Pets by Paragon - Pixel Reviews

The kind people over at Pets by Paragon sent me some of their pet hygiene  products to review. We received their 100% Natural Flea and Tick Powder (£6.98), Dog Conditioning Shampoo (£2.99), and perhaps what I was most excited to try, their Dog Deodorising Spray (£2.99).

Pets by Paragon state that they only use the best ingredients in their products, and strictly test and scrutinise what they produce. I would consider Pixel to have sensitive skin, and none of these products irritated in him in the slightest.

I was eager to use all of these products, so I thought I would try them in order of how they would most likely be used, starting with the Shampoo, then the Flea and Tick powder, and finally using the deodorising spray to finish off.

Dog Conditioning Shampoo

We wash Pixel fairly regularly so you could say we have experience with dog shampoos. We've used seaweed bath bombs (Old Sea Dog) to scented shampoos, to old fashioned soap bars (pure nuff stuff). They have all been good in their own ways, but I have always felt like they have lacked any sense of long lasting smell. Looking at the Pets by Paragon page, I was happy to see the wide range of scents and hoped that they might pack the punch I was looking for. Costing £2.99 for a 250ml bottle of conditioning shampoo, here is what their website has to say:

Paragon Fruit Fusions Shampoo is a specially formulated Conditioning Shampoo which encapsulates the fresh smell of Forest Fruits. Organic wheat proteins are used to add body to your dogs fur, nourish and naturally detangle. Formulated using Glycerine oil, to rapidly reduce skin dryness. This full body shampoo leaves your dogs coat, clean, fresh and totally conditioned. 

When I first started using the shampoo I was immediately impressed by how well it lathered up. Pixel is a short-haired dog so we typically get away with using very little of the shampoo, I feel that this bottle could last us for quite a while, so at £2.99 offers great value for money, especially for short haired dogs. We received the Forest Fruits scented conditioning shampoo, and while washing Pixel off, it had a vibrant fruity smell that was certainly very pleasant, which is good because you always run the risk of sharing the shampoo with your dog if they decide to shake.

Once Pixel was dried off he was left with a bright, clean coat. It also left his fur well-conditioned and soft to the touch. Once completely dried, it did seem as if the smell of the shampoo was almost completely gone, which would be my one criticism of the shampoo. In reality I think that that is something easily handled by the deodorising spray which I will cover later.

I was left satisfied with Pets by Paragon's Conditioning Shampoo, I would happily recommend it and I look forward to using it in the future.

100% Natural Flea and Tick Powder

When it comes to dog foods, I can be pretty obsessive over what I am feeding to Pixel. If it has anything that I remotely question in it, I am not not feeding it to him. I'll admit though, when it comes to his flea and tick treatment, I have previously gravitated towards "Spot-On" like treatments with little thought, so I was excited to try Pets by Paragon's 100% Natural Flea and Tick Power. Costing £6.98 for 25 grams, the powder is carefully sprinkled/puffed  onto your dog's coat and gently worked in. Brush away any excess powder and you're all done. The powder requires reapplication every two weeks. On their website they say:

Paragon dog flea powder is an organic, naturally mined mineral product made up of fossilised remains of diatoms, a type of hard shelled algae. 100% Natural product, free from pesticides and chemicals. Safe to use on dogs & puppies.

It is probably best to start by saying how easy it is to use. With "spot-on" like treatments, I am stuck holding the medication for five minutes waiting for it to warm up before application otherwise it irritates Pixel. For this all I had to do was grabbed the dog and puff the powder over him, and gently work it into the fur. The Flea and Tick powder didn't seem to irritate Pixel at all, and I liked that it didn't leave a horrible greasy patch that liquid flea treatments leave where they have been applied.

Unlike the majority of other treatments, the Pets by Paragon 100% Natural Flea and Tick powder requires reapplication every 2 weeks, rather than every 4 weeks so it does require you to keep in mind when your last application was. It was also difficult to determine how much powder to use. I tend to be sparing when I am using these sorts of things and it leaves me wondering whether I've used enough.

That being said, I like that this product kills fleas and ticks on contact, rather than applying an insecticide to Pixel. I also like that this can be used on Pixel bedding too, if it is ever required. The 100% Natural Flea and Tick powder seems to be an outstanding alternative, especially for dogs like Pixel, who might suffer with irriatable skin.

Dog Deodorising Spray

I know lots of people probably say this, but I consider myself to be a clean person who likes to keep a clean and tidy house. I was lucky enough that we got a fairly fastidious dog who does his level best to remain clean and tidy. Despite this he can become a bit smelly, especially if it has been a little while since he had his last bath.

Designed to be "spray & go", the deodorising spray gives your dog that just cleaned smell. We received two bottles of deodorising spray, one Vanilla scented, the other Mango and Passion fruit, at present neither of these currently appear on their website, so I've grabbed the description from the Forest Fruits page:

Paragon Fruit Fusions Dog Deodorising Spray is specially formulated to deliver a fruity blast of Forest Fruits leaving your dogs fur smelling clean and super fresh. An invigorating spray designed to refresh and revitalise your dogs coat, giving it that 'Just Washed' fresh smell. Incorporates odour neutralising actives and natural oils which help to detangle your dogs fur.

