Carolyn J. Braden • 4 Minute Read
Best Pet Products for Dogs and Cats We Use Every Day
If you've followed Carolyn's Blooming Creations for any length of time, you've probably met our furry family members: Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, and Monica (and even some of our former fur babies too). While I may be the one creating content, these three are the real influencers around here!
Over the years, we've tested countless pet products while caring for our dogs and our now 16.5-year-old Maine Coon cat. Some products lasted a few days, some a few months, and a select few became permanent fixtures in our home because our pets chose them again and again.
Today, I'm sharing a typical day in the life of our pets and the products they genuinely love.
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Click the image to shop this on Amazon: Our Dogs' Favorite Toys, Treats, and Travel Essentials
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🛠️We also love Lowe’s (see our Lowe’s storefront here) for all our home improvement projects and gardening loves (and animal lover loves too!).
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👉More Product Loves❤️
You can also get the products I’ve featured and more of my product loves via my Target shop here or my CVS Store here (use your ExtraCare card to double up on savings!) or via my shop my store here or below:
🔗Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
Daily Pet Routine: Products Our Pets Actually Love
Morning: Breakfast Is Better with Bone Broth + Discount
The day begins bright and early with breakfast.
Minnie Pearl and Johnny Cash practically sprint to their bowls every morning, especially when I add their favorite topper: Brutus Bone Broth in Chicken flavor. Not only do they love the taste, but I love knowing they're getting extra hydration and nutrients to start their day. I’ve seen an increase in the shine of their fur since they first started consuming it, which is amazing!
If you'd like to try it for your own pups, don't forget to use my discount code CAROLYN20 for 20% off or my Brutus discount link here.
Johnny Cash Approved: Brutus Bone Broth!
While the dogs enjoy breakfast, Monica is already demanding hers. As a senior cat, she eats a special veterinarian-recommended diet, and honestly, she would probably eat all day if we let her. Our vet said that was A-OK too to keep her weight on as she ages gracefully.
Our Fur Baby, Minnie Pearl, loves these balls!
Mid-Morning Playtime: The Balls That Survived Johnny Cash
After breakfast comes the most important event of the morning: fetch. Our Mini American Eskimos have so much energy and this helps get some of it out and is great exercise.
Over the years, we've bought dozens of dog balls. Some lasted days. Some disappeared into the couch. But one toy consistently earns four paws up from both dogs: the Chuckit! Air Fetch Ball in Medium.
The grated, lightweight design is easier on their mouths and allows airflow while they carry it around. Johnny Cash is an enthusiastic chewer, so the fact that these balls survive as long as they do is impressive.
Must-Have Pet Travel Essentials for Dogs and Cats: We are traveling in this photo and bring toys!
Orange is their favorite color, and they can spot those balls from across the room. We also keep the glow version on hand, affectionately known as "Glow Ball" around our house. It shines surprisingly bright and is perfect for evening play sessions on our porch.
Whenever one eventually wears out from heavy chewing, I simply reorder another because these are one of the few toys our dogs consistently choose. They also love Bark Box toys (Lowe’s has some cute pet toys here in my storefront) as they last a long while.
Senior Maine Coon Cat Favorites for Comfort and Care
Monica's Midday Nap in Her Favorite Bed: Knead + Discount
While the dogs are busy playing, Monica is focused on more important matters: napping.
As cats age, comfort becomes increasingly important. After trying multiple beds over the years, Monica officially retired her old favorite and moved into the original arthritic pet bed from Knead.
Senior Cat Care Essentials for Aging Pets: Monica Style!
What amazed us most was how quickly she transitioned. We slowly introduced the bed, expecting it to take weeks. Instead, she claimed it within a single day after placing her favorite toys on it.
Any cat owner knows that's a huge endorsement.
The dogs were jealous of Monica’s new Knead bed, lol!
