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July 17, 2006
It's a dog's life
Pet products range from practical to just plain fun
Given the choice of Cindy Crawford, Brad Pitt and the family dog, 57 percent of pet owners would prefer to be trapped on a desert island with the canine.
The American Animal Hospital Association recently conducted the survey, and when the amount of money people spend on their pets is figured in, the results are no surprise.
According to the Association of Pet Products Manufacturers, nearly $36 billion was spent in 2005 to keep Fido in the latest fashions. The bulk of the money was delegated to necessities such as food, vet care and the actual purchase of the pet. But critter keepers are said to spend on average $70 a year on treats and $45 a year on toys. Rutherford Countians are no exception.
Sam the Maltese is pretty in pink dressed in coordinating tennis dress, shoes, collar and hat and resting inside a pet stroller from Petland.
"We started out as a small pet store but grew into a big box store out of necessity," said Kristie McKinnon, manager of Pet Supermarket in Smyrna. "The love of their pets comes from people's hearts and people are choosing pets over having kids. They just provide a lot of comfort for people, and for them their pets are their kids."
The local popularity of pets and their coordinating products is immediately evident with a quick trip to area pet stores. The aisles are flooded with people gazing at shelves lined with everything from baby carriages for the furry, four-legged kind to breed-specific dog food.
"Royal Canin has done a lot of research in the development of their pet food," said Vicky Jones, who co-owns Petland in Murfreesboro with her husband, Bob Hyde. The couple, both veterinarians, re-opened the store in March, and sales have exceeded their expectations. "Geared to be breed-specific, there are foods for Chihuahuas, (Yorkshire terriers), shih tzus and others. Royal Canin is really giving Science Diet a run for its money."
Among the summer necessities, flea prevention is also a high-ranking sales product. The majority of area pet stores carry a variety of flea agents, including powders, shampoos, collars and drops. In addition to those, Petland also stocks lines of the professional flea preventatives Frontline, Frontline plus, Advantage, Advantix and Capstar.
But more fun can be had in area pet stores than designer dog food and fancy flea drops. Toys of all colors, shapes, sizes and textures are on the market to please pets of all preferences. Some toys squeak, some rattle, and others emulate animal sounds, and if they make noise, they all have a market...
"Plush is big," said Jeff Rumrill, manager at PetSmart in Murfreesboro. "Loofa dog, otherwise known as Bobo from the commercial, comes in several different sizes and colors. We can't keep them on the shelves. Most dogs love plush toys because they can eventually be destroyed. Dogs like that they can eventually get to the squeaker. It's a game for them."
Pet owners who don't want to purchase playthings that will surely be destroyed should look to the Holee-Roller line of toys, said Jones.
"Nothing is indestructible, but these are built to be," she explained.
The Holee-Rollers are made of a sturdy rubber material and the line boasts disks, balls and toys that house treats to keep dogs busy.
Kongs are still popular, too, and additional toys have been added to accommodate younger dogs. Traditional Kongs are still red, with the junior Kongs colored pink and blue.
"Kongs are geared to the aggressive chewing dog," Rumrill said.
"You can put peanut butter inside the Kong and it keeps the dog busy," Jones explained.
Kong isn't the only company that has developed a line of toys just for puppies. Chilly bones are made out of a heavy-duty canvas. Puppy owners are advised to soak them in water and store them in the freezer.
"It's like a teething ring," Jones said. "It's very soothing. So when the puppy is teething he's chewing that and not your furniture."
Petstages is a company completely geared to developing products for young pups.
It's a product with a purpose," Jones said. "They are bright colors, and just like baby toys are aimed at stimulating the baby, these toys are aimed at stimulating the puppy. It's a great way to do a gift. If you know people who are getting a puppy, make them a basket."
If you're a dog, the answer is just about anywhere.
Oftentimes it's easy to see where the family pet likes to potty, based on the brown spots in the yard. However, with Green ums, a new product, dead grass is a thing of the past.
"Green ums is a natural supplement given to dogs to neutralize their urine," Jones said. "It saves your yard and your neighbor's yard."
Then there's the Pee Post, which Jones described as a near necessity.
"It helps housebreak the dog," she said. "It's a yellow, scented stake and you stick it in the ground where you want the puppy to go. It teaches them to go there and nowhere else."
For the poop that has to be scooped, Jones suggested Bottoms Up pet waste bags. The roll attaches to the leash and is at hand when needed.
"If people buy a $2,000 Yorkshire terrier, they want to dress it in something cute," said Jones.
Local pet stores carry everything from formal frilly dresses and matching shoes to casual polo shirts and bathrobes for man's best friend. In Smyrna, however, it's the pajamas they can't keep in stock.
"We used to just carry clothes at Halloween," said McKinnon. "But now it's year-round. People love the pajamas and leashes that coordinate with the clothes."
Rumrill said pet clothes are all the rage at PetSmart, as well, and he explained why.
"A lot of people come in with their little Paris Hilton pocket dog and they want to get it all dolled up just like she does," he said.
Store owners agree, this trendy pet bag phenomenon is also due to Paris Hilton.
"Pet carriers are huge," Jones explained. "Everyone wants a little Paris Hilton bag."
The bags come in a variety of sizes, fabrics, styles and colors. They often have mesh on the front or sides, and are trimmed in bright colors or animal print fabric. After the enclosure is secured with a zipper, Fido can go anywhere mom goes in the comfort of his own oversized doggie purse.
After a long day at the store beefing up the wardrobe, any canine would be dog tired when it gets home. For those paws who just can't take a step farther, extravagant pet beds are just another creature comfort.
Ranging in price from $20 to more than $100, there's one for almost every taste and budget.
Faux fur, paisley velvet, plaid with a wooden frame, shaped like a recliner, pleather with faux sheep skin, then just average cotton, today's cozy hide-a-ways are designed to be anything but "an ugly dog bed," Jones said.
Loungers in all sizes are popular at PetSmart, added the manager.
"The sides wrap around the dog," he explained. "And they come in different colors and fabric."
Posted by sue at July 17, 2006 10:07 AM