Review Of KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Large, Black

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Review Of Bayer Advantage II, Large Cat, Over 9-Pound, 6-Month

After I Buy Bayer Advantage II, Large Cat, Over 9-Pound, 6-Month

I have several cats -indoors and out- and all of them ended up with fleas this year. In the past Frontline has worked just fine, but not this year. It seems like this year has been a horrible year for fleas, either because the fleas are simply worse or older flea preventatives and treatments aren't as effective. After talking with other pet owners I decided to try Advantage.



Two of my cats are very allergic to flea bites and were looking and feeling pretty bad until I used Advantage. Within a day of treating all of the cats, there were fewer live fleas on the cats and most of the remaining fleas were dying. I have to note that none of my cats had any allergic reaction from the treatment. A couple of them scratched and licked as fleas came up to the surface, but I kept combing the dying fleas out and the scratching/licking stopped fairly quickly. It's been a week, and the two who are allergic to flea bites are looking better, and none of the cats are licking and scratching.



Of course, I treated the carpets and furniture and pet bedding and sweep the floors regularly, so combined with the Advantage treatments, the flea infestation is now under control. Let's hope it stays that way!



An added bonus for me was that each tube of Advantage opened quietly and application was easy. The flea drops also didn't have a strong smell, unlike some other treatments I've used. That helped out a lot - no tracking down the cats or coaxing them from underneath furniture.



(I used both Advantage II for cats under 9 pounds and over 9 pounds. This review is the same for both doses.)

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Review Of 1000-count black and blue Urban Waste BagsTM on rolls, + 2 blue bone-shaped dispensers

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Review Of Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Roasted Chicken Recipe, 16-Ounce

After I Buy Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Roasted Chicken Recipe, 16-Ounce

--------------------------------------------

INTRO AND GENERAL INFO

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My wife and I purchased these treats one day when we had run out of our normal treats. They are small, our dogs love them, and are much better quality than many commonly available store brands. Still, I had some questions about the ingredients, so I sent an email over to the Zuke's customer service address, and got a very nice response, pasted below.



You may be asking already, "if your dogs love them and they're good quality, why four stars?". Because in our household, "good" quality and "best" quality are two very different things, and in the (sometimes) murky world of meat grading the difference can actually mean health or illness and even life or death. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but after seeing the DOZENS of recalls on pet food and treats over the past few years, my wife and I decided (with the help of a top Amazon reviewer, Chandler) to get informed about meat quality.



This is what led me to my email to Zuke's.



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Q&A WITH A ZUKE'S CS REP

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Hello!!



Thank you so much for writing us here at Zuke's, and thank you for the great questions! Here are the answers:



1) Your treats are made in the USA, but are the ingredients ever sourced overseas?



We are still made in the United States, with all of our meat, fruits and veggies sourced from the USA (with the exception of the Wild Rabbit and Venison, which comes from New Zealand). Our Salmon is Pacific Wild Caught when available, and USA farmed (Pacific Coast) when Wild Caught is not an option. Our ingredients are grown, processed and packaged all in the USA. I would like to assure you that we here at Zuke's would never put anything harmful in our products. Our pets are our family, and we treat them as such!



2) You have done a great job at NOT being part of recent recalls - do you have a recall history?



Our company has been in business since 1995 and has never had a recall, because of the methods we use to test. We test our products throughout manufacturing, and then one final test before packaging. The product is then packaged, and sits in the warehouse until the test results return from the lab confirming their safety. Only after the final thumbs up does our product get shipped. I would like to assure you that we here at Zuke's take our treats very seriously.



3) Could you tell me a little bit more about your meat content? I know it's not human-grade, but what specific inspections are made by the FDA for the meat content?



All meats come from USDA regulated and inspected facilities... The meat is handled the same way meats for human consumption are handled. It is shipped in frozen blocks to our manufacturer and is kept frozen until our product is produced......NZ Rabbit and venison are inspected at the port of entry.



Thank you again for writing us here at Zuke's, and please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have!



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SO WHY NOT FIVE STARS?

--------------------------------------------

Listen, I was very satisfied with Zuke's customer service, and their responses lead me to believe that they are absolutely above-standard when it comes to dog treats. That said, knowing what I know about the "standards" of non human-grade meats (and the animals they come from) that are used in dog treats (regardless of the manner in which they are handled) I simply cannot rate this at the full five stars. I feel much more comfortable feeding these to my pups than other common brands, but with recent news of super-premium brands with no recall history having to recall products (which they only do after significant numbers of illness and death are reported), I really think that human-grade dog treats are just so much safer.



