Product Review: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Carrot

Recreational chewers rejoice, Planet Dog has added this carrot to their Orbee-Tuff Produce line! This tough toy is just the right shape for holding between your paws for a good gnaw. It's tough, smells like peppermint, and is made in the USA. Like all Planet Dog toys, the carrot is guaranteed, so if your dog manages to destroy it, be sure to let them know!

Planet Dog is Awesome

Photo by Erin Koski

I got to see this toy at SuperZoo 2016, and I knew immediately that the girls would love it. (I ended up buying it on Amazon though, so this is not a sponsored review.) The rep I talked to said the company wanted to add a gnawable shape that dogs could hold between their paws like a bone. 

We're on our way to owning their entire Orbee-Tuff Produce line, because the toys are just so cute. Also durable. They last for years, and you can recycle them when you are finally done with them. They all have space to hide treats of various shapes and sizes, and they are light enough to keep you downstairs neighbors happy if your dog is fond of dropping their toys on your hard floors.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros

• Durable enough for some serious gnawing
• Made in the USA
• Smells like peppermint instead of rubber tires
• Can stuff an entire biscuit in the end
• Seriously adorable
• Guaranteed!

Cons

• Long skinny shape makes it vulnerable to power chewers



Photo by Erin Koski

• Moderate probability of being mistaken for an adult toy (this might be a pro for some)

Bottom Line

The carrot has seen quite a lot of fetch around here, and we haven't managed to kill it yet! Zip is also fond of gnawing it, and the carrot is holding up well. I was worried at first, but so far it has exceeded my expectations. That said, if your dog routinely demolishes black Kongs/Squirrel Dudes/similar toys, you should probably start with something tougher. Or just let Planet Dog know if your dog kills the carrot, because they do have a guarantee.

What's your dog's favorite chew toy?

Caturday: Houseplants I Am Feeding My Cats

It's Caturday, and I've expanded The Hellions' little window garden. I acquired their first plant back in October during the Enriched Life Challenge, and since then I've learned how to keep my cats and houseplants co-existing peacefully...mostly.

Plants vs. Cats

• Choose only non-toxic cat-safe species
• Hang plants so they can only nibble the tips
• Use very heavy pots that can't be tipped, avoid plastic

I don't have a large enough space for a full-on kitty salad bar like Chirpy Cats, but I've found a way to fit a few green snacks into my small space. 

In the past, the Hellions have tackled plants to the floor, wrestled them in submission, and messily devoured them. Decorative plant stands are definitely a no-go around here, the only way plants are going to stay put is if they're anchored securely. Very heavy pots are definitely the way to go.

My cats also have zero sense of portion control, and will happily eat an entire houseplant in short order. Hanging the plants securely from walls and windowsills not only keeps them in place, it also limits access. The plants last a lot longer when the cats can only nibble the tips!

Maindenhair fern looking nibbled.

The Tastiest Plants

• Maidenhair fern
• Boston fern
• Spider plant
• Basil
• Catnip
• Wheatgrass
•  African violet
• Air plants

So far, the Geek Garden only includes the first three species. However, I'm getting more creative with finding places and ways to hang them, so I hope to expand the list soon. I'm particularly fond of African violets and air plants, but basil will probably give the kitties nice breath!

Food Friday: Drs. Foster and Smith Everyday Wellness Canned Dog Food

Drs. Foster and Smith Everyday Wellness Canned Dog Food is a new brand of dog food that just popped up at Petco recently. If the name sounds familiar, it's because Drs. Foster and Smith have been sending out catalogs in the mail for almost all of eternity. Their new line of pet foods are grain-free, and the product range includes dietary supplements and dental chews.

Drs. Foster and Smith

Way back when I was an internetless child, mail order catalogs were the best thing ever. It was like fantasy shopping, without having to go to a store! So many things to look at! Of course pet supply catalogs were the best of the best, and I used to spend hours pouring over the pages of the Drs. Foster and Smith catalogs, because I was a giant nerd even as a small child. They've been sending those things out since 1983, so they were a household name before the internet gave us a whole new option for shopping in our underwear. 

In 1993, DFS launched their own brand, and in 2002 they started making dog food. I hadn't paid attention to them in years because the last time I considered buying something, there was a flat rate for shipping. Great if you're buying a fair amount of stuff, not so great if you're looking to buy one very small item.

The Food

I'm not sure about the new food line, but I believe that the original Drs. Foster and Smith kibble is co packed by CJ Foods. There is no indication that DFS owns any kind of production facility, so this is actually a pet food marketing company, and someone else makes the product. I'm not sure who currently makes their canned foods, but it's almost certainly one of a handful of major co packers.

This is a grain-free food with chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver as the first ingredients. It also contains potatoes, peas, green beans, red peppers, and eggs. The inclusion of egg as a second protein source means this isn't an allergy-friendly food, but none of the foods in this line are intended to be limited-ingredient except the healthy skin and coat kibble. That one is pea-based and uses hydrolyzed salmon, and actually looks like a food I'd recommend for an elimination diet.

Though not as appealing as last week's can of PureVita, the DFS wet food isn't bad. I can see the peas, potatoes, carrots, and red peppers. Admittedly, the red peppers are an unusual addition. I'm not used to seeing those on ingredient lists and I'm curious why they were included. Nutrition-wise, this isn't the best food, at 8% protein and 5.5% fat it's got to have a lot of carbs. Dog Food Advisor has not reviewed this food yet, but I'm guessing it would rate 4 out of 5 stars.

The Verdict

Ru's willingness to eat a given wet food seems to be closely correlated with how appetizing I find it as a human. He likes this one a lot, and eats it willingly. The availability of it at Petco also makes it a convenient choice, as their hours are conducive to forgetting to buy another can of chihuahua food until the last possible minute. The uncertainty about who really produces the food would make me hesitant to feed this exclusively, but I am definitely going to add it to Ru's canned food rotation. It's Finicky Chihuahua Approved!