The Lovi Journal
Little guides for a lovelier life together: what a puzzle toy does for a busy mind, how to choose a bed, a feeder or a harness, and the finds we think are worth a closer look. Written to be useful whether or not you buy anything.
Best Brush for a Shedding Cat: The Right Tool for Each Coat
Short coats do best with a rubber curry or grooming glove; long coats need a wide-tooth comb and a slicker brush. Deshedding blades are for once a week, with a light hand.
How to Clean Dog Toys by Material: Plush, Rubber, Rope and More
Wash plush toys on a gentle cycle, scrub rubber and nylon with unscented dish soap and hot water, soak rope and dry it fully, and brush out treat toys after every use.
Heated Dog Beds: How to Choose One and Use It Safely
Choose a heated dog bed by type (plug-in, self-warming or microwavable), cord protection, auto-off and size, then always leave your dog an unheated spot to move to.
Small Dog Toys and Gear for Toy Breeds: A Practical Kit List
Toy breeds need gear sized for tiny mouths and light frames: small soft toys, a step-in harness, a light leash, a warm layer, low bowls, pet steps, a cave bed, a booster seat and a long-coat brush kit.
Types of Cat Litter Compared: Clay, Crystals, Pine, Tofu and More
Clumping clay is the easiest to scoop, silica crystals are the lightest on dust, and plant litters like pine, wheat, corn and tofu are lighter to carry. Here is how each type compares.
Guinea Pig vs Rabbit: Which Suits Your Home, Space and Day?
Guinea pigs suit a home with one big, flat enclosure and someone who enjoys chatter; rabbits suit a home that can give a bunny-proofed room and longer free-roam time.
Types of Dog Toys: A Plain Glossary, Grouped by How Dogs Play
Dog toys fall into a few play types: cuddle and shake (plush), pull (rope and tug), chase (balls, discs, flirt poles), work (puzzles and treat toys) and chew. Here is what each name means.
Cat Collar Myths vs Facts: Breakaway Buckles, Bells, ID and Fit
Most cats, indoor ones included, do best in a light breakaway collar with an ID tag, fitted so two fingers slide underneath. Here are eight collar myths and what is actually true.
Bringing Home a Rescue Dog: A First-Week Checklist
Set up a quiet base area, a snug harness with an ID tag, familiar food and a simple routine before the day. Then keep the first week small, slow and predictable.
The Chuckit! Story: Chester, a Ball Claw and a Longer Fetch
Chuckit! began at Canine Hardware in Washington State, where a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Chester tested every product and a plastic launcher let people throw a tennis ball far without bending down.
Traveling With a Cat for the Holidays: Car and Flight Checklist
Start weeks ahead: make the carrier a cozy spot, try short practice drives, update ID and ask your vet about the trip. Then pack litter, bowls, a blanket and a harness.
Gifts for Dog Lovers: Holiday Ideas for Every Kind of Dog Person
The best gifts for dog lovers make their daily life with the dog easier or sweeter: hands-free leashes for runners, keepsake kits for the sentimental, cozy extras for the senior-dog crowd.
Aquarium Filter Types Compared: Sponge, HOB, Canister and More
Sponge filters suit bettas, shrimp and fry; hang-on-back filters suit most small and mid tanks; canisters suit big tanks. Here is how each type works, sounds and gets cleaned.
Where to Put a Bird Cage: A Cozy Room Guide for Fall and Winter
Put the cage in a room where the family spends time, with one side against an inside wall, near eye level, and away from drafts, vents, sunny glass and the kitchen.
How to Bathe a Dog at Home: A Bath Day Checklist in Order
Brush first, set up a non-slip tub and lukewarm water, lather with a dog shampoo, rinse twice, then towel and dry on low. Here is every step in order.
Pet Cameras Explained: What Each Feature Does and Do You Need It
A good pet camera sees the spots your pet actually uses, works on your Wi-Fi and stores clips the way you like. Here is what each feature does and who needs it.
Dog Stroller vs Pet Wagon vs Sling: Which One Fits Your Dog?
A sling suits a tiny dog on short trips, a dog stroller suits small and medium dogs on long outings, and a pet wagon suits big dogs or two pets. Here is how to choose.
The Nylabone Story: 70 Years of Chew Toys Since 1955
Nylabone introduced its first nylon bone in 1955 and has spent 70 years on one question: why do dogs chew? Here is its story, and how its chew strengths help you choose.
How to Keep a Dog Busy While at Work: A Gentle Daily Routine
Tire the nose and body before you go, hand over a long-lasting chew or frozen lick mat at the door, rotate puzzles, and break up the day with a midday visit.
How to Trim Cat Nails at Home: Tools, the Quick and Calm Steps
Wait for a sleepy moment, press the toe pad so the claw slides out, and snip only the sharp, clear tip in front of the pink quick. One or two claws a session is plenty.
What to Put in a Puppy Playpen: Pen, Layout and Floor Setup
Put a bed, water and a chew toy at one end of the playpen and a pee pad or grass patch at the far end, on a washable floor mat. Here is how to choose the pen and lay it out.
What Do Ferrets Need? A Setup Checklist for Cage, Beds and Play
Ferrets need a tall multi-level cage with solid shelves, soft hammocks for long naps, a corner litter box, steady water, chew-safe toys, a harness and a ferret-proofed room for daily play.
Dog Backpacks Compared: Carriers You Wear vs Packs Dogs Wear
A dog backpack is one of two things: a carrier you wear to hold a small dog, or a pack your dog wears on hikes. Pick by who carries whom, then by fit and weight limits.
How to Measure a Dog for a Sweater: Back, Chest, Neck and Fit
Measure the back from collar base to tail base, the chest at its widest point behind the front legs, and the neck. Chest girth usually decides the size; check each listing's own chart.