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You are here: Home / Pets / Dog Toys / Petmate Summertime Toy Review

Petmate Summertime Toy Review

July 15, 2014 by Susan Bewley 67 Comments

Disclosure: I received these products for free to review. The opinions in my review are honest and my own.

 Petmate Summertime Toy Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I am paranoid when it comes to my dog’s toys. I am the person who will research toys online and scrutinize any toy we consider buying at Petsmart. My worst fear is Reya getting sick or choking because of a faulty toy. Add in the fact that you can find horror stories about…well…just about anything on the internet. For this reason I usually stick with brands of toys that I know. One major brand that my family has trusted for years is Petmate, along with the other brands in the Petmate family. While looking for new and fun summer toys, I was approached by Petmate, asking if I would like to review some of their newest toys and dog items. Of course, we were only too happy to accept!

Petmate: What is It?

Looking for high quality pet toys that aren’t just safe, but can keep your pet comfortable or entertained for hours? If so, we think you will love the Petmate brands. For years they have been one of the most trusted brands in the pet industry, providing pet parents with smart solutions to help entertain dogs and cats during different stages of their life. Within their full family of brands you can find amazing toys, beds, crates, pet accessories, and just about anything you can imagine to make your life with your pets even easier. Best of all, their toys are loved by dogs and cats of all ages, meaning that you aren’t having toys left around your house that bore your pet quickly. With the Petmate brands, you know you are getting toys you can trust!

Petmate Summer 1

Petmate: Aspen Pet Self-Cooling Mat

Looking for a way to keep your do cooler on those hot summer days? Probably one of the coolest products (no pun intended!) I have seen in a very long time is the Aspen Pet® Self-Cooling Mat. This self cooling indoor use mat cools quickly to room temperature and then helps cool your pet, using non toxic cooling gel to absorbs and draw away your dog’s body heat. Since the temperature of your typical room is much cooler than your dogs natural body temperature, this means they can quickly cool off just by lying on this blue mat. Best of all, it is hassle free for dog owners since the gel quickly cools while your pet is off of it, meaning you don’t have to fill it with water or find room for it in the refrigerator. You just take it out of the box, set it on the floor (or your dog’s bed), and you are good to go! We use this mat when we are going on long car rides or Reya needs to cool down after a hot play session outside. I will admit, this works so well I have been tempted to steal it from Reya when my back is sore! As you can see from the picture below, Reya is a fan! Based on our own experience, we are happy to give the Aspen Pet® Self-Cooling Mat an A+ rating!

Aspen cooling mat

Petmate: JW PlayBites Catterpillar

As any dog owner will be quick to tell you, the best way into your dog’s heart is through their stomach. I haven’t met a dog that isn’t food motivated – it’s just finding the right food for some of the pickier eaters. When Reya was little, we used indestructible, treat filled toys to encourage her to chew on those type of toys rather than things like…let’s say our wall and chairs. We learned the value of these type of toys after we lost two of our dining room chairs and a chunk from one of our walls to a teething puppy. Having used quite a few of these toys over the past year, I was excited when we got a JW PlayBites Catterpillar. This isn’t just an indstructable chew toy, but one with compartments for treats! I had the feeling this was soon going to be one of our favorite toys when she immediately STOLE this toy after I opened the box from Petmate, even before it had anything inside it! It actually took my husband and I cornering her to get the toy away so that I could clean it before use. Even after having this toy for a couple of weeks, she still loves it. Based on our own experience with this toy, we are happy to give the JW PlayBites Catterpillar an A+ rating!

caterpillar toy

Petmate: Chuckit! Firefly LED Ball

Do you find that your dog sometimes finds the oddest time to play? My dog especially love to play with her stuffed animals, ropes, and balls late at night. It always seem to come with a burst of energy right before bedtime. One of the coolest night time toys I have seen in quite some time is the Chuckit! FireFly™ LED Ball. This LED ball fades between colors, offering constant stimulation for your dog. With the changing colors, their eyes are always on the ball, keeping them motivated to keep playing and interacting with you. This little ball has so far been a hit in our household! Based on our own experiene with this cute ball, we are happy to give the Chuckit! FireFly™ LED Ball an A rating.

LED ball

Petmate: Where to Purchase

Would you like to purchase some of these awesome toys for your favorite pet? While Petmate doesn’t sell directly to pet parents, you can find a large selection of their toys at your local pet store or preferred retailer, like Petsmart, Petco, Target, Wal-mart, Lowes, or Tractor Supply. If you are like me, however, and prefer to buy your toys online, I highly recommend checking out Amazon.com since they have the best prices Petmate products, as well as their other brands (Aspen Pet, Bamboo, Booda, Dogzilla, JW Pets, & Fat Cat) of pet products.

