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The Best Dog Grooming Wipes

By
Jae Thomas, CPDT-KA
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0
Dog grooming wipes fill the gap between a dirty dog, and freshly bathed dog when you're out and about.
Dog grooming wipes are a great option for cleaning up your pup between baths. Look for grooming wipes that are durable, low-odor, and have skin-friendly ingredients. Credit: Jae Thomas

Whether you just need to wipe down your dog’s dirty paws or want to give their coat a refresh in between baths, dog grooming wipes are a convenient solution.

The best dog grooming wipes are ideal for pups with oily coats and can help keep your pup odor-free between full grooms. If your dog has allergies, wiping them down with a wipe can help remove allergens from their coat as well.

Read on for how to choose the best dog grooming wipes for your pooch.

Traits We Want in the Best Dog Grooming Wipes

Ingredients: Look for ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Opt for wipes that are PH-balanced for your dog’s skin, and avoid using wipes designed for humans, cats, or other species. Avoid options with soaps, sulphates, and parabens. Note that alcohols (like propylene glycol) may dry out some dogs’ coats.

Natural ingredients like aloe and oats can help soothe dry, irritated skin. Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are antimicrobial and antibacterial.

Some ingredients (especially those in medicated wipes) may only be suitable for adult dogs, so check the labels on your wipes before using them on young puppies and talk to your vet about suitability.

Durability: Wipes that shred to pieces during use are no help, so choose for a wipe that’s durable enough to withstand firm wiping.

Scent: Dogs are more sensitive to scents than humans are, so unscented or lightly-scented wipes are best.

The Best Dog Grooming Wipes

Whole Dog Journal RatingProductPriceNotes
Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes$10These gentle, unscented wipes are made with hypoallergenic ingredients that help moisturize your dog’s skin and coat.
Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog & Cate Grooming Wipes$13The Furbliss Refreshing Dog Wipes made my dog’s oily coat feel soft and clean, but they contain an alcohol ingredient that may be drying for dogs with sensitive skin.
Douxo S3 Pyo Pads$19For everything from minor skin irritation to hot spots, these Duoxo antiseptic and antifungal wipes are commonly vet-recommended—and are easier to use than over-the-counter medicated shampoos.
Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes$12These pleasantly oat-scented wipes did a great job of cleaning out my dogs’ ears and didn’t rip during testing.
Vet's Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes$18These finger wipes are an innovative design to get in the small crevices of your dog’s ears but the shape may encourage pet owners to clean the inside of the ears instead of just the exterior.
Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes$12Though they’re made with gentle ingredients and are unscented, during testing, these wipes were too sudsy to comfortably use to wipe away eye crusties.

Best Dog Grooming Wipes: Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes

Dog grooming wipes can be useful for cleaning a dog's muddy paws.
The Furbliss Dog Grooming Wipes work very well on oily coats but may dry out a dog’s skin if used to often. Credit: Jae Thomas

The Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes are gentle and are completely unscented (though they also come in white tea & basil and lavender scents). Soothing ingredients like aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber help moisturize skin and coats and leave them feeling soft.

My only qualm about these wipes is that because they contain moisturizing ingredients, they leave a bit of residue on your hands and on some dogs’ coats (especially on short-coated dogs with very oily coats).

This is a good option for dogs with skin folds, like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, who need regular wiping to prevent dirt buildup and infection. Earth Rated wipes are also a good option for regularly wiping down muddy paws. They won’t dry out your dog’s paw pads and are durable and textured to help get mud and other debris off your pup’s feet.

Since they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers, these wipes may be compostable at some composting facilities based on their guidelines.

Runner Up Best Dog Grooming Wipes: Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes

Dog grooming wipes can clean oil and dirt from a dog's coat.
The Furbliss Dog Grooming Wipes work very well on oily coats but may dry out a dog’s skin if used to often. Credit: Jae Thomas

The Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes have a light fresh scent that smells like clean laundry. I have a dog with a coat that gets quite oily in between baths and these wipes helped her coat feel less greasy. They also leave slightly less residue on your hands after use than the Earth Rated wipes.

However, this option does contain an alcohol ingredient (propylene glycol), which can dry your dog’s skin out with frequent use—especially on dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.

Best Medicated Dog Grooming Wipes: Douxo S3 Pyo Pads

Medicated dog grooming wipes can help with dog hot spots and minor abrasions.
When it comes to medicated dog grooming wipes, the Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads are a great option for small areas of irritation and hot spots. Credit: Jae Thomas

When my Collie got a hot spot on her tail, my vet recommended the Duoxo S3 shampoo and pads to keep the hot spot clean. I found the Douxo S3 Pyo Pads much easier to use on a regular basis since I didn’t have to put my dog in the bath every time I wanted to clean her hot spot. After about five days of regular use, my Collie’s hot spot had drastically decreased in size and irritation thanks in part to the use of these wipes.

The Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads work best for small areas of minor skin irritation, itching, and hot spots. For dogs with large areas of irritation, a medicated shampoo or mousse may be better suited since they can be more evenly distributed.

These wipes contain Chlorhexidine and Ophytrium and are both antiseptic and antifungal. During testing, I found that they weren’t overly drying (they actually seemed to help moisturize my dog’s skin) and had a pleasant vanilla-like scent.

Though this is an over-the-counter product, always consult with your vet before using any product on a dog with sensitive or itchy skin.

Best Dog Grooming Wipes for Ears: Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes

Dog grooming wipes can help keep your dog's ears clean.
During testing, the Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes cleaning up dirt and wax buildup. However, they may be too large for smaller dogs. Credit: Jae Thomas

The Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes come in a pleasant wild oat scent that isn’t too strong. These wipes are quite big, which is helpful for larger dogs with big, floppy ears, like the hound breeds. The large size allows you to move the wipe around to a clean spot as needed. However, they may be a bit too large for small- and toy-sized dogs.

During testing, these wipes did a great job at clearing dirt and wax buildup in my dog’s ears and removed more gunk and grime than the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes. They’re made with gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients, like aloe and chamomile, that can help soothe your dog’s skin.

The wipes themselves are quite durable and, as an added bonus for eco-conscious pet parents, they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers.

We Also Tested

Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes

Finger wipes are a type of dog grooming wipe that's especially useful for cleaning a dog's ears.
We liked the finger wipe design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes but felt they didn’t clean as well as some of the competitors and could dry out some dogs’ skin. Credit: Jae Thomas

The finger cover design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes is handy for getting into small crevices in your dogs ears and is especially helpful for toy-sized dogs. However, there is alcohol in these wipes which may be drying for some dogs’ skin. The finger wipe design may also encourage pet parents to clean the inside of their dog’s ear canals, which isn’t recommended.

Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes

Grooming wipes can help clean a dog's eyes, but some care is needed.
The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes were too sudsy for our liking and weren’t very effective at removing eye discharge. Credit: Jae Thomas

The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes are meant to help wipe away discharge, crust, and tear stains from your dog’s eyes. However, they were very sudsy and tended to get suds too close to my dogs’ eyes for comfort during testing. I also wish they wiped away dried-on eye discharge a little bit more effectively.

Tools to Improve Dog Car Safety

By
Kate O'Connor
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A beagle dog wearing a car safety harness and in a car safety hammock.
Harnesses and hammocks are some of the least expensive options when it comes to dog car safety. Credit: Alba Caro | Getty Images

For anyone who transports their dogs via car—which is pretty much all of us—dog car safety is a must. It’s not just about preventing the dog from interfering with the driver. Good behavior won’t protect a dog in the event of a sudden stop or car accident. Thankfully, there are products designed to do just that.

Some of these are more successful than others. When shopping for dog car safety devices, pay attention to what the product actually does. Look for products that have been thoroughly crash-tested—preferably by an independent organization such as the Center for Pet Safety. Given that there are no established standards for crash testing car restraints for dogs, independent testing provides an important second look at the product’s safety.

Whole Dog Journal is reader-supported. If you purchase through links on our site we may earn a commission. Whole Dog Journal does not accept money for its food and product reviews.

Dog Seatbelts

Dog seatbelt tethers are one of the easiest methods for securing a dog in the car as well as being the least expensive. They are usually designed with a clip on one end and an attachment for a car’s seatbelt latch, latch bar, or backseat headrest.

While a dog seatbelt can help keep your dog in the car and out of the driver’s seat, it isn’t really enough to protect her in an accident. Dog seatbelt tethers are rarely, if ever, crash-tested, and typically give the dog a good amount of room to move around. On the plus side, this makes dog seatbelts one of the more comfortable and least restrictive options for securing your dog in the car. However, that also means there’s not much preventing the dog from getting hurt in a crash.

It is also extremely important to note that a dog seatbelt should always be clipped to a harness rather than the dog’s collar. The reason for this is that if too much pressure is applied to a collar through the seatbelt—such as during an accident or sudden stop—severe head and neck injuries are a significant risk. A harness will spread the pressure out across less vulnerable areas of the dog’s body.

Pros:

  • Prevents the dog from jumping out of the car or into the front seat
  • Easy to install or move
  • Inexpensive
  • Allows freedom of movement

Cons:

  • Dogs may be able to release themselves (accidentally or on purpose) by stepping on the seatbelt release button
  • Must be used with a compatible harness
  • Provides minimal safety in the event of an accident

Popular dog seatbelts include:

Dog Car Seats

In addition to keeping a dog contained in the car, dog car seats are useful in that they can elevate your pup so she can see out the window. This can be especially helpful for dogs who get carsick as it gives them a better chance to visually orient themselves and often gets them more airflow from car vents (which are designed with sitting humans in mind).

