Give Your Pets A Lift With High-tech Designs For Doggy Dining

Most people feed their pets on the floor, from a plastic or maybe metal bowl. Until recently, no one questioned this; it is not only the norm, it has always been pretty much the only option. New designs are emerging, however, that are a combination of new thinking in artistic design and product engineering. Pet owners are now demanding the same lifestyle upgrades for their pets that they insist upon for themselves, and creators of pet product are going high tech to serve their needs.

Ergonomics, the study of how best to design every-day items for comfort and safety, is now focusing on our pets. This has led to new designs for common pet products. Along with this, demand that pet products be attractive and compliment our home decor has gotten noticed by pet product manufacturers. The result is healthier, happier pets, and designs which are so refined that many are winning awards at architectural, interior, and industrial design competitions. And a favored place in many of the most elegant homes.

At the top of the list of new designs is the "pet dining table". Using ergonomic principles, designers working with veterinarians came to the conclusion that eating and drinking from a raised bowl, with the head elevated in a more natural position, promotes better digestion, and is simply more comfortable for your pet. Currently, a large variety of these "pet dining tables" are available. Some of these are a basic stand or table with holes cut out for the bowls, while others are the result of very sophisticated materials and engineering. A terrific example is a collection of stainless-steel bowls for cats and dogs. Their feeding bowls feature a cut-out for the hand which allows the bowl to double as a scoop for kibbles, two rubber "feet" for stability on flat surfaces, a high-tech twin-loop "Booster" for elevation, and a non-skid mat shaped to fit the stand.

Not forgetting the feline diners, they also make an ingenious cat dish --flattened in order to avoid interfering with a cat's sensitive whiskers. These stainless bowls do not come with a table stand, however, they are raised on four black rubber legs. A similar bowl is also produced for small "toy" dog breeds.

Another company combines high-tech materials with a retro look, making its way-out looking tables from extremely durable Europly, once only found in sophisticated European cabinetry. Called "Astro" and "Laika" evoking early space exploration, these tables provide the same ergonomic benefits, and delight the owners with their sheer artistic quality. Another European source brings Italian design to a variety of common pet accessories. The result: pet gear with a sleek Milan couture appearance.

With the pet industry approaching $35 billion, and pet owners having more disposable income devoted to the care, feeding and comfort of their well-loved animal companions, we will continue to see the development of products better suited to the well-being of the pet, and to the aesthetic tastes of pet owners, who are demanding higher and higher design quality in the products they purchase.

To locate the feeding dish choices mentioned in this article visit http://www.deanhenry.com, an online retailer dedicated to innovative pet products.

Dean Berenbaum is president of DeanHenry.com, which sells modern design home and pet goods. Offering high-quality well-designed products is his company's unique mission. Their website can be found at http://www.deanhenry.com.