The Modern Materialist : Pet Products

Pet Product: Punk Rock Pooch

Laureen Mahler — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:59:00 GMT

I aspire to having a dog one day, and I'm already fairly sure that I will subject that dog to wearing a little punk rock outfit, complete with mohawk. But instead of going for the GG Allin look, I think I'd prefer something a little more Joe Strummer:

[$36, Lola & Penelope's]

This hoodie has a built in doggie-hawk, so your pooch can be a clean-cut punk rocker. But still bad-ass enough to kick ass and take names at the doggie park, of course.

[via Fashionably Geek]

Pet Product: Cat vs Goldfish

Diana Vilibert — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:09:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered, what if the roles were reversed and the goldfish was in power?

I can already tell you how my cats would feel about napping inside of a fish, but I love this goldfish cat bed and if they ever want another can of Fancy Feast again, they'll learn to love it too.

[$45, Etsy]

Related: Pet Product(s): Cat Furniture Goes Contemporary, Pet Product: Day Bed Rivals My Own

Pet Product: Role Playing for Your Pets

Steph Auteri — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:14:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Are your pets into role playing?

Why not provide them with some props?

[$30, doors4paws]

These pet doors, in the style of "the priory," "the chigwell," and "the stable," are not available until February and March. Can you contain yourselves?

[Via Ooh! Shiny!]

Related: Let the Right Cat In

Provoke a Cat Fight

Steph Auteri — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:04:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Steps to a Successful Cat Fight:

Date 5 girls at once.
Invite them all to the same party.

Or at least this is the method I used with past menfolk in my life.

You could also buy this:

[$50, Uncommon Goods]

This cat scratcher will help you prepare your own cat for any future death matches.

[via moderncat]

Related: Pet Product: Cat Cocoon

Pet Product: Fetch Me a Beer

Laureen Mahler — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:29:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Your dog is your best friend, right? So by definition, you should do everything together: watch TV, go to the beach, play catch... And now, you can also drink beer together.

[Email for pricing, Dog Beer]

Dog Beer is non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, and beef-flavored. Plus, its makers say they use "human-grade ingredients" so you can enjoy a savory swig of beefy non-beer with your pooch. While that is a rather disgusting thought, I am actually a little bit smitten with this product.

Tigi Bed Head for Pets

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:33:00 GMT

I had to do a double-take when I saw this--apparently, Tigi, the makers of Bed Head hair products, is now making a line a hair producs for dogs. Not a bad idea, except for one thing:

$18 Shampoo for your dog?!

[Pethead]

Pet Product: Train Your Cat To Use the Toilet

Steph Auteri — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Mister Scooch does his business from Kit on Vimeo.

No. Not your toilet.

[$297, CatGenie]

Granted, you would have to lay down about $300, find the room for this massive item, and also hook it up to your water system, but guys. You will never have to manually clean out the litter box again.

Watch the video on their website. I am officially amazed.

Of course, I may be especially interested in this because, at the moment, the litter box(es) are next to my desk, and the iltter itself travels like beach sand. But still.

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Pet Product: For the Discerning Snout

Laureen Mahler — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:29:00 GMT

Um, hey there. We really need to talk. I know you've been busy and all, but remember how last week we went to the beach and I ran through that pile of kelp? Then a few days later, how I rolled in cat poop? Yeah. So, you haven't exactly bathed me since then, and to be honest, I'm even starting to offend myself.

So I was thinking that maybe, for both our sakes, you should invest in some Sexy Beast eau de doggie cologne...

[$50, Sexy Beast]

Yes, there really is fancy cologne for dogs. In fact, Sexy Beast combines essential oils of bergamot, patchouli, mandarin, and nutmeg to create a unisex scent for your stinky pooch. And while I give the company props for its choice of product name, isn't putting perfume on a smelly dog sort of like wearing more deodorant instead of taking a shower?

Pet (Owner) Product: One Too Many Cats

Steph Auteri — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:01:00 GMT

When you have two cats, it's manageable. They only require one litter box...one feeding a day...They sleep by your feet at night, but are mostly invisible during the working hours...They wait their turn when it comes to playing with the Cat Dancer, or being snuggled, because they like to pretend they don't need snuggles anyways.

