Reviewed

Disposable Feeding Bowls for Dogs Reviewed

Frontline Flea & Tick Drops for Dogs and Cats Reviewed

 

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Simply Fun Toys for Your Cat ~ A Product Review

Our friends have just adopted a new kitten!  What a great little friend he will be in their household.  Just for fun we had a little visit and decided that the new "baby" in the family deserved some new toys.

Kittens and cats can be so much fun to watch when they have a target for their inquisitive minds.  It also helps to have those toys for those razor sharp little claws they have.  Tiny teeth love gnawing on something and better a toy than your fingers.  These cat toys are the best!

While cats can seem aloof, they still like to be with you and playtime is wonderful for creating connection with your new feline friend.

  

Cats love to move and jump around, it's their way of getting their exercise.  When you have some toys

 that you can share with them, the fun never stops.

Kittens especially are fun to watch as they "attack" their prey.  No they really aren't attacking, it just seems like it.  Pouncing and jumping on top of their ball, spring or mouse will keep them entertained and amused for hours.  And when they are done, a good rest will follow.

I loved the variety of toys in this pack and for less than 10 dollars, it's a whole lot of fun for you and your kitten/cat. Crinkle balls, felted balls, balls with hollows, all of them allow your kitten to play using their mouths, claws and the chase is on.

The little mice with feathered tails are a favorite too!  Easy enough and small enough to fit into their mouths, they will hide their toys when they are finished playing.  Bright colors make them easier for you to find them as well.

The springs are great too.  You can play games of fetch with your kitten.   Get that spring and release it into the air or target a corner.  The bright colors will attract them and if you play with them enough, you can even  have them trained to bring the springs back to you.  When they have had enough play time, they will let you know.  Then it's time to crawl into your lap for a nice long nap.  

Cuddle time will be so relaxing for both you and the kitten.

Special times like adopting a kitten can be made even more fun with a thoughtful gift that won't break the bank.  The new family will have endless fun and the kitten will always have something to play with even if you don't have all the time in the world just for them.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Wanda Gág's Millions of Cats Book Reviewed

“Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” That is the refrain from the classic children’s story, Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág.

THE AUTHOR

Gág was an American author, illustrator, translator and Millions of Cats was her first and is her best-known children’s book. Done in black and white in, according to Elizabeth Haidle in the book Before They Were Artists, her “wiggly dreamscape style.” You can find Before They Were Artists here on Amazon.

Gág used her own cats as models for the “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats” in the book. Considered groundbreaking; it was the first picture book to feature images flowing across two pages. It also featured text that was handwritten by Gág's brother as Gág preferred this more natural look.

THE REVIEWS

The book was published in 1928 and was very popular in its day with critics and readers alike. It sold well despite the Great Depression, earning a Newbery Honor in 1929. The book is still published, is said to be the oldest picture book still in print and is still popular with readers despite the controversial but happy ending.

SPOILERS  

Please note that this book review contains spoilers. Reading farther will educate you but, at the same time, could compromise your enjoyment of this book.

THE STORY 

The story is that of an old woman and an old man who live happily in a cute little cottage surrounded by flowers. Despite being so lucky, they are lonely and the woman asks for a cat. The man sets out to find a cat, a “sweet little fluffy cat” but is so taken with all of the cats that he finds that he brings home “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” The woman despairs at having to feed them all and in order to pick just one, they ask the cats, “Which one of you is prettiest?” The result? A cat fight of major proportions mentioned but not depicted in the book. After the cat quarrel, there remains a single, solitary “thin and scraggly” kitten who the couple adopts. In a concerning but happy ending, the ugly kitten wins.

THE CONTROVERSY

Is the book disturbing? What happens to the “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats” after they "bit and scratched and clawed each other" is not explicitly stated when they argue over who is the prettiest. All but one of them are simply gone when the noise subsides and the old woman surmises that they have “eaten each other all up.” 

On Goodreads, one reader and reviewer says that the book has a wicked sense of humor and that the end is a bit of a joke acknowledging that people today don’t like jokes at the expense of animals. Remember that this book was written in 1928, which was a very different time. The roaring 20s was a time of prosperity and excess. 

That same reader also discussed the response of her children saying that they were surprised by the ending. When the cats started to fight, their eyes became really big and her little boy asked, "What's going to happen?" She went on to day that, "her children's heart strings were tugged upon when the answer came and her little guy gave a short 'Ha' at the conclusion.”

Another reader says, “You can have too much of a good thing, but is it possible to have too many cats?” and finishes by saying it is up to you to draw a moral from this story. 

