From doggy day-care to diamond dog bones, spending on pets in the United States has increased by 102 percent since 1994.
At pamperedpets.com, an online catalog based Wisconsin, people can order anything for their pet from a $3,200 diamond-encrusted dog bone to a pet waterbed for $63.75, the Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported.
"We want to offer some spectacular items for people that consider their pets their children," said owner Laura Oravec.
Pet strollers have been in high demand, Oravec said. While the strollers accommodate animals up to 50 pounds, there have been requests for strollers for larger dogs, she said.
Medical services for pets have also expanded, with more people expecting their pets will get dental care, referrals to ophthalmologists and MRIs, said Sandra Sawchuk, a clinical instructor at UW-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine.
"Primarily, the same care that we would get," she told the newspaper.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
