Accessories: The latest and greatest

Pet accessories now represent every aspect of ownership as pets become ever more central to their human families. From collars and coats, to complicated activity toys and a true sense of fashion in all products, here are the latest and greatest on offer.

Enrichment and welfare

The latest boom in pet activity games represents the recognition of enrichment and the subsequent improvements in pet welfare. Sandown, UK exhibition PATS, this year confirmed that activity ideas for pets are all the rage in their ‘New Product Showcase’.

Award-winning trade supplier Collarways’ director Katie Goldsmith reflects on this trend: “Interactive puzzle games and toys have been around for a while, but we are seeing an increase in demand from our customers and from the consumer for toys that don’t just stimulate the mind but are also tough enough to last.” 

This was demonstrated with West Paw Design’s ‘Toppl’ winning the Dog Accessory Product 2015 at the PATS show in the UK. The puzzle toy comes in bright neons, attractive to the modern consumer, that complement one another along with the other ranges they produce. West Paw Design have multiple distributors across the globe.

The Kruuse ‘Buster Activity’ mat was another prominent leader in the accessory range, gaining important trend focus at Global Pet Expo. Portable, with bright primary colours and versatile activities, it gives vast opportunity for dogs to occupy themselves searching for treats.

For cats, Kong produced the ‘Cat Glide n Seek’, a unique toy using magnets to bring the two feather toys to life, making them move in unpredictable patterns. These allow the cat to stalk and pounce, providing an outlet for their instincts that does not harm the local bird population. Once again, bold primary colours red and blue with yellow feathers.

Ageing population

As pets are living longer than ever before, an opening trend is that of the ageing pet. UK company 

Inconti-pets produce a series of waterproof blankets for incontinent pets, allowing owner and pet to live more comfortably and conveniently with what could otherwise be a distressing life stage. Designer Paula Wilshere comments that the practicality combined with popular colours red and cream means the blankets have multiple uses: “Clients normally order two, to ensure one clean one at all time. After muddy walks convenience is key to protect furniture, carpets and car seats and boots. Owners even order them for dogs prone to car sickness on long journeys.”

Travel and convenience

Portability is the next important trend. Pets travel frequently with their owners nowadays. Product manufacturers have leaped to meet this emerging demand, with products such as ‘Stay over Rover’, (Collarways) a holdall designed to keep all the essential accessories that dog owners now have in one, organised place.

Luxury accessories

Goldsmith comments further on trends: “We are noticing an increase in consumer demand for better quality products, with price not always being the major influencer on purchase decisions.”

Owners require longer lasting and better value for money, and it appears that price is not a dictator of purchase any more. Even pet toys are also following a new trend for natural fibres and premium, luxury appeal. Armitage’s ‘Barkington’ range of six toys all have a natural feel to them, being made from high-quality fabric, rope, and rubber, with sewn-on labels, hessian and neutral colouring.

Collars, harnesses and leads

Hand crafted, hand picked and personally made to measure are the next trend in wearable accessories, especially in cat collars. Whilst bulk manufacture may develop a cheaper product, Verity and Moss director Sarah Phillipson comments that clients prefer to choose their own style of collar, lead, even pet bag, that reflects how they view their pet’s character. 

“We have seen a huge uplift in our customers wanting bespoke, made to measure items. They want to be able to pick the fabric, the fittings, the style. They want to be able to say that their items are one of a kind and not mass produced.”

Sarah adds: “I can see more bright strong geometric fabric requests coming in, along with more gentle ‘70s vibes. As with fashion their customers want to
co-ordinate with their animals. Owners want a variety of ‘best’ collars and leads, along with everyday ones.”