Most dog car seats attach to the vehicle’s seat using a seatbelt and include a short tether designed to clip to the dog’s harness. As discussed above, it’s not safe to attached a tether to a dog’s collar in a vehicle.

While dog car seats may improve comfort and limit movement, most are designed more for convenience than true crash protection. With a few exceptions, many are lightly constructed and are not crash-tested, meaning they may collapse or detach during an accident.

Pros:

  • Keeps dogs contained and prevents them from roaming around in the car
  • Allows dogs to see out the window, which may reduce anxiety or car sickness
  • Often easy to install and remove

Cons:

  • Rarely suitable for large dogs
  • Most provide limited protection in a collision
  • Crash-tested models can be expensive

Popular examples dog car seats include:

Car Harnesses for Dogs

Dog car harnesses are a good middle-of-the range option for increasing safety on car trips. These harnesses are designed to distribute force across the dog’s chest and shoulders and attach to a seatbelt or tether system.

Some car harnesses for dogs have been crash-tested, with mixed results. The best-performing models significantly limit forward movement and reduce the risk of serious injury but do so by significantly restricting the dog’s movement.

Pros:

  • Better protection than seatbelt tethers alone
  • Distributes force across stronger parts of the dog’s body
  • Many can double as a walking harness
  • Available for a wide range of dog sizes

Cons:

  • Can be difficult to properly fit
  • Can be extremely restrictive

Popular car harnesses for dogs include:

For detailed recommendations, see “Dog Car Harnesses Review”.

Dog Crates for the Car

A properly secured, strongly built dog crate is by far the safest way to travel with your pet. Even if the crate is not crash-tested, it can provide protection in the event of an accident. The best crates will be crash-tested and have a number of anchor points which allow you to easily secure the crate in the car.

Hard-sided crates or reinforced metal crates designed specifically for vehicle transport perform far better than wire crates or soft-sided carriers, which can collapse or break apart during an impact.

Pros:

  • Provides the highest level of protection
  • Less restrictive
  • Difficult or impossible for dogs to escape

Cons:

  • Crash-tested models can be extremely expensive
  • Takes up significant space in the car
  • May be difficult to fit in smaller vehicles
  • Can be very heavy

Popular examples of dog car crates include:

Hammocks and Dividers

Seat hammocks and vehicle dividers are popular for keeping dogs confined to the back seat or cargo area. Depending on the model, dog car hammocks can also help keep your dog from sliding off the seat and falling into the footwell. Dog car hammocks and dividers typically attach to the vehicle’s headrests with either clips or loops.

While these products are useful for protecting upholstery and preventing driver distraction, they offer no real crash protection.

Pros:

  • Helps keep dogs from interfering with the driver
  • Protects vehicle interior from dirt and hair
  • Least restrictive

Cons:

  • Dog is not secure
  • Provides little protection against impact or sudden stops

Popular dog car hammocks and dividers include:

While crash-tested, secured dog crates remain the gold standard in dog car safety, they’re not feasible for everyone. At the end of the day, choosing the right car safety option for your canine companion depends on your dog, vehicle, and budget. Just remember, every little bit helps.

Does My Dog Need an Allergy Test?

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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2
If your dog is showing skin, ear, or other problems a dog allergy test might be helpful.
If your dog has hair loss, itching, and/or is incessantly licking, a dog allergy test might help you get control of the problem. Credit: Igor Barilo | Getty Images

Allergies are common in dogs and extremely annoying for both you and the dog. The best way to treat your dog is to identify the allergen that is triggering the immune response. What does that mean? Your dog may benefit from an allergy test.

Allergy testing is a common practice for humans and is widely available for dogs as well. Environmental allergies are responsible for most cases in dogs. Food allergies only account for 10% of allergy cases.

Common Signs of Allergies in Your Dog
  • Itchy skin
  • Rashes
  • Hair loss
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Licking
  • Ear infections

What Does an Allergy Test for Dogs Involve?

Allergy testing is available for dogs, both through your veterinarian and at-home dog-allergy kits, however, it is important to understand the limitations of each.

The three broad categories of allergy testing for dogs are:

  • Testing through your veterinarian
  • At-home kits
  • Diet-trial method to identify food allergens

Veterinary testing offers higher reliability, but at a higher cost.

At-home kits are less expensive and more convenient, but they are less clinically validated and, especially for food allergies, they cannot replace a proper veterinary approach, such as an elimination diet. Ultimately, if your dog is showing allergy symptoms, starting with a vet evaluation to rule out another illness is the wisest first step.

Cost of Veterinary Dog Allergy Tests

For veterinary in-office testing, the options typically include intradermal skin testing and serum (blood) allergy testing.

Intradermal allergy testing (IDAT) is used for identifying environmental allergens. This involves injecting small amounts of potential allergens under the skin to observe the subsequent reaction. Most dermatologists consider IDAT the most accurate method of identifying environmental allergens in dogs.

“The intradermal skin testing is the gold standard for allergy testing,” says Dr. Deb Eldredge, DVM, contributor to Whole Dog Journal and technical editor for Cornell DogWatch. “While it is more expensive, it provides very definitive answers, which help you to modify environment and plan treatment.”

The cost of these tests varies by the number of allergens tested, geographic location, and whether sedation is required, but typically it is in the $200 to $300 range.

Serum allergy testing is done by collecting blood to look for allergen-specific antibodies. The blood test is slightly more expensive, running between $200 and $400 (again, varies by geographic location). This test is useful, especially when skin testing is not feasible, however, it may result in more false positives or negatives compared to skin testing and it therefore not as reliable.

Cost of At-Home Dog Allergy Test Kits

A variety of at-home dog allergy test kits are available online. They typically ask for a sample of hair, saliva, or stool, to be sent to a laboratory for analysis. These tests run between $70 to $200 and claim to cover several allergens.

While these tests are tempting for their convenience and cost, we do not recommend them for a diagnosis. Most veterinarians find at-home allergy test kits for dogs limited in accuracy and clinical usefulness. The at-home tests are significantly limited due to a lack of validation.

So, while at-home kits may provide a starting point for you to identify a potential allergen,  they should not replace consultation with a veterinarian, especially for significant or chronic allergy issues.

Treatments for Dogs With Allergies

Your veterinarian can prescribe medication for a dog battling allergies, and many meds can be used when the exact allergen cannot be pinpointed for whatever reason. Your veterinarian will make her best guess as to offending allergens and choose a medication.

“Allergy medications are aimed at dealing with symptoms, not treating the actual cause of the allergy. The only thing that can treat causes directly is desensitization, which should be based on intradermal skin testing if possible. Remember that environmental management can also be a huge help, such as getting rid of any feather pillows if your dog has a feather allergy or upping your housekeeping if dust mites are a big problem,” says Dr. Eldredge.

You will note that some of the medications listed here are human medications and available over the counter (OTC). It is never a good idea to just grab one and try it. Discuss all medications and dosages for your dog with your veterinarian before administering any medication.

Medications and injections for dogs with allergies include:

Cornell DogWatch recommends starting treatment for severe allergies with allergy testing and allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). While it may cost a few hundred dollars, allergy testing can pinpoint which allergens are problematic, helping form a targeted treatment plan.

ASIT involves a cocktail of allergens custom-made for each dog to desensitize them to specific triggers. Injections are given under the skin at regular intervals. This treatment is usually effective, but can be cost prohibitive, and some dogs do not respond well. If you’re interested, the first step is to talk with your veterinarian about the potential usefulness of this test.

Food Allergies in Dogs

For suspected food allergies, the gold standard is not a simple blood test, but rather a dietary elimination trial followed by a “challenge,” or feeding your dog the suspected allergen and monitoring them for a reaction. To date, there are no reliable blood, saliva, or hair tests available that have been validated to accurately identify food allergies in dogs.

The Best Pet Hair Removers

By
Kim Campbell Thornton
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4
Pet hair removers can be a worthwhile investment for dealing with dog hair.
Even with the best pet hair removal products on hand, getting rid of loose dog hair can be a real challenge. Credit: smrm1977 | Getty Images

Face it: If you have a dog, especially a double-coated breed, you can expect to find scores of loose hairs on your clothing, furniture, carpets and other flooring, and inside your car. (And if you have a hairless dog, then instead of excess fur you’ll find oily spots on furniture and walls, so you can’t really win.)

That’s why a pet hair remover is your second-best friend. There are two ways to keep pet hair under control: removing it from your dog through regular brushing or combing and removing it from clothing and the environment. Both are essential but require different tools.

For this article, we’re going to look at rollers and other types of pet hair removers to help eliminate loose dog hair from around the house.

What We Looked For In A Pet Hair Remover

When it comes to good pet hair removers, we looked for several key features:

  • Effectiveness: The product worked without difficulty to remove pet hair from items.
  • Ease of use: The product didn’t require too much effort to use.
  • Ease of cleaning: The product was not difficult to empty or clean.
Whole Dog Journal RatingProductPriceNotes
Chom Chom Roller$24.99 This pet hair remover is best suited for small rugs and furniture. It’s effective and easy to clean.
Boshel Pet Hair Remover$24.99 Similar to the Chom Chom, the Boshel does its best work on small rugs and furniture. It picks up pet hair well and cleans up quickly and easily.
Sweep Large Industrial Broom$29.95While this rubber broom works great on large surface areas, it requires significant effort to wield.
Big Wool Swivel-Head Dust Mop$53.95 This classic wool mop does a good job on hard floors and walls, especially when it comes to corners. However, it needs to be hand washed and air dried.
PetPals Furbolish$14.99-$19.90The Furbolish was easy to use but requires frequent cleaning and left some pet hair behind.
Pet Parents Furball Laundry Hair Remover$14.99-$16.99Overall, this one wasn’t very effective. Clothing laundered with it came out with pet hair still attached.

