Looking for Biodegradable Poop Bags?

Let's be honest, there's nothing at all fun about picking up after your dog. First, there's the waiting around while your animal circles 37 time to find just the right patch of pavement or grass. Then, there's the hideous smell. And finally, there's that awkward moment when you have to crouch down and pick it up, while other New Yorkers walk by you, often giggling, heckling, or just looking at you in horror that you'd do something so vile. (Meanwhile, these are the same people who will berate you for not picking up every last bit of it.)

Now that we've clarified that it's a totally unpleasant experience, we have to acknowledge that it's a reality if you're an urban dog owner who can't just let nature take its course in some remote field. But there is a positive here. There's one site where you can get eco-friendly poop bags that are 100 percent biodegradable. It's called poopbags.com. (Charming name, right?) They sell a variety of bags as well as dispensers.

Anyway, if you're looking for a place to stock up, check it out. (They even have Bon Ton dispensers and refills at a discount.) There's nothing more mortifying than having to scrape your dog's "business" up off the sidewalk with a stray piece of newspaper all because you don't have a bag with you. I've seen it happen; it's not pretty...or dignified.

Now Your Dog Can Tweet Too

Mattel has created a product called "Puppy Tweets" so that your dog can update his activities throughout the day. Think of it as a pseudo doggie cam. Meaning, you can gauge exactly what your animal is doing while you're at work. According to CNN Money, "Puppy Tweets is a plastic tag with a sound and motion sensor that you attach to your pet's dog collar and connect its USB receiver to your computer. Then you create a Twitter account for your dog and enjoy updates all day from Sparky or whatever its name is on your computer or smartphone."

The tag on your dog's collar is set with several pre-recorded Tweets. So, for example, if your dog is snoozing, he'll Tweet, "Some days it feels like my paw is permanently on the snooze button!" If he's barking, his Tweet will saying, "YAHOOO! Some days you just gotta get your bark on." No, I did not come up with these, and frankly, I'd say that Mattel could come up with something a little more clever...and slightly less cheesy. No word on what your dog will Tweet if he's chewing up your stilettos or pooping in your apartment.

Puppy Tweets will be available at retailers in the fall, and it will cost about $29.99.

Would you ever buy something like this, or do you think it's absurd? I think it's slightly ridiculous, but then, I think Riley's updates would basically only prove that she's a narcolept.

Great Discounts on Dog Beds

If your dog goes through beds as quickly—or you're just looking to save cash—take a look at The Uncommon Dog's website. They offer the best prices on name brand dog beds, and discounts are often around 20 percent off. (Think of it like Marshall's or TJ Maxx.) They offer beds from some of my favorite brands, specifically eco-friendly companies like Bowsers and Harry Barker. You can even narrow your search by print, size, fabric, shape, features, or price. Another bonus? They give 10 percent of their annual net profits to the ASPCA.

To check out dog beds at discounted prices at Uncommon Dog, click here.

Does Your Dog Hate Having His Teeth Cleaned?

Yeah, mine too. I realize it's a necessity, though, especially since according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs exhibit oral disease by age three, and it is one of most commonly treated health problems in small animal clinics. Bacteria buildup in a dog's mouth can also be at the root of other, larger problems, such as diseases of the heart, kidneys, and liver. Still, my dog clearly doesn't grasp all of these risks, because the last time I tried to clean her teeth, she dramatically gagged, dribbled the paste all over my carpet, and then hid under the bed.

So, since my attempts at cleaning her teeth weren't exactly going well, I was looking for an option to help supplement them. (I know there's the whole professional-cleaning-by- your-veterinarian option, but I'm putting that off until I'm told it's necessary, rightly or not.) My vet suggested dental chews to help clean her teeth between brushing sessions. I highlighted a few below in the hopes that it may be helpful to you. Obviously, I'd discuss with your vet prior to using. 

CET Oral Hygiene Chews
$7.99
1-800-PetMeds
My own vet recommended these, and Riley loves them. According to the site, these "great tasting" chews "feature an exclusive dual enzyme system: a natural antiseptic plus an abrasive texture coupled with chewing fights plaque and tartar buildup."

Bluechews by Vetradent
$14.99
PetSmart
Apparently, these are "wildly palatable canine dental health bars," which are "clinically-proven to reduce tartar by 61% and plaque by 22%. Bluechews have been awarded the coveted Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval for both plaque and tartar control."

Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste
$15.99
Only Natural Pet Store
Despite the name, these are chews, not actual toothpaste. According to the company, these chews have "real toothpaste" on the inside. These chews have ridges that "are proven effective for teeth scrubbing"; they're highly digestible; they are wheat, corn, and soy free; and they are made with human grade ingredients.

An Indoor "Doggie Restroom"

Have you guys heard of the Potty Patch? I got this via email the other day, and I couldn't stop laughing at the infomercial. It's a soft grass mat billed as "an indoor doggie restroom." How it works is, your dog pees on the antimicrobial faux grass, and the urine drains into a tray two layers below that you have to wash out when you get home.

I'm not a huge fan of these for two reasons: 1) you're reinforcing your pet to pee in your living space (which is going to confuse him at some point), and 2) people get lazy and never take their dogs out for exercise when they have things like this out all the time. Still, I realize that it is a good solution for many, and saves dogs from having to "hold it" for a super long time in certain cases. Plus, it's sponsored by the AKC, so it can't be that bad. You can find them here for $39.99.

What do you guys think? Would you ever try one?