Starmark Interactive Play Dog Toys - Review

You can never have too many dog toys to keep your dogs mentally stimulated and away from your prized possessions! We learnt that lesson the hard way with our first puppy eleven years ago ...   

With everyone away for the entire day and no constructive outlay for his teething, puppy Conner created his own fun, working his way through shredding BBQ and spa covers, munching on outdoor furniture and digging freshly planted flower beds ... No doggy daycare or dog walkers in the suburbs back in these days!

We've missed out on this 'glorious' puppy phase with our two rescue Malinois so we haven't experienced this full onslaught again but with three large dogs who are very tough chewers, dog toys only have a limited lifespan!

The Starmark Training and Behaviour Solutions dog toys are definitely not new yet it was a brand we'd never tried with our dogs. We were therefore more than happy to put some of these interactive play and chew toys through their paces, hoping to uncover a toy that would both entertain our pack and last more than one week! So here's our verdict on three of their most popular dog toys for different occasions...

#1. Starmark Fantastic DuraFoam Ball™

These bright colourful balls are designed to play throw and fetch games with your dog.

The Fantastic Durofoam Ball is made from durable patented foam so it's pretty tough yet it is soft on teeth and gums. 

This is a great alternative to tennis balls as we found our dogs cracked these like coconuts after the first catch and then focused on tearing off the abrasive fabric, potentially causing tooth damage.

The balls are so lightweight (70g-100g) that you can safely use them both outside and indoor (great for those rainy winter days). 

Conner catches Durafoam Ball Large (Blue)

The Durofoam balls also float so you can toss them in the pool if your dog is a good swimmer or a shallow clam shell if they just enjoy a quick splash to cool off on hot summer days!

They're very easy to grip (even wet!) which makes them easier to pick up and throw again.

Available in both Medium (6.35cm) and Large (9cm).

Please note: this is an interactive toy to use with your dog so supervision is always advised. You should never leave this toy available for your dog to destroy or eat and always remove the toy from your dog if it damages this toy or tries to swallow pieces. It this happens very quickly, it's probably not tough enough for your pooch which brings us to our dogs' favourite!

RRP: $10.99 - $14.99 from www.petsofaustralia.com.au

Putting all four toys in front of two different dogs, this one was selected first every time ...

#2. Starmark Treat Dispensing Football

The Treat Dispensing Football is designed to hold a variety of treats and dry dog food to encourage play and reduce boredom. It rolls, bounces and it floats in water as well.

When we received the Treat Dispensing Football, we noticed this was the Medium size (designed for dogs under 18kg) and were not holding much hope this would last very long with our Malinois.

This toy is constructed from non-toxic (no latex, vinyl or phtalates), durable material that's stronger than rubber and your dog will need to work quite hard to retrieve the treats from the opening unless you break them into very small pieces so they can roll out easily.

The crunchy inner core is keeping our dogs engaged for much longer than other toys yet it is mercifully quiet (even in full chewing mode!) so from our perspective it's a great alternative to squeaker toys.

Definitely select the model recommended for your dog's size as we noticed a crack in the yellow opening (both sides) after a few days, probably because our Malinois was able to fit the whole Football in her mouth and exercise her full jaw pressure. The toy is still fun to use, it just doesn't look as pristine any more!

This toy is available in two sizes: Medium (9cm in length); and Large (12.5cm in length)

RRP: $14.99-$17.99 from www.petsofaustralia.com.au

#3. Easy Glide DuraFoam Disc® 

The Starmark Easy Glide is a soft, extremely durable flying disc which is perfect for teaching your dog to catch.
Its shallow design means it can be used as a water bowl when you're on the go, though you'll have to refill it a few times!

Using the same material as the Durafoam balls, it is very soft on your dog's teeth and gums. It will float in water which makes for great disc-catching fun at the beach, lake or if you have a pool.

The patented design sends the disc straight and level delivering a steady, hovering movement and this makes it easier for your dog to track and catch. 

Well, that's the theory anyway! We're very poor at throwing  - clearly not playing enough sports growing up! - so we thought we'd rather share how the experts do it!



The Easy Glide DuraFoam Disc® is available in two sizes: 23cm or 28cm (diameter).

RRP: $26.99-$32.99 at www.petsofaustralia.com.au

In summary, the Starmark Durofoam range are toys we would personally considert when we next shop for new items for our dogs' toy box as we found they offered good value for money.

