The State of Luxury Pet Accessories
Luxury Pet Accessories are not going away whether we like it or not. Luxury is defined by dictionary.com as, “a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity.” There are also subjective definitions. If asking ten random people on the street to define luxury, the answers will be all over the place. Some affiliate luxury with money, others do not. To some, luxury is all they know, to others, luxury is something they will never know. Luxury pet accessories to Family A means having a soft pad for their pet to sleep on, while…
Family B believes that Kate Spade or another high end designer’s luxury pet accessories is just that, luxurious.
Either way, whether you fall into the category of Family A of Family B or None of the Above we love our pets and want what is best and safest for them.
The amount of money we spend on our pets has increased every year since 1994. That year, 17 billion dollars were spent on pets, not just on luxury or food, but all inclusive (Vet, Purchasing the pet, Boarding, etc…) In 2014, 58 billion dollars was spent and the projected number for 2015 is 60 billion dollars. Even accounting for inflation, the 17 billion spent in 1994 equates to 27.9 billion dollars today. In twenty years we’ve more than doubled how we spend to take care of our pets.
This article from Time Magazine is a very informative read on the subject. According to Time, in October 2012 Americans spent $370 Million Dollars on Halloween Costumes for their pets.
This is also because there is just so much more out there for pets. We’re not just talking ideas and do it yourself plans, but all around availability. The more we purchase and make the presence known on the internet, more and more options will continue to present itself.
This short Pro & Con article from a few years ago is spot on when it comes to whether or not luxury pet accessories are necessary. It was written during the economic downturn last decade but the ideals still hold true. The comments continue the argument and are a highly suggested read. What especially stands out is the thought that the priciest of luxury pet accessories were catered to smaller dogs. Can you picture a diamond studded collar more on a St. Bernard or a Chihuahua?
Are Luxury Pet Accessories A Good Idea?
Yes. Yes They Are.
Pets are our family members and they should be treated with the love they deserve. They should be comfortable when they sleep and when they go outside to play. Our furry family members should also be safe in any element regardless of where you live. When we travel, airlines now allow (size permitting) Pets to fit under the seat in front of you instead of being stored and forgotten in the cargo hold where all we do, all flight, is worry if the temperature is okay. Traveling with our pets is a luxury and one that creates fantastic family memories.
There’s a difference between luxury dog accessories and the ridiculousness.
We’ve earned the right to pamper our pets and as pet parents we will do anything for them, including but not limited to, a super soft pet bed, an awesome dog house or designer carrier bag. You’ve earned it too. Happy and healthy pets create positive environments for us at home.
No. Make It Stop.
Look, our pets deserve all the love we have to give and they will definitely be warm in winter and comfortable all the time, but they’re needs are pretty minimal. They probably don’t need this diamond collar.
They need to play. They need to sleep. They need to eat, have companionship and feel like they contribute to the family. That is the best luxury our pets can have.
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