Pets are just like a part of the family – and command as much attention and love as the rest of us. It is hardly surprising then, that the market for pet accessories and pet care products is booming. Short of having a voice, pets are indulged to the hilt these days. Vizag has its own share of pet lovers who would do anything to ensure the comfort of their four-legged friends.
There is a huge variety of pet accessories to choose from. There’s furniture – complete with sofas, pillows and beds – and other accessories like personalized collars and tags, travel carriers, toys, and even clothes! And not just plain tee-shirts, but frocks, onesies, tuxedos and halter tops! These are priced between Rs 200 to Rs 7,000.
There are also products available for birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs like revolving balls, slides, feeding bowls and hanging bowls.
“Some people believe that nothing is too good for their pets, and they keep scouring the market for new products and services to make their lives more colourful and fun filled,” says MM Basha, the proprietor of Marshall’s Pet Zone.
There are vegetarian chewies for households that are strictly vegetarian; gluten-free ones for those who are extremely conscious of their pets’ calorie intake and health. In addition, you can buy treats in every flavour imaginable – chicken, fish, banana, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry.
“My pet loves his treats and toys. We get a lot of dust in our area, which means that we have to bathe and clean him very regularly. Sometimes doing it at home is just not enough, so we take him to the dog spa and get the works. There is resistance initially, but he comes home smelling like lavender and I think he likes the pampering too,” says Shruti Pundir, a post graduate in Psychology. You can take your pet in for a regular shampoo and blow dry at the spa at Marshall’s Pet Zone. Or you can indulge them in a complete package which includes a bath, conditioning, teeth and ear cleaning, nail cutting, aromatherapy and massaging with a lotion. “You can choose from a huge range of shampoos – from medicated anti-dandruff to regular ones. We also treat fungal infections and skin infections during the spa treatment,” says Mrinalini Md, wife of MM Basha.
The cost of the spa ranges between Rs 300 to Rs 1500, depending on the choice of product and the size of the dog and thickness of its coat.
Sometimes, however, all your pet needs is simple loving. “We have a very huge dog, an Italian mastiff. It is really difficult to take care of him, but equally rewarding,” says Kalpana Das, a science teacher. “We don’t let him sleep on the bed, nor do we want him to sleep on the carpet or floor. So, we bought this huge round sofa for him, which was a huge investment,” she adds.