Disclaimer: product gifted by petsofaustralia.com.au for editorial consideration

12 Boredom Busters for your Dogs

Could your dog be bored? It is quite common for dogs to be left alone in the backyard or inside the home for long stretches of time during the day while you are at work or running errands. 

Without anything to occupy themselves, your pooches may find themselves in mischief to stay entertained. Signs of boredom can include:

• Excessive Barking / Whining
• Digging
• Chewing or other destructive behaviours
• Following you around when you are at home

Lots of problem behaviours can be avoided by creating an enriching environment for your dogs while you are away. Advice from animal behaviourists and dog trainers is to rotate their toys daily (don't leave them all out) as otherwise your dog will quickly get bored with all of them!

The Buddy Ball from Aussie Dog Products is a treat dispensing toy that will survive the tough chewer in your life! 

Made from food grade materials, your dogs will love the soft feel of this toy on their gums and the built-in chicken flavour!

The design of its opening is quite unique which allows for all sorts of goodies to be stuffed into it: from carrots and cheese to bones, jerky or liver treats etc. Because the treats are not easy to get out, this toy will certainly challenge your dog!

RRP: $16-$53 (Small, Medium or Large) from www.aussiedogproducts.com.au

The Lickimat Boredom Busters (3 designs) are designed to enrich your pet’s environment as well as benefit their health. Repetitive licking is soothing for your pet, releasing the calming cortisol hormone into their body so this may help dogs suffering from departure or separation anxiety...

Simply spread your dogs' favourite soft treat over the surface to create a tasty fun game as they have to seek out every morsel with their tongue. You could freeze treats in summer for refreshing longer lasting entertainment.

Lickimat Buddy - with its raised cross design - is perfect for thick sticky treats like peanut butter or soggy biscuits. Made from non-toxic food grade TPR, the Lickimat Buddy (20cm x 20cm) is suitable for puppies, small/medium dogs.

RRP: $9.00 from www.worldforpets.com.au

The Animal Sounds Babble Balls by Pet Qwerks are sound stimulating toys that bark, growl and interact with your dog when touched!  With over 20 funny wisecracks and sounds including: Oink, Oink, Oink, Grrr!, Croak Croak, Bark Bark Bark and many more.

The technology is so sensitive it can be triggered by a pet breathing on it, or just by the vibration of a pet walking past it. When play is finished, the Babble Ball turns off automatically and waits to be touched again.

These are great toys for blind or visually impaired dogs and puppies. Pets think it's actually alive!

Available in Small (Ribbed ball - 5cm) or Medium (Smooth ball - 7cm).

RRP: from $15.40 at www.dogtrainingproducts.com.au

With a great bounce and squeak, the Tuff Ball by Pawfect Earth is the perfect option for an active dog. 

These balls also float so you don’t have to worry about losing them at the beach or lake. Coming in vibrant green, blue and purple colours, they are easy to spot when you’re out and about. 

The Tuff Balls are built to last and have been bully breed tested. The small balls are a great alternative to tennis balls and the large balls are great for those bigger dogs that need something bigger to sink their teeth into and toss around.

Made from post-consumer recycled materials, meaning you can love your pet, and love the earth!

RRP $14.95-$19.95 (Medium or Large) at pawfectearth.com.au 

NB: Pawfect Earth donates $2.50 from every sale to an animal rescue organisation.

The Treat Dispensing Football by Starmark can hold a variety of dog treats and kibble.

Made with non toxic and durable material, it is gentle on your dog's mouth but the crunchy inner core will keep your pet engaged with its sound. 

Providing hours of challenging play, this toy is part of the Starmark 'Mental Stimulation' range. Suitable for both indoor or outdoor use, it rolls, bounces and also floats in water. 

Available in Small or Large (for dogs over 18kg).

RRP: $14.99 -$17.99 at www.petsofaustralia.com.au

The Busy Buddy® Kibble Nibble™
Feeder Ball from PetSafe will appeal to your dog's natural instincts by actively engaging him in mealtimes. Two Treat Meter™ prongs randomly dispense dry food and treats as the ball tumbles around. 

You can customise the rate of release according to the size of your dog's kibble. Rubber bumpers minimise noise and marks on walls and floors. 

This toy can hold your dog's entire meal and will unscrew for easy loading and quick clean-up (dishwasher safe in top rack). Available in 2 sizes: Small (dogs under 9.1kg) or Medium/Large.

