The Product: Vittles Vault.

Last week, I wrote about how several pet parents in different parts of the country reported finding grain mites in Purina Beneful dog. Here's that post, that includes links to more info about these pests. Ingesting the mites usually won't cause serious illness or injury to your dog or cat, but it can make them sick.

Turns out that mites thrive in damp, humid conditions -- hmm, sounds like South Florida to me. So proper food storage is important.

SSS! reader Tara (aka TJ). recommends the Vittles Vault.

Gamma2, the plastics company making the vaults that got its start in biomedical equipment, says these hard plastic containers are impervious to ants, mites and other pests, and helps prevent mold on food. The secret is the vault's spinning lid, which makes the seal airtight and locks out moisture.

Here is Tara's review:

I love the Vittles Vault. I have been using these vaults for the past two years and have not had a problem with mold, staleness of the food, etc. Keeps it fresh. AND.....if you need to toss it in the car with your other pet-stuff during a hurricane evacuation, its very convenient. (We have to think of everything, right? )

Prior to using the Vittles Vault, especially if I used any of the more holistic, preservative-free dry foods, they would tend to mold. I would have to throw them out long before the bag was empty, even if I clipped the bag together with the plastic potato-chip-bag kind of clip.

Thanks, Tara!

The Vittles Vault is available at many local pet stores and through online outlets.
Retail price: $12.99 to about $55, depending on the size and type of container. There are travel vaults, stackable vaults and vaults in different shapes.

Got a pet product or toy that your animal friend loves -- or hates? Write a review for Pet Tested. You can email it to: dlade@sun-sentinel.com.

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With the Dow taking a sharp dip last week, most of us are looking to save a few pennies. From SSS! reader Karen Kirwan, of Plantation, comes a suggestion for a make-it-yourself toy that your cat and your wallet will love.

Here’s Karen’s comments. And thanks for the Pet Tested tip!

This is King and his 'drug sock' - that's what we call his catnip.

Anyway King will pick this sock up and drag it between his legs in some strange arched body movement. He'll make it all over the house doing this and he'll make funny whining noises at the same time. It is really funny to watch.

Got a pet product or toy that your animal friend loves -- or hates? Write a review for Pet Tested. You can email it to: dlade@sun-sentinel.com.

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The product: KONG Wubba Teaser Cat Toy

Franny and Dolan's three favorite catnip toys are nearing retirement: Mousie's fur is hopelessly matted, Batty's face has been chewed off and Mr. Strawberry has lost his stem.

So when I heard that the KONG company had a line of cat toys, I decided to ease in a newcomer.
KONG already has a loyal following among dog owners. And here is what the Wubba Teaser promised: "Specifically developed to appeal to cat's instinctive desire to stalk and capture prey."

Talk about truth in advertising.
Frances Jeanne jumped Wubba the minute it was out of the package, despite the fact that the toy looks like a cross between a fleecy sheep and a pink octopus rather than a legitimate prey animal. Wrapping her front paws around Wubba's head, Franny lifted her back legs and started kicking away - an instinct throwback to the house cats' jungle ancestors that used their powerful hindquarters to disembowel their prey.

Ah yes, the Wubba helps Franny get in touch with her inner tiger!

Wubba now is preferred stalking target of both cats. It supposedly is infused with "natural" catnip, although it doesn't have a refillable catnip pouch like the previous toy trio. The detachable baton allows me to control Wubba without risking my hand.
Only thing I worry about is the string: Franny loves chewing on it almost as much as she does the toy.

KONG Wubba Teaser is available at most local pet stores and online outlets.
Retail price: $7.99

Got a pet product or toy that your animal friend loves -- or hates? Write a review for Pet Tested. You can email it to: dlade@sun-sentinel.com.

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These Pet Tested products weren’t exactly tested by the pets themselves. But a well-read and well-educated owner is a companion animal’s best friend. SSS! reader TJ had sent me a list of some of her favorite books earlier this month and one in particular caught my eye:

Vet Confidential: An Insiders Guide to Protecting Your Pet, by Dr. Louise Murray. (Ballantine NY, 2008).
Consumers and veterinarians on Amazon.com praised the book, and Dr. Murray, for her straightforward, understandable way of discussing everything from how to chose a vet, what a diagnosis means, and what tests should and should not be done.
“I am reading it right now and it’s the only one of its kind out there,” TJ told me. “It’s a terrific layman’s book on how to evaluate your vet. Very useful, well worth the money.”

Here are TJ’s reviews, in her own words, of three other animal books she loved.

Tell Me Where it Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Suregeon, by Nick Trout (Broadway, 2008)
I usually avoid the dog and pet “story” books because I end up crying my eyes out and can't sleep at night afterwards (still getting over Black Beauty, 1958). But with this book, which I just picked up at Barnes and Noble while drinking my coffee, was funny, touching, yes, sad at times, but really very uplifting, as this vet is an incredibly sharp guy. He will, I bet, continue to write books, he's amazing. It’s his recounting of a day at work and all the characters, people and animal that he deals with.

Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster, by Allen and Linda Anderson, and John Ensign (New World Library, 2006)
It’s the best book I have ever read on Katrina animal rescue. Amazing, can't put it down.

Enslaved By Ducks, by Bob Tarte (Algonquin Books, 2004)
And finally, just to laugh like you have never laughed, there’s this story of a pet-less couple who suddenly find themselves living in the country with a backyard full of ducks to care for. Doesn't sound like much. But believe me, as a fellow animal-lover, you will appreciate how this hapless couple are gradually pulled into the hypnotic spell of this bunch of personality-plus ducks and find out what being a pet slave is all about. Really a blast to read. And I understand he has done a follow-up called “Fowl Weather.”

All of these books are available on Amazon.com and you probably can find them in local bookstores, too.
Thanks TJ!

Do you have a favorite book that deals with companion animals: Fiction, consumer guides, amazing true stories? Post a comment here on Pet Tested and we will share it.

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