Yet another reader says, it is an “entirely unexpected tale with a dark twist, like traditional fairy tales from the days when children were introduced to terrifying life lessons as well as moral goodness through fantastical animal stories, and social-political messages were hidden in nursery rhymes." She continues by saying, "It is also a charming story, highly original, with a happy ending.” 

Finally, a reader says, that the cats in this book are, as cats can be, “destructive, vain and (possibly) cannibalistic." She continues by saying that she "can see how other people might find that disturbing but that it rings true to her, as a cat-lover.” 

You can take this book as a simple picture book or, as some believe, as a book with a much bigger message driven by Gag’s political leanings. Public Domain Reviews, writes that this book "tells a very disturbing story about the barrenness of bourgeois living, greed, competition, environmental degradation and senseless violence."

BUY MILLIONS OF CATS

You can buy a nice, shiny new version of this book for the children in your life on Amazon by clicking right here. It is available in various formats including hardcover, paperback, Kindle and audiobook but it looks like the later two do not feature Gag's artwork.  If it matters to you as it does to me, make sure you are buying an original version of the book. It entered the public domain in 2024 and therefore, there are now numerous versions of the story available not all of which feature Wanda Gag's illustrations.  

To buy an antique, vintage or even possibly a limited edition or signed version of Wanda Gag's Millions of Cats, I would click here, to eBay.

SUMMARY   

Have you read this story? What do you think of it and, in particular, the ending? Would you read it to your children? Your grandchildren? I would carefully consider doing so, having read it myself and having a good feeling for what disturbs my children and/or grandchildren. As an adult with memories of this book? I would definitely add it to my collection.

Stay tuned for more about Wanda Gag and her books in another post. 

See you
at the book store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

 

QUICK LINKS:

Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum Book Review

Bruce Degan's Jamberry Book Reviewed

A Treasury of the World's Greatest Fairy Tales Books Reviewed

Anne Alexander's The Pink Dress Reviewed

Juicy As a Pear: Wanda Gág’s Delectable Books

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Cat Treat Toys Review

Cat treat photo by the author.

I have gotten my cats various treat toys over the years. The one before the current one, that is pictured above, was a plastic round ball, that had a hole in it where the treats could fall out of as the ball was rolled. The one that we had, had a hole size that could be adjusted to make it easier or harder for the treats to fall out of. Our cat did seem to enjoy it to an extent, but it did not seem to be a favorite toy. I did not find the particular cat ball treat dispenser that we had, on Amazon.

Last Christmas, I came across the ladybugs and leaves design cat treat toy. With this toy, the treats seemed to be more directly retrieved from the toy. It's been over eight months now, and it is still a hit with our cat. There was a little bit of a learning curve at the very beginning, but it did not take long for her to figure it out. The way to get treats from this toy was a lot more straight forward. It was and is still a winner; it has two paws up from our cat. She comes to get me when it's treat time, without me having to call her.

This last toy is a home made treat toy made from a toilet paper roll. The toilet paper roll is folded in half, with both ends meeting, and then cutting slits, stopping around a half inch or so from the ends. Unfold the toilet paper tube, then push the middle part of the tube out a bit and add some treats. Our cat was immediately intrigued with this, once I put the treats in it! This is a nice way to add some extra fun for your cat, in a quick and easy way.

Why provide treat toys for your cat(s).

It offers some fun, play, and an intriguing way to play on their hunter instincts.

Another reason, is it is a way to help slow down a cat's eating habits. If they were used to eating fast, as in perhaps they came from an open room type shelter, they may have had to eat fast to make sure they got to the food when it was out. We had two cats where that was the case. Providing a mechanism that helped slow the cat's eating down, was a big help in getting their weight under control.

Which cat treat toy would I recommend?

My choice would be the ladybugs and leaves cat treat toy. My cat seems happier with this treat toy more so than she did with the dispensing ball toy. She looks forward to using it and I don't have to encourage her to use it.

Ladybugs and Leaves Cat Treat Toy; Catstages Buggin' Out Puzzle: Check price.

My second recommendation, is to try the toilet paper roll option; it's a good way to see if you want to invest in a treat toy that is more long lasting. However, they are relatively easy to make and toilet paper rolls can be in easy supply.

Cheryl Paton

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Outward Hound Treat Puzzle Level 2 Review

Always on the watch for helpful puppy products for enrichment! The Outward Hound Treat Puzzle level 2 came highly recommended and indeed has over 78 thousand reviews with a 4.5/5 star average in a very popular online store.