As I stated before, this product was the one I was most excited to test out, and I wasn't disappointed by the product. We used a small amount on Pixel to freshen him up a little and were amazed at how long the scent kept with him. After three days Pixel still smelt of Vanilla, even after a walk in the drizzle and mist. It is worth noting that after walking Pixel in the pouring rain that constitutes British Spring time that the scent was completely washed away but that was to be expected.

The Deodorising Spray is an absolutely fantastic product, and one that we will keep using for a long time. The ability to just freshen up Pixel is a couple of sprays is very appealing, whether your dog just requires a little something to make them smell better or if you have company coming over and you want your dog to pleasant to be around. Much like the shampoo, I feel like £2.99 for a bottle is great value of money.

Summary

Ultimately I was extremely happy with the products that we received from Pets by Paragon, and will most certainly be continuing to use the 100% Natural Flea and Tick powder and the Deodorising spray specifically.

I encourage you all to check out their website at petsbyparagon.co.uk to check out their products for cats, dogs, and birds, as well as following them on Twitter @ParagonPet, and Facebook here. They regularly post competitions and other useful information so be sure to check up on them regularly.

Check out Pixel's other reviews

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R2P Pet Super Plush Maxxers: Toy-Box Tuesday

I am pretty sure that the reason we buy most of our dog toys is because I think they look cool. It is a problem I have, but I am okay with it, I mean I could quit at any time if I really wanted too... Anyway, that is how we ended up with the R2P Pet Super Plush Maxxers (seriously that is a long name. From here on out we're just going to call  them Maxxers). We had gone shopping for rabbit litter or some other necessities following the move to Somerset when I spotted the Maxxers by the checkouts. Needless to say I instantly fell in love with the toys, their quirky combination of fluffy, plushy and rubber, coupled with their adorable looks made these toys a must buy. After a brief discussion with Ruthie about which of the toys Pixel would like (apparently which one I thought looked the coolest was not a good enough argument), Pixel ended up as the proud owner of the Maxxer Eagle.

Giving a new toy to your dog is always a hit-or-miss sort of thing; Pixel will play with any toy the first time he gets it but then might never play with it again. This was not the case with the Maxxer, as the eagle became one of his go-to toys from the chest. Poppy also loved the texture differences of the toy so a quick trip to the shops later and we brought home the Maxxer Shark so both the pack could happily play.

While Pixel is renowned for playing gently with his toys, Poppy on the other hand is a little monster and in her youth left a trail of destroyed toys in her wake. That said both the Eagle and the Shark have remained in good condition (aside from becoming dirty thanks to regular play), most notably the squeakers have remained in working order, quiet a feat considering that Poppy has had constant access to these toys.

I think it is pretty obvious that I think highly of these toys, as do the pack. Ultimately we went out and bought a third toy (the Parrot) that remains in Pixel's bedroom bed, far from Poppy, so that it remains relatively clean. I couldn't recommend these toys more highly, but this brings me to the major problem; finding a UK seller.

The main problem I have had with these toys is tracking them down online, they are called Maxxers and yet they have a giant "Super Plush" label on their sides. A quick Google of Super Plush will show you how hard it can be to find more. Which brings me to the second issue, finding a UK based seller appears to be an impossibility. We paid between £6-£8 a toy, and I think that that is a reasonable price. I am therefore a little reluctant to include US shipping costs to the reasonable price (except maybe in the case of the Jumbo Rex if I ever track it down).

Pixel's point of view:
Woof! I was really excited when the hoomans brought the fluffy birdy home. I liked the fluffy head and the chewy beak! Then the hoomans got me two more toys! I have to share them with Poppy, but I don't mind that except she slobbers all over them which makes them a little icky. I hopes they gets me more of the these toys soon.

Monthly Treat Box Challenge: Woof Box

In our quest to find the best way to spoil your dog, we here at Smooth Pixelater have undertaken the arduous Monthly Treat Box Challenge, every month we purchase one of the many Treat Boxes that are available online and review them in the hope of finding the best box out there. We will be assessing each box on their Quantity, Quality, Variety, Value, and Satisfaction with each category being rated out of 5.

We are kicking off the Monthly Treat Box Challenge with the February Woof Box.

About Woof Box

Woof Box offer "A monthly box of top quality goods for your dog - delivered to your door". They promise that every month you will receive a box with between 4-6 high quality items from a range of different areas, like treats, toys, and hygiene.

Woof Box allow you to customize your box, based on your dog's weight, and their likes and dislikes, so if your dog dislikes chew toys, remove them from the rotation. For Pixel, we opted for their standard random box.

Contents

• Gor Hugs Bunch Family toy
• Burns Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Sticks (4 Sticks)
• Pet Munchies Chicken Strips (100g)
• Hollings Beef Curls (100g)
• Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle

Quantity

We received 5 products in the February Woof Box, a toy, three bags of treats, and a water bottle. The toy was relatively small, and the treats were all in 100g packs. It was clear that the Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle was supposed to make up the bulk of the order, and I can't help but feel that the toy and the treats suffered as a result of this. That said, extra toys are always nice, and 300g worth of treats will last us a while, and we do like the pet drinking bottle.

Quantity: 3/5

Quality

Everything contained within the box comes from well-known brands that you might find in any local pet store (in fact, we regularly see Burns, Pet Munchies, and Gor in our local shops).

The treats are exactly what you would expect them to be, decent quality products, high in protean, and relatively healthy. The Pet Munchies Chicken Strips came in a resealable bag for extra freshness, while the Burns Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Sticks came in what feels like very cheap packaging.

