Maxbone Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush Review 2023: Our Vet’s Expert Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Maxbone Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Variety: 3/5
Materials: 5/5
Value: 5/5

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What Is Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush? How Does It Work?

This aptly named product seeks to simplify bath time for you and your pet. Gone are the days of trying to hold and squeeze shampoo bottles with wet, soapy hands while also trying to keep your pet from jumping out of the tub and soaking you in an escape attempt.

maxbone deep cleanse shampoo dispensing brush

A Breakdown of the Features

The Compartment: Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush can hold enough shampoo in the storage compartment for any size pet. The sides of this storage compartment are clear, so you can monitor the shampoo level as you use it. The wide opening allows for easy filling, and a soft silicone bubble nests inside a twist top to close the compartment when you’re done.

You will note a crosshatch at the bottom of the compartment that allows a controllable stream of shampoo to exit when you press the bubble at the top. The shampoo then travels past the silicone bristles of the brush and onto your pet or hand.

The Dispenser: The dispensing bubble at the top is incredibly easy to use. By choosing such a wide seat for the opening and, therefore, the bubble, you can catch it even with just the tip of a finger, which is useful as you’ll find yourself holding the product in various positions throughout bath time. I say “bubble” instead of “button” because the silicone is so soft and thin and easy to press into.

The Twist Top Rim: The twist top rim around the base of the bubble that anchors it to the rest of the product has small, raised ridges for traction to help you hold the dispensing brush while you’re using it. I will say due to the smooth plastic feel of this and the minor profile of these ridges, once your hands are wet and soapy, you won’t find much help here holding the product, but it’s still definitely a step up from trying to flip a shampoo bottle upside down.

Silicone Bristles: When using the Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush, tall, thick, but bendable silicone bristles line the entire bottom aspect, which allows you to rub in the shampoo you’re dispensing with the brush instead of needing to use your hands. Despite feeling easily bendable in your hands, you will find that they remain fully straight for the most part during use unless you exert extra force.

Maxbone offers multiple shampoo options you can pair with the brush, such as their Calming Shampoo, which is at its best with a thoroughly dispersing and exfoliating brush like this one.

By combining all these features, Maxbone has really applied their luxury take on pet supplies to create a super useful and gorgeous marriage of form and function tool.

silicone bristles of maxbone shampoo dispensing brush

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Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Fits any hand size

  • Holds enough shampoo to bathe any pet

  • Firm but moveable bristles provide good exfoliation

  • Easy to use and clean

Cons
  • Shape of the product doesn’t feel natural to hold onto in use, especially wet

  • Tall bristle profile is better for longer and thicker coated animals

  • Bristles may be too firm for sensitive pets, young pets, cats

Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush Pricing

At $14, the Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush is one of Maxbone’s cheapest available products, but that doesn’t mean they neglected its quality or looks. I think this is easily one of their most valuable products considering what you get for what you spend, and I find it well worth the $14 price tag.

What to Expect From Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush

My Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush arrived within a couple of days of placing my order. The box was crushed in one corner, but everything in the box was intact and packed efficiently. Every inch of the box was used appropriately, and I appreciated not receiving a box with a wasteful amount of shipping supplies involved.

Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush Contents

maxbone dispensing brush parts

  • Two-piece, fully detachable screw on top and dispensing push bubble

  • Clear-sided storage compartment to hold shampoo for use

  • Brush base with central crosshatch that allows through shampoo and seats the bristles of the brush

Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush Overall Quality

For a product with over thirty long, bendable silicone pieces, I was prepared to make allowances for how long this product would likely hold up. Once using it, though, I’m honestly not sure any specific part of this product would ever break with proper at-home use. All the materials feel good in your hand and hold up well.

Every aspect of the Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush has design elements that are perfect for their use, such as the wide set of the filling top/bubble, the clear sides of the storage compartment, and the arrangement of the brush bristles.

Soft But Sturdy Brush Materials

Any moveable features of this dispensing brush are soft-feel silicone, which I really liked. The base of the brush, storage compartment, and twist-on rim that holds the dispensing bubble in place are hard plastic with raised edges and dots in strategic spots to help you hold onto the brush while it’s wet.