Best Pet Hair Remover for Small Rugs and Furniture: Chom Chom Roller

The chom chom roller is a combination pet hair remover and brush.
The Chom Chom Roller can pick up quite a lot of dog hair for its size. Once collected, the hair is deposited into an easy-to-clean compartment. Credit: Kim Campbell Thornton

When you ask around about the best pet hair removers, Chom Chom is always in the mix. Shaped like a tape roller, without the annoying requirement to peel off hairy tape to get to the next layer, the Chom Chom Roller is made of plastic with a synthetic fabric roller, which looks almost as if it has rows of tiny teeth. You roll it rapidly back and forth on your carpet, rug, or furniture and it picks up hair, depositing it in a compartment in the back. According to the company’s website, it works by generating an electrostatic charge, which helps to lift and bring in the hair.

To clean it, press the button on the back to pop open the top and pull out the hair. If the thought of touching it grosses you out, a tissue, paper towel, or cleaning cloth will protect your hands and clean out the inside of the roller at the same time. The website recommends cleaning the interior with a warm, damp cloth after every use. For more thorough cleaning, soak it for five minutes in warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Let it dry thoroughly before using again.

It does not work on hardwood or tile floors (I tried, and the website confirms), fuzzy blankets, or clothing unless it is stretched taut. All it picks up is hair, and there is certainly plenty of that on carpets and furniture for it to have a full-time job. With no power source required and no need to replace it like a lint roller that has run out of tape, it’s 100 percent sustainable, which is always a plus.

The drawback, at least for carpets and rugs, is that you have to bend over or get down on your hands and knees to use it. A question on the website asks if a version with a pole is available, to make it easier to clean large area rugs. That’s in the works, according to the company, in a response made two years ago. I would be interested in such an advance. Right now, it’s best for smaller areas where hair tends to visibly accumulate.

Another Good Option for Small Rugs and Furniture: Boshel Pet Hair Remover

The boshel pet hair remover claims to work on clothes but we had no success.
The Boshel Pet Hair Remover Credit: Kim Campbell Thornton

Meet the Chom Chom’s twin from another mother. The primary difference between the Boshel Pet Hair Remover and the Chom Chom is that the Chom Chom is white with a red roller and the Boshel is blue and white with a blue roller. That’s it. They both have an “eyelet” at the top of the handle so they can be easily hung on a wall after use. They are both operated and cleaned the same way and have the same pros and cons. For use on area rugs, I could see no difference in effectiveness: both do a good job of picking up dog hair.

Although the Boshel claims to work on clothes, reviewers disagree, and I am one of them. I did not find a best pet hair remover for clothes among any of the items tested. For clothes, tape rollers remain the best way to remove pet hair.

Best Pet Hair Remover for Large Areas: Sweepa Large Industrial Broom

The sweepa is an excellent choice for removing pet hair from floors.
Although it takes a lot of effort to use, the Sweepa Industrial Broom pulls up a lot of dog hair and is big enough to use on large areas. Credit: Courtesy of Sweepa

When I want a great core workout, I pull out my Sweepa Large Industrial Broom, which Amazon informs me I purchased on September 30, 2009. It is perfect for getting dust, debris, and dog hair off floors, and it works well on tight-woven area rugs, too, getting up the hair left behind by the Chom Chom and Boshel because I was too lazy to go over the whole rug with them on my hands and knees. The effort required to move it over the surface of the rug calls for really tightening those abs, and if it’s a serious cleaning day, I set my smart watch to Core Training and get sweeping. It’s kind of horrifying yet fascinating to see how much unseen hair the rubber bristles pull up.

The bristles are electrostatic for attracting hair, and the handle is adjustable, from 35 inches to 61 inches. It’s not noisy and it does a good job of corralling hair and dirt. It’s easy to clean by rinsing it outdoors with a hose or indoors in a shower or bathtub.

Now, the bad news: This particular Sweepa is no longer available, but Sweepa is still sold. According to the company, starting in January their products will again be sold on Amazon, with additional retailers to follow.

Similar rubber brooms are on the market from other manufacturers. I did not test them, but they include the Frisco Pet Hair Remover Broom ($14.99); the FURemover Sweep Pet Hair Rubber Broom ($15.99); and the Mr. Siga Pet Hair Removal Rubber Broom ($20.99).

Best Pet Hair Remover for Hard Floors: Big Wooly Swivel-Head Dust Mop

A traditional dust mop can be a great pet hair remover.
In addition to being good for picking up hair off of hard floors, the Big Wooly Swivel-Head Dust Mop is great for getting pet hair out of corners and off of baseboards. Credit: Courtesy of The Vermont Country Store

Usually, I use a mop with a reusable microfiber pad for both dry and wet mopping, but when I saw the Big Wooly Swivel-Head Dust Mop, and old-school made-in-the-USA wool swivel-head dust mop from The Vermont Country Store, I was inspired to give it a try. The lanolin in the wool is supposed to attract and trap dust, and it has a telescoping metal handle that lengthens to 51 inches, so it can also be used to reach high areas on walls and ceilings.

Like anything, it has pros and cons. The best thing about it was the ability to easily access corners and tilt it up and dust the baseboards. It does a good job of picking up hair, dust, and debris off the floor. One reviewer on the VCS website wrote “Great dust mop. It picks up all the small crumbs that my dog leaves behind and more.” Another said: “I bought this mop to dust my wood floors. Our dog sheds a lot, and this mop cleaned all that fur up. I shook the mop outside and it’s ready to go again.”

To be fair, the microfiber pad does an equally acceptable job—and it can be tossed in the washing machine when we’re done with it. The mop must be shaken out on the balcony and requires handwashing. However, it’s easy to pull out for a quick floor cleaning and to remove the mop head for washing. I’ll probably hang onto it for quick cleanups and keeping the baseboards dust-free. Handwash in cold or lukewarm water with mild soap and then air dry.

Other Pet Hair Removers We Tested

PetPals Furbolish

The PetPals Furbolish is a small brush that does well in tight spots.
The PetPals Furbolish is a convenient option that does best on small, hard to reach areas. Credit: Kim Campbell Thornton

The PetPals Furbolish is described as a brush, but it’s more like a small scraper with tiny teeth on one side and more of a flat, squeegee-like edge on the other side. It’s only about five inches wide, so you’re not going to be using it on any large surfaces, although in the interest of research, I got down on my hands and knees and tried it out on my large area rug. The bristles do pull up hair and other detritus. It’s best suited to the 3×5 rug in the kitchen where Sparkles eats, and which seems to be constantly covered in Cavalier hair, as well as the carpeted stair runners and the small area rug at the top of the stairs, which is pretty fur-laden. The caveat, especially for stairs, is that you are constantly having to stop to remove hair from the teeth before you can continue. For stairs, it was after each step. Also, I used the Chom Chom and Boshel on the top-of-stair rug after using the Furbolish and got up still more hair.

The packaging recommends it for car seats, cat trees, and furniture. I would add pet steps to that list. I was not impressed with it for getting up hair and other debris from the carpet in the footwell of the car. A hand vac is better for that. It comes in a package of four, so you could have one in different rooms or hand extras out to pet-loving friends and family. It can be cleaned with soap and water.

Pet Parents Furball Laundry Hair Remover

The Pet Parents Furball is designed to remove pet hair from laundry in the washer and drier
The Pet Parents Furball is designed to remove pet hair from laundry in the washer and drier. Sadly, it didn’t work as well as we would have liked. Credit: Courtesy of Pet Parents

Wouldn’t it be great if we could throw furry clothes in the washer and dryer and have them come out fur-free? That may or may not happen for you depending on the level of pet hair on your items to be laundered.

One product I tested was the Furball Laundry Hair Remover by Pet Parents. The premise is that you toss one of the oddly shaped rubber balls in the washer with your fur-bedecked clothes and the other in the dryer. The action of the balls is supposed to remove fur, prevent wrinkles and static, and soften laundry.

I am not persuaded that the balls are actually effective in these ways. I tried using them with the fur-covered kitchen mat, some clothing, the bedspread, and a furry sofa cover. I did not notice much change on the mat or the clothing; however, I wasn’t able to put the mat in the dryer because it’s rubber-backed, and my clothes don’t get that much dog hair on them anyway. I used my workout clothes because they’re black and show more hair. The t-shirt came out pretty clean, but the leggings still had hairs on them. With the bedspread and the sofa cover, I did notice that beyond regular lint, there was more hairlike “stuff” in the lint trap, so maybe it does work as described.

Reviewers on Chewy, where I purchased them, either loved them or hated them. There were more negative than positive reviews. The best pet hair remover for laundry has not yet been found.

Budget Pet Hair Removal Options

Finally, if you’d rather not spend too much of your money on cleaning products, there are a couple of ways to get up dog hair using items you probably already have in your home. A rubber dishwashing glove or a damp washcloth will both bring up pet hair. Simply rub them over furniture or carpets. Also, hound gloves or Zoom Grooms work almost as well on rugs as they do on dogs.