RRP: $21.99 from petsafe.com/AU  

No matter how old your dogs, they love to play, and there is nothing more exciting than when food is part of the equation!

The P.L.A.Y. Wobble Ball is an interactive food puzzle toy uniquely shaped to roll around unpredictably to your fluffy friend’s delight. 

Coupled with the sound and sight of treats spinning inside, the Wobble Ball stimulates your pet mentally and physically with hours of interactive fun and enrichment. Put your dog's favourite treats in and reward them for their persistence and intelligence! 


It comes in 3 vibrant colours: Lime, Pumpkin and Sea Foam.

RRP: $39.95 at www.petplayaustralia.com

The KONG Quest Star Pod is a treat dispensing toy with loads of personality. 

Made using a brightly coloured, flexible material, KONG Quest toys deliver a fresh new challenge at meal time. 

Each toy can be stuffed with your dog’s favourite treats or food to simulate natural foraging behaviours and extend treat or meal time.

Available in a choice of colours (Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple and Green) and 2 sizes.

RRP: from $14.30 at www.pittapattaboutique.com.au

The Rogz Yumz dog toy was cleverly designed to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy but also to build up strength in their jaws. 

This treat dispensing toy doubles up as a chew toy. On the Rogz rating system (“Bite-o-Meter”), the Yumz is rated as hard (4/5).

All you need to do is to insert your dog’s favourite treats into either end - special fins inside help hold longer pieces in place - then watch your dog enjoy getting them out.
Choose from Blue, Lime, Orange, Pink, Red.

RRP: $11.33 - $26.18 (3 sizes) at www.d4dogz.com.au 

BioSafe toys are a more hygienic toy for your pet and family, as they use the BioCote antimicrobial technology to keep them fresher for longer. Made from tough yet soft plastics these toys are treated with a zesty fruit scent and they even float! 

​The cavity of the Rosewood BioSafe Watermelon toy can be filled with water and placed in the freezer. Once frozen, the extra large size provides hours of fun for your dog! 

Or pack the segments of the Rosewood BioSafe Orange toy with small treats, wet food, or even yoghurt. 

Your dog will love the challenge of trying to extract the treats whilst trying to grip the hemispherical shape. 

For trade enquiries, please contact Envon Pet Supplies

RRP: $9.99 - $18.10 from amazon.com.au   

A fabourite of our dogs, the Snuffler Mat provides great mental stimulation for your dogs as they will need to work for their treats! 

The mats are all handmade using a thick safety rubber mat as a base and quality fleece tied in knots as a cover. 

This creates a sea of plush tangles which are easy for your dog to lift or push around with his/her nose as they try to find the hidden treats.

Available in Small, Medium or Large.



RRP: from $35.00 at www.furleggedfamily.com.au

Keeping your dog entertained does not mean you have to spend a fortune on toys! We spotted this cheap option at Kmart - probably best used under supervision if you have a tough chewer!

Your dog will need to figure out where their favourite meal or snack is hidden with this dog treat puzzle. Hide a treat under each sliding peg and show your dog how to push them around with his/her nose, they’ll quickly get the hang of it once they find a treat!

The board (29.5cm x 19.3cm x 3.1cm) is made of MDF so inspect regularly and replace if damaged.

RRP: $9.00 from www.kmart.com.au and in stores nationally.

If you work long hours or travel away from home regularly, the new Petcube Bites might just be the perfect device to keep you and your pet connected!

This two-way communication system allows you to check on your dog or cat (like the Petcube Camera) thanks to a built-in HD camera and a two-way audio system for “conversations” while apart!

The most innovative feature is the ability to offer your pet treats, tossing them up to 1.8m away! All that’s required to run the device is reliable Wi-Fi since you control the Petcube Bites via the companion app on any smartphone.

For more information, please visit petcube.com/en-au/bites/

RRP: $349 exclusively at www.petbarn.com.au

Houndwave 2018 Doggy Day Out - April 7

Houndwave 2018: it's party time again for the pooches of Adelaide!

Adelaide’s Light Square will be letting the dogs out for fun, food and music for dogs and their humans to celebrate all things canine on Saturday 7th April 2018.

The Adelaide West End Association is proud to theme this event around responsible dog ownership with charity partners RSPCA South Australia and the Animal Welfare League (SA).


Dogs and families can enjoy a day out in beautiful Wauwi – Light Square (Adelaide), with a terrific lineup so bring your picnic blanket, relax and enjoy the day! 

