What It Is: wrap to reduce dog anxiety

DogTipper Review: We’ve written about our Irie’s anxiety many times in the past. She is afraid–very afraid–of thunder, gunfire, and fireworks.

So when New Year’s Eve rolled around, we were very eager to test out the Thundershirt on Irie. To be honest, we didn’t hold high hopes for the Thundershirt because Irie is very anxious. We have seen more extreme cases of loud noise anxiety (with urination, shaking) but Irie is still very nervous and typically hides either in the closet or burrows behind Paris on the couch (which is not easy for a 75-pound dog). She sometimes shakes and often runs wildly through the house looking for a safe place away from the noise. We always play the television extra loud during fireworks to help mask the sound but it’s not always effective.

A couple of years ago, we went to a lecture by Dr. Temple Grandin and enjoyed her talk which included a discussion of pressure wraps for dogs to help ease anxiety. We’ve also read her discussion of the principle of the pressure shirts in her books but we’ve never used one on our dogs.

Until now.

We received the Thundershirt to review a few days before New Year’s Eve and immediately we started working to get Irie accustomed to the Thundershirt. We served her some treats using the stretched out Thundershirt like a serving tray, as recommended in the directions for initial fitting and conditioning. So far, so good.

On New Year’s Eve, we put the Thundershirt on Irie as soon as it got dark when we expected fireworks to begin. Just minutes after we had the shirt on Irie, the fireworks began and continued (very loudly) until after midnight. Usually we would expect Irie to be racing through the house.

Irie had a few tense moments but sat with us on the couch and watched TV. Soon, she dozed off. You’ll see her in this video shot on New Year’s Eve below:

About a week later, we had a thunderstorm in the middle of the night. It had already started lightning when we woke up and put the Thundershirt on Irie. She continued to show distress and tried to crawl under the bed, which was too low, and finally crawled beneath the covers. She shook for a while but then went to sleep.

The next day, another thunderstorm rolled in but this time we were able to put the Thundershirt on Irie before the lightning began. She was jumpy when it thundered but continued to go about her usual routine and ate her breakfast without any problem and as soon as the storm passed she even went out in the yard to urinate. (Usually she will not go out in the yard when there’s a threat of thunder.)

We’re very happy with the use of the Thundershirt and have found it to be a great solution to help manage Irie’s anxiety!

Price: $39.95 (additional charge for colors other than gray or for customized embroidery). A full refund is offered (minus shipping and handling) if you are not happy with the use of the Thundershirt.

For More Information:

• visit www.thundershirt.com
• call 866-892-2078 (Mon-Fri, 9-4 EST)

Disclosure: We received a Thundershirt to facilitate our review; we were not paid for our review and all statements are entirely our own.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions to to keep your dog or cat’s water and food bowls cleaner, it pays to have multiple bowls to use in rotation. In our house, we have a set of food and water bowls that are out and another that are in the dishwasher at all times.

When you go to shop for new bowls, check out the cute bowls available at T.J. Maxx like the ones Coco and Inca are enjoying above. Compared to $6 at other stores, these ceramic bowls retail for $2.99 at T.J. Maxx.

We recommend ceramic or stainless steel bowls, especially for cat households; plastic bowls can create cat acne in some felines. These ceramic bowls clean completely with a run through the dishwasher…and, when they’re out, they look cute!

For More Information:

• visit www.tjmaxx.com to find your closest T.J. Maxx store
• call 1-800-2TJ-MAXX

Disclosure: We received T.J. Maxx products for review; we were not paid for our review and all statements are entirely our own.

Do your dogs and cats have a habit of scooting their dishes around the room as they eat? We know ours often do, especially when we use stainless steel bowls. We love stainless steel bowls for their durability and ease of cleaning (and the fact that you don’t need to worry about cat acne when using steel or ceramic, unlike plastic) but steel bowls can easily find their way across the room at mealtime.

One answer is to use a holder like this wrought iron holder, available at Marshalls. Holders can be used for food and water bowls; the bowls rest in the holder and can quickly be removed for a trip to the dishwasher.

This set of two steel food bowls with wrought iron holder sells for $7.99 at Marshalls compared to $13 at other stores.

For More Information:

• visit MarshallsOnline.com to find your closest Marshalls store
• call 1-800-MARSHALLS

Disclosure: We received Marshalls pet products for review; we were not paid for our review and all opinions and statements are entirely our own.