I liked the choices for each though you will still find your hand slipping while holding the brush a bit since the shape doesn’t match your hand. This is never enough to send it flying from your hand in use, though.

maxbone brush dispensing some shampoo

Only One Style and Color Available

The Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush comes in one size and one color. I have three dogs, each about knee height, each with slightly longer/thicker hair coats and about 5–10 pounds more muscle/beefier than the next, so they range from a very short coat with delicate features to a longer, thicker, though not double coat with a stockier build.

When I tried this dispensing brush on all three of them, I found that my biggest girl, with her thicker coat, was the easiest to use it on. The amount I could massage her with the bristles was perfect, and I didn’t feel too far above her skin on the long bristles. The tension from the hair also allowed for an easier time holding the product.

On my delicate girl, I wished the bristles were shorter or softer as it suited her coat better and made it easier to hold. I would probably hesitate to use this size of the product on a smaller pet, so I wish it came in a couple of size options. My largest girl also requires a special shampoo for baths, so while I tried a new shampoo for the other girls, also sold by Maxbone, I switched to my normal shampoo for my largest dog.

It would have been nice to have two sets of the brush in different colors to identify which held which shampoo. Switching out shampoos was very easy, though, and I was able to trial shampoos of two different viscosities through the brush, and it worked great for both.

Is Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush a Good Value?

I think this product is a great value. If you can even find a slightly cheaper version of this dispensing brush through another company, every aspect of this brush is so well designed that even without checking other options, I can confidently say that this will hold up better, feel better, and work better than whatever you could find cheaper. With such a low price tag, I wouldn’t hesitate to consider this worth its cost.

a black dog getting a bath with maxbone shampoo dispensing brush

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Would this dispensing brush work with any shampoo?

I found the Deep Cleansing Shampoo Dispensing Brush would work with any pet shampoo I’ve encountered and many pet conditioners as well. I specifically tried Maxbone’s Calming Shampoo, which worked perfectly with the brush and soothed my allergy dogs’ skin, and thicker medicated shampoo, which also had no issues with dispensing.

Is the Deep Cleansing Shampoo Dispensing Brush safe to use on my pet?

While I do think the firmness of the bristles might not be as comfortable on the thin skin of small animals such as puppies and cats, it is definitely still safe.

Do Maxbone products take a long time to arrive?

Maxbone’s website claims they have an estimated shipping and delivery time of 2–5 business days. I found this correct, with a turnaround time from order to arrival of only 3 days.

Can I return the Deep Cleansing Shampoo Dispensing Brush?

Maxbone’s return policy does not allow for returns on grooming products, but this should provide you with the peace of mind that your brush has never been exposed to all-too-common pet parasites and skin infections from another animal.

maxbone shampoo dispensing brush on black dog's head

My Experience With Maxbone’s Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush

I was very happy with my experience with the Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush. I was impressed by the quality of the design and materials used. My three dogs all enjoyed the sensation of the brush, and my youngest, who can be quite anxious about bath time, was far calmer than usual, in part due to enjoying the massage of the brush.

You can imagine a wash day with three dogs is an undertaking, but by combining steps in using this dispensing brush, I shaved almost a full hour off my average total bathing time across the three dogs, which my back was particularly thrilled about.

The brush is possibly larger than you think. I have relatively small hands, so this might not present a problem for all users, but since my fingers couldn’t reach all the way to the bristle base with its traction bumps from over the top of the dispenser or around the edges from the side, I found holding the brush did feel more awkward than I expeted.

My largest dog, with her thick coat, allowed me to lean into the scrubbing. But for my girls with shorter coats, I found this lack of perfect hand-holding position inhibited how well I could scrub into their coats with the brush, and since the bristles were so tall, there were moments I was worried about effectiveness also.

I still got through their baths faster than usual, the soap was well distributed and rinsed out very easily, and they seemed to like the feel, so it all worked out. However, I wish the brush came with options for lower profile bristles or softer ones that will bend easier, or maybe a smaller shampoo storage compartment as less height here might be easier to handle.

With how easy this product is to use and how much it helps solve several dilemmas of bath time, I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone with at least a medium-sized dog or larger.

brushing black dog's paw with maxbone shampoo dispensing brush

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Conclusion

The Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush from Maxbone is a required part of doggy bath time in my household now. It combines dispensing of shampoo with relaxing and effective washing to simplify your dog’s bathing routine. Easier and quicker baths that don’t sacrifice quality or efficacy are appreciated by everyone involved.

