Diggs Evolv Modern Dog Crate Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Diggs Evolv Modern Dog Crate a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Design: 5/5
Assembly: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Whether you’re training a puppy or kenneling an adult dog, it’s important to have a functional crate. But not every crate checks all the boxes when it comes to safety and design. And with so many brands on the market, how do you know which one to choose?

That’s where Diggs comes in.

Diggs is a pet brand committed to selling high-quality pet essentials, like crates, walking gear, and training supplies. They’re best known for their innovative dog crates–including their award-winning Revol Crate–and have made a name for themselves in the pet industry with their revolutionary designs.

My dog, Micah, and I tried out Diggs’ Evolv Dog Crate and it’s by far the best crate I’ve ever owned. Not only is it quick and easy to assemble but at six years old, Evolv is the only crate Micah actually wants to be in.

Between the versatile features and classy look, Evolv is not just a stellar product for pet parents, it’s also a great product for puppies and adult dogs (take Micah’s word for it). If you’re looking for a practical crate that’s convenient for you and safe for your pup, Evolv could be the one for you. Keep reading to find out!

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About Diggs

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - micah lying next to the box

What is Diggs?

Diggs is a pet lifestyle and supplies company that specializes in designing innovative pet crates and travel carriers. The company was founded by dog owner Zel Crampton after he struggled to find a safe and practical crate for his dog, Louise. Upon creating Revol–the brand’s first and most popular dog crate–the company continued to expand their product line with the mission to improve the lives of pets everywhere.

Since their founding in 2018, Diggs has grown into a leading supplier of pet essentials, selling everything from crates and beds to leashes and treat spreads. With their recent launch of the Evolv Dog Crate, they’re continuing to reinvent the future of pet products with a commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and design.

Who is the Evolv Crate Best Suited For?

Evolv is an ideal crate for everyday home use. The high-quality, puppy-proof design makes it great for dogs of all life stages and the tool-free assembly means any dog owner can easily set it up. While this isn’t the best crate for travel (it’s not designed to be), it’s the perfect home base for your pup when they’re hanging out around the house.

The crate comes in four sizes (small, medium, intermediate, and large) with the largest size holding dogs up to 90lbs.

Micah is a 54lb Standard Goldendoodle and tried out the large (42”L x 28”W x 31”H). He’s technically in the weight range of the intermediate (50-70lbs) but I went with the large based on the size of his current crate and the suggested breeds in the size chart. Even though the crate is a little big for him, the extra room lets him sprawl out and gives me space to put his mat, blanket, and giant stuffed octopus that he loves to snuggle with.

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Evolv Modern Dog Crate Overview

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - micah lying in the crate

Prioritizing safety and security, Diggs designed Evolv with your four-legged friend in mind. But they also know convenience is key. That’s why they made Evolv easy to assemble and customizable to fit your space and your dog’s needs.

What is The Evolv Dog Crate?

Evolv is Diggs’ sleekest and slimmest dog crate, featuring a steel frame, mesh wire walls, and two dual-lock doors. The diamond mesh is pinch-free and the modular design lets you add two additional doors for easy access and a personalized experience.

Included with the crate is a removable tray and a puppy divider. The tray allows for quick cleaning and the puppy divider lets you crate your furry friend through puppyhood.

Speaking of puppies, Evolv comes with a removable ceiling frame, which lets you transform the crate into a playpen.

How It Works

This is hands down the easiest metal crate I’ve ever assembled. You’ll start by connecting the four side panels to create the main frame. There are a few ways to position the doors, but no matter how you do it, the door handles should meet at the same corner.

Next, you’ll secure the base to the four panels using the corner connectors. The connectors were the hardest part for me to get the hang of, but after doing a few, the rest were a breeze. The key is to align the connectors with the corners, snap them into place, and then rotate them to the locked position.

At this point the crate is upside down, so you’ll need to flip it over. Once right-side up, insert the tray. If you need the puppy divider, go ahead and install it now. If not, repeat the process with the corner connectors to attach the ceiling frame.

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - assembled crate

Customization Options

Evolv is known for its versatility and flexibility. It has a slim, modular design that allows you to add up to four configurable doors to fit your space and give your dog the freedom to move around. This means all four side panels can be replaced with doors.