Yak Cheese Chews for Dogs

By
Dr. Mary Cope, PhD
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11
Yak cheese for dogs is hard, long lasting, but safe and tasty treat for dogs.
Your dog needs constant supervision when chewing, whether he’s got a yak cheese chew—which can be too hard for some dogs—or a rawhide blend, like this treat appears to be. Credit: Ziga Plahutar | Getty Images

Yak cheese chews have become a popular, natural treat for dogs, loved for their durable qualities and minimal ingredient list. Originating from a traditional preservation method in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet, the hardened cheese was initially developed as a way for people to preserve milk for human consumption. Today, this same recipe, made from a simple blend of yak’s milk, cow’s milk, salt, and lime juice, has been adapted into a dog-friendly version that has captured the attention of many pet owners. Once formed, the cheese mixture is compressed, dried, and aged, creating a hardened, long-lasting chew that dogs love.

Even though these treats are made of milk, yak cheese chews have extremely low levels of lactose, a milk sugar that adult dogs are unable to digest. During the cheese-making process, most of the lactose is removed, making the finished product easy to digest for most dogs. Because of this, they are very unlikely to cause any gastrointestinal upset, such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. However, if your dog has a sensitivity or known allergy to dairy products, it would be best to avoid feeding these chews.

Yak Cheese Chews Benefits for Dogs

One of the main benefits of yak cheese chews is their exceptional durability. Unlike soft treats or biscuits that are consumed in seconds, yak chews can keep dogs busy for hours. Providing both mental and physical stimulation. Chewing is a natural, soothing behavior for dogs and helps release pent-up energy, reduces boredom, and can even help alleviate mild anxiety. The firm, abrasive texture also helps promote dental health by helping to mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth as dogs gnaw.

Nutritionally, yak chews are high in protein and relatively low in fat, with no artificial preservatives or additives, making them a wholesome alternative to many dog dental treats available on the market that are heavily processed and carb heavy. They are free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavorings and provide a naturally rich source of calcium and other nutrients.

Dog Yak Cheese Chews Risks

However, as with any hard chew, yak cheese chews do come with some risks. Because they are hard and dense, there is a very real potential for tooth fractures, especially in aggressive chewers. Because of this, you should always supervise your dog during chewing sessions and choose appropriate size chews to reduce the risk of injury. Another risk arises when the chew becomes small enough to become a choking hazard. Dogs may try to swallow the remaining nub, which can lead to not only choking, but gastrointestinal obstruction as well.

Yak Cheese Puffs for Dogs

Fortunately, there is a clever and safe way to repurpose any leftover pieces of yak chews: Turn them into yak cheese puffs! When the chew becomes too small to safely gnaw, you can take the remaining piece, soak it in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, place it on a microwave safe plate, and microwave it for roughly 30 to 90 seconds, depending on its size. The piece will puff up into a light, crunchy treat, like the texture of a cheese-puff snack. It will be extremely hot, so do not handle it until it cools. Once it cools completely, it can be given to your dog as a safe, tasty, and easily digestible treat.

Laxatives for Dog Constipation

By
Kate Basedow, LVT
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0
Laxatives for dogs can be used to treat constipation. However, there are causes of dog constipation to be addressed.
Depending on the underlying cause of a dog’s constipation, laxatives can be helpful. Credit: Wavetop | Getty Images

Constipation is uncomfortable for anyone and dogs are no exception. If your dog is straining to poop, a laxative may provide the relief he needs—but only when used correctly. To help identify any potential problems early, monitor your dog’s defecation routine to ensure that everything that goes in is indeed coming back out easily and without drama. If something seems slightly amiss, there are things you can do to help your dog at home.

Does My Dog Need a Laxative?

Most dogs defecate once or twice a day but skipping once in a while is nothing to worry about. If your dog goes longer than 48 hours without pooping—or has additional symptoms—it’s time to start paying attention.

Signs of dog constipation include:

  • Small, hard stools
  • Straining when defecating
  • Only small amounts of liquid or mucus coming out
  • Not producing any stool for 48-72 hours
  • Fresh blood on poop
  • Crying out when defecating
  • Pacing, panting, and other signs of anxiety when trying to poop
  • Distended abdomen
  • Vomiting
  • Poor appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Painful abdomen

If your dog has a straightforward case of constipation, a laxative will help. But if a different issue is causing his elimination troubles, giving a laxative could cause harm. Because of this, it is important to always discuss your dog’s symptoms with your veterinarian before giving a laxative.

Common Laxatives for Dogs

One of the most common laxatives used for dogs is polyethylene glycol 3350, known by the brand name MiraLAX. This product is readily available over the counter and is usually easy to give to dogs mixed into their food. It works by drawing water into the colon, stimulating defecation. Your veterinarian can give you a safe dose for your dog based on his weight.

For dogs with chronic constipation, you may end up giving MiraLAX on a regular basis and adjust the dose over time to achieve ideal stool consistency.

Another laxative sometimes used in dogs is dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS). DSS is a stool softener that comes in a variety of forms. It can be given by mouth to soften your dog’s poop, or it may be given as an enema by your veterinarian (do not try this at home!).

When it comes to natural laxatives for dogs, plain canned pumpkin is one of the best. It is safe, easy to find, and most dogs like it. Adding a small amount of plain canned pumpkin to your dog’s meals may help relieve mild constipation and can help prevent future episodes. Generally, it is best to start low and increase the dose gradually—for example, start with ½ teaspoon per meal for small dogs and build up to 1 teaspoon. Large dogs may be able to take 1 tablespoon per meal.

How To Treat Dog Constipation at Home

You can try to treat your dog’s constipation at home if he has a mild case—straining when defecating and producing small, hard poops. If your dog does not respond to home therapy, other symptoms develop, or he fails to poop normally for 48-72 hours, it is time to call your vet and get help.

Here are some things you can do:

  1. Increase hydration. Dehydration is a prime cause of constipation and increasing your dog’s water intake may soften his stools enough to get him back on schedule. Have fresh clean water available throughout your house and in your yard. Add water to his meals or feed canned food to increase the moisture in his diet.
  2. Promote exercise. A good brisk walk can stimulate defecation. Overweight dogs are more prone to constipation, so developing good exercise habits will help to keep your dog fit and prevent future episodes.
  3. Increase fiber. Fiber sources you can add to your dog’s food include plain canned pumpkin, psyllium powder, broccoli, kale, and spinach. Start with small amounts and increase gradually, as giving too much fiber too fast can make constipation worse.
  4. Add a probiotic formulated for dogs. While a probiotic is unlikely to resolve constipation by itself, it does promote a healthy GI tract which will benefit your dog in the long run.

As mentioned above, do not give your dog a laxative for constipation unless you’ve talked with your veterinarian. While overall safe, giving a laxative to a dog with a more complicated health issue at play can be dangerous.

Causes of Dog Constipation

Many things can cause constipation in dogs. Often it happens because the dog ate something that irritated his GI tract or was hard to digest, such as plant matters, bones, or a bunch of hair. Certain medications can also cause constipation due to slowing of the digestive process, and it is common for dogs to not poop for a day or two after being under anesthesia.

More dangerous causes of constipation include:

  • Dehydration
  • Foreign object stuck in the GI tract
  • Severe pain preventing normal elimination
  • Pelvic injuries
  • Perianal injuries
  • Diseases of the colon such as infection, megacolon, nerve damage, or cancer
  • Hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism
  • Prostate disorders such as benign prostatic hyperplasia in intact male dogs
  • Neurological diseases
  • Tumors in the GI tract or affecting nerves that control digestion

Treating Dog Constipation at the Vet

If you need to take your dog in for treatment, your veterinarian will examine your dog and potentially run some diagnostic tests to determine why your dog is constipated. X-rays will reveal how much stool is stuck in your dog’s GI tract and are also helpful to identify foreign body obstructions and tumors. Bloodwork can pick up metabolic diseases and signs of infection. Fecal exams will identify intestinal parasites that may be causing trouble.

If an underlying cause for the constipation is found, your vet will start treatment for that problem as well as working to relieve the constipation directly.

Things your vet may do include:

  • Giving subcutaneous (under the skin) or IV fluids to hydrate your dog.
  • Giving one or more enemas to loosen the stool and make it easier for your dog to expel. This may require sedation for highly anxious dogs or dogs who are in pain.
  • Manual deobstipation to physically remove the firm stools from the colon. This is usually done under sedation or full anesthesia because it is not comfortable.

Your dog will probably be sent home with a laxative to ensure that his newly cleared GI tract continues functioning normally. Keep track of his defecation over the next several days to be sure that he is pooping normally and update your veterinarian with any changes.

The Best Dog Grooming Gloves

By
Jae Thomas, CPDT-KA
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0
Dog grooming gloves are a quick and easy way to groom your dog during bath time.
While dog grooming gloves aren’t much of a replacement for brushing a dry dog, they can be very useful during bathtime. Credit: Jae Thomas

The best dog grooming gloves tend to be used for one of two reasons: helping to lather your dog and remove hair during bathtime or removing hair from your clothes and furniture.

Some dog grooming gloves are marketed as brush alternatives or as options to help with shedding on a dry dog. During testing, I found that they don’t tend to work well for this purpose in most cases.

If you have a double-coated dog right in the middle of shedding season and you’re pulling big tufts of hair out, a grooming glove can help. However, it’s not a better tool than simply brushing your dog out or giving them a bath and drying with a dog blow dryer.

However, dog grooming gloves are great at helping you lather your dog up in the tub more effectively. They can help you reduce the amount of shampoo you use, get your dog soapy down to the skin, and help take some shedding hair out while you scrub (they’re generally better at removing hair in the bath than dry).

