Dogswell, Three Dog Bakery standouts in luxury pet trends

A recent CNBC report highlights some companies that provide luxury pet services, wellness products and apparel, including Dogswell and Three Dog Bakery.
The report cites the American Pet Products Association, which said Americans spent $60 billion on their pets last year, with more expensive, healthier food accounting for $22 billion, twice what it was in 2000.
Included in the CNBC report were Dogswell and Three Dog Bakery.
Dogswell
Marco Giannini started Dogswell in 2003, as a premium pet food company that makes dog treats infused with nutrients that can help dogs live a better life. His first product, Happy Hips, is meant to help fight arthritis and hip dysplasia.
In his first month, Giannini made $35,000 in revenue and, in the first year, the company earned $500,000 in sales. He now has accounts with Whole Foods and Target.
Giannini sold the company in 2008, when it had 21 employees, was listed at No. 101 on the Inc. 500 list, and was seeing annual revenue of $17 million.
Three Dog Bakery
Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye opened Three Dog Bakery in Missouri in 1989. It was one of the first bakeries exclusively for dogs.
The company has about 40 gourmet bakeries across the US, Canada and Hong Kong, with 10 more scheduled to open in 2015. Three Dog Bakery’s products are sold in pet stores and online retailers including Kroger, Pet Supplies Plus, Target and Wal-Mart. The company’s average annual sales are between $10 million and $15 million.
Other luxury pet brands featured in the CNBC report are:

• Barkingham Palace, a Palm Desert, California, USA-based boarding and grooming facility for birds, cats and dogs that offers the same amenities as a five-star hotel for humans.
• Pet Butler, the first pet waste removal service
• Petplan USA, an insurance company that covers more than 160 million dogs and cats in the US
• Doggles, a company that provides protective eyewear and other accessories and products for dogs
• Zoom Room, a dedicated indoor space for urban dogs to train, socialize and shop
•  SimplyShe, which includes fashion and accessory lines SimplyDog, SimplyShe for Cats and SimplyShe for small animals 

Holistic petfood company Green Dog Food launches ultra luxury petfood line

Holistic petfood company Green Dog Food has launched a limited-edition, ultra-luxury dog food priced at £200 for a 2kg pack.

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Green Dog Gold is a superpremium complete natural food with a seafood-inspired recipe. Ingredients include swordfish, lobster, Beluga caviar, sea vegetable samphire, saffron, black Périgord truffle and wild brown rice. It also contains the company’s herbal premix formulation to help maintain intestinal and external hygiene while boosting the canine immune system.
 The limited-edition dry food is available direct from Green Dog Food ‘on request only’. It comes packaged in 2kg packs, priced £200, five times the cost of the most expensive complete dry dogfood currently on the market. Orders will take up to 12 weeks to prepare and deliver.
Green Dog Food MD Simon Booth said the idea for the ultra-luxury product came following requests from some of the brand’s more high-profile customers. “We count some of the UK’s most affluent dog owners among our customers, including MDs, CEOs, celebrities and other VIPs, and for them, money is no object when it comes to treating their prized pets," he said. “A number of customers have asked if we could create a special recipe incorporating some of the finest foods to be found, and happy to oblige, Green Dog Gold is the result.” 

Pet-Friendly House project will showcase products, services of companies involved

A new marketing opportunity involving building a pet-friendly home is showcasing the products and services of companies involved in all stages of the project in the for free.
The Pet-Friendly House project covers the design, construction and decorating of a home for a family of four and their pets. The project aims to address all possible scenarios pet owners face, such as scratched flooring, stained furniture, ruined carpets, lawn, hair and dander issues, storage solutions and more. Companies can participate in the "dog treat" category for free by donating a product that can be added to the home and a few items for giveaways.
The interactive project has step-by-step instructions showing how to add "doggie doors," containment systems, flooring, roofing and more. The house will also feature a special room customized for dogs. All aspects of building the home will be documented and shared, along with decoration ideas. Once completed, the house will be put to the test with dogs to show demonstrate the products used.
Open houses of this pet-friendly home, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be held for public viewing.

El Portal hotel caters to both pets and their owners

El Portal opened in Sedona, Arizona,USA, as a bed and breakfast hotel catering to both guests and their canine companions.
El Portal's owners, Steve and Connie Segner, built this twelve room hotel with Southwestern design, 18-inch thick handmade adobe walls, wood trim and natural native stone. Each guest room is different, but all have unique features such as arts and crafts furnishings, beamed ceilings or hand-painted detailing. The hotel also features wood and tile flooring throughout to accommodate its canine visitors, with a 1,000-square-foot fenced patio space for dogs and their owners.
Dogs are welcomed to El Portal with special treat baskets and their own pet bed in each guest room. Their owners are provided with lists of dog-friendly parks and outdoor restaurants, pet supply stores and groomers. The hotel also offers ways to enjoy the state's attractions, like a Grand Canyon tour complete with a tour guide and a picnic for all family members - even the dog.

Increased luxury pet supply spending suggests over-humanizing of pets, vet claims

A rise in spending on luxury pet supplies suggests that animal owners may be over-humanizing their pets, claims veternarian Pete Wedderburn in a UK article.
Animal owners are increasingly paying more for pet supplies and premium dog foods, according to Wedderburn. He cited a study published in the October Grocer, which showed that the total petfood market reached annual sales volumes of £1.5 billion (US$2.1 billion).
"Petfood is being designed to closely resemble human food and owners, guardians and pet parents seem happy to pay the increased price," said Wedderburn.