With my busy schedule, this dispensing brush allows me to stay on track with my dogs’ baths and provides them something to look forward to since they enjoy the feel of the brush. I look forward to adapting to holding this brush as I get used to it and will eagerly try out other varieties in the future if they are ever developed.

The post Maxbone Deep Cleanse Shampoo Dispensing Brush Review 2023: Our Vet’s Expert Opinion appeared first on Pet Keen.

DNA My Dog Breed ID Test Review 2023: Is It a Good Value?

Our Final Verdict

We give DNA My Dog Breed ID Test a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 4.5/5
Variety: 5/5
Turn-Around Time: 3.5/5
Value: 4.5/5

*Use Code PETKEEN15

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What Is DNA My Dog Breed ID Test? How Does It Work?

The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is exactly what it sounds like. It offers dog owners, especially those with dogs of mixed or unknown breed, a way to see what breeds their beloved pet is made up of. Why is this important? In addition to allowing dog owners to learn more about their dog in general, it can also help you learn more about breed characteristics and potential health concerns to be aware of. You can learn why your dog is the way that they are.

The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is easy to use. You simply register the test online, swab your dog’s mouth with the included swab, then mail it back in the provided, postage-paid envelope. Once the company receives your test, they will analyze your dog’s DNA and email you the results. This can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks after they receive your test. You will learn what percentage of different breeds your dog is (out of 350 breeds in their database) and even potential genetic health concerns just through your dog’s DNA.

In short, DNA My Dog offers an affordable way to test your dog’s DNA from the comfort of your home. This is a great option if you don’t have time to take your dog to the veterinarian just for DNA testing, or if you want a more budget-friendly option than what some vets may charge for this service.

dna my dog premium breed id test kit

DNA My Dog Breed ID Test – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Affordable

  • User-friendly

  • Everything you need is included

  • Can test for wolf/coyote DNA (with Premium test)

  • Results are very straightforward and easy to understand

Cons
  • Up to 3 week turnaround time

DNA My Dog Breed ID Test Pricing

DNA My Dog offers two separate breed tests: the Essential Breed ID Test and the Premium Breed ID Test. The Premium Breed ID Test costs around $50 more than the Essential Breed ID Test, but the only major difference between the two is that the Premium test will also test for wolf and coyote DNA in your dog. So unless you just care about this information and have a little more money to play with, the Essential test will more than likely suit your needs.

As of the time of this writing, the Essential Breed ID Test is $79.99, while the Premium Breed ID Test is $129.99. Even if this seems pricey, note that some veterinarians may charge up to $200 for a breed ID test on your dog. So, you could potentially be saving money by ordering the DNA My Dog Test, depending on how much your vet charges. Plus, you don’t even have to leave the house to perform this test on your dog.

Both breed ID tests can be purchased directly from the DNA My Dog website, and the company also offers a Canine Allergy Test as well.

*Use Code PETKEEN15

 

What to Expect From DNA My Dog Breed ID Test

The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is very easy to use. Once you’ve received the product in the mail, as with anything, read the instructions first. You will be asked to return to the DNA My Dog website and register your test with the code provided on the packaging, in addition to answering a few questions about what you know about your dog.

After registering your test, you’ll use the included swab to swab the inside of your dog’s cheek to collect the DNA sample. The instructions offer information about how to best do this and when the best time to do this is. After swabbing your dog, you’ll let the swab air dry, then place the swab in the sample sleeve.

Then, you’ll place the sample sleeve in the included postage-paid return envelope and drop it in the mail. Once the company receives your sample, they’ll analyze it in their laboratory. All you have to do then is wait for the results to be emailed to you, which can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks after they receive your sample.

DNA My Dog Breed ID Test Contents

penny and dna my dog premium breed id test kit in the box

  • Unique Test ID code

  • Instructions

  • 1 sterile testing swab

  • Swab “drying zone”

  • Sample sleeve

  • Prepaid return envelope

Ease of Use

One of the best things about the DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is the ease of use of both the product itself and the website. Many websites have a ton of information on the homepage and sometimes important information that you need is buried or hard to find. With DNA My Dog, the “Register Test” button is very easy to find, which makes activating your test easy.