Petmate

Disclosure: Budget Earth did not receive compensation but did receive products for review purposes. Budget Earth may, however, receive compensation through purchases from affiliate links in this post. All opinions on this product are my own and may differ from our readers’ opinions.

Would you like to have your products featured in a giveaway event? Want to increase your social media exposure? Contact susan.l.bewley@gmail.com to see what we can do for your company!

About Susan Bewley

Susan Bewley is a professional writer who has been writing content online & in print format for over 10 years. As well, she is an alumni of the University of Louisville with a Masters Degree in Special Education. When not working as an online business consultant or ghost writing, she can be found writing on Budget Earth, on her own novel, or working with various entities in the pet industry.

Filed Under: Dog Toys, Pet Toys & Comfort, Pets

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tory says

    July 15, 2014 at 2:15 am

    My dog would love the LED ball and the cooling mat. Perfect for summer

    Reply
  2. Theresa says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:38 am

    I love the LED ball! Even if I don’t win I think I will have to purchase that. Curious how long it will take her to chase it. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jessica Z says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:29 am

    I love the idea of having a toy with treats hidden in it. This would leave our dog excited for weeks 🙂

    Reply
  4. Linda Szymoniak says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:29 am

    I really love Petmate products and these look great. My senior girl could really use the cooling mat. Of the toys, I think my pack would like the glow-in-the-dark ball. Especially my deaf hound girl, Ran.

    Reply
  5. Dorothy Teel says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Petmate makes some great toys and I love the idea of the mat, because our grand dog gets very hot running outside and needs a place to cool down, I like that they are made strong to ast and they are good for the dog, I like the seek the treat toy good for a dog and people to use their brains.

    Reply
  6. Rusty H says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I love that cooling mat. Living in So. Cal., I worry about my dog overheating during the summer. This would be a great way to help her cool off.

    Reply
  7. Leigh Anne Borders says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    What a great idea! I love my furbabies and enjoy getting out with them. I esp like the ball. My babies would have so much fun!

    Reply
  8. rose says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    awesome pet prize pack 😉

    Reply
  9. beth wildman says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:59 pm

    Nylabone Dura Chew is what my dash hound would love.

    Reply
  10. Beth Slagle Wildman says

    July 15, 2014 at 4:02 pm

    I am sure my old beagle would love to try out a cooling pad. She loves being in the sun outside but I worry she gets over heated. The young dogs would love the toys.

    Reply
  11. Eugene Oleo says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    My canine kids love to be pampered. They get so excited over every new toy or treat weget them.

    Reply
  12. Stephanie Easterling says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    I think our dog would love the Chuckit! Firefly LED Ball. I think she would get a kick out of it at night when it glows. I have never seen anything like it. This would be great for her to play with.

    Reply
  13. Holly E says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    I love the Aspen Pet Self-Cooling Mat. It would be great to have for my dog during the hot, southern, summer months.

    Reply
  14. rosa rogers says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    I just love the whole package..My fur baby will have so much fun with the lcd ball..Love the ideal of owning a cool mat especially for these hot months.Never heard of this brand but i like the product.

    Reply
  15. Barrie says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:51 pm

    I’m not sure I’ve heard of PetMate but I’m sure I’ve purchased it as I shop for pet toys at Wal-Mart, PetSmart and Tractor Supply. I have to chewers so I need high quality toys that won’t break off or fall apart. Our older dog LOVES sitting outside, regardless of the weather so the cooling pad would be perfect for him in the summer! Thanks for great reviews; I’ll check them out in more detail next time I’m shopping.

    Reply
  16. Daniel Scott says

    July 16, 2014 at 12:38 am

    I like the Chuckit! Firefly LED Ball because this ball changes colors and it would make Kouga the ball nut very happy. I also like the Petmate toys, they have proven to be well-made and durable.

    Reply
  17. Dominique Balsoma says

    July 16, 2014 at 4:48 am

    I really love the cooling mat, especially when Lacey and Zoe has been out playing hard

    Reply
  18. Marti Tabora says

    July 16, 2014 at 5:42 am

    I would absolutely love to have one of the Aspen Pet Self-Cooling Mats for my dog. We live in the south and he gets so hot that he doesn’t even feel like playing ball and he loves to play ball. This would be perfect for him.