Evolv also easily transforms into a playpen. As a 2-in-1 crate, Evolv has open-frame access that allows you to convert your crate into an enclosed play area during the day and then back into a cozy den at night.

Additional doors and the playpen ceiling frame are add-ons and must be purchased separately.

Shipping and Returns

Your order will ship within 1-2 business days and arrive within 3-6 business days. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout and differ based on where you live.

If you receive your order and decide it’s not for you, you can return it within 30 days. A shipping fee will be deducted from your refund and the rate varies depending on the type of product you purchased and the product size.

In Summary

Pros
  • High-quality and durable

  • 2-in-1 crate with Playpen Mode

  • Tool-free assembly

  • Dual lock doors

  • Innovative design

  • Modern look

  • Puppy divider

  • Quick and easy to set up

  • Fast shipping

Cons
  • Expensive

  • Heavy

  • Hard to travel with

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Key Features

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - micah sitting in the crate

High-Quality, Safe, and Durable

If there’s one thing Diggs prioritizes, it’s safety. Evolv is made with an ultra-strong coated steel frame that’s free from toxic materials like phthalates and heavy metals. The wire mesh is diamond-shaped to prevent pinching, and there aren’t any sharp edges for your dog’s paws to get caught on.

The dual lock doors are finger-friendly and puppy-proof. Even if your dog is a canine Houdini, the locks are integrated into the doors on the outside of the panels, so there’s nothing for your pup to pull on or accidentally open.

Easy to Set Up and Maintain

This is the only non-collapsible crate I enjoyed setting up. Along with the quick setup, the tool-free, finger-friendly assembly was enough to sell me on this product. My fingers have taken a beating on both standard metal crates and soft collapsible ones, so the fact that Evolv doesn’t require tools or hurt your hands is amazing.

It’s also easy to clean. The removable tray makes for stress-free cleaning and the material is easy to wipe down.

Stylish

If style and aesthetics are important to you, Evolv will not disappoint. This is a good-looking crate and I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts a trend in the pet industry. With its stylish look and modern design, Evolv isn’t a crate you’ll want to hide when guests come to visit. If anything, it’s one you’ll want to show off to all your dog-owning friends.

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Is the Evolv Crate a Good Value?

Ranging from $170.00 to $300.00, Evolv isn’t exactly cheap. When compared to competitor brands, it’s on the higher end of the price range. That said, it has a lot going for it. Between the safety features, high-quality materials, and customization options, it’s a great value and a one-of-a-kind crate. You’re not likely to find anything like it on the market, and with the sturdy design, you’ll have it for a long time.

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - doors open

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the crate collapsible?

While Evolv is not collapsible, it is designed for easy assembly.

You can find step-by-step assembly instructions by scanning the QR code included in your box or locating the User Manual on Diggs’ website.

Does Diggs make crate-compatible accessories for the Evolv Crate?

In addition to their premium crates, Diggs offers a variety of different pet products and crate-compatible accessories.

The following accessories are available for the Evolv Dog Crate:
  • Bolstr Crate Bed

  • Groov Training Aid

  • Treat Spreads

  • Crate Bowl

  • Additional doors

  • Playpen Mode Frame

Does Diggs Ship Internationally?

Diggs only ships to the United States and Canada. However, they’re working on expanding shipping options to include other countries.

If you’re interested in international shipping, Diggs has a mailing list specifically for international shipping updates. By signing up, you’ll be the first to know when the Evolv Crate (or any of Diggs’ other amazing products) can be shipped to your door.

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - crate box

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Our Experience with the Evolv Dog Crate

I’ll start out by saying Micah has never been a fan of crates. He hesitates to go in them, is reluctant to stay inside them, and if you close the door, it’s game over. It doesn’t matter if it’s the soft-sided collapsible ones or the standard metal ones. At six years old, he still shies away from them.

So, you can imagine how surprised I was when he not only showed interest in the Evolv Crate but decided to go inside and check it out. Within a week, he was going in the crate on his own to take a nap. If you know Micah, you know how huge that is for him. And he’s not the only one who likes it either.

I was impressed with the crate when I took it out of the box. Initially, it looked like a lot of pieces but it has an intuitive design, so even without instructions, it doesn’t take much thought to put together. As someone who appreciates convenience, this was a huge plus.

