Brightkins Interactive Enrichment toys for Pets – Product Review

Brightkins Pets is all about interactive enrichment toys for pets and the children’s toy range, Learning Resources, is all about fun interactive learning. I love nothing more than interactive learning toys for both Kiki and Zamba as well as Gia. So when Brightkins asked us to collaborate and test out a few of their interactive enrichment toys we jumped for joy! 

Brighkins interactive enrichment toys for pets

At Brightkins they believe that pets are part of the family, and well if you follow us on Instagram you will know that this statement resonates with us whole heartedly! Brightkins has the widest range of interactive enrichment toys I have ever come across. One of my favourite things about the pet interactive toys is that majority of them gets the entire family involved in the fun, which of course Gia loved too. 

So here is what we received from Brightkins… 

The Brightkins small Ice Cream treat dispenser for our little Kiki. Gia filled it up with Kiki’s favourite treats and enjoyed watching Kiki figure out how to flip it over in order to get the treats out. Because it is not a regular ball shape, it was a little more difficult for Kiki to figure out and required more patience from her.

Brightkins ice creat treat dispenser

The Brightkins Tough & Tumble treat dispenser for our big boy Zamba. It is tough enough for Zamba’s jaws but he figured out pretty quickly that rolling it and not biting it gets him more treats. Because it is a puffer fish shape it also rolls around irregularly which keeps things interesting. Both these treat dispensers could also be filled with kibble if your pup is a fast eater! 

Brightkins tough and tumble treat dispenser

Next we got the Brightkins Cupcake Party treat puzzle, and oh what fun this one is! You can create three different levels of difficulty and watch which one your pup masters the best. The base of the cupcakes doubles up as a slow feeder too. Kiki was a keen learner with this one, because she has a short snout she soon worked out that using her paws got her the reward, whereas Zamba used his longer nose and strength to get to the treats. 

Brightkins cupcake surprise

Next up is the super fun Brightkins Pupstrami Surprise treat puzzle. Not only is this one fun to look at with it being a giant pastrami interactive dog toy, but it has so many compartments to hide treats in. Kiki and Zamba had to master the art of only spinning one layer at a time! The hardest for them both was spinning the top ‘roll’ to get to the treats hidden in the ‘tomato’ layer. It was really fun to watch them work this one out, not to mention they kept at it for ages and ages. It was hard for Gia to watch them struggle to work out the different layers on this one but I explained to her that they need to work it out for themselves just like she works out her toys and things! 

Brightkins pupstrami interactive enrichment toy

Last in the pet interactive toy range we received is the Brightkins Magic Trick training set. I will say that Gia absolutely loved this one! Not only did it feel like she was performing magic on Kiki and Zamba 😉 but both Kiki and Zamba were enthralled with what she was doing too! This set is the ideal way to have fun while training your pups. It teaches your pups to listen to cues and while some of the tricks require a bit more practice than others, this set is definitely something we will continue to use so Kiki, Zamba and Gia can master more tricks together! 

Brightkins magic trick training set

Next in our set of goodies is something for Gia. The children’s learning toys are from Learning Resources and we received Max the Moose which promotes the use of fine motor skills. While Gia is a little advanced for this one she still loved creating colourful patterns on the horns of the Moose and what intrigued her the most was trying to fit all the pieces inside compartment of the moose! 

Learning Resources Max the Moose

Then possibly one of my most favourite items for Gia right now- we received the Big Feelings Pineapple. Gia is turning five in May so feelings are a big thing for her right now… really big!! And this pineapple has been absolutely incredible as a way for her to express her feelings to us when she is struggling to put them into words. When Gia is feeling emotional and struggling to express exactly what she is feeling, she goes and fetches her pineapple. She sits and finds the face that expresses her feelings in that moment the most and she creates that face on her pineapple and hands it to us. We, mom and dad, are then able to chat about her feelings in a calm and more understanding way and resolve whatever it is that has been on her mind. I highly recommend this one! 

Learning Resources Big Feelings Pineapple

When it comes to interactive dog toys and children’s learning toys, Brightens Pets and Learning Resources is a cut far above the rest! Not only is the quality of every toy superb, they are colourful and very easy to clean. Brightkins Pets and Learning Resources have made themselves a name in my home so go and sniff them out online, whether you have pets or children or both, you will not regret purchasing anything from Brightkins and Learning Resources. 

Visit the website here www.brightkins.com and swap between Brightkins and Learning Resources at the top. 