    Reply
  19. Susan Campbell says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:36 am

    I live in Florida, so hat weather is a concern most of the year. I have their cooling mat, it is a wonderful product!!

    Reply
  20. Kristin H says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:54 am

    I have seen the cooling mat out at so many stores and have been very tempted to buy one myself but wasnt sure if it was worth it. After reading your review I am totally going to get it.

    Reply
  21. brandi hawn says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:19 am

    i would love to get the infinity programmable feeder for my boxer puppy. he loves to eat and i feel like im always having to fill his bowl 🙂

    Reply
  22. Sarah Burks says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Yager would luv to get to know what the toy is about. He luves his walks.

    Reply
  23. Michelle Salais says

    July 16, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    I definitely need that cooling pad for my dog! Oh, and would want that led light ball. All A ratings say they are perfect for my dog. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  24. Tory says

    July 16, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    The Chuckit LED ball looks great! Both my cat and dog would love to play with it. Especially for summer nights outside!

    Reply
  25. lisa says

    July 16, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    When I had a cat it was amusing to watch him play with toys. Animals crack me up.

    Reply
  26. Mia says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Our dog would love these toys. So helpful to know that they are safe and we don’t have to worry about choking.

    Reply
  27. Ann Cluck says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    The cooling mat sounds awesome!! My pup is long haired and needs a cooling down period as well. The LED ball sounds like something she could get hours of fun with!!

    Thank you for the review of a great company and its products.

    Reply
  28. Jerri Davis says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    My dog is not into toys anymore shes to old but puppies really love toys. Thank you, Jerri Davis

    Reply
  29. Sue E says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    The self cooling indoor mat cools quickly to room temperature and then helps cool your pet, using non toxic cooling gel to absorbs and draw away your dog’s body heat. LED ball fades between colors, offering constant stimulation for your dog. The JW PlayBites Catterpillar is a chew toy & has compartments for treats. These are all excellent products for my doggy!!

    Reply
  30. Pamela Kumfer says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    I have 4 huskies I could see them all enjoying the cooling mat. And the L.E.D light up ball they all enjoy playing catch.

    Reply
  31. Maggie D says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    These look like really high quality toys. I volunteer at an animal shelter and I bet the pups would really love to play with these. Some of the poor dogs are so neglected they don’t have much experience with play, though 🙁

    Reply
  32. Teressa Morris says

    July 17, 2014 at 12:53 am

    My dog is half black lab/half chow. Her hair is so thick and dense and now that she is almost 10 she gets overheated very easily. The self-cooling mat would be perfect for our dog Katie!!

    Reply
  33. Kristyn Martin says

    July 17, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I would love to try the replendish waterers. My dog drinks water faster than any dog I’ve ever seen!

    Reply
  34. Cryssie Cherry says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Before I had pets I thought this kind of stuff was ridiculous. Now that I am a pet mom, I LOVE it!!!!

    Reply
  35. Leslie Ross says

    July 17, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    My baby would go just insane for the glowing ball

    Reply
  36. David Smith says

    July 18, 2014 at 6:05 am

    These are really nice products. Sine it has been really hot this summer so far, the cooling mat would be great for Sparkie to cool himself on. He likes to lay on anything that is cool when he is hot. The play toys would be great too. He’d love to get treats out of the caterpillar and he would be fascinated with the ball with the colors changing. Thanks for the info, we will have to look into getting these.

    Reply
  37. Rita Spratlen says

    July 18, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    I love the ball and the matt which would be great for just about any dog to own. I would love to have the cooling mat at this time for it has been quite hot. Especially for old dogs and they pant when they are hot. Great items on their site too. Thanks for the information. The ball is so neat too.

    Reply
  38. Joyce Alexander says

    July 18, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Petmate sounds like a very caring & conscientious company and not just towards the pet owners, but also to all the pets & the plight of shelter animals as well. I read on their Home page that they are partnered with Pilots N Paws & I love all they do to help pets in need of a home. I really like the glowing Chuckit Firefly ball…I know my cats would like to have a go at that!

    Reply
  39. jenn huey says

    July 19, 2014 at 9:16 am

    I have to try to find toys that are sturdy enough that our dog doesn’t chew them up in one sitting. haha We have the Rooper toy from Petmate and so far so good. The cooling mat looks a bit small for your dog

    Reply
  40. sandy weinstein says

    July 19, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    i love the lighted ball and i have 2 types of cooling pads, one yu have to fill w/ water, a pain and the other is similar to this one sold my petmate. it works okay, but do not leave in sun, gets hot. i was using mine in the car when i had to take my dogs somewhere, b/c the ac is not cool when the car first starts or if you are parked in the sun, the car is too hot when get in.

