Animal Planet - Pet Trends blog

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!

Sleeping Beauty

I just redecorated my apartment, and one element I had to make sure I covered is Dixie's beds!  Yep, even in my little apartment in Manhattan, Dixie has to have a bed in every room.

My tips for making sure that your pet's bedding is incorporated into your home decor:

1. Consider the fabrics.  There are so many options out there from washable suedes to neutrals to polka dots.  I picked out this bagel bed at the Pet Expo for Dixie from Bessie + Barnie.  It's perfect! 

With all these fabric options, there is no reason why your pet's bed needs to stick out like a sore thumb in the room.  Rather it should flow seamlessly with the other furniture in the room.

2. Make sure the beds are size-appropriate.  Big dogs shouldn't have their tushes hanging off the bed, because you didn't pay up for the bigger bed.  Come on, how would you feel if you were sleeping on a bed and your feet hung off the end?  And, the little dogs don't need a humongo bed either.  They want just enough space to call their very own. 

3. One bed per room is plenty! 

4. If you get the chance, let your dog test out the bed in the store.   

With beds that look this chic, those dogs and cats will be sleeping beauties indeed.

Pet Head

Dixie and I both love to pamper ourselves.  For myself, I prefer Kiehl’s, Ahava, Mario Badescu and I treat my locks to Bed Head.  Now, Dixie can too!

Pet Head, by the makers of Bed Head, debuted at the Global Pet Expo and I was able to get the inside scoop.  I brought a big 'ol bag to the expo so that I could take home all the different products from the line to try out on Dixie.  Not only do all these rock, but I give the head honchos at Pet Head major kudos for taking the time to come up with fabulous names.  When the owner asked me if I’d like some "Dirty Talk," I was a little worried ... until I saw the bottle. 

Some of my favorites are:

Life's An Itch - skin soothing shampoo so doggies won’t scratch
Dirty Talk - deodorizing shampoo to make mutts smell sweet
Spoil Me - conditioning crème rinse to give any dog an extra pampering treatment
Furball - detangling spray for smooth brushing

Not only are the products great for a dog's coat and skin, they come in the same trademark, edgy and funky packaging that you're used to seeing from the Bed Head line.  The only problem is making room in my bathroom for Dixie's stash.

And don’t even get me started on the clothes and beds! They have designed FOUR separate lines with different pet personalities in mind.

Clockwise from Top Left: Grungy Pop, Punk Princess, City Soul, Biker
Photos Courtesy: Pet Head/Skaffles, LLC

Grungy Pop – This line reminds me of falling in love with the bad boy you just know will break your heart.  Smells like dog ... er, teen spirit!

Punk Princess – This line is for the sassy gal with an edge.  She’s sugary sweet, but don't let the pink fool ya, she's all about girl power!

Biker – This babe needs nothing but the motorcycle.  I wouldn’t mess with this dog.  From the leopard print, round bed with the bright red border to the absolutely adorable leather tutu, this line is bitchin'!

City Soul – Take the attitude and personality of a metropolitan city and put it into clothes and beds and ... poof, you have a line that trendy dogs are gonna be proud of. 

Be on the lookout for this new line of beds, clothes and grooming products to hit stores this Spring! 

Now, the only question remaining is ... when are they coming out with a cool line of bedding and clothes for ME?!