Animal Planet - Pet Trends blog

You Sexy Thang

I've been hearing a lot about this new line for pets called Sexy Beast.  I mean, that's a name not easily forgotten.  I got on the phone with the founder, Renee to hear all about this line of pampering products that is taking over Hollywood.

What is Sexy Beast?

Sexy Beast™ is a collection of fine fragrance and hair care products designed specifically for pets to extend the time between grooming appointments.

How did you come to create this line?

Having worked in the beauty industry for over 12 years, I have always dreamed of creating a brand of my own.  When I finally got to a place in my life where I was able to do that, I couldn't help but notice all the trends that were happening in the pet industry.  I saw luxury brands like Hermes, Burberry and Gucci all creating clothing and accessories for pets but I didn't see anything following those trends in the grooming segment and that's how the idea came about. 

Having had a dog who died of lymphosarcoma (the 3rd most common form of cancer diagnosed in dogs), I am very careful about what type of food and the products I use on my boxer, Austin.  When I began doing research for the Sexy Beast™ grooming products, I learned that there is no regulatory as far as ingredients and labeling in the industry.  After uncovering this information, I knew I had to create a line that was safe - vegan, hypo-allergenic and made using only plant-based ingredients.  We formulate and label according to FDA regulations, just like the cosmetic industry.

Who are your celebrity fans? Go ahead and name drop!

Jessica Simpson is a big fan of the brand.  She uses Sexy Beast™ Powder in Light on her dog Daisy. Rebecca Gayheart & Eric Dane use the Sexy Beast™ Signature Fragrance on their Maltese, Teacup. Perez Hilton's dog Teddy wears the Sexy Beast™ Swarovski Crystal Tee and Eva Longoria also uses the brand and her dog Jinxy wears a custom engraved Sexy Beast™ dog tag.

What are your favorite pet trends?

Taking your dog on vacation!  It's so easy now, so many great hotels are pet-friendly.  I recently had some friends visit me here in NYC from Dallas, they brought their English Bulldog and stayed at the Soho Grand!  It doesn't get much better than that!

Who is your favorite celebrity pet lover?

Hayden Panettiere because she truly uses her notoriety to make a difference in the lives of all animals, not just pets.  She acts as the voice of worthy and important causes for those who cannot speak for themselves.  I think she is an amazing young woman.

Where can we get Sexy Beast?

Of course , you can get it on our website at www.sexybeaststyle.com.  As for retail locations, you can find Sexy Beast™ in specialty stores like Henri Bendel and Fred Segal as well as high-end pet boutiques across the country.

Any fashion faux paws you warn against committing for the four-legged set?

Using human products on pets is never a good thing to do!

New Yorkie

Just another reason to get excited about the new Sex And The City movie ... Samantha has a dog! Gidget Gormley, a yorkie,  has her own blog (www.gidgetgormley.com) and writes all about her adventures in filming for tv and movies. 

This is one star pooch! Top designers vied for the chance to dress Miss Gidget for the film and you can bet she’s going to be strutting some fetchin’ fashions.  I mean, you have to when you are sharing the screen with Kim Cattrall.  Perhaps Gidget plays a “pup-licist” alongside Samantha just like Miss Dixie does with me!

Mutt-ers Day (i.e. Mother's Day)

Sunday is Mother's Day and Dixie and I are heading out to the country to visit my Mommy (and Daddy).  I made sure to pick up a card from Dixie for my mom, since she's her grandma (and loves calling Dixie her Grand-dog).  Then, I realized I'm a Mommy too ... to Dixie!  So, I thought I'd share some ideas for Mother's Day gifts for the pet mommas out there. 

My favorite indulgence?  (Well one of the many...) Kiehl's!  Stop into a Kiehl's and have them make up a basket with a combination of their pet and human products.  Dixie ... hint, hint ... my favorite product is the Crème de Corps. 

Nothing says timeless memories like a black and white photo.  Pick out your favorite pic of the lucky pet momma with her "baby" and frame it. 

What momma doesn't love jewelry?  This cuff bracelet from Trixie + Peanut is perfect to celebrate the occasion and goes with everything.

And, there's no better way to celebrate our bond with our babies than to donate to your local shelter for those pets who haven't yet found their mommy.

Happy Mutt-ers Day!

Healthy Mouth

My good friend Laura (and momma to a totally adorable chihuahua named Buddy who Miss Dixie just adores) told me about this brand spankin' new product called healthyMOUTH™ dental care water. It's water that actually reduces plaque by 80% without the use of scary chemicals.

It is made with only 100% natural ingredients, and organic actives including papain, a highly effective enzyme derived from papaya, pomegranate and blueberry, powerful anti-oxidants and yucca, selected for its deodorizing properties. The key to the formula is the combination of the ingredients selected and how the actives operate off of each other to produce the desired result.

You simply get a box and replace your dog's H2O. It tastes just like water, but fights gross plaque and protects their smile.  Dixie's granddaddy is a Dentist, so we've always been very protective of her pearly whites, but recently I learned that taking care of your dog's teeth can extend the life of your dog by 2-5 years!  That's something to smile about!

