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.
Types of Dog Leashes: A Glossary From Flat Lead to Long Line
Most walks only need a flat leash about 4 or 6 feet long. Rope, biothane, leather, traffic handles, waist belts, long lines, slip leads and couplers each solve one specific job.
Best Bedding for Hamsters: Paper, Aspen, Hemp, Hay and Sand
The best hamster bedding is soft, unscented and holds a tunnel: paper as the base, aspen or hemp for texture, hay for structure, sand in its own corner.
Best Toys for Kittens by Age and Play Style: A Gentle Guide
The best kitten toys match the kitten's age and how it likes to play: light balls and soft kickers for tiny paws, wands for pouncers, puzzles once it is steady. Here is how to choose.
Do Dogs Need Boots in Winter? Types, Fit and When to Skip Them
Many dogs walk happily through winter without boots. Boots earn their place on salted sidewalks, icy paths, clumping snow and long trail days. Here is how to choose, measure and fit them.
Cat Window Perch Guide: Hammocks, Sill Seats and Cat TV Setup
Pick a cat window perch by your glass and sill: suction-cup hammocks for smooth single panes, sill seats for deep ledges, shelves or a tree for a route. Then give the view something to watch.
Types of Dog Beds Compared: Bolster, Mat, Cot, Cave and Pillow
Match the bed to how your dog sleeps: bolster or donut beds for curlers, flat mats and crate pads for sprawlers, raised cots for airflow and outdoors, caves for burrowers.
Herding Dog Toys and Play: A Guide for Collies, Aussies and Corgis
Herding breeds were bred to gather and move livestock, so they love games with a job: pushing a big ball, chasing a flirt pole lure, catching a disc and working out puzzles.
Hiking With a Dog Checklist: Fall Trail Gear From Leash to Towel
For a fall hike with your dog, pack a well-fitted harness and 6 ft leash, ID and a tracker, water and a folding bowl, poop bags, a towel, and blaze orange in hunting season.
Senior Cat Care at Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to Easy Living
Make an older cat's day easier with steps to favourite spots, a low-entry litter box on every floor, raised bowls, warm beds, grippy floors and gentle play, room by room.
New Kitten Checklist: What You Need for the First Week Home
A kitten's first week goes best in one small, safe room with a low litter box, shallow bowls, a bed with a hiding spot, scratchers and a carrier. Here is the list, day by day.
Gifts for Cat Lovers (and Their Cats): A Holiday Guide by Person
The best gifts for cat lovers fit the person and the cat: toys and a soft bed for a new kitten, a window perch for an indoor watcher, a fountain for a busy multi-cat home.
How to Choose a Budgie Cage: Width, Bar Spacing and Setup
Pick a budgie cage that is wider than it is tall, with bars no more than half an inch apart, horizontal bars for climbing, wide doors and a pull-out tray.
Aquarium Starter Checklist: Tank, Filter, Heater and Cycling
A community fish tank needs a roomy tank on a strong stand, a filter and heater sized to it, a light on a timer, conditioned water and a full cycle before the first fish.
Types of Dog Collars: A Glossary From Flat Buckle to Martingale
Flat buckle, quick-release, martingale, breakaway, rolled leather, sighthound, tracker and ID collars explained in plain words, plus how a collar should fit.
Cat Halloween Costumes Cats Tolerate: Start Small, Stay Gentle
The cat Halloween costumes most cats put up with are light and small: a bandana collar, a soft hat or a cape that fastens at the neck only. Here is how to choose, try one on gently and when to skip it.
Thanksgiving With Dogs: A Calm Holiday Checklist for Hosts
Plan a dog-friendly Thanksgiving: a quiet room with a covered crate or a favorite bed, a long chew during dinner, gates at the kitchen, a tag check, a lidded trash can and a pre-dinner walk.
The West Paw Story: A Montana Toy Maker and Its Recycling Loop
West Paw began in 1996 when Spencer Williams bought a small pet toy maker in Livingston, Montana. Here is its story, its Zogoflex material and its toys explained.
The Outward Hound Story: Nina Ottosson and the Dog Puzzle
Nina Ottosson began designing dog puzzles in 1990 to keep her two Bouviers busy indoors. In 2015 her company joined Outward Hound. Here is their story, and their toys explained.
Is a Slow Feeder Good for Dogs? 7 Myths and Facts Checked
A slow feeder turns dinner into a small search game for many dogs, but the right one depends on pattern depth, bowl size, muzzle shape and material. Here are seven common beliefs, checked.
How to Brush a Double-Coated Dog: Tools, Steps and Drying
Work in sections down to the skin: an undercoat rake first, a slicker brush next, a metal comb to check. Brush at least weekly, more while the coat sheds, and dry fully after a bath.
Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats: How Many, Where and Which Type
Plan one litter box per cat plus one extra, spread them across different rooms with a clear way out, and choose big, easy-entry boxes with unscented clumping litter.
Chew Toys for Strong Chewers: Materials, Sizes and Wear
No chew toy is indestructible. For a strong chewer, match the material to how your dog chews, size up so it cannot be swallowed, rotate toys and bin any that crack or shed pieces.
How to Choose a Cat Carrier: Hard, Soft, Backpack, Expandable
Choose a hard carrier for easy cleaning and a top that lifts off, a soft carrier for light everyday trips, and a backpack or expandable style for longer outings. Size it so your cat can stand and turn.
Indoor Rabbit Setup Checklist: Pen, Flooring, Hay and Hideouts
Rabbits need a roomy pen with soft flooring, daily free-roam time, a hay rack, a litter box with paper litter, a water bowl, a two-door hideout and things to chew and dig.