Pet care products can be wildly expensive, and may not even do the job that you need them to do. In the process of finding what works, you could end up wasting lots of time and money.
That’s why more and more pet owners are now using a bit of ingenuity and a few household supplies to address common challenges.
1. Lap Dog
Although your dog probably wishes that you’d make petting and playing your full-time job, you can’t be there to cuddle your pup all the time. But, it’s easy to create a cozy, comforting bed that reminds them of you when you’re not at home.
If you have an old pair of jeans or sweat pants, you’re ready to go. Wear them a couple times so that they smell like you, then fill them with stuffing or old rags. Finally, just fold the legs in a comfortable position to create a surrogate lap bed for when you’re not around for cuddle time.
2. Portion Control
Many dogs have trouble controlling their feeding speed – they get excited when they see dinner and can’t help from scarfing it down too fast. This can have problematic effects on your pup’s gastrointestinal system, and can even result in choking.
One easy fix is to just toss a ball or small toy into your dog’s food dish. It will make it much harder to take huge bites as 
they’ll have to move the ball around to get to all the food. Another option is to take a metal food or water bowl, flip it upside down, and spread the food around the outside ring.
3. Doggie Popsicles
Dogs love cooling summer treats just as much as we do! These icy homemade treats are great because they taste good & let dogs get some healthy chomping in.
Just chop up a couple of apples, drop them in an ice tray, and then fill the tray with chicken stock. You can easily substitute apples for berries, shredded carrots or even chicken chunks. The added fruit makes the ice much safer for chewing and makes the ice toy a delicious treat.
4. Fresh Breath
No matter how much we love our precious pups, we rarely enjoy their breath. If your dog’s halitosis is serious, it’s probably an indication of an underlying health issue, so if you’re concerned, visit a holistic veterinarian who can diagnose and treat these issues.
For run-of-the-mill doggie breath issues, there’s an easy fix. Just toss a bit of parsley on your dog’s meal to get fresher breath. Humans have been using this trick for years, so why not share it with your furry friends so you don’t have to endure a less-than-stellar smell every time you get a puppy kiss?
5. Hydration On-the-Go
For active dog owners, keeping both you and your dog hydrated is a huge priority. Whether you’re on an all-day urban adventure, a wilderness hike, or a weekend camping trip, you’ll need to make sure that Fido has frequent access to water.
Instead of springing for an expensive travel water bottle for pets, try repurposing a syrup bottle with a handle. Once it’s cleaned out, just fill with water, attach a carabiner to the handle and you’ve got a perfectly portable squirt bottle that will allow your dog a quick sip anywhere, anytime.
6. Chicken Jerky
Your pup loves flavorful, meaty treats and you love to give them to him. The only problem is that many packaged treats are full of chemicals and fillers that are bad for your dogs’ health. Luckily, it’s easy and affordable to make your own healthy treats that are chemical and guilt-free.
To make homemade chicken jerky, start with organic chicken breasts or cutlets, slice very thinly and then beat with a tenderizing hammer. Next, cut the chicken into long strips about 3cm wide. Place the strips on a lightly greased baking sheet (a bit of olive oil does the trick), and cook for about 2 hours at 200°F. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re brown and crispy. Once they’re done, they’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
The next time you’re faced with a pet-related quandary, instead of rushing off to the pet supply store, do a bit of research to see if you can find an easy, natural DIY solution. You just may find that the homegrown answer is better than the store-bought one.