By Craig Kacz

Pet
 Essentials
This summer’s
coolest
treats for your BFFs
(‘best furry friends’)

Oh these scorching hot desert days and nights! While pools and air conditioning and frothy, fruity iced drinks might be enough for us two-legged folks to stay cool and comfortable this season, our favorite four-legged friends need all the help they can get. Besides, when was the last time you spoiled your best little canine or feline playmate? OK, so just this morning, but isn’t it time you spoiled them all over again—really, really spoiled them? Well, we’re here to help. We’ve pulled together an assortment of local goodies and tasty treats and mixed them up with some online indulgences sure to get those tails a-wagging and kitties a-purring.
On the top of any list of summer essentials for even the most sophisticated cat or dog has to be a comfy place to sleep. And PAWZ Palm Springs uhas a selection of some of the grooviest, hippest and downright most glamorous beds and chaises around for design-conscious parents and their discriminating pets. The stunning Wowo Pod Bed, in bent plywood with a choice of veneers such as wenge, bamboo and aluminum, has a distinct mid-century aesthetic. The round pod-like shape is great for those little ones that like to snuggle up into a tight ball, and the shaggy, lush faux fur pad can easily be removed and washed. Prices begin at $625.
Also, check out the clever and fanciful Catwheel. With a rough, outer sisal shell to satisfy your cat’s scratching needs, and a fluffy faux fur inside that makes a great little lounge for hours of restful sleep. $129.95 in black, pink or champagne. Both beds available at PAWZ Palm Springs, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in the Corridor.
Sharp and stylish tank tops and T-shirts are all the rage for Palm Springs’ smart and trendy pets this summer. Fashionable, yes, but practical, too—they also provide much-needed protection against those pesky ultraviolet rays. Check out the distinctive cotton tank tops at local Cold Nose Warm Heartv, especially the Palm Springs collection with a too-cool-for-school pooch in sunglasses chilling under a palm tree. $22 in light blue or mint, at Cold Nose Warm Heart, 189 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
And for those dogs with a wicked sense of humor and a playful sense of style, Toru Tanksw has a witty and slightly sassy line of soft-washed vintage tanks inspired by punk and rock star legends. Grab a couple of Butthole Sniffers or Poo Fighters shirts and watch the attitude soar. The only problem—now your rock star pet might be better dressed than you! $27 to $29, in sizes XS to XXL at torudog.com.
Nothing ruins a ‘pet’-tacular new outfit quicker than a frayed or well-worn collar and leash. Upgrade your pet’s accessories with The Diva Dog Collectionx, which includes dozens of spiffy, snazzy leash and collar sets made of the highest quality materials. Try the Harlequin pattern, in yummy lime green and warm chocolate brown. Or the Katrina, with its pink and black stylized fleur-de-lis motif (and as an added inducement, as if one were needed, Diva Dog is donating 10 percent of all sales of the Katrina Collection to no-kill animal shelters in the New Orleans area). Collar and leash sets, $55 at diva-dog.com.
Every day should be a spa day for our—let’s face it—pampered pals. The Doggie Spa Packy, available in soothing lavender or invigorating peppermint/tea tree, includes the Every Dog Has His Day Spa® Shampoo, infused with citronella and other natural oils to nourish the coat while repelling fleas and bugs; Between Baths Spritz, for a long-lasting sparkling fresh scent; and Soap-on-a-Rope, a natural, handmade soap that lathers up luxuriously and leaves your dog feeling extra-soft and itch-free. The Spa Pack also includes a bathing sponge and, just for fun, a little rubber duckie! $30 at thepamperedpup.com.
Whether accompanying you on a hike through one of the desert’s canyons or simply strolling down the city streets, keep your favorite little companion calm and collected with Ruff Wear’s Swamp Cooler Vestz. Simply soak the vest in cold water. The unique three-layer construction facilitates evaporation, releasing heat while cooling down your dog. And the light, breathable mesh fabric reflects sunlight to enhance the cooling process. Its ergonomic cut offers a secure fit while still providing a full range of motion, and quick-release buckles allow easy on/easy off convenience. Technology at its finest, and the vest looks pretty classy, too $49.95, in sizes XXS to XL, at pawlickers.com.
Everyone is going green and organic these days, and that should certainly include your pets. Simply Fido has a sweet new collection of knitted Organic Toys{ that offers a non-toxic alternative for safe fun and risk-free hours of chewing. Made of unbleached, untreated and unprocessed organic cotton and dyed with all-natural ingredients. While several dogs we know are partial to the Squirrel, there are also a Chicken, a Monkey, and a Cat to choose from. $14.99 each at botanicaldog.com.
All good dogs deserve a special treat. Heck, even the not-so-good ones warrant a little extra something every now and then. Palm Desert’s Three Dog Bakery| has boxed up some of their most scrumptious and appetizing treats, such as Vanilla Woofers, CiaoWow! Cheese Pizzas, Carob Dipped Scottie Biscotties, Multigrain Beagle Bagels, and Itty Bitty Bones made with peanut butter. These all-natural, oven-baked doggie delicacies, free of all artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, are sure to generate an instant tail wag, a quick cuddle, or even a big, slobbery smooch. Gift Boxers from $29.95 to $49.95 at Three Dog Bakery, 73613 Highway 111, Palm Desert.
For an innovative and refreshing indulgence, and to get your pooches to lap up some extra fluids come the extra-hot dog days of summer, Yöghund }has created a healthy and nutritional frozen yoghurt treat. Made with 100 percent organic, digestive-friendly ingredients, in peanut butter, banana and blueberry-vanilla flavors. A trial pack contains four 3.5 fl. oz. cups; $5.99 directly from yoghund.com, or locally at Smoke Tree Pets and Supplies, 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.
Another original and inventive gourmet treat, and a welcome addition to the diets of even the most discerning cats and dogs, are the alcohol-free varietals from Bark Vineyards~. Pour evenly over your pet’s meal and step back as your four-legged friend savors the delicious bouquet and unique flavors of a fine Sauvignon Bark, a savory Pinot Leasheo, or a full-bodied Meowlot. Each varietal is made of human-grade ingredients and has a tasty blend of chicken stock or beef broth, carrots, parsley and other vegetables and spices. $19.99 a bottle or $32.99 for a three-bottle boxed set, at barkvineyards.com.