"For the Dogs' Has a Whole New Meaning"

Andrew Martin's article "For the Dogs" gives an interesting insight into what you can spoil your animals with and made me ask myself if there is such a thing as spoiling your animal too much. It amazed me to find out the kind of money that some people are willing to spend on their pets and hearing about all the different products that are now available to pamper your pet makes me wonder if some of the products are meant to be for your animals own good, or for the entertainment of the pets owner. Most pets should be considered apart of their owners family and I understand the impulse in trying to put cute clothes on your animal. At the same time unless you are doing it for warmth on a cool day, you are not only just doing it for your own entertainment, but also taking away your animals dignity.
 Beyond those accessories that are there to entertain the pets owner though, I think that if you want to get your pet something that will entertain it, or make it's life better, I don't disagree with letting your pet appreciate a gift from it's owner. I think that people tend to love their pets and not only does the pet benefit from getting a new play thing, but the owner also gets to enjoy vicariously the enjoyment from their pet. People are also spending more and more on food and I don't think it is a bad idea to spend a little more on what your animal eats. There is always an exception to the rule, but we are told that we are what we eat, so why should it be any different for your animal. Cheap cat food contains things in it that cats don't even eat in the wild so I think that spending a little more on food is a good idea.