Furniture for pets just begs to indulge pampered animals

by Jackie White
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
My upholstered dining chairs are shredded because my cat has long been convinced they are scratching posts. I might as well have bought them with him in mind.
So I find it only slightly indulgent that pet owners are now decorating for their animals. The Wall Street Journal reports that Americans are spending big money for items such as dog beds and sofas to match their decor and programmable blinds to keep pets from overheating in the sun.
"Beastly Furnishings," out of Omaha, Neb., markets dog sofas, chaises and sleeping bags, the Journal says. California's Dogmopolitan, a pet furniture line, is expecting to sell up to $600,000 worth of merchandise in dog decor. And don't forget Kittypod, a $350 combination bed and scratch pad. You can even buy special dog sunglasses: Would you believe Doggles?
It's all part of the escalating obsession Americans have with pets that drove the pet market to $29.5 billion in 2002.
Analysts credit the boost to large numbers of singles and baby boomers whose children have left home. They are devoting their attention and money to the animals.