The test itself is also easy to use, thanks to the step-by-step instructions that tell you exactly what to do. They also offer helpful tips on how to get the best test results possible, such as when to swab your dog and how long to swab your dog. If you’re more of a visual learner, there is even a helpful video you can watch on how to swab your dog here.

premium id test manual and sterile swab

Affordability and Convenience

The affordability of this test is subjective, depending on your budget and how much your veterinarian would charge for the same service. However, overall, this product is very affordable considering the average price that most vets would charge for this service. If you opt for just the Essential Breed ID Test, you can learn a lot about your dog’s breed for less than $100.

Even if this test isn’t more affordable than what your vet would charge, it’s hard to argue with the convenience that this test offers. Many people’s working schedules don’t allow them to take their dogs to the vet just to have something like this performed, or it’s just not practical for whatever reason. But with the DNA My Dog test, you don’t even have to leave your home. It’s delivered straight to your door so that you can perform the test yourself and then simply place the return envelope in your own mailbox or drop it by the post office the next time you’re out.

Quality and Accuracy

To be as simple as this product is, it’s pretty good quality. The included swab is not just made out of paper and cotton like what most people think of when they think of a swab; it’s a medical grade swab, and you can tell that the company takes pride in what they do just by the quality of the product.

As for the accuracy, there’s no reason to believe that the test isn’t accurate, as they test for over 350 different breeds that they have in their database. The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test provides what percentage of different breeds your dog is, as well as compares their chronological age with their genetic age; in other words, how old your dog actually is compared to how fast your dog is aging. It’s true that a test performed by a vet may provide a more in-depth analysis, so you could always have another test done at your vet’s office if you’re doubtful and want to compare the results.

But once you see the results and the information provided about each breed, you may be able to gauge the accuracy of it just by using what you know about your dog and how it compares to the information provided about the different breeds. Overall, for the price and ease of use, the quality and accuracy of this test is pretty amazing.

penny getting swabbed in the mouth

Turnaround Time

The one inconsistency with the DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is the turnaround time. On the packaging, it says that the wait time for results is approximately 2 weeks after the laboratory receives your sample. However, wait times can vary between 2 weeks and 3 weeks or potentially more. It’s important to note that the company is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. So if you live in the United States or somewhere a bit farther away from Ontario, it may take longer for the company to receive your sample in the first place.

If your results are taking longer than anticipated, you can always reach out to DNA My Dog’s customer service to inquire about your results if the 2 week window has passed. Otherwise, just be aware that you may have to wait longer than 2 weeks to get your results back. If it’s a matter of urgency, you might reach out to the company and have your results expedited for a fee or take your dog to the vet instead for a faster option.

*Use Code PETKEEN15

Is DNA My Dog DNA Breed ID Test a Good Value?

Overall, DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is a very good value especially due to the convenience that comes along with it. However, the Essential Breed ID Test may be a better option for those with a tighter budget, since the only major difference is that the Premium Breed ID Test tests for wolf/coyote DNA as well as may provide a little more genetic information about your dog. If you don’t feel like that’s something you need and you just want to find out what breed(s) your dog is, the Essential Breed ID Test provides the best value for your money. However, it still may be worth it to you to reach out to your veterinarian to see what they are charging for this same service and what the test covers.

back of premium breed id test kit box

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FAQ

Below are a few of the frequently asked questions regarding the DNA My Dog Breed ID Test. If you have other questions not listed here, we recommend reaching out to the company directly or checking out their Help Centre.

Can the test confirm that my dog is purebred?

The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is designed to be used primarily for mixed breed dogs. That being said, you can use this test to test a dog that you believe is purebred, but the test may not confirm that your dog is purebred even if only one breed comes back in your results. You will more than likely need a pedigree to determine if your dog is purebred.

Can the test be used for puppies?

The DNA My Dog Breed ID Test can be used on dogs of any age, puppies included. However, it’s best to wait until your puppy is weaned from its mother so that your sample doesn’t accidentally include any of the mother’s DNA as well, which can interfere with the accuracy of the results.

What if the kit or swab is damaged or lost?