Three Levels In One

The Outward Hound is a three level puzzle depending upon how the components are arranged. I found this pup quickly learned how to find the food. Slightly disappointed the pup needed about 4 feeding times to conquer the puzzle. Three minutes and poof the food was gone! The food was one cup of puppy food which filled about 75 percent of the nooks and crannies of the puzzle. I would expect if the puzzle was 100 percent full the feeding would take longer.

 Durability And Chew Marks

I was surprised the components of the puzzle were not puppy proof. Indeed after one use the pup with teeny tiny teeth left its' mark.

The reviews did mention a concern with the chewability of the puzzle as a possible negative.

With a watchful eye I concur. Without purchasing and trying the product chewability is subjective to each dog. Apparently teeny tiny baby puppy teeth can and did leave chew marks on the puzzle. this puppy also lifted off the white bone covers as a toy and tore off a door... leaving me to not feel comfortable with this puzzle unsupervised closely.

Recommendation

I was hoping for a puzzle puppy feeder to keep the pup busy.  I liked so many of the features of this puzzle, but ultimately decided it was not a great fit for this pup due to the chewable components and need for very close supervision.

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Easter Treats for Cats Reviewed

This year I included my grandkitty in a family tradition and sent her an Easter treat.  I'm not sure why I have not done so in the past since I have adored all of my grandkitties.  Of course, I have sent them Christmas gifts each year, but just didn't think about the Easter treat.

Every year I buy a chocolate Easter bunny for our children as their special treat for Easter.  They are both grown adults now, but I still buy them a chocolate Easter bunny.  When my daughter got married, I started including our son-in-law in that tradition.  Even now that they are vegans, I sought out a vegan chocolate bunny (which they love) for them and shipped it directly to their home for delivery.

I wanted to send my grandkitty a chocolate bunny kitty treat, but could not find one, so I settled for a bunny carrot filled with cap nip.  I guess we can just say the carrot is a related or corresponding gift to the chocolate bunnies.  

I've already decided what I will send my grandkitty next year, now that the Peeps catnip toys have been daughter approved.  I can hardly wait!  I like the looks of Peeps cat nip toys better than the carrot, but I am quite sure my grandkitty will love fighting and "kicking" the carrot.  

Update:  While writing this article, I thought "why wait?" so I promptly ordered the Peeps catnip toys for my grandkitty!  They will arrive after Easter, but she won't mind.

 

Catnip Filled Carrot Cat Toy

 OurPets 100-Percent North American Catnip Filled Carrot Cat Toy 24 KaratCheck Price

Reduce your kitties boredom or stress by giving them a cat toy to play with. The carrot is filled with catnip which will entice the kitty to play with it. 

I chose the carrot cat toy because of the excellent reviews, as well as the awesome videos showing cats really enjoying their playtime with this specific cat toy.  Since it is only 4½ inches long, without the feathers, I was concerned it might not be long enough.  However, after watching several cats grasp the top in the mouth and kick the carrot with their hind paws, I knew it would be perfect.

Hopefully, the canvas fabric will make it more durable and hold up longer to the kitty chewing.  After having grandkitties for 17 years now, I know how important durable fabric is around them.

Now, let's all go play "kick the carrot"!

  

Catnip Filled Peeps Bunnies for Cats

 Peeps for Pets Peeps Bunnies Plush Catnip Cat Toys in Pink and Blue, 4" - 2 countCheck Price

Aren't these Peeps catnip toys just the cutest cat toys you have ever seen? And, the perfect Easter treat for my grandkitty, and your kitty too!  

There are 2 Peep catnip toys in the package.  

Like the carrot, they are only 4" long, but they also received excellent reviews, although one reviewer said she opened the stitching on the toy, added more catnip and stitched it back up for her cat.  That sounds like a great way to make an adorable cat toy more enticing for play.

These Peeps for Pets are officially licensed by Peeps and even have the Peeps trademark tag. 

   

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AirTag Cat Collar: Keep Track of Your Furry Escape Artist

I never really thought about tracking a cat until my friend's indoor cat, a true escape artist, started sneaking out and disappearing. 

It was nerve-wracking for my friend to not know if the cat was safe or where it had gone. That's when I discovered a simple and affordable solution—an AirTag cat collar.

Easy Cat Tracking with an AirTag Collar

This collar is designed to hold an AirTag, making it easy to monitor your furry friend. The Airtag is not included; this is only the collar that safely holds the Airtag.

It has a secure, elastic AirTag case that keeps the tracker snug and prevents it from dangling or falling off. 

With this collar, you can quickly check your cat's location, giving you peace of mind without the hassle.