Houndwave 2018's Vet Partners Adelaide Vets will be on site all day running a stall with an opportunity for you to “Ask a Vet” and you can also win a year of veterinary care worth up to $695!

The family-friendly day will be made musical with a great line up of local acts. People food, dog treat and pet accessory stalls will again line the square with a licensed area (not a BYO event) for the over-age owners. 

With best dressed competitions, education, dog agility and doga demonstrations plus activities for the little ones (both furry and not), everyone is encouraged to bring along a picnic blanket and join the fun at the 2018 Houndwave Doggy Day Out. 

The only entry criteria is that you #mustlovedogs and come along with a generous spirit to donate to charity partners.

When: Saturday 7th April 2018, from 11:00am until 5:00pm

Where: Adelaide Light Square - Wauwi

Cost: Free

For more information, please visit www.houndwave.com.au

Please note that all dogs must be on a leash and you can read the house rules here...

Dogapalooza Adelaide 2018 - March 18

Dog lovers and their pooches are invited to celebrate Dogapalooza's fifth birthday on Sunday 18th March on the lawns of Orphanage Park. 

Dogapalooza is Adelaide's original dog-friendly, 'blues and roots' mini-music festival so bring your dog and a rug, and chill out to some live tunes!

Always a highlight event of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, canine family members get to bring their human companions along to listen to amazing award-winning and popular Australian music artists.

Sponsored and hosted by the City of Unley, the main beneficiaries are SA Dog Rescue and Oscar's Law, but all animal rescue and advocacy organisations at the event receive a donation.

This fundraiser is run on 100% volunteer power, even the musicians donate their performance for the day. 

This means all profits go straight to local animal rescue and advocacy organisations attending on the day: 

Animals Australia, Guardian Angel Animal Rescue Inc., Wombat Awareness Organisation, German Shepherd Dog Rescue South Australia Inc., SA DOG RESCUE, Holly's Rescue for Senior Dogs Inc., Animal Justice Party South Australia, Rescue Me Whiskers & Paws, Freedom Hill Sanctuary, Alaskan Malamute Rehoming Aid Aust Inc.

This year's entertainment line-up includes:

• Jeremiah Johnson
• Runebilly Rattle
• Fiddle Chicks
• Ukulele Death Squad
• Joe Man Murphy
• Jimmybay 
• Cal Williams Jr

Both four-legged and two-legged attendees will have a selection of ethical foods on offer, as well as the dog loving stalls of our beneficiary rescue and advocacy groups and boutique commercial dog product vendors. 

Dogapalooza is celebrating its fifth anniversary with some limited edition merchandise so be quick to grab yours! 

When: Sunday 18th March 2018, from 11:00am till 3:00pm. Gates open from 10:30am.

Where: Orphanage Park, Mitchell Street, Millswood

Cost: $18 for adults ($16 concession) online or $20 at the gate; kids under 12 (donation only) and furkids are free.

Tickets can be purchased via the Adelaide Fringe Festival website or at the gate unless sold out. 

For further information please visit www.facebook.com/DogapaloozaAdelaide

 

Happy Healthy Dog Cooked Meals - Review

Happy Healthy Dog delivers gourmet home-cooked balanced meals for your dogs to your door and this new service is currently available to dog owners in the Sydney metro area.

A bit like 'Light n Easy' but for dogs! All you have to do is open a sealed pouch to deliver a meal designed to help maintain a healthy weight and great energy levels for your special dog.

Developed by dog lovers, Happy Healthy Dog came about as the founders wanted to share their own successful experience of feeding of home-cooked meals to their beloved pooches. 

Leaving behind a successful career in finance, Rangat Oberai jumped out of the rat race to focus on his passion for dogs and their wellbeing through nutrition. At home, he's inspired by his fiancée's Toy Poodle X Lhasa Apso named Halo.

After many months of research including scientific lab testing to ensure all meals met the requirements of the American Association of Food Control Officers (AAFCO) and the National Research Council (NRC), extensive doggie food trials were conducted before launching officially this month to the public.


WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT HAPPY HEALTHY DOG MEALS?

As we discovered with our Malinois having a sensitive stomach, variety may be the spice of life but too much of it can actually upset your dog’s tummy! That’s not to say that you have to feed them the same boring diet all their life ...

