Snickers, an eleven-week-old hairless kitten, flew from from a breeder in Utah to her new home in Connecticut in the supposedly climate-controlled cargo hold of a Delta Airlines plane. Her new family paid the airline $70 extra so she would be removed immediately. Instead, she sat under the plane for about 50 minutes, on a 10 degree Fahrenheit evening. When she finally met her family, she showed symptoms of severe hypothermia. They tried to warm her up and rushed to a vet, but it was too late. [More]
Do You Love Your Dog Enough To Buy It A $32 Aromatherapy Candle?
By January 25, 2011
Feel like you didn’t do enough holiday shopping for the canine companion on your list? Here’s your chance to atone for your stinginess by pampering your pooch with pricey candles catering to the canine nose. [More]
It's Sort Of Like A Flowbee For Dogs, Except Not
By November 4, 2010
My dog thinks that I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to torture her, such as toothbrushes, ear drops, and baths. She should be grateful that I don’t have a Dyson vacuum, since the company is launching a carefully designed pet-vacuuming attachment, which will go on sale in the U.S. in January 2011. [More]
That Halloween Costume May Embarrass Your Dog
By October 22, 2010
Before you go shopping for a vampire costume for your Dachshund, have you stopped to consider whether you may be damaging his self-esteem with the getup? [More]
How To Avoid Scammy Online Pet Drug Merchants
By October 7, 2010
It’s tempting to skip an expensive visit to the vet’s office when you can just order the same drugs online. Sites offer the exact medications that the vet’s office sells–at much lower prices, without a prescription. It’s not such a good idea, though. Much like buying human drugs online from shady sources (no prescription needed) you may not get exactly what you ordered. The medications that show up on your doorstep could be ineffective, or may even harm your pet. [More]
If You Think Your Dog Will Destroy Kong's Nearly Indestructible Toys, Save Your Receipt
By October 1, 2010
Pet owners (and pets) prize Kong brand toys for their indestructible qualities and incredible funness. What happens when one of their toys fails? Mike tells Consumerist that if you want a replacement toy when yours breaks, you’d better hold on to the receipt. [More]
IAMS Sends Coupons, Free Food When Your Mom Can't Afford Cat Food
By September 29, 2010
Suzanne writes that when her mother was short on money but needed high-quality food for her sick cats, Iams was a reasonable choice but still outside her budget. So she called the company’s customer service, explained her situation, and was rewarded. She not only received coupons, but she cultivated a friendly relationship with the customer service reps. [More]
Consumer Reports Puts Pledge Fabric Sweeper To The Test
By September 10, 2010
It’s the problem that has vexed cat and dog owners for centuries: How the hell do I get all this damn fur off everything. There have been countless inventions that promise to lift animal hair off your furniture and carpet, but do they work? [More]
Continental Loses Dog, Offers $1,000 Reward For Her Return
By August 31, 2010
It’s been almost two weeks since Daisy, a 4-year-old Golden Lab/Shepherd mix, broke free of her leash during a layover at Newark Liberty International Airport, but Continental Airlines is holding out hope that she’s still alive and is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone that finds her. [More]
Does Your Pet Need Health Insurance?
By August 20, 2010
Most pet owners grumble at vet bills, and wonder whether health insurance for their pets would be cost-effective. Consumer Reports Money Adviser crunched numbers for a hypothetical dog from puppyhood to euthanasia, and concluded that pet health insurance is a sound investment…if your pet has a serious or chronic health condition. Wait, that’s just like health insurance for humans. [More]
Should Dogs Be Allowed In Places Of Business?
By August 19, 2010
Yesterday, we ran the story of a Consumerist reader who couldn’t seem to convince Continental her service dog was the real deal. At the opposite end of the spectrum, SeattlePI.com writes about a woman who brought her dog into a grocery store and just left it on its own while she went shopping and store employees did nothing about it. [More]
Kids Could Be Getting Salmonella From Pet Food
By August 9, 2010
No, it’s not what you’re thinking, parents are not feeding their kids pet food. Instead, a new study finding a link between salmonella contaminated pet food and children posits that the kids might be touching affected animals or their pet food dishes, and then putting their hands in their mouths. [More]
Hot Flash Spray Evamist Causes Boobs On Pets, Kids
By August 2, 2010
I like FDA warnings like this new one about Evamist, because I can file the symptoms away and use them to impress someone with my Sherlock Holmes skills. Friend: “How did you know she used Evamist?” Me: “Note the tell-tale breasts on her grandchildren and her terrier.” [More]
What's The Best Airline For Your Pet To Travel?
By July 28, 2010
Sometimes you don’t have a choice–you have to fly with your pet. In memory of Paco, the dog Delta Airlines lost back in May, here’s Petfinder.com’s updated list of the best airlines for traveling with kritters. All of the recommended carriers have changed from last year. Spoiler alert: Delta is not on it. [More]
San Francisco Considers Ban On Almost All Pet Sales
By July 26, 2010
A few months ago, in an effort to not contribute to the puppy mills and kitty factories of the world, San Francisco began mulling over the possibility of forbidden canine and feline sales within city limits. But, as happens when the discussion turns to the critters of the world, that ban has now grown to include just about everything you would ever want to even consider having as a pet. [More]
Dog Chew Toy Can't Withstand Chewing, Hartz Issues Refund Without Receipt
By July 15, 2010
Dogs sure can chew. Taryn’s puppy, Bacon, destroyed a stuffed toy in a matter of minutes. The toy’s packaging claimed that it was able to endure sustained nomming, so she complained. An e-mail to the manufacturer, Hartz, led to a refund for the toy’s purchase price, even though they had misplaced the receipt. [More]
DC Airports Get Super Cute Pet Bathrooms
By July 13, 2010
DC’s Dulles and Reagan airports have just opened new “pet relief areas” for your pooch’s pooping pleasure prior to plane-boarding. [More]
Petsmart: Bad News Is Your Guinea Pig's Dead, Good News Is We're Taking It Seriously
By July 2, 2010
Katie bought a pair of guinea pigs from a Bay Area Petsmart and noticed one was having sneezing fits. She took the furballs into a vet, who recommended taking them back to the store, which could get them treatment for upper respiratory system treatment. The company refunded her money and told her it would keep her posted on how the pets were doing. [More]
