Top 10 Picks From The 2014 Global Pet Expo

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic

What a rush! Everyone was at the 2014 Global Pet Expo – even Elvis (and his sidekick, Gambler). I had a great time catching up with old friends, making new ones and seeing all the cool stuff that will be making its way to stores this spring and summer. With so many awesome things to choose from, it’s really hard to narrow it down, but I picked my Top 10 Picks from the 2014 Global Pet Expo (in no particular order). These are the products that I would have no problems shelling out my hard-earned Pet Editor dollars on (Oscar is a high-maintenance kind of dog).

Whistle Activity Monitor: I’m looking forward to the warmer weather and getting a lot more active with Oscar. And the Whistle Activity Monitor is something that is right up my alley. This handy little device attaches right onto your dog’s collar, continuously collects data on your dog’s activity and sends key insights right to your cell phone (once you download the free app). You can see when your dog is moving and resting, who is spending time with him, how he compares with other dogs and set up exercise goals. As well, Whistle members are a part of a network that can share photos and notes to stay connected to each other’s progress. The Whistle Activity Monitor retails for $129. ( Whistle)

Tuggo: Fun, easy, durable and affordable – you can’t ask for much more out of your dog toy. And that’s exactly what you get from Tuggo. A twist on tug-of-war, the Tuggo features a 10″ ball molded from hard plastic that can be filled with water or sand, depending on how heavy you want to make it. There’s a rope that runs through the ball, which means your dog can play with it himself or call over a group of his pals to see who’s the strongest. The water will never seep out and you can add up to 20 pounds of resistance. And best of all, it’s tough – this is one toy that will stand up to the strongest of chewers. The Tuggo retails for $29.99. ( Tuggo)

Pet Party Printz: I don’t know about your dog, but Oscar loves the holidays. Not because of all the treats and gifts he receives, but because he loves ripping open his gives. He thinks the gift wrap is the best part! It makes me nervous – I’m afraid that he’s going to eat something he’s not supposed to. And that’s why I was ecstatic to learn about Pet Party Printz, the premium gift wrap for your pet. It’s made with soy-based, non-toxic inks, is made in the USA and comes with a self-adhesive Rip-N-Stick edge (you don’t need tape). Choose from birthday, holiday and everyday prints. Oscars can’t wait to rip into these! Individually packaged sheets (7 sq. ft.) retail for $4.95 each. ( Pet Party Printz)

Motorola SCOUT Pet Wi-Fi Monitor Camera: You know your dog’s up to no good when you leave your house. Or maybe you just miss him. Or perhaps you just need a mid-day puppy break to get you through the rest of your day. If you want to keep an eye on your dog when you’re not there, then you need the Motorola SCOUT Pet Wi-Fi Monitor Camera. This gadget connects via your home’s Wi-Fi network so that you can watch and talk with your dog from wherever you are. Just download the free app onto your phone or tablet and you’re ready to go. The Motorola SCOUT Pet Wi-Fi Monitor Camera features remote pan, tilt and zoom, two-way communication, infrared night vision, soothing pet music, image snapshot, video recording and room temperature monitoring. It retails for $199.99 and available at Petsmart.

The Shmitt: Okay, it’s another really simple thing, but gosh darn it, why didn’t someone think of this one sooner? Picking up dog poop is pretty awkward as it is – can we please make it easier? That’s what the fine folks at Shmitt must have asked themselves when they designed this plastic mitt for picking up dog poop. No more grocery bags with tiny holes in them for us! This bag fits just your fingertips, with just enough webbing to give it the look of a traditional glove without the true feel of one (that would be kinda icky). Really, the fingertips are all you need to get a good grip on the poo. Then all you have to do is turn it inside out, tie it up and throw it out. This is one poop bag I can’t wait to get my hands into (and the name made me laugh out loud). The dispenser with 15 Shmitts retails for $5.99, while refills sell for $9.99. ( The Shmitt)

PetChatz: The work day is longer than ever before and we hate to be away from our pets. That’s where PetChatz steps in. This communication system lets you see, hear, greet and treat your dog anyplace and anytime you want. A sleek and compact unit that will mount on a wall or kennel, PetChatz will let you speak and see your dog while you’re away from your home using a smartphone, computer or tablet. You can give your dog a treat, release a soothing scent, give him a pep talk or make a funny face. You can even take a photo or video of your dog on PetChatz and share it with your friends and family. PetChatz will retail for $349 and is expect to hit stores in late spring. ( PetChatz)

Spot Farms Dog Treats: One of the best things about walking around Global Pet Expo is checking out all of the newcomers on the dog scene. And one such newbie is Spot Farms, the makers of Spot Farms Treats and Full Moon Treats. Family owned, this company makes treats in the US using regionally sourced, high-quality ingredients. They use USDA-approved meats raised on US family farms and cook all of the treats in small batches. Plus, all of the treats are made with 100 percent all-natural, human-grade ingredients. I tried a couple out. They tasted pretty good to me. But then again, I was pretty hungry. With formulas such as Turkey Meatballs with Cranberry, Chicken Apple Sausage and Hickory Smoked Turkey Bacon, I’m sure your dog won’t be turning his nose up at these delicious treats. ( Spot Farms)

P.L.A.Y. Wobble Ball: If you want to keep your pooch busy, load up the P.L.A.Y. Wobble Ball with treats. When you combine food and play, there’s nothing your dog won’t stop doing to get at this toy! Made using tough and durable Polycarbonate and ABS thermoplastic, the Wobble Ball is shaped to roll around unpredictably. You dog will spend hours trying to get his treats outs. Once he’s done, it’s a snap to take part and put in the dishwasher to clean up. I love the little dog and veggie motif inside the ball. They are held firmly in place, so there’s no chance that your dog can chew them off. Each Wobble Ball retails for $17.50. ( P.L.A.Y.)

iFetch: There’s only so much fetch a person can play. No so for a dog. Some dogs can play fetch all day long. Good thing there’s the iFetch. This toy plays fetch so you don’t have to! Your pooch can play fetch all by himself – but you do have to teach him to use it first. The iFetch automatically shoots a miniature ball that lets dog fetch and return it to the machine to shoot it again. It’s fun to watch and fun to play, giving your dog some much needed exercise when you don’t feel like it. It has three adjustable launch distances of 10, 20 or 30 feet so you won’t break anything. The iFetch retails for $99.99. ( iFetch)

Petego Cycleash: If you’re a cyclist, this is a must-have accessory for your bike. Keep it safe on the bike trails with the Petego Cycleash. Featuring Shock-Less TPR Technology, the Cycleash lets you keep full control of your bike. It’s made with an ultra-light alloy, and comes with an ergonomic curved bar, advanced design clip barrel and double use connection. The Cycleash is best suited for dogs over 40 to 50 pounds. It retails for $58. ( Petego)

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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