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A Cheerful Pet: Boiled wool dog toys made in Nepal

By Ericka Basile

June 21, 2011

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I used to be a crafts person. Hanging out in craft stores for hours; buying yarn and dreaming of all the dog sweaters I would knit and quilted blankets I would sew. Reality hit and well, today I can barely knit a straight row. However, I do appreciate handmade fiber arts, especially for pets.

A Cheerful Pet offers adorable lines of dog toys made from 100% boiled wool.

Boiled wool? How? There are two ways to do this.

First, if I remember correctly from a knitting book I read, after you have spent hours and hours knitting precise rows of yarn into intricate patterns, gauging the stitch, adding in colors, and creating your labor of love- you then dunk it in a pot of boiling water to watch it shrink and mat and become a piece of thick wool fabric.

The second method of making boiled wool fiber art (or toys in this case) is to take pure wool, combed and cleaned, and then dye it. After it has dried you stretch it out into unwoven layers of colorful wool fibers. Carefully molding and laying in colors, as shown in the photo below, the toys are crafted. Once finished they are then boiled to fuse the wool into the final toy. The toys are $9.49-$13.39.

When the review set of dog toys arrived I was immediately enchanted by the color patterns and the detail of the 3-D workmanship. In the video below you will see a blue fish. In the background of the photo above you can see the same fish as a Nepali woman makes it. Up close, I reviewed this fish toy on my kitchen table. It was so beautiful, I couldn’t even give it to my dog. I chose to give my dog a dinosaur instead.

My dog Ace happily started chewing on the toy, concentrating on the dinosaur spikes along the toy’s back. Dogs, especially puppies, love the feeling of the wool as they gnaw on it.  The company website states that their “Headzees” toy line is their best seller. I didn’t choose to review this line, as I favor prehistoric creatures and fish, but I wanted to show the fun pig and duck Headzees to you in the photo below.

These toys are made in Nepal and the Nepali women receive funds to help their families in need. From A Cheerful Pet website:

Every Cheerful Pet toy is a uniquely handcrafted piece of art made by our talented artisans in Nepal. Many of these women are widows and the sole provider for their families. By using their talent in making our beautiful toys, these ladies are able to earn a living, raise and educate their children and take care of any health needs they may have. We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to work with this wonderful group of skilled women. … For more information on PUMA, please visit www.puma2000.org.

Here is a video of the toys up close as I marveled at their detail. This is my favorite dog toy product line so far for 2011.

photo credits: Dinosaur and Sea-life toys on kitchen table, Ericka Basile. Nepali craftswomen and Headzees, A Cheerful Pet.


Filed under: Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 6:52 am

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Riker loves the Pooch Planet bed

By Liz Palika

June 13, 2011

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My three Australian Shepherds are allowed on the furniture. I like their company and usually one is within arm’s reach all the time. So they don’t lack for comfy places to nap. But even though they can nap where ever they want they do have favorite places. Riker’s favorite place is in a corner of the sofa; Bashir prefers the recliner; and Sisko is usually right beside me.

However when I got the Pooch Planet Cloud 9 pet bed in to test, it was an immediate hit with all three dogs. In the three days it’s been here, it has rarely been empty.

My first impression of the bed was that it was big. Perhaps too big. However when I compared it to the dog beds I already have, I found that the footprint of the Pooch Planet bed was the same. It’s 39 inches by 35 inches.

I think the size impression comes from the thickness of the bed. The description says that bed is nine inches thick. Visually, it appears to be thicker than that. The outside of the bed is high and round, surrounding an indented center, making the bed appear nest-like. The center still has plenty of padding so the entire bed is soft and cushiony.

Initially I thought there might be too mush softness for Riker, who’s hips are bad. I figured he might have trouble getting his back legs under him but that hasn’t been the case at all.

The raised edges do provide resting spots for the dog’s head and they do use it as a pillow. The raised edges also keep the dog snug in the middle of the bed. I noticed last evening when it got chilly, Riker was all curled up in the center. He looked very cozy.