I'm not going to plug other brands here, but if you are looking for recommendations please don't hesitate to contact me - my email is on my profile (click on my name to get there).



--------------------------------------------

OVERALL

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If you have been feeding your dog "regular" treats with all sort of animal by-products, Zuke's is certainly a step up. I don't want to discourage ANYONE from buying better-quality treats than they are currently purchasing. That said, if you want the absolute best treats for your pup don't have the time or resources to make your own, I highly suggest researching companies that use human-grade meat. Keep in mind "handled in the same way as meat for human consumption" and "human-grade" are two entirely different things.



Recommended, but with some reservation.

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Review Of All-Absorb Training Pads for Dogs, 22-Inches x 23-Inches, 100-Count

After I Buy All-Absorb Training Pads for Dogs, 22-Inches x 23-Inches, 100-Count

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One thing I'd never thought I'd ever consider myself very knowledgeable about would be piddle pads. I'm a pro. I've tried several different brands and know what I want and don't want in them. Yes, I've used the medical chucks and they do work for me, but because my Liam can be a roamer, sometimes they aren't as optimal as I'd like. The chucks, which are fairly inexpensive, measure only 17" x 24 inches. In my short video clip you can see the difference between them and the All-Absorb, which is a much, much better option.



You really have to think about your reason for ordering this size pad. If you have a small dog under ten pounds, these will be perfect. If you have a large breed pup who will quickly outgrow them, you'll be sorely disappointed. I use them year-round, but many people use them during the winter months because their dogs can't go out in inclement weather.



FEATURES:



► Quick drying surface prevents tracking

► The super-absorbent core can turn urine into gel instantly and hold up to 3 cups of liquid

► Built-in attractant and odor neutralizer

► Perfect for training or assisting aging dogs

► Leak proof

► Standard Size (22"x23")



The surface of the All-Absorb pads quickly wicks away the liquid into the fiber. Sometimes the thicker pads tend to keep the liquid on the surface for some reason, but the All-Absorb work well in this regard. I change pads often and you'll have to consider how many you'll use when you decide to order. One hundred pads will probably last long enough to get that pup trained.



I'm not having any "adjustment" problems with the All-Absorb and I do like the added width. The All-Absorb pads are specifically made for training, although they are perfect for the inside dog. There are directions for use on the side of the box. Once again, make sure that you order these pads for a smaller breed dog. If you disregard the measurements and and they don't suit your pet's needs you can't blame the pads. Very nice pads and perfect for smaller breed dogs, especially those little rovers.



Sample provided for review.

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Review Of TEMPTATIONS MixUps BACKYARD COOKOUT Flavor Treats for Cats 6.3oz Pouch Mega Bag (Pack of 10)

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Review Of Purina Fancy Feast Variety Pack Food for Cats, 3-Ounces, 24-Pack

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Review Of Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets

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Review Of Carefresh Natural Pet Bedding for Small Animals, 60-Liters

After I Buy Carefresh Natural Pet Bedding for Small Animals, 60-Liters

I got a sample of Carefresh Colors from the petstore when I bought the Hamster cage kit and loved it. I've owned guinea pigs, rats and hamsters before but had never used Carefresh Colors. I was impressed with its softness and its ability to absorb fluids and odors.



It was time for me to buy some more bedding and I thought Carefresh was pretty much the same as Carefresh Colors, except that Carefresh was less colorful. Out of the bag, I was a little disappointed, because the bedding was not as soft and fluffy as Carefresh Colors. It has more the texture of something I might expect if maybe I wet a bunch of newspaper, wadded it up, let it dry and then shredded what was left. It's rough and dry.



My hamsters don't seem to mind the change. They shred the Carefresh to make it fluffier for the little corner they like to burrow in. It's just as absorbent as the Carefresh Colors and controls odors just as well. The cage smells nice and fresh. Although it's not as pretty as Carefresh Colors, there is an advantage to it being a drab grey, the feces don't show.



If softness and bright color is important to you and your small pet, get Carefresh Colors. If hiding the feces is more important, regular Carefresh is best. If you are looking for absorbance and odor control, they both work equally well.



_____________



UPDATE: I did not like the first batch of Carefresh, which I based this review on. However, my second batch of Carefresh from a different is a lot nicer. It's softer and lighter in color.



Although I still prefer the softness of the Colors, regular Carefresh does have advantages. The hamsters like to clean their cage of poop. When they see it, they throw it outside the cage. With the Colors, there's poop everywhere. They don't seem to see poop as well with the regular Carefresh, so I don't get so much poop all over outside the cage.

