Pampering Their Pets or Themselves?

If you are fed up with pets that look scruffy, dirty or straggly, why not spruce them up with fur highlights, add a party look by painting their nails or spray them with their own special eau de toilette?

It is all possible thanks to 465 sometimes bizarre beauty products launched so far this year for the world's pampered pets.

"For many pet owners, their animals are as loved and pampered as their own children, and deserve to be groomed and cared for with the best products," consumer trends organisation Mintel's David Jago said.

"On an extreme level, we have even seen cosmetic products that allow pets to imitate their owner's beauty regimes."

Style-conscious cats and dogs can now be treated to nail polishes - available in a range of colours from scarlet to gloss - while they can also have their fur dyed gold, orange or pink.

For overweight or stressed-out animals, there are numerous weight control supplements, relaxation sprays and "chill" pills.

"Pets have for some time been seen as a type of fashion accessory, particularly amongst the celebrity set, with the likes of Paris Hilton, Uma Thurman and Geri Halliwell rarely seen without their dog in a bag," Mr Jago said.

"These new products seem to be tapping into this trend and allowing owners to colour-coordinate their look with that of their pets."

Of course though, once your pooch has been spruced up it could start attracting unwanted attention.

But do not worry - a firm in the Netherlands has produced "No Love Spray" which promises to neutralise the sexual scent of female dogs.