Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding Review 2023: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Absorbency: 4.5/5
Odor Control: 4.5/5
Value: 5/5

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What Is carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding? How Does It Work?

Healthy Pet is a natural pet product company that manufactures small pet bedding and litter for cats and dogs. The company is unique because it cares a lot about sustainability, whereas other pet supply manufacturers favor convenience over the environment. Healthy Pet upcycles wood, pulp, and paper products to create an environmentally friendly product you can feel good about using in your pet’s environment. Because they don’t use any chemicals or dyes in manufacturing, you don’t need to worry about exposing your pet to potentially toxic ingredients.

The company’s products are sustainable from start to finish. Because they’re made with natural plant-based fibers, they can be returned to the Earth when you’re done with them via composting.

Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding is an ultra-absorbent small pet-specific bedding. It’s made specifically with little critters like hamsters, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs, and chinchillas in mind.

The bedding can be used in one of two ways: to cover your pet’s entire habitat or to use in its litter box.

The bedding is made with Healthy Pet’s comfyfluff™ technology, providing a super soft material for your little critter to cozy up in. This material is made from scratch from raw paper fibers. In addition, it is 99% dust-free to ensure it won’t wreak havoc on your critter’s respiratory system.

healthy pet carefresh paper bedding

Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Available in fun colors

  • Very soft and comfortable

  • 10 days of odor control

  • 99% dust free

  • Twice as absorbent as shavings

Cons
  • Inconsistency in texture from bag to bag

Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding Pricing

This paper bedding is affordably priced. It comes in three sizes: 14 L, 30 L, and 60 L. For 14-L of bedding, you’re looking at just USD 9.99. Their 30 L package is USD 16.99, and the 60 L is USD 25.99. It’s obviously much more economical to purchase the bigger bedding package if you can afford it. In addition, 60 liters of paper bedding should last you a long time, providing even more bang for your buck.

Odor Control

One of the most important aspects of any pet litter is its ability to control odors. This bedding utilizes Healthy Pet’s Odor Stop™ technology to prevent strong odors from taking over your home. It stops overpowering ammonia odors for up to ten days. I typically change my guinea pig’s litter box bedding once weekly when I do a full cage clean and fleece bedding swap. I could have waited the full ten days to change out the Healthy Pet bedding, though there was no smell at all.

healthy pet carefresh paper bedding in the cage

99% Dust-Free

One of the worst things about other types of pet bedding is that it’s not dust-free. Take cedar bedding, for example. While these shavings have a lovely scent that can mask odors from your pet’s urine, it can be very dusty. This dust will not only irritate your lungs, but it’s also extremely dangerous for your small pet to breathe these particles into their sensitive respiratory systems.

Since Healthy Pet’s bedding is 99% dust free, you don’t need to worry about breathing in potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, this high-performance paper bedding ensures a cleaner and healthier space for your small critter.

Soft and Natural

Small pets spend almost all their time inside their cages and habitats, so the material you’re using must be comfortable and soft. Healthy Pet’s comfyfluff™ material is made from scratch with raw, natural paper fibers. This soft pillowy material is comfortable under your pets’ feet and so cozy that your little critters will have no problem finding a comfy resting spot. I know my guinea pigs have absolutely no trouble catching a quick nap in their litter box after I started using this bedding.

close up of healthy pet carefresh paper bedding

Is Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding a Good Value?

I believe that Healthy Pet’s carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding provides fantastic value. Initially, I was unsure about this product as it arrived in a small package. However, once I filled up my guinea pig’s litter box, it became clear to me just how far one package of this bedding would go. It fluffs up as you pull it out of the packaging, so a little goes a long way.

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FAQ

What fibers are used to make the Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding?

Healthy Pet’s carefresh® bedding is made from reclaimed cellulose paper fibers. The company receives these fibers from partnerships they’ve set up with various tissue and paper manufacturers. They use only 100% non-post-consumer good materials that would have otherwise wound up in landfills.

How are the fibers colored? Is it safe to have colored bedding?

The Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding is available in several fun and bright colors like purple, confetti, and blue. As a consumer, you may wonder what type of dyes go into the bedding to produce such fun colors and if they’re safe for use with your small pets. While the exact dye type is not specifically stated on the website, the dyes that Healthy Pet uses to color its small pet bedding are all tested by third-party labs and are safe for use with animals.

The white bedding is not colored with bleach.

close up of healthy pet carefresh paper bedding in buttercup's cage

What ingredients in Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding help it control odors?

