It’s the twenty first Century and pets are all the rage, in fact, some say that dogs are the new humans! Everything from diamond encrusted collars to $500-an-ounce cologne is available for your favorite Fido! But according to experts these days the industry is moving from glitzy to green and all natural. 

“Spring 2008 is nearly upon us, and there are some notable merchandising trends among pet boutiques,” says Bo Nelson owner of WholesalePet.com. “We’ve seen an increasing demand for all-natural, American made, and earth-friendly products.” Nelson maintains that the 2007 pet food/treat recall has inspired buyers to look for products that are safer, higher in quality and friendlier towards the environment. 

Camilla Vitale, a pet industry consultant in the Bay Area agrees. “I promote organic treats like Robbie Dawg, natural spa products and bio degradable poop bags like Doggie Walk Bags. Keep your eyes open for materials made with non-toxic inks and organic fabrics or products made with natural fibers like bamboo or the more commonly known hemp collars like those from Earth Dog,” she added

 “My hot item this year,” Vitale says, “are the Sublimation t-shirts by Kelly Michael. They feature, bright well-defined colors, the artwork is a digital heat transfer, the process uses no ink that can leave behind toxic residue.” 

Nelson from Wholesalepet.com said that he is noticing a trend of getting “back to basics”. “Bling collars, pink outfits and faux fur accessories which were very popular at the start of the decade are giving way to classic designs, the use of higher quality materials, and an increased desire for functionality in products.” 

“In 2008 it’s no longer about the novelty of having really cool products for pets,” says Lorna Paxton, owner of  happytails Canine Spa Line. “Dog owners used to be amazed that there were such cute clothes available for dogs, or such great-smelling shampoos. Now it’s what people expect.”  She adds that in order for products to sell they have to be visually appealing, they have to actually do what they claim to do, and it helps if they perform more than one function. “They have to solve a problem,” she adds.

One new product out this season is InFuzion a combined shampoo and conditioner that boasts 14 amino acids and micro-beads which deliver nutrients directly to the follicle.  “This is a perfect example of a product that is very eye-catching and has multiple benefits,” Paxton says. 

“This year people are traveling with their pets,” says Leslie Houtkooper owner of Puplife.com, one of the industries fastest-growing websites.  She notes that travel-friendly products are hot sellers this spring. “Items like Soggy Paws Dog Towels, Dry Dog Instant Clean, a spray-on bath-replacement and the Backseat Barrier make traveling with your pooch more enjoyable,” she commented.

Another product that Houtkooper recommends, is Sleepytime Tonic. “This is a must have for travelers. It’s an all natural herbal Elixir that not only helps to calm a nervous dog, but can also help prevent car sickness!” So even if it is time to take off the fur and put on the hemp, there’s still plenty of ways to pamper your four-legged companion, not only can you look simply marvelous but you can also help save the planet!

Top Trends

• all-natural, earth-friendly or organic
• American made
• Products that are multi-functional (multi-purpose)
• travel-friendly pet products

Products Resource Guide

• Robbie Dawg- all natural treats- www.robbiedawg.com
• InFuzion Shampoo & Conditioner  www.happytailsspa.com
• Hemp collars from Earth Dog   www.earthdog.com
• Bio degradable poop bags like Doggie Walk Bags www.doggiewalkbags.com
• Sublimation t-shirts by Kelly Michael
• Soggy Paws Dog Towels from Farfetched  www.farfetchedinc.com
• Dry Dog Instant Clean, a spray-on bath-replacement  www.happytailsspa.com
• Backseat Barrier   www.puplife.com
• Sleepytime Tonic helps calm nervous dogs   www.happytailsspa.com

Bo Nelson is the owner and president of WholesalePet.com which is the leading business-to-business marketplace for the pet industry. In business since 2001, WholesalePet.com represents over 175 suppliers of quality, upscale pet products and supports a community of over 10,000 pet product retailers. Visit www.wholesalepet.com PupLife.com, located in southwest

Michigan, was founded in 2003 by husband and wife team Eric and Leslie Houtkooper. PupLife.com is one of the fastest growing online stores featuring the best selection of healthy products for dogs.” Visit www.puplife.com

 Based in Sausalito, California, Blue Rocket Sales is owned and operated by retail veteran Camilla Vitale.  Her extensive experience in marketing, manufacturing, and apparel design can help take any pet industry business to the next level. Visit www.bluerocketsales.com or call 415.382.3320 Lorna Paxton is owner of happytails Canine Spa Line which uses the finest (“better than human quality”) ingredients available to pamper, soothe and beautify today’s harried hound.  The products can be ordered through the company website at www.HappytailsSpa.com or by calling 1-866-HAPPY-20. 

