pet connection

I went to this year’s Global Pet Expo in Orlando  wearing four hats. My business partners at Kindred Spirits Dog Training — Petra Burke and Kate Abbott — went with me to take a look at any new or interesting training products. I’m also a ‘student’ of dog foods, and am always on the look out for better foods for our dogs because not everyone wants to feed raw or cook for their pets. Petra, Kate and I also record podcasts (internet radio shows) — “It’s a Doggy Dog World” — for Pet Life Radio, and we promoted our show and Pet Life Radio while at the Expo. And then, of course, I wanted to find some new and interesting products to write about here.

I had attended GPEs previously when they were held in San Diego, but this was my first time attending in Orlando. The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is much larger than San Diego’s convention center and so the show is proportionately larger. So much so it was overwhelming. As Kate said, “I didn’t realize there was so much dog stuff I didn’t know I needed!”

When the show was over, Petra, Kate and I agreed that attending it was well worth the travel, time and money spent. Our feet were tired and our shoulders sore from carrying all the handouts and samples, but over the three days of the expo we talked to hundreds of other people who care about our pets just as we do and that was wonderful.

So, here is a list that includes my favorite products as well as those from all the other Pet Connection writers who also attended the expo. Their list including Dr Marty’s — have been posted previously, but we wanted to give you one all inclusive list. I’ve indicated whose list they were on, for reference. It’s all after the jump.

Foods and Treats

The Honest Kitchen
www.thehonestkitchen.com
Prices vary

The foods are dehydrated raw foods that the user re-hydrates prior to feeding. They have turkey, chicken, and beef foods now and will be adding fish this summer. They offer foods with cereal grains and without. (Liz)

Dr. Greg’s Dog Dish Diet (Riparian Press, 2009)
By Dr. Greg Martinez, DVM
www.dogdishdiet.com
Autographed copies $19.99

Dr. Greg is a very personable man who wrote about his journey of discovery concerning the state of commercial dog food and what it has done to our dogs. Although the book will provide more than a few chuckles, he is very serious about this aspect of our dogs’ care. (Liz)

Sea Jerky Treats by Fish4Dogs
www.fish4dogs.com
Prices vary

Dry, crispy treats made of fish and nothing else. These are strong smelling but my dogs loved them. (Liz)

Dog Toys

Linkables by Premier
www.premier.com
Prices vary

These food dispensing toys are made in several different shapes that can be used independently or snapped together to create a more difficult toy. My Australian Shepherd, Bashir, claimed this toy as his own as soon as I got home. (Liz)

Glow for Good ball by Planet Dog
www.planetdog.com
$10

My dogs love the Planet Dog balls so this ball was well received. The proceeds from the sale of the Glow for Good balls will be donated to the Planet Dog Foundation which provides grants to service dog, therapy dog, medical alert, and other organizations that train dogs to assist mankind. (Liz)

Jawz by Hyperflite
www.hyperflite.com
$15.95

The Jawz flying disc is a semi-flexible toy that is puncture resistant. The dog’s teeth don’t puncture the toy or break or crack it. Not only does the toy last longer but there are no broken edges to cut the dog’s lips or gums as happens with many other flying disc toys. (Liz)

BigSqueak by Petmate
www.petmate.com
$7.99 to $14.99

This is a noisy toy for bold dogs who love squeaky toys. (Mikkel)

LOL Dogs and Wild Hares by Our Pets
www.OurPets.com
$4.99 to $6.99

These are squeaky toys with an edge. Rather than pastel cute toys, they are bright, dark, or with eyes that are x’s instead of circles. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Kong Wobble by Kong Company
www.kongcompany.com
$17.95 to $19.95

The Wobble is a big Kong toy with a solid weighted bottom and a treat dispensing hole on the side. The dog has to knock the toy over to get a treat but the toy then rights itself. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Bird Ball
www.birdballtoy.com
$8.99

This ball has has raised grooved holes on the side so that when the ball is thrown, the ball makes bird sounds. These sounds catch the dog’s interest and makes fetching games even more fun. (David)