Like the dyes, the ingredients in the bedding to suppress odor have all been tested by third-party labs using the National Institutes of Health testing protocols to ensure animal safety.

What animals is this bedding appropriate for?

As the Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding name would suggest, this bedding is made specifically with small pets in mind. The intended animals include rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, and hamsters. You may be able to use this bedding for other critters, but the company recommends you speak to your veterinarian before using it for other animals not named above.

Our Experience With Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding

helathy pet carefresh bedding bag in cage with buttercup

I used the Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding for my family’s guinea pig habitat. We DIY’ed our piggy cage using wood and Coroplast. The habitat is covered in a Coroplast (corrugated plastic sheeting) material and fleece bedding we sewed together in layers—one layer of fleece, a layer of waterproof furniture padding, and another layer of fleece. This works great for absorbing any messes. I think we have a pretty great system set up for our piggies, but we still needed some bedding for their litter box.

The litter is also handmade from wood and Coroplast. We knew we didn’t want to use fleece in the litter box as we needed something more absorbent, as guinea pigs tend to eliminate in the areas of their cage where they also eat. So, our piggy’s litter box also doubles as a hay box.

We laid the Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding down in a two-inch-thick layer and then covered it with hay. Our pigs are happy to spend much of their time in this box relaxing, munching down on hay, and, of course, eliminating. Therefore, it was important to me that the material we used in the box was absorbent enough to prevent excessive moisture and mold growth.

The Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding was a clear winner right from the start. Because the bag is full of compressed materials, it was pretty shocking how long we could make a single bag last. It really expands! Since we only use the bedding in the litter/hay box, the 10-liter bag lasted several weeks.

Like guinea pigs, I myself have a sensitive respiratory tract, so I need to be careful about what type of materials I’m putting in their cage. I cannot touch the hay without breaking out into rashes and five-minute-long sneezing sprees, so I needed to find a litter box material that wouldn’t further irritate my allergies. The Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding fits the bill here, too.

The one thing I noticed is there are some inconsistencies from bag to bag. For example, one bag will be filled to the brim with fluffy and cozy-looking bedding, but the next bag will have a slightly dustier granular texture. Ultimately, this isn’t a deal breaker for me because the bedding works well and provides great value.

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Conclusion

The Healthy Pet carefresh® Small Pet Paper Bedding is a budget-friendly bedding option for owners of any little critters. The bedding is extremely fluffy and cozy, providing a perfect resting spot for your pet. In addition, it’s highly absorbent to keep pet-related odors at bay, and its dust-free formulation means you don’t need to worry about harming your pet’s respiratory system. This sustainable and environmentally friendly bedding option is a clear winner in my book!


Featured Image Credit: healthy-pet

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Vetster Online Veterinarian Service Review 2023: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Vetster a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Convenience: 5/5
Cost: 4.2/5
Ease of Use: 5/5
Value: 4.5/5

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What Is Vetster? How Does It Work?

Vetster is an online telehealth service for pets that makes it easy for you to get accurate and reliable advice for your pets, and depending on where you live, they can even prescribe medications for your pet and send them right to your door!

You can go to Vester’s website to schedule an appointment, and they also have a mobile app that makes it easier than ever to get an appointment. You don’t need to sign up for an account or a subscription service to use Vetster either. Instead, you can simply put in your pet’s information, look at the available vets, times, and pricing, and then decide if it’s worth it for you.

Vetster puts you in control of your pet’s telehealth appointments, allows you to get a vet to see them faster than you could through traditional methods and gives you a transparent process from start to finish.

Finally, if your pet does need a prescription and you live in a state where they can legally prescribe medications via telehealth, Vetster has everything you need for that, too.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Vetster – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Very easy to sign up for appointments

  • Lots of time slots for appointments

  • Upfront pricing and vet reviews

  • Easy-to-navigate site

  • Can fill prescriptions in select states

  • Easy to find specialists for every condition

Cons
  • You can’t get online prescriptions in every state

  • You still might need to schedule an in-person vet visit

Vetster Pricing

Vetster uses a marketplace-style pricing system, which puts you in control of how much you’re going to spend on the visit. You don’t have to worry about surprise costs coming up either; you know exactly how much you’re going to spend on the visit beforehand.

When I scheduled a visit for my dog there were time slots ranging from $55 to $110 for a visit, and each came with a half-hour time slot. There are no subscription fees for Vetster, so you only pay for it when you need to use it.