One of the toughest problems to solve are tear stains. You know, those brownish/red streaks down a dog’s face. It’s normal that a dog’s eyes produce tears– clear ones. But some breeds are susceptible to the brown tearstains which are not only unsightly, but sometimes smelly!

The problem is only made worse when all of that moisture around the eyes becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and red yeast develops.The problem is three fold. One is physiology. Some dogs have tear ducts that are too short and there’s not much we can do about that, short of surgery.  

The other parts of the problem are environmental and systemic. And we do have control over these. Many times tear stains are brought on by environmental toxins and pollutants. That’s why if you want to get rid of tear stains wiping the eyes is just the first step.  You have to boost the dog’s immune system or the bacteria will persist and so will the stains.

Some dog owners use bleach, hydrogen peroxide or even pharmaceutical grade antibiotics everyday to cure the problem, but I certainly don’t recommend these options!

I give my dog’s Eyemunity everyday. It’s s an all natural powder that you sprinkle into your dog’s food 1-2 times per day. It helps to boost the dog’s immune system to fight the bacteria that cause the tearstains. It is all natural so it will take a little longer than other “quick fix” solutions but give it about 3 weeks to kick in. The best thing is there are no side-effects except for a healthier dog!  That being said these tear stains are persistant!

I’ve been traveling for a couple of weeks and left the duty of feeding the dogs to my husband who forgot to give them the Eyemunity… so now my maltese, RiQui, has some minor tear stains.  She’s been on the Eyemunity a couple of days and it might take a couple of weeks to kick in.   But when it does, as long as I keep giving it to her, the tear stains do not persist. And I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but she’s much healthier and happier than she used to be.

The main ingredient is called Epicor, which is a high metabolite immunogen. If you don’t know what that means, watch this video. But in nut shell Epicor is helping the body to fight against bacteria and is quite remarkable.

I have been taking Epicor (I skipped the Eyemunity as I don’t really like the taste of desiccated liver) and have not been sick once in months!

Eyemunity also includes an enzyme blend that helps with swelling and inflammation. Many times when the dog produces tears it causes a bit of inflammation in the eyes which only makes the problem worse. For a list of complete ingredients click here.

If your dog has tear stains there is hope and you don’t have to compromise your dog’s health with harmful drugs or chemicals.

Here’s another amazing video about Epicor, the main ingredient in Eyemunity. It’s a news segment that gives the history of how the product is made, research, benefits and more.

For more information on Eyemunity click here.

And if you’d like to find out if your dog is happy and healthy or plagued by fleas take this short questionnaire.

PupLife.com’s Top Ten Dog Products Of The Year Awards 2007

Winners of the 4th Annual Top Ten Dog Products of the Year Awards (”The Doggies”) were officially announced today by PupLife.com, recently named “one of the fastest growing pet supply sites online” by Ecommerce-Guide.com. The 2007 “Doggies” serve as a comprehensive guide for dog owners seeking the best products for their pets as well as providing a thoughtful and well-researched list for holiday shoppers.

PupLife.com selected its 2007 Top Ten Dog Products of the Year Award winners based on a number of factors including product performance, innovative design, user-testing, customer feedback and overall sales. Nine of the ten winners this year are new to the Dog Products Of The Year Awards, with only one product returning from last year. PupLife.com also named an overall Top Dog Product Of The Year Award winner for 2007.

PupLife.com President Eric Houtkooper said, “We are proud to bestow our Top Ten Dog Products of the Year awards for the fourth straight year. 2007 was a great year for product innovation in the dog supply market. Our top ten products really showcase what PupLife.com is about - incredible dog products that offer true functional benefits. When your dog is happy, you are happy. Our customers have told us that these products are truly the best of the best.”

One noteworthy aspect of this year’s winners was a significant increase in eco-friendly dog products. Four of the Top Ten Award Winners can easily be classified as “green” dog products. Mr. Houtkooper commented, “Green products have been very popular in 2007, and we see that trend continuing in the dog products industry. Eco-friendly beds and organic treats are red hot. People are looking for high quality products that their pets will love, but they also are concerned about quality, safety and sustainability. Dog owners love their pet, but they also love their planet. High quality dog products that are also earth-friendly are fast becoming PupLife.com customer favorites.”