When you have three cats, it feels like they're everywhere, and the work required to care for them is suddenly three times as much.

[$24, Fred Flare]

Fred Flare suggests getting a Kitty Kat Light instead, but aren't those eyes the creepiest thing you've ever seen!?

Pet (Owner) Product: Controlling Your Cat

Steph Auteri — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:03:00 GMT

Does your cat have the crazy eyes? Did she spend all of yesterday knocking over vases, licking plastic, and jumping up on tables to lick up scraps of food? Did you want to strangle her? Or at least giver her a Valium?

[$6.99, ThinkGeek]

This Control a Cat remote — with buttons for beckoning your kitty, making them retract their claws, controlling their purr volume, etc. — is powered by "positive thinking" and rainbows.

Which means it might get about the same response that squirt bottle does.

[via moderncat]

Related: Pet Product: Why Your Cats Are So Terrified, Pet Product: CatBib

Pet Product: Day Bed Rivals My Own

Steph Auteri — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:24:00 GMT

I've always thought it would be nice to have a day bed in my place, something that could triple as a sofa...a bench...a guest bed...

[$299, Pet Lounge Studios]

Is it possible that the only one I'll ever be able to afford is one for my cats? (and even that's stretching it...)

[Via moderncat]

Pet Product: Breath With Bite

Steph Auteri — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:01:00 GMT

My cats have a habit of getting in my face.

Gizmo cozies up to me at night, kneading his claws into the blankets covering my chest, and finally settling down about an inch from my face. Lusa comes by in the morning, plopping her plump body down upon my head before stretching her neck and leaning her whole face into the curve of my neck.

Charming. I know. Until one of them opens their mouth and the stench of cat food, butt, and dirty sink drain wafts out.

I am so. excited. to see this:

Thank you Bamboo Pet Center. The breath mints for cats containa flavor combination including liver and salmon, and are made with parsley to help freshen breath. The dog mints work in much the same way, but taste likebeef, liver, and fish.

I don't know how much these cost, and I don't care. I will pay anything. You can find the store near you carrying these magical nuggets of awesome right here. Godspeed.

[Via Popgadget]

Pet Product(s): Cat Furniture Goes Contemporary

Steph Auteri — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:04:00 GMT

[$167-$258, Ree-Yong]

I've never been into the contemporary look, but some cats — and even dogs! — are far more discerning than I am. Which is why designer Ree-Yong has launched her Copenhagen collection.

Or maybe it's because pet products would be better if they didn't look quite so much like pet products...

[$90-$116, Ree-Yong]

[$39-$90, Ree-Yong]

[$39, Ree-Yong]

There is matching pet/human jewelry as well, but it frightens me.

[Via moderncat]

Pet Product: Getting Carried Away

Steph Auteri — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:19:00 GMT

[Photo via]

Cats love chillin' in boxes. It's, like, their favorite thing in the world. Which is why I thought it was pure genius when I saw a woman bring her cat to the vet this past weekend in a cardboard carrier.

Meanwhile, I was using a nylon carrier that looked like a duffel bag (so as to more easily sneak the cats out of my no-pets-allowed condo), and when I attempted to stuff Mercutio in there, his eyes dilated, his tail poofed up, and he jumped halfway up the wall. When I finally got him in there and zipped it shut, he got the zipper open using brute force and escaped.

It was traumatic for both of us.

[$17.14, Amazon]

The only problem is, it's not exactly subtle. Check out a more awesome photo here.

(Holiday) Pet Product: When a Hairball is More Than a Hairball

Steph Auteri — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:37:00 GMT

Typically preceded by a "hyuk-hyuk-hyuk" sound, a hairball is generally exactly what it sounds like, except that it is usually also encased in a membrane of drool and/or vomit.

Welcome to my mornings!

But when is a hairball more than a hairball? (And a festive hairball, at that.)

[$10, West Paw Design]

West Paw's Ho-Ho-Hairball is the cutest hairball I've ever seen (though, admittedly, that's not saying much), and is apparently modeled on their most popular cat toy, the plain old hair ball (which I think looks terrifying). It's filled with organically grown catnip, and also contains an attention-grabbing bell.

