Arm & Hammer Litter Mat with Scatter Control Review

See it here.

Working with rescue animals we are always on the lookout for products that make life a little easier, and aren’t too expensive.   Thankfully one day while I was out shopping for pet food I came across this litter mat that seemed different than the others we have tried.  Yes, Arm & Hammer has come up with a floor mat that really does capture the scatter from your cat's litter box. 

No matter how hard we try any cat owner knows it’s an ongoing thing to keep the area around the litter box free from loose litter.  The A & H mat has been so helpful and that’s why I wanted to tell you about it. 

The mats are neutral in color and made of a rubber type material with hoops and loops on the face side.  Unroll the mat and after a few hours it will flatten out perfectly.  I placed it on a table on the reverse side first before placing it on the correct side on the floor. 

As kitty exits the litter box she/he steps on the mat and excess litter gets caught in the mat and not on the floor.  It doesn't catch all the litter, but it does a good job and is well worth the price. 

These mats come in different shapes and sizes and can be placed on any type of floor. Personally I would like to see some larger sizes that would give more area for the cat to step on before heading off to the carpet. The more time they spend walking across the mat, the less litter they carry off with them. 

Pro’s & Con’s Usage 

Even though some don’t like this about the mat, I like that they are light weight and that makes clean-up simple. Depending on the type of floor you have it may shift because it is lighter, but it still does the job for the most part.  For the record, all of ours do lay flat and don’t slide much if at all. 

Another nice thing about being lightweight is that it’s easy to take with you when traveling, especially if you have to stop at a hotel or are staying at someone’s house.   

This mat works extremely well for older cats, because they are so convenient and easily swapped out for when these seniors miss the box.  I love it for kittens as well, because they think the litter box is a playground.  It helps contain some of that “playfulness” they tend to do on a regular basis while in training. 

For general maintenance, just hold the mat by each end and shake the excess off into the litter box.  Every other day take it outside and give it a good shaking. You can even vacuum it if you like, but make sure it’s not wet. 

Cleaning the product isn’t a problem either.  Wash it in soapy water using a mild detergent and rinse until it is thoroughly clean.  Let it dry and it's ready for use.  

We have both the circular and rectangle shapes, but I still wish the mat was a little larger for multiple litter boxes. 

 

Sizes

 

Half Circle: 23.5 x 14 x 0.3 inches

 

 

 

 

Rectangle: 23 x 13  

 

 

In the end, this is one of those items that I wish I had found years ago.  A good price for the product and it really does work when taken care of properly.  

 

Buy it

Arm & Hammer Litter Mat

 

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Holiday Tips for Pet Safety

Holidays are a special time for people to gather with their friends and family, but sometimes these same events bring stress on a pet.

Here are a few things you can do (that we’ve learned from personal experience as pet owners and foster pet parents) to help your furry friend enjoy the festivities without the trauma. 

Food Goodies 

Remember people food is for people only. Although it may seem harmless, giving pets food that is prepared for humans can be devastating to an animal and may be toxic.  

People food may not provide the proper nutrients or vitamins that your pet requires.  Plus giving meat with bones can cause an obstruction and choke your pet.   

Never give chicken or meat with bones in it.  They can split and get caught in the throat or cause internal damage.

 

Also, turkey is a big no-no, unless it is prepared especially for pets in their food. 

Never give a pet alcohol, starches, rich or spicy foods as they can cause digestive tract problems and blockages.  Cats cannot digest starches such as bread, chips, crackers or noodles.  Medical bills can be quite costly if they ingest these products. 

 

One of our rescues used to love eating these kinds of things. She would even grab Doritos and once ran off with an entire chicken thigh.  My husband snagged it from her before she got to munch down on it.  Although it was funny watching her make a run for it, the outcome could have been dangerous. 

Keep certain fruits like raisins or grapes, avocados, onions, garlic, caffeine, cookies, cakes and candy out of reach; never feed a pet chocolate or nuts. This includes trying to get the dog to eat that age old fruitcake!  Desserts with xylitol (an artificial sweetener) in them can be fatal. 

You may love those delicious dairy and meat trays, but many pets (especially cats) are lactose intolerant and it could cause severe bowel and digestive problems.  One more thing, if you think cats need milk, think again … your pet will be much healthier. 

A small treat such as a chunk of cheese or meat is equal to the size of a burger in their little tummies.  So while you are dining, it’s best to provide a super meal in another room away from temptation for your precious pet.  We make sure to have a special pet food or treats reserved only for holidays.  They love it and so do we … a win-win for everyone! 