Safety First with a Breakaway Buckle

One of the best features is its breakaway buckle. 

Cats are naturally curious and love to climb, so there's always a risk of getting caught on something. 

The breakaway design ensures that if your cat gets stuck, the collar will safely release, preventing injury. 

Plus, the reflective strip makes spotting your cat in low-light conditions easier—perfect for those late-night adventures.

Comfortable and Gentle on Fur

Comfort is key, and this collar is made from soft, reflective nylon rather than silicone, which can sometimes irritate a cat's skin. 

It's lightweight and designed to be gentle on your pet's fur, so they won't even notice they're wearing it. 

The adjustable fit means you can find the perfect size, ensuring it stays secure without being too tight.

Waterproof and Easy to Clean

Another great thing? It's waterproof and easy to clean. 

Cats get into all sorts of messy situations, but this collar is made to handle it. 

The AirTag holder protects the tracker from moisture, and dirt can be wiped off quickly—there's no need to worry about your cat's playful antics.

Choose the Right AirTag for Your Device

When selecting an AirTag for your cat’s collar, ensure it’s compatible with your device. 

Apple AirTags work with iPhones and iPads, while Android users may need a different tracker that functions with their system.

Choosing the right AirTag ensures seamless tracking and peace of mind.

_________________

This Airtag Cat Collar is available on Amazon.

Again, the Airtag is not included with the collar. Here's an Apple Airtag for Apple users.

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A Review of Water Bottle Dog Toys

 

Dogs Love That Crinkle Crinkle!

I was visiting my niece this past weekend. We were drinking coffee at the kitchen table and I noticed her yellow lab was out in the yard tossing and pouncing on some kind of toy. He was having big fun! This went on for quite a while, so I asked her what the dog was playing that was keeping him so entertained.

She went to the patio door and called the dog inside. The dog grabbed his toy and came trotting into the kitchen. The toy was some kind of fuzzy stuffed animal, but when he dropped it and started biting it and pawing it, it made a crinkling noise. It was not the kind of noise I had ever heard coming from a dog toy, so I was intrigued. The noise seemed to egg the dog on to play.

I asked her what toy it was. She laughed and said, it was a good thing she had another, as she could never get the one he had away from him, he played with it all the time. I laughed as she went to the cupboard and pulled out a cute, plush, pink pig. She handed it to me and I looked at it and then squeezed it. It made no crinkling noise. I looked up at her, puzzled.  No noise?  She picked up an empty water bottle and opened the Velcro at the end of the toy and slipped in the bottle. She handed me the toy and said "squeeze it."  When I did, it made the familiar crinkling noise!

The dog heard the noise and came running over and dancing around, wanting to play. She said that she had seen her friend's dog playing with one at the dog park and her dog fell in love with it, so she bought a couple off Amazon.  From the time it had arrived her dog had not stopped playing with it.

I was pretty impressed. I don’t have any dogs, but I have several friends and relatives that did. They are like my foster dogs, so I always get them gifts for holidays.  I knew their dogs would love these toys!

Zippy Paws Otter Toy

Of all the ones I saw on Amazon, I like this cute otter the most, so I ordered it for my girlfriend's dog.  I liked the fact that it did not have eyes or a nose that could be torn off and swallowed. I was surprised at the thickness of the material and the fact it had two layers to help protect the bottle.  I also noticed it had a different type of closure with a loop instead of Velcro.  It came with a regular sized water bottle with a reusable cap that squeaked!  When you change the bottle, you just take off the cap and replace it with the squeaker cap and slide it in.  Your dog is ready for a squeaking, crinkling good time!

While browsing these toys on Amazon I ran across another one that I absolutely loved!  A toy shaped like a wine bottle that says "Paws Off My Wine!"  I have a friend that loves wine and I know she will get a kick out of this dog toy for her Husky.  They also come in beer bottles.

Prime Pets Wine Bottle Toy

I highly recommend these toys!  They encourage play not only between you and your pet, but also play by themselves, which helps them stay healthy and entertained.  They are also so many choices, you are sure to find something your family will love.....tacos, hippos, doughnuts, frogs, bones, the types of toys are almost endless!   Buy one for your pet, I am sure you or they will not be disappointed!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Preferred Water Bowl for Cats, Review

Our preferred water bowl for our cat is a human grade dessert bowl made for humans.

We had tried water fountains before with other cats that we had, to encourage them to drink more water. Actually, we didn't see a big difference and there was the additional upkeep of the fountain and filters, etc. So we switched to metal pet bowls. They seemed to last a long time.

