Flea prevention favorites?

Because our dog has allergies, we had to stop using a flea prevention skin treatment (Frontline). It irritated his skin (causing flaky, itchy patches where we’d applied it, even though we tried not to apply it in the same spot twice) and made my eyes water both to put it on him, and also to be around him for several hours after application.

So, we talked to the vet, and got a prescription for Sentinel instead. This has worked really well for us. It’s a once-a-month flea and heartworm prevention tablet, and from our vet, the cost is comparable to what we were paying for both heartworm and flea medicine before.

Because we try to keep things as chemical free as possible, we don’t use any chemical flea treatments, and have yet to have any fleas at all, which is really wonderful. This year, we are planning on using some of the suggested all natural flea abatements to eliminate mosquitoes (some all natural products do both but are marketed more for flea control). I’ll definitely let you know how that turns out!

Today, though, I’d like to know what you use for flea prevention. Do you use something applied topically? A flea collar? An all-natural approach? And how do you (and your dog!) like it?

Luxury dog beds

If you’re in the market for a luxury dog bed, here are my favorites for extra-pampered pooches. (If you’d like something more sensible, read my article on Best Dog Beds for more great choices.)

If the dog bed is going to go in the living room or bedroom, I definitely think it’s worth splurging on something *you* like the look of–a rolled up blanket on the floor definitely ruins the ambiance of a “hotel-chic” master bedroom! And, you’ll notice most of these beds aren’t even super costly (though they’re almost exclusively for small dogs, sadly).

Dog Snuggle Bed

This lovely bed won’t cost an arm and a leg, but if your dog is anything like mine, and loves to snuggle with his bed, he’ll love the warm, cozy faux fur bed. If your dog tends to nestle into a pile of clean clothes, or gravitate to your fuzziest sweaters, this bed will be perfect. Plus, at under $40 for the medium size, you won’t blow this month’s rent on a luxury dog bed.

Small Dog Bed

If you’ve got a small dog, this bed might be perfect. With it’s adorable metal frame (which I think I’d spray paint white for a cleaner look), your dog will snuggle in and feel right at home. Plus, the furniture look of this small dog bed will fit right in in most living rooms instead of having to be relegated to the family room.

Extra Large Dog Bed

If you’ve got an extra large dog, this luxury log cabin might make the perfect outdoor dog bed. It looks great in most back yards and is completely waterproof. Plus, it’s easy to assemble and even comes with leveling feet if your backyard’s a bit uneven.

Fancy Dog Bed

This cozy couch is perfect for dogs up to 35lbs and looks great in most bedrooms (the room at my house where I least want a typical dog bed!). It’s got a sleek leather-look and promises to be durable and hold up well for many years to come. Throw a doggie-sized throw over the back, and maybe add a pillow or two, and your pooch will have the fanciest dog bed on the block!


These beds are admittedly more “fantasy” than my last post on Best Dog Beds, but you’ll notice none of them breaks the bank (though that last one is probably best for very spoiled dogs ;-)). What’s the most you’d spend on a luxury dog bed?

Car safety equipment for dogs

Recently, we took a long vacation with our 80+lb Lab, Vance, and I’m sharing tips and tricks about travel with a pet. Today, I want to talk about the products that keep your dog restrained and safe when you take your dog on a road trip.

If you plan on doing any car travel with a dog, it’s crucial that you have a way to restrain your dog in the car. This way, you don’t have to worry about your dog jumping out of the car if a door is opened, about your dog climbing onto your lap and causing an accident, or about your dog getting unceremoniously dumped on the floor should you have to slam on the breaks. A dog safety belt can also help keep your dog safe if you get into a car accident.

The Easy Rider Car Harness is a great price and has some extra padding to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Kurgo Harness pairs nicely with the zip line (below) to let your dog move around in the car while still being safely secured.

The Kurgo Dog Zip Line Restraint lets your dog walk back and forth on the back seat so that he can get comfortable. That’s perfect for long car rides if you have a dog who gets a little restless and likes to change positions. Vance likes to switch sides in the backseat from time to time so that he can check out what’s happening out each of the windows, and this gives him the freedom to do that while still keeping him restrained.

This Pet Lookout is great if you have a small dog who likes to be able to see out the windows. You’ll want to use it with a harness (instead of a collar) to keep your dog secured.

If your dog absolutely will not tolerate a car safety harness, you might want to pick up something like this backseat barrier which will at least prevent your dog from being able to climb into the front seat. It’s not as secure as a harness, but it might be helpful.

Do you use a vehicle dog harness during car travel with your dog? What kind?