If your kit never makes it to your home or the kit is damaged when it arrives, please reach out to the company and they will be glad to help. If your swab is lost, also reach out to the company and they will help you replace it, potentially for a small fee, depending on how and when the swab was lost.

penny with premium breed id test kit from dna my dog

*Use Code PETKEEN15

 

Our Experience With DNA My Dog Breed ID Test

I had the privilege of testing out the DNA My Dog Premium Breed ID Test on my almost 3-year-old Chihuahua mix, Penny. The idea of trying out this test appealed to me because we know that she is primarily a Chihuahua, and her veterinarian confirmed this, however, she is a little bit bigger than what a Chihuahua should be. But, her other potential breeds were hard to identify just by looking at her, as her characteristics are similar to many other small dog breeds.

I received the test and read the instructions, and they were very straightforward. Obviously I knew that I had to swab her mouth, but I was concerned about how she would handle it because she has trouble sitting still sometimes, so I had my husband hold her while I swabbed her mouth. This may not be necessary for every dog, but can be beneficial if you know your dog will be unhappy about the idea of being swabbed. It’s important for your dog to be as still as possible in order to get an accurate swab, so having someone help me was necessary in my case.

Once I collected the swab, I mailed it back and waited for the results, which came in about 3 weeks. The results said that Penny was 62% Chihuahua, 20% Miniature Poodle, and 18% Pekingese. I was a little surprised with the results, especially with the Miniature Poodle, because I see no Poodle characteristics in her. But the other two breeds were not surprising, and overall, I was pleased with the results. The results also gave a nice breakdown of the breed characteristics of each of these three breeds.

As far as Penny’s genetic age results, we discovered that her estimated age is 2.9, while her genetic age is 3.0. The results explained that this means Penny is aging a little bit faster than her actual age, and although it’s not a significant difference, it could be indicative of a troubled start to life or an undiagnosed health condition. While her vet has not found any obvious health conditions at her regular checkups, we do know that she was found abandoned when she was a puppy, which could explain these results, and it’s not much of a concern. However, the results pointed out that if the difference had been more significant, it might be worth looking into with our vet.

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Conclusion

Overall, the DNA My Dog Breed ID Test is an affordable and convenient way to discover or confirm the breeds that make up your mixed breed dog. This test can be done completely at home without having to visit your vet, and you can have the results back in as little as a month. I had a very pleasant experience using this product, and would recommend it to anyone that is curious about their dog’s breed and wants to learn more in an easy and affordable way.

The post DNA My Dog Breed ID Test Review 2023: Is It a Good Value? appeared first on Pet Keen.

Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio Review 2023: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Ease of Assembly: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5

*Use code 500FCH on any purchase over $500

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What Is Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio? How Does It Work?

The Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit is an outdoor “catio” (cat patio) that cat owners can use to give their cats the freedom to go outside in a safe and controlled environment.

Cats are built to leap, balance, and climb, but they often don’t get the opportunities to do these kinds of acrobatic behaviors inside the house. Outdoor cats have a blast exploring the neighborhood and parkouring, but they can wreak havoc on the environment and get themselves into trouble if they’re not supervised. A catio bridges the gap, allowing your kitty time outdoors in an enclosed environment to get the enrichment it needs to stay happy.

The My Own Den Petit is a four-sided wire enclosure you can assemble in an afternoon or two. This model is compact at 46 inches deep and 46 inches long, but with a 72-inch height, it provides plenty of vertical space for your kitty to explore. In addition, it comes with six adjustable shelves you can place wherever you like and a human-sized door so you can get right into the catio with your kitty.

The catio can be set up any place you have room in your yard as it is a freestanding unit.

habitat haven my own den petit

*Use code 500FCH on any purchase over $500

 

Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Very solidly built enclosure

  • Comes with thorough instructions

  • Fantastic customer service

  • Provides a lot of enrichment for indoor cats

Cons
  • Assembly can be difficult

  • Price may be inaccessible for some

Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio Pricing

The Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit is currently available for $1,541.94 USD. Any of the company’s pre-configured catio kits will ship for free to customers in the continental United States.

