Pampered paws and stylish pooches: winter pet accessories cater to comfort, safety and style
The pet accessories market offers a wide range of winter essentials for furry friends, from designer wear to heated beds and paw protection.
The pet accessories sector remains robust and is estimated to be worth just over $32 billion (€29.51B) by 2028. Within this, the market offers a wide range of winter-specific accessories, including warm and waterproof clothing and boots, heated beds and bowls.
Designer products
Pets are still enjoying relatively lavish lifestyles despite the need for many owners to cut down on their non- essential spending. It seems that pet parents are happy to pay for designer products if they meet their needs, which extends to winter clothing.
Fashion brands have recognized the value of the ‘hound pound’ and have started extending their product ranges to include clothes for pets – even with matching dog and owner outfits. Designer and dog lover Sandy Liang has teamed up with pet lifestyle brand Little Beast to create a winter dog and owner collection.
Protection from the elements
From waterproof and warm clothing to protect pets in cold, wet conditions to boots and paw wax to safeguard feet from environmental hazards, many pet accessories are now created with health and well-being in mind.
Oregon-based Ruffwear launched its Furness coat, an ultrawarm, high-coverage jacket for the coldest conditions. Its VertTM jacket has extended waterproof coverage and is insulated.
Pet parents are increasingly concerned about the safety of their pets, particularly for cats out at night and dogs on dark winter walks. Collars, leads and harnesses using reflective or high-viz materials have grown in popularity, as have safety lights that can be attached to collars to maximize a pet’s visibility.
Musher’s Secret is a food-grade wax that provides a 100% natural, breathable barrier to protect animal paws. Originally developed in Canada for sled dogs, it is now used worldwide in many different environments to guard against snow and ice, rough terrain, hot pavements and sand burn.
Clean and hygienic paws
Boot Buddy, the producer of a portable footwear cleaning gadget, has now released a pet version, which is proving to be very popular.
The Paw Buddy 2.0 is an all-in-one cleaning tool that can be used anywhere to clean a pet’s feet. In addition to keeping mud out of the car and off home interiors, there is an important welfare aspect to consider.
Dogs can pick up material on their paws during a walk that can later be ingested if they are allowed to lick them clean. Salt residue on roads, lawn fertilizers and bacteria or fungus lurking in soil all have the potential to make a pet unwell if consumed.
Making use of tech
Advances in technology for humans are filtering down to benefit pets, and this is reflected across the winter accessories market.
American company K&H Pet Products launched a new line of heated pet beds a few years ago. It uses a patented heating system that is safe for pets and relatively energy efficient. K&H also produces a thermostatically controlled water bowl that dogs can use outside without the danger of their drinking water freezing.
Dutch brand Stoov began keeping humans warm in 2014 with its invention of a portable heat source. When customers began telling the company that their pets were taking over their heated cushions, it decided to launch a pet version last year, the Woov. Fashion brands have recognized the value of the ‘hound pound’ and have started extending their product ranges to pets.
Cordless and providing up to 6 hours of warmth at a time, the Woov cat and dog bed has proved to be a big hit.
“It’s not just about keeping warm when it’s cold. It’s about making sure your dog’s comfort and well-being needs are catered for as well,” says Stoov founder Teun van Leijsen.
An eye on sustainability
Pet players are also adapting to current sustainability demands. Stoov aims to minimize unnecessary harm while maximizing warmth and, by reducing emissions and water usage, it intends to be carbon neutral by 2030.
All Stoov’s products are made using rPET – recycled plastic made from repurposed waste – and the company packages and transports its products in the smartest ways possible.
Ruffwear is working with the Climate Action Corps and other brands in the outdoor industry to become the world’s first climate-positive industry by 2030.
Since 2022, the brand has been working to eliminate the use of certain unsustainable substances across its product line. From this year, all products with a water-repellent finish will be approved by the bluesign® system, which helps suppliers source safer alternatives to traditional harmful chemicals used at the beginning of the production cycle.
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