Liquid Net Insect Repellent for Pets now comes in a l6-ounce bottle with an orbital sprayer—and we love it. What a great idea for hard-to-reach spots! Made with botanical oils, it is formulated to repel ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other biting insects on cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. It’s not greasy, and for an insect repellent really does smell quite pleasant. Does it work? Absolutely. “We had a surprise flea attack when my indoor cat escaped outdoors one day,” says our tester. “I hated to pay the money for a professional ‘bug man’ to visit so I gave Liquid Net a try. I never saw the fleas again.”

800-923-3623
www.liquidfence.com

WholeMeals are chewy on the outside and meaty on the inside. Each single-piece meal offers premium nutrition, chewing satisfaction, advanced oral care and canine enjoyment, according to the company. We are not pet-food nutritional experts so we can’t vouch for the nutritional content but we are so pleased to see such innovation on the pet-food market. It certainly seems convenient and it passed the taste test with flying colors. All four testers told us the dogs responded favorably to their new meals. Four sizes are available.

www.wholemeals.com

The SlimCat is an interactive food-distributing ball designed to help combat feline obesity by attracting cats with an element of play and rewarding them with an adjustable, appropriate portion of food. Don’t be fooled by its size, which may seem too large for a cat. It’s actually a fine size and does the job quite well if the pet owner introduces it to the cat correctly. Our tester was excited to see her indoor cat figure it out. “It took Princess a little while to get it,” she says. “But once I started giving it to her before meal time and leaving little bits of food around it to entice her, she got the idea.” Available in blue, green, orange or pink, this is an especially useful product for home-alone kitties. It’s compatible with most dry cat foods, according to the company.

888-456-2626
www.multivet.net

The Ring Zinger gives pets and their owners an alternative to the game of fetch. With this product, the pet owner zings the ring and the dog chases it as it rolls, skips and bounces. The unpredictable movements ignite a dog’s natural instinct to chase and are excellent for teaching agility, according to the company. “The Ring Zinger sends the yellow rings a long, long way and Jack gets lots of great exercise chasing them,” says our tester, who has an 18-month-old poodle. “The other great thing about it is there are two rings, so if our other dog gets interested, he can play too.” Other noteworthy features include slobber-free loading and rings that float, which makes the toy suitable for play virtually anywhere.

866-912-1008
www.naturesinstinct.com

No-Stick Litter Box Spray steps up to the challenge of removing stubborn, hardened clumps of litter from a cat’s litter box. It leaves a lubricating film on the surface to help prevent litter clumps from sticking. “You don’t have to scrape as much,” says our tester, who before using this product often found herself taking a power-pressure hose to the box to avoid scraping at all. “And it makes the cleaning process so much less disgusting. No one wants to go to battle with kitty poop.” So how does it work? The spray contains enzymes that are activated in the presence of moisture and organic material; the waste is attacked and destroyed through the enzymatic action, according to the company.

800-565-2695
www.ourpets.com

Timothy Club is a line of hide-away habitats. Each habitat is made of hand-woven, edible Timothy hay and contains no chemicals, wire or thread, according to the company. Products include a bungalow, lounger and tunnel. “My rabbit likes to rest in it,” says our tester. “He nibbles at it slowly so I imagine it will last a while, which is a good thing.” The retreats are visually appealing and surprisingly hardy. They’re natural, dual-purpose items that many small-animal owners we talked to were very excited about.

800-249-0366
www.oxbowanimalhealth.com

The Other Door is hands-down one of the most functional crate we’ve ever seen. It features four doors for total access, integrated wheels, a comfort-grip handle, locking latches and smooth corners to help prevent snagging and scratching. A large side door opens up and out of the way. Anyone who has ever struggled to get his pet in a crate knows how important this is. Available in brick, lavender, sage, ocean blue or pink, the crate even comes with a color-coordinating plush pad. But perhaps the best feature is its break down. It folds so that even large-dog owners can easily carry it. No more awkward, arms-spread trips to the car! A storage bag is included. Two to three sizes are available, depending on color choice.

877-752-9123
www.petgearinc.com

For years professional trainers have prescribed aluminum foil as an effective training tool with the caveat that is has drawbacks in its typical form, including cost, waste and risk of ingestion. PetzOFF delivers that effectiveness in the form of a throw blanket designed to keep pets off furniture. Our tester, who tried it with a golden retriever, calls this blanket “the magic blanket.” It features a heavy-duty reflective material on one side that really does establish an off-limits boundary on the couch, chair, bed, ottoman, wherever. “Halle hated it, but I loved it,” our tester says. “It’s still a mystery to me how this thing works but it does so that’s all that matters.” The reverse side has a fashionable print so décor-conscious people needn’t worry about this blanket cramping their style. Two styles are available in either solid colors or designer shades and patterns. The full size measures 5 feet by 6 feet.

www.petzoff.com

The Zip Lead Retractable Leash features an ergonomic design that is incredibly comfortable and just the right size for pocket travel. Our tester, who has small hands, loved the stylish look and ease of handling even more. “The egg shape fits perfectly in my hand,” she says. “And it’s so light. If I didn’t have a dog attached to the end, I might even forget that I’m holding it.” The retractable leash base is made of ultra-strong polycarbonate and durable zinc alloy, and 17 inches of reflector strip contribute to the pet’s safety, according to the company. Three sizes are available in titanium, orange and blue.

800-381-1516
www.planetdogretailer.com

The Busy Buddy Bristle Bone, which comes in two sizes, is one of the coolest dental toys we’ve seen, mainly because there’s something in it for the dog. Fido may not care about the nylon bristles and rubber nubs that clean teeth and massage gums during the chewing process (though we’re guessing his owner will), but he will certainly appreciate the Gnawhide rings. “I think the treats enhance the chewing experience,” says our tester, who owns a hard-to-please chow chow. “They’re easy to replace and sure make the difference between a dog that normally sniffs, licks and refuses bristle-type toys and a dog that now eagerly chomps her way through the quills.” Replacement treat rings are available; four are included with the toy.

800-933-5595
www.premier.com

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