The bed uses some recycled materials. The center section contains memory foams leftover from manufacturing other memory foam products. The rounded edges contain fiberfill made from recycled plastic water bottles – 270 of them per bed as a matter of fact.

The cover of the bed is washable. Although I haven’t washed it yet I did take the cover off and put it back on and it was nearly as difficult as some pet beds are.

The Pet Connection product review guidelines are that after a review, the reviewers don’t keep the product. It’s donated to a worthy cause. This bed will be donated to a working service dog from the Kindred Spirits Canine Education Center’s service dog training program. That dog will love the bed but my dogs will be upset with me; especially Riker. I’m going to have to order one myself. Maybe it can be his belated 12th birthday present.

Pooch Planet Cloud 9 Premium Pet Bed    www.worldwise.com

Top photo: Riker in the Pooch Planet bed

Bottom photo: Bashir snoozing. Both photos by Liz Palika


Filed under: Pet Products — Liz Palika @ 8:38 am

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Out for a ride: four safe pet travel products

By Ericka Basile

June 6, 2011

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There are a variety of ways people bring pets along with them in a car. Some are poor choices (dog unrestrained in back of pickup truck bed), and some are safe (seat belts and crates).

Driving around South Florida, I see it all. Dogs are either hanging out the window as their owners let them stick their head out in the fresh air, or a dog is romping around the back of a pickup. Both are just accidents waiting to happen. Sometimes people drive with the dog in their lap. Airbags, anyone?

All of these scenarios make me want to pull up to the negligent pet owner and share a few choice words about cars and pet safety.

So, how can pet owners still bring their pet in the car but use products to ramp up safety benefits?

I’d like to share a few with you a few products I found which increase pet travel safety. These are the good ways for your pet to travel via car with you.

Carseat and Harness. Everyday I pick up my two children in ‘car line’ at their school. I used to bring Roxi with me and she just sat in the passenger seat. Once I have stopped the car and I roll down the passenger side window, she greets my children. The thing is, Roxi is too small to see out the window so I usually lift her up to give kisses to the children. Now we have a new routine. Roxi sits atop a pink plush car seat which gives her a booster seat view out the window. The padded harness with seat belt attachment is $27,  and there is a safety strap attached to the seat belt. G.W. Little, the fabulous little dog product catalog, allowed me to test this pink car seat and harness ($179 retail). Here is a video demonstrating the safety as well as over-the-top P-I-N-K cuteness. (Yes, it comes in tan for non-diva pet owners).

I liked this car seat for the following reasons:

  • Attached easily with my current seat belt into car. No attachments needed
  • Foam siding is firm and supportive so Roxi can see out the window
  • Harness allows Roxi to move about just enough to stay comfortable, yet restrained
  • Pull-out storage tray for water, treats, or leash.

Solvit Car Barriers For big dog owners the choices are allowing your pet to roam freely about the back seat, or place them in a crate. Roaming free is not the safest of choices, but since many pet owners do it, I wanted to share a product that at least keeps you focused on driving safely. The Solvit Cargo Area Net Pet Barrier and Front Seat Net Pet Barrier attaches to the back of seats and creates a barricade to prevent your dog from jumping up front and sitting on your lap, or trying to shift gears for you. It’s made of mesh and attaches using Velcro. The two pound, lightweight material barrier is easy to handle. It is relatively inexpensive at $39. The barrier stores compactly and offers a good level of driver safety. I also want to make a quick point that 99 % of the dog bites treated by my husband (a plastic surgeon) are from dogs who bite their owners while sitting in cars. Travel is stressful and confined spaces are prime locations for a seemingly docile dog to lash out and bite.

Sleepypod travel crate. Moving again to smaller pets, Sleepypod makes wonderfully designed products. I was drawn to this carrier/ bed simply for its aesthetic appeal. After using it inside as a safe place for my new puppy, I decided to bring Dino to the vet in the pod. Now I am even more impressed with the Sleepypod, retailing for $179. The safety features on this product are top-notch. There are two places to secure the seat belt. The seat lap band velcros under loop on side and the shoulder belt loops through the top handle on the pod. Once secured in place, this pod does not move.

