Very Latest Gadgets For Pets
People love to spoil their pets, and Americans spent nearly 36 billion dollars on them last year.
Manufacturers are all too happy to provide the goodies owners can buy, and they're showcasing their newest wares at the world's largest annual pet industry trade show, the "Global Pet Expo." It begins its three-day run Thursday, in San Diego.
The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner, went to the Expo and picked some items she thought were among the hottest and hippest, sure to come soon to a store near you.
Nearly 700 companies were at the show. Items were available for all types of pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, small animals and horses. The show isn't open to the public.
The Expo is in its second year and is sponsored by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA).
Among the gadgets that caught Turner's eye:
Doggles K9 Optix Sunglasses: These matching sunglasses for doggie owners and their canine friends come in a variety of colors. Net proceeds support no-kill shelters across the country. Dogs have the same eyes as humans do and need protection from the sun just as much as we do.
$14.99 (dog owners)/ $9.99 (dogs) doggles.com
SnackShotz Treat Launcher: Handheld dog treat launching device. Gives pet exercise while getting a treat. Can Launch up to 10 feet. Perfect to use to get dogs exercise.
$21.99 dogmaticproducts.com
Cosmic Treat Ball: Made by Aspen Products. Records your voice. You fill ball with treats. Each time the ball moves, treats fall out, and your voice plays for the dog to hear. It also lights up.
$16.99 - $21.99, depending on size of the ball talktometreatball.com
Aqua Garden: Companion to the popular Drinkwell automatic pet water fountain: Hydroponic cat grass garden that attaches to the Drinkwell fountain. Cats love to eat grass.
$9.95 petfountain.comKitty's Purrfect Playhouse: All-in-one center for scratching, napping, eating, and playing. Easy to assemble. No tools needed. Complete with cat grass, mailbox, and birdhouse.
$159.99 esmartcat.com
Scoop-Free Automatic Litter Box: Uses disposable cartridges pre-loaded with crystals, and has its own built-in electric rake that rakes the waste into a covered trap. All owner has to worry about is replacing the cartridge once a month, so owner never has to clean the kitty litter box again. This litter box is different from others, because the litter box is never cleaned out. Instead, it's replaced by a new cartridge once a month.
$139.95 scoopfree.com
Two-Ball Launcher: Slingshot that launches balls for your dog to retrieve. Launches up to 220 feet.
$24.99 hyper-products.com
Doggie Driver: A tennis ball launcher that swings just like a normal golf club driver, but enables you to practice your swing, and gives you a chance to play fetch with your dog: when the ball flies out in your desired direction, your dog gets to retrieve it. Device picks up the ball with the launcher, so owners avoid having to pick up slimey balls by hand.
$29.99 hyper-products.com