February 11, 2009 7:02 PM

Our Pampered Pets

By
Brian Dakss
(CBS)  Americans are crazy about their pets. How crazy?

CBS News Sunday Morning correspondent Bill Geist stopped in at Super Zoo, the pet industry trade show, to find out how some owners project their vision of the good life onto their pets.

As is, United States pet owners spend $36 billion a year on Fido, Kitty, et al.

And at SuperZoo, companies display the latest in "pet perks."

The show was held in what Geist calls "fabulous Las Vegas, with its casinos, its bright lights, and its showgirls," such as Pebbles and her friends, strutting down the catwalk in canine couture at a fall fashion show on the strip.

"Pebbles is looking hotter than you-know-who," said the fashion show announcer, "in her paparazzi-ready 'that's hot' tank top.

"Look out, Versace," the announcer continued. "Here comes Mim, in a doggie shrug and ruffled panties."

Reggie's owner walked with him down the runway and said, "Our dog is wearing our couture line. It is a leather look, with leopard trim and Swarovski crystals lined in satin."

So, what are the trends gonna be for fall in doggie fashions?

"We're seeing much more stylized trims this year," replied one judge," more rhinestones, more glitter, more glitz, more money spent on the pet."

That's music to the ears of those at SuperZoo, where thousands of new pet products were trotted out.

"Say what you will about the current administration," Geist observes, "your dog is definitely better off than it was four years ago."

For instance, Hydro Dog is purified water with electrolytes in it.

"We've come a long way since the family dog used to drink out of the toilet," Geist quipped. "Today's dogs eat better and healthier.

"Remember when dogs had to eat dog food?" Geist asked.

Well, Evanger's offers dog and cat food that hardly seems like it, such as, one company representative said, "organic turkey with organic potatoes and organic carrots. And for cats, we do organic braised chicken. We do 100 percent duck, 100 percent rabbit, 100 percent pheasant, 100 percent buffalo, 100 percent beef and 100 percent chicken. (Also) holistic pheasant. We do mackerel and we do a seafood and caviar."

They even cater to pets' religious preferences, with a kosher cannery.

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