Pet owners have no limits lately

The pet industry is still booming in the face of the recession. Some pet owners are going to unheard of measures to ensure that their animals are healthy, well-fed, and in some extreme cases, comfortable while traveling. From the outlandish to the exotic to the practical, here's a look at what's new in the domestic animal kingdom:

Puppy Luxe : The super-rich may be pawning last season's designer wardrobe and selling off a vacation home or two, but with some still treating their pets like spoiled children, apparently there remains a market for pampered pet services. Nestled in the heart of Hollywood, D Pet Hotels provides high-end dog boarding; the extensive list of in-house amenities, which reads like that of a five-star resort, includes luxury suites with king- and queen-sized beds and flat screen TVs, the chic D Boutique, a full-service spa, a chauffeured car service, and a photo set with professional "furtographers" ready to capture Bailey's best headshot. (What, no mini-bar?) While D Pet Hotels serves as an extravagant home-away-from-home for dogs lucky enough to still have one, a new pet-only airline service recently launched for those who think their critters deserve better than the cargo hold. With its maiden voyage scheduled for July 14^th, Pet Airways will soon offer first class service to dogs and cats traveling between five cities (Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Chicago and Denver), with fares starting at $149 each way. The only humans allowed on Pet Airways flights are the pilots and flight attendants who provide food, comfort and assistance for up to 50 "pawsengers" per flight. With most consumers eschewing luxury purchases for themselves these days, it will be interesting to see if passionate pet owners are willing and able to splurge on such services for their furry pals.

Home Cooking : Mirroring the increasing caution taken by consumers about processed foods these days, more devoted pet owners are finding peace of mind in spending a couple of hours a week making their animals healthy meals that wouldn't necessarily be out of place at their own dinner tables. While cooking for one's pet can be more time-consuming and expensive than tossing a bag of kibble into a shopping cart, owners are likely to save money in the long run, as their healthier pets will likely require fewer (and less expensive) visits to the vet. However, cooking up healthy, balanced meals for cats and dogs is no easy feat, and it's suggested that pet parents do their homework before getting into the kitchen.

-from trendcentral