The pet industry is growing by leaps and bounds and the products that cater to this marketplace continue to be innovative and creative. The new products offer great designs, travel luxuries and tasty treats.
Bright Colors, Fun Designs
Ruthanne Miller, former marketing executive and founder of
Cats Rule Dogs Rock, was one of more than 700 exhibitors at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla., where people in the pet industry got a chance to see the most creative and innovative pet products to meet the needs of an industry that could reach $50 billion by the end of the decade, according to the
American Pet Products Manufacturer's Assoc.Cats Rule Dogs Rock features brightly colored litter boxes and litter mats, bowls and feeders that were not typical until Miller started her company seven years ago.
Miller said she was tired of the typical gray, burgundy and beige litter boxes because they did not match her home's décor.
"I love cats and I love my home, and I take pride in what it looks like," Miller said. "It was a big, depressing experience to buy a gray or burgundy box. Cats are spectacular creatures, and they should be in beautiful products."
Miller said the colors of her pet products -- which include passion pink, ice blue, red hot, sapphire, lilac, buttercup, amethyst and citrine -- cater to cat owners and particularly women.
Her litter boxes also come with a place to put the litter scoop.
She offers litter boxes, mats and bowls in colored patterns and prints. The litter mats help to curb the amount of litter tracked out of the box, but Miller still believes the colors should coordinate with the room's décor.
"Litter mats come in a variety of prints and colors, and I introduce seasonal patterns to update -- like you would buy a new shower curtain, you should buy a new litter mat," Miller said.
At the show, Miller introduce the same type of strategy for a line of reversible dog mats for dog owners to use as a placemat or on which dogs can lie. She also has a line of bowls and feeders that are popular among non pet owners for use as candy and soap dishes.
"I was so thrilled to find litter boxes in fun colors," said Angela Schultz, a veterinary technician. "I love that I don't have to bury the litterbox in the back of a closet."
Hit The Road With Your Pet
Todd Jakubowski also showed off the latest creations of his company,
Pet Gear Inc. at the Pet Expo.
Pet Gear Inc. manufactures carriers, kennels and strollers with a pet's safety in mind. An auto-carrier and kennel that allows pet owners to transport small animals safely is the company's latest invention.
Jakubowski said the idea for the auto carrier and kennel had been under review and production for about two years before being manufactured. He added that his company has a history of making baby products, so the engineering and production are used to create products for animals.
The gadget comes with a base similar to those found with a baby's car seat, and allows a small animal to be securely transported in a vehicle. Jakubowski said that transporting pets safely is becoming a big concern for many pet owners because of crashes in which animals are thrown out of vehicles and killed, so his products offer that type of consumer comfort.
Pet Gear Inc. introduced a more fashionable crate at this year's pet expo because he did not like the way a typical crate looked.
"They looked like jails and would bang up stuff and scratch up floors," Jakubowski said. "These open from the top, sides and back. They have four doors and wheels that will make it easy to move from room to room."
Additionally, the company introduced a Jeep model stroller, ramps, dog steps and a travel stroller that can also be used as a carrier and strapped into vehicles.
"My little dog gets lots of TLC," said Val Davenport, who works in manufacturing. "I love having a ramp that helps her get into bed easily, and the doggie stroller helps her get around without working her little legs too much."
Clothing, Accessories And Treats
There were a variety of other pet products on display at the expo. At the Dog's Life booth, the company displayed pet zodiac sign T-shirts which included "I'm an Aries so I'm Boss" and "I'm a Cancer who needs attention."
Another company, Choke Free, unveiled what the company calls an easy-to-wear, pet friendly alternative to conventional pet harnesses.
Claudia's Canine Cuisine put treats on display that could easily be mistaken for human bakery products, while Country Dog Bakery unveiled a new line of treats for dogs that require special diets because of diabetes or other ailments.
"When it comes to providing safe and tasty treats for dogs on medically restricted diets, the marketplace has long left devoted dog owners begging," the company's literature reads. "Country Dog Bakery, with the help of a veterinarian, has formulated treats for dogs with diabetes, food allergies, obesity and even chronic bad breath."
Plato, a company that produces all-natural dog treats, presented its kangaroo treats for dogs. Plato's kangaroo strips contain 50 percent protein, is highly palatable and is an exotic protein that is considered hypoallergenic. It could be a great treat for dogs with food allergies.
I.C. Spots entered the marketplace by offering an ice cream sundae treat for dogs in beef and peanut butter swirl flavors.
And Pet Aromatics introduced its six signature scents to provide dogs with a spa treatment. The shampoo, spritzer and candles also offer aromatherapeutic qualities and are called woodsy woof, canine coconut, dew drop doggie, bow wow bouquet, honeysuckle hound and rose petal pooch.
Bobbi Panter showed off her line of tear-free shampoo products that are likely named after dog's attitudes. They include gorgeous dog, itchy dog, stinky dog, bad hair day dog and snarly dog.
Integrated Pet Solutions presented a Deluxe washable dog diaper that can be used for older, traveling and menstruating dogs. The diaper also comes with a cinch lock and is available from extra small to extra large.
Easy Access To Pet Gear
Dog owners will not have to go to boutiques and specialty stores for long to get the most unique and fashionable items because
Sergeant's, one of the oldest pet companies in the country, is introducing a designer line of trendy accessories and grooming items for small dogs. The Ooh la la! Line will include fragrance collars, fragrance sprays, shampoo and conditioner along with designer clothes that can be found alongside dog food and treats in most discount retailers, drugstores and more.
Still, one of the most eye-catching inventions presented at the expo is the Hey Buddy pet vending machine. The machine provides products such as treats, raincoats, pick-up bags, leashes, toys as well as vitamin water. The vending machine, which is already in a park in Dallas, is likely to be put in many more dog parks across the country.
Millions of U.S. households have pets. In fact, the American Pet Products Manufacturer's Assoc. estimates that 44.8 million households have dogs and 38.4 households have a resident cat. They estimate that spending on pets will reach 40.8 billion dollars in 2007.
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