Habitat Haven also offers to ship to most of the rest of the world. However, they do not take orders online from customers outside the United States. Interested international customers must contact the company via phone, email, or live chat to learn more about their purchasing options.

arlo in habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

*Use code 500FCH on any purchase over $500

What to Expect From the Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio

The catio arrived quicker than expected given that I’m Canadian and it had to go through the border to get to my home. I had to provide the delivery company with a phone number so we could communicate with the driver when he arrived in my city to unload the enclosure.

The driver called me about half an hour before he showed up at my door. Luckily, I was home and able to accept the delivery. I’m not sure what would have happened if I had been away. It would have been nice to have a little more warning, but that’s no fault of Habitat Haven.

The driver entered my neighborhood with a semi as the catio was packaged on a pallet. I was aware that the catio would arrive on a pallet, but for some reason, I wasn’t prepared for the size of it. The delivery driver couldn’t get the pallet up my steps to place it on my front deck as planned, so I had to clear some space in my garage for him. He said the pallet weighed around 300 pounds, and he was moving it himself, which is probably why he couldn’t bring it onto my front deck. This is important for potential customers to remember, as you will need a fair amount of space to put the pallet when it arrives. I’m not sure it would be feasible for someone living in an apartment unless you unpackaged the pallet in your building’s lobby and brought the pieces up one by one.

Everything was packaged very well on the pallet. It came wrapped in plastic, so the contents were not subject to the elements. I received a box of accessories (e.g., hammock, awning, etc.), which were also boxed well and hidden under the plastic. Though the catio had a long journey from its warehouse to my home, nothing was damaged, and everything remained dry despite the snowy weather.

Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio Contents

belle and arlo exploring the habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

*Use code 500FCH on any purchase over $500

  • 46″D x 46″L x 72″H enclosure

  • 24″W x 60″H door

  • Six adjustable shelves

  • Western red cedar shelves

  • Includes instructions, pliers, fasteners

  • Left- or right-hand swing door

Ease of Construction

The My Own Den Petit catio comes partially put together to make assembly easier. Depending on how many people you have working on the catio, the remaining pieces can be assembled in around two or three hours. I highly recommend having a second set of hands to help with the construction process, as I imagine it is impossible, if not very difficult, to set it up alone.

It’s a (mostly) foolproof assembly process requiring the tools that come with the kit and your own personal drill. You’ll use three-prong clips and specialty pliers (both provided for you) to connect the cage edges.

Once you have a freestanding structure, you can install the included shelving wherever you see fit. Habitat Haven provides the saddle clips and wood screws required, but you’ll need to supply your own drill.

habitat haven my own den petit enclosure with open door

Material Quality

The structure is made of UV powder-coated and durable galvanized steel that feels sturdy and strong when assembled on a flat surface. It’s well-made, so you know your cats will be safe as they spend time outside in their new catio.

The shelving and flooring are made from cedar. The top part of the wood is smooth to the touch and doesn’t feel like it could cause splinters. The bottom part is less polished and could potentially cause slivers during the installation process, but it won’t cause any issues once the catio is assembled.

The wood shelves could stand to be a few inches wider as they may be too narrow for larger cats to use comfortably.

Enrichment

Considering just the base kit, the My Own Den Petit catio provides a lot of enrichment for indoor cats. It has six shelves you can configure how you wish to give your kitty plenty of exploration options.

I highly recommend adding a few accessories to your order to maximize the enrichment your cat will receive from its catio. For example, I received the hammocks with my order, and while my cats were tentative to get inside at first, they enjoyed them once they got the hang (pun intended) of it. The company also manufactures corner shelves, steps, and scratching posts.

habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

Is Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio a Good Value?

At its current sale price of $1541.94 USD, the Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit provides great value for cat owners looking to give their kitties a little more outside time. The structure is solidly built and provides plenty of space for activities. While the initial investment may seem high initially, it would cost you more to DIY something as solid and durable, especially if you plan on using cedar wood, as it’s much more expensive than other wood types. Not to mention that Habitat Haven’s catios are nice to look at, which can’t be said about all DIYed home projects.

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FAQ

Do the shelves stand up to exposure to water and snow?

The shelves and floors of this product are made of cedar, a wood that’s naturally resistant to water, rot, bugs, and mold.

Do I need to know how to build to put this together?