I also like that the mesh top is soft, the inside is a cushy bed, and the sides are strong and supportive. The Sleepypod comes in many colors. My favorite is the vibrant red.  On the right is a photo with the top off and my puppy Dino is just using it as a bed. The mesh cap, or top, zips off and on. The inner plush bed zips out for washing. There is a plastic lining to protect the bottom outer core. This is a very well thought out product.

Crate/ Carrier A tried and true safe option is to use your metal crate or plastic carrier. Place it in the back of your SUV or hatchback. You might even be able to fit it into your back seat. I like the Double Door Deluxe from PetMate. It is has a top opening as well as the traditional side opening. The medium version, for up to 15 lbs, is $34 at Petco.

Which method do you currently use to transport your furry best friend?


Filed under: Featured Product,Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 8:36 am

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Dog in my bed, with Urban Slant Steps and the help of a monkey

By Ericka Basile

May 12, 2011

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Dogs have progressed from living in the back yard to the kitchen to the bedroom. Dr. Marty Becker has shared this sentiment with me and many others all over the country. I love hearing the saga of how dogs used to be in a dog house in the back yard and then they gradually moved up on the back porch, then the kitchen floor, then to our beds.

It is so true, isn’t it?

So, let’s see. Not only have the dogs come to live inside but now the smaller breeds, well, they want up to be lifted up onto our couches and beds.

Hence the advent of pet stairs and steps.

I’ve shared in a previous post a review on a ramp that help dogs gain entry into the back of an SUV. Now, I want to share a review of a set of stairs, called Slant Pet Steps, which retail for $139. They give dogs easier access to couches or beds, much to the chagrin of my husband. He once was known to say “the dogs will never sleep in our bed.”

Roxi, our beloved Chihuahua, does sleep in the bed.

And, ironically, it is my husband who helps lift her up every night and places her at the blanket near our feet. Not any more. He loves the Slant Steps just as much as Roxi does.

The Slant Steps measure 15″W x 20″D x 15″H and are constructed from eco-friendly materials.
•    wood veneer steps
•    dark zebra wood engineered finish
•    grip strips added for a non-slip surface
•    durable metallic silver powder coated steel tube – 40lbs max weight

The Urban Pet Haus Slant Steps are made to appease minimalism design-lovers as well as for strength and stability. While I appreciate the aesthetic look of the gray painted rods against the dark wood steps, I also wanted the steps to work.

Once I assembled the steps, which took about 15 minutes from opening the box to finished use, I tested them myself by leaning on them and pushing heartily with my fists. The steps are very stable. I especially like the non-slip pads that are an option for $17. Personally, I think they should be a standard feature.

Here is a video showing the stairs in use. It took a little longer for Roxi to learn how to use these steps than I would have guessed. I am not sure if it is because there is space in between each step and she was spooked by this, or perhaps Roxi is just a slow learner. Anyway, when in doubt I turn to training with treats and that seemed to work this time. If you watch the video you will see a monkey was involved. Sometimes you just do what you gotta do to get the job done, y’know?

While I may not be the best dog trainer in the world, city, neighborhood… I do like the Urban Pet Haus steps and Roxi finds them stable.

I found that placing a towel over the steps the first week helped greatly. The fact that these steps have no kick-board and are “open” probably made it scary at first for Roxi. I eventually removed the towel and she breezed up the steps without hesitating.


Filed under: Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 7:31 am

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Burly: Ring rope toy for my foster puppy

By Ericka Basile

May 9, 2011

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There is nothing like having a puppy in your life to create the sudden need to shop for dog toys.

I have a gazillion dog items in our product review area waiting for review but none of the items we have received this month seemed “jusssst right”, so I found myself, well, the puppy, in need of a perfect chew toy NOW. Hence, a quick trip to Petco to shop. Yay!