Make sure your mornings are filled with the right kind of hairball.

[Via moderncat]

Pet Product: Why Your Cats Are So Terrified

Steph Auteri — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:15:00 GMT

It's amazing how many times I've stepped on my cats (though, in my defense, Lusa always stands right behind me, almost touching my heels; it makes me wonder what the hell she's thinking).

What do my cats see in the final moments before my big-ass boot descends upon their tail or extended paw? How terrifying do we really look?

[$35.87, Amazon]

I have no flippin' clue! But I'm willing to spend just under $36 to find out.

The Pet's Eye View Camera can be set to take photos every 1, 5, or 15 minutes, and will store up to 40 high-res photos. Just clip it to your kitty's collar, and he's ready to go! Learn such fascinating tidbits of information as what cat butts look like up close, why cats think that your feet — when shifting about under the covers — are wild animals ripe for annihilation, and what wonders the inside of a sink drain reveals. This will revolutionize relations between pet owners and their pets!

Or else you'll just see a lot of pictures of the kitchen floor.

[Via moderncat]

Pet Product: Cat Couch Gets More Modern Look

Steph Auteri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:29:00 GMT

Back in September (it seems so long ago...), I posted about these swanky settees for your kitty cat, available from Etsy seller Like Kittysville.

If you're looking for a sleeker, more modern design, the pet bed bases are now available in acrylic:

[$72, Etsy]

[Via moderncat]

A Gift For Your Best Friend

Alex Zalben — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:02:00 GMT

I've been dying to get a puppy lately, and I don't know why. I used to be a big old cat person, but as I've been working from home, alone, blogging about products for all of you slavedrivers, the prospect of having something to interact with is becoming more and more appealing.

Now, this may not be the perfect solution, but perhaps getting it might help:

The sets pictured above are little play-toys for your doggie, complete with delicious all natural treats. There's something a little weird about a dog playing with a dog shaped toy, but I think we can all push past that.

[$25, Uncommon Goods]

Test Drive: Kitty Wigs

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:01:00 GMT

Have you ever stopped to consider the cuteness that might ensue if you tried accessorizing your cat? Say, with a wig made especially for kitties? I'll be honest, the thought never crossed my mind--until I stumbled upon kittywigs.com. Well, I expressed my excitement to Kitty Wigs creator Julie Jackson, and she indulged my inner cat lady with a couple of wigs to try out on my own kitties, Buba and Lapa.

Buba and Lapa were a little more camera-shy than the kitty models above, but I managed to get a couple of shots before they ran off to plot my death:

I am officially a creepy, creepy cat lady.

The wigs come with handy tips on getting your cat to wear the wig (I started them off with a can of cat food), but I was still surprised that I managed to get them to wear them long enough to take the picture--they're outside kitties, so their idea of accessorizing is carrying dead birds into the house for us.

[$50, Kitty Wigs]

Shirt of the Day: A Taste For Pussy

Alex Zalben — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:40:00 GMT

How to properly show off how much you love to eat pussy? How about this shirt:

[$17, NoiseBot]

[Via Fashionably Geek]

Pet Product: When the Pet Gets Wet...

Steph Auteri — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:35:00 GMT

When the pet gets wet...the furniture gets ruined.

My one kitten, Lusa, is always curling up in the sink, or trying to hop into the shower, and there's really nothing I can do about that, but when it comes to venturing outdoors, there's always this:

Yes. A pet umbrella. Pure genius. Making it safe for me to walk my cat.

[$19.99, Amazon]

[Via Curiobot]

Fancy Cats

Alex Zalben — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:29:00 GMT

I give up. There's literally no comment I can make about this cat suits that would be as ridiculous as the suits themselves. So here's a few more pictures:

[Cat Prin]

[Via Vice Magazine]

Related: A BFF For Your Cat

Use a Vibrator on Your Pussy

Alex Zalben — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:01:00 GMT

This item has an on/off button and adjustable wrist strap; uses 3 AAA batteries (not incl.); and wipes clean with damp cloth. And, I think, even guys will like it:

The Vibrating Pet Glove will let anyone have a good time ptting their furry friend. Like the lady in the picture above, who looks like that because she just loves cats SO MUCH, and for no other reason.

