There were glimpses of other pets — specifically a talking cockatoo that likes to cuddle with strangers — but dogs ruled the Colorado Family Pet Expo last weekend.
Vendors hawked everything from special shoes to protect paws on rugged terrain, to physical rehabilitation centers for dogs. There were representatives from training schools and boarding facilities, along with manufacturers crowing about dog accessories, foods and treats Saturday and Sunday at the Denver Merchandise Mart. All of them were hoping for a bite of the apparently recession-proof pet- products market.
“People are starting to spend more money on higher-quality leads and collars,” said Heather Green, associate publisher of The Colorado Dog Magazine. “There’s a huge trend in feeding your dog better foods, and (finding out) where people can travel locally with their pets.”
Exhibitors said they expect the industry to keep growing, even as general economic conditions weaken. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimates that $43.4 billion will be spent on our pets in 2008, up from $41.2 billion last year.
While I kept expecting the Dog Whisperer to come running through the expo with a pack of well-trained dogs, I instead learned that my dog, Tucker, a 19-month- old Labrador retriever, may not be standing in the best position while he’s eating, and that he may need a special harness to keep from pulling me while on his leash.
Joe Casanova of Parker came up with the idea for Dishy Dog about a year and a half ago. The company makes food and water bowl stands in 19 heights. Measure your pooch and check Casanova’s chart to figure out the right size for your dog. The taller the dog stand, the larger the dog bowl. Little rubber feet prevent the Dishy Dog stand from sliding.
If your dog is susceptible to bloat, then the folks at Evergreen-based Long Tail Pet Products would try to get you to purchase their DogPause dog food bowl. The four compartment bowl — reminiscent of a TV-dinner tray — is rather deep. In theory, this makes the dog work harder for his kibble and, ultimately, eat more slowly.
Perhaps.
But the types of food going into these bowls drew a bit more attention. After last year’s massive recall of dog and cat foods contaminated with nonfood ingredients, like melamine, there’s big interest in all-natural, U.S. made foods.
This year’s expo included at least a dozen pet-food makers. According to the pet product manufacturers association, Americans spent $16.2 billion on dog food in 2007.
“(The pet food recalls) kind of got people’s attention,” said Brad Yongue, local territory sales manager for Irwindale, Calif.-based Breeder’s Choice, makers of AvoDerm pet food. “They need to do research into which companies are making their own food.”
Even though pet foods might contain only natural ingredients, having control and oversight of the manufacturing process is key, and some companies use third parties to make their products, Yongue said.
Baby boomers, with children out of the house and thus with more time and disposable income, are playing at the center of the burgeoning pet industry, several exhibitors said.
On a practical level, baby boomers and busy families are turning to artificial, easy-to- clean grass for their lawns. “We’re finally getting older couples that don’t want to deal with (keeping their lawn clean),” said Jeffery Hart of Denver-based Progreen International.
But at the same time, that demographic wants its dogs to be well-behaved, especially when the grandchildren come to visit, said pet behavior expert Suzanne Hetts, of Littleton-based Animal Behavior Associates. “Pets are important, and people want to make things work,” she said.
Kimberly S. Johnson: 303-954-1088 or kjohnson@