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Review Of Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 pound bag

After I Buy Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 pound bag

I work at a pet store and own two cats. I'm able to test litter used for one cat per box at home, and multiple cats at the adoption center located within my store. I've also had the opportunity to try a great deal of products. This litter is absolutely amazing, the best I've ever used. The clumps are as hard as rocks, but at the same time don't break apart into smaller pieces like some other litters do. It's unscented, and the litter box remains odorless even after heavy use. It's also dust free.



To compare to other brands:



World's Best is natural, flushable, non-toxic, and clumping. However, if you live in a small house or apartment the smell will get to you. The litter box will smell like vomit even after a couple uses. I have never used Swheat Scoop, but I heard it's a little better with smell than World's Best.



Fresh Step, Tidy Cats, Premium Choice, and Petco's store brand are decent, but each has disadvantages like dust, or clumps breaking apart or turning into sticky mud. They're relatively cheap however, so this is a major advantage for those on a tight budget.



Crystal litters have amazing odor control, last awhile, and don't track. There isn't a single clumping litter that doesn't track. The problem, however is with diarrhea or loose stools. You'll end up throwing away a ton of litter since the crystals don't clump. Not all cats will use the crystals, and some people are also worried about health effects from the silica dust, though companies that produce the litter claim it is non-toxic.



Cedar, crushed pea, pine cone, and cellulose litters all have their own problems. The crushed pea litter is basically dust in a bag. Even though the smells of pine or cedar are pleasant to humans and mask the smell of urine and feces, many cats are afraid of the odor and won't use the litter box. These litters also suffer from the same problems as the crystals with regards to diarrhea and loose stools. Cellulose litters don't smell, but they also cannot handle loose stools and may not absorb as well as crystals.



If a natural, flushable, environmentally litter is important to you, by all means purchase a litter based on wheat or corn. If price is the most important factor, buy a cheap clumping brand if minor inconveniences don't bother you too much. If you want a reasonably priced, high quality product with no dust and great clumping ability then choose Precious Cat Ultra.

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Review Of Cesar Canine Cuisine Variety Pack (Top Sirloin, Grilled Chicken) for Small Dogs, 3.5-Ounce Trays (Pack of 24)

After I Buy Cesar Canine Cuisine Variety Pack (Top Sirloin, Grilled Chicken) for Small Dogs, 3.5-Ounce Trays (Pack of 24)

I started feeding this food (all flavors) to my senior Italian Grey when she stopped eating her dry food. I add 2oz of cooked rice to each feeding. She can't eat it fast enough. I took a pkg to my vet and he looked up the analysis of it. He was surprised at the quality. He said it was excellent for a dog her age and that it was all right for me to continue feeding it to her. He had just completed a physical on her (fecal and blood work). Every area of the blood test was in the normal range. She's a happy, healthy dog. Before this I had to coax her to eat; Today, she demands to be fed and NOW!

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Review Of Carefresh Natural Premium Soft Pet Bedding, 60- Liter

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Review Of Whiskas Mixups Backyard Cookout, 6.3-Ounce, Pack of 10

After I Buy Whiskas Mixups Backyard Cookout, 6.3-Ounce, Pack of 10

WAY OVERPRICED! Normally a $3 item at Walmart. My cats love all the Whiskas Temptations cat treats! BEWARE! THIS ORDER IS ONLY FOR ONE, NOT THE PACK AS PICTURED!!

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Review Of Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food, Grilled, Seafood Feast Variety Pack, 3-Ounce Can, Pack of 24

After I Buy Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food, Grilled, Seafood Feast Variety Pack, 3-Ounce Can, Pack of 24

I can't argue with my kitties. They would eat only this type of food if I would let them. Kibbles are a must, but they share one can twice daily. They look forward to this early AM and late evening treat.

They are not partial to any flavor but texture and gravy count. They let me kow by how much they leave in their bowls. For the "Grilled" food there are no leftovers, but "Classic" is not as good.



I am just the messenger for "Grateful Pampered" kitties.

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Review Of Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Roasted Chicken Recipe, 16-Ounce

After I Buy Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats, Roasted Chicken Recipe, 16-Ounce

When I purchased my puppy, I did a lot of research to find the perfect healthy food and treats for him to ensure my dog has the best start in life. Zuke's has been a staple in our treat cupboard his whole life but no more! Zuke's has sold out to Nestle Purina who manufactures not just garbage food for pets but has also been linked to many of the deaths from poorly sourced ingredients. It is a damn shame this excellent company is glad to have been bought out by a megalithic corporation who will cut corners. Not in my pup's tummy. I will now be switching to Cloud Star's products including their great Tricky Trainers. trusts me to only give him the best and he deserves it.



http://ift.tt/1lPjrGd



[...]