For a complete list of toxic and unhealthy foods to avoid feeding your pet contact the pet emergency hotline in your area. 

Plants & Flowers 

Fresh flowers and plants really add to the overall ambiance of the holiday season, but take into consideration which ones you bring into your home if you have pets.  

Certain plants are poisonous; both the leaves and petals such as poinsettias, holly (and the berries), ivy, mistletoe, hibiscus, cactus and lilies.  Also some pets are habitual chewers and even artificial plants are dangerous. 

 

Keep these things out of range from your four legged buddies. For a more detailed list click on this link.  

Holiday Decorations 

Avoid using tinsel, beads, garland or ribbon if possible.  When they are in use, place them where the animals cannot reach these objects.  Something you never want to see is a cat with well, how can I put it … their hind quarters decorated with tinsel and garland.   

 

When we first took in rescues we didn’t know how some pets eat string, ribbon and shiny things.  A lot of pets never outgrow this fetish either.  One of the babies had devoured some and instead of swinging its lovely long tail, there was a strand of wrapping ribbon coming out of her behind!  Thank God we learned this lesson quickly. 

The Christmas Tree 

Another thing that so many pet owners have asked me is how to keep a cat out of the Christmas tree.  When you figure that one out, would you please tell me?   

Seriously, the best way to keep pets safe is to have your beautiful tree in an “off pet” area.  However, if you plan on having a tree and pets in the same room, there are a few things to consider. Something that does work is to safely secure your tree to the wall or window.   

 

Ornaments 

Be sure that the ornaments are safe.  Instead of using hooks or glass ornaments, replace them with plastic ones that can be fastened on with the branches themselves.  By the way, paper ornaments are still in fashion! 

Lights 

Never leave your tree unattended and hide all the cords!  Cats in particular love to chew on them.  (Note the photo ... that was from our Christmas tree!) 

 

As for the lights, my dog took it upon herself to destroy all our outside lights by crunching the bulbs. 

 

When we discovered this we changed our decorating habits and locations.  Be sure to always unplug the lights when you are away from the house to avoid fire or electrical problems, and clean up any debris from live trees daily. 

Most of all …  

“A righteous man regards the life of his/her animal(s)…”

(Proverbs 12:10 NKJV) 

Finally, remember changes of any kind can stress your pet(s).  Re-arranged furniture, decorations, loads of people or visiting pets all add to unrest in a household.  Be sure not to get so caught up in your preparations that you forget to spend time with your pet.   

Disclaimer: Always consult with your veterinarian for the best advice for your pet.  

List of Items Poisonous to Pets

Pet Poison Helpline  

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Friskies Pull ‘n Play Cat Treats Play Pack Review

Friskies Pull ‘n Play Cat Treats Play Pack 

When I first saw this item it was something I could imagine my cats having fun with for hours on end. OK maybe not hours, but at least a little while so they would stop jumping on me while I’m working at the computer.  

After purchasing the product for $5.88 at a local store I tested this cat friendly toy and treat item out on a few dozen rescue cats as well as my own.  The reviews are truly mixed. 

Meet Wobbert 

Let me start with the product itself. The package comes complete with the plastic wobbly toy affectionately named “Wobbert.”  It resembles the children’s toy Weebles due to the “not being able to knock it over.” 

Wobbert is durable plastic and can be easily rinsed out to maintain proper cleaning for your pet(s).  His green head unscrews so you can place small sized cat treats in his tummy.

 

The cats retrieve them by pushing Wobbert around until yummy treats fall out the side hole. 

The top part of his head which is the lid, has two holes in it to thread the string treats through from one side to another.  After the string is threaded turn it upside down and screw it back on the body.

 

 

The Mixed Review 

To say that I’m completely satisfied with this product isn’t exactly accurate.  I love it, but I don’t. Here’s why. 

PRO - The overall size is purr-fect, it’s cute, easy to maintain and washes up in a snap. So no problems in the manufacturing part here.  Basically I think it’s a neat idea for a cat toy. 

 

Cats think differently when it comes to working for treats and getting them out on to the floor. Unlike dogs who are willing to retrieve, fetch, roll around and play to get something tasty, cats (at least the ones I know) expect food to be placed in front of them promptly. 

