Paw & Order: Accessories for the Modern Pet

| Print Post This | Like (8) | Comments (0)

IT'S A RIOT TO WATCH Fido chomp away at his favorite chew toy. But an apartment littered with rubber hedgehogs and ratty dog beds is likely to land you in the "before" category on one of those HGTV makeover shows. But does adopting a dog, cat or, heck, guinea pig mean you have to surrender your pad to paw print-stamped pillows, fusty carpet scratching posts and metal crates that resemble canine jails?

"There's this desire on the part of home-owners to beautify their spaces, but for many years, the pet-product industry didn't take that into account," says Julia Szabo, pet columnist for the New York Post and author of the new book "Pretty Pet Friendly" ($17, Wiley). But luckily for design-conscious pet lovers, a new generation of chic pet companies has moved to the front of the pack.

Getting your paws on hipper, sleeker puppy beds, cool birdcages and haute cat collars is easier than teaching a dog tricks now, thanks to fresh stock at online outlets, indie boutiques and big-box stores such as Petco and PetSmart. What began with a few high-end designers offering handmade wares with a mod sensibility has evolved into an industry-wide phenomenon -- a growing piece of the $45 billion pet-product pie, according to the American Pet Products Association.

"Carpet-covered monstrosities were not cutting it," says Kate Benjamin, a Phoenix blogger who defies the "crazy cat lady" stereotype on her blog, Moderncat.net, where she emphasizes design-forward products -- from "Jetsons"-esque cat pods by Hepper Home (Hepperhome.com) to sleek cat perches and DIY sheepskin-topped acrylic cubes -- and shows how she incorporates her six felines into her swanky, boutique hotel-ish pad.

"Instead of fighting to keep the cat off the bookshelf, hang a cat perch that it can lounge on. Then a beautiful cat is sitting on the shelf instead of a knickknack," Benjamin says. This creates a more serene environment where four-legged roomies thrive.

To that end, when your Great Dane's paw print alone takes up a sizeable chunk of your 600-square-foot condo, organizing pet gear is essential. "It's important your furniture multitask," Szabo says, whether that means an end table that doubles as an animal house or a pretty hook for hanging leashes.

Much of the pampered pooch or cat trend can be traced to city dwellers with few -- or no -- kids who are holding off on diapers and playgrounds and, instead, are reaching for leashes and dog parks. "Our clients are mostly people who live in the city, and their dogs are their children," says Lisa Schreiber, owner of Wagtime (1232 Ninth St. NW; 202-789-0870), a pet boutique adjacent to the Washington Convention Center.

With extra disposable income, pet parents splurge on nicer beds that match their contemporary homes. At boutiques such as Capitol Hill's Pawticulars (407 Eighth St. SE; 202-546-7387), shoppers custom-order dog beds in stylish patterns such as Burberry-style plaids and graphic florals. Mundane items such as bowls are upgraded, too, from powder-coated steel feeders that affix to the wall to monogrammed ceramic models. And for those who crate-train their canines, stores such as the Dog Shop in Georgetown (1625 Wisconsin Ave.; 202-337-3647) even stock velvet Pet Dreams covers.

Leslie and James Moylan, both 29, share their Bethesda condo with Lucy, a 2 1/2-year-old Lab/pit bull mix. The Moylans chose a khaki pillow dog bed to blend in with their neutral walls, and stainless steel food and water dishes to mirror their kitchen's appliances.

"We like to treat Lucy a little more special -- we don't have kids, so she's not 'just a dog' to us," says Leslie Moylan, whose treats for Lucy also include a pink cupcake-patterned collar and leash set and "more than a few" clothing items. "I doubt Lucy truly cares what her collar, dog bed and bowls look like, as long as they hold the promise of walks, naps and food," Leslie Moylan admits.