The Gor Hugs Bunch Family toy is of average quality. It is made well enough that it should withstand most dogs so long as they are not particularly destructive in regards to their toys. We received a bright yellow elephant that Pixel has moderate interest in. Again there is nothing exceptional about the toy.

The Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle is where this box shines. It is the highest quality product in the box, and also the one that excited me the most. The main bulk of the bottle is made of metal, while the top is made of plastic. It came with a carabiner clip for easy attachment to your bag. The bottle feels like it made to last both long mountain walks and trips in the car.

Quality: 3/5

Variety

The lack of variety in this box is what really lets this Woof Box down. We received three packs of treats, two of these were variations on chicken sticks, and all three treats were simply jerky-like dried meats. There was nothing that really made these treats stand apart from each other. Pixel does like these treats, but we like to vary the treats he received and there is just no way to do that with what we received in this box.

Variety: 1/5

Value

We purchased the One Month subscription that cost us £21.99. If you purchased a longer subscription (3-months £18.99, 6-months £17.99), this box does offer good value for money. We did some quick maths and determined that this box would have cost us around £25 depending on where you bought the individual items.

The bulk of the box was made up of low cost treats, while the Good Life Gear Pet Drinking Bottle would set you back £12.99.

Value: 3/5

Satisfaction

Ultimately I was left unsatisfied with the February Woof Box. On their website they talk about how they source their treats from smaller suppliers that focus on natural ingredients but what we received was a box of average, mass produced treats. The example box they show on their website was of much higher quality than the one we received, and I walked away from the whole experience disappointed with the majority of what we got.

Even if we were not undertaking the Monthly Treat Box Challenge, I would have cancelled my subscription and looked for another supplier based on the box I received.

Satisfaction: 1/5

Woof Box received a total of 2.2 Barks out of 5.

The Monthly Treat Box Challenge Rankings

1. Woof Box (2.2 out of 5)

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Pixel Reviews: Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress

Pixel asleep in Somerset

We bought the Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress on a bit of a whim. We were browsing in Pets At Home (the only place that Sleepeazy Mattresses are available) searching for some last minute Christmas gifts for Pixel, Poppy, and Trippy. Eventually we found ourselves in the dog bed section and began to look around. Previously Ruthie and I had discussed getting a memory foam mattress, so we decided to pick one up there and then. We bought one Sleepeazy Loose Crumb Memory Foam Mattress, and two Sleepeazy Microberber Mattress Covers (one in Red and one in Cream), setting us back £40 (£20 for the medium mattress and £10 each for the medium covers).

Pixel wasn't with us at the time we bought the bed so we were left guessing as to what size would be best for him. To get around this, Pets At Home have a printed sizing guide on the floor which shows you the size of each of the beds once they are set up (I cannot overstate how useful this feature is). We settled on the medium mattress (which is perfect for Pixel who stands roughly at 18' at the shoulder), but we were then left to choose the between the Loose Crumb and the Single Piece mattress. After some debate we bought the Loose Crumb Mattress, partly because it felt like it would be more comfortable for Pixel as he could arrange it how he liked, and partly because it was £10 cheaper.

I have to say, I believe this bed to be worth every penny. Since we gave him the bed (in December), he has, at most, spent a handful of nights where he hasn't used this bed. The Microberber Cover seems to keep his warm and is very soft. The way the bed molds to his body keeps him comfortable and happy throughout the night, very rarely does he seem unhappy with the way the bed has shaped.

We bought this bed as a sort of investment. As a Lurcher, Pixel may be prone to joint pain and stiffness, and we wanted a bed to alleviate this as much as possible. I feel that this bed is certainly capable of that, and it is clear that he finds the bed extremely comfortable.

The Loose Crumb Mattress does require regular plumping, especially after you change the covers (something that is easy to do). I do wonder whether, owing to the fact that it is Loose Crumb that might lose some of its "fullness" over time, but it seems to be holding up well for the time being.

Pixel's bunny enjoying the bed

What I like:

• Covers are easy to change and clean; just pop them in the washing machine at 30.
• The bed is a good size and fits nicely into our bedroom.
• The bed is easy to move and lightweight.

What Pixel likes:

• The bed is very comfortable.
• The covers are soft and warm.
• Supports his joints after long walks and runs.

What I don't like:

• £40 isn't cheap for a dog bed.
• The bed can become misshapen and requires regular plumping.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• Not the easiest bed to shape with his paws.

Ready for sleepy times

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: I would definitely recommend this bed. It is clear that it is comfortable, and it should help support Pixel for years to come.

Would Pixel recommend?: Without a doubt. This is without a doubt the most comfortable bed he owns, and he always sleeps on it.

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Toy Box Tuesday: Go Dog Periwinkle Dragon

Of all the toys in Pixel's toy box, this is one of my favorites. Unfortunately it is also one of Pixel's least favorite.

The GoDog Periwinkle Dragon (a part of the GoDog Dragon range) boasts Chew Guard technology and double stitched seams that should vex the most destructive and murderous dogs. I think however that most dog owners would agree that there is no such thing as an indestructible dog toy, so take their promises with a pinch of salt.

We bought this toy for the rather steep price of £16. When I saw it, I knew I had to have, I mean come on, it is a dragon.