What to Expect From Vetster

If you’re looking for a vet service that will completely replace in-person vet visits, that’s not Vetster. Instead, Vetster is a great way to augment regular vet visits, get fair pricing and accurate information, and outstanding personalized care for your pet.

Vetster gives you access to a licensed vet in your area around the clock 24/7. They know that problems don’t always occur during “office hours” and that you can’t always wait “a day or two” to get an appointment.

Instead, Vetster lets you get an appointment on your schedule with a vet specializing in your pet’s problems. You simply log on, sign up, pick a vet and a time slot, and you’re ready to go!

While a vet won’t be able to treat everything over a telehealth appointment, they can give you personalized care from a professional you can trust. And since the pricing is transparent and upfront, there are no surprise fees once you’re there.

Vetster Contents

Image Credit: Shutterstock
Compatibility: iOS 12.4 or newer or Android 7.0 or newer
App Size: 7 MB
Cost: Free (pay for appointments)
Downloads: 50k+
Licensed Veterinarians: 2,500+

Easy-to-Find Specialists 24/7

One of my favorite parts of Vetster is the ability to quickly find a specialist for my pet whenever I need them. You simply pick the category your pet is having problems with and Vetster does the rest, giving you a selection of vets to choose from.

You get to see their area of expertise, rates, and even previous customer reviews, and then pick a time slot that works for you. It’s by far the most effective way to find a vet for your pet in your area.

Transparent Pricing Policy

One of the most stressful parts of going to the vet is waiting for the bill at the end. Vetster completely eliminates that concern. You know just how much it’s going to cost before signing up, allowing you to focus on getting your pet the best possible care without needing to worry about how much it’s going to cost.

Keep in mind that if the vet is able to prescribe your pet medication, this cost is not part of the initial fee.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Mobile Prescriptions Available (In Select States)

This is a great service that Vetster offers in some states. But keep in mind that it’s not Vetster preventing you from fulfilling a prescription for your vet on a telehealth appointment, it all depends on the state you’re in.

Each state has its own laws and regulations, and Vetster must follow those rules. But if your state allows telehealth prescriptions for pets then Vetster offers it for you!

Is Vetster a Good Value?

Because you get to pick a vet that has a rate you like, we think Vetster has an unbeatable value. You don’t pay for services you don’t need, you’re not stuck with a subscription service, and you know just how much you’re spending before you make your appointment. It’s the best value you can get.

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FAQ

Telehealth is new to a lot of us, and it’s normal to have questions. It’s something we completely understand, and it’s why we decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions for you here:

How Soon Can You Schedule an Appointment With Vetster?

Typically, you have an appointment scheduled on Vetster in 30 to 45 minutes, although it does depend a bit on when you’re trying to schedule, your current location, and what your pet needs. Still, the timing is much faster than a typical vet appointment.

Can I Have My Medications Shipped to a Different Address Than My Profile Address?

Yes! Vetster makes it easy for you to get their prescription no matter where you’re at.

Where Is VetsterRx Online Pharmacy Available?

VetsterRx will prescribe over-the-counter medications in all 50 US states. However, if your vet needs a prescription medication, Vetster can only help pets in areas where local laws permit it. Even then, it always comes down to the discretion of your Vetster vet.

What Kind of Medications Can Vetster Provide?

There are over 1,000 types of prescription medications Vetster vets can prescribe through the VetsterRx pharmacy. These types of medications range from the treatment of parasites, skin rashes, eye infections, and so much more.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Our Experience With Vetster

I loved my experience with Vetster. I have a 10-year-old, 40-pound Elkhound Labrador mix named Roxie, and it was extremely easy to get a quick appointment with Vetster. Roxie suffers from severe food allergies, so getting professional advice on what I can and can’t feed her is crucial.

With Vetster, the time from the moment I went to the website to the time of her appointment was just 40 minutes, and that included the time it took to put in Roxie’s information!

I loved that when I put in the problems it was having it recommended several vets for me, and I was able to see the pricing options for each one, reviews from previous customers, what state they have a license in, and their area of expertise all on one screen.

This put me in control of Roxie’s appointment, and while Vetster was unable to get me any prescription medications for Roxie because I live in Pennsylvania, they were able to give me a ton of useful information and potential over-the-counter remedies I could try.

Vetster put me in control of the appointment, which was a great change of pace from a traditional vet appointment.