Assembly is pretty straightforward. The four panels connect to one another and the ceiling and base are held together with corner connectors. It took me a while to set it up the first time, but a good chunk of that was spent fiddling with the connectors. After mastering the corners, I had the crate up in minutes.

Once it was standing, I understood the hype. Evolv is designed with an open, airy concept. Even though it’s a large item, it’s built with a slim design and has a classy feel, so it looks good no matter where I put it in the house. It doesn’t overpower my living space or distract from my home décor either. When you have a big dog, it’s not easy to hide their crate, so the sleek look was a selling point for me.

More than anything, this is a crate I’m confident Micah will be safe in. Evolv is made with non-toxic materials and is dog-proof from the inside out. It’s incredibly durable and the double doors make it inviting and non-confining, which is why I think Micah likes it so much. As a crate that’s built to last, I know I’ll have it for a long time.

While I’d love to take Evolv with me on road trips, this isn’t a crate I would travel with. Along with being heavy, it has quite a few pieces when disassembled. Diggs also mentions they designed Evolv for in-home use (they recommend their Enventur Inflatable Travel Kennel if you’re planning a pup-friendly getaway).

That’s not to say you can’t travel with it, and if you have a small crate, you’d probably be okay taking it on a trip. Just know that it isn’t designed for portability and the large crate is cumbersome to pack up.

Diggs Evolv Dog Crate - micah sleeping in the crate

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Conclusion

When you buy Diggs’ Evolv Dog Crate, you’re buying the whole package. It’s safe, sturdy, and stylish and has all the add-ons and configurations you need to customize it to your lifestyle. I love Evolv for its easy assembly and I have peace of mind knowing it’s safe for Micah.

Many brands make a good dog crate, but Diggs has perfected the design, creating a high-quality, easy-to-assemble, puppy-proof crate without compromising on quality or safety.

The post Diggs Evolv Modern Dog Crate Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion appeared first on Pet Keen.

R&R CBD Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give R&R CBD a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Variety: 3/5
Ingredients: 5/5
Value: 5/5

As pet owners, we spend our lives with them, ensuring our furry friends are well cared for, fed great diets, and have fun toys. They quickly become an integral part of our families.

What was chalked up to “bad behavior” in the past, like bolting at the first sign of thunder, chewing through the garbage when left alone, or whining in the car, is now considered a dog’s version of anxiety.

R&R CBD chews are designed to alleviate some of our pups’ unnecessary stress.

Their pet chews are designed using a full-spectrum approach. This means each chew is filled with more than just a single cannabinoid (usually CBD) and encompasses a wide range of naturally occurring cannabinoids.

After years of fetch at the park, swimming at the beach, and countless car rides, a dog’s mobility can be impacted by old age. Sore muscles and joints, as well as potentially a loss of hearing and eyesight, can all affect a dog’s behavior.

For example, a dog (like Winnie) who has loved to fetch all her life, may actively avoid the game, knowing it causes her pain. R&R CBD chews can help ease the pain of achy joints.

Read on to discover how R&R’s CBD chews assisted this old lady in her twelfth year.

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About R&R

R&R CBD

R&R was founded in 2017, with their primary headquarters in Denver, Colorado. With R&R’s natural approach to full-spectrum and broad-spectrum blends, you’ll not be surprised to learn all of their hemp is sourced from Colorado, using only outdoor grown and organic sources.

R&R states that they’re employee-owned, which “fosters alignment in their company’s direction.” No investors putting profit above quality here!

Speaking of employees, R&R is a veteran, minority, and LGBT-owned and operated company that started with human products and now, lucky for us, provides the same top-quality chews to our pets.

R&R’s chews are made specifically for dogs (though their tincture is available if you’re interested in something for your furry friend of a different species).

Would my dog benefit from a CBD chew, you ask? Probably. If your dog exhibits any kind of separation anxiety, vehicle anxiety, on-leash issues, achy joints, or sore muscles…  the calming effects of CBD may help. R&R’s CBD chews can help with short-term issues, too, like a dog who has strained a tendon and needs a minimally painful recovery period.

