We have five cats and a dog. They are very much a part of our family. Their health and happiness is a priority as it would be for any family member.
We live in a condo on the top floor. We don’t have a yard. Our cats are strictly indoor cats. Our dog is the only one who goes out for a walk. I did try taking two of our cats for a walk before with a special cat harness but that didn’t go over very well.
Just because our cats are indoor cats doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy fresh air and lounging around outside. They love sitting outside on our balcony during the day and often during the evening too.
Our old screen door was ripped in the corner and it served as a “flap” which allowed our pets to go in and out all day and night. They loved that! Since we’ve replaced the screen door they can no longer do that. We hate keeping the door open to let bugs in so at night they have to come inside.
Our balcony is not in great shape. The wood is splintered (we plan on replacing it). To protect our pets we put down an outdoor carpet. The carpet does get hot so we also put out pet beds so our pets don’t have to lie on the hot carpet.
The way our condo is positioned we get direct sunlight most of the day. It saves on electricity and heating costs since I don’t always have to turn lights on during the day and the heat from the sun warms our condo in the winter. The downside is that the direct sun makes sitting on the balcony difficult. We don’t have room for an umbrella. The only way I can sit out there is when the sun is not beating directly down on it.
Because of the direct sunlight I worry about my pets being out in the hot sun. Our cats normally sit under the bench we have out there but it’s not the most comfortable place for our dog.
I recently received information about a company called Quik Shade Pets. Quik Shade Pets is a division of the instant canopy leaders, Quik Shade.
Quik Shade Pets offers two different products for pet owners – Pet Shade and Pet Kennel. Each provides your pet with much needed shade on a hot sunny day as well as a raised bed to keep your pet off the ground.
The Pet Shade features an elevated, cool mesh bed and built in canopy. The Pet Kennel is similar but it also has mesh panels all the way around with a zipper enclosure when can house your pet and keep them safe, as well as out of the sun.
Both beds are idea for every day use and for traveling.
I received the Pet Shade to review with our dog Espn (pronounced Es-pin). The only problem is that one of our cats, Anakin, took to it right away and wouldn’t let our dog anywhere near it. In fact Anakin dominates the Pet Shade whether it’s outdoors on the balcony or indoors (I bring it in when it rains).
Don’t get me wrong, Anakin is not mean about it. He’s just ALWAYS on it.
I’ve even seen our youngest cat Bella on the top part of the Pet Shade (canopy) lounging in the sunshine while Anakin was sleeping underneath on the mesh bed.
Our dog weighs about 25 pounds and Anakin weighs about 18 pounds. I was concerned that the mesh bed might sag too much when they were on it but as you can see from the photos it does not. Even after multiple uses (Anakin is on it all the time) the bed is still in tact. The entire unit is exceptionally well made. In fact I am very impressed by how well made it is. This is a product that will last for many years.
I believe the makers of Pet Shade had dogs in mind but as you can see cats certainly enjoy it too.
When it’s not in use, or if you take it with you when you travel, the entire unit folds up and slides into a carrying bag. Its all one piece so there is no dissembling/assembling that you need to worry about.
We have other products that come with carrying cases but we can never get the item back in it’s case. Pet Shade fit perfectly into it’s traveling case. I didn’t have to struggle with it. It slid back in easily.
If you have a pet that enjoys the outdoors but you are worried about them getting too much sun the Pet Shade is the perfect solution.
The Pet Shade and Pet Kennel range in price depending on the size. The one we have (medium) sells for around $60 on Amazon.
For more information about either product visit www.QuikShadePets.com.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Debbie Welchert says
This would work so well for my daughter who has three dogs. They have a little fenced in area where they go out but sometimes they want to stay out and enjoy the weather. This would help them enjoy the weather and keep out of the sun at the same time. What a great product.
Wendi S says
I like it. My babies would all fit on it.
Colleen says
Your puppy is adorable, this would be great for my mom’s cats!
Tammy S says
What a great idea! I know my mom would love one for her dog. It would be great for the dog to have shade but to be able to be outside with my mom. Thanks for the review!
Carolann Leibenguth says
I did not know something like this even existed. This would be perfect for my dog when we go camping or in her case “glamping” she is quite the diva. Thank you for the introduction.