BillyKnowsBest

Biggest Discount on Pet Food and Supplies: PetFoodDirect.com

I shop PetFoodDirect.com for Duey and Elbee -- even with the shipping charges, it's usually cheaper than buying locally -- especially when there's a good coupon.  Usually their coupon discount is 5%, but once a month or so, the discount goes to 18-20%.  Today through February 28th, it's 25%.  If you have a pet to feed, now is a great time to check them out.  Use coupon code DEAL6013 to save 25% off everything*.

*The coupon is valid for everything in their store, except: prescription items, free shipping items, veterinary diets, and gift certificates. One time use per customer.

Chuckit! Ball Launcher: The Best Throw Toy for Dogs

My dogs spend their summers on the beach -- three months of daily walks (weather permitting) chasing a tennis ball.  By the end of the summer,  my shoulder used to be totally burned out, until I discovered the Chuckit! An ingenious piece of plastic, the business end of it grabs on to a tennis ball, and holds it until the centrifugal force from a flick of your wrist sends the ball flying.  Not only does it save your shoulder from burn-out, it enables you to pick up the ball without stooping down, or handling slobbery balls.  Around $10 at your local Petco, Petco.com or Amazon.com.

The Best Cure for Bad Breath in Dogs

Here's my three-point plan for keeping my dog's mouth clean and fresh:

1. The Bamboo Quad Brush
Duey and Elbee don't enjoy this at all.  So it helps to use this 4-surface brush, which actually turns their chewing protest into cleaning action.

2. Triple-Pet Plaque Off.
I've written about this before. Just a capful in their water bowl helps prevent tartar and plaque buildup.

3. CET HEXtra Premium Chews
These chew treats combine the mechanical action of rawhide, with the antimicrobial power of chlorhexidine.

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the U.S.

 Petside.com published this list of the top ten beaches in the U.S. for dogs:
1. Cape San Blas (Port St. Joe, Florida)
2. Quiet Waters Park (Annapolis, Maryland)
3. Block Island (Rhode Island)
4. Cannon Beach (Cannon Beach, Oregon)
5. Fort De Soto Park (St. Petersburg, Florida)
6. Carmel City Beach (Carmel, California)
7. Jekyll Island (Georgia)
8. Coronado (San Diego)
9. Stewart Beach (Galveston, Texas)
10. Montrose Dog Beach (Chicago)
Personally, I'd add Fire Island, where my Aussies Duey (pictured) and Elbee spend their summers waiting for me to toss the ball. The seldom-enforced leash laws aren't enough to keep Fire Island off the list, though the significant lack of tourist infrastructure is.

The Best Arthritis Treatment for Dogs: Joint MAX Triple Stregnth - Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM

My step-dog U.B. was already arthritic when I met him at age 11, and taking enteric- coated aspirin.  By 13, our Vet put him on Rimadyl, which helped a little. Then someone told me about using Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM.  I ordered the bulk powders from an equestrian supply warehouse, and started sprinkling them on his food.  The difference was remarkable:  From a dog who struggled a bit to stand up, to a dog who regained a spring in his step.  Last summer, my dog Duey started to slow down. He no longer liked running all for miles on the beach, and seemed stiff in his joints.  I started him on Joint MAX Triple Strength - a pre-mixed, high-potency combination of these three joint-lubricating supplements.  Today, a year older (10 1/2), he's back to long runs on the beach, and no apparent stiffness.  By all means, speak to your Vet if your dog shows signs of arthritis.  But before you get your dog stuck on a prescription anti-inflamatory, try Joint MAX.  Save an extra $3 when you buy online at EntirelyPets.com.

The Best Pet Hair Remover: Scotch Fur Fighter

So, those of us with pets know how difficult it can sometimes be to get rid of pet hair.  Those brainy folks behind the Post-it note have come up with their latest triumph of science: The Fur Fighter Hair remover.  Using disposable sheets with thousands of tinyrubber fingers, it remove stubborn hair that vacuums and lint rollers can leave behind.  And the easy grip handle is designed with an angled tip to get between couch cushions and into furniture corners.  Although the refill sheets are a little pricey, you can save by vacuuming or using a lint roller first, then picking up the rest with the Fur Fighter.  Buy the starter kit for $8.79 at drugstore.com.

The Best Way to Remove Ticks: Ticked Off

If you've come to this page from a Google™ search, you won't have time to order one of these, though you might be able to run out and buy one at a local retailer.  If not, use a tweezer a grab the tick as close to its mouth parts (and the skin) as possible.  Pull slowly, gently and steadily, being careful not to squeeze the body of the tick.  When you're done, disinfect the skin, wash your hands, flush the tick down the toilet, and then order one of these:  Ticked Off is a little spoon with a small v-shaped opening that makes it easy to grab  ticks and pull them off pets or humans.  Simple and ingenious, it works brilliantly.  With the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases, anyone with a dog, or who spends any time in the woods or other tick-infested areas should have one of these. 

It's$2.99 at     EntirelyPets.com.

The Best Source for Pet Food: PetFoodDirect.com

I spend most of my summer on a little island with no cars, two hungry Australian Shepards, and one small grocery store with a limited selection of product sold above MSRP. But even with smaller dogs and easier access to pet food, you might find it more convenient to have the kibble and cans sent directly to you.  That's where PetFoodDirect.com comes in. Their product and shipping prices are reasonable, and their selection is broad.  They always have a minimum 5% coupon available, and a few times a month run coupons of 10 - 22%.  Today's coupon code PET3439 is good for a 20% discount through July 15. 

The Best Cat Litter: Swheat Scoop

My mom, who spent 10+ years living with a succession of cats (and one husband) on a 40' sail boat, knows a thing or two about cat litter efficacy.  Her choice: Swheat Scoop natural wheat litter.  It's clay-free, chemical-free, fragrance-free, 100% biodegradable and compostable, not to mention flushable.  If you can't find it at your local supermarket, Petco or PetSmart, you can order it at a 20% discount from PetFoodDirect.com using coupon code PET3411.  

The Easiest Dental Care for Pets: Triple Pet Plaque Off

I know I should brush my dogs' teeth more often.  And I mean to, but somehow I don't.  And even when I do brush them, it never seems like I'm doing a great job.  If your pet's dental health suffers from the same good intentions, order a bottle of Triple Pet Plaque Off Fresh Breath.  Just add a capful of this clear, odorless liquid to your pet's water bowl, and it helps prevent plaque and tartar build up.  It works better than my brushing efforts ever did, though they say it's not a substitute for regular brushing, which is still necessary to prevent periodontal disease.  So I'm still intending to do more of that. Starting tomorrow.