Shaquille O’Neal only endorses products that are affordable to the average person, that he uses and believes in, and the commercials must be funny. The difference between me and Shaq is that he is a little bit taller.
Sometimes I recommend a product to a pet owner, and they ask me, “What specific product?” Below is an ever-growing list of veterinary products I believe are quality and good value for the money. I include a short review with each one. And while I must say I am no big fan of Amazon, it is very convenient in Baltimore, and they do give me a few pennies if you buy after clicking on the links below (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).
Omega 3 fish oil reduces inflammation
Most dogs and cats could benefit from adding Omega 3 fatty acids to their diet. The fatty acids DHA and EPA, found in cold-water fish, are one of the few supplements actually shown to do what it claims: help with inflammation, including the inflammation associated with joint pain and allergies. Most animals eat a lot of corn, which has essential nutrients needed for life, but it also has a lot of Omega 6 fatty acids, and so the ratio of these fatty acids is often off-balanced without supplementation.
For most supplements, I say save your money. For Omega 3 fish oil, I’d say it’s worth it. The only animals I don’t recommend it to are those who have a disease where you want to limit fat intake, those who get diarrhea when they eat fish oil, and I’m cautious with overweight animals (because fats are high in calories).
These brands are high in EPA and DHA, while some other brands are not. There are two forms of the fatty acids EPA and DHA: as triglycerides, or as free fatty acids.
Triglycerides look like a 3-legged octopus (a tripus), where the legs are the fatty acids (including DHA and EPA) and the body is a molecule called glycerol. This is how fats are stored and transported around the body. Brands to look at in this category are: Allerderm, Derma-3, Eicosaderm, AllerG3, Omega-3 Pet, and Welactin.
Free fatty acids are processed to remove the glycerol and some of the non-EPA and DHA fatty acids. They can achieve higher concentrations of EPA and DHA per volume, and so are good for animals who get diarrhea or gain weight too easily with too much fish oil. These products might also be more expensive. Brands to look at in this category are: Derma-3 Twist Caps and FreeForm Snip Tips.
Find one that is good for your pets based on cost, form, smell, and taste. If you don’t want to think too hard, start with Welactin.
Waterproof, comfortable dog bed
My dog has urinary incontinence, and this bed has held up for over two years without any leaks. It has removable covers, and even after weekly washes there is no sign of fraying of the stitching (though, it does have little rubber grips on the bottom that fall off in the wash). I recommend getting an extra cover so you can re-cover the bed while you wash the dirty one.
Sugar-free fiber supplement
For a lot of medical conditions, including diarrhea, obesity, or anal gland issues, I might recommend increased fiber in the diet. This is my favorite one. While Metamucil is easier to find in the store, this brand does not have any included sugar or flavor. Pets don’t need that – just sprinkle on the food and make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink.
At-home, stress free urine collection for cats
Urine tells a lot about the health of your cat, including the health of their blood, kidneys, bladder, and more. But unlike a dog, cats do not pee on command. Getting a sample involves either forcefully squeezing the urine out of the bladder or sticking a needle directly into the bladder through the abdomen. In keeping with the theme of stress-free home visits, this kit offers a way to trick your cat into giving you a urine sample. Simply follow the instructions to collect a sample the day of our visit and keep it in the fridge for me.
A way to stop bad behavior in dogs
People have all kinds of tricks for stopping bad behavior in dogs. Yelling at them, spraying them with water, or sticking their nose in whatever mistake they made. There are negatives with all of these, but this product, if used right, solves a lot of those problems. It is essentially an air horn with a dog whistle on it, and so is very effective at getting a dog’s attention.
To use this correctly, it must be used in a timely manner (within 2 seconds of an unwanted behavior, and stop being used when the behavior is corrected), and consistently (use it every time the bad behavior is performed, and don’t use it if the dog is not doing anything bad). It is discreet and non-obtrusive to use so the dog does not associate the negative stimulus it with you.
Use it to teach your dog not to dig in your flowers, not to bark at the door, or, for the well-prepared owner at the dog park, to more safely break up a dog fight than reaching your hands in the middle.
An effective collar to teach loose-leash walking
I have trained my dog to walk with a loose leash with all of the techniques, almost all of the products, and a lot of time. She is pretty good, but she still likes to lunge at other dogs. This product is the most effective at blunting that. It adds a mildly unpleasant but safe stimulus to the neck when the dog pulls, and removes that sensation when the dog stops pulling. If you get this, like with all training products, a gentle hand rules the day.
Start a habit of toothbrushing to prevent unnecessary dental expenses
I am all about preventative care to prevent disease, pain, bad breath, and expense later on. If you brush your pet’s teeth at least every other day, you can prevent the buildup of tartar and spare your pet from gum disease and tooth decay. Any less frequent than that and a toothbrush is not effective — the debris calcifies and becomes too hard.
Get started with this habit with the toothbrush kit, then buy the bigger tube to keep the habit going. Be gentle with the gums!
Good nail clippers for sharp cuts and no pain
You can train any animal to enjoy getting its nails trimmed if they get treats with it. But you can also train any animal to hate getting its nails trimmed if you cut the quick, which is painful and bloody. These nail clippers are sharp and allow you to visualize what you’re doing. Get the small size for cats or small rodents and birds, and the bigger size for dogs.
And here’s a tip: rather than going for broke with one cut, shave off small slices at different angles like you are whittling wood. The final result with be a more rounded nail with fewer sharp edges, and you are less likely to cut the quick. Your pet will let you know when you are getting close before you get there.
Cat toy for active cats
This toy is the equivalent of a kid enjoying the cardboard box better than whatever is inside it. It is so simple, so economical, and yet cats love it. It helps them scratch their hunting itch and gets them moving.
Dog chew toys for all occasions
You don’t need to go crazy with dog toys, but having one soft toy and one hard toy lets a dog get all its chewing in no matter how it feels. Chewing is a natural dog behavior and is a way for it to let off some stress. Better these toys than the furniture. The little fleece man is the favorite of my childhood dog, my current dog, and one of my friend’s dogs, preferred above dozens of others. And the bone is a cheap way to have something hard to chew on without constantly having to buy new (actual) bones or worrying about splinters and choking.
Simple improvement for dry, itchy skin
Pets often have itchy skin in the fall and spring when allergies are bad, and avoiding grass and using medication helps. But in the winter, the reason is often because their skin is dry from low humidity. A whole house humidifier is better, but in a pinch this is good too. There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ humidifier. This one has a bright light, which is not a good idea for a product most people use in their bedrooms. So, if you can design a better one, you might be able to retire early.