Traits We Want in the Best Dog Grooming Gloves

Ease of use: The best dog grooming gloves should be easy to put on, easy to use to get your dog lathered up (or easy to remove hair), and straightforward to clean once you’re done using them.

Durability: A dog grooming glove needs to stand up to rigorous scrubbing or hair removal, so it should be well-built enough to last for multiple years.

Performance: We tested how well each of these options lathered, removed hair, and cleaned our tester dogs. We found options that work for varying use cases, so the glove you should go for depends on what your main use case will be.

Whole Dog Journal is reader-supported. If you purchase through links on our site we may earn a commission. Whole Dog Journal does not accept money for its food and product reviews.

Whole Dog Journal RatingProduct and MakerPriceNotes
Messy Mutts Reversible Silicone Pet Grooming Glove$16The Messy Mutts grooming glove is a great option for bathing short-haired dogs. It lathers shampoo well, removes hair in the bath, and has a washcloth side for washing the face and delicate areas.
Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt$23The Artero Kira glove is a good option for baths and it adds on a handy hair removal feature to banish stray pet hair from your clothes quickly.
FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove$12During shedding season, pet owners need all the help they can get to keep their homes clean. The FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove does a good job at removing hair from large areas, like furniture, bedding, and rugs.
Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro$20If you want to give your dog a quick wipe down between baths, the Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro are a niche but useful option. They leave your dog’s coat feeling clean and won’t get your hands dirty or hairy.
Well & Good Grooming Gloves for Dogs$7At just $7, the Well & Good Grooming Glove is best for pet owners on a budget. It’s double sided so can be worn on either hand and is a no-frills option for getting your pup clean during bathtime.

Best Dog Grooming Glove for Short-Haired Dogs: Messy Mutts Reversible Silicone Pet Grooming Glove

Reversible dog grooming gloves can help distribute the shampoo and conditioner used in the bath more evenly.
While dog grooming gloves aren’t much of a replacement for brushing a dry dog, they can be very useful during bathtime. Credit: Jae Thomas

Some short haired dogs and single coated dogs don’t lather well in the bath, and a grooming glove can help distribute shampoo and conditioner more efficiently. The Messy Mutts Reversible Silicone Pet Grooming Glove is one I’ve used on my single-coated Border Collie mix for the past few years to get her clean during baths. She has a short coat that tends to get greasy, and if you don’t lather it well enough, it doesn’t feel clean after a bath.

This glove has two interior straps to hold your hand in place inside the glove regardless of which side you’re using. It has a soft, comfortable interior that feels nice on your hand, and the washcloth side is ideal for washing your dog’s face and other sensitive areas that don’t necessarily need to be scrubbed.

In terms of cons, the drainage of this glove isn’t as good as other options on this list (it tends to fill up with a bit of water, and the wrist strap closure is a little bit looser than the Artero grooming glove.

Most Versatile Dog Grooming Glove: Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt

Dog grooming gloves can help get dog hair off of clothes and furniture as well as groom a dog.
In addition to working well as a dog grooming glove, the Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt can also help de-fuzz clothing and furniture. Credit: Jae Thomas

The Artero Kira Double Sided Rubber Glove Mitt goes beyond just bathtime. This versatile, double-sided option features one side with rubber bristles for scrubbing and removing hair, and a textile side that removes hair from clothes, furniture, and other fabrics. The hair remover side only works in one direction though—if you swipe it the other direction, it re-deposits any hair you took off back onto your clothes or furniture. Still, it’s a good alternative to sticky lint rollers.

This grooming glove is easy to put on and secure on your wrist with a Velcro strap. The tight, secure Velcro keeps hair and dirt from getting inside it during baths. It also has an interior strap that helps the glove stay on your hand (but it only has one as opposed to the two that the Messy Mutts glove has).

Best Dog Grooming Glove for Shedding: FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove

The Furzapper pet grooming gloves works better as a hair remover than as a comb.
Overall, we found that the FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove works better as a pet hair remover than a dog grooming glove. Credit: Jae Thomas

The FurZapper Pet Grooming Glove is best used for removing hair from couches, clothes, blankets, and other furniture. It does a good job at getting rid of hair on large couch and furniture cushions and is easier to use than some other pat hair removers, like the ChomChom.

It can also be used for scrubbing during bath time, but I found that the other bath-specific gloves tended to lather better and remove more hair off of the dogs during baths. The perk of this glove though, is that it’s long like a dishwashing glove and waterproof, so there’s less likelihood of getting hair and soap all over your hand. It can also easily be rinsed clean and laid out to dry on a dish rack.

However, there are a few cons to this option. The fingers are a bit small for people with large hands and it only comes in one size. It also doesn’t have any drainage, so if you do get water in it, you’ll have to take it off completely to empty it out.

Best Disposable Dog Grooming Glove: Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro

Disposable grooming gloves are great for wiping dogs down between baths.
If you’re looking for a disposable dog grooming glove, the Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro are great for wiping down dogs between baths. Credit: Jae Thomas

Need to give your dog’s coat a quick refresh between baths? The Uproot Grooming Gloves Pro are handy disposable glove wipes that work well to wipe your pup down. In comparison to a traditional dog wipe, these gloves are more durable and less likely to rip, and they protect your hand from any messes (they’re especially good for wiping butts and muddy paws).

They’re fairly large, fit most hand sizes, and leave both your dog’s coat and your hand feeling fresh after use. I didn’t notice any residue during testing.

Best Budget Dog Grooming Glove: Well & Good Grooming Glove for Dogs

Inexpensive grooming gloves are a great choice for quick rubdowns.
When it comes to dog grooming gloves, the Well & Good Grooming Glove is a solid, budget-friendly pick. Credit: Jae Thomas

If you’re on a strict budget, this Well & Good Grooming Glove for Dogs is worth a look. At just $7, it gets the job done for folks who simply want a grooming glove to help lather their dogs and remove extra hair while bathing.

This glove is a true glove as opposed to a mitt, like the Artero and Messy Mutts option, so it gives more finger dexterity, which can be especially useful for small dogs or hard-to-reach areas. However, the material is very thick and rigid, so it needs some breaking-in before it’s truly comfortable to use.

This is another option that isn’t great for large hands, but it can be used on both your left and right hands since it’s double sided. Overall, it’s a budget-friendly, no-frills option that can help stretch your shampoo and get your dog a little cleaner.

Picking the Best Dog Subscription Boxes

By
Mary Schwager
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Two dogs investigate a dog subscription box full of toys and treats.
Ryan and Ashley Bremberg’s dogs, Ned and Bran, check out one of their first subscription boxes. Credit: Ryan & Ashley Bremberg

First-time dog parents Ashley and Ryan Bremberg wanted to spoil the two dogs they adopted so the Boston area couple signed up for a BarkBox dog box subscription.

“I liked that it gave us ideas of what to get them,” Ashley says. “Their marketing made me want to get the box.”

Whole Dog Journal found that the Brembergs are among the estimated millions of people who have signed up to receive a dog subscription box of toys and treats delivered to their door.

How Popular are Dog Subscription Boxes?

Subscription-based purchases are on the rise among pet owners, with more than half buying online—a 33% increase over the past six years. Gen Z-ers and millennials are especially likely to enroll in online subscription services.

“This growth has fueled the popularity of subscription boxes, a favorite way for owners to explore new products that keep pets engaged and entertained,” says Patrick O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer with the American Pet Products Association.

But how exactly do dog subscription boxes work? How much do they cost? How do you figure out if you’re getting your money’s worth? We break down dog box subscription secrets.

What Makes Dog Box Subscriptions Appealing?

Dog box subscriptions are popular because they combine convenience and the element of surprise. Someone else is doing the shopping for you, and of course, whose dog doesn’t like getting a delivery of new pooch presents?

“Pet parents love getting curated selections without having to shop around,” says Daniel M. McCarthy, an associate professor of marketing at The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. “There’s an emotional component—it feels like giving your dog a monthly gift, which taps into how we increasingly treat pets as family members.”

The dog subscription box model works similarly to meal, wellness, and beauty delivery subscription boxes for people.

“There’s a discovery aspect where you get to try new brands and products you might not have found otherwise,” McCarthy says.

Dog Box Subscription Savings

The secret to saving on many of these dog box subscriptions is signing up for long-term plans. Some companies offer steep discounts for being a regular customer. The more you subscribe, the more you save.

“The way it works is you get a discount for the longer you commit,” says Paul Banker, vice president of marketing for BARK, the company behind BarkBox.

For example, a month-to-month subscription for a BarkBox basic, or what the company calls a classic box, is $30. But a six-month subscription is $27 per month, and a 12-month subscription drops to $24 per month. There’s also a 10% discount for prepaying for the six or 12-month plans.

Dog Subscription BoxBasic Box CostWhat You Get
BarkBox$24-$40 a month, depending on subscription type & frequency● Two toys
● Two bags of healthy treats
● Offers toys only plan
PupJoy$32.29-$35.99, depending on dog size & subscription frequency● One unique toy
● Two premium treats
● Two grass-fed bully sticks
PupBox$29-$39, depending on subscription frequency● Five to seven products like toys, treats, accessories & training tips
Pet Treater$15 a month● Three to four items featuring toys & treats
● Offers toys only plan
Rescue Box$29.95-$34, depending on subscription frequency● Five premium pet products: Toys, treats, & chews.
BullyMake$29-$45 a month, depending on subscription● Two to three tough toys
● Three healthy treats
● Offers toys only plan

BarkBox

A dog poses with the contents of the Barkbox subscription box.
BarkBox is well known for its themed dog subscription boxes, like this “Barkbuster movie night” edition. Credit: BARK

Each BarkBox contains two toys, two bags of all-natural treats, and a dog chew, but dog owners can opt to receive more or less of toys or treats in place of the other. While there are no all-treat boxes, subscribers can choose three toys instead of two toys and two bags of treats.

