The Muttropolis Blog

This just in: Bloomin' + Buggin' Pet Costumes

How completely REE-diculous is this!? Gerber Daisies have always been a favorite of mine, but on this delightfully goofy dog, 'Chewy,' it looks more like a Goober Daisy.

Looking for creative costume ideas for your pets or two legged goblins this Halloween? Why not dress your dog as this darling Gerber Daisy and your kids and/or other dogs as little bugs or in this case, a caterpillar.

This Flower Dog Costume is made from soft, warm fleece and designed a little looser for a more comfortable fit and easy movement. The separate petal head piece has an adjustable Velcro closure for a perfect fit. The Caterpillar Dog Costume features adjustable velcro closures, a comfy padded back and full coverage for optimal Spooky-ness!

Starting at $36, you can find the Caterpillar Dog Costume and Flower Dog Costume at Muttropolis.com.

Eliminate Grubby-Paw-Anxiety-Disorder with the Paw Plunger

Are muddy, dirty dog paws the bane of your existence?  Take our quiz below to see if you suffer from Grubby Paws Anxiety Disorder (G-PAD):

1. Do you occasionally avoid letting your dog outside because you know you'll have to wipe off all of his/her paws off before they gain re-entry?
2. If you have a longer-haired dog, do you find mysterious debris, such as leaves and twigs, deposited in odd places throughout your home? 
3. Are you embarrassed when guests see the condition of your paw-print coated floors in the light of day versus under the safe cover of dim nighttime lighting?
4. Do you frequently suffer night sweats due to the regular sighting of dirty paw prints on your pillowcase, comforter or bed sheets?
5. Are your car seats covered in dirty paw prints?

If you, like, uh, someone I know, answered a resounding YES to one or more of any of these questions, then you may be suffering from Grubby Paws Anxiety Disorder (G-PAD).

Hang on to your Mop-n-Glow: Help's on the Way

There is good news for G-PAD sufferers and help is now available to help lessen the effects of our condition. Available without a prescription in sizes for both small or large dogs, the innovative Pawplunger.com is a recent scientific development that can help lessen the effects of Grubby Paws Anxiety Disorder.

A fast and easy way to clean your dogs paws before they gain re-entry into your house (or car) simply fill the Paw Plunger with water and the soft bristles inside the container gently yet effectively remove dirt and debris from your dog's paws.  It can also be used without water to brush off sand and dirt.

Starting at $24.99 for the small size, the Paw Plunger is available Muttropolis.com. Get one and GET LIVING! : )

Blog reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley at Animalplanet.com

The Swamp Cooler: A Cooling Vest for Dogs (not a backwoods cocktail)

Zazou rocks the swamp cooler cooling vest.

With the temperatures rising during the summer, I'm always looking for ways to keep my pets cool, especially my crazy dog Zazou, who doesn't let 100 degree weather slow him down, despite my best attempts to get him to take a proverbial chill pill.

To beat the heat, many dogs need something akin to a personal air-conditioner, particularly active dogs that spend a lot of time outside in the heat, perhaps hiking and the like. Ruffwear's innovative Swamp Cooler is just that...a lightweight vest designed to help dogs both large and small stay cool, happy and active. Dogs can beat the heat and stay cool while you're hiking or biking, playing on the beach, boating on open water under full sun, or perhaps waiting for their turn during outdoor agility trials in the heat.

How the Swamp Cooler works:
The swamp cooler uses evaporative cooling to keep dogs cool in the heat and exchanges the dog’s heat with the coolness of the stored water.  The vest releases the heat as the water evaporates and the three-layer construction maximizes the cooling effects, with the top air-mesh layer generating evaporation and releasing heat. The middle layer absorbs and stores the cooling water and the bottom layer cools the dog.

The light color of the vest reflects sunlight and ultraviolet rays for added sun protection! Starting at $52, you can find the Swamp Cooler Dog Vest at Muttropolis.com.

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley at Animalplanet.com

It Was Just a Matter of Time: The Snuggie for Dogs

Fresh from the "Seriously!? Seriously." files, and just when you thought the Snuggie (or Slanket) had gone the way of the pet rock, brace yourself: Introducing the Snuggie for Dogs. Yes, you heard right, the Snuggie for Dogs.

Now your dog can be both warm and comfortable on the couch while being able to take a quick trip to the local dog park without having to take their blanket off. Its also a great gift idea for dogs who are Lord of the Rings enthusiasts and want to achieve the 'Gandalfy' look or who perhaps practice Buddhism. As well, given it's made of 100% synthetic mystery-material, the static charge generated by the Snuggie for Dogs can likely turn your dog into a super uber lint-roller and/or dust-bunny collection device. You'll never need to dust or vacuum your floors again.

As I understand it, the idea behind the original Snuggie is that it is essentially a blanket with sleeves and is open in the back, akin to a hospital gown. That said, the Snuggie for Dogs, as seen in the video on their site, is not "open in the back" but instead utilizes velcro closures to keep it on the dog. Call me crazy, but doesn't that make this something otherwise known a "dog coat?"

Regardless, you still need to watch the ridiculous video. Reason being, I had to watch it twice before believing that it was not a gag. This is an actual bona fide product....SRSLY. Enjoy!