To peacefully coexist in even a small animal kingdom, you want to keep pets in mind when furnishing your pad. That means considering fur that's shed and muddy paws when choosing a sofa, or protecting your upholstery with Sure Fit slipcovers (Surefit.net) or Crypton "Throvers" (Amazon.com), which the company claims "look like a blanket and work like a tarp." Szabo suggests discouraging Mr. Whiskers from clawing your dreamy new sofa by wrapping heating pipes with untreated sisal twine for a makeshift scratcher that won't take up extra space.

If you must sheath your floor with cushy rugs (so tempting to pee on!), go for FLOR's (Flor.com) mix-and-match modular carpet tiles. "It's like a Post-it note for your floor," Szabo says. "If a pet upchucks on it, you lift up that tile and clean it."

Of course, like an ornery toddler, your animal companion may reject its plush pet bed and instead prefer snuggling on your Italian leather love seat -- or a ratty towel. Still, "a dog knows the difference between a threadbare bed you throw in a corner" and one that's high-quality," claims Pawticulars owner Jennifer Zatkowski. "I really believe the animal appreciates the effort, and feels that you truly are making him part of your family."

PET PARTICULARS
» Pooper Cool
Ditch the "Sandlot" vibe of clunky litter boxes for sleek lines and an ergonomic scoop, with the promise of sweet relief for both you and Fluffy. ($180, Modkat.com)

» A New Chew
Toss your eco-dog a stylish, soft bone that's stuffed with recycled fibers. ($9.50, The Big Bad Woof, 117 Carroll St. NW.; 202-291-2404)

» Double-Duty Den
Feng shui goes to the dogs with ZenHaus's critter den, which can
double as a cocktail table for saketinis. ($525, Velocityartanddesign.com)

» Scratch Points
Sprawling on a wave of corrugated cardboard, your kitty will come across like a piece of art -- all while sharpening those claws. ($70, Catlivin.net)

» Food Times
A metal sculpture holds bowls and gives Spot a dinner companion who won't swipe the kibble. ($175, Thesecreatures.com)

» For Leash
Though these hooks say "dog," intuitive pups know they spell W-A-L-K. ($20, Pawticulars, 407 8th St. SE.; 202-546-7387)

» From the Lookout cover:
Logan Circle resident Burt Reynolds, a 3-year-old shih tzu, poses in a retro mod pet bed ($74, Likekittysville.etsy.com).

WAG SALE SOURCES
Want to find gear for cool cats and decidedly fashionable dogs? Sniff out these online and brick-and-mortar purveyors to the pet set.

» A.k.a. Spot
This Clarendon souk stocks a chic selection of beds, blankets, collars and more. It also boasts a self-wash dog station. 2509 N. Franklin Road, Arlington; 703-248-0093; Akaspot.com

» The Big Bad Woof
Find eco-friendly pet supplies, from handmade beaded collars to organic dog beds, plus raw and holistic animal food at this Takoma Park store. 117 Carroll St. NW; 202-291-2404; Thebigbadwoof.com

» Doggie Style
This Dupont pet bakery also stocks pet spa products, all-natural foods and a small selection of comfy beds and toys. 1825 18th St. NW; 202-667-0595; Doggiestylebakery.com

» The Dog Shop
Located in Georgetown, this shop is a stop for all things furry, from basic grooming supplies to plush crate covers, sleek cat climbers and customizable dog beds. 1625 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-337-3647; Dogshopdc.com

» Pawticulars
Find chic collars and leashes, and Harry Barker spa products and accessories at this cheery Capitol Hill boutique, plus swatch books of custom fabrics for pet beds and pillows. 407 8th St. SE; 202-546-7387; Pawticulars.com

» The Posh Pooch
Score more than 500 luxury products for your furry friends, from taffeta pup dresses to rattan crates. Theposhpooch.com

» Wagtime
This Shaw doggie day care and boarding house stocks a whimsical selection of collars, leashes, cheeky toys, carrier bags and, by custom order, Bowser beds. 1232 9th St. NW; 202-789-0870; Wagtimedc.com

Written by Express contributor Katie Knorovsky
Photos by Marge Ely/Express