CON - I tried placing Wobbert on a rug and vinyl surface; it worked about the same.  There is no difficulty in loading Wobbert. The problem seems to be with getting the treats to fall out of the side of the item.  In order for them to flow out freely so the cats remained interested you have to fill the product at least half way full.  If I kept doing that the party mix would cease providing a “party” after the third fill. 

CON - Another problem is that he (Wobbert) is pretty heavy in his bottom, so he doesn’t really wobble much.  They would try swatting at it and push it a little but not much happened.  I couldn’t keep the cats interested in the toy for too long even though they sniffed around to find the treats. 

PRO with a stringy twist - The positive side of the toy also has a bummer side.  They loved the string treats and pounced on them as soon as I put the toy on the floor. 

 

Depending on how you load them into the lid, two cats can bite away at the delicious string at the same time.  Once they chew down the string, the small piece inside falls into the bottom and eventually falls out like the other crunchy treats.   

PRO - Trying to see if I could get one cat to take the treat, I put one of the string treats (it came with chicken and cheese flavored strings) on the floor. This was without using Wobbert.  

It was the cats meow!  He played with it a whole ten seconds before getting it stuck under the refrigerator.  Using a yardstick I tried to get it out, but it took me a while to do that.  Oh not because I couldn’t find the stringy goodie, but my cat liked playing with the yardstick. 

CON - Now here is the only part that’s the downfall … the refill price.  The original Friskies Pull 'n Play container comes with one 8" trial sized string treat package, one crunchy party mix pack and of course, Wobbert. Not a bad deal for under $6.00. 

Unfortunately to keep Wobbert and your pet in treats you have to paw out $2.88 for a 2 ounce string treat and anywhere from $3.50 - $8.00 for the crunchy treats.  The regular sized string treats are 9" and you get two sections in the package each containing 9 treats (18 in all).

TIED - You could skip Wobbert and buy both of the treats separately if you want, but how would that make Wobbert feel? 

 

The string treats come in 3 flavor selections: chicken and cheese (which comes in the gift pack), Tuna and crab flavor, and salmon and shrimp. 

To keep the string treats from drying out, be sure to keep the container or put them in a plastic sealed bag after opening.  The cats still like them, but you won't be able to feed them through Wobbert's head because they get hard.

Watch the fun in action on this commercial. 

 

Recommendations

I know all cats are different.  Some would swat at Wobbert and have fun seeing the snacks fall at their feet, but mine would rather stand around it and watch me sock the little guy into giving up his hidden treasures.  That was sort of funny in itself though. 

So would I recommend Purina Friskies Pull ‘n Play cat treats play pack?  Yes, even though it has some price issues.  This is a treat toy that can actually be used without the string treats if you only want to purchase them for special occasions (like the cat’s birthday or holidays).   

Wobbert has no problem accepting other cat treats either.  My cats only get treats on special days.  However, they don’t know that. Instead of buying expensive treats I actually treat them to a different flavor of dry cat food that lasts for several months. 

I select a brand that is well balanced, has fun shapes and isn’t too high in protein for the older cats.  They think they’re treats, because it’s not their regular food.  Instead of paying $5.00 for 2-3 ounces of treats I pay $4.50 for 3 pounds of Meow Tender Centers Mix or 9 Lives Daily Essentials.  They fit in Wobbert nicely and fall out pretty easily.   

Go ahead and have fun watching your pets play with Wobbert.  He is a good sort, and on a good note if your cat doesn’t like it, your dog will. 

If that doesn’t work, you can always fill him with sand and make Wobbert a door stop!  I'd keep the treats coming though ...

 

Purchase Friskies Pull 'n Play Cat Treat Pack

 

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Bake-A-Bone: The Original Dog Treat Maker

Buy Bake A Bone

The "Natural" Solution for Better Dog Health

When it comes to my pets I am very particular as to what they eat. Finding the right snacks and treats that aren’t loaded with a ton of preservatives is almost impossible.

After my dog was diagnosed with diabetes almost everything over the counter was off limits to her. Buying natural products was very expensive at almost $1.00 per dog biscuit and if I ordered something, that didn’t include the shipping costs.

Most of the time my dog would get a small treat after her medication, as a reward for enduring the pain of the needle for her insulin. I had to bake boneless chicken breast each day; because I couldn’t find anything that she could eat without making her blood sugar rise. Then one Christmas someone gave us a package for making treats for dogs.

