Kids are expensive, but so are pets! As a new dog owner I just recently found this out. The cost of food, shots, vet visits, treats, toys, crate, gates, etc. really adds up. Even if we need to keep to the basics, they don’t have to be cheap quality and ugly. I came across a nice collection of supplies at PetSmart called Martha Stewart PETS. The line includes food bowls, brushes, toys, apparel, and more – all in lovely, complimentary colors. Of course I would fall in love with the style – it’s by Martha after all. I was able to try out the 3-Piece Bowl Set for Dogs as well as the matching Feeding Mat.

The bowl consists of three pieces: the non-slip bowl, the stainless steel insert, and the lid. The shape of the bowl prevents it from tipping over while the base stays firmly planted. That mean the bowl won’t be on the other side of the room after your dog is done eating. There’s a cutout in the base so it’s easy to pick up when you need to and for the occasional wash. The stainless steel insert has a removable rubber ring around the lip that prevents the insert from moving around and ‘clanking’. The insert did get a tiny spot of rust but that’s what my Bartender’s Keeper is for! As our puppy is growing, her appetite is constantly changing so the lid is perfect for those half-eaten portions. Just burp it like a Tupperware and you’re good to go. The best part? It’s all dishwasher-safe!

The mat keeps everything where it should be, and it’s nice to section off an ‘eating section’ for our pup. She knows exactly where to go and most stays on the mat. I say ‘most’ because we have a little dribbler that will drink and leave a trail of droplets around the corner as she goes back in her crate. When I notice the mat collecting dust or fur, I just rinse it off let it dry overnight. The mat is made of a nice thick rubber-type material. I also find it interesting that my dog does not try to chew it at all and she likes to at least try to nibble on most everything.

These items are so cute! Of course, just one bowl looked lonely and wasn’t very practical so I picked up another one for the food. Doesn’t it look nice all together?

As you can see, this is a great set that will be useful for years to come. I would suggest to get the medium (pictured) or large size. The medium holds a tiny bit more than 1 cup of food so keep that in mind when you are shopping. My dog is so comfortable using this set that she was less than thrilled when I disturbed her with my constant photo-taking and hovering around as she was trying to eat.

PetSmart has become one of my favorite places to get our supplies. While it is not dirt-cheap, the prices are reasonable but the shopping experience is where it shines. There are always helpful, knowledgeable staff present and the facilities are kept clean. I find the selection to be good and like the wide range of services that are available (ie, grooming, training, daycare, etc). I still have my eye on a few more items from the Martha Stewart PETS line so I’ll be frequenting PetSmart a lot from now on.

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► Giveaway closed, winners announced here!
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WIN IT!
One reader will win a Martha Stewart PETS 3-Piece Bowl Set & Neoprene Tug Toys from PetSmart.

To enter (mandatory):
Visit the Martha Stewart PETS section at PetSmart and tell me which item you like best.

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Giveaway ends 4/17/11 at 11:59 PST. Open to US residents only. Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Disclosure: I was provided with the above mentioned product(s) at no charge to facilitate this review, which contains 100% my honest opinion.