Designer dog bed
Tired of your Saint Bernard sharing your Egyptian cotton bedsheets? For the same price as a used 1995 Ford Explorer, consider purchasing a doggie bed with silk velvet cushions. Here’s how you justify the expense: your hound spends half the day snoozing, and he’s better off drooling in a bed of his own. For a couple hundred bucks more, the company will embroider a name on the fabric and glue Swarovski crystals to the legs of the bed. You’ll have a hard time justifying the crystals.
$1,784, bitchnewyork.com
Luxury fragrances
If you’re not a fan of your dog smelling like, well, a dog, consider an alternative: eau de parfum by Les Poochs. With a fancy French name, how could dog perfume be anything less than fabulous? Les Poochs sells eight scents with floral and fruity notes for female dogs that include Lily of the Valley and pomegranate. For male dogs, try Le Pooch II, a fragrance that combines citrusy Bergamot and warm amber. For $3,000, you can spray your mutt with the rare Osmanthus flower scent. Of course, a cheaper alternative would be the groomer.
$40 to $3,000, lespoochs.com
Cat cabin
Cats sometimes get the short end of the stick. Consider the word “cathouse,” otherwise known as a brothel. Where did that come from? Split the word up into two and after a considerable PR campaign, maybe one day “cat house” will mean just that: a house for a cat. Thanks to German company Home Basic, a cat house is also synonymous with elegance and architectural sturdiness. The company’s hand-made cat “cabin” is reminiscent of a cozy bird’s nest, constructed with woody vines. Different-sized holes are scattered around the cabin’s exterior so your tabby doesn’t get claustrophobic. Each cat cabin takes about 50 hours to make, which is definitely reflected in the price. $1,256, homebasic.de
Designer dog carrier
Dog, meet crocodile. Hand-selected African crocodile, to be exact. This Ralph Lauren dog carrier isn’t for the amateur fashionista. The sleek, black carrier is a statement piece for the high-fashion pet owner. Just try to keep away from the paparazzi, because a teacup Yorkie in crocodile skin is a sure way to call attention from PETA officials.
$18,000, ralphlauren.com
Pooper scooper
For some people, the No. 1 gripe of owning a pet is picking up the pet’s No. 2. With the Pooch Power Shovel, you can kiss laboring poo duty goodbye. The scooper is a cordless, high-powered vacuum that will pick up about 250 pieces of poo on a full-charge, minimizing any hand-to-poo contact. There’s also minimal physical exertion required because of the tall handle attached to the vacuum.
$99.50, thevaccenter.com