Product:

What it is: Nutritional supplement for dogs

Manufacturer: Arcanatura LLC (Groton, CT)

DogTipper Review: Arcanatura, a company established by three veterinarians, markets a range of natural, herbal-based pet products aimed at relieving or preventing pet health ailments. All of their products are 100 percent herbal-based.

Arcanatura says that Omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) has been proven to be beneficial when added to a canine diet, particularly dogs afflicted by dermatitis, arthritis and older dogs whose brain function has deteriorated due to the aging process as well as for dogs suffering from nervous disorders and anxiety.

Arcanatura’s Omega-3 DHA nutritional supplement is made from algal phytoplankton a source which is safer (for both the animal and the environment) than traditional fish-oil sources.

Since animals can only process minute amounts of DHA, Omega 3 DHA Supplement is designed to be sprayed onto their daily meals with the amount based upon the dog’s body weight according to a formula of:

“A minimum of 15 to 20 mg DHA per kg per day (one pump per 20 kg or 44 lbs dog weight per day) “

The supplement is highly concentrated (40%) and is packaged in a small metal spray canister. The ingredients are listed as:

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 350 mg
• Ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 50 mg

The mixture is odorless and tasteless, so should not affect a dog’s eating habits. Between uses, the canister should be stored in the refrigerator.

Price: $16.95, available  from Arcanatura’s website and also from Amazon.com.

For More Information:

• visit us.arcanatura.com
• on Facebook
• on Twitter

Disclosure: We received a canister of Omega 3 DHA Supplement for review; we were not paid for our review and all opinions are entirely our own.

What it is: Natural pest repellent for dogs and cats

Manufacturer: Pet Naturals® of Vermont [FoodScience Corporation, Essex Junction, VT]

DogTipper Review: As we’ve written about before, we live in the country…and living in the country means living with fleas and ticks, at least for some of the year. Because of our warm weather here in Texas, actually it means living with fleas and ticks for much of the year.

This year, our drought has meant an exceptionally low population of ticks and fleas for us…but we know they’ll be returning. We’re always looking for natural, safe ways to control fleas and ticks, and so we were especially interested in Pet Naturals of Vermont, a subsidiary of the FoodScience Corporation, a company that markets an extensive range of pet health products.

Pet Naturals products bear the seal of the NASC (National Animal Supplement Council), an organization which works with the FDA to regulate pet health products. The Pet Naturals product line includes dietary supplements and additives, and topical formulas designed to counter common pet ailments. The company says their products are additive free, thoroughly tested and their potency and purity guaranteed.

Pet Naturals FLEA+TICK Repellent for Dogs & Cats is intended to protect against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and flies using an all-natural formula using these active ingredients:

• Lemongrass Oil 4%
• Cinnamon Oil   1%
• Sesame Oil     1%
• Castor Oil   0.5%.

FLEA+TICK Repellent comes in two different forms, an 8-ounce pump spray and pre-moistened towelettes. The company points out that the oils in the formula have traditionally been used by indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon forest region for pest avoidance. The formula contains no synthetic chemicals or drugs.

The repellent certainly smells nice, with a fresh lemongrass aroma. It can safely be used daily on any age of dogs and cats. It should not be applied to an animal’s eyes, nose and mouth area.

If you are looking for a natural remedy for insect pests, be sure to check out Pet Naturals FLEA+TICK Repellent. When the next wave of fleas and ticks arrive, we’re ready for them!

Price:

• Wipes (30 count) $5.67
• 8 ounce spray $14.44

For More Information:

• visit www.petnaturals.com
• on Facebook

Disclosure: We received Pet Naturals FLEA+TICK Repellent Spray and Wipes for review; we were not paid for our review and all opinions are entirely our own.

Product:

What It Is: Natural plant-based tick control formula for dogs

Manufacturer: Arcanatura LLC (Groton, CT)

DogTipper Review: A cleverly-named product aimed at a serious health issue, Tick’d-Off uses clinically tested essential oils to kill ticks which have attached themselves to your dog.

A few summers ago, we had a major tick infestation in our yard and our dogs required daily attention to remove them. We tried various treatments, on both yard and dogs, but they were very difficult to control. Fortunately, our dogs didn’t develop any of the serious maladies which ticks can transmit such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or canine ehrlichiosis, but they did suffer  skin irritations from the bites.

No doubt about it, ticks are a nasty piece of work and present a serious health hazard for dogs. And, removing them from a dog is not easy after they have embedded themselves firmly; pulling them out frequently leaves behind parasite parts which can easily result in a secondary infection.