Puppy, a.k.a. Steve*, is five weeks old and his teeth are in. And they are sharp.

Very. very. sharp.

When Steve is biting my hand I try to always divert his attention to a toy to “pretend kill.” Lately none of the socks, squeaky plush toys, or tough chew toys I give him entertain him. He still wants to bite my fingers.

Today I was out buying cat food at Petco I saw this Burly Ring with Rope dog toy. What a great find! At under $5, this toy is great for a puppy. Steve loves to gnaw on the rope, pull the ring across the room, and generally enjoys teething on it.

The Burly Ring Rope toy packaging states it bounces and floats. It does, but that didn’t interest me. The black and white rope woven in and out the side of the ring was what sold me. It is stimulating and a challenge that Steve would love. Rope toys in general are helpful because they remove soft tartar from the teeth, but, again, Steve is a 5 week old puppy just wants to pretend kill and gnaw on everything. So, when he is older this toy will help with dental care but right now I think 99% of this product’s function is pure playtime fun.

Why do I keep referring to my foster puppy as Steve? Well, I was getting really attached to him and needed something to help mentally keep from bonding 100% with him. Steve has met his new owners and in a few days the transfer foster care paperwork will be finished at the Humane Society Naples and the new owners will take Steve. He will be neutered at eight weeks.

In the mean time, I have three more days to care for this adorable puppy. It is getting harder and harder not to want to cling to him forever and never let him go.

So, I asked his new owners what name they were thinking of calling him.

Steve or Bello, they said.

Steve seems nice and fits his personality.

I have been calling him Steve and it really is helping me think of him as someone else’s puppy that I am simply caring for.

Three more days until he leaves to go to his new home and I am buying toys for him, you ask? You bet I am.

It is so much fun to see Steve’s excitement at every new toy I can shower upon him. I also wanted to give his new owners a fabulous toy that will help them continue the ‘distraction from biting’ method I have used to help Steve learn what is correct to bite (toys) and what is not (my fingers).

Wish me luck as I try to put on a brave face when Steve leaves in a few days. I know- I signed up for this and this is what is best for Steve. But it is still bittersweet.

Bye, puppy. Enjoy your toys, okay?


Filed under: Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 8:21 am

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Fluff & Tuff is a durable surprise

By David S. Greene

April 26, 2011

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I really didn’t want to review dog toys. C’mon, are there not enough squeaky, fluffy toys stacking the shelves of pet stores from coast to coast? But, when Ericka sent me a request to check out toys from Fluff + Tuff, I wasn’t initially impressed. They didn’t look terribly special.

Plush chew toys with squeakers, in the shapes of colorful animals. What’s so interesting about that? However, the story of the startup’s founders intrigued me. They’re earnest, and set out to make the most durable, best quality toys they could find. They were willing to test out the products on the toughest chewers they could get their hands on. They retail for $13.95 apiece, which is a bit pricey, assuming the toy doesn’t last, as I’ve found most don’t. Well, let’s see.

Ok, they’re attractive enough, but I just don’t think Cami and Harry could have any interest in what a squeaky toy looks like. The test would be when Harry gets his paws, and more importantly, his teeth on them. He’s the tester, because as I’ve mentioned before, he has the chewing tenacity of a Labrador retriever. Cami just likes to hear the squeak. For Harry, it’s deadly serious stuff. Squeakies must die.

Three toys were put to the test: a cute green gator, a big grey elephant, and a brownish raccoon. Harry got to work on Georgia the Alligator, and within two days had chewed off two of the plush toy’s feet. However, two months later, he’s never done more damage than that, and he has seriously tried. The squeakies of all three toys still work just fine.

I’m impressed. The toys look great, Cami and Harry still carry them around and chew on them regularly (Harry was happily working on the raccoon as I was writing this), and the claim of the company holds up just fine.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not guaranteeing an infinite lifetime on these toys. If your dogs are like ours’, you know that’s impossible. But we think you’ll find, as we did that a Fluff + Tuff toy will outlast most and still be SOFT and PLAYFUL and FUN. After all…it is a TOY.

