2016 Best Pet Products
As any animal lover knows, your life is just that little bit better when your pet is happy.
Luckily small businesses are recognising this now more than ever before and driving more innovations with the health and happiness of your best friend in mind. Whether it’s the latest trends in fashion or products that allow you to get even closer to your canine, this list is designed to improve the lifestyle of both you and your pets.
We’ve sourced the best indie brands on every pet’s wish list and selected the top items from each to keep you ahead of the pack. Feel confident next time you step out with your four-legged friend that you’re on top of the latest pet trends.
Hound wear straight off the catwalk
In the dog eat dog world of fashion it’s not surprising that our favourite trends are making their way onto the catwalks for pets. Whether it’s haute couture or relaxed active wear, these top retailers make choosing the ideal outfit for any occasion a cinch. And there’s no need to compromise on practicality with more and more ateliers opting for natural fabrics and sophisticated design. Your canine is sure to look and feel fabulous as they strut their new styles from these chic pet boutiques.
Top trends
Apparel by DOGUE: The fabulously named DOGUE was Australia’s first ever canine boutique. Inspired by owner Simone Kingston’s “fash hound” Gulliver in 1998, the brand specialises in accessories for dogs. Protect your best friend from the cold this winter in fashionable jumpers, coats, and water-resistant active wear. Eye-catching fashion statements include the ribbed sweater and dogtooth cover-ups. Check out the A/W 2016 LookBook for more inspiration from DOGUE, as well as other top lines including Hamish McBeth, Driza Bone, and Ruffwear.
Vintage-style knitwear by Miyow and Barkley: Avoiding “embarrassing froo froo frills or sparkles,” Miyow and Barkley instead favour the neutral styles humans tend to go for. Designed by former model and entrepreneur Traci Griffiths, the vintage-style items are not only on trend, but also comfortable with a selection of waterproof and warm 100% wool coats, perfect for any pet allergic to synthetic materials.
Posh togs by Pets Charming: The choices from this upscale boutique wouldn’t look out of place on Paris Hilton’s precious Chihuahua, Tinkerbell. Pets Charming is all about the high-end couture and fashionable playwear for trendy pups on the go. With made-to-measure services on offer, proud owners can order anything from bespoke Swarovski-encrusted gowns to a classic tailored tux from this atelier. The tailoring continues into a more practical line of harnesses complete with in-store fittings, making it the perfect mix of haute couture and practicality.
Problem-solving pet accessories
With so much competition in the market, pet brands are putting a cat amongst the pigeons with innovative twists on familiar items. The chewed-up tennis ball no longer cuts it, but it’s not just toys that are undergoing a revamp in design. Even the most humdrum accessories now come with an element of interactivity and practicability, launching them to the next level. Stay ahead of the curve with the most disruptive products from Australia’s top suppliers.
Top trends
Zippy dog toys from Pets Palace: Dogs go bananas for the best-selling Zippy Burrow Monkey 'n Banana set. It keeps pups entertained for hours, as they attempt to dig out the creatures hiding in the squishy plush toy. They’re also sure to love Pets Palace itself, where they'll be given a free treat and a cuddle when you visit together.
DOOG’s Walkie Belt from Minipet: Designed with the active and environmental dog and owner in mind, this clever belt clips around the waist with compartments for biodegradable poop-scooping bags, your phone, keys, and small change. You can buy your DOOG products from Minipet, whose modus operandi is to partner with ethical suppliers from all over the world, manufacturing sustainable, high-quality goods for your furry friends.
Brandog’s dog feeder bowl: All too familiar with the scraping sound of metal on tile as your dog chows down, leaving half the food scattered around the floor? The clever humans at Brandog have come up with the solution by surrounding it with a chew-resistant faux leather frame and rubber grip studs. The outer part is removable, so you can pop the bowl itself in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Brandog is based in Sydney's harbourside suburb of Drummoyne, but an online Australian-owned shop means you can “cater exclusively for your dog's guilty pleasures” no matter where you live.
Upscale beds
The latest luxury must-have for the design conscious is a beautiful pet bed to fit in with the décor of any home. Instead of tatty old mats emblazoned in ugly cartoons, discerning owners are searching instead for contemporary bedding they won’t want to hide out of sight. We’ve uncovered the best options for you, so that your pet can be as house-proud as you!
Top trends
Circo baskets and Sogno pods by Sasha & Me: A boutique brand with an emphasis on environmentally friendly products, Sasha & Me sells adorable handcrafted bedding from an unlikely source: the hills of the Himalayas. Made in small batches from high-quality and natural products, the classic Circo baskets and colourful Sogno pods take up to three days for an artisan to weave. These contemporary items come with a complimentary feel-good ethos. They are designed by the brand, but are “sewn by honest hands speaking to a simpler way of living,” according to Sasha & Me.
Cosy cat enclosures by Somerzby: You don’t want to tame the independent heart of your feline, but you do want a safe place where they can reign supreme without the danger of predators. Somerzby’s wide range of cat enclosures cater for all shapes, sizes and dispositions and come in especially handy for those times when cat sitters are required. Also check out their creative solutions for chickens, rabbits, dogs and guinea pigs.
Bio products
In this day and age there’s no reason why being environmentally friendly should mean compromising on style. Put your pet’s future first and take action against climate change. These eco-friendly products by nature-loving brands make it easy to keep your carbon emissions low and your conscience clear. What’s not to love?
Top trends
Wee Kitty Clumping Litter by Rufus & Coco: As well as being made from biodegradable corn, Wee Kitty Clumping Litter forms scoopable clumps that are easy to throw away once they've been used by your cat. It soaks up four times its own weight in liquid and also has excellent odour control, so there’s no need to compromise on quality in the name of the planet.
EQyss Premier Shampoo and Conditioner from Pets on the Park: A scientific formula of botanical extracts gently cleanse and intensify the colours of your pet’s fur. White coats appear more brilliant, browns richer, and dark coats glossier and shinier when washed with this high-end shampoo. Pets on the Park has won the Master Dog Breeder’s Awards for ‘Best Canine Supply Retail Outlet' several times, thanks to a carefully curated selection of trusted and quality products.
Every pet has its own unique personality and deciding on the right products is essential to your happiness, as well as theirs. Innovations in the pet industry now mean that it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether that’s hound haute couture, eco-friendly products for the glossiest coat or a comfy bed to call home. With so many great options catering to the diverse needs and personalities of our beloved animals you can now be the pet-owner you’ve always wanted to be. And most importantly, your furry friend will love you for it.