BARK, which started in 2011, is one of the most well-known dog subscription box companies, popular for its themed boxes, such as Howl-O-Ween Party and Barkbuster movie night.

“There’s a new theme every month that never repeats,” Banker says. “We’re always offering completely custom toys that you can’t get anywhere else.”

While BARK started out with offerings from other brands, the company now makes all its own toys and treats. Pet parents can customize their dog box delivery by choosing treats that exclude ingredients their dog may be allergic to – or selecting a “super chewer” toy option for active dogs who love to gnaw on their stuff.

PupJoy

The contents of the PupJoy dog subscription box.
With a focus on customizable subscription boxes for dogs, PupJoy offers a build-your-own-box option which allows customers to pick their pup’s preferred products. Credit: Credit: PupJoy

Another popular dog subscription box company, PupJoy, which started in 2014, says it opened its doors with the goal of allowing more customization for customers.

PupJoy’s pre-built boxes arrive with one toy, two premium treats, and two grass-fed bully sticks.

The company also makes a “power chewer box” with durable chews and toys and has a build-your-own box preference, which allows you to pick exactly what you want.

“You can select a certain number of items from six sets of categories, things like jerky treats, freeze-dried treats, various types of toys, and then we’ve got a number of add-ons that tend to be pretty popular, like bully sticks,” says Dustin McAdams, founder and CEO of PupJoy.

McAdams says the vast number of the company’s new customers are selecting the build your own box option.

“The feedback we’ve gotten is that people like being able to choose,” McAdams says. “If they’re getting a few too many bags of treats in the pantry or they don’t have enough, they’re able to modify that easily and fix it.”

Other Dog Subscription Boxes

Many dog subscription boxes have similar types of toy and treat combos, but with a few different choices.

PupBox boxes include toys, treats, and accessories like leashes, grooming products, and training guides.

Rescue Box sends toys, treats, and chews, and every box purchased helps feed animals in shelters.

In addition to treats, Pet Treater and BullyMake both have a dog toy subscription box only selection. BullyMake’s website touts that its toys are super tough and also has themed boxes.

How To Find the Best Dog Subscription Box

How do you find the best dog subscription box for you and your pooch?

Typically, the value of what you get in a box is worth more than what you pay. But if you want to do the math, there are a few ways to think about it.

“Compare the box price to what you’d spend buying similar items individually—most boxes offer a 20-40% discount relative to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price on longer-term subscription plans,” McCarthy says. “Consider the time, savings, and convenience factor, especially if you’re someone who regularly buys new toys and treats anyway. Look at the quality of brands included: are these premium products you’d actually want?”

Another important factor: When you sign up for a subscription, estimate what you really need, or you could end up with a stockpile of toys and treats. (Though your dog may not see this as a problem.)

“That ‘accumulation governor’ is a big driver of pauses and cancellations,” McCarthy says. “Cadence control is very helpful. If you see toys and treats piling up, switching to quarterly or using a skip/pause option is the smarter move.”

Toy overload was the main reason the Brembergs canceled their subscription, but now that they know they can pause it, they may re-subscribe.

“Our dogs don’t destroy toys, so we just ended up having so many, we donated some to shelters,” Ashley says. “But maybe I’ll sign up again.”

How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature

By
Dan Muse
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0
Knowing how to take your dog's temperature accurately is the first step to helping them when they are ill.
The gold standard method of taking a dog’s temperature is using a digital rectal thermometer. Credit: Standret | Getty Images

Seeing your dog looking unusually tired, restless, or uncomfortable understandably leaves you searching for answers on how to help. Knowing how to take your dog’s temperature is an important first step in helping her.

What Is a Normal Temperature for a Dog?

The normal body temperature for a dog is considered between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Merck Manual of Veterinary Medicine.

What Is the Best Way to Take a Dog’s Temperature?

You’ll most likely use a digital thermometer, which you can find online or at pet supply store for about $10 to $20, to take your dog’s temperature in one of these three ways:

  1. Rectal temperature: considered the most accurate and reliable method by veterinarians because it measures your dog’s core body temperature.
  2. Ear temperature: considered reasonably accurate but generally less precise than rectal temperatures due to variations in ear-canal anatomy, the presence of hair or wax, and positioning issues.
  3. Armpit temperature: measures the surface temperature, so it is consistently lower than the rectal temperature and is considered less reliable for core body temperature.

“A rectal temperature using a digital thermometer is considered the gold standard ,” according to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, chief veterinarian of Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital in Ontario, Canada, and  veterinary medical advisor for Rover.com.

While you may be tempted to use an ear thermometer for convenience, they are often less reliable and can be difficult to use correctly.

How to Take Your Dog’s Rectal Temperature

To take your dog’s rectal temperature, in addition to a digital thermometer, you need a lubricant (like petroleum jelly), and a helper to keep your dog calm.

Follow these steps to take your dog’s rectal temperature:

  1. Apply a small amount of lubricant to the tip of the thermometer.
  2. Have your dog stand or lie on his side. Ideally, a helper can gently restrain him while offering reassurance and treats
  3. Gently lift your dog’s tail and insert the thermometer about one inch into the rectum.
  4. Hold the thermometer in place until it beeps, indicating a final reading.
  5. Remove the thermometer, clean it with rubbing alcohol or soap and water, and record the reading.

However, VCA Animal Hospitals warns, “If you feel stool in the rectum, try to place thermometer around the fecal matter rather than through it, to ensure an accurate reading. If the pet clamps their anal sphincter, do not force the thermometer into the rectum to avoid injury and pain for the pet.”

What a Dog’s High Temperature Means

“An elevated thermometer reading in an otherwise normal dog may be from anxiety, stress, panting, trembling/shaking, or hot weather. It can also be a sign of heatstroke, infection, inflammation, immune-mediated disease, or certain cancers,” according to Dr. Greenstein.

Remember that a fever is not an illness, but rather a symptom that your dog’s body is fighting something. As Dr. Greenstein notes, high temperatures can be caused by a variety of factors.

Common causes of a high body temperature in a dog include:

  • Infection: This is the most common cause. Infections could be a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
  • Inflammation: Conditions like pancreatitis or arthritis can cause a fever.
  • Toxins: Ingesting poisonous plants, certain human foods, or other toxic substances.
  • Vaccination: A mild, temporary fever is a common side effect of a recent vaccination.
  • Heatstroke: This is an emergency. A temperature of 106°F (41.1°C) or higher is critical and requires immediate cooling and veterinary care.

What a Low Temperature Means

While it’s less common than fever, a low temperature is just as serious. According to the American Red Cross, signs of hypothermia in dogs include body temperature below 98.5 degrees , decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, shivering, unconsciousness or coma, and weak pulse. While dogs can cope with small changes in body temperature, a large or sudden drop can be life-threatening. The serious effects of sustained hypothermia can include a slow, irregular heartbeat, kidney and gut damage, blood clots, and a reduced ability to fight infection.

If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from hypothermia, the Red Cross recommends that you follow these steps:

  1. Check your dog’s ABCs, (airway, breathing, and circulation and perform CPR as needed.
  2. Take your dog’s temperature; below 98.5 degrees indicates hypothermia.
  3. Wrap your dog in a blanket. Place water bottles (wrapped in towel) next to the dog.
  4. Take your dog to the veterinary hospital immediately.

When Should You Take Your Dog to the Vet?

You should contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has a temperature of 104°F or higher or below 99°F, says Dr. Greenstein. However, beyond those extremes, “A lot of it depends on context. If your calm pet has a slightly elevated temperature [of 103.1°F ] or your usually excitable panting dog has a slightly decreased temperature [99.86°F], and is lethargic, not eating, having tummy upset or any unusual behavior, then I’d be concerned enough to have that patient seen by your family doctor.”

Remember that despite your concern, never give your dog Tylenol (acetaminophen) or other human fever reducers like ibuprofen. These are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal.

As in all cases if you have concerns about your dog’s health or think he or she may be in danger, the best course of action is to contact your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Fact or Fiction: Can Dogs Have PTSD?

By
Joan Merriam
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Increasingly it seems that dogs can suffer PTSD after trauma like humans.
Similar to humans, PTSD in dogs can include symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance, sleep disturbances, fear of being alone, and aggression. Credit: gabrielabertolini | Getty Images

The term canine post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) was first used by military veterinarians in 2010 to describe the aberrant behavior of some military working dogs after combat deployment. However, it was only applied to military working dogs. The term didn’t enter mainstream veterinary science until 2013, when Dr. Walter Burghardt described the issues faced by these dogs during a presentation at a joint meeting of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

“We began identifying more and more afflicted dogs . . . that were failing in service; they were unable to do something they were trained to do and had always done successfully.” He went on to explain that the negative traits seen in some of these dogs paralleled those found in humans suffering from PTSD, and slowly, the term Canine PTSD joined the mainstream veterinary lexicon.

