(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Permascratch Scratching Post
We see a LOT of Scratching posts here at Animal Radio®. That's why we stood at attention when the Permascratch posts arrived at our studio. They've been designed strong, sturdy - and best of all, you can replace the outer sleeve with carpet or a sisal. And if you have active cats like we have - that can save you money in the long run.

Usually we don't like the smaller posts - but the Permascratch is just the right height (and can be adjusted) for any aggressive cat-workout.

The post that Permascratch supplied Animal Radio® for this product review was handmade. All the interchangeable parts were engineered by the inventor Polymer. He is the part of this father-daughter owned business. Hand-care is
put into every post. Get one before some big company buys them up!

The FURminator

We believe that brushing your pet has many purposes. Besides the obvious removal of excessive hair - it deepens your bond with your pet - and allows you to examine his/her body for abnormalities. So 'every-day' brushing is the norm here. And it's made simple with the only brush that easily removes loose hair from even the hairiest of creatures. It also removes other undesirables that a regular brush misses.

Our studio cats love being "FURminated" sooo much that they'll come running to me at the sight of the yellow handle.

Our only gripe, it's pricey. And while it's the only brush you'll ever need - and it will pay for itself by lasting longer than traditional brushes, I did need to pull out the credit card to pay for one for my house.

The FURminator is one of Animal Radio's top ten of 'all-time' pet products. The same company also now makes low-shed shampoo and dog treats too.

The base of the water bowl fits easily into your cup holder. But wait, that's not the best part. The base can also store food or treats ­ no wasted space there!

And when you're done traveling for the day, you can remove the base (it also comes with a lid to cover the treats) and it will sit flat on the floor in your hotel room.

The To Go Bowl is available in 5 different colors (grey, gold, red, blue and cream) and is dishwasher safe.

The To Go Bowl is great for short trips around town or for that long car trip - what a great idea!!!!!

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)

Ticks and Fleas from Multipet
Fleas and Ticks
Give your dog ticks and fleas. No, not the real kind, but cuddly Ticks and Fleas pet toys and let your dog bite back!

I am not sure who had more fun with Ticks and Fleas ­ the dogs or the guys in the studio! The plush toys also have squeakers and come in two different sizes ­ 12" and 6".

Give your dog Ticks and Fleas and let them finally have their revenge!

Support Our Troops Loofa from Multipet
Honor our troops with the "Support Our Troops Loofa" from Multipet. It is Multipet's hope that this will be as successful as their "Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Loofa" dog.

Not only will you be supporting our two-legged troops, but our four-legged troops as well, since dogs have been alongside our troops since World War I.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the canine unit in Camp Pendleton where the 100 military dogs who serve on the front lines get to go for rest and relaxation.

These cute little toys come in two sizes, 12" and 18".

What dog wouldn't have hours of fun with these!

And since cats like a good scratch (so do all animals!) these scratching pads were the perfect thing. Not only can I place them on my corners (they wrap around corners nicely) I can even place them on floor.

Since they are interlocking, you can add as many as you would like for a large or small space. They are easy to install (Each 10 oz., 5" x 6" pad comes with four rust-proof, stainless steel mounting screws and washers to firmly and safely attach the pads to nearly any solid surface) and they protect my corners!

They come in four different colors, rustic red, milk, winners blue and southwest sunset. Whether you have a cat, dog or even a horse, they are sure to be a hit with your animals!

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)

Beach Kit Gift Box by Arf Dog

With Arf Dog, it is like one stop shopping. Everything we needed came in this Beach Kit Gift Box, from great dog toys for our dog to play with in the surf, to a cute little water bowl to quench his thirst. And then there is the sunscreen so he won't burn his nose and lastly his treats as he lazily dozed.

While we reviewed the Beach Kit Gift Box, Arf Dog also has gift boxes for the New Puppy, The Spa Gift Box, a Sporty Gift Box and even a Sleepover Suitcase. Prices range from $125 - $150, and you can even add your own items. And these aren't just gift boxes that have been hastily thrown together. The items have been thoroughly researched and gathered out of the "best of the best" for the themed collections.

If you are wondering what gift to give to your dog loving friends, Let Arf Dog take the guesswork out of what to get the dog that has everything!

(rated 4 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)

DogCaption Gift Cards

Some of the captions in the cards are: "Next time, say it with flowers" (as seen in the picture) and "Look tough... and never let them smell cookies on your breath."

All photos promote animal safety, as you can see, all animals are wearing collars and tags. Every card also promotes volunteerism at neighborhood shelters and adoptions.

The next time you need to send a card, grab one of the Barker's Dozen, guaranteed to have your friends and family laughing out loud!

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Doggie Diaper Bag

Metzger's Designs has come to your aid. They have designed a Doggie Diaper Bag that includes two heavy stainless steel bowls for food and water, six exterior pockets for miscellaneous items and room inside for toys, food, a blanket, etc. And the best part, the strap can be used in a pinch for a leash ­ how cool is that!

This is something that you can always have packed and ready to go. No more spending time searching for all of Fido's necessary travel items, only to leave something behind.