When our cat Tori came into our lives, I bought her a new metal bowl of the same brand that we had purchased before. It didn't seem to last long at all. As before, I rinsed it each day and put in fresh water. After a month or so there was a roughness that I noticed when I rinsed the bowl out. I thought perhaps it was a fluke, and bought another one. Same thing happened. I purchased a different style metal bowl that was a different brand. Again, the same thing happened.

These were decent bowls, I had thought. They had a good weight to them and were coated on the bottom to prevent sliding. And I didn't have that issue before.

I decided to move up to human grade bowls and kept my eye out for one that would be a good size for our cat. I found an 11-ounce dessert bowl by Corelle. It was a great height for our cat and held a decent amount of water. This bowl is thicker than the cereal bowls in this style.

It worked! I do the same routine, and the insides of the bowl have remained smooth for months and months. And our cat even drinks more water now than she did before. The bowl doesn't have the rubber grip stuff under it, but I can live with that. A cloth mat under the bowl suffices. It is now our favorite bowl for our cat's water.

These bowls are available on Amazon as a set. Amazon wouldn't allow linking to the specific bowl, but did allow me to link to the page it is on. It is the 11-ounce size and is sold as a dessert bowl.

Corelle bowls on Amazon

I bought mine as an individual bowl from Walmart.

Cheryl Paton

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing My New Top Fin 10 Gallon All-in-One Aquarium Starter Kit

My Top Fin All-In-One Aquarium Starter Kit was quick and easy for me to set up. I am enjoying the beauty and relaxation fish bring to my home again. If you would like to have fish, in a tank larger than a fish bowl but small enough to be easy for one person to set up and care for, this aquarium may be a great choice for you. This is a perfect size tank for offices, small homes, classrooms, and children's first fish tanks.

Top Fin 10 gallon All-in-One Aquarium Starter Kit

The Top Fin brand is easy to find in some big, chain pet stores. Because of that quantity, I assume, I stumbled upon a sale that brought this $80+ tank down to $53. So I snagged it, even though I had been looking for a couple of other brands.

I was concerned that I was purchasing a low-quality item just because of the tempting price tag and that I'd regret the purchase. But after I put it together and started it with a few fish I decided that this is a great starter tank.

Included Items:

• 10 gal glass aquarium, column shape
• Small footprint: 12.5" L x 12.5" W x 19.5" H
• Hood with feeding door
• bright white LED light in the hood
• thermometer
• 50w heater
• water test vial
• Top Fin PF10 Power Filter with cartridge replacement and a PF-S Silentstream Filter Cartridge 
• 4" Nylon Net

This aquarium was small enough and light enough for me to place where I wanted it.  I filled with with substrate, rocks, and plants (purchased separately). With the small size of the tank, I was able to fill it with water fairly quickly. And I was able to reach in and move the rocks and plants as I wanted. In the past, larger tanks made it difficult to reach the bottom and larger tanks take a longer time to fill or empty.

I was relieved that everything worked well. And very pleased that the water filter was extremely quiet! When I had aquariums many years ago, the water pumps were noticeably loud. This one is not. 

My Personal Thoughts and Fish Tank Needs

After visiting my son and grandchildren, I knew that I wanted to resume keeping tropical fish. I hadn't had an aquarium for a couple of decades. Unlike my family, who were doing really well with keeping gorgeous salt water tanks, I knew I'd start with fresh water. I wanted larger than a gold fish bowl. But I live in a small home and knew I didn't want a large aquarium on a stand.   I fell in love with my son's 15 gallon Cube shaped aquarium and started my search for a 10 to 15 gallon desktop tank.

My desire is to have a community tank; a variety of nano fish and creatures that can live in the same tank. I do not want just one betta or goldfish in a bowl. My preference is to have a somewhat naturalized underwater scene. Yes, I know that Neon Tetras (the first fish I purchased with this adventure) aren't the most natural looking. But they are a schooling fish and remind me of schools of minnows in fresh water lakes. 

Nano Fish - fish that grow less than 2" long and are suitable for aquariums as small as 10 gallons.

This Top Fin 10 gallon column, desk-top tank has been a great purchase. It was easy on the budget and better quality than I had expected. I highly recommend it for beginning fish-keepers, current tropical fish enthusiasts who might need extra space for baby fish, or a gift for someone. This is a great size of tank for children to have their first pets.

If you are not able to find the Top Fin brand in your area, there are many other small cube and nano aquariums available on Amazon. 

In my local area, I found the Top Fin brand at Petsmart.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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