Being able to control your dog’s intake of ingredients is a major thing when it comes to proper care for your pet’s health, especially if they have a medical problem. Bake-A-Bone is a great way to do that with their mixes being all natural with no preservatives. The recipes also are organic and gluten free which is also a plus for making your own biscuits.

Why I Like this Product

There are so many products on the market beckoning for us to try them, boasting that their items are the best. We did a lot of research and found that most pet treats have BHT which is a plastic of sorts and other chemicals that actually can cause a number of health issues such as kidney failure, diabetes, blindness, bone loss and a slew of other things.

With this baking tool and the proper healthy recipes, you can have a fresh supply of treats on hand for your pet without all the side effects. The recipes allow you to tweak them to fit the need of your pet and are wheat, soy, corn and gluten free based. This is especially important for a diabetic pet.

Recipes cover a variety of tastes like beef, liver, chicken, cheese, peanut butter (one of my dog’s favorites) and even include vegan/vegetarian. If you buy the package mix it will take about 30 minutes to bake. You’ll get 20-24 biscuits from the batch.

When you pour or spoon the batter in the baking slots, try not to overfill them or they will get messy. If that happens, just break off the excess so the biscuit comes out clean. Don’t worry about the overflow; the dog will think they’re a treat too. Actually, they're not bad people food either.

This happens when you use
too much batter!

The baking machine itself cleans up easily after each use and has a place to wind up the cord for storage. It’s really only about the size of a large waffle maker.

I know it’s easier to buy already made biscuits, but it is much healthier for your pet if you can make them yourself. Aren’t our pets worth it?

Gift Giving Ideas

Each year we give each of the dogs on our street a “bone-a-pet-tite” for Christmas. Having the Bake-A-Bone products makes it easy to do and they are fresh, all-natural, soft(ish) and more importantly healthy.

Make a batch of snicker poodles, puppy pot-roasts, banana biscotto or birthday bones to give to your neighborhood dogs.

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Best Pet Supplies Review – Bake A Bone The Original Dog Treat Maker

Bake A Bone

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Solvit Delux Pet Ramps for Vehicles

This is the Solvit Half Ramp.

Traveling with large dogs sometimes it was hard for them to get into our vehicle, especially when we rented one for distance traveling because they were higher.

Having a sturdy ramp that we could transport with us would have really help both pet and owner at the time.  I didn’t discover these until after the fact, while checking out pet stairs.

These ramps do come in several sizes, but they all are light weight and have a good traction surface so the pet won't slip. That is really important or you'll never get your pet to trust walking on the ramp.

The nice thing is that it will extend to the distance you need ranging from 48-87 inches long, (depending on the model) and it's plenty wide. Don't be concerned about it flopping open when you're carrying it, because it has a locking latch that keeps it in position.

Solvit Ramps Are Easy to Use & Transport

Lightweight at only 7- 18 pounds (depending on which ramp you select), and supports up to 250-300 pounds.

Whether you have large or small pets, this ramp will make them feel confident as they enter the vehicle.

Solvit Delux Telescoping
 Pet Car Ramp

The Solvit Half Ramp for Pets (as seen in the above photo) works great for vehicles that are lower to the ground. They have rubber feet hold the ramp securely in place for pet to walk on the high-traction surface with ease.

However, the Solvit Delux Telescoping Pet Car Ramp (seen on the left) works best for vans or trucks, and is better for larger pets.
After the pet is in the vehicle it lays flat and can be moved out of the way, even storing it under a van bench seat.

The ramp is easy to clean and store. You may like to store it in the secure carrying case when not in use. It's sold separately. Perfect for people that travel with their pets, plus it makes a great gift for any pet owner.

Solvit Pet Ramps - Best combination of size, strength, and light weight available.

Ramps may vary in size, but they are all sturdy with a high traction walking surface.

Watch the short clip on how these car ramps for pets can be easily installed and removed for comfortable traveling for your animals.  This is the larger ramp.  It also has a carrying case that is sold separately.

 

Combine the Solvit Pet Stairs and Ramps as the perfect gifts for pet lovers.

Look for FREE shipping on selected Solvit Products.

 

 Solvit Half Ramp for Pets

Solvit Delux Telescoping Pet Car Ramp

Solvit Carrying Case for Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp

View Solvit Pet Stairs

 

You may like this helpful training video to show how to get your pet to use the ramp safely.  Please follow the direction correctly so that the animal learns how to use this product correctly. Always use a leash to assist your pet into the vehicle.

 

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