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Kids-Did-It!

But why limit it to their homes! Kid-Did-It allows the artists to both enjoy the thrill and satisfaction of being published, as well as earning royalties on the licensed reproduction of their work.

Some of the available items include:

• Art Education Book
• Art Calendars
• Note Cards and Gift Bags
• Prints and Posters
• Collectors Postage Stamps
• Promotional Calendars
• Do-It-Yourself Containers

Images available include everything from animals and flowers to landscapes and people.

My favorite was the Kids-Did-It! mug that changes color as it heats up. I know it is around here somewhere, but I can never find it as it is always in use. Perhaps I should have ordered two!

And remember, when purchasing items from Kids-Did-It! you will not only get a great item, either for a gift or for yourself, the artists will also earn royalties on the licensed reproduction of their work.

A win-win for everyone!

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)

Sani-Moat Ant Barrier
It's that time of year when you go to your pet's food bowl and you see all of the ants crawling around. And, you don't want to use any pesticides that could harm your pet.

With the Ant Barrier, all you have to do is to add any of the following to the moat and set your pet's bowl on top of it:

• Dishwashing liquid
• Laundry detergent
• Petroleum jelly
• Cooking oil (will last all year)
• Water (evaporation requires replacement up to 60 days)
• Biodegradable lubricants (will last a long time)
• Other non toxic household products that deter ants

The Ant Barrier also has an adhesive pad to secure your bowl to the barrier. But if you think your item is too big to be placed on the Ant Barrier, I would either suggest buying the "expander legs" or buying more than one.

And, you can use it in your cupboards to keep ants out of your food too, as well as at your campsite to keep those pesky pests away!

(rated 4 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)

Scotch Fur Fighter
I don't know if I should be doing a product review from my point of view (for cleaning purposes) or from my cat's point of view (he thought it was a cat toy).

I think it was the most fun my cat has had in a long time. He chased me around the house and attacked it every chance he could. In the meantime, I was able to actually sweep up cat hair from my couch, bedspread, chairs and him! I really liked the fact that you can use it in all directions (others if you sweep in the wrong direction you end up with more hair on the item than when you started) and my black couch is now black again instead of white, orange, gray...

At first I thought that the refills were a little expensive (a package of 8 costs around $4.99), until you do the calculations. One sheets lasts a long time and while you can't rinse them off, you can vacuum most of the hair off of them for longer use. And while it works easily on most fabrics, be careful on delicate fabrics where it can snag the material and cause runs.

If you don't like to take the time to peel of multiple sheets from lint rollers for large or quick jobs, then this is the product for you.

(rated 5 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)
West Paw Design
Products created from recycled plastic bottles ­ I have to give the West Paw Design line a 5 + 1/2 paws up! Not only are the toys a big hit with the animals and the beds pleasing to my decor, they are also environmentally friendly! It so nice to be able to feel you are doing something good for the environment and have something that looks nice in your home at the same time.

The cats and dog toys are created from environmentally friendly fabric made up of 85% re-engineered recycled IntelliLoft™ fibers and filled with energizing USDA certified Organic Catnip.

The pet beds are organic cotton and stuffed full of super-soft, premium IntelliLoftTM stuffing, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. These are terrific for your allergic, sensitive or orthopedic pups. They are also machine washable with a zippered opening for easy maintenance.

But I must warn you - I had trouble getting them out of the package ­ as the animals were in such a hurry for them! One of the studio cats immediately claimed the bed, while the others claimed the toys. So, be sure to have enough on hand for everybody!

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)
Old Souls
Planet Dog has not forgotten about "our older" dogs. You may have noticed that as your dog ages he is not able to grab that ball and chew on it like he used to. But, he still may want to! With this new line, Old Soul, it is easier on his vision and "snout strength" along with his weakened muscles and joints.

All of the toys are made extra soft as well as pliable and stretchy. This will allow your older dog to enjoy a good chew. And don't forget about the mint oil ­ a little extra has been added for his waning sense of smell. And the colors are high-contrast to allow your older dog to see them a lot easier.

Some of the Old Soul line of toys include Orbee Balls, Bones and Slobber-Wicka Squeak Buddies. All of the Old Soul toys are available in small, medium and large. What a great way to honor our older dogs!

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)
Candles for a Cause - Can a candle change the world?

Well, this one can. Fifteen percent of this special edition candle, A Roll in the Hay by A Scent of Scandal, will benefit the Farm Sanctuary to support their life-saving work.

The Farm Sanctuary works to end cruelty to farm animals and promotes compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. They envision a world where the violence that animal agriculture inflicts upon people, animals and the environment has ended, and where instead we exercise values of compassion.

And besides helping this great animal organization, the candle smells terrific and is vegan (free of all animal-derived ingredients), cruelty-free (not tested on animals), and made from 100 percent natural clean burning soy wax that is better for people and the environment.

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)

The Brush Buddy
You have wipes for cleaning, a brush for shedding and a towel for drying your dog. But what if you could have all of this in one product?

