PHOTO: COURTESY OF KIM KILMER
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With the coming of fall, holiday shopping days will soon be upon us, and I'd be willing to bet that your pet's needs are at
the top of your shopping list. There are many new and exciting products to review, but here are a few of my favorites. Some
are a bit pricey, but the quality, longevity of use, and multitasking characteristics can at times justify the sticker shock.
Please keep in mind that crates and carriers that are made of fabric may not be appropriate for pets that tend to claw or
chew.
Pet at Work System
This backpack-style system has room for a laptop and a pet weighing up to 20 pounds. The expandable traveling bag offers separate
compartments for your things and your pet, as well as a pop-up, domed mesh pet crate. They all fit in the 15-inch wide, 16-inch
high backpack that expands from 9 inches to 16 inches to accommodate your travel companion.
http://inthecompanyofdogs.com/Pod I Love Collection Another option for transporting the lap-size pet is just flat-out ingenious. The Pod I Love Carrier is 15 cubic inches. Its
soft-sided round shape can conform to a variety of uses and the zippered top can be left open as a dog bed. The Pod attaches
to a specially made stroller frame and a bike frame, or it can be hand-carried like a hatbox. It also functions as a car seat.
http://inthecompanyofdogs.com/Pet Tube
For larger pets, this unique design for car travel fits on the back seat, where a flat-sided crate would be awkward. The ballistic
nylon tube connects to your headrests with adjustable straps, and it's collapsible and zips into a flat round for storage.
The tube is available in small (17 inches high by 18 inches long) and large (24 inches high by 47 inches long) sizes. The
length of the large tube is adjustable based on the size of the pet and the vehicle. Optional pillows/beds made specifically
to fit the contour of the tube are also available.
http://inthecompanyofdogs.com/Kong Cat Toys
Kong toys have long been a staple in dog households, but now Kong is making eco-friendly Cat Toys. These toys are made of
feathers, straw, and other natural fibers and are designed to enhance the natural hunting and play instincts of our kitties.
A variety of designs are available, including some with natural catnip inside.
http://cattoys.com/Panic Mouse
These new interactive toys for cats are just beyond cool. The toys are meant to challenge your kitty while you are away from
the home. Panic Mouse makes automated bases that hold and move a variety of wands, as well as disks with "undercover" mice
to chase.
http://panicmouseinc.com/Puzzle Toys and Boredom Busters
As a dog trainer and behavior consultant, I have long recommended these puzzle toys to mentally challenge clients' dogs. You
can choose from a variety of canine puzzles and games based on the size of your pet and the interest level. For most of these
puzzles, food is used as part of the game, so if you have a picky eater, you might consider the ones that make noise instead.
I would recommend that all these items be used with supervision, with the exception of the Buster Food Cube, Kibble Nibbler,
and Dog Pyramid. The Tug-A-Jug is a good recommendation for dogs that would prefer noise and playing tug over eating a treat.
http://clickertraining.com/store/
» Attention travelers! Do you have a question for Kim? Send it to mkuhar@advanstar.com
and it could appear in the next edition of Paws for Thought.
