Pets are considered fur kids in many homes in America. In fact, in 2013 alone, we spoiled our pets to the tune of 55 billion dollars. When it comes to the latest toys and games, snacks and even electronic gadgets, many pet products mimic human lifestyle trends, especially those we’re buying for our human kids. If you are looking for the latest fun pet trends, here’s what was unleashed at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando Florida recently. Everything is in stores now:
The Hottest Pet Trends from the Global Pet Expo
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Build Your Own Dog Bone
Taking your dog with you to the store is a great social outing. Now the latest fad is to design and build a long-lasting and colorful chew toy for your dog. Look for the Build A Bone stands in pet stores and get to work. You will need two bone ends and a center post. There’s a selection of rubber- and rawhide rings in different shapes, textures and colors to choose from. The posts come in two sizes to cater for both large and small dogs and the finished toy will cost around $12.95. Available from pet specialty retailers nationwide.
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The ThunderShirt
Dogs and cats love to spend time with their families but large gatherings of friends are often noisy and boisterous occasions, causing both dogs and cats to stress out and feel anxious. So if you pets are not party animals, it’s a really good idea to separate them from noisy activities and put them in a ThunderShirt to help keep them calm. These shirts, available in all sizes for both dogs and cats, work on the swaddling principles mothers use to swaddle and calm young babies. They are ideal for visits to the vet too and when the weather gets out of control with thunder and lightning storms. The latest style for dogs is this camouflage design with orange trim $44.95, and can be custom embroidered with your pet’s name for an additional $10.00 at ThunderShirt.
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Designer Accessories for Every Room
Pets love to spend time hanging out with their favorite people. And, if your kids have their own furniture, now your pooch can too. The latest range of pet sofas come in a variety of styles and color combinations to match popular interior design colors. There are very stylish faux leather designs too. Starting from $139.99 from www.EnchantedHomePet.com
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Crazy Tail
Toys that mimic the thrill of the hunt hone a cat’s hunting skills and offer great exercise opportunities. The Crazy Tail is a battery-operated toy that can be attached to a doorknob. Switch on and the string tail flies all over the place. Ideal for multi-cat households. Two AAA batteries are included. From Petlinks $18.99 and available from Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores.
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The Perfect To Go Water Bottle
The HDuo with companion cup is a great design to take beverages with you on outings for both you and your dog. This stylish cup is split internally to hold a beverage for you and water for your dog and has a clip-on water bowl to make it easy to stop and drink wherever you are. The bottle holds enough liquid for a small dog. Bigger dogs may need both sides filled to quench their thirst. $19.95 Available in fun colors. From www.DexasInternaitonal.com
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Puzzle Toys and Board games for Both Dogs and Cats
Puzzle toys are a great way to keep both dogs and cats engaged when they are home alone. They are available in different shapes and degrees of difficulty. Simply hide your pet’s favorite treats inside and leave them to figure out how to retrieve them. Such games offer great mental and physical stimulation. Puzzle toys can also be used s feeders especially for dogs that scoff their meals down too quickly. This way, they will have to work for their food – just they way they do in the wild. There’s a great selection of toys designed by Nina Ottosson starting around $30 From The Company of Animals. www.CompanyofAnimals.us
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Organix Jerky Chip Cookies
Fur kids love cookies too. They are a grrreat training reward, and, of course droolicious snacks. And now -- a chocolate chip-styled cookie for dogs! All natural foods and treats are a fast growing trend in pet nutrition and these Castor & Pollux Organix Jerky Chip cookies are USDA-certified all-natural, oven-baked treats made with organic oatmeal and protein-packed jerky chips. They are available with chicken, salmon, beef liver or lamb chips. They also contain organic fruits and vegetables like organic peas, organic apples and organic carrots and contain no corn or soy, making them a really healthy snack. $7.99 from PetSmart nationwide.
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Prey Toys to Hone Your Dog’s Hunting Skills
All dogs have a natural prey drive to hunt. In a domestic setting, they hunt and “kill” their toys by carrying around a favorite plush toy with a squeaker such as this squirrel or rabbit and shaking it furiously as part of a play routine. This new All For Paws range of realistic-looking animal toys will be very well received by dogs of all sizes and breeds whether they have a high prey drive, or, just like to carry things around and sleep with them for comfort. The range also includes a hedgehog, fox, chipmunk and pheasant. They range in price from $5.99 - $9.99. Available from pet boutiques nationwide.
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Motorola Scout 1 Pet Video Monitor
If you have a baby monitor for your kids, you will definitely want to play “I spy” on your pets too. The Motorola Scout 1 Pet Video Monitor allows you to check in on your fur kid from your smart phone, tablet or computer via a free downloadable app. The camera pans 270 degree so you can check what happening from their favorite snooze zone on the couch to the food bowl. You can talk to your pet and even play them a selection of four soothing songs. The video monitor is great for enhancing that human-animal bond by checking in on over-playful puppies and kittens, keeping an eye on elderly animals or observing how they are getting along with your kids in another room. The camera even records ambient temperature in the room and has night vision lens. $199. Available from PetSmart. (Motorola Scout1000 Wireless Video Pet Monitor)
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Feline Stationary For Fun and Games
It seems that cats like scratch ‘n sniff stickers and felt markers to play with too especially when they infused with catnip. The SuperCat™ range of feline stationary items include papers bags, post-it note-styled catnip crumples and scratch ‘n sniff stickers all infused with catnip bubbles that release the irresistible scent as the cat scratches on the surfaces or plays with the paper items. The are catnip marker can be used to “draw” on all surfaces too So get the kids involved. It’s a great way for them to interact with their feline friends. From $3.99 to $8.99. Available from Amazon.com and pet stores nationwide.
