My Favorite Dog Finds: Must-Have Essentials for Life With Dogs
Here are my favorite dog essentials and must-have dog products that make life with dogs easier and more fun. From treats and toys to grooming, travel, and everyday basics, this is a growing list of everything I actually use with my dog. I’ll keep updating it as I test new items, so you’re always getting my real favorites.
Plus, many of the items on this year’s list of fur-baby finds for the dogs are purrrrfect for cats too! ICYMI… we have 5 dogs and 1 cat = 6 furbabies in our life with paws!
PS, you can find all of these items via Birdie’s Doghouse SHOP too!
Dog MiniVan
ICYMI… The Dogs & Cat Got A MiniVan!
📌 The DogMiniVan Updates Continue (along with the adventures of Birdies Doghouse)
Dog owners, this is your van! It’s Time To Join The Dodge Minivan Fan Club! The Dodge Caravan won the Best In Show Award. With a larger cargo area than most, a squared-off back, and BIG windows, it is the BEST dog mobile. If you’re traveling with paws, especially cats and dogs, then this is for you!
I wrote a blog post dedicated to our RARE Vintage 1993 Dodge Caravan we purchased for our 5 dogs and 1 cat ( @BirdiesDoghouse + @CattitudeChaos ). We spent so much time not only buying it, driving to get it, but also remodeling and making upgrades to it — That we wanted to share the learning experience, plus the ups, downs, etc., that we’ve had with it. Not to mention this van is Vintage and nostalgic! There is a VERY interesting history to it!
You can read all about our “Ultimate Pet Minivan: DIY Remodel For Dogs & Cat RARE Vintage VAN (1993 Dodge Caravan)” over @BirdiesDoghouse
Don’t Miss A Thing… follow @BirdiesDoghouse on Social Media via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube! Plus, subscribe to the Newsletter for email updates!
Custom Cut Out Dog Air Freshener (for Van)
I have to admit this was a gift from NVington and I’m in LOVE with it!
Birdie’s Custom Dog Air Freshener:
The second favorite item I received was by Dangle It — a Custom Cut Out Car Air Freshener of my Dog “Birdie” — OMG TOO CUTE I LOVE! I haven’t even opened it yet, but it’s “island breeze” scent, so I’m excited! I’ll be adding it to the Dog’s Favorites list over at the Birdies Doghouse SHOP!
Dog Grooming
Dog Grooming Table
If you have dogs at home and have ever tried to cut their hair — FYI, this dog grooming table is a game-changer. Plus, it saves my back, and the dogs feel safe, stable, and secure. Also, I can reach them way better than before!
Dog Groomer
This year, we had a horrific incident at the dog groomer where our dogs were attacked and injured, so I wanted to learn how to groom the dogs at home, heads, tails, and nails! 💅 😱
It’s been a learning experience, still learning the dog nails – SCARY!
But, NVington found me a dog grooming machine — it vaccums while you’re cutting! All I can say is LIFE CHANGING!
Dog Grooming Cart (for Dog Grooming Accessories)
I found this little metal utility cart on Amazon that was perfect for my dog grooming accessories!
I bought one of these for each house!
Keep in mind this wasn’t specifically for dog grooming, you can use it for anything: cleaning, beauty, office, etc…
Dog Nail Grinder (with Light)
The Dog Grooming Kit I have does include a dog nail grinder accessory, which you can use by changing out the heads from the same machine the razor uses.
BUT NVington got this other dog nail grinder with a light on it so you can see the nails better. Plus, I like the fact that it’s rechargeable.
And most of the dogs seem to be okay with it, although we have to do one paw per sitting as they get tired or scared of the noise.
I’m still learning my dog nail grooming skills. But this is a lifesaver since cutting dog nails isn’t my strongest skill! I’m terrified to do it and not 100% how!