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley at Animal Planet.com

Adventures with a Secret Agent Spy Collar Cam

Aside from the requisite sleeping, scratching and navel gazing, many pet parents wonder what else our dogs and cats are doing exactly when we’re not around. While web cams might be one approach to pet surveillance, a web cam can be limiting as the camera captures footage from only one vantage point in your home, which is why the Pet’s Eye View collar camera piqued my interest.

Essentially the equivalent of a collar spy cam, the Pet’s Eye View camera attaches to your pet's collar and the built-in timer automatically takes photos from your dog or cat’s perspective at intervals of 1, 5 or 15 minutes.  The internal memory stores about 40 photos and a four-foot USB cable is included which can be used to download the collar-cam pics to your computer in order to see what sort of espionage is occurring whilst you’re away.

In addition to spying on your pet while you're away, I believe that a lot of fun can be had with this camera outside the home. For instance, boxers or briefs: Why not clip it on your dog’s collar and ask your cute or handsome neighbor to pet sit your dog for the evening? Or discover the true identity of whomever is sneaking your dog biscotti’s every morning when you’re inside Starbucks grabbing a latte? The list just goes on...

Check out my field test of the Pet’s Eye View Camera in this week’s video, and see what kind of valuable intel I am able to collect on unsuspecting Zazou and Schmoo…including identifying the party responsible for the dirty paw prints left on my pillow!

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat on Animalplanet.com

Fun Summer Dog Dresses and Dog Harnesses for Furry Fashionistas

Some folks admittedly roll their eyes at the sight of a dog all dolled up in a foofey dress, the innocent dog looking none too thrilled to be sporting a tutu, fedora, gladiator sandals or other ensemble.

However, I must say that there are some absolutely darling little dog outfits and functional dog harnesses to be had these days, and the entertainment value can be quite high as long as pup is comfortable. Naturally, if you are indeed going to pimp your pup in a Seersucker Shift, its best if they do not resemble a sausage encased in said lightweight puckered fabric.

Does this dog dress make me look fat?

Some of the fuller figured dogs should just say no to parading around resembling a dog stuffed into a frilly sausage-casing. To help you best dress your dog according to his or her body type, I suggest you review some of the handy guidelines provided by the folks over at Howcast.com.

Some of their tips on how to Dress Your Dog According to Their Body Type include how to: 1) Avoid too tight clothes  2) Accentuate your Bulldog's head  3) Work with problem hair  4) Avoid horizontal stripes for Boxers and my personal favorite, 5) Elongate your Dachshund's legs.

Once you've gotten these important details all worked out, you can find some of the cutest tees, dog dresses and functional dog harness dresses around at Muttropolis.com. Some of my favorites are below...particularly the Watermelon Dog Dress and the Pink Watermelon Dog Tee. Dresses and harnesses start at $20.

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat on Animalplanet.com

Dog-proof Trash Can: And it was all yellow

 

There's nothing like returning home from a fun night out to find yesterday’s coffee grounds, orange rinds, fish skins and other unsavory discards spread across the kitchen floor with Jackson Pollock flair. When you find yourself faced with this situation, your dog can typically be found either 1) skulking around in the darker recesses of your home, or 2) joyfully greeting you at the door as if none of it ever happened.

After the requisite pulling of your hair and retrieval various treasures from beneath the couch, calm down and consider getting yourself a kick-ass, ironclad trashcan (and maybe some training too).

The happiest darn trash can you ever did see

Originally designed in 1939, this super durable stainless steel Vipp Trash Bin is hand-crafted by skilled craftsmen and consists of up to 42 components. The tight fitting lid can keep curious noses out and trash smells in. Very likely one of the happiest-looking trash cans you’ll ever see, it is available in a range of sizes and colors, and is great for use in the bathroom, kitchen, workspace or living space. A removable inner bin makes changing out the bags easy and a roll of biodegradable liners is included.

Find the Vipp Trash Bin at Design Within Reach.

Article reprint courtesty of The Daily Treat at Animalplanet.com

Safety and Comfort First with Sleepypod Pet Carriers and Pet Beds

A pet carrier, a car seat and a hideaway bed all wrapped into one, the award-winning Sleepypod provides security and comfort for pets both at home and on the go. Available in a host of vibrant colors, the beauty of the Sleepypod is its versatility, as a dog that needs to be aware of his surroundings at all times can be just as easily accommodated as the cat who likes her privacy.

Many cats and dogs unfortunately associate travel with negative experiences such as a trip to the vet or the kennel. The Sleepypod allows pets to travel safely in the comfort of their own cushy bed, thus alleviating the stress associated with travel and confinement in hard, plastic boxes with limited visibility.

As well, according to the June 2009 issue of Pet Product News Magazine, the designers of the Sleepypod updated its award-winning Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed and Sleepypod Mini carriers with enhanced safety features to make it even more secure in an automobile.

With nifty add-on accessories available such as a special heating pad and uber-plush blankie, I give the Sleepypod a definite four paws up for versatility and value. You can find the Sleepypod pet carriers and pet beds at Muttropolis.com

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley