Monday, February 16, 2009
Fellow pet parents, let's pinch pennies
I admit I have never been a big follower of consumer news. Don't know why really. I like to shop, and I hate to waste money, but the only product recommendations I have ever valued came from friends.
Because times are tough and we are all watching our pennies these days, I say we pet parents need to stick together and share what works for us, and perhaps more importantly, what doesn't.
So I propose we start a consumer forum here at the Wag about what pet products we find hot and what products we find not.
Good grooming
I am already on record as being four-paws up for the FURminator. Love that little de-shedding tool. We have one greyhound and one short-haired cat that shed their weight in hair on a daily basis, but they deposit far less on our "fur"niture with regular FURminating.
I am also happy with the rotary sander we bought for our doggies' nails. My co-worker, Stephanie Ogilvie, has PediPaws, and I have peticure, virtually the same product. We are both pleased with the results, especially because getting a dog's nails clipped by a groomer is expensive.
These tiny power tools round off -- instead of clip -- your pets' nails. This way, you don't risk cutting the nail quick and hurting your pet. Stephanie said she calls her PediPaws "the treat saber," because it looks a lot like the glowing weapons of "Star Wars" and she taught her Chihuahua to associate treats with getting her nails done.
Never underestimate the motivational value of a well-timed dog biscuit.
It does take some time to get the pet used to the low droning noise the tool makes, so we had to turn it on and let our dogs get used to the sound before we tried using it on them. The rotary head gets hot, so you should only hold it on the nail for a few seconds, but it only takes a few passes to get the job done.
My critters do not sit still and look pretty when we are using it like the pooch in the peticure television commercial, but it does take the edge off their nails, which is good for them, for our clothes and skin and our hardwood floors.
Litter box letdown
I am not a big fan of the automatic self-cleaning litter box we purchased a couple of years ago. We bought a LitterMaid. It was very expensive, and the filter refills are quite pricey. It worked OK until the first time we cleaned the rake that pushes the litter out of the box (and you have to clean that thing eventually, believe me.)
When we put it back together, it never worked again.
You really can't return a used litter box. Not without the receipt, that's for sure.
Could we have put it back together incorrectly? I suppose so. But it certainly appeared that all the parts were where they belonged, and should it really be that complicated? We weren't happy.
Family matters
I'd love to hear if anyone has tried those DNA tests for mutts, or as I like to call them, the "what's the daddy" tests. I would be interested to see what's mixed in Stormy, our 10-month-old, dark gray tank of a terrier puppy that we adopted from the Roanoke Valley SPCA.
But I'd hate to plunk down the cash and have the results say something ridiculous like he's part Chihuahua, part collie, with a little poodle thrown in.
Now if it indicated he was part hippopotamus or part tow truck, that I might believe.
Rant and rave
Let me know what pet products make you purr and what makes you grrr. E-mail your recommendations to pets@roanoke.com or mail them to my attention at 201 West Campbell Ave., Roanoke, VA 24011. I will certainly share all consumer information on The Happy Wag blog, and feature the most emphatic rants and raves here in a future column.