The GoDog Periwinkle Dragon is stuffed with a rustly filling and a honker. The website claims that the dragon has minimal stuffing to give the toy "a fun floppy feel" that your dog will love. It is certainly true that the GoDog Periwinkle Dragon  is a little light on the stuffing side, and it is most certainly floppy, its arms, legs, wings, and tail all flail about wildly when the toy is thrown or played with.

So why doesn't Pixel like this toy? On paper it sounds perfect. It rustles. Its floppy. It has a honker. By all accounts he should love this toy, but he doesn't. I think the reason for this is rather simple. The Dragon's fur is unremarkable and virtually non-existent. That is not to say that this toy has no fur, but rather it is incredibly short and almost coarse to the touch. This, couple with the woeful lack of stuffing means that Pixel has practically nothing to chew on with the GoDog Dragon.

What I like:

• Visually speaking, I love this toy. It is a dragon and it looks cool. The other GoDog toys are equally as awesome in their design.

DogTV (aka the window) wins against this toy every time.

What Pixel likes:

• Not a lot.

What I don't like:

• The price. £16 is quite a lot of money to spend on a dog toy, especially as there is nothing particularly special about it.
• I don't relieve believe that Chew Guard technology will give this toy any more longevity with destructive dogs.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• The toy is lacking in stuffing, even for a low-stuffed toy.
• The fur is boring and almost coarse.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: From Pixel's reaction to the toy, I wouldn't recommend it. There are cheaper, better toys on the market. If this toy were cheaper, I would say go for it, but £16 is a lot to spend on a toy that you are not certain your dog will like.

Would Pixel recommend?: Nope, he can't chew on it,
so he doesn't care for it. He will be giving it to Poppy the next time he sees her.

Pixel Reviews: Purina DeliBakie Stars

Pixel Investigates

I was first recommended these treats by my Mum while we were looking to get all the family dogs Christmas Presents. On that recommendation we went ahead and bought a packet for both Poppy and Trippy but it wasn't until last week that I purchased a pack for Pixel.

The DeliBakie Stars are short bread cookies that are flavoured with the delightful combination of cheese and beef. They come in a resealable package to ensure maximum freshness.

When I opened the pack I was surprised at the size of the cookies, they fit nicely in the palm of my hand but at the same time they are quite large. They also have a strong smell, not the most appetising from my perspective but it certainly catches Pixel's attention. Pixel also seems to like the flavour, he hops around the house on his back legs, following you as you carry the treats.

I cursory glance at the Purina website is enough to know that these dog treats are perhaps best used as an occasional treat, rather than a regular one. They have a high fat content, and even for a 15kg dog the recommended daily allowance is 3 stars, not particularly high considering that the treats are not exceptionally large.

I would probably buy these treats again but I doubt that they will become a part of Pixel's typical rotation. While the treats are eagerly devoured, I am hesitant about their fat content, considering Pixel's diet tends to be heavily subsidised by treats already.

Waiting patiently for his treat

What I like:

• The individual treats are a decent size
• The resealable packet keeps the treats fresh and easy to carry around

What Pixel likes:

• The treats have a strong smell
• The treats taste really good

What I don't like:

• The fat content seems a little high for the size of the treat.

What Pixel doesn't like:

• At most, he can only have three star cookies a day.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend?: The treats certainly catch Pixel's attention, and he does start to bounce off the walls when I get the pack down. That said, the fat per treat seems a little too high for my liking. If you're not fussed about how healthy your treats are, I'd say go for it.

Would Pixel recommend?: Pixel loves these treats. Their smell and flavour really grip him. He wholeheartedly recommends.

Toy Box Tuesday: The Trixie Beaver

One of the first soft toys we bought Pixel was this squeaky beaver. This soft toy is stuffed with rustling goodness and a honker (rather than a squeaker). The toy also allowed us to work out that Pixel prefers toys that rustle when they are played with, rather than standard soft toys.

Beaver surgery 

Pixel now owns two of these beavers, one small one, 27cm, (I accidently popped the honker in this one when I stood on it) and a large one, 40cm, which is in fully functioning order (once the tail was reattached following a particularly aggressive play session). 

What I like:

The toy provides a variety of stimulation, the tail and feet are a different texture to the fur, and the stuffing rustles and the beaver honks. The toy is light-weight and able to be thrown both by me and the dog without fear of anything being damaged.

What Pixel likes:

Pixel loves to chew the main body of the beaver, both to make it rustle as well as the chew on the plastic honker inside. He is particularly fond of chewing the broken honker in the small toy. Pixel prefers the larger of the two toys, which is a good size for a medium sized dog, making it easy to throw and catch.

What I don't like:

The quality with the Trixie Beaver doesn't seem particularly great. Pixel, who is traditionally a gently player, was able to tear the tail off the Beaver without much effort. In addition to this the honkers inside the toy are not built to last either, I broke one by stepping on it. Comparatively speaking these are not particularly expensive toys (a quick look on Amazon shows that the 40cm Beaver is currently £6.99), but I can't help but feel that most dogs would completely destroy these toys in no time at all.

Pixel gets the toy back

.

What Pixel doesn't like:

Nothing, Pixel loves the Trixie Beaver, it is a staple of his toy box and regularly gets played with.

Would we recommend?

Would I recommend it? If your dog doesn't play too roughly I am sure they would love this toy, but if they set out to destroy their stuffed toys I doubt the Beaver would last that long

Would Pixel recommend it? Absolutely. The Trixie Beavers are two of this favourite toys and he would be lost without them.

