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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

If you spend any time around water, whether it’s for pleasure or work, you’ll eventually learn to appreciate how valuable a life vest is. It’s an important piece of safety equipment and saves lives everyday. Regardless of whether your dog is an excellent and powerful swimmer, accidents do happen and even the best swimmer can drown. I want the peace of mind knowing my pet will be kept afloat regardless of what happens.

Critter’s Inflatable Dog Life Vest is an incredible life vest.  It’s the only automatic inflatable dog life vest. What does that mean to you? It means if your dog has the life vest on and goes into the water the sensor on the life vest will automatically inflate the vest and keep your pet afloat. You can also inflate the vest by blowing into a tube.

With the Critter’s Inflatable Dog Life Vest on your pet you can make sure that every member of your family is equipped with a floatation device: Even the furry ones.

Here is a video of Rusty trying out Critter’s Inflatable and how to rearm it.




Here is a list of features I really liked:

Comfort/Ease of Movement

• Doesn’t choke the dog when inflated.

• Doesn’t cover much of the dogs body so your dog is less likely to overheat when out of the water.

• Obviously assisted in supporting Rusty’s weight in the water

• Placement of the Inflation device ensures the dog’s head is kept out of the water even if the dog were to be knocked unconscious. (i.e. fell off boat)

• Four fully-adjustable straps with quick-connect clasps (once adjusted to fit Rusty it was fast and easy to put on or remove)

• Compact (doesn’t get hung up on things)

Functionality/Features

• Available in three sizes (Small, Medium, Large therefore it can fit dogs of all sizes)

• Convenient mesh carrying bag (the mesh is a good thing so the vest can dry even if put away slightly damp)

• Oral Inflation Tube (For emergency inflation in the water, or for when you don’t want to waste the CO2 Cartridge)

• One of a kind – automatic CO2 Inflation System (Sudden inflation is somewhat noisy and startled Rusty)

• Sold-Separately CO2 Rearming Kits are available

• Connection D-Ring for Leash

• Handle for lifting your dog out of the water

• User Manual with clear, easy to understand instructions

• Made from very durable materials

You want to make sure any life vest you use works well and is comfortable for your dog. If you put the vest on and all you dog does is lay down you’re going to feel guilty and take it off. Having a comfortable vest is important, Critters Inflatable is super comfortable and allows your dog to move without any problems.

The only con I found was when the vest inflated was rather loud and scared Rusty for a few minutes. Once Rusty realized nothing was going to hurt him it was back to swimming and chasing the ball as usual.

As you can see Rusty was able to move around without a problem while wearing Critter’s Inflatable life vest. It was very hot the day we were out and I really like the way the vest leaves most of his body exposed, which keeps him cooler when he’s not in the water. Rusty and I give Critters Inflatable Life Vest 5 paws.

You can order your own Critter’s Inflatable Life Vest by clicking on the link.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary Critter’s Inflatable Life Vest; I was not paid for my review and all statements and opinions are my own.

Now one lucky reader from Critter Minute will win their own set of M&J Dog Essentials Pre-wash, Shampoo/Conditioner and leave in conditioner with a loofah.

Ways to enter:

Leave a comment below saying why you’d like to win the Pre-wash, Shampoo/Conditioner and leave in conditioner.

Extra entries: These are optional, you can get extra entries in the giveaway by doing any of the following.

• Subscribe to my mailing list (you can subscribe using the form in the top right corner) then leave a comment below that you subscribed.

• Follow @mjdogessentials and @KelleyDenz on Twitter!

• Like M&J Dog Essentials and Critter Minute on Facebook

• Tweet daily (make sure you leave a comment below each time you tweet)

Deadline: This giveaway closes Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 11:59am CDT.

Restrictions: You may enter once per day per method above. The one winner will be selected at random among all entries. This giveaway is open to U.S residents only.

Disclosure: I received a sample product to review; I was not paid for my review or giveaway and all statements and opinions are entirely my own.

It’s the time of the year when it gets hot outside and our dogs start to shed like crazy. In the past, I have used dog brushes and a few combs to try and combat the shedding, however none of them seemed to work out all that great. Sadie is constantly shedding and she sheds even more this time of the year. Every time I finish sweeping the house I swear I’m looking down at The Adam’s Family’s Cousin It.