    Reply
  41. Alesha OL says

    July 19, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    They look like they are having the most fun, just like ill kids..I wanna have fun, too 😉

    Reply
  42. Kelly Crenshaw says

    July 19, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    I love this group of toys! Especially the LED ball. My pup Alize would love that!

    Reply
  43. Linda Szymoniak says

    July 20, 2014 at 12:17 am

    I have five rescued Treeing Walker Coonhounds. My senior girl could really use the cooling mat, while three of my other four would just LOVE the glowing ball (especially my deaf girl, Ran).

    Reply
  44. Brigid OHara Koshko says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:22 am

    What great toys! I think all my critters (cats and dog) would love to play with the LED ball. Then afterwards my crowd can relax on the cooling mat – living in the south this would be awesome!

    Reply
  45. Barbara Adams says

    July 23, 2014 at 11:25 am

    They all look very well made and of superior material. I am really jazzed about the cooling mat, had no idea such an item existed!

    Reply
  46. Natalie Brown says

    July 23, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Hi! I also worry about what toys I’m giving to my boxer boy Neo. This self-cooling mat is a great product. Especially for bigger dogs like yours and mine. It’s so easy for them to overheat in the Summer time. Thank-you for the information & review!

    Reply
  47. April Farley says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:16 am

    I love all these items that you reviewed from Petmate! Super neat stuff! That cooling mat is especially awesome . Our little doggie is a real lap dog. He is a rescue who was actually thrown of of a moving car! He has come a long way after 2 years of being with us. He now loves to ride in the vehicle with us. During the hot summer he and I both roast with him on my lap. That cooling mat laid across my lap would REALLY help our ride be more comfy!

    Reply
  48. Helga says

    July 25, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    Petmate makes so many interesting products. I have a heating bed, a fountain, toys, and more from them.

    Reply
  49. Ashley F says

    July 26, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    My dogs would love all of these products! We have Petmate pet beds and collars and they are very well made!

    Reply
  50. Robin Wilson says

    July 27, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    They sure make some awesome and quality products! My dog would love to play with that ball and that mat would be so wonderful here where it gets so hot!

    Reply
  51. Jasmine P says

    July 27, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    This looks great! My dogs would love these toys!

    Reply
  52. Rhonda Martin says

    July 28, 2014 at 7:15 pm

    Chuckit! FireFly LED Ball would be a big hit. I worry to about safety so I’m glad that this has been tested to be safe. Another one my dog would love is the Crinkle Critters because it combine adorable canvas Sock Monkey characters with an empty water bottle for all the crackling and crunching noise and she loves to wrestle with empty water or soda bottles. It’s hilarious to watch her too. Because of this I know the Crinkle Critters would be a new favorite.

    Reply
  53. Sally T. says

    July 28, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    I am happy that the toy led ball is safe.I am happy to say that I check
    carefully where toys are made and how good they are made.I know
    my one Wheaten would love the ball as that is her favorite past time.
    The other Wheaten is a little older and loves to lay down and watch,that
    is where the cooling mat would come in handy,and I know Emmie would
    really like it.

    Reply
  54. Anita E. says

    July 29, 2014 at 2:32 am

    I have an elder dog who I know would benefit from the cooling mat. My younger dog would probably like the cooling mat also, but I’ll try to gear him toward the LED toy. It looks cool.

    Reply
  55. Sue Hull says

    July 29, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    My daughter has 3 dogs and she’s really careful with what toys they play with to.There’s some crappy made dog and cat toys out there,so you really need to do research to make sure they’re safe.I have to say this is one of the best reviews I’ve seen in awhile when it comes to pet toys.Your dog is beautiful.Our pets are our family so we take care of them like we do our kids.

    Reply
  56. Lily Kwan says

    July 31, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    These pet products look very nice. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  57. YVONNE WOODSTOCK says

    August 28, 2014 at 4:48 am

    I really enjoyed this review and the pics (too cute!). We are always looking for new, unique things and ways to spoil our beyond loved and beyond spoiled pets (we have a cat and cockatiel) and also our 3 granddoggies, even the 2 who live on other side of the country.. we send them big and little surprises and gifts.

    Reply

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