Pixel Reviews: The King of Kong

When discussing boredom breakers and toys, for dogs, you are almost certain to hear one name over all the others; Kong. As a company, Kong has successfully carved out their niche in the market, they achieved this through creating fun and durable boredom breakers and toys; for many the name Kong is synonymous with the word tough. Over six months Pixel has acquired a number of Kong products and we have decided to present them all in one large review.

Pixel's Kong Collection

Kong Classic

The Kong Classic is exactly that. Like many, we purchased the rounded red rubber cone as a boredom breaker, something to give to Pixel to stimulate him, especially when being left at home alone. Once filled with something delicious, the Kong Classic will provide Pixel with a happy distraction when we leave the house. Typically we use pâté although we also have a can of Kong Stuff'n (which has a great shelf life and is fantastic in a bind).

The problem with the Kong Classic is that it is just too simple for Pixel to get the treats out. Ultimately he loses interests in the Classic after about ten minutes or so (as opposed to the zee.dog Super Toys that can hold is attention for a half hour or over).

Kong Quest Bone

This blue rubber bone is a more challenging treat feeder than the Classic, with a central section for the Kong Stuff'n and four smaller holes, perfect for treats that can be difficult for the dog to get to. With the correct combination of treats, the Quest Bone can keep Pixel interested for twenty minutes and sometimes longer.

The Quest Bone however is not as durable as the Classic and if your dog is a heavy chewer this might not last that long.

Kong Wobbler

This heavy duty, plastic, weeble-like feeder is a fantastic way to prevent your dog from gulping their food, as well as providing a stimulating meal. Pixel happily walks around a room, violently batting the Wobbler with his paws, sending it spinning across the floor and scattering the food randomly about. The Wobbler is by no means a toy, and will remain unloved in the corner of a room when not being used for a meal (apart from the occasional inquisitive nudge to make sure it is empty). If you don't wish to feed your dog their meals from the Wobbler, you can easily use it for treats and watch as your dog works for the food they love.

The biggest drawback to this fun feeder is that it can be very loud. Pixel takes great enjoyment in throwing it against wardrobes, walls, and door frames. While our house has remained unmarked by the toy, the resulting bang can be a little noisy.

(For a comparative review with other "Fun Feeders", see Pixel Reviews: Fun Feeders)

Kong Bounzer

The Kong Bounzer is a large, hollow, rubber toy that is meant to be thrown for your dog to chase outside. We purchased this toy before we knew that Pixel didn't like chasing toys outside so the Bounzer sat in a cupboard for the first six months. Then one day when I was swapping around the toys that Pixel has access to, I decided to throw it inside and Pixel practically exploded with excitement. Since then the Bounzer has become one of Pixel's favorite toy. He enjoys the way that is bounces erratically around the house, the way he can chew on the handle and he loves that when you squeeze it, it blows out air. A word of warning however, if you do decided to purchase a Bounzer for indoor use, watch out for anything that might be breakable.

Kong Cozie Elmer

We bought this bright pink elephant toy as a Christmas present for Pixel and he immediately took to it. Originally this toy had wonderfully soft fur that Pixel took great pleasure in chewing on. The toy seems well made and is tough enough to survive the gentle tugging and playing which Pixel gives. Coming with one small squeaker, the Cozie provides Pixel with light weight toy to throw about the room. While this toy is one of Pixel's favorite soft toys, I think this is due to the Cozie's soft fur which is entirely subjective for each dog. All that said, I feel that the toy might not survive dogs that deliberately set out to kill their soft toys.

Toy Box Tuesdays: Charlie the Unicorn

Ruthie and I bought Charlie in 2009/2010, long before thoughts of getting a dog ever came to us. Charlie, a knock-off Pillow Pet, sat proudly on our bed until one spring clean in 2014 when he went into the wardrobe.

Then, one day whilst going through the wardrobe Ruthie produced Charlie and Pixel instantly wanted him. Since that point Charlie has been Pixel's best friend and his favourite toy. Pixel's love of Charlie means that whenever we travel away for any significant length of time, we have to pack the unicorn.

Charlie acted as a comforter for Pixel while he settled into our home. It provided him with a "safe space" where could retreat to if he felt overwhelmed.

Considering that Charlie is a cheap toy he has done surprising well to survive a life with a dog, only sustaining one small hole on the neck.. Pixel enjoys throwing Charlie around a room before pinning him to the floor and chewing upon his mane or his horn. Once the game is over, Pixel is more than happy to curl up on top of his friend and have snooze.

So this is for Charlie the Unicorn, who helped give a dog a second chance and settle into a new home, may he live forever and never need too many repairs.

Pixel and Charlie: Friends Forever

Pixel Reviews: Fun Feeders

When we first met Pixel he was bouncing off of the walls. He was all energy and unused intelligence. With this in mind we set out to find ways to exhaust him and entertain him at every opportunity and one way we achieved this is through making Pixel work for his food.

Kong Wobbler

The Kong Wobbler was the first feeder we picked up. The large, red, plastic weeble is an easy way to introduce some stimulation to your dog's meal time. Pixel uses his paws to bat around the Wobbler which sends it spinning and food scattering. Pixel then gets the fun of searching around the room every piece of kibble that he sent flying.

The Wobbler also provides a fantastic way of feeding your dogs that prevents them from gulping down their food. Instead the dog is fed a small amount of food (in our case roughly four or five pieces of kibble with each bat).