When ShedMonster asked me if I would like the opportunity to try out their de-shedding tool, I was more than happy to oblige. I have heard of de-shedding tools in the past, but had never tried one out before.

I found the ShedMonster, which is specifically designed for long haired dogs to be an amazing tool. In just a few short minutes of using the ShedMonster de-shedding tool, I was surrounded by hair. It was blowing in the wind and creating little tumbleweeds on my backyard patio. The hair just kept coming out. I didn’t realize how much hair Sadie had. The best part though came later because, using the ShedMonster really helped to reduce the amount of hair I had to sweep up in the house later that week.

Sadie does not appreciate being brushed at all. However, she decided she could tolerate the ShedMonster de-shedding tool. It did not pull her hair and still managed to penetrate deeply into her undercoat, moving through the outer layers and extracting the hair smoothly. She did not yelp or turn to growl at the tool once. This was surprising because usually Sadie gets a bit snippy after even just a few short minutes of grooming. Of course as with any brush you still want to avoid using the tool around sensitive areas like the face, groin, or feet.

The ShedMonster comes in two options: One for long hair and one for short hair.

Sadie and I love the ShedMonster and recommend it to anyone who has a dog that sheds like crazy. Order the ShedMonster and find out how easy it can be to brush your dog.

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

As many of you know, I am always looking for new products that are all-natural and safe to use on my dogs. I especially love products, which are all-natural, safe and good for the environment. This is the combination you get when you buy M&J’s dog essentials.

I am a DIY kind of person when it comes to washing my dogs, they have never been to a groomer, salon or doggie spa. It’s how my budget works out best. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to spoil my dogs and have them smelling and feeling like they just stepped out of a spa.

I recently received a review sample from M&J Dog Essentials of their Pre-wash, Shampoo/Conditioner and leave in conditioner. All their products are human grade, all-natural with custom made flower-essence blends for a gentle aromatherapy for your dog. One of the things I love about these products are what they’re not, they do not use any parabens or sulfates.

The pre-wash you can put on your dog while they’re dry or wet. It is formulated with soothing vitamins and essential fatty acids. These nutrients help break loose dirt and debris, making shampooing easier and more effective. The pre-wash also helps provide relief to hot spots and dry itchy skin.

I choose to put the pre-wash on Sadie while she was still dry. I put it in my hands and then applied it onto her hair. The pre-wash felt like I was putting lotion on. It smelled amazing, Sadie must have thought so too, because for a change, I didn’t have to bribe her with treats to let me work the pre-wash into her coat.

I left the pre-wash on for ten minutes, the bottle says 6-8, but it smelled so good and Sadie really seemed to enjoy it, so I left it on for a few extra minutes. If your dog has hot spots, extra dry or itchy skin you can leave the pre-wash in for up to 20 minutes.

After I rinsed out the pre-wash it was time to move to the shampoo/conditioner. M&J’s shampoo/conditioner is perfectly PH balanced for your dog. Again the smell was amazing and Sadie didn’t mind getting washed at all. Normally, I have to keep the treats coming in order to bribe her into staying put during her bath.

Because Sadie was enjoying her bath, I took the time to really massage the shampoo/conditioner into her coat. One hint, a little of the shampoo/conditioner goes a long way. Did I mention it smells great? The bottle recommends leaving the shampoo/conditioner on for 3-5 minutes. After five minutes, I rinsed the shampoo/conditioner thoroughly. Although the shampoo/conditioner had been rinsed out Sadie still smelled really good, and she felt great.

Later that night when I was petting Sadie, I realized just how well M&J’s products had worked. Sadie was really SOFT. Not just sort of soft, but amazingly pillow-perfect soft. I just couldn’t believe how good her coat felt. It made me want to keep petting her.

M&J Dog Essentials leave-in conditioner is for in between baths. This product is great for those times when you want to wash your dog but do not have time. Once again, it smells great and is like a lotion when you put it on. It helps reduce dog dandruff and works to keep your dog’s coat feeling soft and full of luster. As an extra bonus the leave-in conditioner helps to protect against the sun and insects.

Sadie and I give M&J’s products Five Paws. Visit M&J Dog Essentials to order your dog products now.

Disclosure: I received complimentary Pre-wash, Shampoo/Conditioner and leave in conditioner for this review; I was not paid for my review and all statements and opinions are my own.