Dog Care
Thundershirt
www.thundershirt.com
$36

The Thundershirt fits snuggly to the dog, providing touch therapy for dogs who fear thunderstorms or fireworks, or have other fears. (Mikkel)

Warm Whiskers
www.warmwhiskers.com
$37.99 to $49.99

This jacket with leggings can be used to provide either warm or cold therapy for a dog with injuries or an illness. Packs are easy to remove and the jacket is reversible. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Paw Pedic Dog Beds
www.pawpedic.com/paw
$135 to $275

High quality dog beds, from extra small to extra large. The beds inner springs, pillow tops, and washable liners. (David)

Molly Mutt Dog Duvets
www.mollymutt.com
Bed covers $20 to $45
Stuff it bags (optional) $10 to $15

Choose a bed cover, put a stuff it bag inside, and then fill it with your old towels or blankets, and voila! A dog bed that is easily washed. (Gina)

Cats and Other Pets

Bolt by FroliCat
www.FroliCat.com
$19.95

A free standing laser light toy that moves on its own in an erratic pattern. (Liz)

Sway by FroliCat
www.FroliCat.com
$9.99

A ball and feather toy on a string is attached to a powerful magnet. One part of the magnet is under the table and the toy on a string is attached to this. Another magnet is on top of the table, supporting the bottom half of the toy. (Liz)

Cat in Style Butterfly Chase by Hagen
www.Hagen.com
$12.99

A colorful corrugated cardboard scratching board shaped like butterfly wings. There’s a matching bowl and collar. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Air Catditioner
www.AirCatDitioner.com
$299

This is a litter box made from the housing of a window air conditioner. The unit sits securely in a window and vents outside so that none of the smell comes into the house. A cat door on the front lets the cat go in and out from inside the house. A hinged door makes cleaning easy. It even comes with the brackets to secure it in place. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

The Refined Feline Cat Furniture
www.therefinedfeline.com
Prices vary

Attractive cat furniture that looks wonderful in your home. (Gina)

Wingabago by Playful Parrot
www.PlayfulParrot.com
$179.95 to $198.95

A clear plastic, FAA compatible carrier made just for birds. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

BioBubble by Freedom Pet, Inc.
www.Biobubblepets.com
$99.99

This is a versatile animal cage that can be used for small reptiles or mammals (gerbils, hamsters, mice) or even as an aquarium. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Turtle Pier by Penn-Plax
www.herpsullies.com
$19.99

This is an adjustable turtle resting spot for aquatic turtles. It’s big enough for adult sized turtles. (Ericka)

There’s More!

Tagnabit by Petmate
www.petmate.com
$3.99

This is a clip for dog tags that allows pet owners to easily switch tags from one collar to another. (Dr. Becker’s Best: Best In Show)

Travel-Tainer by Gamma
$11.99 on www.amazon.com

This is a plastic jar that nestles between two plastic bowls that are held together with an easy to remove handle. Great for carrying dog food or water while out and about. (Liz)

Doggie Doo Drain
www.DoggieDooDrain.com/home.php
$44.95

This is a dog feces disposal system. It connects to your sewer or septic clean out pipe. The feces are dropped into this, flushed with water, and are gone. No more stinky trash cans. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Power Leash by Absolutely New, Inc.
www.Absolutelynew.com
$39.99 to $49.99

Work out while exercising your dog. The leash is a retractable leash with weights on the handle. (Dr. Becker’s Best)

Paper Russells Welcome Mats
www.paperrussells.com
$30

Welcome mats with dogs in all shapes, sizes, colors, and breeds; many with comments or sayings. (Gina)

Fizzion Pet Stain and Odor Remover
www.fizzionclean.com
$9.99

The Fizzion formula has a bacteria killing chemical that eradicates bacteria that causes odor from urine. It also removes the discoloration that causes stains. (Ericka)

There were hundreds of other products at the expo that caught our attention. Some looked interesting but didn’t make the Pet Connection team’s final cut.