The Wobbler, which unscrews at the middle, is incredibly easy to clean, you can simply wipe it with a damp cloth after each feeding and it will remain clean and tidy. From the perspective of the owner there are two clear disadvantages to feeding with the Wobbler. The first of these is that the Wobbler can be very noisy, Pixel regularly sends it spinning into a wall or door-frame (although this leaves no marks) which creates a loud bang. The Wobbler is also quite heavy, it is weighted to always ensure it is self-righting, but it does mean it can be awkward if you travel regularly and you want to take a way of feeding your dog with you.

Slo-Bowl Flower

After the first month of owning Pixel and he had settled into a comfortable routine, he began to gulp his food. We would use the Wobbler regularly but if we wanted to feed the dog early in the morning we felt self-conscious about the noise it makes so I went and purchased the Slo-Bowl.

The Slo-Bowl Flower feeder is an easy way to prevent Pixel from gulping his food. We pour the kibble into the bowl, Pixel then has to use his tongue to navigate the food around the maze to push it to a place where he can easily eat the food. There are several varieties of Slo-Bowl, including their being two sizes, we selected the Flower design as it looked like the most challenging of the designs (and I like to make Pixel work).

While the Slo-Bowl is by far the best food bowl I have ever owned, it does have a specific drawback. While the bowl is top-shelf dishwasher safe, if you don't have a dishwasher it can be quiet difficult to keep the bowl clean. Despite regular cleaning I am never fully satisfied with how clean it ends up.

Rosewood Treat Ball

Originally wanting to purchase the IQ Treat Ball (they are only available online), I picked up the Rosewood Treat Ball when I spotted it in a pet shop while browsing. When Pixel is using this Fun Feeder, he will nose the ball around the house, chasing it excitedly. The Treat Ball has an adjustable opening so that you can increase or decrease the difficulty of getting food.

Like the Wobbler, the Treat Ball also suffers from being a noisy way to feed your dog as they push it into the walls, but this is a minor inconvenience. The worst part of this feeder is that you cannot open the ball in anyway which means that you have to place the food into the ball via the small opening. It's quite impractical and I spend half of the time picking up the kibble I have dropped. The difficulty on this feeder does not seem to scale well either, the easiest setting seems to drop food regularly while the harder settings can mean that food is not dropped at all, I understand that this is the point, but if you wanted to gradually make it hard, it is almost impossible to do so. I kinda wish I had waited and bought an IQ Treat Ball.

Recommendations

 If was pushed to recommend only one of these Fun Feeders, it would have to be the Slo-Bowl. It takes between five and ten minutes for Pixel to eat a meal and the bowl is easy to carry about. While I love the Wobbler and enjoy watching Pixel eat from it, the fact that it is heavy means that it simply isn't suitable for people who travel regularly. The Rosewood Treat Ball, while nice to use for the sake of variety, simply is too difficult to fill with food which puts me off using it. If you want to provide a variety of stimulation then I would suggest at least picking up two of these products, or maybe two different styled Slo-Bowls. If you are looking for fun and a way to entertain your dogs, I would suggest the Kong Wobbler.

Pixel Reviews: Equafleece Hi-viz Neckerchiefs

It is 03:45am and I cannot sleep. After tossing and turning for twenty minutes or so I decide to get up and wander around the flat, Pixel lazily opens his eyes to check that he is not missing something. Satisfied that I am not going to do anything of interest he goes back to sleep.

At 04:00am I get back into bed, this time I call the dog up onto the bed. We spend a couple of minutes fidgeting, and a few harsh words from Ruthie, who I accidentally wake up, Pixel is laying down next to me beneath the duvet. I still cannot sleep and spend the next forty-five minutes cuddling the dog.

Pixel modelling the neckerchief

Then at 04:45am Pixel decides that he is not comfortable with the way he was laying and gets up and pushes the duvet off of me. He then decides that my stomach makes a good bed and my shoulder a perfect pillow. I give up and push the dog off of the bed. It is 05:00am, might as well walk the dog. It takes ten minutes to get out to the fields and it is pitch black.

I have had the Equafleece Hi-viz Neckerchief for a number of years. It was bought for a dog that has since passed away. When we got Pixel it was summer and there was not problem walking him in the mornings but as winter rolled around and it got darker I wanted to find a way to keep an eye on the dog in the early morning gloom. He already wears a harness so I didn't want to stick another on him, and I dislike the way that thin collars look on his neck, after he is a lurcher, so I didn't want to get one of the light-up collars. That's when I remembered the bright green/yellow neckerchief that we used to use.

The Equafleece Neckerchief is a fantastic addition to a walking gear, it slips on over the dog's neck and it made of a gently fleece fabric which is soft against Pixel's neck and doesn't get in the way with his collar or his harness. It is a bright green/yellow colour that is easy to spot.

The drawback for this Equafleece is that it has no natural illumination to it which can mean that if it is truly dark, such as before sunrise, the range at which the neckerchief is useful is severely limited and can be hard to spot if you don't know what direction your dog is in. As such the neckerchief is best used when it is still dark and gloomy but alongside some natural light, in which case it definitely does help in keeping tabs on your dog. It is worth noting that my Equafleece is at least six years old and since my purchase they have added a reflective strip to the neckerchief will greatly increase it's utility. That said, I am happy with the fleece and will be continuing to use it on my early morning walks.