That’s good enough for me.


Filed under: Pet Products — David S. Greene @ 9:04 am

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Soft-sided crate, put to the foster puppy test

By Ericka Basile

April 19, 2011

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A foster puppy entered my life last week.

His name is Tubby. He is a black mixed breed and only 4 weeks old. I think he is part Labrador, part Pit Bull, and something else that I can’t quite put a finger on yet.

At two pounds, I had the sudden need to give a tiny dog a safe space within my zoo of a home – 24 pets and 2 kids.

A few months ago, Precision sent one of their soft-sided crates for me to review and I have to tell you- this one product has made a huge impact on the daily life of Sir Tubby, the foster puppy extraordinaire.

Tubby and I have come to love this crate more than any other product I could have reviewed. Except the Monkey, but that is at the end of this post so please wait to read about that.

Last Wednesday I was at the Humane Society Naples, where I have started working as their marketing manager. The first day on the job they asked if I would foster a 4 week old puppy. I looked at his face and said yes as fast as I could sputter the word out.

Tubby’s mother died and he needs care until he is old enough to go in the adoption area of the shelter.

Bliss! I get to enjoy 4 weeks of puppy-breath. Plus, the first day at my job and I come home with a puppy… my kids think I am a rock star.

Entering my house that first day I slowly let my Chihuahua Roxi greet Tubby. All went well. The cats then greeted him. So far, so good.

But then my family needed to go about our lives; I had to make dinner, the kids unpacked backpacks, I toted heavy laundry loads around… all things that an itty-bitty puppy could be in danger of if we stepped on him by accident.

I started trying to think of where to put Tubby for an hour or so. The bathroom seemed cold and lonely. I do not have a X-pen.  I needed a space that was quiet for temporary housing. Sure, a plastic bin would work, he was named Tubby, after all, because at the shelter he was dropped off in a ‘tub’ plastic bin.

I looked around the product storage area I have set aside for product reviews. I didn’t know what I was looking for really… maybe a bed or something? Then I saw the soft-sided crate box from Precision and bingo- I knew that is exactly what Tubby needed.

I took a video of him in the crate which you can see below.

The crate is navy and khaki, made of water resistant nylon. It has zippered openings on the front, back, side and top, and retails for $66.00. The mesh on the top is great to view a dog while they are inside, and if they need more privacy you can cover it with a towel. The crate also has a side pocket for toys and a water bottle.

So, what is to become of Tubby? I have been taking Tubby everywhere with me to

a) get him socialized
b) not leave him alone too much, and
c) marketing.

I want to help him find a home.

After numerous trips to my daughter’s volleyball practices, hanging out in our driveway, and bringing Tubby to pick-up my kids at their school, I think I have found Tubby a lovely forever home. A teacher’s grown son and girlfriend are going to adopt him in mid-May. He can’t go to live with them yet because the Humane Society’s policy is that he must be neutered and that can not happen until he is over 8 weeks old. So, Tubby will visit with his new family and stay at my home for a few more weeks.

Tubby will keep this crate when he goes to his new house. It is nice that he will have an automatic safe-place in his new home, a place he is used to sleeping in, and it smells familiar. When his new family travels they can break the crate down, put it in it’s handy case and ta-da: have crate, will travel. Precision has a nice write-up on crate training here.

I have added two videos below of Tubby playing with Roxi and some of the toys I bought the day after he came to our home last week.  These products are not related to this review but he is so dang cute I had to share.

Oh, what about Monkey? Of all the new toys I bought for Tubby it turns out he fell in love with a Webkins Monkey that we already owned. ‘Monkey’ is a stuffed toy that was my son’s when he was very young and I was keeping for memories sake. The other day Nico, my 10 year-old son, asked if he could give Tubby something. He wanted to give him Monkey. It was such a kind gesture, one of those teary-eyed moments. The fact that Tubby choose to like this monkey toy the most of all made Tubby win our hearts forever.