Arcanatura’s Tick’d-Off presents a eco-friendly way to kill attached parasites using a formula containing Thyme, Rosemary and Cinnamon oils and ethyl alcohol. It comes in a pump spray canister with a trigger that allows you to spray the formula directly on the tick. After a few minutes, the tick should detach itself for easy removal using the included metal tick key which is designed to remove the entire parasite.

The natural plant oils in Tick’d-Off are classified as minimum risk pesticides by the EPA. The formula was tested in Arcanatura’s test lab and proven to kill ticks at low concentration levels which minimizes the occurrence of skin irritations.

Tick’d-Off is one of several herbal animal health products which are developed, produced, tested and marketed by Arcanatura LLC, a company founded by three veterinarians. The company is dedicated to finding natural solutions for common animal health issues  and producing safe, eco-conscious remedies using renewable, plant-based ingredients.

Price: $13.95 for a 3.2-ounce canister; available direct from the Arcanatura website and from Amazon.com.

For More Information:

• visit us.arcanatura.com

Disclosure: We received a canister of Tick’d-Off for review; we were not paid for our review and all opinions are entirely our own.

What it is: soothing aromatherapy mist to calm nervous dogs

Manufacturer: Earth Heart, Inc. Dundee, IL

DogTipper Review: Faithful readers of DogTipper know that Irie, our retriever mix, is plagued by anxiety caused by loud noises such as thunder or when she hears fireworks from nearby neighborhoods. She usually tries to burrow under the couch cushions or takes refuge behind one of us, her nervousness all too apparent.

So when a thunderstorm struck recently, we put Canine Calm to the test. Canine Calm is an all-natural misting agent intended to sooth dogs during these attacks of anxiety. Canine Calm contains water, polysorbate 20; pure essential oils of bergamot, tangerine, lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, marjoram and potassium sorbate.

The formula was developed by certified aromatherapist and master herbalist Vicki Rae Thorne, who founded Earth Heart in 1996 in order to bring the healing power of herbs to the pet world. Canine Calm can be massaged behind a dog’s ears or on the abdomen or misted into the air or on the dog’s bedding or crate. Results are said to be very rapid, decreasing the dog’s nervousness in a few minutes. Canine Calm is for external use only but is gentle and has a pleasant scent humans can appreciate.

So, with thunder beginning to rumble, we put it to the test, first massaging some behind Irie’s ears:

The smell (at least to us) was heavenly…think of the pleasant, relaxing smell that greets you when you walk into a spa. Irie didn’t seem to mind the smell at all.

We massaged it in behind her ears and on her chest and waited. The thunder grew closer.

And Irie made a break for the closet, hiding behind the clothes.

We sat nearby and watched television (turning up the sound to drown out the thunder as much as we could.) After the storm was over, Irie came out and sat with us on the couch, panting heavily. This time, we misted the Canine Calm over her head. (The mister is very, very quiet and she didn’t flinch at all with the sound of the mister.)

Within a minute or two, Irie’s panting slowed and soon stopped.

Was she calmer because of the Canine Calm? Or was it because the storm was over and she was settling back down? We’ll never know for sure but we would guess that the calming scent of Canine Calm was able to help her when her stress level was lower. On the first application, when her stress level was already ramped up by the approaching storm, she was too stressed for the Canine Calm to effectively work in her case. When her stress level started back down, it definitely seemed to help relax her faster than just waiting for the stress to subside.

We’ll definitely continue to use Canine Calm and next time try to use it as soon as her stress begins, not when we first see the signs of the storm approaching. (Irie knows long before we do that a thunderstorm is coming.) And we think that it will be helpful when she’s anxious about less stressful situations, such as when we have company or when she goes to the vet.

And, another bonus for us, Irie smells absolutely wonderful

For More Information:

• visit earthheart.com
• on Facebook

Disclosure: We received a complimentary bottle of Canine Calm from Earth Heart, Inc. for review; we were not paid for our review. All opinions are entirely our own.

Product:

What It Is: drinking fountain for pets

Manufacturer: Veterinary Ventures

DogTipper Review: We’ve had several Drinkwell fountains through the years but they were smaller than the Big-Dog…fine for our cats but our dogs could drink half the water in one gulp.

As a Christmas present, Paris’ sister gave us a Drinkwell Big-Dog Pet Fountain, perfect for our multi-pet (2 dogs, 4 cats) household. The Big-Dog holds 2-1/4 gallons of water or 288  fluid ounces; our old fountain held just 50 ounces. Much of that water is held in a separate reservoir that can be removed and refilled while the fountain is still operating.