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Overview

R&R CBD

Here is an overview of R&R’s shipping practices, how to feed, what to expect, and price comparisons.

Shipping, Returns, and Delivery

When you order R&R CBD Chews, you’re offered free shipping in the US on orders over $60. International shipping is available at checkout.

If you’re unhappy with the product, R&R offers a 60-day Money-Back Guarantee. However, they really want to help you (and your pooch) find relief, so they encourage you to reach out for a better solution or possibly an alternative product (at no extra charge).

The small containers easily fit in a regular mailbox, so you can expect them to be delivered without hassle.

What to Expect

After you’ve received the CBD chews, the best course of action is to read the recommendations. The amount of chews a dog is allowed at one time varies based on weight, much like any other medication your pup may be prescribed.

How to Feed

The most important part of feeding these chews to your pet is having their accurate weight information. After that, R&R recommends consistently feeding at least one chew daily to see the best results.

I found it easier to feed one chew by hand per day, and if your dog is above 25 pounds, two may be fed by hand at that time. Due to the CBD component, we prefer to feed (and know the dog has eaten it) instead of accidentally missing it in her bowl and giving her more than recommended.

Ingredients

The ingredients are listed plainly on the back of the container. Because chicken is the main ingredient, the chews may not be suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.

  • Organic Full Spectrum Hemp Extract (5mg per chew)

  • Carrot powder

  • Chicken

  • Chicken liver

  • Flaxseed meal

  • Glycerin (Vegetable)

  • Industrial hemp extract

  • MCT oil

  • Organic palm fruit oil

  • Sorbic acid

  • Sunflower lecithin

  • Sweet potato flower

  • Tapioca

  • Tomato powder

  • Coconut

R&R CBD

Pricing

R&R’s CBD chews are priced reasonably compared to other CBD pet brands, especially if you sign up for one of their many payment options. Subscribe and save up to 20% on your recurring order!

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Easy to feed chew

  • Clear dosage recommendations

  • Quality ingredients

  • Cost-saving subscription options

Cons
  • Not suitable for dogs with chicken allergies

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Key Features

R&R CBD

Quality

As discussed above, R&R’s product quality is high. To prove they take quality seriously, they conduct Hemp Quality Assurance Testing on each batch of CBD chews.

The quality of the containers and chews is one thing, but the quality of customer care this company can provide is another. With easy access to brand professionals who want to assist you in finding the perfect product and dosage, they make this company stand out among pet supplement brands.

Ingredients

R&R’s CBD dog chews are full of a few simple ingredients.

This is especially helpful for those with dogs who have allergies. Suppose you’ve picked up generic dog food lately. You may have read dozens of questionable ingredients, and it’s easy to be unsure which causes the hot spots, itchy paws, or red ears. But have no fear—R&R’s easy-to-read ingredient list takes the guesswork out of what’s in your pup’s treat.

Variety

The CBD chews are made with chicken; if you have a chicken-loving pup, you can bet they’ll say woof! However, if your dog shows any signs of a chicken allergy or has been tested and confirmed, these treats aren’t for you. But! All hope is not lost. R&R also makes an Organic Full Spectrum tincture that mimics the chews – without chicken as an ingredient.

The chews are admittedly easier to feed, so we will keep our fingers crossed for a beef option in the future!

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Is R&R CBD Dog Chews a Good Value?

R&R CBD

In our opinion, yes. R&R combines their love of cannabinoids with their love of canines to offer you a chew that helps your beloved pet safely benefit from the power of hemp. They do this without a high price tag or a lower price with lower-quality ingredients.

Joint and mobility health is vital for our four-legged friends, but alternative options like carprofen injections, physical therapy, walking aids, or surgeries can be pricey. This natural, affordable option is a great place to start for your aging or anxious pup.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a full-spectrum formula and a broad-spectrum formula?

A full spectrum formula isn’t pared down to just CBD. Instead, it includes several other cannabinoids (CBN, CBC, CBL, CBD-V, and more) with their own antioxidants, amino acids, terpenes, flavonoids, and phytonutrients. What does this mean? R&R’s term of creating the “Entourage effect” means welcoming the naturally occurring compounds to work in unison to create a well-rounded formula made just as nature intended.