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Conclusion

While Vetster won’t solve all your vet needs, especially if you live in a state like mine where they can’t prescribe medications, it’s still an extremely nifty tool to have at your disposal. If you need fast, reliable advice, Vetster is probably the fastest way you can get it.

They’ll help you avoid unnecessary trips to the vet, and they work around your schedule. Just know what they can and can’t do for you before you sign up for an appointment. That way, you’re not expecting a service they can’t provide!


Featured Image Credit: Vetster

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Bearaby Pupper Pod Dog Bed Review 2023: Is It a Good Value?

Our Final Verdict

We give Bearaby Pupper Pod dog bed a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Design: 4.3/5
Durability: 4.8/5
Features: 4.3/5
Value: 3.8/5

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What Is the Pupper Pod? How Does It Work?

The Pupper Pod is a high-quality dog bed designed and manufactured by Bearaby. Bearaby has been making blankets and other cotton products for years, and they are known for their quality, comfort, and design. The Pupper Pod is a super comfortable dog bed made from the best materials available. The outer cover is made from 100% natural organic cotton. The inner core is made from a patented product called Melofoam. Melofoam is made from completely natural organic rubber sourced from trees in Asia. The result is an excellent dog bed that canines love, and owners can feel good about buying.

The materials are certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard. The materials are also certified animal friendly and 100% vegan by PETA. It is clear that Bearaby took time to research the best materials for dogs.

Bearaby Pupper Pod dog beds are also portable. They are easy to move around the house, and it comes with a traveling case that you can take on the go allowing your dog to sleep in comfort when you are on the road.

The Bearaby Pupper Pod is a fantastic dog bed with plenty of innovative features and material choices that shine through. It is slightly held back by a high price point that might cause some sticker shock for buyers. All of these industry-leading materials do, unfortunately, come at a price.

bolt lying on the pupper pod

Bearaby Medium Pupper Pod – A Quick Look

Pros
  • Excellent materials designed with pet comfort and safety in mind

  • Comfortable Melofoam core conforms to your dog’s shape

  • Super easy to wash and maintain

  • Travel case allows you to bring the bed on the go

  • Global Organic Latex Standard and PETA certified

Cons
  • The detachable ring can be frustrating to deal with

  • No Large size available at this time

Pupper Pod Pricing

The Bearaby Pupper Pod comes in two sizes. You can get this dog bed in small or medium. The small Pupper Pod starts at $199. The medium Pupper Pod starts at $239. You can buy the Pupper Pod dog bed online here.

Bearaby Medium Pupper Pod Specifications

midnight blue bearaby pupper pod

Small
  • Sleep Space: 20” x 16” x 3”

  • Total Space: 23.3” x 21.3” x 5”

  • Weight: Up to 25 lbs.

Medium
  • Sleep Space: 23” x 19” x 3”

  • Total Space: 25” x 23” x 5”

  • Weight: Up to 40 lbs.

Colors
  • Moonstone Grey

  • Evening Rose

  • Midnight Blue

Contents
  • Travel case

  • Removable, washable cover

  • Waterproof foam core

  • Detachable ring

Excellent Animal Friendly Materials

One of the best parts about the Bearaby Pupper Pod is the fact that it is made from extremely high quality, organic materials. These materials are specifically designed to be dog friendly. The materials are all organic, naturally sourced, and designed to be both sustainable and comfortable. The core is made from a patented Melofoam made from all-natural organic rubber. The core is Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified, proving its organic nature. The Pupper Pod is also PETA-approved as completely vegan. All of the materials used were clearly chosen with your dog in mind, which is very pleasing.

bolt sitting next the the bearaby pupper pod box

Easily Washable

Dog beds can easily get filthy over time. Dogs shed a lot of hair. Dogs also bring dirt, treats, and toys into their bed all the time. The result can be smelly, sticky, and matted dog beds, quickly becoming an eyesore in your home. That is why the Pupper Pod is designed to be easily washable. The bed comes with an easy-to-remove cover that can quickly be popped into the washing machine. The outer ring can easily be spot cleaned with typical upholstery cleaners. The result is a dog bed that is easy to keep clean. The inner core cannot be washed, but it doesn’t need to be because of the ingenious waterproof core.