Follow both Brightkins Pets and Learning Resources on Instagram to stay up to date on new toy launches. 

To purchase Brightens Pets products head to Amazon by clicking here!

To watch the real time reel of all these goodies click here

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Zamba’s First Gotcha Day

It’s Zamba’s first Gotcha Day and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate our big baby bear in all his glory! In my biased opinion, there is nothing cuter than a Rottweiler puppy and wow Zamba was cute.

When we welcomed Zamba into our family a year ago today, we had recently lost our soul sister Zara. Zara was a Rottweiler too and she was the reason we knew we needed another needy Rottweiler in our lives. Zamba may have thought he had big paws to fill but it was important to us to let him know that he needed to just be himself and find his place within our family, which is of course was being needy but we wouldn’t change a thing! 

Zamba's first Gotcha Day

When you look beyond Zamba’s big size and striking looks, you get to discover a giant teddy bear. A teddy bear that wants to kiss you for hours and run around the house squeaking one of his many many balls because balls are life! 

So today we celebrate our bear Zamba. 

Zamba’s LickiMat Birthday Treat

I am using the LickiMat brand for no other reason than it is what I had available to buy at the time of doing Zamba’s birthday prep! There are many amazing brands out there that offer similar things to fill and create birthday treats like the one I have prepared for Zamba. 

Lickimat birthday dog treat

Ingredients

To create a filled LickiMat (or a brand of your choice) simply choose what your pup loves to eat. For Zamba I have chosen:

Raw chicken mince

Raw beef mince

Double cream plain yoghurt

Cottage cheese

Carrot rounds

Raw watermelon cut into shapes

Collagen Paws

Doggy treats and sprinkle to top it all

Plus some pet friendly peanut butter

Directions

To assemble and create your fun filled treat bowl, simply layer all your ingredients how you wish. I made balls of chicken mince and beef mince, I spread the yoghurt around the edges, I filled gaps with cottage cheese, I decorated with the carrots and watermelon then topped it all with star shaped doggy treats and drizzled pet friendly peanut butter over everything. Then I put it in the freezer over night. You can choose to either freeze the treat bowl or give it to your pup fresh- it is up to you and your pup 🙂 

Zamba's first Gotcha Day

Thank you for sharing in Zamba’s first Gotcha Day with us! The birthday fun will continue on Instagram so be sure to follow along over at @stylish_paws

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Kiki’s First Gotcha Day

It’s Kiki’s first Gotcha Day and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this feisty little firecracker of ours! From day one Kiki was feisty, and she was fiery but she was full of love and she showed us who was about to rule this roost… 

What a year it has been. When we welcomed Kiki into our family exactly a year ago today, our hearts were beyond shattered after losing our precious girl Zara. If you follow us on Instagram, then you’ll know exactly what I mean. Our family needed Kiki, we needed someone new to love and someone new to nurture. 

Kiki's Gotcha Day

Kiki is our first Boston Terrier and the smallest dog we have ever had the privilege of loving. But do not let her small size fool you! She is the boss around here and she will let anyone and everyone who will listen know. She is extremely playful and has loads of energy bursts, but when it comes to bedtime, oh Kiki can snore alright- but we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

So today we celebrate Kiki in all her feisty glory. 

Pupcakes

Kiki’s Pupcakes

Because Kiki is so small, I thought little pupcakes would suit her perfectly for her birthday treats.

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1 medium banana mashed

1 egg

50ml water

Icing 

1/2 cup plain yoghurt

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

Directions

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix together the peanut butter, mashed banana, egg and water. Then sift in your flour and baking powder. Whisk together until properly combined and smooth in texture. Then scoop the batter into each mini cupcake holder. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked. Allow them to cool completely before icing them.

Icing Directions

Using an electric beater, mix together the yoghurt and peanut butter until smooth, light and fluffy. Once the pupcakes have cooled you can top with the icing. 

These pupcakes are totally human safe too so go ahead and enjoy them with your pup!

Kiki's Gotcha Day

Thank you for sharing Kiki’s First Gotcha Day with us! The birthday fun will continue on Instagram so be sure to follow along over at @stylish_paws

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Valentine’s Day Dog Treat Recipes

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and if you’re wanting to make some quick and easy Valentine’s Day treats for your pup then you’ve found the right recipes! 