A broad-spectrum formula combines all the same cannabinoids and naturally occurring processes, except the THC is removed.

Can any size dog use these chews?

Yes. R&R’s recommended dosage is one chew per day for 1-25 lbs and two chews per day for 26+ lbs.

Where does R&R ship to?

R&R ships around the United States, where they are made, but has an extensive list of other countries on their shipping labels. They can ship to Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and the UK.

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Our Experience With R&R CBD Chews

R&R CBD

If you’ve scrolled through and seen pictures of a senior Australian Cattle dog, you’ve been introduced to Winnie. Winnie belongs to my neighbors, Jill and Justin. They picked her up from a less-than-ideal situation long ago in Alberta, Canada. Winnie was the runt of an already disadvantaged litter, and her tiny, hunched-over, sullen demeanor won her a freedom ride to her lifelong family.

Now that you’ve met, let me tell you about Winnie’s demeanor. If you’re a Cattle Dog owner, this will sound all too familiar. Winnie is a vocal, nimble rocket around the feet of all guests to the home, insisting on a bow-wow when you enter. She is a staple around many bonfires, incessantly tossing you her ball to throw, and will occasionally let out a yip if you’ve forgotten to throw her ball (again!). With this high-intensity personality, Winnie’s hips started to cause her pain in her later years, and she’s always been a little nervous in the car.

I have five dogs of my own, but we chose Winnie for this trial because she had obvious pain markers that were easy to identify and we hoped to remedy.

Winnie pulls out all her best tricks for one of these chews. If she could talk, she would say the chews are delicious, so much so that while taking her photos, we had to be sure not to have too many in our hands because she was an expert at sneaking more than her allotted one.

We waited approximately 30 days before writing this review to allow the CBD chews to take effect. During the month, we observed Winnie playing fetch a little longer without her legs shaking. She was slightly less anxious in the car, but the most significant change was her ability to walk up and down stairs without favoring her back hips. Winnie used to step down each step with her front paws, but her back legs would “hop” in unison to accommodate her weakened hips. Now she walks unimpeded, paw-by-paw, down the stairs.

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Conclusion

R&R’s formula is full of quality ingredients, and while some companies may be keen to lessen the quality for pups who can’t review themselves, R&R keeps the quality top of mind without the hefty price tag.

Jill confirmed that Winnie’s comfort has increased over the month. She happily declared she’d continue purchasing R&R’s CBD Dog Chews if they were affordable. At $45 for a one-time purchase, with package prices, subscriptions, and discounts available, these chews are the affordable choice Jill was looking for.

My Cattle Dog, Bruce (yes, we have matching dogs), recently suffered a tendon strain. With such great feedback, I will try a round of R&R’s CBD Chews on him while he heals!

The post R&R CBD Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion appeared first on Pet Keen.

Checkpup Dog Wellness Test Kit Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion

Our Final Verdict

We give Checkpup a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Quality: 5/5
Ease Of Use: 4.5/5
Easy To Understand: 5/5
Thorough and Data-Driven: 5/5
Timeliness: 5/5

Keeping our four-legged friend’s health in check is probably the most difficult task of pet ownership and one that we are constantly improving throughout the duration of our pup’s life. From sorting out the right kind of food to feed, keeping the biome balances, and our dog’s environment conducive to health – it’s a whole lot to tackle at once. But even in the midst of seemingly doing everything right, how do you know if it’s all actually working?

In comes Checkpup, a vet-developed tool to help assess your dog’s health and wellbeing.

Even the most skilled veterinarians can sometimes miss things that impact our best friends, so having a Checkpup result to pinpoint what needs a more thorough look at is so helpful! This is akin to us people doing home health tests and sending them into the lab to locate more specific information. The more information we have at our fingertips, the better we can lead our lives (and help our pets lead their lives).

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About Checkpup

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

Checkpup is an at-home health test in which you take a fur sample from your pup and send it to Checkpup’s lab. The test looks for your dog’s nutritional health, body functions, and more. This is very similar to various at-home health tests for people, such as saliva tests to check for imbalances.