A basic understanding of assembling furniture is helpful. You’ll probably be okay if you’ve put together a chair or bed frame from Ikea. The enclosure arrives on a pallet partially assembled. The rest of the assembly process is straightforward, especially if you consider yourself handy to begin with. The catio comes with easy-to-follow paper instructions.

Habitat Haven recommends having two people help install the enclosure.

The pictures on the website show hammocks hanging in the catio. Does the My Own Den Petit Catio come with hammocks?

Accessories, like awnings, hammocks, and scratching posts, are not automatically included with your catio kit. Instead, Habitat Haven sells them separately, offering consumers a way to further customize their catio’s look and enrichment level.

hammocks in the habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

What kind of maintenance is required?

Most outdoor items in our yards have some kind of maintenance requirements as they are always outside and exposed to the elements. Habitat Haven’s catios have minimal maintenance requirements because they use cedarwood and a powder-coated metal mesh material in the construction of their catios. These heavy-duty materials can withstand much of what the elements will blow their way. That said, salt air or nearby acidic trees may shorten the catio’s lifespan.

You can grease the door hinge pins annually with bicycle grease. Never use lubricating oils like WD-40.

The My Own Den Petit Catio isn’t quite the right size for my space. What other options are there?

The My Own Den Petit is just one of many of Habitat Haven’s pre-designed catio kits. If you don’t like the look of these pre-designed enclosures, you can design your own custom catio from the company’s many enclosures, tunnels, towers, bridges, and stair pieces.

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Our Experience With Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio

arlo exploring the hammock in the habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

*Use code 500FCH on any purchase over $500

Thoughts on Assembly

My husband is pretty handy, but it took us around three or four hours to assemble the catio. We had problems getting the walls to line up as they should and had to remove the clips we put on and start over once. Thankfully, the company provides their phone number in the instruction sheets, so if you have any assembly issues, they’re there to help.

We utilized their call line once to inquire about the flooring. The enclosure has six cedar panels for the flooring, but the panels don’t fit together tightly in the space at the bottom. We weren’t sure if we had installed it incorrectly, so we called to see why we had spaces between the panels, and the company let us know that this was intentional. There is supposed to be a gap of about half an inch between each plank.

One other aspect of the installation that was problematic for us was attaching the lock to the door. The catio has a 2-foot wide by 5-foot-tall access door with a magnetic lock. Unlike the majority of the catio, the lock did not come pre-installed. The hardware for the lock includes self-tapping screws, which we could not get to thread the way they were meant to without fully stripping the screw. Instead, we used a drill to make the hole bigger and put a nut and bolt on. Ultimately, this was not a deal breaker because we had the right tools for this small change, but I felt it is worth mentioning.

Thoughts on Quality of Enrichment

I have six active indoor cats who want nothing more than to go outside, so they love the freedom the My Own Den Petit gives them. The six shelves give them options on where they’d like to perch during their outdoor time, and the hammocks provide a cozy resting spot for naps in the sunshine. My cats were a little iffy about the hammocks at first, but with a little coaxing (read: treat bribery), they took to them soon enough.

As mentioned above, I highly recommend splurging on the extra accessories for your catio. The hammocks don’t come with the base kit, but they’re a great touch to make my cat’s more comfortable in their enclosure. I wish I had ordered a scratching post, but I will add that at another time.

belle and arlo in the habitat haven my own den petit enclosure

Thoughts on Customer Service

Habitat Haven has the customer service side of things down to a science. They emailed me when my product shipped and after it arrived to see if I had any issues with installation. As mentioned above, their phone number is included with the instruction manual, so if you run into any problems during assembly, you can call them for advice.

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Conclusion

The Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit is a fantastic investment for cat owners who want to give their pets the experience and enrichment of going outside without worrying about their pets running away or being targeted by predators.

The structure is made of top-notch materials, and though we ran into some issues during assembly, it was more than worth the effort. Even though I live in the frigid prairies, I have full faith that the catio will stand the test of time (and the extreme cold).

The catio has provided my indoor cats with hours of entertainment and enrichment so far, and I cannot wait to watch them enjoy spring and summer in their new enclosure.

The post Habitat Haven My Own Den Petit Catio Review 2023: Our Expert’s Opinion appeared first on Pet Keen.