Southport Magazine

Royal Barkitecture

By Ami Brown

According to the SPCA, it’s estimated that 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats are owned in the United States. Approximately 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog, and 30-37% have a cat, these statistics do not include all those other like bunnies, hamsters and ferrets.  There is also a growing population of exotic pets like snakes, potbelly pigs and even hedgehogs.

The pet industry is obviously a HUGE one!  And all of us pet owners know that our pets are more than JUST fluffy animals – they are part of our family.  Pet owners spend an average of $400 each month on their pets, so this article is dedicated to all those owners – who want to do just a little more for their four-legged baby.

Outdoor dog houses that rival your beach cottage. I found a few amazing examples of custom dog houses that match the main home, that provide a bone shaped swimming pool and even a two story lounger.

Whether you want a little bungalow in the shape of a barrel or a cute little doggie camper, there is something for every furry friend. You could choose to hire a custom builder or designer to create your dream doggie home.

You can also find retailers that sell kits like these if you want a bit of do-it yourself. Some of the unlikely suppliers of these custom kit houses include: JC Penny, Nordstrom and Ikea.

Indoor pet furniture, from floating Cat wall shelves, doggie coffee tables and bunk beds for beagles!

The ugly cat tree days are long gone!  You can now entertain your pet and provide them with luxury without losing your sense of style. These amazing finds really blend in with the décor and make a statement in your home.

Letting your pet live it up in style!

Hayneedle.com has nice budget doghouses but also offer a huge cape cod style that sells for $4,000. They also have a cute two story version that will only set you back $129. You can also order these super dog house with an in-build heater for those colder climates.

Beyondhtecrate.com is a luxury site where you can have a custom doggie mansion designed for you. Be ready to pay big bucks, this is not cheap service – worthy of a celebrity pet for sure.

Designer Judson Beaumont came up with the Pet Trailers in order to make the whole pet owning experience more fun. Straight Line Design offers a collection of unique trailers, fit for small size dogs. They even have designs for the do-it-yourself handyman. The best news is that the home are fully customizable and the materials used in the built are environmentally-friendly – aluminum, plywood and plastics were recycled and used in manufacturing the awesome piece.  You can find out more at: http://www.goodshomedesign.com/exquisite-pet-camper-for-your-puppy/

Another great source of design inspiration and plans – is www.goodhomedesign.com. They have an entire pet furniture section, from design, buy online and ways to recycle unwanted furniture into cute dog and cat beds.

These beautiful wall mounted cat beds are available from Singyep or Amazon for about $40.

This all birch coffee table that doubles as a doggie bed is perfect for your smaller dog. It not only blends with your other décor, your dog will be the center of attention while he sleeps in style. I found this on a couple website and the price ranged from $162 on sale to the regular price of $329. Made by WM Innovations and comes with a five year warranty.

When I saw this stylish cat tree on www.therefinedfeline.com, I knew I had to include it. It’s not only stylish, but is a stand alone work of art. The curves and soft lines make a statement and your cat will feel just like royalty. A sleek, organic design, the Lotus Cat Tower is a modern take on cat furniture. Its Zen-like design blends symmetry, functionality, and minimalism into a beautiful, “flowering” tower. It’s about $370, you’ll have to put it together and comes in either a mahogany finish or a darker espresso.

Catcrib.com cat hammock is only $20

The Pei Pod is available on coolforcats.com or the Pawhut on Amazon and is about $85.

Cozywinters.com have a variety of cool pet accessories. They offer the large bone shaped doggie pool for $439 or a smaller paw shaped pool for $239. This can be custom build into your doggie deck or just placed on the ground.

Onedogonebone.com offers the pool and the deck kit for $2000.

Whether you have a Mastiff or a Maltese, a pure bred or a mixed mutt, an Egyptian Hairless to a tabby – all pets deserve the very best, a nice warm bed in the form of an old pillow or a plush velvet cushion. Most of all our pets want an owner who gives them unconditional love – the same love that they show us.