NEW YORK, New York: $25,000 spas, $8000 gold and diamond collars, $3000 pooch perfume. Welcome to the world of the ultra-spoiled pet.
The business of pet pampering is reaching overdrive, with Americans spending an estimated $41 billion on their pet dogs and cats this year. And if you think this is a lot, trends show that by 2009 pet expenditures may top a whopping $52 billion!
While some may consider it absurd to leave a million-dollar trust fund to a pet canine or feline pet, those with the cash to spare see such an act as an expression of unconditional and love and devotion for their four-legged companion. Not surprisingly, some retailers have struck a gold mine in the quest to find the absolute best and most extravagant pet products. So how extravagant can you get?
1. Dog-house mansion: If your pampered pooch isn't allowed inside the house, why not make its kennel as comfortable as a palace? These fully-furnished pet mansions include a flat-screen TV/DVD player, air conditioning, and a separate playroom. So what does it cost to put your canine up in such luxury? Around $10,500.
For the ultimate beauty sleep, how about furnishing your kennel mansion with a pet-bed encrusted with 7600 crystal beads? And for those canine princes and kings who only accept the best, what about a Louis XV Pet Pavilion? What would you pay for such royal dog beds? A cool $31,660 and $24,266 respectively.
And to round off the ultimate pet dining experience, why not add a fancy dog bowl designed by Gianni Versace himself for $754?
2. Pet-stress-busting indoor spa: This slice of pet heaven is a $25,800 fully- enclosed cabin that gives your dog a warm hydro-massage shower, a full flea bath, and finishes things off with a blow-dry session. If this doesn't meet your budget, why not go for the cheaper alternative - a $2599 whirlpool bath?
3. Bring on the bling: Diamonds are a girl's best friend - but your pet dog or cat also loves to get mighty cosy with jewelry. How about a dog tag made from 14-carat solid gold and hand-set diamonds - the perfect accessory for a pampered pooch. Oh, and it will set you back $8250 - chain not included. If necklaces are more your thing, how about a pet necklace boasting almost two carats of diamonds - for $8750.
4. Eau de Pooch: If your swimming in cash it just won't do for your pet canine have that 'doggy' smell. Luckily, help is at hand. A spritz of liquid gold pet perfume from a crystal bottle is perfect for a doggy night out on the town. A 4oz bottle of Les Poochs V.I.P. Parfum boasts a price tag of $3000.
5. Haute-couture: Of course, your average rich pet has to step out in style. If they are not wearing an $1100 Hermes collar and leash, they simply mustn't step out in public unless they are in a $1680 Louis Vuitton pet "condo" or a $2250 Gucci pet carrier.
On hot summer days, your millionaire dog should be wearing an $85 Gucci cap with a matching $430 Dog Backpack. Why not choose clothes and accessories from other brands such as Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade and other known designers who have jumped on the pet clothing and accessories bandwagon?
With these over-the-top luxury pet treats becoming more common, if someone tells you that you are living "a dog's life," take it as a compliment.
man i love my german shepherd he is my baby but i aint buying him no overpriced collar! people who actually dig this pet things are crazy! and i mean crazy!
Oh my this is too much!! I wonder if someone actually bought their pet that crystal studded bed? Gosh that's crazy! If you have tons of money to spare, then do so in a nice way. Help others instead of buying these luxury items that are of no good use at all!
my god! this is just too much! i really can't believe that such luxury are even accorded to pets! i don't know if it can be called unconditional love or just plain stupidity. i guess there is really a market out there designed especially for ultra rich people who can afford to give the best luxury that their money can buy.
what a total waste of money! i mean i love my dog and all but c'mon... dogs wont appreciate diamonds, rubies or gold. it might even poison them if they all of a sudden swallow one of the rubies or diamonds. as long as they are treated well, then that is enough for me.
Goodness! This is waaay overboard! If I had money, I would not blow it off on some bed. Who knows? your pet may just pee on it! LOL
Maybe having all the money in the world has taken a toll on the brains of these people. LOL. Only rich ones seem to do crazy things like leaving milions to pets and all. You don't see normal folks do that!
c-r-a-z-y!
these rich folks don't have anything better to do with their money. they should spend on other more important stuff like charities helping other people in the process.
This is the point where you don't envy the rich anymore because of their vast wealth and power and all. Ths is the point where you feel sorry for them because they have just lost it because they would even consider spending that much on a dog when there are so many more useful things they could put it into. Or. Maybe I am missing something here because I am not rich.
All this pet pampering is disgusting!! Pets are being treated better than people! I don't know anyone who would treat their own child to these over the top indulgences. (strange how it's mainly dogs that are pampered, Perhaps dog owners are nuttier than other animal owners).
I've also really had it with owners referring to their animals as babies, kids, fur kids, four legged children, etc. Pets are just domesticated lower species animals; they are not as important as people. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy pets, but it DOES mean it's utterly foolish to pretend they are children or that they need to finer things in life. Animals can't appreciate bling or perfume or designer clothes!!!
Too much of everything is bad. This is one perfect example. there are so many people in this country who live a hand to mouth existence. People who do extreme pampering are nothing but stupid and selfish!
This is nothing but a vicious cycle. As long as there are manufacturers making all these stupid expensive stuff for pets, there would always be crazy people who would bite the bait. Yeah, i feel sorry for these dumb rich people who just bite the bait when it dangles.
well whatever we say its their money to spend..
This is soo crazy that its starting to sound funny.. imagine even among pets there is social and economic differences.. lol..
Coming from NY, I see a lot of overly-pampered pets in the arms of equally fashionable (or so they think) pet owners. I feel sorry for the pets. It seems like they just want to get out of their uncomfortable clothes, shoes, necklaces, and just be a dog - happy and free to run around at home and play with their friends or toys.
And we're supposed to be the smartest breed in this planet. Great.
You know considering the luxuries people shower on their pets its not a distant possibility.. I hope that never happens though.
Ok, first there's the richest pets in the world including a 10mil dollar chicken. Then there's Leona Helmsley. Then now we have these overly expensive pet items! What is wrong with the world? People should learn and focus on more impt things rather than trivial matters that wont and will never be appreciated by pets.
i really think that these people who spend overly too much on their pets are just plain dumb, selfish and crazy.
I don't think this madness will ever stop. It said in the article that pet expenditure will increase come next year! Goodness! What overly luxurious things will they make next??! lol
petshed should have a contest.. ideas for the most outrageous pet luxury ever! that should be fun i just hope no one makes it real.
No offense meant for the lady from keller, virginia but seriously do we need any more ideas? and to begin with i do not think its funny.
Seriously. This is getting out of hand. People do not buy these things for their pets. It's for them! so they can show the whole world how rich they are. disgusting.
I really can't believe that people actually spend that much on animals! Gosh, it's just too much! It's becoming worse and worse. I can just imagine how crazier the things will be in the coming years...
I think what people do with their money is their own business. There are some pets that give so many people such happiness, more than any human could for them, so let them splurge on those little precious unconditional loving things in peace!
i wish i was a dog and my human was loaded!i'd be a dog with an iPhone and i won't even use it, just flash it. i'm gonna make my human proud, i'll wear all the silly costumes he wants me to wear. maybe i'll get steaks for dinner this way.