This is Kiki and Zamba’s first Valentine’s Day and they are finally old enough for me to start introducing some of my homemade treat recipes to them. Of course you know your pups best so if there is an ingredient that may not work for you then simply swap it out for something else! But most of all I hope your pups enjoy these quick and easy Valentine’s Day Dog Treats as much as Kiki and Zamba. 

Happy baking 🙂

Two Ingredient Frozen Heart Lollies

Ingredients

1/2 cup beetroot puree – made by simply peeling and steaming the beets until cooked and soft then blend them into a puree.

1 cup of plain yoghurt (greek or natural whatever your preference is)

Directions

Simply mix the beetroot puree and yoghurt together in a bowl. Spoon the mixture into heart shaped lolly moulds and freeze them overnight. Once frozen your pup can enjoy! 

Valentine's Day dog treat recipe

Valentine’s Day Pup-Cakes

Ingredients for the pup-cake

1/2 cup beetroot puree – made by simply peeling and steaming the beets until cooked and soft then blend them into a puree.

1 cup flour of your choice (plain, oat or rice) I used plain!

1 egg

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup of water

Ingredients for the pup-cake icing

1/2 cup cream cheese or smooth cottage cheese

1/3 cup beetroot puree

Directions for the pup-cakes

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Mix all your pup-cake ingredients together in a mixing bowl and whisk until completely mixed in together. You can use a hand whisk or an electric beater. Once your batter is well mixed pour into a greased mini cupcake baking tray. Bake for +- 15 minutes or until cooked through and your cakes are fluffy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool down completely before icing them.

Directions for the pup-cakes icing

Using an electric beater, beat together the beetroot puree and cream cheese or cottage cheese until light and fluffy. Once your pup-cakes are cool you can ice them. Then let your pups enjoy! 

Valentine's Day dog treat recipe

We hope these two quick and easy Valentine’s Day dog treat recipes inspire you to make something yummy for your pups this Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to tag us in your creations @stylish_paws on Instagram.

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LickiMat – An Innovative Pet Product To Relieve Boredom And Stress

If your dog or cat suffers from boredom, anxiety or stress then LickiMats are just the thing they need to feel calmer during these moments. 

If you follow us on Instagram then you’ll know exactly why I jumped at the chance to collaborate with LickiMat South Africa- enter my hooligans Kiki and Zamba, both very much still in their puppy phases of life! I saw LickiMat as a chance to mentally stimulate Kiki and Zamba in a different way and wow I am hugely surprised. 

LickiMats

LickiMats are made of the best quality materials making the range microwave and freezer proof and some of the range is dishwasher proof too. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on your dog and what he enjoys. Kiki being a Boston Terrier with a flat nose, seemed to prefer the flatter and more open LickiMat options where as Zamba being a Rottweiler pretty much enjoyed any of the shapes as his nose can reach much harder spots, especially in the Yoggie Pot.

LickiMat Yoggie Pot

We received a gorgeous box of LickiMat goodies which included the Slodog Slow Feeder Plate, this one I was particularly impressed by because it offers all the benefits of a slow feed bowl but with none of the frustration that often comes with slow feed bowls. We also received the LickiMat Soother Tuff Pro which is chew resistant however these are certainly not chew toys so please bare that in mind. We got a cute Yoggie Pot too, which is great for Zamba to enjoy a stuffed to the brim pot of all his favourite treats and things! 

LickiMats

Ollie and Roo our two cats were also lucky enough to be part of this and they got the cat LickiMat Fish which adds a little extra stimulation and fun to meal times for them. 

LickiMat Cat

The great thing about the entire LickiMat range is that you can get as creative as your pets pallet will allow 😉 Pile all their favourite raw and fresh food into one Yoggie Pot or simply spread a little plain yoghurt with peanut butter all over the LickiMat Soother. I would recommend having more than one LickiMat within the range because each one offers something different! 

LickiMat Soother

I love the LickiMat range because not only does it offer calmness in times of anxiety and stress for your dog or cat but it also teaches them to have patience around food and treats. 

Fireworks season is coming up for us, so our LickiMats could not have come at a better time for Kiki, Zamba, Ollie and Roo! They will go a long way in making sure the four of them feel a little calmer during this stressful time. 

LickiMats

Overall LickiMats are a fantastic addition to your pets weekly routine! You can follow LickiMats South Africa on Instagram for all the latest news and you can shop the full range online via their website www.lickimats.co.za

Don’t forget to tag us @stylish_paws and @lickimat_sa in your fun and creative creations! 

Thank you for reading

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