Overwhelmed with options for your furry friend? Check out this list of the pet products our doctors (and resident feline, Binky) love most.
Dr. Drake:
Sentinel provides awesome parasite control that is safe for dogs and their owners. It is also the only product that can also prevent flea infestations in the house and environment. Highly recommend.
Learn more about our parasite control recommendations here.
Need a refill? Contact us at (760) 456-9556 or [email protected].
Dr. Boehme:
For cat owners, I recommend the Pipolino dry food dispenser. I like to have cats on predominantly canned food, but if they get dry food, it is nice to have them move a little. Pipolino engages their brain and body in eating by promoting hunting behavior, activity and mental stimulation. This is a great product for multi-cat households as well.
Dr. Shotwell:
My favorite product is Duoxo Chlorhexidine shampoo. It is the first shampoo I’ve seen that helps the underlying problem with allergies. Previous medicated shampoos were oatmeal-based and were used to not only physically rinse the antigens off the pets’ skin, but soothe the itch.
Duoxo is different in that the chlorhexidine portion not only decreases bacterial and yeast overgrowth (secondary infections from inflamed and compromised skin), but contains a phospholipid (a normal skin molecule) to help replace “holes” or damaged areas in the skin from the underlying allergy itself and physically removes the allergens from the skin. I have been able to keep many patients from needing oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication by prescribing a home bathing regimen using the Duoxo Chlorhexidine shampoo instead.
My own dog, Dallas, has flea allergies. He has a severe reaction to flea saliva and will immediately chew his fur out if exposed. Although he is on a strict flea control regimen, he loves to hunt in gopher and squirrel holes and inevitably gets exposed to fleas just given our active lifestyle. As soon as I start to see him itch, I bathe him with this shampoo and see immediate relief. Medicated bathing can be labor intensive for some owners, but if they are willing, it is a great tool to help those allergic pets. I love it!
Learn more about medical bathing at home here.
This shampoo and other Duoxo Chlohexidine products are available for purchase at The Drake Center.
Dr. Hamlet:
FURminator deShedding Tools work really well for removing the thick undercoat from my pug, Lilly, and cat, Kitty Boy. I also love the Miele U1 Cat & Dog vacuum as I vacuum almost daily with four animals!
Dr. Kovac:
My favorite collars and leashes are made by Lupine — they are 100 percent guaranteed even if chewed! I prefer the Combo Collar, which slides over the head and has two choices of metal loops for attachment of the leash. The first is the standard loop and the second turns the collar into a self-tightening slip collar. This feature makes sure your pet does not back out of the collar when frightened. It works great for thinner dogs who are more likely to slip out of their collar.
Need help finding the perfect lead for your pup? Check out our leash guide here.
Dr. Dilworth:
Two words: Gentle Leader! As the mom of a rambunctious pit bull who tried almost every type of harness and collar out there, the Gentle Leader is by far my top pick. It allows me to have more control of my dog without getting pulled out into traffic when out walking or running. In addition, it allows for correction that he can respond to (unlike some of the other harnesses out there).
It took two or three days for my dog to get used to it and there was some initial lying in the street in protest, but now he knows “Gentle Leader = walk” so he's okay with it. I've used the Gentle Leader for years and highly recommend it for medium to large strong dogs and high energy pups. As long as your puppy is big enough to be fitted with a Gentle Leader, starting off training him/her to use it at a young age is a great plan! (To ensure the Gentle Leader will work for you, it is important to make sure it is fitted properly. Most come with a DVD including fitting instructions.)
Binky:
Every morning after paying attention to my beautiful self, a brave Drake Center team member attempts to give me my medication (and no, they are not just handsome pills — that’s what Dr. Drake says they give me). They use this amazing thing called a pill wandand by the time I know what’s up, the pill is halfway down my esophagus. Easy on me and even easier on my human servants.
After I parade myself around the practice and summon attention from everyone, I usually head into exam room #1 (also known as the cat-friendly exam room) and proceed to breathe in the delightful aroma of Feliway. I am already a chill dude, but this really relaxes me. I recommend Feliway wipes for any trips your cat may require to our office or the MultiCat diffuser at home if you insist on bringing another feline into your cat’s kingdom.
At the end of the day, when I am completely cozy in the basket above Dr. Drake’s desk, another team member comes in to brush my teeth. There is nothing quite as awesome as ending your day with the flavor of C.E.T. Enzymatic Seafood Toothpaste. I might not completely enjoy the brushing, but I sure do love the savory taste of fishy goodness lavished across my teeth (and I’m sure your cats will, too).
All of these fantastic feline products can be purchased at The Drake Center.