Checkpup was started by a collective of veterinarians and scientists wanting to offer nutritional and functional medicine for dogs. Interestingly enough, this is not as readily available for animals as it is for people, so there was definitely a big need for it! Checkpup promises that the entire process is a result of “Over 20 years of nutritional and functional health experience, over 45 years of laboratory analysis, over 40 combined years of pet parenting, and a commitment to invest millions into the future of pet wellness.” (via the Checkpup About page).

For dogs, the fur reveals the most information about their health. Although blood tests and urine tests tend to be more standard, the fur represents a much longer and deeper nutritional and wellness time frame. The fur offers a full metabolic map and can also show what the future holds if nothing changes. According to the scientists involved in Checkpup, you can even detect minerals and toxic metals 10,000 times smaller than what blood tests are able to find, which means that this analysis can show things that blood tests would easily miss.

Checkpup analyzes the fur constitution and provides a detailed report that includes a wellness check, toxic metals check, metabolism/diet check, and systems check. I did a saliva test like this for myself, and it revealed a lot of data about my nutritional needs and deficiencies, so it was a no-brainer to do this for my dog.

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Overview

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

Here is the Checkpup overview and what you can expect from your at-home test.

Pricing

The Checkup Wellness Test Kit is priced at $199.00, which definitely feels hefty. However, medical costs tend to be in the triple digits, so this price tag also shouldn’t feel unusual! This includes everything from shipping to the lab results themselves. Similar types of tests (such as saliva tests) are very similar in price, so even in the comparable market, this price is right on point.

In my opinion, you can’t put a price tag on health diagnostics for the ones we love so much, so $199 isn’t the worst fee.

Shipping Times

The test shipped very quickly to me.

I believe my sample of the test was delayed by the post office when I sent it in, so it did take longer for the Checkpup lab to receive my package than it should have, but I wouldn’t put that on Checkpup’s shoulders.

Once the lab received my test, I got the result within a couple of days.

Sample Collection Process

The sample collection process was super simple. The package itself came with very easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions. What made it really neat was that the Checkpup kit package opened in the exact order of steps for you to complete!

All that needed to be done was snip some fur, fill up the little sample collection bag, add that to the prepaid package included in the kit, and drop it off at the post office. Truly could not be simpler than that.

I gave my pup a bath and then waited 12 hours before taking the sample and making sure she was nice and clean. As Checkpup suggested, I took the sample from her belly, where the snipped fur wouldn’t be all that noticeable.

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

Lab Results

I found that the lab results were very thorough, with detailed explanations all the way through. Checkpup offers results in the following categories:

  • Wellness Check: The wellness check results cover the thyroid performance, autonomic balance, adrenal stress, inflammation, blood sugar handling, energy level, and immune system.

  • Systems Check: The systems check results cover the endocrine, autonomic, and immune systems, as well as the liver and gallbladder systems, the integumentary (skin and hair) systems, the digestive, heart, and liver systems, the muscular, kidney, and bladder systems, and the nervous systems.

  • Metabolism + Diet: The metabolism and diet section covers oxidation, and offers suggested meal plans for your pup.

  • Toxic Metals: The toxic metals panel covers whether your pup has been exposed to lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, and/or arsenic. I did have some trouble registering for the test, however. More on this in the personal experience section.

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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Very detailed at-home health test for your pup

  • Covers a full wellness check, systems check, metabolism, diet, and toxic metals exposure information – all of which are thoroughly explained

  • Offers a detailed meal, nutrition, and vitamin curriculum for your pup based on the results

  • Adds a list of to-dos on helping your dog gain even better health based on the results

  • Very simple fur sample test, so no dealing with saliva or blood

  • Free shipping to your home and to the lab

  • Results quickly

  • Your pup has its own webpage with detailed results

  • Vet-created and approved

Cons
  • I had trouble registering my kit due to glitches on the website. This could very well have been my internet connection, but it was something to note!

  • Considering follow-up tests are highly recommended, it can get pricey over time

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Key Features

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

Easy To Collect Sample

The sample collection process is painless and simple for both me and my dog. Your pup will not experience any trauma or stress. Just snip some fur samples, and that’s it.

Very Detailed Results

The results came back with a lot of information, broken down into very easy-to-read contexts. I am not a veterinarian, and the results don’t speak to me as if I am—the details are thoroughly explained and very digestible. I find this to be such a breath of fresh air, as I don’t feel overwhelmed with not understanding the results.