Pixel Reviews: zee.dog Super Toys

Eggplant, Apple and Greenbeans

The Kong is generally accepted to be the king of fillable rubber chew toys. Many companies have tried to topple the Kong, and in my opinion no one comes as close as zee.dog with their Super Toys. These toys come in many shapes and sizes, designed to look like various fruits and vegetables. Each fruit or vegetable is given three statistics: Crazy Bounce, Hardness and Treat Challenge. Pixel currently has three Super Toys in his collection which we rotate in use to keep them fresh and interesting. He currently owns the Aubergine (Eggplant), the Apple and the Greenbeans.

The idea behind the Super Toys is simple, fun and healthy eating. In this vein four recipes are available on the zee.dog website, these recipes are free for anybody to use but are best when used in conjunction with the Super Toys. That said, we regularly use liver pâté or the Kong Stuff'n and these provide a stimulating challenge, which while not as healthy, are easy to come by and use.

One area in which the Super Toys really surpass the Kong Classic is in their Treat Challenge rating, allowing you to select the toy that would be best suited to your dog. When we use the Aubergine (which is long and narrow) or the Greenbeans (which has three small holes) which are both have a Treat Challenge rating 4, they will keep his attention for at least a half hour, sometimes more depending on the treat used. This is compared to the Kong Classic which he has mastered and takes at most 10 minutes for him to complete.

The Super Toys also function well as a stand alone toy, especially if your dog likes to chew. The Apple bounces like a conventional ball, while the Greenbeans and Aubergine bounce much more erratically which can provide plenty of excitement. The straight-lined designs of the Super Toy also provide a satisfying chew for Pixel, the geometric shapes clean the teeth as well as massage the gums. The toys are also designed to float if your dog is in to jumping into water and loves a game of fetch.

One problem we have encountered with the Super Toy is that the Hardness rating seems a little arbitrary, the Apple and the Greenbeans both have a Hardness rating of 4 and yet the Apple remains relatively unscathed while the Greenbeans must be easier to chew as their are several teeth gouges.

As I have mentioned before, with zee.dog it is about more than just the products they make, it is about their entire ethos. It is clear that they love dogs and want to create what is best for them, and with the Super Toys, I think they achieve that. Pixel will play with his Super Toys while he will only touch the Kong Classic if there is food in there. In a market which is dominated by the same old things, zee.dog adds a much needed dash of colour and style and I fully encourage everybody to get behind them.

Give it to me!

Pixel Reviews: zee.dog Leads & Harnesses

When Ruthie and I decided that we were going to get Pixel, we wanted to pick up a few things before we got him. Specifically we wanted to get a collar, a lead, a harness, a bed and some bowls. The majority of these things were easy enough to get a hold of but we quickly realised that the vast arrays of leads and harnesses on offer were down right boring. Then, one day, while browsing a pet shop I spotted a brightly coloured harness that really stood out to me, it was unique, it was the first time I encountered zee.dog.

Originally gaining recognition on the crowd sourcing site Kickstarter in 2010, zee.dog promised to bring a sense of style and individuality to dogs and their owners. Since discovering zee.dog, Pixel has acquired a total of three harnesses, including their matching leads.

Vest Harness

Pixel's first harness was a vest-styled one, in the eye-catching Stardust design. This is Pixel's best looking harness and also the most comfortable, one that he can wear all day if he is out all day for a walk or just out somewhere where he needs to remain on lead or harness.

The chest piece is made of air mesh, a soft, breathable fabric that gently spreads the pressure of pulling evenly across the chest. The D-ring is also located further down the back, away from the sensitive neck and throat. However if your dog is prone to pulling, this harness does require regular tightening otherwise the straps can loosen slightly over time, and a savvy dog (like Pixel) might be able to take advantage and slip free. This however is a fault on my part rather than the harnesses.

The greatest weakness of this harness is the matching lead. Although the lead is light weight and comfortable to use, the lead is very easy to mark. Pixel has only had the Stardust lead for three months and it has collected a few white marks where the colouring has been scratched off.

Step-In Harness

In addition to his vest harness, Pixel also has two Step-In harnesses in the Driver and Skull designs. Less comfortable than the vest harness, these two allow for greater control over Pixel, the pressure is not spread out through a chest piece, so its not as easy for him to pull. Easy to put on, these harnesses fasten at Pixel's shoulders and has two D-rings, one on each "side", that prevents the harness from pulling or rubbing unevenly.

The problem with these Step-In style harnesses is that for awkwardly proportioned dogs, like Pixel the lurcher, they can rub. After some adjustments we got them to fit but we need to keep an eye to make sure these harnesses do not rub.

Leads

As mentioned previously, Pixel and I are big fans of these leads. They are comfortable, light weight and with a solid, easy to use clip. The leads are available in two sizes, one for small and medium dogs and one for larger breeds. Two small rubber zee.dog logos (a rather fun looking cartoon skull) are proudly displayed on the leads, one that sits just below the handle, providing a comfortable place to hold, and one logo just above the clip.

zee.dog the Company

I would happily recommend the zee.dog leads and harnesses because they look good, because they are comfortable and because they work, but there is more to it than that. zee.dog is more than just about fun and good looking products, they want to make a difference too. For every lead sold, money goes to the Dogs on Deathrow charity, and it makes me feel good supporting that. I love this company not just for their products (further zee.dog reviews will be coming up), but for their ethos, they care. Pixel just loves to look good.

