There’s no doubt about it: We in the Northwest love pets. And it seems there is no limit to the lengths we will go to care for our “fur babies.” Custom food, princely homes, couture clothing—the sky’s the limit. In fact, according to Pet Industry Size & Ownership Statistics, Americans spent $72.56 billion on their pets in 2018, and that number is predicted to rise this year. Granted, much of this spending was on food, veterinary care and such, but some $6 billion was on “other services.” So we thought we’d take a look at some of the more interesting items available for pets. Some may seem extravagant, but others may prove simply irresistible.
Litterbox Camo
If a visible litterbox offends your sensibilities, you can literally keep it out of sight with a container that doubles as a nightstand. The Humbert Litter Enclosure by Archie & Oscar looks like any other nightstand save for the opening in the door front. It is the proper height for a bedside lamp and has a shelf for books. Access the tray for cleaning and then slide it back in. $121.99. Find more information at Wayfair.com.
Room With a View
If you want your dog to be the master of all he surveys, the Merry Pet Wood Pet House has a unique feature: a balcony. This kiln-dried cedar doghouse, designed for smaller pets, offers indoor comfort for inclement weather with a comfortable elevated outdoor perch for sunny days. The 21-by-29-by-26-inch size sells for $93.50 at a variety of vendors via Amazon.com.
It’s Happy Hour
Many people enjoy having a glass of wine after a hard day’s work, and now your cat can join in the fun. PetWinery offers a variety of cat wines for pets, including Purrgundy, Meow & Chandon and Meowsling. The “wine” is nonalcoholic, but it is infused with catnip and salmon oil, which promotes a shiny coat, according to the company. Prices vary. More information can be found at PetWinery.com.
Lest your dog feels left out, Bowser Beer makes a beer formulated for our canine friends. It is made with human-grade beef, chicken or pork combined with barley malt. There is no alcohol, hops or carbonation in the “beer.” The company says dogs love it chilled and served in a bowl or poured over their regular kibble. It does not need refrigeration prior to opening and can be stored in its resealable bottle for up to a week in the refrigerator. $26.99 per 12-ounce bottle six-pack. For more information, visit BowserBeer.com.
Keep an Eye on Things
Designed for “pet parents,” Petcube offers its interactive Petcube Play indoor Wi-Fi camera so owners can monitor their pets with their smartphones while they’re away. The Petcube Play has two-way audio and a 1080p HD video camera. Sound and motion alerts can be set to notify owners of major events at home, and streaming is with a 138-degree wide-angle view. Night vision allows for viewing in low light or nighttime conditions. A built-in laser toy can be used for remote play with a pet. The larger Petcube Bites HD camera not only monitors pets but also will fling treats to the pet for rewards or fetch. Prices vary at local retailers. Find more information at PetCube.com.
Fountain Blue
Pioneer Pet Products offers a better drinking water option for pets with its Big Max stainless steel fountain. The extra large 128-ounce capacity bowl accommodates any size dog or multiple cats, and a pump keeps the water circulating to make it more appealing. The water is also continually charcoal-filtered. Fountains are available in a variety of sizes and in ceramic styles. Prices vary. For more information, visit PioneerPet.com.
Dressing Your Pet
It was almost inevitable that high-end designers would discover the potential of the pet market, whether they started out with human clothing or went straight into pet mode. Now Ralph Lauren has its own line of doggie sweaters, polo shirts and more, and media influencers and celebrities are making their favorite pet designers known via social media platforms such as Instagram. Much like designers of clothing for humans, some pet clothing designers even offer twice yearly “collections.” Among the favorites for well-dressed dogs are Christian Cowan’s Moshiqua, Max-Bone, RoroRiri of San Francisco and Britain’s Ruby Rufus.
As they say, forewarned is forearmed. It’s a big world out there for pet products, and once pet enthusiasts are plugged in, it may be difficult to resist the clever and often charming wares available.