Comfortable Design

One of the hallmarks of a good dog bed is how comfortable they are. The Pupper Pod is very comfortable. Powered by the internal Melofoam core, the dog bed provides a soft center for your dog to lie in. The foam will eventually conform to your dog’s specific shape giving them a comfortable and personalized place to sleep. The outer ring keeps the dogs hemmed in and feeling secure. The pad is a few inches tall, allowing your dog to sit up off the ground and get a good view of what is happening. Some dog beds flatten themselves to the ground over time, leaving them barely more than a blanket. That is not the case with the Pupper Pod. This dog bed is very solid.

bolt sitting next to the bearaby pupper pod bag

Built To Travel

Many people like to travel with their dogs. Whether it is in a camper or staying in various hotels, it can be hard for a dog to find a good place to sleep while on the road. That is why the Pupper Pod is built to travel. The dog bed is fairly compact and very lightweight. It also comes with a rugged cloth traveling case that allows you to stuff the dog bed away and toss it in the trunk. That makes it perfect for people who love to travel with their dogs because it gives your dog a comfortable and durable place to sleep while on the go. That is something that most dogs can’t boast about.

Loosey Goosey Ring

The biggest frustration with the Pupper Pod is the detachable ring. The ring is removable to allow you to clean the dog bed. The result is a ring that is hard to keep in place. Dogs can easily knock it out of position when they jump in and out of the dog bed. It can also come loose and fall off when you try to move or adjust the dog bed. It works best when the bed is sitting in a single location and does not move. This was the only source of frustration with the dog bed, but it was one that could be a problem for some people.

bearaby pupper pod dog bed

Is the Bearaby Medium Pupper Pod a Good Value?

Whether or not the Bearaby Pupper Pod is a good value for you will depend on your budget and how much you value sustainable materials. There is no denying that the Bearaby Pupper Pod is expensive. If a $200 dog bed is not in your budget, the Melofoam core is likely not going to change that. However, if you value sustainably sourced materials, excellent certifications, and top-quality design, there is a lot to love here. Regular dog beds are already starting to creep up in price, and while Bearaby is more expensive than the competition, it is also undoubtedly a better-quality product.

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FAQ

Is the Pupper Pod Waterproof?

Yes. The Pupper Pod dog bed is waterproof. The outer layer is made out of cloth which can be easily washed and dried. The inner core is made up of a special foam coated in a waterproof outer layer. This protective layer keeps the core safe from any spills or accidents, and you can easily clean the outer layer if you need to.

Is the Pupper Pod Machine Washable?

The removable outer layer of the Pupper Pod is machine washable. The outer layer is made from light cotton. Bearaby recommends washing the removable layer with the following care instructions. “Wash the removable cover in warm water with light colors and tumble dry on low. Do not bleach.” They also recommend using gentle detergents to keep your dog’s skin happy.

Where Are Bearaby Products Made?

Bearaby does not readily offer any specific manufacturing locations for its products. However, we do know that the cotton is largely sourced from India. The natural rubber for the Melofoam core comes from rubber trees in Sri Lanka. The corporate headquarters is located in New York in the United States.

bolt lying on the bearaby pupper pod

Our Experience with the Medium Pupper Pod

I had my dog Bolt try out the Pupper Pod, and he enjoyed his time with it. He likes to curl up in a ball when he sleeps, and the outer ring was perfect for containing his shape. I let him sleep in it in my office as well as outside on the porch. I had no qualms about bringing the Pupper Pod outside and putting it on my deck because it is washable and waterproof. He enjoyed sitting in the Pupper Pod and watching what was happening out in the yard rather than lying on the hard deck surface.

The travel bag was easy to use and was a nice surprise when I opened the box. The outer cover was easy to remove, but I have not had to wash it yet. The fabric is very durable and doesn’t seem to hold stains or fur. I liked the compact shape and how light it was. It is easy to move around between my office and our outside spaces.

However, moving the dog bed means having to deal with the detachable ring. The ring was rather frustrating at times. It was hard to get it to sit properly after moving the dog bed, and if you didn’t get it around the core just right, it would become askew and pop off. I tried the bed without the ring, but Bolt likes curling up with the braided ring around him.

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Conclusion

If you are one of those people who won’t settle for anything less than the best for your dog, you are likely to fall in love with the Pupper Pod. Everything about it is designed for dogs and their owners. It is great for dogs and easy to use for people. The result is an all-around great dog bed that is perfect for almost any dog and is well worth the price if you can afford it.


Featured Image Credit: Bearaby

The post Bearaby Pupper Pod Dog Bed Review 2023: Is It a Good Value? appeared first on Pet Keen.