Once filled, you’ll see that the drinking area is just a little over half full, keeping water inside the fountain instead of dripping on the surrounding floor (a real problem when our large dogs drink). We’ve really seen an improvement in the area around the fountain since we’ve switched to the Big-Dog; it’s no longer sprinkled with big drops of water after Irie and Tiki drink!

Another feature we liked about this fountain is its heavy duty cord, one we feel very good about using around our dogs. (Our dogs are both past the chewing stage; if we had a chewer in the house, we’d take the extra precaution of encasing the cord in some PVC or other cord cover.)

One concern we had before using the Big-Dog was whether our cats would still like the fountain, even in its larger size. We needn’t have worried; all four cats love the fountain (and always drink from the “waterfall” instead of the pool of water.)

We give the Drinkwell Big-Dog Pet Fountain a big paws up (both dog and cat paws!) Our pets love the fresh, aerated water and we love the large capacity of this fountain!

Drinkwell Big-Dog Pet Fountain on Amazon:

DogTipper Video Review:

Product: To Go Bowl

What It Is: A convenient way to keep your pet hydrated when traveling.

Manufacturer: Furry Travelers, Inc. Delray Beach, Florida; product made in USA

DogTipper Review: When it comes to dog lovers, this is the car accessory that Detroit forgot: a convenient, no-mess way to dispense water (and treats) while traveling with your pet. When we received the To Go Bowl review sample, we planned a short day trip with our dogs to try it out.

It’s quite ingenious: the smaller treat container screws into the base of the bowl and, with removable plastic fins, provides a secure fit in our Jeep Cherokee’s built-in cup holder. The bowl’s snap-fit lid and built-in splash guard kept the water from sloshing out as we drove. (The manufacturer recommends a maximum of 18 ounces of water while traveling.) Removing the treat dispenser allows the bowl to be used on flat surfaces when you reach your destination. When used as a regular bowl, it will hold about 32 ounces of water.

While the bowl is not large (approximately 7″ across), its oval shape allows plenty of room for most dogs to drink. Our two fairly large (60 and 70 pounds) pooches managed quite nicely. The treat dispenser holds a large handful of dog treats and has its own screw-on lid to use when it is not attached to the bowl.

The To Go Bowl comes in several colors to coordinate with your auto’s interior and all parts easily disassemble for cleaning and are dishwasher safe. If your dog is your frequent traveling companion, you’ll wonder how you did without it! A big paws up for the To Go Bowl!

For More Information:

• visit www.FurryTravelers.com

Product Disclosure: We received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. We only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers.

What It Is: no-mess feeding system for dogs and cats

Manufacturer: TowerStar Pets, LLC; made in USA

DogTipper Review: With two large dogs and four cats in the house, we have a lot of food and water cleanups around here. You know how it is…the food gets dropped into the water, the water gets sloshed on the floor. We keep our water bowls in a lipped tray to catch the spilled water but that’s a cleanup in itself.

So we were very interested with the opportunity came up to receive a sample Neater Feeder. They sent us a small size neater feeder (they also come in large) along with the leg extensions which are sold separately. Made from recyclable polypropylene plastic, we loved the sophisticated look of the feeder. (Our bowls are in our living room/great room so there’s no hiding them!) Right away, we loved the fact the feeding/drinking bowls themselves are stainless steel. (We only feed from stainless steel because one of our cats, Linus, developed chin acne after feeding from plastic.) The stainless steel bowls are nestled in a plastic tray that’s dishwasher safe (top rack), another big plus.

The way Neater Feeder works is, well, just plain neat! Basically the unit is three parts: the two stainless steel bowls, the top plastic tray and the bottom plastic tray. The top tray, where the stainless steel bowls rest, is sloped so spills run toward the front of the tray. Food is caught by this tray; water runs through small holes in the tray to be caught by the lower tray. This lower tray reservoir is then easy to then carry over to your sink for cleaning.

Another neat part of the design is the three-sided wall that encloses the food and water bowls to help prevent the slopping of water behind and beside the dish. (We know this is a real concern with our dog Irie who sends water flying with every drink!) Also, the legs have non-skid feet to prevent the unit from skidding or being kicked.

Our pets loved the Neater Feeder…and so do we. A big paws up!

Our Video Review:

Neater Feeder on Amazon.com:

For More Information:

• visit www.neaterfeeder.com