Your meals for the week will be delivered to your door at a pre-arranged day/time but if you’re not there to receive it, don’t panic! The box is sealed and its contents refrigerated with ice packs so your dog's meals will keep fresh for hours.

Happy Healthy Dog have created a balanced meal plan consisting of four main dishes and flavour combinations which include a perfect mix of cooked meats/organ meats, fruit, vegetable, yoghurt and healthy carbs.

Your dog will eat meals built around chicken, beef, turkey, salmon as the main protein but occasionally they will get to sample a new monthly special like kangaroo! 

All ingredients are organically sourced and human-grade so no cheap offcuts or animal by-products here… 

The exact portion for each meal has been designed to keep your dog at their optimal health and is based on each dog’s weight, age, size and activity level. We would encourage you to speak to the team at Happy Healthy Dog personally, to share additional information about any health issues (skin conditions, allergies etc.) prior to ordering so they can devise the right plan for your pooch.

Happy Healthy Dog recommend that you follow their weekly meals schedule below but please feel free to mix and match! Because each meal has a different nutrient profile, you'll find that the weight of each pouch varies but it all adds up to a balanced diet over the course of one week.

The first thing we noticed is that all the meals are portion-controlled in transparent sealed pouches and clearly labelled (from Day 1 to Day 7) so it's very easy to follow the
meal plan.

The labels are also colour-coded to indicate what you should pop in your fridge (green - Day 1 to Day 4). As the pouches are sealed, all the meals will stay fresh simply refrigerated for the whole week and longer, however it is up to you if you prefer to freeze the last few days worth of meals (blue - Day 5 to Day 7). You’ll just have to set a reminder to take them out a day before to defrost - we forgot a couple of times!

Even if you can't recall what the dishes are at the top of your head, you can definitely tell what protein, fruit and/or vegies have been used as they haven't been processed within an inch of their lives, keep them full of flavour!

Happy Healthy Dog - Week 1 'Super Dog 7 Meal Plan' (based on 2 dogs, 30kg each)

OUR ADVICE ON HOW TO GET STARTED

As with every change in your dog’s diet, these should be discussed with your vet if your dog suffers from any particular medical conditions. If you get the all clear, meals are best introduced gradually and we found that the 2-week trial offered the best way to sample these meals without upsetting our dogs’ tummies.

During Week 1, you’re basically on what’s called the “Super Dog 7 Meal Plan” where only half of your dog’s dietary requirements are provided. We only fed the Happy Healthy Dog meals 50% of the time (usually at dinner time) and kept using our normal dog food at breakfast time but you can do the opposite. This helped our dogs transition: assisting with digestion and passing stools easily.

If like us, you’ve experienced no issues, then you can move on the “Ultimate Dog 14 Meal Plan” where you receive enough food to cover your dog’s dietary requirements for the whole week. We will then serve the Happy Healthy Dog menu twice a day (breakfast and dinner) during Week 2. 

WHAT WE LIKE

The eagerness both at delivery time and around the kitchen counter at meal times was palpable every time a sealed pouch was opened and the smells wafted out to reach our dogs’ noses! 

There’s not that excitement when kibble hits the food bowl though our pack is definitely not fussy!  We were told that some dogs were less fond of the fish meal but nope, not in this house! All flavour combinations were happily devoured and the bowls licked clean…


Happy Healthy Dog definitely impressed us by its outstanding Customer Service with a team going above and beyond what you’d expect from a home delivery company (usually drop and run!). We found their owner was not only knowledgeable and happy to answer any of our questions re. their product(s) but also very flexible with regard to day/time for our weekly delivery.

The company offers great flexibility in their plans as you can choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly FREE delivery in the Sydney metro area. 
If you’re going on holidays, you can also pause your meals and there’s no “lock-in” contracts so you can order based on your needs.

The prices will depend on your dog's size so it's clearly more affordable for small to medium size pooches. For one dog around 20kg, expect to pay $50/week for the 2-week trial and $70/week to have all 14 meals delivered after that.

PRICE AND WHERE TO BUY

RRP: starting from $17*/week (Super Dog), $23.50*/week (2-week trial); $30*/week (Ultimate Dog)

* for dogs 6-7 kg 

Please note: 10% discount when you buy ANY 2 meals plans; 15% off when you buy ANY 3 meals plans - great for multi-dog households or if you consolidate with family/friends (one address).

For more information and to order, please visit www.happyhealthydog.com.au