By Lalinda De La Fuente

Has a new furry addition to the family left your head spinning among the vast world of pet products?

The first time can sometimes be difficult, confusing and exciting all at once. And often, it’s those hidden costs that will catch you off guard. Food, toys and medical bills pile up quickly. But don’t forget books, grooming, treats, collars and leashes. A happy and healthy pet begins with the proper supplies. Here are ONLYforPETLOVERS picks of the litter.

Books

Good Owners, Great Dogs, Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, $10.99, Amazon.com
Authors and trainers Kilcommons and Wilson tackle all those bad dog problems that drive owners crazy and shows how to raise a puppy into a happy, perfectly behaved dog. This book emphasizes understanding how dogs think, reading their body language, and communicating and managing them with patience and clarity.

The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care, Wendy Christensen and Humane Society Staff, $11.53, Amazon.com
The Humane Society of the United States offers both authoritative and practical advice in cat care. The comprehensive guide includes sections on nutrition, training, grooming, disease, veterinary visits and even caring for an aging cat and emergency care. The guide also provides information on rescuing and rehabilitating homeless cats and finding a stray's owner.

Treats

Merrick Flossies, $3.99 (regular), $4.35 (jumbo), $4.35 (PHAT jumbos), merrickpetcare.com
These treats are one of Merrick’s top selling products. Made from a beef tendon, the unique design of this treat creates a natural chewing friction against the teeth which helps to clean a dog's teeth. Merrick claims that they “have not met a dog yet who has turned down one of these tasty treats.” These treats also come in three sizes for the little, medium or big dog in your life.

Halo Liv-A-Littles Freeze Dried Whole Chicken Treats, $12.99 (2.5 oz. container), onlynaturalpet.com
These healthy and natural treats for cats use high-quality, human-grade and chemical-free ingredients. Also available in beef, cod fish, lamb and salmon, these treats work great as a reward or crumbled into food as an extra bonus for your feline friend. One use review said, “my cats are addicted to the chicken Liv-A-Littles. They will gently bat at me and give me a little nip if I don’t give them these treats.”

Grooming

John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Wipes, $11.99 (45 ct.), entirelypets.com
These pre-moistened wipes are specially formulated to help groom and clean your pet. Ideal for a quick clean-up and removing loose hairs and dander from their coat. The wipes are cruelty-free and tested on humans first! John Paul is the co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair care for humans.

FURminator deShedding Tool, $34.99 (small), $49.95 (medium), $59.95 (large), petsmart.com
The FURminator reduces shedding up to 90 percent and removes undercoat and loose hair without sacrificing the healthy top coat. The stainless steel edge does not cut hair but gently pulls out the fluffy undercoat, leaving the topcoat shiny and undamaged. Poodles, shih tzus, Maltese, bichons, Portuguese water dogs, and Irish water spaniels are typically not good candidates for the FURminator. Also available for cats ($34.95, petsmart.com).

Earthbath Shampoo, $10.99 (16 oz), just4pooches.com
Earthbath shampoos are a line of all-natural, bio-degradable pet care products. Earthbath products are formulated with natural oils and essences which provide them with a great scent. All of these products are soap-free, pH-balanced, 100 percent biodegradable, free of phosphates and enzymes, and are animal cruelty-free. All products are safe for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens over the age of six weeks unless specified otherwise. Oatmeal & aloe, tea tree oil & aloe, hypo-allergenic, coat detangler and conditioner, puppy, eucalyptus & peppermint, and clear advantage formulas are also available.

Food

Innova EVO Dry Cat Food, $19.59 (6.6 lb. bag), onlynaturalpet.com
Specially designed to provide all the key nutritional benefits received from the feeding of raw food diets, EVO is based with ground chicken and turkey meat, bones, fat, cartilage and connective tissue. Also included on the ingredient list are raw fruits and vegetables, which contain health promoting phytochemicals and micronutrients.

Wellness Canned Cat Food, $1.09-$1.39 (3 oz-5.5oz can), onlynaturalpet.com
Features all human grade ingredients of nutritious proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, salmon and our favorite, lobster! The fresh fruits and vegetables provide essential antioxidants that protect and strengthen your cat's immune system. Even included are whole cranberries and blueberries to help maintain urinary tract health. What’s not included are rendered animal fats, meat by-products, wheat, corn or white rice. Five flavors are chicken, beef & chicken, chicken & herring, turkey and turkey & salmon.

Timberwolf Organics Dog Food, $9.40-$51.29 (4 lbs.-33 lbs. bags), dogfeast.com
This high quality food is made fresh to order and uses only specialty ingredients such as fresh meats, carrots and apples. Formula enhancers include special herbs and spices, salmon and walnut oils and natural preservatives. Comes in lamb, barely & apples and wilderness elk just to name a few.

Nature’s Variety Prairie Dry Dog Food, $12.49-$46.49 (5 lb.-30 lb. bags), onlynaturalpet.com
What we love at ONLYforPETLOVERS is the first ingredient: fresh meat. According to Nature’s Variety, meat and organs make up nearly 40 percent of the ingredients. Most dry kibble diets are 25 to 30 percent meat or meat and bone products. This kibble is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for All Life Stages.

Those Little Extras

Rubber Kong Dog Toys, $5.99-$19.99 (3 in.-4.25 in.), petsmart.com
Recommended by veterinarians, trainers, dog professionals and customers worldwide, the thick, natural rubber toy provides your dog with a real chewing workout. Their characteristic “beehive” design makes it bounce unpredictably in every direction. Its natural rubber is puncture resistant and incredibly bouncy. Kong rubber is non-toxic, nonabrasive, non-splintering, and does not get sharp when chewed. What we love the most is that it is a stuffable treat dispensing toy.

Yeowww Catnip Toys, $5.59, longacresfarm.com
Yeowww Catnip Toys advertise their products as using the strongest cat nip on the planet! Organically grown, Yeowww Catnip Toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Try the plush red apple stuffed with 3/4 ounces of Yeoww catnip or their plush seven inch cat nip cigars. Our favorite are the seven inch Yeowww catnip banannas that makes cats go banannas! All you have to do now is sit back and watch your feline friend say Yeowww!

PetZazz No-Tip Stainless Steel Bowls, $3.99-$13.99 (1 cup-12 cups), petsmart.com
Stainless steel, no-tip bowls are built for a lifetime of use. Rubber around the base reduces sliding and can be used for both food and water. The variety of hold capacities makes these bowls suitable for both cats and dogs, big or small.

Four Paws Wee-Wee Puppy Housebreaking Pads, $17.49 (50 ct.), thatpetplace.com
Wee-Wee Pads are specially treated absorbent pads that are scientifically devised to attract your puppy. A special scent attracts them and they will readily learn to relieve themselves only on the heavy-duty pads. Just keep moving the pad closer to the door, then outside and soon you'll find you don't need the pads anymore. Voila! Your puppy is housebroken.

Please contact ONLYforPETLOVERS if you have any questions about these or other pet products.

Photos: A. Syed and Tom Beyaert