That's exactly what The Brush Buddy is. One side removes dirt, shedding hair and massages your dog, while the other towel side dries them off. And when it gets dirty, you can just throw it in the washing machine - how convenient is that!

And I like the hand pockets. They are ergonomically designed to grip your dog's body - plus, you don't have to get your hands dirty!

The Brush Buddy is compact and easy to transport and store. And, you will probably want more than one. Keep one in your car, place one in your backpack and leave one at home. http://www.thebrushbuddy.com

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Play-N-Squeak Cat Toys
All cats have a preying instinct. The Play-N-Squeak Cat Toys brings out that natural instinct and encourages your cat to hunt, chase, stalk and pounce on these realistic looking toys. And, they even have a Mouse sound for added fun that is in the frequency of an actual field mouse - which no cat can resist!

The Play-N-Squeak line of toys are available in toys that your cat can play with alone, toys your cat can play with other cats and toys you can play along with your cat. I don't know who had more fun - me or the cats!

Bring out the wild side in your cat!
http://www.playnsqueak.com

Doggy Java
You share so much with you dog, why not share your morning cup of coffee? Because, regular coffee is not good for our animals (and while we are on the subject ­ is it really good for us?). Anyway, now your dog can have his own version of morning coffee.

And, it is not just flavored water (and not a coffee product) but it also contains vitamins specially formulated for your pooch. It comes in a powdered form and all you have to add is water.

Here is one more activity your dog can join in on. It also comes in a great kit perfect for gift-giving! And don't worry if your cat tries a cup, it will not harm him.
http://www.doggyjava.com

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Feeding Frenzy Toy
There are several reasons to get the Feeding Frenzy Cat Toy. While I used it on my cat that needed a job (I know - it is usually the dogs who need jobs!), it is also a great way to fight boredom and obesity.

Even though my cat is not overweight, he had fun for many hours pushing the toy around and even attracted the attention of the other cats in the household.

It's so easy to use. All you have to do is fill it with treats or dry cat food if your pet is overweight. It will make them work for their food, just as they were meant to do in nature. As it is important that an overweight cat lose weight slowly, this will allow you to control their intake.

There are very few good cat toys on the market and this is one that will both entertain and is good for their health.
http://www.phatcattoys.com

(rated 4 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)

Perfect Litter
The first thing I noticed about this cat litter was that it is so lightweight. In fact, it weighs 70% less than other litters.

The next thing I noticed was that it has an "Alert Indicator" which can help warn you if your cat may be suffering from Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). The color in the litter can actually change to a dark pink color if your cat has an infection. There are different degrees of pink which can indicate if your cat has a mild infection (light pink) up to a serious infection (dark pink). But, it may also show false readings if your cat eats too fast or drinks "hard" water.

It is Eco-Friendly, natural and bio-degradable. It is a clumping litter and can be flushed down the toilet or disposed of in the trash. While some cats may have to get used to this litter, my cats immediately took to it (they never have a problem with trying new litters).

Unfortunately, due to the fact that it is very lightweight, my cats were able to scatter it well outside the litter box. But, I do like the fact that I can monitor my cats' urinary issues.
http://www.petecology.com

Pawsitive I.D. DNA Test

(rated 4 out of 5 paws)

You may have one of those Heinz 57 dogs and are not sure of their genetic makeup but have always wondered. This home test is not only a great way to find out, but it will also screen for dozens of inherent genetic diseases. And, if your dog gets lost, this is a great fingerprinting and identification tool.

It so easy to use. All you have to do is complete a form, swab your pet's gums and then mail the form and swab in. In about two weeks you will receive all of your pet's information. They will even store your pet's information for up to 15 years - all for $49.95 - what a deal!
http://www.pawsitiveid.net

(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

Latka's Lap Dog Biscuits
featuring wheat-free mini bones in 5 oz. bags
peanut butter, low fat chicken liver and low fat parmesan cheese
ideal for small dogs and training treats

We like them because the treats contain no wheat, corn, soy, sugar, salt, coloring, preservatives or additives, by-products or fillers.

Even before the pet food recall, I wanted to make sure that any treats I gave to my pets were healthy treats.

Latka's treats, which are wheat-free and healthy, mean I don't have to worry about my pets eating them. They are bone-shaped and come in flavors such as peanut butter, veggie delight and bacon cheddar, and the dogs love them.

To take the guesswork out of buying treats just think of Latkas!
http://www.delicioustreats.com

(rated 4 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)
Sometimes it's hard for us to admit that our pets are not as young as they used to be. But as they age, we want to make sure that they can still reach their favorite places without harming themselves.

While most pet steps only reach about 12 inches (which means your pet still has to jump the rest of the way) the Pets Steps from Petmate can reach 20 inches high. The steps are also very lightweight (about 4 lbs.) and come in a neutral color to match any decor.

If you see your pet struggle to reach his favorite places, don't wait - get him the Pet Steps right away!
http://petmate.com

See other reviews at AnimalRadio.com. Send products for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio Network™ Product Reviews, 898 Mesa Grande Dr., Shandon, CA. 93461. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.