>> Check out all Birdie’s favorite Pet Grooming Essentials for Dogs and Cats (over on their blog)
Dog Treats
Doggy Dental
Doggy Dental has become a BIG deal! Trying out new ideas to Keep Up With The Dogs Dental Cleaning Routine
We’ve also been working on our Doggy Dental Hygiene (and the cat, too)! Especially after Birdie and Milo had to have A LOT of teeth pulled last year! We have been trying different ideas for helping to keep their chompers clean! I keep a list of all their favorite things on Birdies Doghouse in their Dog Store
We have been trying to brush the dogs’ teeth, and while they enjoy the process, it’s hard to remember to do it (since I brush my teeth in the shower). It’s not like they can do it when I do it, but they kinda can with these new NO Brush Toothpaste Dog Treats by a company called “Ark Naturals or Antelope Pets” I found at Kohl’s while shopping for Christmas gifts! They are a 4-1 Doggy Dental Chew, and the dogs love them. I like that they last for a little longer than a normal dog chew and brush the dogs’ teeth too!
The only thing I hate is the price, even finding them at a discount of $10 for 15-24 (if I remember correctly), when you’re feeding 6 animals, that adds up, especially at the recommendation of 2 dental treats per day!
>> Check out The Ultimate Guide to Dog Dental Care: Tips, Products, and Routines (over at Birdies Doghouse on their blog)
Dog Toys
Ball Launcher
Our newest addition to life with paws is Little Boy, aka Lil Boy, who LOVES, actually is OBSESSED with, tennis balls. He eats them, sleeps with them, and wants to play with them ALL DAY & NIGHT! So we’ve been working on training him to use the mini tennis ball launcher, so we don’t have to also play ball 24/7! 🤦♀️
Playology Interactive Dog Toys
As I mentioned, Little Boy is obsessed with balls and loves to chew them up, so we’ve tried buying all kinds of “tough tennis balls” you can find, but they never hold up.
So we did find a new brand of toys called Playology, which are infused with Peanut Butter Scent (maybe tasty too) — they have other flavors, but these are the ones we prefer.
And these “Squeaky Chew Balls for Dogs — Peanut Butter scent” seem to hold up as he has yet to chew through one (yet)… We buy the smalls, but they make different sizes.
But Playology also makes other similar scented and interactive toys for dogs, like ropes, stuffed animals, and more… (plus they make toys for cats too)!
>> Check out this list of Must-Have Dog Toys for Playtime, Training & Chewing (over @BirdiesDoghouse on their blog).
Dog Wellness
Vetericyn Plus Hydro Gel
As I mentioned, our dogs had a BAD, HORRIFIC experience at the dog groomer this year, and we ended up spending HUNDREDS of dollars on Vet Bills to take care of them.
But during all of that, we were introduced to this “Vetericyn Plus Hydro Gel” to care for Little Boy’s wounds. It’s an anti-microbial spray that is safe to lick! It cleanses, creates a barrier, and hydrates the wound while it heals. Think of it like a liquid Band-Aid (in a spray).
Plus, I LOVED it so much I used it on myself, and it worked great too! — Although I did discover they make a human-grade version too. I believe it’s called “Puracyn Plus” by the same company.
This “Vetericyn Plus Hydro Gel” is for any ANIMAL you can think of, and OMG EVERYONE needs this in their medicine cabinet.
Final Thoughts:
I hope this roundup of my favorite dog products helps make life with your pup easier, cleaner, and a lot more fun. Everything here is something I’ve personally used, loved, and would buy again. I’ll keep updating this list as Birdie and I test new treats, toys, and must-have essentials, so feel free to bookmark it and check back anytime!
>> If you loved this list, check out all My Essentials & Faves PAGE
- Beauty Besties for Make-Up and Skincare Essentials
- Massage Must Haves
- Favorite Finds For The House
- Car Essentials
- Writing Essentials
- Anxiety & Quiet Tools
- Bookshelf Besties
- Mobile Office Gear
- Bible Besties
- Online Systems (I use to run my life & biz)
- My Favorite Finds: Gift Ideas for Yourself or S.O.S.
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