Luxury goes to the dogs

AHMEDABAD: When 23-year-old Shana Parikh was gifted a small brown-coloured labrador, Happy, she was thrilled. Parikh wanted to give her pet the very best of things and so insisted on getting everything imported from the US. This included the grooming products, toys, bed and clothes for Happy.

“I got Happy clothes from Gucci and GAP. Though they are expensive, I would want to do it for him as I love him very much,” said Parikh.

Happy’s shampoo, soap and brush are also imported from the US. Parikh said she did it to ensure that her pet was well maintained with the right kind of products.

City-based pet trainer, Kodeeswaran does not find the trend surprising.  “Keeping a pet is a luxury. Importing a dog costs anywhere between Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs4 lakh.
Someone who can afford such pets can also afford the expensive pet accessories as well,” said Kodeeswaran.

He said often pet owners insisted on these products to give a unique identity to their pets. “At times, I order these products from Dubai, UK or Australia, depending on their availability and cost,” said Kodeeswaran. Pet accessories include fancy collars and leashes, sunglasses and beds. City’s pet lovers are also increasingly going online to get the pet products of their choice.

One particularly favourite accessory is a collar which gives of light when the dog barks.
Veterinarian Freya Jhaveri said though a majority of the pet owners in Ahmedabad prefer to buy pet essentials from within the country some 20% to 30% of pet owners go for imported things.