These Vets Are Also Pet Owners – Here Are 11 Products They Can’t Live Without
If you’re a pet owner, then you know how invaluable the advice of veterinarians is, especially when they are giving health-related guidance for your precious fur baby. But if you’ve ever wondered what these animal experts deem necessary for their own pets, then you’re in luck, because I just found out.
Several vets and animal healthcare specialists from practices all across the country chimed in to reveal the one product (or products) they have for their pets that they can’t live without — medications, food and other basics aside.
Keep reading to see a shock-absorbing leash, long-lasting dental chews, a miraculous de-shedding comb that I immediately added to my own shopping cart and much more.
A shock-absorbing leash that drastically reduces strain
Dr. Sarah Blair is a Dallas, Texas-based veterinarian at Noah’s Animal Hospitals who owns three cats and a Havanese dog, (who also thinks he’s a cat, according to Blair). She said she couldn’t live without her Ezydog leash, which comes in three lengths and uses a shock-absorbing bungee construction to drastically reduce strain from pulling and sudden movements. “It is made for a giant dog, but our tiny dog THINKS he is giant and has chewed through multiple leashes, and I have had to go on wild goose chases in the past when he ran after a squirrel,” Blair said of this soft, neoprene-covered leash. According to her, the Ezydog allows you to adjust the handle to make it like a normal leash or a belt (and it has multiple clips for poop bags or training totes to attach, which is a bonus). “I wear it as a belt most always, as I am generally in a hurry and carrying way too many bags, and this way he is just attached to me and knows to just follow along!” Blair said.
A circulating water fountain
“I love circulating water fountains for cats (which my dog also chooses to drink out of, thinking he is a cat),” Blaire said. She didn’t mention a specific brand or model, but I personally use and adore the PetSafe water fountain for my cat because it’s made of stainless steel, a non-porous and easier-to-clean material, as opposed to plastic, which can harbor bacteria. I also feel like the stainless steel keeps water colder for longer, especially after I add a few ice cubes during the summer months. Another significant benefit of this fountain is its volcano design, which allows water to flow out through the top. This prevents whisker fatigue, an uncomfortable sensation cats can get when their sensitive whiskers are forced to rub up against the sides of a bowl. The fountain requires both a charcoal and a pre-filter that need to be replaced once a month. To save money and ensure I never run out, I buy these filter replacements in bulk.
A stainless steel portable water bottle for dogs
Blair also suggested a small clip-on metal water bottle for dogs, where the lid doubles as a bowl. Based on this suggestion, we found this highly rated option called the PupFlask, a convenient and leak-free bottle made from durable stainless steel and a convenient loop for attaching to backpacks, belts or just for carrying. The food-grade silicone lid unscrews, flips and reattaches to double as a spacious lid for your pet, with a filter port to save leftover water. Find the PupFlask in 27 ounces or 40.
A real-time tracking collar that also monitors your pet’s vitals
Dr. Peter Brofman, medical director and veterinary neurologist at Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said that he’s a fan of the Tractive GPS tracking collars. “I have cats, and the collar allows me to track them in real time,” Brofman said. These live trackers, when connected to an app on your smartphone, offer real-time GPS tracking with unlimited range so you can get fresh location updates every two to three seconds, no matter where you are in the world. Aside from location-related information — including location history and instant escape alerts — Tractive also provides vital sign and behavioral monitoring for your pet, like heart and respiratory rates, barking and more. Tractive requires a $5 monthly subscription to operate, which covers a built-in SIM and unlimited data with no hidden fees.
Purina dental chews that last a long time
Dr. Karanbir Randhawa, a radiation oncologist at PetCure Oncology in Mansfield, Texas, said that his dogs are heavy chewers and can destroy any toy and eat any “long chew” in a matter of minutes. “The Purina Dental Chews actually last a long time with them (like 20 minutes),” Randhawa said. These long-lasting chew treats reduce tartar buildup and freshen your dog’s breath while they chew and are made with nutritionally thoughtful and high-protein ingredients.
An extra-durable rubber toy for aggressive chewers
Randhawa also called GoughNuts’ indestructible toys “the best things that have ever happened.” Made with natural rubber and engineered carbon reinforcement for added durability, these toys can withstand even the toughest and most aggressive of chewers. GoughNuts toys come in a variety of toy shapes and thicknesses, but this donut toy in particular features a two-layer design with an interior red “safety indicator” to let you know when it’s time to replace it.
The Furminator: an effective de-shedding tool
Dr. Catherine Clinton Welch, a veterinarian at Thrive Pet Healthcare Terrell Plaza in San Antonio, Texas, has five large dogs that shed and there are definitely a few products that she said she can’t live without. “The Furminator is hands-down my go-to grooming tool,” Clinton Welch said. “It’s a lifesaver during shedding season and really helps keep the fur tumbleweeds under control. It pulls out the loose undercoat without damaging the topcoat, and my dogs actually seem to enjoy the process.” The Furminator, which I instantly purchased for my long-haired cat, the second I read Clinton Welch’s suggestion, comes in a variety of sizes and models for different-sized pets and hair lengths. The curved head is comfortable against the natural contours of your pet’s body, and there’s an easy button the eject the collected hair.
A non-enzymatic odor-eliminating spray
“AOE Spray (Animal Odor Eliminator) is another must-have,” Clinton Welch said. “No matter how clean the house is, dog odors just come with the territory. AOE helps neutralize those smells quickly, especially after outdoor adventures, kennel time, or rainy day messes.” This spray uses a non-enzymatic formula that penetrates tough residual odors and can even be sprayed on more than just carpets and soft surfaces, but also directly on your pet to target anal gland odors, yeasty smells on feet or ears, or in the folds of the skin.
A natural stain and odor eliminator spray that’s effective on urine
“Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer is something I keep stocked at all times. With five dogs, the occasional accident is bound to happen, and this stuff works wonders,” Clinton Welch said. According to Clinton Welch, this natural enzymatic formula doesn’t just mask smells, it truly breaks down the enzymes and removes the odor completely, which is crucial for preventing repeat accidents. It also lifts away tough stains when applied to carpets, furniture and other soft surfaces.
A pair of dog clippers and grooming set
A good pair of clippers is an essential for Clinton Welch, who said that her dogs love outdoor play and roughhousing, so minor cuts and scrapes are inevitable. “Having clippers on hand makes it easy to trim fur around wounds to keep the area clean,” she said. We found this clipper set, which we chose because it’s specifically designed for pets and has close to 95,000 ratings. Included are six guide combs and the three-layer protection blade design means that this is safe even for beginners who might be nervous to cut their pet’s hair. This cordless pair of clippers also promises to have an ultra-quiet operation so as not to spook your pet while using it.
An antiseptic and anti-fungal pet soap
To pair with the above-mentioned pair of clippers, Clinton Welch said that antiseptic soap is a must for washing out dirt and bacteria from minor scrapes and wounds. Based on this, we selected the Douxo S3 antiseptic and anti-fungal pet shampoo that, in addition to disinfecting, can help “hydrate and support the skin’s ecosystem and reduce yeast counts in seven days,” according to the brand.