Customized Health Plans Based On Results

Alongside the results, Checkpup also creates a wellness checklist to help improve your pup’s health based on the results. So, the results get translated into actionable changes (which is so helpful).

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Is Checkpup a Good Value?

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

At the end of the day, your pup’s health is priceless. Good health leads to a longer life, avoidance of premature death (I am sorry to be so harsh!), and a grand quality of life.

Checkpup’s test is so thorough and detailed and unveils a lot of information that veterinarians miss. To me, a $200 kit is well worth the knowledge I got out of it. Plus, the process was simple and straightforward, and that has value as well.

I will say they do suggest a follow-up test every three to four months, which can add up over time (so keep this in mind).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Checkpup diagnose illnesses in my dog?

Checkpup is aimed at finding imbalances and system distress but is not meant to diagnose any particular illness. Imbalances can lead to illnesses or make illnesses worse, but this is for your veterinarian to find, not Checkpup. Although Checkpup is vet-developed, it is not meant to provide a diagnosis.

Should you do a Checkpup test more than once?

Yes! It is recommended that another Checkpup kit be created in four months to assess the progress and changes.

What happens if Checkpup can’t read the sample you sent in?

This seldom happens. For any problems, please reach out directly to care@checkpup.com.

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Our Experience With Checkpup

Checkpup_Dog Wellness Test

For background, my pup came from the animal shelter – she was found as a stray at a year of age. She came to me in a horrid condition, and her initial veterinary exams showed malnutrition, calcium deficiency, and a slew of health conditions. I’ve spent the rest of the years trying to remedy the first year of her life and manage her body as best I can, with guidance from my vet.

However, much like my own medical experience in which I had to take my health into my own hands and do my own set of at-home saliva and blood tests to uncover my own imbalances, it made perfect sense to do something like this for my dog.

Then the Checkpup Wellness Kit came to my door! I loved the package right off the bat – it was so cleverly designed that I wanted to give a huge high-five to their graphic designer. The package opens in such a beautiful way, with a detailed explanation of all of the steps. The box and tabs keep unfolding in the exact order you should be doing. Plus, the images were so lovely!

Taking the sample was very simple, and my pup didn’t fuss at all. I gave her a bath and then waited the recommended 12 hours before collecting the sample. I started at the very top of her back so she could understand what was happening and then collected the rest of the samples from her underside.

Once the samples were added to the little packet, I put that into the prepaid envelope and dropped it off at the post office. I then went to activate the kit online, which presented itself with a questionnaire about my pup’s visible health (such as her energy levels, skin, etc.). After inputting the activation code from my box and finishing the questionnaire, all that was left to do was wait for the results.

I did encounter one issue: I got an email from Checkpup saying that the box was not actually activated despite going through the steps. I had to redo all of it because my registration didn’t seem to take the first time. There was a bit of a technical difficulty there!

Once my results came, I was blown away by the detail of each aspect. I did learn some uncomfortable things, such as various deficiencies that my vet did not catch and I wasn’t aware of (but explained various ticks of hers that we all chalked up to be normal for her). Although it can feel a bit sad and disheartening that everything you’re doing doesn’t always come out right (she had a lot of red flags on mineral and vitamin deficiencies), it is so important to see this information and find ways to improve those results.

From collecting the samples to receiving the results, I could tell how much attention to detail this company paid. Everything is so well explained; I cannot emphasize that fact enough. I felt like Checkpup was trying to educate me as much as they possibly could so that there was no way to misunderstand or misread the process and the results, and I appreciated that so much.

Anything to do with the medical side of things tends to be so complex and leaves you overwhelmed, but Checkpup did the entire opposite. The checklist of ways to improve your pup’s health and results was also beyond the valley of amazing, as this made actionable suggestions to improve her health. All of these were detailed in a checklist, and I was eager to get started!

I took these results to my veterinarian for a follow-up and am very much looking forward to the future with my pup.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the information I got out of Checkpup was worth every single penny—I would do it over and over again. Expanding my knowledge of how my dog is doing and where we can improve her health is fundamental to pet ownership, and for this, Checkpup is absolutely revolutionary.

I urge everyone with a four-legged family member to do this.


 

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