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Review Of Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets

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Review Of Carefresh Natural Premium Soft Pet Bedding, 60- Liter

After I Buy Carefresh Natural Premium Soft Pet Bedding, 60- Liter

I got a sample of Carefresh Colors from the petstore when I bought the Hamster cage kit and loved it. I've owned guinea pigs, rats and hamsters before but had never used Carefresh Colors. I was impressed with its softness and its ability to absorb fluids and odors.



It was time for me to buy some more bedding and I thought Carefresh was pretty much the same as Carefresh Colors, except that Carefresh was less colorful. Out of the bag, I was a little disappointed, because the bedding was not as soft and fluffy as Carefresh Colors. It has more the texture of something I might expect if maybe I wet a bunch of newspaper, wadded it up, let it dry and then shredded what was left. It's rough and dry.



My hamsters don't seem to mind the change. They shred the Carefresh to make it fluffier for the little corner they like to burrow in. It's just as absorbent as the Carefresh Colors and controls odors just as well. The cage smells nice and fresh. Although it's not as pretty as Carefresh Colors, there is an advantage to it being a drab grey, the feces don't show.



If softness and bright color is important to you and your small pet, get Carefresh Colors. If hiding the feces is more important, regular Carefresh is best. If you are looking for absorbance and odor control, they both work equally well.



_____________



UPDATE: I did not like the first batch of Carefresh, which I based this review on. However, my second batch of Carefresh from a different is a lot nicer. It's softer and lighter in color.



Although I still prefer the softness of the Colors, regular Carefresh does have advantages. The hamsters like to clean their cage of poop. When they see it, they throw it outside the cage. With the Colors, there's poop everywhere. They don't seem to see poop as well with the regular Carefresh, so I don't get so much poop all over outside the cage.

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Review Of 270-Count Earth Rated® Unscented Dog Waste Bags, 18 Refill Rolls

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Review Of Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets

After I Buy Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets

These do what they're supposed to do. Before I give a review, I'll quote the box on a few points.

1. For use only when drinking water is suspected or known to be bacteriologically substandard. Not to be used on a continuous basis. (Their website suggests a six-week limit.)

2. Unopened bottles should remain effective for four years. (Look at the bottom of this review for how to date your tablets.)

3. We recommend that you do not keep an opened bottle for more than one year.

4. 2 tablets make one quart of bacteriologically water suitable to drink.

5. Proven effective against Giarda Lamblia when used as directed.

6. Has not been shown to inactivate Cryptosporidium cysts.



In a nutshell, use according to the directions and you'll be just fine. The bottle contains 50 tablets; you use two per quart of water. In really murky water, I use three. The active ingredient is Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide 16.7% and each tablet contains 6.68% of Titratable Iodine. This is the same stuff that I used in the military, but just to be sure, I opened a bottle and got three quarts of water from the Ohio River. Murky stuff. The first quart was treated with just the Potable Aqua (2-1/2 tablets). The second quart was boiled for ten minutes. The third quart was boiled for ten minutes, then given two tablets of Potable Aqua. All water was filtered through an untreated handkerchief first to remove debris and sediment. I'll note that my measurements were three quarts before boiling, so I'm sure some of the water was lost in the last two quarts due to the boiling process. The results?



While none of the water was as good as tap water, I'm still alive. The first batch (just Potable Aqua) was okay. I remember Potable Aqua having a bad taste; so bad that they included a separate bottle of pills to add that made the taste more bearable. That other bottle is unnecessary here. The water definitely had a chemical taste, but I could drink the minimum of a gallon a day if I needed to.

The second batch (just boiling, no pills) tasted better, but smelled bad. I would be hesitant to drink any more than necessary.

The third batch (boiled, then treated with Potable Aqua) was obviously the best. Considering that boiling only took ten minutes and a metal water bottle, this is the best option. Remember that all of the water was filtered through a handkerchief first to get rid of any sediment, debris, bugs, etc.

I'll guess that if you filter the water, then boil, then use the tablets, you can use only one tablet. I'm not a doctor, dietician, or representative of the company, but I do have extensive training in SERE operations and I've been using these tablets for over fifteen years.



How can you find out when your pills were made? Each bottle has a series of numbers imprinted. For example: 403127. The first number is the month; in this case, the fourth month is April. The second and third numbers are the last two of the year; in this case, 2003. These pills were made in April of 2003. The last three numbers (127) indicate that this was the 127th batch made in that time frame. The code can be five or six numbers long; the first three numbers always denote the month and year; the last two or three always denote the batch number.

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