Gift Ideas for Pets and Pet Lovers

Dr. Nancy Kay, author of "Speaking for Spot," is back with a handy guide for pet lovers. In this book, clients seeking the best veterinary team approach are presented with "a dozen reasonable things to expect" from their veterinarian. How do your expectations measure up? Learn more in this review.

I have three dogs, with varied interests in chewing and playing with toys. While I love the "green" aspect of these made in the USA toys, I wasn't sure how my dogs would like them or how they would hold up over time. Here is my review of the Huck, Tux and Hurley toys in the West Paw Designs Zogoflex dog toy line.

The Eco Nap Dog Bed by West Paw Designs is portable, durable, and holds up well to washing and 'testing' by my dogs. Napping on it was the easy part. This bed also doubled as a stuffed toy for my young Greyhound, and it did very well.

A humorous, sometimes irreverent, look at questions people ask (or wish they could ask) their veterinarian.

Gone are the days where the only choice for cat transport was a plastic box carrier. While this works well for many cats, we now have options. What are your favorite types of cat carriers. What training tips can you offer for cat carrier happiness?

This pet life vest is unique in that is self-inflates when it hits water (or when the cord is pullled). The vest can also be inflated by mouth using the attached tube. Unlike traditional pet life vests that cover a lot of surface area, this vest is very low profile. This allows for ease of movement and much cooler on sunny boating days.

Warmer weather is on the way -- are you prepared? This Quick Tip offers a way to have fresh water available on the road for your traveling pet companions.

Picking up after your pet is not just a courtesy, it is required by law in many areas. There are many tools to make this task easier, and in some cases, less smelly. Poop bags, shovels, scoops and receptacles are available in a variety of sizes and price points. What is your favorite pet waste management tool?

Picking up after your pet is not only a courtesy, it is required by law in most places. Besides keeping public areas clean and odor-free, picking up pet waste reduces the spread of parasites and other diseases. These bags may also be used for cat litter scoopings, too. These bags are biodegradable plastic, which is a nice option for those who do...

My review of the FURminator deShedding Tool for Large Cats over 10 lbs. I think this might be my favorite FURminator of all. It worked great for my very long-haired cat, and all of the other pets, too. Here's why I like it.

Summertime and the living is easy. A nice thought and often true, but not usually without some foresight and planning where pets are concerned. Humans can change into cooler clothes, get inside for the air conditioned coolness and pack a water bottle to stay hydrated. Pets have a harder time of it when the temperatures soar. Learn about the...

In September 2009, I reviewed the Jive Media Pet First Aid app. Since then, the app (short for "application" - a program for smartphones, iPads and computers) market has grown tremendously. Pet health apps are part of that growth. What are your favorite pet-related apps? Have they helped your pet in a time of crisis or to achieve a healthier...

These days, veterinary practices, like all businesses, need to be online. Not having the time, money, or skills to create a web site or manage social media is no excuse, because whether you are online or not, your clients are. And they are talking about your practice. This book, authored by veterinary practice manager Brenda Tassava CVPM CVJ,...

DAP, or Dog Appeasing Pheromone, spray is a natural and non-toxic aid to calm dogs stressed by loud noises (fireworks, thunder), car rides, meeting new people/new baby, being separated from their people, and other stressful situations.

Pet supplies - food, toys, beds, treats, and more for dogs and cats is a rapidly growing market. Consumers have many online and brick and mortar choices to shop at these days. Some offer great deals and great service, some do not. Please share your favorite places to shop for pet supplies and food, and why you like them. If you have had a...See submissions

While it may be tempting for some to get that gigantic chew bone or the red and green colored 'candy canes' made of who-knows-what, some caution is advised before shopping for your pet(s) or your friend's pet(s). As with a gift for a human, realize that each pet has their preferences (chewer, ball player, etc.) and some may have health...

When I saw a press release about "clinically demonstrated" music used to calm down dogs in stressful environments or with anxiety behavior problems, I was keenly interested to learn more. How was this music clinically demonstrated, and does it really work? Find out in this in-depth interview with the creators of "Through A Dog's Ear" book and CD.

The Kibble Nibble Dog Toy is a thinking dog treat dispenser. This toy will keep your dog active, thinking and busy. It is a great toy to keep your dog from being bored (and possibly destructive) while you are away, and for times when your dog may be stressed, such as a thunderstorm. My dogs are not highly food motivated, but on the advice of a...

Help ensure that your pets are ready for the holidays. Shopping for pets and their people are just part of the preparations. Learn about keeping your pets safe during the holidays, holiday travel tips, gift ideas for pets, vets and your animal loving friends and family.  The About.com Pet Guides are here to help with a variety of topics on...

