Catering to cats and dogs could put you out of house and home. Or not. If you don’t have thousands to spend or unlimited space, consider these relatively low-cost pet treats:
Jeld-Wen has a vinyl sliding patio door ($900) with an integrated panel (additional $450) for medium, large and extra large pets (see pet size and weight chart recommendations at www.JELD-WEN.com, 800-535-3936). A magnetic pull prevents the clear flap from being blown open by strong winds.
Max Marvin of Portland was inspired by his dog’s down moods in the gray days of winter to shine a light on pets suffering from seasonal affective disorder. He came up with Pawsitive Lighting Sol Box ($129.99, 503-395-7299, www.pawsitivelighting.com), a free-standing, portable light that emits 10,000 lux of full spectrum white light, equivalent to a sunny day.Dogs who chow down too quickly at the expense of their gut can go on a slow-speed food hunt with Dog Games Slo-Bowl ($25, 800-477-5735, www.slo-bowls.com), a plastic feeder with a maze of ridges and valleys. A non-slip rubber base holds the in bowls – available in purple, orange, gray and other colors – in place, even during exuberant eating. The bowls hold up to 2 cups of dry dog food and are safe to clean in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Larry and Claudia Clark of Tualatin-based Critter Beds (503-625-5844, critterbeds.com) make plush dog beds and loungers from American-made washable, reversible fabric. The covers have Berber lining and Thermo-bonded batting. The beds come in a range of prints, sizes, shapes and start at $33.
Gone Doggin has 80 breeds depicted in tiles ($25, 530-477-5925, www.gonedoggin.com) and Susan Osher’s customers install them in kitchen back splashs, bathrooms or use them as trivets. “Dog people are a little crazy,” she says. “They come up with all kinds of ideas.”
Matt Warford (503-253-8035, www.bigdogart.com) creates frameable, original oil paintings on canvas (starting at $475) that bring out the character and personality of his subjects: from tiny pugs to frisky golden retrievers. He works from photos or personal meetings, treating the work as he would a human portrait, still life or landscape.
When cats and dogs shed, clothing, furniture and car interiors get shaggy. The new Rowenta Ultrasteam Steambrush ($40, at discount and department stores) has a fabric brush, lint pad and travel brush for removing threads, hair and pet fur.
Sure Fit‘s waterproof pet covers for sofas, loveseats, chairs, beds or car seats come in styles to match your decor or your dog’s pedigree, from Ballad Bouquet to Bright Suede. The wrinkle-resistant covers ($49.99) and mats are also being used in homes with sticky-fingered toddlers and in dorm rooms with drink-spilling coeds. Coordinating pieces include dining room chair covers, furniture throws and pillows.
Cats who love to play in plain old boxes can move up to stylishly modern Catty Stacks condos ($14.99, www.cattystacks.com), stackable modules with round holes for a 20-pound cat or smaller to crawl into and peek out of. The boxes are made of recycled, industrial-strength, corrugated Ultraboard and colorized with vegetable-based ink.
Lakeside Products has MagnaBox whelping boxes (starting at $320, 877-362-7980, www.lakesideproducts.com) made of kitchen cutting board-grade plastic that will not rust, stain or discolor. Nook and slot connectors make it easy to disassemble and clean these cribs, and rails are self supporting so there are no legs to trap puppies. A playpen can be attached to the front to double the running around area.
Organic and gluten-free dog treats can be homemade with the Bake A Bone The Original Electric Dog Treat Maker ($39.99, www.kohls.com). Nonstick stainless steel plates can make four bones at a time. A cookbook with 30 organic and gluten-free recipes is include.
Cats can take their rightful watchful position with this leopard-print window perch with bolster by KH Pet ($54.99, www.kohls.com). The soft orthopedic foam and micro fleece cover is removable for machine washing.
Sharpen your kitties’ natural predatory behaviors or just tease and please them with Pioneer Pet SmartCat Peek-A-Prize Toy Box ($29.99, www.kohls.com). Partially hide toys or treats in the wooden box and then watch cats fish them out.
— Janet Eastman
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