While there was some initial hesitancy among veterinary professionals to diagnose PTSD in dogs, data currently suggests that up to seventeen percent of all dogs are affected by C-PTSD. Factors contributing to the disorder can include military or police work, use as a bait or fighting dog, severe abuse, being raised in a puppy mill or living as a stray after being abandoned, and trauma from a natural or human-caused disaster.

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Identifying PTSD in Dogs

The clinical signs of C-PTSD are quite similar to many of those experienced by humans. As with humans, dogs can suffer from some or all in combination: chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance of certain people, places, or situations, sleep disturbances, fear of being alone, decreased interest in a favorite activity, or aggression.

In his book, Pets on the Couch, Dr. Nicolas Dodman relates the story of Elsa, a dog who was accidentally shot in the head by a Boston police officer. While Elsa miraculously survived, her mind didn’t heal as well as her body. She developed all the classic signs of PTSD: hypervigilance, avoidance of anything associated with the event (including police cars, police officers, sirens, and flashing lights), chronic nightmares and sleep disturbances, and severe anxiety. Although medication helped, her mind never completely recovered from that traumatic experience.

This episode convinced Dr. Dodman that PTSD was a bona fide canine condition, and he went on to treat many PTSD-like cases in his clinic at Tufts University and to teach his veterinary students about the reality of Canine PTSD.

Identifying PTSD in Dogs

The clinical signs of C-PTSD are quite similar to many of those experienced by humans. As with humans, dogs can suffer from some or all in combination: chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance of certain people, places, or situations, sleep disturbances, fear of being alone, decreased interest in a favorite activity, or aggression.

In his book, Pets on the Couch, Dr. Nicolas Dodman relates the story of Elsa, a dog who was accidentally shot in the head by a Boston police officer. While Elsa miraculously survived, her mind didn’t heal as well as her body. She developed all the classic signs of PTSD: hypervigilance, avoidance of anything associated with the event (including police cars, police officers, sirens, and flashing lights), chronic nightmares and sleep disturbances, and severe anxiety. Although medication helped, her mind never completely recovered from that traumatic experience.

This episode convinced Dr. Dodman that PTSD was a bona fide canine condition, and he went on to treat many PTSD-like cases in his clinic at Tufts University and to teach his veterinary students about the reality of Canine PTSD.

Specific Symptoms of Canine PTSD

Apart from the general behavioral indicators of PTSD in dogs, the disorder can have a whole host of symptoms and ramifications, many of which can appear alone or in concert with others. Behavioral signs include drastic personality or temperament changes, the sudden development of phobias and fears, aggression, fearful behavior in response to anything reminiscent of the trauma (such as loud noises, the sound of rushing water, doorbell ringing), decreased work performance, extreme timidity, avoidance of people, and excessive clinginess to their caregiver.

Physical symptoms can include chronic chewing or paw licking, trembling, excessive drooling, pacing, loose stools and involuntary urination, vomiting, lack of appetite, and extreme twitching during sleep.

The Role of Genetics in Canine PTSD

As is true with humans, numerous studies have shown that not all dogs develop PTSD in response to a traumatic or fearful event. This has led researchers to posit that there may be something in the dog’s individual genetic makeup that predisposes them to developing C-PTSD.  Over the last ten years, researchers have been studying the effects of genetic changes related to this disorder, and have uncovered numerous genes and epigentic influences that may make both humans and dogs susceptible to developing PTSD. Some genes have emerged as possible candidates in the pathophysiology of PTSD in dogs, but the results of studies have been inconclusive.

Science has proven that individual genes and genetic variants contribute to behavioral disorders like C-PTSD, and that canine response to traumatic events is the result of an interaction between both genes and environment. The question remains as to which of these has the greatest influence on a dog’s behavior, since most of the data are only correlations—and correlations can suggest potential causality, but are not synonymous with “cause” itself.

Treatments for PTSD in Dogs

A decade of work with working military dogs has shown that the key to successful treatment for C-PTSD is early intervention, and that both caregivers and veterinarians need to be educated on how to recognize the symptoms that dogs with C-PTSD tend to exhibit.

Part of the problem is that many of the symptoms of PTSD in dogs can be associated with other conditions such as separation and social anxiety, as well as medical issues. It’s for that reason that the first step should be a thorough veterinary workup to rule out any underlying disease or other pathology. According to experts, veterinarians find a contributing medical cause for the symptoms fifteen percent of the time.

Veterinarians and behaviorists have long been treating behavioral issues like generalized canine anxiety, compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, and noise and other phobias. In recent years, C-PTSD has been added to that group of issues, although treatment success has been more limited for the simple reason that, unlike other disorders, trauma actually disables normal brain functioning in both humans and dogs.

Treatment for all types of behavioral disorders, including PTSD in dogs, usually demands the help of a certified animal behaviorist. Most often, they are heavily focused on helping the dog feel safe in their environment, using a combination of desensitization and counterconditioning. Desensitization involves exposing the dog to very low levels of the feared stimulus, then increasing the exposure very gradually over time until the dog learns that the fearful thing no longer has any negative consequences. Going hand-in-hand with desensitization is counterconditioning, which focuses on changing the association of something fearful from negative to positive. For instance, if the dog is fearful of the sound of the doorbell, the caretaker gives the dog a high-value treat whenever the doorbell rings, helping him associate the sound with something desirable.

In the case of C-PTSD, experts often recommend that these behavioral treatments be supplemented with medication. Currently, Reconcile, and Sileo are the only FDA-approved anti-anxiety medications for use in dogs. Other medications that may be recommended for PTSD in dogs are all human medications, used off-label in dogs. They include Alprazolam, Trazadone, Clomipramine.

In the end, one thing is for certain: Canine PTSD, like its human equivalent, affects every aspect of a dog’s life. Researchers continue to search for an effective treatment, with an eye toward finding a cure to this debilitating, agonizing condition that has its roots in trauma, abuse, entrapment, and torture.

Why Is My Dog Coughing? Causes, When To Worry, and What To Do

By
Dr. Noelle Perry, DVM
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A dog coughing should be taken seriously and investigated.
A dog with kennel cough should have limited activity and should not associate with other dogs until at least two weeks after recovery. Credit: Felix Andres Montana Otalora | Getty Images

As I listened to my dog cough the other night, I found myself shifting out of my logical veterinarian mindset and into my role as pet parent. Nobody likes it when their fur baby is not feeling 100%, including us veterinarians. When it does happen, I do try to remind myself that it is an opportunity to reacquaint myself with what it feels like to be on the other side of the exam table. Having a coughing dog is a great example of this because when there is a kennel-cough outbreak in the area, my veterinary hospital fields a lot of questions.

However, remember that kennel cough isn’t the only reason dogs cough. Heart disease and heartworms can also make a dog cough.

Pneumonia, which involves the lung more than the trachea/bronchi, can cause coughing but is more likely to be a softer, moist cough than a honking cough. Dogs with pneumonia often feel sicker. They are more likely to be febrile, lethargic, and expend more respiratory effort to breathe.

Other causes of coughing include collapsing trachea, allergies, internal parasites, irritants, and neoplasia.

But, kennel cough does have a classic cough that sounds very much like a honking goose. The cough is loud, dry, and harsh. Concerned pet parents often describe the cough as sounding like their dog has something lodged in his throat. If your dog was totally fine and had something in his mouth right before sudden onset significant coughing/gagging began, then an object/food in her airway (or esophagus) is more of a possibility than if onset of coughing was more gradual.

So, what do you do when you suspect your dog has kennel cough?

  • Don’t panic! Remember it is usually self-limiting and will clear on its own.
  • Keep all the dogs in your household home (even if they haven’t started coughing) and don’t return them to activities until two weeks past cough resolution.
  • Consult your veterinary team to determine if your pet needs to be seen for evaluation.
  • Monitor all dogs but especially those that might be at higher risk for complications (very young, very old, immuno-compromised, underlying health issue) for signs of more severe illness.
  • Rest your dog (keeping her calm and skipping high energy activities can help limit the coughing).
  • Get a video of your dog coughing at home that you can share with your veterinary team if needed.
  • If you are taking your dog to the veterinarian, notify the office of your arrival before bringing your pet inside the building, as they may have special instructions to limit contact with other pets in the waiting room.

What Is Kennel Cough? How it Spreads and How To Recognize It

Kennel cough is the common name for a highly contagious respiratory illness of dogs also known as infectious tracheobronchitis and canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC). Most commonly it presents as a dog that is still active but has a honking cough, often with a gag at the end of the coughing spell. If the gag is significant enough sometimes the dog will bring up phlegm or some of their most recent meal.

In otherwise healthy pets, most of the time it is an illness that is more annoying than life-threatening. When I say annoying, I mean both for the dog (because we all know coughing is not fun) and for the pet parent who empathizes with the dog and may experience some additional inconvenience such as cleaning up the phlegm/stomach contents that the dog gags up or disruption to plans.

Because kennel cough is highly contagious and spread through aerosol, direct contact, or contact with contaminated objects, other challenges for the pet parent can include having the illness go through all the dogs in the house one by one or having make short notice pet care arrangements because the dog can’t attend day care, grooming, or boarding facilities while contagious. Dogs should also not frequent dog parks, attend any dog competitions or go with their pet parents to visit households with other dogs.

Humans who are in contact with kennel-cough dogs should take care to wash hands thoroughly, change shoes, and clothes before being around other dogs so as not to spread the illness. There should be no sharing of toys or bowls although if in the same household there is probably already so much direct contact between family dogs that this may be a moot point.

