Trendy Gifts to Keep Your Pet Safe
The latest in dog name tags, night lights, and other dog accessory gifts.
There’s nothing trendier than buying gifts for your pet and no better way to spoil her than with a new dog accessory. Fortunately, designers these days are combining function with fashion to ensure that your pet is both stylish and safe. Here’s a list of some of the hottest trends that focus on your pet’s safety:
Dog Name Tags with Bling
Your pet can never have too much ID, so why not have fun with it as a dog accessory? Proper identification is a lost pet’s ticket home. Having your pet microchipped is the ultimate security device, of course, but it’s also important for both dogs and cats to wear pet identification tags for quick and easy identification. Charms in the shape of bones, paw prints, and dog and cat silhouettes are this season’s trendiest collar tags. Whether they’re plainly designed or covered in Swarovski crystals, pet identification tags are more than just a fashion statement. It’s a good idea for you to attach a tag to each pet in your household and to keep backups in a safe place in case of an emergency.
Light Up the Night
Going for a nighttime stroll with your pup can be a great way to unwind, but only if you and your pet have taken safety precautions—and you can find a fun dog accessory to make sure you have. There are now a large selection of collars, leashes, harnesses and pet vests that come fitted with the latest battery-powered illumination technology, allowing your pet to glow or flash at night. Apart from offering excellent visibility for both you and your pet, these new gadgets can also help you find your pet after an accident or escape. Some products can be seen up to a mile away and they are great for cats too.
If you live in a remote area with little or no street lighting, attaching a light similar to a flashlight to your pet’s collar allows him to light the way, and keeps your hands free for other things. The latest LED lights are designed to throw a broad beam and illuminate an area up to 200 feet.
Pet Cell Phone
There’s no doubt about it – a pet cell phone is going to be on the top of every yuppie puppy’s gift list. The bone-shaped, waterproof phone attaches to a dog’s collar and auto-answers like a speakerphone, letting you talk to your dog any time you want. And you can hear your puppy yap back! But a pet cell phone is not just a fun toy. If your pet gets lost, anyone who finds your furry friend can contact you by simply pressing the call back button (the phone comes with a monthly calling plan). Luckily, Fido can’t dial out on his own, so you don’t have to worry about him going over his minutes! Despite technology’s amazing advances, rollover remains just a cute trick in the doggy world.
New Leash and Collar Combos
Whether it’s when the doorbell rings or when you meet an unfamiliar dog on a walk, sometimes you need full control over your pet. The latest in leashes offers just that. The combo collar and harness has a retractable, elasticized leash that allows you to take control of your pet without choking her. You can easily attach pet identification tags to the collar and the reflective stitching makes your pet more visible in the dark.
Cute harness dresses with matching leashes are also now available. They come in a wide range of styles and the latest seasonal colors. D-rings are sewn securely into the fabric, suitable for a leash attachment and dog name tags. This functional fashion works well for small and medium-sized pets.
Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. Her work appears regularly on MSNBC.com, MSN.com and in various national and international publications. She is a member of the Dog Writers’ Association of America and the Cat Writers’ Association.