Loved Dogs

So you heard the news.  I'm one of the judges on the pet talent search on Fox's The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet.  One of my fellow judges is Doggie Life Coach (as she prefers to be called) Tamar Geller.  She trains the pooches of Hollywood's glitterati including Nicollette Sheridan and Orlando Bloom. 

We had such a blast gabbing backstage and she said something interesting that I wanted to share with you.  She said "People think dogs will do whatever pleases their owners.  But, that's not true.  They will do whatever pleases themselves." This means that dogs will do what feels good to them, so keep that in mind when trying to get your pooch to fetch, sit or stay.  Make them want to do it. 

She also told me about her Loved World Foundation.  She brings shelter dogs into prisons and they live one-on-one with the prisoners.  She teaches using her "Loved Dog" non-aggressive method. 

The dogs then become certified as "Loved Dogs" and are available for adoption.  When the prisoners have served their time, they have the opportunity to continue their work training dogs at her foundation.  I always knew dogs had the power to change people's lives! 

This is one cool chick!

Tune In

One of my favorite morning shows, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet has asked me to be on a panel of judges for their Pet talent show which will air throughout the month of May!  It's going to be like American Idol for the pet set.  People all across the country are sending in videos of their pets performing talents ranging from skateboarding to playing poker.  Tune in or set your DVRs and Tivos.  The fun begins tomorrow at 9 AM in New York or check your local Fox listings to see when the show airs in your area!

Fishy Business

Fun fact*: There are 14.2 million households that have freshwater fish and 0.8 million homes have saltwater fish (why have I barely begun and already it sounds like a Dr. Seuss book?).

Fish make great pets, despite the fact that you can't get them to fetch or sit (unless any of you readers can prove otherwise).  Many fish owners say having an aquarium reduces their stress, and I'd like to add that now aquariums come in a variety of styles that can really transform your home into a very cool space.

Check out kooltanks.com!  These custom framed aquariums mount directly to the wall, saving space and style!

I mean who needs artwork from an artist that you don't even really understand?! 

Glub, Glub!

* According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey

Green Your Pet

Let your pets get in on the Earth Day celebrations with some of my favorite eco-friendly products.  The buzzwords to look for are: ORGANIC, ALL-NATURAL, BIODEGRADABLE and RECYCLED.

West Paw Design is a company I LOVE.  From pet beds made out of recycled plastic bottles to cat scratch toys with organic cat nip, you'll feel good about pampering your pet and your planet. 

Another way to reduce your carbon paw print is to purchase biodegradable and recycled poop bags from poopbags.com.  The price is right too for 350 for $48.55.  That's roughly $.13 per poop. 

Your pet makes your life better so celebrate Earth Day and your pet by planting a tree in their honor at Trees for the Future!

Finally, if you are really serious about going green with your pet, Treehugger's How to Green Your Pet Guide has some great tips to getting started!

Take it from this city dweller, non-birkenstock wearin' chick, Earth Day is not just for tree huggers.  It's for all of us, so get in the spirit!

Hot Diggity Dog!

If you're in the NYC area, mark your calendars now!

Visit Trixie + Peanut on May 8th from 6- 9 PM for a benefit for the Humane Society of New York!

Haute Diggity Dog, the geniuses behind Manolo Barknik and Chewnel #5 toys, is launching movie and celebrity-inspired toys just in time for the premiere of the Sex And The City movie. Come for champagne, cosmuttpolitan punch, meet adoptable animals and enjoy shopping for a good cause. I'm in!

Groomer Has It!

How did you pet lovers spend your weekend?

I got to hang out with my new friends Jai Rodriguez and Dr. Karen Halligan.  In case you are living under a rock and don't know it, Jai is the host of Animal Planet's fab new show Groomer Has It and Karen is one of three judges.  They were in town to promote the show on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch,  The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, Weekend Today and The Saturday Early Show.

Everyone is talking about this show!  Did you catch the premiere Saturday night?  Let me know who you are rooting for!

Karen showed me her book What Every Pet Owner Should Know.  This book is chock-full of great advice and I immediately had to add it to my collection, plus I realized it's a PUUURRR-fect give for anyone who just got a pet or has a pet and has questions about how to best take care of him. 

I also took the opportunity to ask Karen about a problem my friend was having with her cat. 

One of my best friend's (of the two-legged variety) moved back from New York City to Atlanta where we grew up together so that she could be closer to her family.  Her cat Prrr (yep, that's her name) seemed to really like having the extra space of an Atlanta apartment at first.  After two days, and perhaps upon the realization that that they were not merely on vacation, Prrr began to panic.  (I know how she feels.  I hate that they live so far too.)  So, how did Prrr show off her stress?  Instead of using her litterbox, she began to go all over the apartment, including in Lindsey's suitcase.  If that's not a bold statement, I don't know what is. 

Well, Karen passed along some great advice for Lindsey.  When Prrr is left alone in the apartment, she needs to be confined to one particular area and only allow her full access to the house when Lindsey is also there. The advice I really want to give Lindsey and Prrr is to come back to New York.  Dixie and I miss them so much, but hope to have some fun girl time together soon.

Have you ever had a pet freak out when you moved?  Tell me about it in the comments section and check out Doc Halligan's pet care and grooming tips for more great advice!