10 Unique Pet Items

Charles H. Duell, director of the U.S. Patent office in 1899, is often – and some say erroneously – credited with the quote, “Everything that can be invented has been invented." Of course, that was no truer in 1899 as it is true today. In 2010, nearly 220,000 patents were approved by the patent office, a 31 percent increase over the previous year, and the number keeps growing.

As our pets roles have changed throughout the last century from farm working dogs, sentries and yard ornaments to full members of our families, many of which even sleep with us, it’s apparent that everything has yet to be invented for our pet’s comfort, amusement and well-being. These 10 rather unique and new items for our pets and their parents proves the point.

1. Dog Beer

You can now enjoy a good brew with your true BFF. One of the most publicized new products for our pets is Dawg Grog, a beer for dogs made in Oregon. Don’t worry, though, it shouldn’t render your dog useless. Boneyard Brewery says it is made with malted barley water, liquid glucosamine and organic vegetable broth. Advertised as a healthy treat, it can be given as a separate liquid treat or poured over their food. $36 for a six-pack and it ships anywhere

2. Yoga DVD for Dogs

From the moment that home videos became popular in the 1980s, there has been the workout video. Now, there is one for you and your pet. The Furociously Fit DVD offers a walking and yoga program for you and your dog, which includes stretches for before and after your walk, core work and upper body work to stay balanced, as well as a relaxation segment. In addition, it provides dog health tips with Dr. Alice Villalobos, a well-known pioneer in the field of cancer care for companion animals and a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society. $15.95

3. Light Therapy

According to eMedicinehealth.com, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression thought to be caused by winter light deprivation, can affect six in 100 people in America, but did you know it could also affect your pets? The Sol Box helps deal with SAD by providing the necessary light, emitting 10,000 lux of full spectrum light, the equivalent of a sunny day outside. When bright light strikes the retina of your pet, it triggers the release of serotonin, which is the feel good hormone responsible for mood and temperament. Manufacturers say the Sol Box has the ability to improve energy and mood, decrease anxiety and even cure some cases of Alopecia. $199

4. The Cat Caller

How many times has your cat accidentally shot past you when the door was opened at an opportune time and how many of those unplanned escapes have resulted in worried searches, sometimes for days? The ASPCA says that only two percent of lost cats return home. The cat caller can help improve those statistics. A wireless remote keychain transmits a unique signal to each individual receiver and another "panic" signal to all receivers at once. It works through walls, closets, indoors and outdoors in all those unimaginable places your pet likes to hide. The approximate range is 200-250 feet. $19.95

5. Treat Maker

There have been a lot of pet treat recalls as of late, driving some of us to head into the kitchen to try to make our own, even if we’ve never rolled a lump of dough in our lives. If your dog and kitty treats have turned out unrecognizable or worse yet, unchewable, these new lines of treat makers promise to help you make a perfect batch every single time. You can choose to make them harder or for smaller and older pets, you can also make softer cookies. The best part is that you know your treats do not contain harmful ingredients. $20.97

6. Poop Bag Club

It may not be the “Jelly of the Month” club membership given to Clark Griswold in the movie “Christmas Vacation,” but it might be more appreciated. This service provides automatic monthly delivery of eco-friendly dog poop bags. Members choose from two types of bags and select from a variety of plans based on how many times your dog does the deed each day. Once signed up, you receive the selected number of bags automatically each month so you never have to worry about running out. We just think they should also have a pickup service, too. $10 per month and up

7. Leggings for Dogs

The 80s are not calling asking for their leggings back; these canine fashion accessories actually serve a purpose for dogs that suffer from severe allergies or for dogs with wounds. Ditch the cone of shame for H-Leggings, which are a pair of interconnected, breathable, reusable and flexible leggings your dog wears as a barrier over a veterinary-approved wound dressing, cast or irritation of the forelegs. The leggings do not impede your pet’s movement or daily activity. $29.95

8. Predator Eyes Harness

If you live in the country as we do, you might have heard the stories, or been witness to large predator birds such as hawks, owls and turkey buzzards swooping down to try to claim small dogs and cats as they walk in nature. We hadn’t lived in the country long when a neighbor told us they witnessed such a thing happen to a Dachshund. These harnesses can be custom made with “predator eyes” on top of the holster to prevent that from happening.  Starting at $29.99

9. Cat Urine Odor Eliminator

The smell of cat urine is so bad, we’re sure the ancient Egyptians were continuously trying to develop products to eliminate the odor of their revered pet felines. If you love your cat, but don’t love the urine odor, CrystalxFreshKitty says they have the solution. It’s a an all-natural product that comes in a small, permanently sealed aluminum bottle that is simply buried and stored in the center of a cat's dry food storage container, or kept next to its wet food supply. Within a few days it safely conditions the food cats consume, and can enhance a cat's metabolism by breaking down uric acid, which helps significantly reduce or eliminate the smell of urine before cats use the litter box. $34.99

10. Doggy Germ Spray

When we’re out in public, I’m constantly getting out the anti-bacterial gel to use on shopping cart handles, after I’ve touched the gas pump or even after I’ve touched a menu in a restaurant. If you’re a germ-a-phobe as well – especially after this flu and norovirus season – you’ll love Dirty Dog, an all-natural spray for your dog’s paws to get rid of the germs, especially if your dog sleeps in your bed.  $9.97 

Do you own any of these unique pet products? Would you try them? Tell us in a comment.