It PAINS me to write this review.  I am, after all, the person who made up her very own kitty litter recipe.  And that kitty litter is pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  When Drew from World’s Best Cat Litter offered to send me a bag of litter to test out, I did warn him that I’m something of an expert.  I mean, for me to actually want to buy kitty litter it has to be markedly better than the stuff I make for about 3 cents worth of baking soda per batch.  So I was incredibly skeptical.  If I’m being completely honest, I kind of wanted it to fail.  But if I’m still being completely honest, I have to admit that it’s the best kitty litter my cat has ever used.

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I don’t know about you, but we are firmly ensconced in winter here in Rochester.  Ice, snow, having to scale huge drifts to get to your car – it’s fun stuff for humans, and it can also mean trouble for pets.

Conventional snow melters, like rock salt and other salt based melters are rough on pet paws, and when pets come in and lick their feet, it can be rough on their digestive tracts too.  Read more…

Looking for a gift for your pet or your favorite pet lover?  Here are a few greener ideas.

Argo and Stella LOVE Zukes treats. I use Mini Naturals as bribes when I photograph them (the cover shot for STAY was made possible by Salmon Mini Naturals).  Zuke’s sent me some of their new Mini Bakes Biscuits, and Argo and Stella were jumping up and down before I even got the box open.  Plus, it’s nice that Zuke’s treats are small (the Mini Naturals are 2 calories each), so I can give them a treat without adding too many extra calories to their daily intake.  All Zukes treats are wheat and corn free. And they make cat treats too! $5-11.

Up Country has FDA approved, lead-free ceramic bowls and accessories with adorable designs for dogs and cats $5-20. Read more…

We fight the constant battle of dog smells in our house.  Most commercial products don’t really make the smell go away, they just add a stronger smell to the mix.  And, quite frankly, I’d rather my house smell like plain old dog feet than “ocean breeze” dog feet, or “spring flower” dog feet.  Read more…

The Shelter Pet Project, a collaboration between The Humane Society, The Ad Council, and Maddie’s Fund, has put together a site full of resources to help you find a new friend at your local animal shelter. Check it out!

Do you have a shelter pet? Tell us about your furry friend in the comments.

Previously, I posted about how I use old blankets as dog beds, instead of going out and buying fancy new ones.  I upgraded recently, by making simple covers, and it’s made a big difference. Read more…

If you’re a dog owner, you know all about the unspeakable things dogs attempt to track through the house.  Stella throws herself a little party every time she finds a good smelly spot in the yard.  And when she’s done rolling around in the grass, she comes running into the house, ready to take a nap on the couch.  That’s why I’m in love with Earth Friendly Products Pre-Moistened Pet Wipes.  When I don’t have time to hose them down, and it’s too gross to use a washcloth, Pet Wipes become my very best friend.  And even though they’re small, one wipe usually gets the job done. Read more…

I get lots of  questions about dog waste disposal.  Dog waste can carry a wide range of bacteria and parasites.  Leaving it where it lies isn’t an option, but what should we do with it?

According to the Snohomish County Public Works: Surface Water Management Program the easiest, safest way to deal with dog waste is to tie it up in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash.  It sounds counter intuitive, but waste management systems are better able to deal with dog waste in a way that protects our waterways. Read more…

Stella and Argo play rough.  They roll around in the grass and slobber all over each other, and, in general, they stink.  But both of them have sensitive skin, and giving them a bath usually gives them a mean case of the itchies.  And, of course, I’m as concerned about the products I use on them as I am with the ones I use myself.  So when Christin from Green4YourSoul.com contacted me to see if I wanted test out an organic dog shampoo, I was really excited.

Canine Earth Lay Down Lavender Vanilla Conditioning Coat Cleanser is the best dog shampoo we’ve tried.  I have two clean dogs with soft, shiny coats.  They smell great and there hasn’t been any scratching! Read more…

We have the worst lawn in the neighborhood.  Although, I suppose that depends on what your version of bad is.  Our lawn is full of clovers, dandelions, and plants that are green, but not necessarily grass.  We have a few bald spots.  But when the dogs run outside and roll around in the grass first thing in the morning, it’s safe.  They aren’t coating themselves in chemicals, that they will ingest when they lick themselves, and they aren’t bringing those chemicals into the house on their fur to rub off on furniture and people, because we don’t spray our lawn with herbicides and pesticides and fertilizer.

Unfortunately, everyone else in our neighborhood does.  The lawn chemical company trucks seem to be a permanent fixture in our neighborhood.  Just as soon as the little yellow lawn tags come down at one house, they go up at another.  And no one ever seems to bother sweeping those little yellow, white, and blue pellets off the sidewalk.  So we end up walking through them when we take our walks.  Read more…