[$20, Harriet Carter]

[Via Book of Joe]

Related: Wake Up With a Vibrator

Crazy Cat Lady: The Board Game

Alex Zalben — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite jokes ever on The Simpsons was the introduction of the Crazy Cat Lady, who threw cats at Lisa. Much like the show itself, the joke became overused and less funny as time wore on. However, I might be up for playing the board game version:

[$20, Archie McPhee]

Let The Right Cat In

Alex Zalben — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:34:00 GMT

Having problems with strange cats wandering into your house? Want to make sure that only your cat comes through the door? Then put a microchip in him:

With the SureFlap, your cat door will only open for your cat, because you put an identifying microchip in him. Now, I thought this was kind of awful (implanting a microchip). But I talked to our resident cat expert, Steph Auteri, who I beat to posting this by about three minutes, and she had this to say:

"It has to do mainly with the fact that I feel like vomiting every time I think of the possibility that they might get lost."

I'm anti-vomit, so I'm all good with this.

[Sure Flap]

[Via Geek Alerts]

Related: Cat Trick

Pet Product: Pet Portraits Up the Creep Factor

Steph Auteri — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:33:00 GMT

Just yesterday, I posted about custom-made lookalike dolls for your cats (and I was way, way excited about it). I had worried that I was being the uber-cat lady, but then I saw these:

Nicole Momaney of Painted Pet Menagerie will take any 1200KB+ photo of your pet and paint them into whichever setting, imaginary or real, you'd like. She specializes in capturing personalities and creating narratives for your little darling.

I can only imagine Lusa's portrait ending up like this. (She's a nut job.)

[$350-$1,350, Painted Pet Menagerie]

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Pet Product: A BFF For Your Cat

Steph Auteri — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:05:00 GMT

Okay guys. I'm crossing into cat lady territory with this post, but are you surprised? All the signs were there. After all, I:

own more cat toys than pieces of furniture
purchased a photo album for my cat photos at PetCo
am risking homelessness by having any cats in this condo at all
converse with my cats regularly throughout the day
can't choose between them and my husband (or at least can't admit my choice out loud)

I'm starting to worry that I'm veering into especially creepy territory. But nevertheless...

...how totally adorable would it be for your kitty cat to have a doll that looked exactly like him!

!!!

!!!!!

Okay, I'm sorry. Let me calm myself.

All you have to do is send a cat photo along to Electric Luna of PloesiePoesie, and she'll make a custom lookalike plushie!

According to the site, the cost ranges from 50 to 75 euros, depending upon the amount of spots and stripes your kitty has.

I am completely fine with this.

[Via moderncat]

Pet Product: Swanky Cat Settee

Steph Auteri — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:26:00 GMT

Now that I have a new kitten (that's her in the photo above! her name is Lusa), I'm constantly having to reassure Gizmo and Mercutio of my undying love for them. Aaide from hugs and kisses, this also involves bribery: extra treats, bits of my string cheese...Perhaps some swanky cat furniture would seal the deal?

[$49, Etsy]

[Via Design Milk]

Try a Little Comfort

Alex Zalben — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:28:00 GMT

Things that provide comfort:

1) Holding hands.

2) A fluffy puppy.

3) Walking outside and being one with nature.

Hey, I know... Let's combine all three:

Comforting, right? It's a dog leash with a human hand at the end of it.

[Alice Wang]

[Via Craziest Gadgets]

In the News: Doumé Jalat-Dehen

Steph Auteri — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:28:00 GMT

Do you like the coat pictured on the woman above? Yeah, me neither, but that's beside the point. The point is: It's made from the hair that her two dogs shed.

Doumé Jalat-Dehen of Dog Wool spins wool from the hair you send her (though she's careful to warn against cheating...no pulling the fur out! The hair must have been brushed out during the normal course of grooming).

Check out the site for more information, such a pricing, best breeds, etc.

[Vice via Jezebel]