Filed under: Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 9:00 am

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Pet massager soothes muscle aches, pains

By Kim Campbell Thornton

April 18, 2011

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I love the Muscle Angels massage tool. My neck is always stiff (spouse and parents need not feel compelled to make snarky comments), and lying on the floor with the nubs pressing into my neck really helped. The acupressure tip worked well to relieve knotted muscles, too. Oh, um, I’m getting messages from Gina and Ericka that the review is supposed to be about whether the dogs liked it. Well, okay, but I don’t think their necks are as arthritic as mine. But whatever.

The Muscle Angels for Pets massager was created as a feel-good device to help relieve muscle tightness and pain in weekend warrior dogs (and, presumably, cats) as well as to give pets the other benefits of massage: increased circulation, flexibility, mobility and comfort. The round part is studded with little nubs – more than 290 (not that I counted) – to knead muscles. It’s topped with a single rounded tip to work out knots in a single area. A flat base allows it to sit upright when not in use.

As far as I know, Harper and Twyla don’t have too many aches and pains, but they both seemed to enjoy the feel of the massager as it traveled down their spines. Oops, just read the disclaimer; run it down the side of the spine, not along the top of it. My bad. When I stopped, Twyla looked back at me, as if to say, “More, please.” I noticed that it doubled as a grooming tool, picking up loose hair. The directions note that longhaired dogs may object to having the nubs rolled up and down the body because it might pull their hair. As long as I went in only one direction, Twyla was fine with it. She also rolled over so I could do the other side.

I used it much more lightly on Bella, who is a bit bony these days. She didn’t get up and move, so it must have felt good, or at least not unpleasant.
On the whole I liked this product. In size and heft I suspect it’s more suited to a larger dog, but you can make it work for any size animal. If you would like to try massaging your dog, cat or horse, it’s a good place to start. And I can vouch for its efficacy in humans, too.

Note: read the disclaimer on the website before using to avoid misuse.


Filed under: Pet Products — Kim Campbell Thornton @ 11:49 am

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SmartyKat products: a bonanza of kitty fun

By Ingrid King

April 11, 2011

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SmartyKat productsWhen the big box of products from SmartyKat® arrived, it was like kitty Christmas in April at our house. My little product tester was ready and eager to get started!

The SmartyKat® CompleteNeeds® system is designed to meet cats’ unique needs when it comes to playing, hunting, scratching, interaction, privacy, independence, and more.  From scratching posts to kitty hammocks to litter box accessories, SmartyKat® offers a dizzying array of products.

We got to test the ScratchScroll™ and the SisalColumn™ scratchers, the HammockHouse™ cat condo, the CrackelChute™ and the LoofaLeap™ wand toy.

The ScratchScroll™ is a well-designed, sturdy wave scratcher, covered in a mix of different scratching surfaces including a couple of different texture carpets and sisal. Allegra was more enamored with the space underneath the scratcher and the little feather snap in toy than the actual scratcher. The feather toy snaps out easily, but not to easily that she could rip it out herself, and can be exchanged with several other toys in the SmartyKat® line.

SmartyKat SisalColumnThe SisalColumn™ is a well-made scratcher with a pretty sturdy base. Allegra loves vertical scratchers, so she took to it almost the minute I had it assembled. At a mere 8 pounds, Allegra managed to make the base wobble just a bit when she used it vigorously, so it might not work as well with bigger cats.

The HammockHouse™ was the biggest hit. I was a little worried when I realized that there was ”some assembly required” -- words that usually instill fear in my heart. However, the HammockHouse™ came with instructions and diagrams that actually made sense, and I had it assembled in less than a minute. The frame is sturdy even though the actual house is lightweight. Allegra loved leaping in and out of the two entrances. She hasn’t used the hammock part. I was curious whether it would hold even a big cat without collapsing the house, so I used an 18-pound bag of cat litter to test it. It passed the test easily.  This product is listed in the privacy section, and Allegra gives it her wholehearted approval for just that. She’s afaid of thunderstorms and usually hides out in our downstairs bathroom behind the shower curtain during storms. The first time we had a storm after the HammockHouse™ arrived, I found her curled up inside it, and she looked pretty comfortable.