Ask any pet lover what they are grateful for, and invariably they will respond "my pets." But what exactly does that mean? I love my pets and very grateful for every day I get to spend with them. I wouldn't have it any other way! Admittedly, there are those times that I am cleaning up various bodily wastes, feeling sad over items chewed, and...

This is a companion piece to my cat FURminator review. I wanted to show the tool "in action" with two of my cats: Barnie, a very long-haired feisty young neutered male, and Greta an elderly spayed female short-haired cat.

This is my review of a new FURminator tool for cats. This tool is part of the new deLuxe Collection by the FURminator company. Fur ejector buttons and ergonomic handles are now standard for this line of tools. This tool is geared for use cats, but may also be used on dogs. It works for both long and short-haired pets, removing loose hair and undercoat. Find out how it worked on my cats - one long…

I don't enjoy shopping and, despite my efforts to start holiday shopping early, I procrastinate. Being a last minute shopper sometimes has a benefit of finding things on sale, but usually not worth the stress. Plus, are the gifts meaningful or just crossing things off my list? This gift idea section is an idea bank for year-round gift giving. While there are many cute pet-related items out there,…

Guide review of Pet First Aid v1.0.1, an iPhone application by Jive Media and PetTech of Vacaville, California. Emergencies happen any place, at any time. Chances are, you won't have that helpful pet first aid book at the scene of the emergency. There is a better chance you will have your cell phone so you can call for help. If you have an...

This is my review of "The Complete Healthy Dog Book" by Betsy Bervitz DVM. This book, published by Workman Publishing, spans almost 500 pages and covers everything dog-related, from puppyhood to senior dogs. Is this a useful guide for your bookshelf? Find out in this review.

This is my review of the new (as of April 2009) FURminator Double Edge Deshedding Tool. I did a "speed test" groom on my dog, Sophie to see just how much hair could be removed. Read about this tool and see photos of the grooming session in the accompanying photo gallery.

Furminator Double Edge Deshedding Tool image gallery - see how this tool works on a double-coated dog

This is my review of the woven pet photo blanket by Keepsakes Etc. I submitted a photo of my pets, Herman the cat and Sophie the dog, to be made into a photo blanket. I was dismayed that I couldn't find a high resolution of this memorial photo, but was very pleased with the final results.

Photo gallery of the Keepsakes Etc. photo blanket of my pets, Herman and Sophie.

This is the index of all Guide-reviewed pet items, books, toys, music and gifts that relate to animal lovers and veterinary medicine.

About.com Veterinary Medicine Guide review for the "Pet ER Guide: A directory of 24-Hour and After-Hour Veterinary Facilities in the US" book by Melinda Lord.

The holidays are approaching, and if you are wondering how to say "thank you" to your favorite veterinarian and his/her staff, here are some great ideas for the whole clinic!

Holiday gift ideas for pets and pet lovers; with attention to safety, functionality, and each pet's particular preferences. Find something for your pet or pet lover on your holiday list here.

Toys are a great way to interact with our dogs. Toys are used for exercise, training, and for play. All toys are not created equal though; our pets have preferences and it is important to choose safe toys that are age and size appropriate for your pet. What are your favorite dog toys and why? Please share with other viewers your top picks for...

The variety and number of dog toys available now is amazing - something for every dog. Not all dog toys are created equal, though. Safety and appropriateness are the two top concerns, as any veterinarian will tell you, retrieving a toy stuck in the stomach or intestines happens, even with the "best" toys. Selecting toys appropriate for your dog's size and personality and providing supervised play time is important. What are your favorite dog toys, and why?See submissions

Cats are creative when it comes to toys - shoelaces, toilet paper, knitting projects, marbles and more have become my cat's "toys" over the years. This is despite my best efforts. Not always the safest choices for cat toys, especially string and yarn. Rubberbands are dangerous, too. Thankfully there are a lot of toys to choose from these days to keep our cats safely occupied. All toys do require supervision, though. What are your cat's favorites? Please submit your favorite cat toy reviews here.See submissions

I have mentioned pet life jackets before on this site as they relate to overall safety in the summer and around water. This article examines pet life jackets more closely and will hopefully help pet owners decide if a life jacket is a good idea for their pet(s). I've decided that they are a great idea for my dog, Sophie.

Guide review of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide by Demian Dressler DVM and Susan Ettinger DVM ACVIM (Oncology).

Pet Poison Helpline, a service for veterinarians and pet owners, has released an iPhone app that contains an extensive database of poisons found around the home and yard. Find information about drugs, foods, chemicals and plants and trees poisonous to pets. This app also has tips for what do to after potential toxin exposure and a readily...