Pixel Reviews: The Old Sea Dog

Walking through Faversham market one Saturday morning I spotted a sign with a rather handsome looking Saluki on it. I was instantly drawn to the stall, Ruthie, already knowing that I was lost to the possibility of finding something for the dog, followed along behind.

"I see you've spotted my George." The stall owner said as she approached. "He is my inspiration for this." We chatted briefly about her products, about how she wanted to create something that was good for dogs, that contained the right vitamins and was lacking in additives and preservatives, in short they were wholesome, healthy and deliciously crunchy dog treats. Being a soft hearted lover of lurchers and longdogs (George it turned out was a SalukixGreyhoud) and being someone who is always excited to buy Pixel a treat, I was sold.

The Old Sea Dog Celebration Gift Pack

We bought the celebration gift pack off of Bev (the owner and creator of The Old Sea Dog) for what I would consider to be a reasonable £12 (she was even kind enough to throw in an extra pack of Dried Fish skins). For that we got 150g pack of Seaweed with Butternut Squash and Courgette Biscotti, 150g pack of Seaweed with Beetroot and Apple Biscotti, 150g pack of Seaweed with Mixed Fruit and Vegetable Croutons, a jar of Healthy Dog Seaweed Salad, a pack of three Dried Fish Skins Cubes, and a Dirty Dog Seaweed Bath Bomb. Individually these items would have set me back around £20!

Seaweed Biscotti

Available in two flavour varieties (Buttersquash and Courgette and Beetroot and Apple), a 150g pack contains six biscotti biscuits. These biscuits are easy enough to snap into smaller pieces if you wish to give them out as small treats or you can just as easily give them to your dog whole. The serving suggestions are pleasingly large, with dogs up to 7kg being able to have one bar (or 50g) a day, dogs up to 20kg being able to have three (or 200g) and those over 21kg being able to have four to six (or between 200g and 300g)! These biscotti are double baked to give them a good shelf life without any icky preservatives.

Perhaps the greatest thing about these biscuits is that they smell genuinely delicious and I was half-tempted to try and nibble of my own. Pixel seemed to thoroughly enjoy every crumb of these biscuits, with each mouthful of biscotti was accompanied by a satisfying crunch as he greedily inhaled these treats. Pixel loved both of the flavours on offer although if pushed to pick a favourite he would have to go with the Beetroot and Apple which he spent a minute after eating snuffling about for any crumbs.

Seaweed with Mixed Fruit and Vegetable Croutons

Similar to the biscotti, these croutons are greedily eaten accompanied by the sound of crunching. It is also clearest here that these delicious dog treats could easily supplement the food that you give your dog. We are lucky that Pixel is very food orientated (while writing this he had not left my side in the hopes that I might grace him with further Old Sea Dog treats) but the smell and the texture of these croutons, and that fact that they are in such lovely bite-sized pieces, could easily coax even the fussiest of dogs to the food bowl. 

The serving suggestions for the croutons is the same for the biscotti so you can be sure that your dog will be well fed and because they made in the same double-baked method, they will keep for a while meaning you can be sure to get the most of these treats.

Healthy Dog Seaweed Salad

Seaweed is great for dogs (and humans too) and the Healthy Dog Seaweed Salad is an easy way to get the seaweed into your dog (especially if your dog is unable or unwilling to eat the biscotti or croutons). Simply soak the required amount of dried seaweed in some water and then add it your dogs main meal (we feed Pixel dried food so I added the water too to add a little moisture to the mix). 

Pixel seemed delighted to have something extra in his food bowl, even going around at the end licking up ever last piece of seaweed that he had somehow missed. The seaweed salad does lack that certain something that excites him like the other treats mentioned here but then it's not meant to. Instead it protects against things like skin irritation, arthritis as well as encourages the growth of fur and nails, all things that Pixel needs. With a shelf-life of 6 months after purchase, the Seaweed salad won't last as long as the other products but with regular use I am hoping to see a nice glossy coat on Pixel soon. 

Dried Fish Skin Cubes

This is one of Pixel's favourite treats from the Celebration pack and perhaps my least favourite because it gives him poisonous doggy-fish-breath. With a strong smell and lovely crunch, Pixel absolutely adores these little cubes. Coming in a pack of three these are the smallest treats that came in the pack but one that he can't seem to get enough of. Made of nothing but dried and packed fish skins, they grabbed Pixel's attention. Unfortunately these treats don't appear on their website so if you live in Kent, and around the Faversham/Hythe area, you'll just have to hope to see them at a market.

Dirty Dog Seaweed Bath Bomb  

Probably the thing I was most excited to have in the pack, the Dirty Dog Seaweed Bath Bomb promises to be a soothing and conditioning rinse for your dog, achieved by popping the bomb into warm water and letting it soak. Alternatively it can be used by placing the bomb in water before squeezing it out and applying the bomb directly to the dog to wash off any grime (Bev informed us that it worked wonders on grass stains and the like). The bomb, however, is the only item I haven't yet got round to using as I recently washed Pixel and I don't much fancy attempting another wash on him just yet. Be assured that once I have had an opportunity to to try it out I will update this.

Summery

In short I absolutely recommend this product. There is not a single thing within the Celebration Pack that Pixel has not taken to with gusto, this product offers unbeatable value for your pampered pooch. 

To order the products you can go to www.theoldseadog.co.uk

To find out more about the ethos behind The Old Sea Dog, go to www.itsallaboutgeorge.co.uk