As the name suggests, kennel cough most commonly spreads when a group of dogs are in common space together indoors such as in a boarding or daycare setting. Dog shows, dog performance events, or animal shelters can be another location of common spread because pets are coming together from many different areas and spending time in relative proximity to each other. It only takes a single dog that is infected with kennel cough (and possibly not even showing signs yet) to infect another dog.

Understanding the Kennel Cough Vaccine: What it Protects Against and its Limitations

The kennel cough vaccine usually starts with Bordetella bronchiseptica (bacteria) and often includes parainfluenza with or without adenovirus, but they are not the only infectious agents that cause these symptoms. If you have ever wondered why this vaccine is commonly given intranasally, it is because it allows not just for systemic antibodies but also antibodies that stay in the respiratory tract (secretory IgA) where they can act as a first line of defense. There is also a separate vaccine for two different strains of canine influenza (another virus that can often cause the same symptoms).

Coughing and Gagging in Dogs: What Does It Mean?

“Why is my dog coughing from kennel cough when I got her vaccinated?” is one of the most common questions I get asked when I diagnose a dog with kennel cough. The reality is that kennel-cough symptoms can be caused by many different bacteria and viruses, and sometimes they can appear in combination. This is why a more recent medical term for kennel cough is CIRDC.

Kennel cough is most often diagnosed by physical exam and patient history. A common physical exam finding is increased tracheal sensitivity on palpation of the trachea. For cooperative dogs, this is a quick easy thing for your veterinarian to check as part of your dog’s exam because they can reproduce the coughing in the exam room to hear it for themselves.

Dogs can have tracheal sensitivity for other reasons so the veterinarian must consider the history and entire “picture” the dog presents but an absence of tracheal sensitivity typically moves kennel cough down my list. Most commonly the dog has a history of boarding, daycare, dog park (yes, it can spread outdoors), recent grooming, being in a shelter, or being exposed to another dog that has been one of these places. Sometime the infected dog isn’t coughing because she hasn’t started showing symptoms or she could have a subclinical case and appear asymptomatic.

Diagnosing Kennel Cough: Why It’s Not Always Straightforward

It is possible to test for the offending infectious agent(s) but getting a conclusive diagnosis can be challenging. The samples usually need to be collected within the first couple of days of onset of symptoms. Many dogs don’t even see the veterinarian that early in their illness. Also, sample collection involves swabbing the pharynx (throat), nasal passage, and/or conjunctival area of the eye. We have probably all had enough COVID testing swabs done on ourselves by this point to understand that many dogs will object to this process and could requite mild sedation to collect samples.

Add on top of these factors that the test itself is not inexpensive, takes several days to return results, and may not produce a diagnosis. Reasons for not identifying an organism on the respiratory panel can include sample collection issues (timing, uncooperative patient) or a causative agent not severe enough/not studied enough to be included in the panel. All this is in the face of an illness that is generally self-limiting. This means a lot of pet parents will opt not to test. That doesn’t necessarily mean it is never worth testing, it just means one should have proper expectations.

In addition to the physical exam and patient history, additional diagnostics such as X-rays, complete blood count, heartworm testing, and a fecal exam may help with diagnosing the cause of a cough.

Caring for a Dog with Kennel Cough: Home Management and When To Call the Vet

The good news is most dogs get better from kennel cough on their own with just a little time and TLC. Most of them don’t need antibiotics (remember, it is often viral, which antibiotics won’t help). Limiting high-energy activity can help because often the more excited the dog, the more they cough.

If the coughing is severe, your dog may need medication or treatment to help manage the cough either through suppressing the cough or decreasing the inflammation. The bad news is your dog needs to not go anywhere where she could infect other dogs for about two weeks AFTER symptoms resolve and the dog is off medication. It also means you should take appropriate precautions if you are in contact with any other dogs when you leave the house. As I mentioned earlier, this involves things like changing clothes/shoes and handwashing.

The Best Black Friday Deals for Dogs 2025

By
Jae Thomas, CPDT-KA
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1
Dog black Friday deals offer you the chance to save on the dog gear you use every day.
From treats to dog beds, we tracked down some of the Best Black Friday deals for dogs on the internet. Credit: Whole Dog Journal Image Composite | Best Friends By Sheri | Earth Rated | Native Pet | OraVet | Outward Hound | Pawstruck | Woof

The best dog Black Friday deals are the sales on products you’d buy regardless of a deal. Think dog food, dog treats, poop bags, and grooming products. It’s also a good time to grab a new dog bed if your pup’s bed is getting less supportive and a great time to try out new enrichment toys at a discount.

Amazon is featuring a Black Friday week with tons of dog Black Friday deals already live. The Chewy Black Friday sale features up to 40% off dog beds, dog food, dog treats, dog toys, and more. Chewy is also running a new customer promo simultaneously: Spend $49+ and you’ll score a $20 eGift Card and free shipping with code: WELCOME.

Check out all our favorite Black Friday deals for dogs that are already live including many products we’ve hands-on tested over the last year.

Whole Dog Journal is reader-supported. If you purchase through links on our site we may earn a commission. Whole Dog Journal does not accept money for its food and product reviews.

Best Black Friday Dog Treat and Chew Deal: Pawstruck All-Natural 12″ Bully Sticks for Dogs — $36.79 $45.99 (save 20%)

Chews like bully sticks are one of the many black Friday dog deals to be had.
If your dog likes to chew, Pawstruck’s All Natural Bully Sticks are a good option for dogs who like to chew—and they’re on sale this Black Friday. Credit: Jae Thomas

Bully sticks are my number one go-to when it comes to buying dog products during Black Friday. While they’re a great single-ingredient pick for a dog chew bone, they’re also quite expensive at regular price, with some brands reaching up to $10 per stick. This Pawstruck pack is an option I buy frequently when they’re on sale, and they’re large, don’t splinter or break, and don’t smell horrendous like some bully sticks do.

More Black Friday Dog Treat and Chew Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Food Topper and Supplement Deal: Native Pet Pumpkin Powder — $29.99 $39.99 (save 25%)

Dog black Friday deals offer a chance to save on Dog food toppers.
This Black Friday deal for dogs is a great way to add some extra fiber to your pup’s meal without having to find shelf space for canned pumpkin. Credit: Jae Thomas

I find this pumpkin powder much more convenient to add to my dogs’ food than canned pumpkin when they have minor upset tummies or just need a little fiber to help with digestion. Instead of having to store whole cans of pumpkin (and make sure you use an entire can before it goes bad), this handy supplement comes in a powder form with an included scoop.

More Black Friday Dog Food Topper and Supplement Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Grooming Deal: Earth Rated Pet Wipes 400 count — $29.72 $34.99 (save 20%)

Pet wipes are a great dog grooming option, and there are savings to be had on black Friday.
On sale this Black Friday, these pet wipes from Earth Rated help make between-bath cleanups easy. Credit: Jae Thomas

The white tea and basil scent of our best tested dog grooming wipes are ideal for wiping paws after muddy walks, wiping butts, and giving your dog’s coat a refresh between baths. This 400-count bundle of Earth Rated’s fan-favorite dog wipes will keep you stocked up for a few months and will save you 20% on the retail price.

More Black Friday Dog Grooming Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Enrichment toy deal: Woof Pupsicle — $15.99 $19.99 (save 20%)

A homemade pupsicle is a great treat all year round.
Here at WDJ, the Woof Pupsicle has kept many of our dogs entertained and engaged. Credit: Jae Thomas

Named a pick for Whole Dog Journal’s Gear of the Year for 2025, the Woof Pupsicle is a genius enrichment training toy. Opt for Woof’s pre-made Pupsicle pops or make your own with the brand’s Pupsicle mold for a little more control over your dog’s treats. This long-lasting enrichment toy keeps my two dogs entertained for up to an hour at a time, and I love that it’s easy to fill and clean.

More Black Friday Dog Enrichment Toy Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Toy Deal: Original Snuggle Puppy — $33.96 $39.95 (save 15%)

The Original Snuggle Puppy was one of the first products I brought home when I got my Collie puppy in 2023, and it’s still one of her favorite toys. This cute plush toy has an internal “beating heart” mechanism that helps to soothe puppies and make it feel like they’re still with their mom and littermates. It also seems to have a calming effect on adult dogs.

I love that the internal heartbeat pack is removable and the puppy can be machine washed. Two years later, the batteries in the heartbeat are still kicking, too.

More Black Friday Dog Toy Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Bed Deal: Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Shag Fur Donut Cuddler — $23.99 $31.99 (save 25%)

Dog beds are a place to relax all year round.
If your dog likes having a cozy place to sleep, this Black Friday deal makes getting a new bed for her even more affordable. Credit: Jae Thomas

My dogs are cozy fanatics. They’re both known for burrowing under blankets, sitting on top of a pillow stack, and curling up into the tiniest donuts you’ve ever seen. The Best Friends by Sheri donut bed is one of their favorite places to lounge in the whole house and it’s sometimes difficult to get my pups out of it.

This circular bolster bed was a top pick in our Best Washable Dog Beds guide, is ideal for dogs who sleep curled up, and has a calming effect for dogs who like to burrow or nest. The cover is fully machine washable.

More Black Friday Dog Bed Deals

More Black Friday Dog Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Bowl Deals

Best Black Friday Dog DNA Kit Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Poop Bag Deals

Best Black Friday Pet Tech Deals (Dog Cameras and GPS Trackers)

Best Black Friday Dog Collar Deals

Best Black Friday Dog Hair Removal Deals

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