Allegra is a big fan of kitty tunnels, so the CrackleChute™ was an instant hit. The chute is designed to be connected to the HammockHouse™, which made it even more fun.

Here’s a video of Allegra with the HammockHouse™ and CrackleChute™.

I could barely get the LoofaLeap™ wand toy off of its cardboard backing before Allegra went wild. The combination of different textures and the  movement created by wiggling the wand proved to be irresistible. As the human on the other end of the wand, I would have preferred it to be a bit longer, as my overly enthusiastic kitten jumped so high that my hand became part of the game. But, I’m a quick learner and after the first few tries, my hand was safe. A truly interactive game, challenging both cat and human…

All of the products are well-made and should stand up to even multiple cats for quite some time. They’re also pretty to look at. I’ve always felt that there’s no reason that cat toys have to be ugly, and the SmartyKat® folks seem to share this view.

For more information on the entire SmartyKat® line and where to purchase, please visit their website.


Filed under: Pet Products — Ingrid King @ 8:00 am

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The Easter Bunny approves of pEi Pod

By Ericka Basile

April 7, 2011

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I was asked to test an egg bed.

Um, what?

It is a pet bed shaped like an egg, made of plastic.

I am all about amazing design and quality, but this just made me squeal, “Omigod, it’s an egg. I have to try it.” And that, my friends, is why the manufacturer is doing so well.

Some people collect art, others shoes. Some like pet furniture which creates a conversation and makes people do a double take. Made by pEi Pod, the bed is very sturdy. The plastic mold is sleek and smooth. It can withstand tumbles and drops. It is most definitely not a fragile egg. The beds and inside pillow come in a variety of colors. I went with the traditional white egg and yellow fluffy pillow.

I couldn’t stop taking photos of it as my different pets tried it out. I also love that is it water-resistant so I could leave it outside in my cat’s playtime enclosure.

There are, of course, cheaper crates and beds on the market. But you will not find them nearly as aesthetically pleasing. At $129, the Pei Pod is not meant to rival other beds in terms of cost or look. It stands alone as a completely unique safe-place resting spot for your pet.

From Pei Pod:

Lovingly designed around your pet’s instinctual needs, pEi Pods are safe and nurturing habitats that complement your living space rather than disrupting it. The rounded design mimics cavelike sanctuaries that animals gravitate instinctively toward for protection and relaxation, while the sleek, elliptical exterior accents your interior design and enhances your living space.

The beds come in two sizes, and in colors such as mint, blue, pink, and cream, with a variety of pillows. I couldn’t get my rabbit to stay still long enough to take a photo so I borrowed this photo from the pEi Pod site. (Of course, do NOT buy a bunny just because it is Easter. You can always wait until after Easter and there will be lots in your local shelters after families get bored.

One of the things about the pEi Pod I wish they would improve is the pillow. It is made of low quality cotton fabric and non-supportive fluff/batting. For such a dramatically designed bed, I wish the manufacturer would accompany it with a plush high quality pillow.

The material for the bed is “able to withstand up to 100 kgs of weight pressure, the pEiPod is made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), the exact same highly-durable, safe, and recyclable material used to make baby products,” states the website description.

Willow is seen at right in the bed. She always is on the look out for other cats as they tend to pick on her. This bed gave her the security she wanted.

This bed is targeting an audience of pet owners who want a bit of ‘fun’ and cuteness to their home. It is an eye-catcher and a strong, secure feeling bed. Would I gravitate towards it if I were a cat or small dog? Yes, yes I would. It is so inviting and cozy.

Happy Easter.

photo credit: Top, PeiPod.com; second down, Ericka Basile; third down, PeiPod.com;, last photo, Ericka Basile


Filed under: Pet Products — Ericka Basile @ 10:38 am
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