The gentle warmth is especially appreciated during cooler weather (it has a heating element you can use), and the supportive design helps keep our senior girl comfortable. The cover is washable too. We have a discount code available if you'd like to try one for your own aging pet. Use code CAROLYNBRADEN for $10 off or use my Knead link here.
👀Check out my 1-minute 📹 video tutorial with our Knead Cat bed love on my TikTok now or coming soon here to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Dog Stroller and Cooling Accessories for Summer Walks
Daily Walk Adventures
No day is complete without a walk.
Minnie Pearl and Johnny Cash love exploring the neighborhood and sniffing every interesting thing along the way. But since we often walk longer distances, they eventually get tired.
That's when their dog stroller comes to the rescue.
Minnie Pearl is so funny, just like the comedian Minnie Pearl was!
The stroller allows them to enjoy the adventure without overexerting themselves, especially during Florida's warmer months.
Speaking of heat, we never leave home without a few warm-weather essentials:
Clip-on stroller fan (from Amazon)
Plenty of water (We use this portable water bottle with an attached bowl)
Babiators (these are human kid sunglasses but Minnie Pearl loves wearing them sometimes…I guess she thinks she looks cool!)
These simple additions help keep our pups comfortable while they continue enjoying their daily outings.
Saw this hat while traveling and it’s Minnie Pearl and so fitting! Get it here.
Dinner Time and Dental Health
By evening, everyone is ready for dinner.
After finishing their meal, Minnie Pearl and Johnny Cash know exactly what's coming next: their Whimzees dental sticks. We tried the shapes, but they like the sticks the best especially since poor Johnny Cash had some bad teeth removed. Ahh…small dogs and their teeth issues!
This has become one of their favorite parts of the day.
Not only do they get excited for the treat, but we've noticed a significant improvement in their dental health over time. Regular dental care for pets can be challenging with dogs, so finding something they genuinely enjoy has been a game changer. We also brush their teeth bi-weekly with this dog toothbrush set.
They are some of those products we continually reorder because they work and our dogs love them.
They love their car seats, which strap them in well!
Our Favorite Travel Companions
One thing many people don't know about our pets is how much they've traveled.
They've joined us on road trips (we love pet friendly hotels and AirbNb!), adventures, and even hurricane evacuations. Because of that, we've learned exactly which travel products make life easier.
For Monica, we use:
A lidded feeding bowl to reduce spills (We love the Messy Cats brand for our dogs and cat)
An Igloo KoolTunes cooler to keep pet food fresh and organized
For the dogs, their dog car seats help keep them secure and comfortable while traveling.
These products have accompanied us through some memorable journeys and have become trusted essentials whenever we hit the road. If you fly with your pets, HGTV has some great pet travel tips for you here.
Minnie Pearl, proud of her artwork, with no messy paws!
Preserving Precious Memories
One of my favorite pet projects was creating an inkless paw print keepsake featuring all three of our furry family members.
The framed artwork captures a moment in time and reminds us just how much joy these pets have brought into our lives.
Considering all the adventures they've experienced together, including travel and hurricane evacuations, it's a keepsake we'll treasure forever.
Bedtime for Minnie Pearl
As the day winds down, Minnie Pearl has one final routine.
When she's ready for bedtime snuggles, she heads toward our bed using her stool to dog stairs, which is a foldable stool that looks like a nice piece of furniture.
See it on our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden here or below:
These stairs have made it much easier for her to join us comfortably and safely, especially on days when she's feeling a little less energetic, especially as she ages.
Once she's settled in, everyone is finally ready for sleep.
The Products Our Pets Actually Chose
As pet parents, we've purchased a lot of products over the years.
Some were trendy. Some were highly recommended. Some didn't last long at all.
The products featured in this post earned permanent spots in our home because our pets repeatedly chose them over other options. Whether it's a favorite ball, a comfortable bed, a trusted travel accessory, or a beloved daily treat, these are the products that have stood the test of time with Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, and Monica.
And if there's one thing we've learned, it's this: pets are the most honest influencers you'll ever meet.
🎬Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💖 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.