The 2007 Top Ten Dog Products Of The Year Winners are:

10) Jet Setter Airline Approved Dog Carrier by Creature Couture
Take your pet anywhere in this super-light, ultra-stylish pet carrier. Designed with the strictest airline regulations in mind, this roll-on carrier has removeable wheels, plenty of ventilation and tons of pockets. It can also be secured as a car seat for travel around town.

9) On Talking Terms With Dogs and Calming Signals Book & DVD
Norwegian dog trainer, Turid Rugaas, noted expert on canine body language, offers this “user-friendly” guide to communicating with your dog. Dog lovers everywhere can learn recognize and respond to common canine signals to promote and achieve peaceable relationships between dogs and people and in multi-dog households.

Tazlab Aqua-Fur Travel Bowl
This foldable, packable, eminently portable travel bowl is the perfect solution for pets and people on-the-go. What’s more, the food-grade silicone Aqua-Fur is both practical and stylish.

7) Sense-ible Dog Harness
The original Front-Connection™ harness offers a revolutionary design that helps you teach your dog to walk calmly at your side. This patented-design harness allows you to effectively cue your dog to move with you without pulling on the leash. Safe, comfortable and humane.

6) Happytails Spa EyePack Tearstain Remover Kit
This all-natural two part product combats both the causes and symptoms of unsightly tear stains. Used together, Eyepads and Eyemunity address underlying bacterial problems that cause tear stains. Use Eyepads to gently cleanse your dog’s eye area in conjunction with nutrient rich, high-metabolite immunogen supplement, Eyemunity, to help boost your dog’s immune system to fight bacteria from the inside out.

5) Monzie’s Organic Muesli For Dogs
Wheat free, corn free and made with organic ingredients. Simply add your own meat and water and you’ve got a fresh, organic, homemade meal for your dog in minutes. Easy. Organic. What could be simpler?

4) West Paw Eco Nap Earth Friendly Dog Bed
Rest easy on this stylish, ultra durable, machine washable and earth friendly dog bed. Utliizing IntelliTex™ fabric, milled in the USA with 85% of the fabric comprised of post consumer recycled plastic, better known as the soda-pop bottles. The Eco Nap gives your pet a comfortable place to rest while enabling you to do your part to help protect planet Earth. No compromises.

3) Hi-Q Linkable Dog Treat Toys
How smart is your dog? Find out with these linkable, treat-dispensing puzzle toys! Made from durable, non-toxic rubber, HI-Q toys provide randomized treat dispensing with an easy-snap design that allows you to connect two or more HI-Q dog toys to create all sorts of challenges for your dog.

2) Plato Organic Chicken Strips
These organic dog treats are made with over 90% organic chicken meat, and they are not from China. Rest assured, you’ll be giving your dog a wholesome, nutritious and organic treat. Certified organic by the Oregon Tilth.

And (drum roll, please) the overall Top Dog Product Of The Year For 2007 is:

1) Backseat Barrier Pet Protector
Dogs moving around freely in cars are a safety hazard to themselves, the driver, and passengers. The Backseat Barrier Pet Protector keeps everyone safe by creating a strong wall between the front and back seats of the car. Easy to install, universal fit for most cars and SUVs, and looks great, too. Travel safe, travel smart.

Our world-famous spokes dog, Sweet Pea will now be available to wear on your t-shirt!  Happytails is launching our t-shirt line at SuperZoo.  These super cool t’s aren’t even available on our website (yet).

 Available in two designs- “Andy Warhound” and “It’s a Ruff Life”, these t’s are specially fitted for women. None of those baggy men’s tshirts!

If you’re interested in purchasing them for your store, send us an email- sales@happytailsspa.com.

For the past three years we’ve produced spa products for the dog about town while completely neglecting our friends of the feline persuasion.

After numerous requests we finally have something that you can offer to your kitty clients!  The Santa Claws Collection contains four specially packaged products for cats.

The most frequently asked question that we received was “Can your products be used on cats?”  And the answer is yes but we realize that many cat owners don’t want to buy something that says “DOG” on it.

 The product lineup includes:

1. Pretty Kitty Instant Clean- (Dry Dog Instant Clean)
2. Comfy Cat (Comfy Dog)
3. Expel that Cat Smell (Dog Smog Remedy)
4. Fur Breeze Citrus Vanilla

And of course everyone wants to know if these products will be available in full size.  We hope so!  This is a test for us.  If the response is good, then we will come out with an entire range for cats, taking into account cats’ special needs.

We’re taking preorders for the Santa Claws Collection now. We should be shipping them out mid to late September. 

Hopefully your customers will be pleased that they can now pamper thier cats!