Recently, Dogster Community Manager Lori Malm, Managing Editor Vicky Walker and I found ourselves on a plane to Las Vegas for the SuperZoo conference. There we found a large selection of awesome and not-so-awesome pet products to share with you, but our brains were already in full idea mode as we boarded.
I picked up the latest edition of SkyMall once we were seated, and Lori (who is always full of great story ideas) asked me if we’d ever done a roundup of SkyMall dog products for Dogster Mag. We hadn’t. So, here, for your amusement, are five products that caught my eye.
Do note that I’ve never purchased anything from SkyMall, so whether the quality of the items lives up to the hype on the glossy pages is beyond me. But if you’ve purchased something from there and loved — or hated — it, I’d love to hear about it. (Please leave me a note below.)
My brother, an industrial design major in college, once told me he wanted to come up with a design concept for an umbrella that attaches to people at the shoulders. Well, it looks like SkyMall beat him to the dog edition. The catalog is stocked with dog raincoats by Push Pushi, which are nylon on the outside and lined with fleece on the inside. Sizes range from “teacup” to XXL, so you can walk your Chi and your Dane in matching rain gear if you wish. (And if you do live with a Chi and a Dane, please send us a picture immediately!) $39.95 – $49.95.
Dog Safety Kit by Relief Pod International
At SuperZoo we ran into the folks from Relief Pod International and were able to see their products in person, so this is one item on the list whose quality we can vouch for. Relief Pod makes several versions of its dog safety kit listed on its own website, including a smaller “on the road” edition containing 36 items. SkyMall has the largest version (93 items) available and sells it for $99.95. But here’s a pro tip: Relief Pod sells the same kit for half the price right now.
Aside from your regular canine first aid items, it includes an emergency reflective collar and leash, a reflective dog bandana, a crank flashlight, and a collapsible pet bowl. We recently had a noteworthy earthquake here in Northern California, so I’m considering investing in one of these myself while it’s top of mind.
Pet JetSetter Doggie “Diaper” Bag
If you’ve ever told anyone that your dog is your kid, here’s a way to step up your game. Now, your fur kid too can have a diaper bag. (Hopefully sans diapers, but that’s not unusual if you have a little senior on your hands.) The Pet JetSetter bag features six labeled exterior pockets for your dog food and water bowls (pictured and included), a water bottle, dog brush, treats and “bones,” (though I hope you’re not actually lugging bones). Inside there’s room for a blanket, food, toys, and so on, and the shoulder strap doubles as an emergency leash. $49.99 – $64.99.
I am not a big fan of retractables when it comes to leashes, but a retractable gate? Seems smart. I am currently juggling two rabbits and one dog at home (long story; post to come), and we’re using a board to separate the animals. Believe it or not, it’s the rabbits who can’t be together; the dog loves them both! We’ve thought about getting a pet gate, but they seem so bulky, so this retractable mesh edition seems like a better choice. $99.99.
My dog, Mr. Moxie, was an athlete — springing up into my bed, or couch, or even a table if he wanted to — up until earlier this year when he broke one of his pretty legs. I didn’t think I’d be looking into pet steps until he was a senior (he’s barely six), and as I was investigating the options, this collapsible version from Solvit did come up. I liked the carpeted steps, safety side rails and easy storage. Skymall has it for $39.99.
That’s it for today. Again, if you’ve ordered any dog products from SkyMall and loved or detested them, I want to hear about it!
See More of Janine’s Favorite Things:
- Editor’s Picks: The Best and Worst Things We Saw at SuperZoo 2014
- Editor’s Picks: Coffee for Dog Nuts, Christmas in July, and the Ultimate Treat Pouch
About the Author: Janine is your typical annoying Aries overachiever with nine human siblings and a soft spot for sighthounds. She is a tattoo collector, tea drinker, and unabashedly into marshmallows and cheesy musicals. Janine believes responsible breeders exist — her dog is from one. She runs the show as editor-in-chief of Dogster and Catster.
